OmniCognateNeutronRangler
Senior Member
The is a review of the new C-Class in this month Top Gear magazine (also a nice DVD showing clips of some or the Top Gear challenges). Given that some people here like to quote surveys all the time I thought I’d start by quoting the opening paragraph of the article.
“Since the dawn of the previous C-Class, Mercedes has given us all its wobbliest era ever. By introducing a spectacular array of ambitious new technologies at the same time as a bewildering expansion of their model range, the Germans stretched their engineering people and money to, and beyond, the limit. The result has been a world of pain – a dive in reliability and a distinctly rebellious owner body which has grown weary of paying Rolex prices for Bangkok-market fake-Rolex quality.”
I can relate to that. However, the point of the article is that it seems that MB have gone back to basics with the new C-Class and have abandoned attempts to mate car design and rocket-science in an attempt to make a car that runs for more than a week without needing to visit the garage. A “less is more” approach where they have focused on making what is there work well and solidly rather than introducing a whole new raft of toys to break.
The article goes on to say that the car is very much more reminiscent of the W124’s of the 1980’s with regard to build quality and design. This can only be a good thing.
Their verdict “Engineered like a Benz ought to be. It’s sportier than before yet maintains traditional qualities”. Maybe in 4 years time when the prices have dropped a bit, if Benz have genuinely got their act back together I may consider one. I'm sure by then the looks will have grown on me too. Possibly....
“Since the dawn of the previous C-Class, Mercedes has given us all its wobbliest era ever. By introducing a spectacular array of ambitious new technologies at the same time as a bewildering expansion of their model range, the Germans stretched their engineering people and money to, and beyond, the limit. The result has been a world of pain – a dive in reliability and a distinctly rebellious owner body which has grown weary of paying Rolex prices for Bangkok-market fake-Rolex quality.”
I can relate to that. However, the point of the article is that it seems that MB have gone back to basics with the new C-Class and have abandoned attempts to mate car design and rocket-science in an attempt to make a car that runs for more than a week without needing to visit the garage. A “less is more” approach where they have focused on making what is there work well and solidly rather than introducing a whole new raft of toys to break.
The article goes on to say that the car is very much more reminiscent of the W124’s of the 1980’s with regard to build quality and design. This can only be a good thing.
Their verdict “Engineered like a Benz ought to be. It’s sportier than before yet maintains traditional qualities”. Maybe in 4 years time when the prices have dropped a bit, if Benz have genuinely got their act back together I may consider one. I'm sure by then the looks will have grown on me too. Possibly....
