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[Deleted member 113659]

Speaking of exhausts, what's changed in the last 30 years. When I was a young boy my dad seemed to have new exhausts fitted to various cars at places like kwik Fit and national tyres etc.

When I was 17 I had a new one fitted to a Vauxhall Astra Van, then a couple of years later to a Sierra Sappire.

Since then I've never had, nor heard of a friend having to get a new exhaust. Are they lasting longer now-a-days?

Ant.

 

[uumode]

Speaking of exhausts, what's changed in the last 30 years. When I was a young boy my dad seemed to have new exhausts fitted to various cars at places like kwik Fit and national tyres etc.

When I was 17 I had a new one fitted to a Vauxhall Astra Van, then a couple of years later to a Sierra Sappire.

Since then I've never had, nor heard of a friend having to get a new exhaust. Are they lasting longer now-a-days?

Ant.

Yeah same view here.

In my early days my 2 year old Metro car had its whole exhaust system changed - but me now thinks I was naive and was fleeced by Kwik fit.
My less than 5 year old car almost had a new exhaust system every year, again Kwik fit. (Fleeced again in my inexperienced youth)

Audi 90 - 14 years same exhaust and still going
E class - 16.5 years same exhaust and still going
Toyota Avensis - 12 years same exhaust and still going
BMW 3 series - 20 years same exhaust (but little used) and still going

Then again I didn't take any of those to Kwik fit.

 

[190]

When Cats were introduced they caused exhausts to fail very quickly because of the heat taken out of the exhaust gases. I remember one lasting me only 18 months. I think they must then have been forced to start making them from better quality materials which may be why they now last much longer.

 

[grober]

Hi JBD,

Aside from the upcoming C450/C43 AMG models with 4Matic, do you know if there will be any other 6 cylinder/4Matic options for the C-Class available anytime soon in the UK?

When BMW and Audi already offer mid-size saloon/estate models with 6 cylinder engines and all-wheel drive in the UK, how much longer will we have to wait for a suitable Mercedes that fits the bill?

Thanks, Mark

Based purely on previous MB /MB UK policy [ since 1992!!!] I would predict there is little likelihood of MB developing any 4WD versions of their current RHD +rear wheel drive with longitudinally mounted engine saloon/estate car range.
This does not apply to Mercedes models based on the A class front wheel drive platform with transverse engine and gearbox as 4WD can be added more easily. Or for that matter, their large SUV vehicles mainly manufactured in the States-- due to greater underbody space/ground clearance and sheer vehicle size its easier to accomodate the additional 4WD systems.

I would like to be proved wrong on this one but when MB said they intend to extend 4WD across all their model range I think they may have been refering to LHD Models.

 

[MarkII]

Based purely on previous MB /MB UK policy [ since 1992!!!] I would predict there is little likelihood of MB developing any 4WD versions of their current RHD +rear wheel drive with longitudinally mounted engine saloon/estate car range.
This does not apply to Mercedes models based on the A class front wheel drive platform with transverse engine and gearbox as 4WD can be added more easily. Or for that matter, their large SUV vehicles mainly manufactured in the States-- due to greater underbody space/ground clearance and sheer vehicle size its easier to accomodate the additional 4WD systems.

I would like to be proved wrong on this one but when MB said they intend to extend 4WD across all their model range I think they may have been refering to LHD Models.

You're right Grober, the history on MB selling 4Matic models like C/E-Class into RHD markets hasn't been good but that was when the engineering changes necessary to add RHD steering (the principle factor) onto a 4 wheel drive model, which had been principally engineered for LHD markets involved considerable costs and in some cases (due to geartrain placement) simply wasn't feasible.

The MRA platform that now forms the basis of the C-Class (and others), is also used on the GLC which is sold in the UK - therefore it's already engineered for RHD so what's to stop it's architecture being used for a RHD 4Matic C-Class?

If I'm right, then any decision not to offer a range of 4Matic C-Class' and possibly E-Class' here would be purely down to a marketing decision - which would seem flawed in a market where there is clearly a demand for 4 wheel drive cars (other than SUV's), as evidenced by both BMW's Xdrive and Audi's Quattro models.

All the German mfrs seem keen on filling every niche with a model, so like you, I hope they do offer 4Matic 'Cars' here as an alternative to the ubiquitous SUV.

Mark

 

[gIzzE]

The problem is, Mercedes, Ford and Audi have said they don't think that they will produce estate cars by 2025 and they all think that by 2020 40% of all cars they manufacture will be SUVs.

Even BMW have said that after 25 years without xDrive models in the UK on saloons and Tourings they left it too late, as 90% of buyers who want AWD are the same owners that are also moving to SUVs.

BMW has been Europes largest AWD manufacturer for the last 20 odd years, which seems had to comprehend being in the UK, but they outsold Audi year after year who are thought of as being an AWD car maker with their Quattro system.


It seems that most are now offering one of two engines from each model range with AWD, but not the whole range.

Mercedes UK won't offer 4matic on their saloons and estates imho, they don't even offer al a carté options anymore or let you choose the colour combinations you want, so can't see AWD being offered on anything but things like the C43, which is probably the one car most want in the UK with RWD!

 

[MarkII]

The problem is, Mercedes, Ford and Audi have said they don't think that they will produce estate cars by 2025 and they all think that by 2020 40% of all cars they manufacture will be SUVs.

Even BMW have said that after 25 years without xDrive models in the UK on saloons and Tourings they left it too late, as 90% of buyers who want AWD are the same owners that are also moving to SUVs.

BMW has been Europes largest AWD manufacturer for the last 20 odd years, which seems had to comprehend being in the UK, but they outsold Audi year after year who are thought of as being an AWD car maker with their Quattro system.


It seems that most are now offering one of two engines from each model range with AWD, but not the whole range.

Mercedes UK won't offer 4matic on their saloons and estates imho, they don't even offer al a carté options anymore or let you choose the colour combinations you want, so can't see AWD being offered on anything but things like the C43, which is probably the one car most want in the UK with RWD!

Personally speaking, I'd be happy if Mercedes offered just a couple of options for the C-Class as a 4Matic in RHD (preferably with a 6 cylinder V6/I6 - though I doubt that will happen), for those of us who don't want an SUV (although I've owned a few in the past) and want something relatively compact, by modern SUV standards.

I will be surprised (and a little disappointed) if Mercedes UK choose not to offer 4Matic C-Class models (other than the C450/C43) in the UK in the next year or so.

There's been talk of Mercedes introducing a 4Matic 'All-terrain' estate model based on the E-Class (also MRA platform), to compete with the Audi A6 Allroad, so given that Audi have launched the New A4 with an Allroad version and will have a new A6 Allroad in 2018 and the new Volvo V90 will spawn a Cross Country, why shouldn't Mercedes do something similar as a C/E Class estate?

As I said, the engineering graft has already been done developing MRA as a rear or all-wheel drive architecture, so why not utilise it in as many markets and niches as possible?

Mark

 

[gIzzE]

I agree, I think you have more chance of an X350 E Class estate than anything else.

The A4 allroad, A6 allroad, Passat Alltrack, XC70 etc. etc. all seem to do well, look good and hold their money well too.

I was gutted I missed the Alltrack deals last month...

£139 a month on contract hire, it was a VW screw up, but some got the deal.

 

[S205-FTW]

There's been talk of Mercedes introducing a 4Matic 'All-terrain' estate model based on the E-Class (also MRA platform), to compete with the Audi A6 Allroad,

E-Class All Terrain I think it's going to be called.
New Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate to take on Audi A6 Allroad | Autocar

The reason for the continued delay for C-Class 4matic is apparently RHD engineering/testing.
Still waiting for details on the C43/C450 here even though the US and Europe have had it for almost a year now.

 

[MarkII]

Wow, some people got a good deal then....

The Passat Alltrack looks a nice motor nice but I do wish they would have made the plastic wheel arch mouldings textured (like mouldings used to be) - I know the smooth ones are easier to coordinate if someone wants to paint them but the textured ones (like the old Golf GTi used) always seemed more durable.

I guess we'll just have to see what Mercedes decide to do to tempt those of us who would consider an AWD cross-over

 

[JBD]

So, quick update. Returned from global training today. Have driven:

2016 SL400
S class cab
SLC43 AMG
GLS
C63 Coupe
E220, 350, 200

Seen:
C class cab
The new E Coupe!
The new E Estate!

I'll get a bigger update up tomorrow if I can, but I have a lot on. Sadly my stepfather passed away while I was in Croatia, so I'm juggling a lot. Apologies of I've missed any questions from people.


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[Deleted member 113659]

What an awful job you have James. Not sure how you motivate yourself to get out of bed.

On a much more serious note I'm so sorry to hear of your Stepfathers passing. Condolences to you and your family.

Ant.

 

[MarkII]

Likewise, thank you for the update but please concentrate on more important matters at this difficult time.

Condolences, Mark

 

[JBD]

What an awful job you have James. Not sure how you motivate yourself to get out of bed.

On a much more serious note I'm so sorry to hear of your Stepfathers passing. Condolences to you and your family.

Ant.

Thanks! It was expected and I got to see him the day before I went out, so it wasn't at all a shock. The fast driving was a pleasant distraction anyway!

I was massively impressed with the 3 litre V6 in the SLC43 and SL400. I think that engine is going to really sell well, particularly with 4Matic, it sounds great. This SLC43 is a lot better than the 55

 

[Scooby_Doo]

Condolences on your family's loss.
When you have the time, no rush, your views on the new "E Class Coupe " would be welcome , well aware of it's introduction when I recently ordered my current style new one.

 

[JBD]

It's certainly imposing! They've kept the no B pillar look of the current model, but with the expected smoother, less angular design. The front looks more like an S Coupe than the C Coupe. The overall appearance was a lot more hunkered down, with a higher belt-line. Obviously it's going to follow the lines of its sibling cars, but with a few unique design touches. It looked to be like there was significantly more room for passengers in the rear.


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[JBD]

Changes to the model range:

No more Tenorite grey, it's been discontinued.
Northern light violet has been discontinued and replaced with cavansite blue on A, B, CLA, GLA.
Brilliant Blue is now available on all C and GLC models.

4 Matic available on C200, C220d, C250d

Night package now available on c class

C and GLC 43 models now available

All changes from June production. Let me know if you have any specific questions


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[gIzzE]

Was anything mentioned about the new straight six engines that are coming?

 

[Tiim533]

Changes to the model range:

No more Tenorite grey, it's been discontinued.

:fail

 

[gIzzE]

:fail

My favourite colour too.

But do like the caravansite blue with all the brightwork removed.