W204?

[Phil D]

Just wondered if anyone out there has one or at least has had a decent drive in one ? Saw it in the dealers & it looks the dog's, and studying the brochure tends to support that view but does it live up to the billing?

 

[Phil D]

eh.............. so that's a "no" is it?

 

[television]

It looks like no one has tried one yet, one of my friends had one for a day, he liked the way it drove, other people in the road thought it was ugly, mind you they are living in the past

 

[Eric Tilley]

I think the Sport (avantgarde) radiator grill does it no favours, looks like a Citroen that has had a shunt. The elegance is much better. Look forward to trying one .

 

[Phil D]

these things are very subjective and I too think the elegance is so much better - what I'm really interested in is what it feels like under your right foot! - on paper very encouraging, but on the road?

 

[benzo]

Haven't driven it, but got into one in the showroom when my car went in for a service. The pictures don't do it justice -it looks a lot better in the flesh (or metal?) and the interior is quite nice too.

 

[jberks]

I've also sat in one but not driven it. I've only seen one on the roads as yet so it's a bit too early perhaps. Wait until they creep into the loan car fleet. I quite fancy a 320cdi but like you guys it would have to be the elegance.

 

[paul c]

I think it looks like a vectra and am not impressed at all dispite having a really good look at a couple at the dealers yesterday,but maybe it will grow on me as the bemmer 3 series has.

 

[robtt]

Hi
Had a 204 320cdi Elegance for a day when my gearbox was having a software update to try to smooth out the gearchanges.So it was a back to back c203 v c204 test.Starting with the interior it is not up to the old car...do Merc designers never look at Audi interiors as a bench mark? Looks are subjective and I do not think the new car is that good and it just looks a bit ordinary ie lacks presence expected of a MB.
It went well tho' but engine was still tight and a bit noisy as only had 800 miles on clock.Averaged 38mpg.Handling was much better that old car and ride likewise.Will try the sport version sometime as interested as to whether it is a BM competitor.
Will I buy one when I change? Unlikely . E class here I come!

 

[type49]

I drove one for 3 hours. Like Robtt, I didn't like the interior as much as the 203 but I also didn't like the 203 interior compared with the 202! To drive it though, the 204 was much better, especially on poor road surfaces. Mirrors are a bit............BIG. I prefer the sport than the elegance.

 

[chinny]

Left MB (and this forum) in 2005 and now thinknig about gettng the new W204.

Took out the C280 Elegance yesterday and I have to say I am smitten by the handling. However, I have to agree with the previous posts regarding the interior, it was a little bit too "plasticky". Otherwise I am quite convinced.

Will take out the avant garde on Tuesday and see how it compares.

Also keen to hear more from W204 owners out there.

 

[NewMB]

Drove one yesterday.

A C320 Cdi just arrived with only 3 miles on the clock. Sport model, satnav, leather and all the other toys.

Very responsive. No noticable performance difference from my estate. Great engine as always and worked very smoothly together with the gearbox.

Hard suspension, much worse than my sport pack equipped estate. But then again, british roads are poor.

Low seating, enormous mirrors! But could certainly see everything.

The interior however.... plasticky as previously said. More so than the W203. Letaher quality is nothing to write home about (same as mine).... just so much worse than the Volvo's I used to drive and own.

But ignoring the plastic feeling, poor leather and hard ride - really a great car that has great handling and responsive engine.

I will consider one of these next time.

 

[Rory]

Hard suspension, much worse than my sport pack equipped estate. But then again, british roads are poor.

Interesting - the harshness of the riide in my (non-sport) Avantgarde estate is awful. If the W204 is worse then that's not good!

 

[DC_insider]

Interesting - the harshness of the riide in my (non-sport) Avantgarde estate is awful. If the W204 is worse then that's not good!

That doesn't sound right. I had an Avantgarde estate with sport pack and thought that the ride was excellent.

 

[Rory]

That doesn't sound right. I had an Avantgarde estate with sport pack and thought that the ride was excellent.

It's an ex-MB Management car, but (quite unusually for an ex-MB car, I think) doesn't have the sport pack. Actually I avoided sport pack, mainly because I assumed (like on Audi's and BMW's) it would be worse.

It's fine on the motorway, but I've quite literally stopped using one (reasonably well surfaced) B road short cut as it was just unbearable. It's been noticeably better since I changed the original Bridgestones (noted for stiff sidewalls) to Michelins.

 

[verytalldave]

Saw one today with some nice wheels.............

Lets just say I know what my next cars going to be...........

 

[NewMB]

That doesn't sound right. I had an Avantgarde estate with sport pack and thought that the ride was excellent.

The ride in the "old" 203 (2006) model I have is fine. Fat tires, grips well and takes corners with confidence. But the new model (Sport) handles alot better. Perhaps they have done something to the suspension to make it more "contact-to-the-road" alike. But certainly felt harder in the B-road I tried it on before entering the A12 (which is really bad). But less noticable at higher speed.

The steering is really light! Salesman was on about the Progressive Steering, which I also have (comes as std on C320 Cdi/C350/C63) but it was lighter than mine.

My conclusion of all this - is that I think MB has gone for BMW in the handling department. Stiffening the suspension, making steering lighter and alot quicker as well as making the Sport stand out (very much like the Sport in 3-series compared to normal SE cars).

BUT....

I also tried an ML320 Cdi Sport. 2008 model..... I think I am sold on this one.

Big difference of course, but also, lets not forget, the retained value.

A C320 Cdi is tipped at 46-48%. ML320 Cdi Sport 55% and the difference is only £4000 between them with same equipment.

 

[verytalldave]

I dont think its a big secret that MB have gone all out to woo BMW 3/5 series owners away from their beloved badge. Improved handling was always going to be intrinsic to the W204 package. It had to be. It nice to be given the choice between an all out sports model and a more relaxed "comfort" model for the more traditional MB owners.
BTW.........why "tires" and not "tyres"? Do you have a US spellchecker in force?

 

[NewMB]

BTW.........why "tires" and not "tyres"? Do you have a US spellchecker in force?

Sorry.... no. Even after over 11 years in the UK (are swedish) I still type the old habbits one learns on school over there.

Same as "hood" instead of bonnet etc.

 

[verytalldave]

Fair enough. No apology needed I assure you. Just curious ! !! !