What's the difference between Elegance & SE

[6CylinderMerc]

I've often seen W203 C Classes around the age of mine advertised as Elegance SE.

What exactly is the difference between a standard Elegance and an SE? Did MB ever make an Elegance Sport & if so what were the differences on that?

 

[C220]

I was wondering about this, mine is an Avantgarde SE but what do you get extra as an SE

 

[whitenemesis]

I think SE mean "Special Edition" and would have some otherwise options as standard.

So an Elegance with extra bits!

What those bits are would change from year to year and model to model.

 

[portzy]

I'll try to help. With the CL203 that I had a few years ago I could order it, as I did, as an SE then added some other packages also. This SE package was like a small upgrade which, from memory, consisted of 16" alloys, metalic paint, and manual air conditioning instead of steel wheels and just a heater.

Avantgarde packages are usually on top of and in addition to the SE package and "sports" based i.e. sports suspension, bits of alloy trim inside, aggressive perforated front grilles, bigger + better alloys etc.

Elegance packages tend to be a softer approach, still in addition to the SE package, but with wood trim, subtle alloys, posh grilles, etc.

Others might be able to add more info.

HTH.

Portzy.

 

[jaymanek]

the SE on the C class's is almost not worth listing... its certain items that come as standard such as auto fold mirrors, auto dim etc...

 

[C220]

Not found how to turn that on, my mirrors are the one touch folding type.

the SE on the C class's is almost not worth listing... its certain items that come as standard such as auto fold mirrors, auto dim etc...

 

[6CylinderMerc]

Not found how to turn that on, my mirrors are the one touch folding type.

My understanding is that it depends on the age as to whether it can be programmed (post 2003?)

 

[C220]

Mines a 55 plate so hopefully it can be programmed

Sorry for the hi-jack!

 

[jeremytaylor]

From my W203 Estate brochure dated 28.03.2007:

"For a C-Class that gives you a little extra, chose one of the Special Equipment Packages. They combine a number of carefully selected enhancements in on eattractive package. All feature metallic paint, a leather trimmed steering wheel and gearshift, plus automatic dimming for the rear view mirror and driver's exterior mirror.

In addition, all include 16" alloy wheels and 205/55 tyres, with 225/50 tyres at the rear for the Avantgarde SE (17" on the C350 and C320CDI)"

As Jay says, almost not worth listing.

 

[C220]

Auto dimming mirrors are pretty cool but then its a bit of a novelty as its the first car I've had that does it.

 

[Dryce]

F
"For a C-Class that gives you a little extra, chose one of the Special Equipment Packages. They combine a number of carefully selected enhancements in on eattractive package. All feature metallic paint, a leather trimmed steering wheel and gearshift, plus automatic dimming for the rear view mirror and driver's exterior mirror.

Translation: "Please buy our runout cars. Please. Please. Please."

 

[kjay]

.. its certain items that come as standard such as auto fold mirrors, auto dim etc...

Auto dim ?



Sometimes !!

 

[6CylinderMerc]

From my W203 Estate brochure dated 28.03.2007:

"For a C-Class that gives you a little extra, chose one of the Special Equipment Packages. They combine a number of carefully selected enhancements in on eattractive package. All feature metallic paint, a leather trimmed steering wheel and gearshift, plus automatic dimming for the rear view mirror and driver's exterior mirror.

In addition, all include 16" alloy wheels and 205/55 tyres, with 225/50 tyres at the rear for the Avantgarde SE (17" on the C350 and C320CDI)"

As Jay says, almost not worth listing.

I guess that makes mine an SE then...:bannana:

 

[jaymanek]

sorry i meant elec folding not auto..

 

[Kaz959]

MB never made an Elegance Sport becasue they're two types of car, the difference between an Elegance and an SE is an SE is a Special Eddition and an Elegance is an Elegance.
Sport MB's have the V6-12 Engines, sports seats etc whereas the Elegance doesn't, its more for the superior type of person.

 

[whitenemesis]

I have an acquaintance with a CLK Elegance with Sports suspension, wheels, brakes. It was factory fit option.

 

[comports]

I have a CLK Elegance with sport option from factory..!
Does that count..

 

[mark.t]

pardon the intrusion but sport is a bumpy ride and elegance is a more comfortable ride for the laid back relaxed type person .... my dads 04 c180k classic SE was the same price as the manual ...but you got auto, leather steering wheel,nano paint, duel climate , a sliver star on your steering wheel wow, and a few other bits a bobs ...
I thinks it goes Classic ...(basic) Elegance (basic comfort) Avantgarde (sporty) then you tick the option boxes

 

[hawk20]

I'm afraid the real answer to your question, even from one as loyal to Mercedes as I am, is to say that the whole system of labelling Mercs is now in an amazing mess.

Things called 180's are often 2 litres. Things called 320cdis are often only 3 litres. The A 160cdi, the A180cdi and A200cdi all have a 2 litre diesel engine just different states of tune and different turbos. Best not to look for any rhyme or reason.

Back to your question about SE and Elegance. You just have to look at each and every model and check carefully the list of options and bits that are included.

A class: - offers Classic, Classic SE (which adds aircon, foglamps, air-conditioned glovebox and a better sound system), Elegance SE, Avantgarde SE and A200Turbo.

Go to the B class and there is no Elegance, or Avantgarde or even Classic. A much simpler (and IMO in some ways a better system) with just Standard or SE for most models other than the badly named TURBO (which means the 200 petrol turbo not the also available 200 diesel turbo! )

The C class confuses with yet another variation. There is an SE model (what used to be called the Classic SE) an Elegance and a Sport.

Move on to the E class and the term SE has now disappeared. Just Classic, Elegance, Avantgarde and Sport.

When you get to the S class there is no Elegance, Avantgarde or anything. Just different engine sizes, and a long-wheelbase version, and a menu of extras. But the standard spec is pretty good.

So the truth is when Merc use the term SE it means anything they want it to mean, at that particular time, for that particular model and you need to read the price list to find out what is and what is not included.