New to the board and interested in buying a Mercedes . Though I wouldn't want to buy anything but a Mercedes, I've compared the C-class to its direct competitors and options such as parktronic, keyless go, and intelligent cruise control (Distronic) are available in the BMW 3 series and Audi A4. Though unfortunately the A4 instrument layout sux and the BMW iDrive is horrid. I wonder if Mercedes will offer these options on the next w204 C-Class.
BMW and Audi offer free maintenance and more current body styles. The current C is in it's last year so it may pay to wait a full year. For me it's a dealership thing, I'm 1 mile from the dealer, free car washes, got the last year for free maintenance and they have excellent service. In contrast, the BMW dealer has horrible rep for service, is 10 miles away, no free car washes. The Audi dealer is close by and new so I haven't checked it out but if MB doesn't bring back free maintenance by the time I'm shopping, then Audi it may be.
Well, Buellwinkle, I hope you do get an Audi, then we will possibly not hear you complain so much over stupid little things. Like I said in another post, buying a vehicle only because you got a good deal will cause you to nit-pick and find everything wrong (things you don't like) and hate your car.
Smoothbnzf4n4tc, the only reason BMW and Audi offer so much in comparable cars is Mercedes-Benz rocks and doesn't need to. Another reason is, MB innovated many of the systems found in both of those cars. But what happens is, the systems are introduced first in the S-class, then as time passes by, they filter down to the more affordable cars. The reason for this is, if they introduce a system on all the cars at the same time, I'm sure many people would ask themselves "Why would I pay so much for an S-class or CL-class when I could have bought an E-class or CLK-class cheaper?"
Take a close look at the info on the w204 forum: that's probably about as much info as will be available until about the time the car comes over to us. Remember, some things that may be shown as available may or may not find their way to US market cars, at least initially.
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'87 300E: sold after 11years @ 230k & still on the road somewhere in rural Tennessee.
'94 C220 with 93k totalled 10/06 by hit & run broadsiding monster truck: not a scratch or bruise for me
Audi phased out its "Audi Advantage" included maintenance in 2007, and it is a stand alone option that can be purchased. I've had a couple A6s.
The A4 & C class are somewhat comparable--if you consider both cars with AWD packages. The C will be trounced by permanent mechanical AWD quattro w/a torsen system. 4matic may help, but it's not quattro, nor is xdrive.
If you compare the C230 to an A4, both have firm rides, however the sport package will be firmer than a stock A4, which handles pretty well on its own (had several loaners and logged in around 1000 miles on them).
BMW's 3 series will ride a bit better than both in my opinion. Refinement may be better as its a new platform. I would rate the C's seats better in comfort over the A4, but give ride to the A4. The BMW seems to have a good balance of both.
Idrive is no big deal. It takes a little while to figure it out, but once you do it's easy.
With the new W204 coming out, I would hold off buying until I could compare. Both the BMW and Audi have better resale values than the C. Dealer service is all over the place on all of the cars, but generally Audi is considered a bit on the low side.
. Though I wouldn't want to buy anything but a Mercedes, I've compared the C-class to its direct competitors and options such as parktronic, keyless go, and intelligent cruise control (Distronic) are available in the BMW 3 series and Audi A4. Though unfortunately the A4 instrument layout sux and the BMW iDrive is horrid. I wonder if Mercedes will offer these options on the next w204 C-Class.
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