More reviews of the new C-Class

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

The more I look at it the less I like it. The back is just hideous. I can't help feeling it has been made very much for the American market. I looks very much like all the new American cars that are being produced.

I looks a bit like a saab on steroids.

http://cars.uk.msn.com/News/car_news_article.aspx?cp-documentid=2525324

one instersting excerpt "A crucial car for the company, which is still regaining ground lost by quality control disasters"

 

[RFdesigner]

The back end isn't soooo bad.. but the front just looks plain ugly.

MB saloons were always 'understated', this is anything but.

Somehow it looks more like a Japanese wannabe.

Derek

 

[nick-E55]

it may well be my eyesight, but doesnt it look a bit like a 3 series from the side??

 

[robparker]

im really sad to say it just doesnt look anything different from any other car, i only recognised it as a mercedes cabin because of the star on the steering wheel, and without the badging outside it could be a lexus, honda or anything else

 

[nick-E55]

on the other hand, the CLS is different from most... but the designer just gave up when he got to the boot!

 

[maldon]

Front end aside, it does not really cut the mustard with me. I would not say it is ugly, and the rear and is not that bad.

Do like the sort of late 70's retro-y golden colour though.

It will probably grow on you.

 

[jberks]

I'll reserve judgement on the exterior until I've seen it in the flesh (though it would have to be an elegance, given the avensis styling of the sport) but looking at the interior - I was trying to think where I'd seen that dash before - and then it hit me - a Vauxhall corsa loan car!
And where is the wood trim?
Proper exec mercs haven't had black plastic dashboards since the rather basic 'esprit' models in the mid 90's. And those had manual windows!
Sorry but MB appear to have thrown their USP's out of the window and taken on Toyota. So, A C240 for £15k?
What a disaster.

 

[nick-E55]

i think the company's merged with BMW and forgotten to tell us. The interior looks much more BMW than merc. I think the interior of the present Eclass is second to none... hope that doesn;t go the same way, tho i imagine it will.... :roll:

 

[BarryG]

Is it just me or are all the newish cars over the last couple of years all looking very similar from the side? My 12 year old son is better than me at recognising different models from a distance though.
Myself I find I am guessing the wrong make lately, more than I am guessing right. Of course from the front it is much easier on seeing the star
I think aerodynamics is all well and good, but I would forgo some of it, just to add some character to a car.


Barry

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

I'm guessing you are somewhere around your early to mid 40's Barry? In this case it's just your age! I remember when the Sierra came out thinking it looked so odd and futuristic. Everyone was pointing them out on the road. Then they all started looking like the sierra, all curvy. Now it seems to have gone the other way, they all seem to be going for a slightly retro, square "Butch" look.

It's just styles. They do all look the same, so you can only really base your purchases these days on reliability, duriability etc......oh dear, lets hope the new C is more reliable than the w203 then

 

[nick-E55]

I'm guessing you are somewhere around your early to mid 40's Barry? In this case it's just your age! I remember when the Sierra came out thinking it looked so odd and futuristic. Everyone was pointing them out on the road. Then they all started looking like the sierra, all curvy. Now it seems to have gone the other way, they all seem to be going for a slightly retro, square "Butch" look.

It's just styles. They do all look the same, so you can only really base your purchases these days on reliability, duriability etc......oh dear, lets hope the new C is more reliable than the w203 then

You're spot on. Myself, i'm 41 :? , and i very clearly remember the siera exactly as u describe. But like most (not all) new shapes... they do tend to grow on you as you see more of them. Still not sure about the CLS tho.....

Personally, i still think the 60's to 80's produced the best looking cars, with character, purpose and style... unlike the EU compliant non-descript cars.... i'll stop there... as i still live in the 80's

 

[Captain Flack]

I'm going to have to disagree slightly in that I think that the estate version looks great, especially with the sports grill. I think that it's quite a bold move for Mercedes as I suspect that they are aiming this C class at the company car market in direct competition with BMW, etc and will price it accordingly. I just hope that they don't cut corners to get there.

I do agree though that cars are starting to look more and more alike and we will eventually end up with a similar model from all the makers. It's the little touches which Mercedes adds which we all appreciate that will make the difference in the end.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Overall not a bad design effort by MB. I like the little touches like the pop-up satnav, who wants to look at that all day if you don't need it.

The worst bit of the design for me is that the rake of the bonnet, which has become a hallmark for all the latest benz including the E, has been lost because of the overstated grill. Since when was overstatement part of the MB design remit, definitely an american influence there, big and brash. The Stuttgart guys had better watch out or their designs are in danger of being Bangled.

I fear that we are witnessing the coming together of two design philosophies and that can't be good in the long run. The best German designs are on a par with the Italians and they have kept the american influence to a minimum.

7/10

 

[spaceman]

My 2 pennies worth:

I think MB have tried too hard to make this car comparable with the competition. In doing so they've left out the 'uniqueness' of a merc. The C has never been a bold car, but has always had its individuality. I currenty have a W203 and it looks nothing like the Audi A4, BMW 3 or even Lexus IS. That is a plus point.

Unfortunately the W204 looks more like a Vectra and is also very similar to a BMW 3. From what i have seen the interior is also very disappointing. The centre console below the Comand has the 'common' look about it... very Corsa!

I will reserve full judgement until i see it in the flesh, however at the moment the new Lexus IS seems to be my car of choice in this sector.

 

[paul c]

Solid c

Must say went for a test drive in new lexus is250 its a nice car but did not feel sorry to get back in my 5yr old c240 w203 it just felt so much more solid, hope the new c feels the same i like the sport version.

 

[C200 goblin]

I like it. Although only thing is the back lamp lens, they look more like the current c class coupe.
Overall a nice car. At least it hasnt gone drastic like the current 3 series; I was disapointed in the styling of the current 3 series and it still has not grown on me yet.

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

http://cars.uk.msn.com/Reviews/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4052037

is it me, or does picture 21 look like the car doesn't join right in the middle?

 

[angus falconer]

In my opinion Merc's are now going the way of BMW's and becoming pointlessly ugly with over-emphasised wheel areches, lights, grills etc

Audi's meanwhile look better and better to me every day. I'm not saying I want one I just thing they now look elegant in comparison to a lot of the new Bimmers and Mercs.

 

[Rory]

http://cars.uk.msn.com/Reviews/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4052037

is it me, or does picture 21 look like the car doesn't join right in the middle?

"They're all like that, sir".

 

[Chris_J]

We couldn't fault it sir.