I tested both C230 and C300 Vancouver BC, and they both are awesome. I got the C300 4matic 2009 for various reasons, but one stands out the most would be the NAVI. C230 can't add NAVI. That 7" screen is too pretty to pass by.

C230 and C300 both look nices, I believe you know the pros and cons already! Good luck and get a W204!

My 2 Cents!

 

wait, so on the C230 the LCD screen doesn't pop all the way up? i've been trying to find pictures but some C-class i see half the screen and some C i see the full screen raise up? hmm so if the screen in the C230 doesn't raise up like the C300 then hands down ima get a C300.

but still, C300 comes with star grill as standard but there is also a sport package for the star grill? what is correct?

 

The half screen is the base system, the full screen is the Multi-Media system which cost a bit but adds many features.

 

Correct, I just saw a non-MM-equipped C350 today with half screen.

 

I think your decision is not too difficult.
If money is not an overriding factor and if you want more ' sport' in your car, then go for the C 300.
However, as both the C 300 and C 230 will easily break any speed limits, you might want to hang on to some of your hard earned cash and go for the C 230.
Last weekend, I bought my third C Class, a 2008 C 230 with premium package and only 4000 Km on the clock. It is a delight to drive - it offers more than adequate performance and has outstanding comfort and handling.

Bottom Line: If you are leasing, go for the C 300. If you are buying, the C 230 is the one.

 

o i see, so adding the extra $2500 COMAND Navigation Package will get me the full screen but if i don't get it, i'll only get half the screen? i always thought the full screen was standard but i guess the C300 i tested was fully loaded.

Also, can anybody please tell me about the sport package option for the C300? i thought the sport grille and skirts came with the C300 with out charge already but yet when i check the sport package for the C300 which is more expensive than the C230 it says i'll get the star grill instead? i am so stumpped by this.:surrender:

 

the 2009 c230 has the option for Navi, unlike the 2008. and the sport package for 230 is $800 and standard on the 300. its basicly the grill, rims amg styling package. you WILL want the $800 sport package for 230 (its only around $20/month difference) so realisticly the only difference between the 300 and the 230 is the extra horspower, but that will cost you several grand if both cars has the exact same things.

This is only possible with the 09 models not the 08.

 

as much as i LOVE the screen that will rise up is the Navi option really useful? i drive city, not downtown uptown, Richmond Hill Ontario. I dont go on roadtrips much, like once or twice a year with out the sat nav, only 7G auto on the C300 and sport package on the C230 there is only a $77 difference but if i add the SAT NAV option on both these cars, then yes the price does go up a bit, and with that comes this question.

would i choose the SAT NAV option over the Premium option? right now the only reason why i want the SAT NAV option is because of the cool rise screen that appears, i know it isn't a really "strong" stand to get the SAT NAV only because it is cool and have no use for it but man, trying to find the right car is tough

 

noooo, so it looks like i wont be getting the full rise of the screen, i would rather much get the premium package than the multi-media package?

 

Forgive my ignorance when it comes to Canadian exchange rate but I am assuming the figures you have mentioned above are US dollars?
If so, I think you need to get your purchase price down.
I am paying less then $600 per month (for 60 months)with no money down for a C350 with premium package. Also, personally I did not like the look of the big screen sticking up, so I didn't get the NAV and will just use a portable one when needed for road trips. Plus, with Sirus Radio and the ipod kit, I have plenty of tunes. I think the fold down rear seats with the Premium package are a must for a small car like this and the extra HP of the 350 is also.
All just my opinion and more info to confuse your choice.:thumbsup:

 

yes, just more choices to confus me with, nono, those prices are NOT US they are canadian so it is quite pricey. Where do you live and how are you able to lease a C350 for less than $600 a month? do you drive it for less than 12000km a year? i have my option at 24000km/yr and $3000 downpayment to get thoes prices. All prices are canadian, sorry if i confused any of you guys. around $618 for a C300 with 7g auto so please share how you were able to get your C350 for less than 600.

 

Newsflash: - This just in. Mercedes Benz prices are different in the USA and Canada even though the cars are very similar. All manufacturers balance exchange rates with whatever the market will bear.
Therefore, unless you intend to import a USA model, it is irrelevant who paid what to whom. Or, wait until the Can $ goes back above parity and then buy in the USA.
Does anyone make their purchase decision based on the size of the GPS/ MM screen? If a 7 " screen is worth $3K to you then go for it and don't look back.
If you can already find your way from Richmond Hill to downtown and back, without a GPS, then maybe you can spend your money for something more essential/ desireable - something less blingy - or invest $ it.

 

thanks for clearing it up for me, i was thinking about the differnt rates and stuff to. anyways, i will go with out the SAT NAV option and will most likely land for the C300 model. I will go to the dealer and get more quotes from them already, since the last time i went was a month and a little bit, my midterms got in my way and i was busy for the last month, and i am crowded with term papers this week and next.

Another question, yes i know i ask alot of questions, some are dumb but please im a newbie at this.

given the economic state that canada/US or pretty much the world is in right now do you see the decrease of prices? maybe the lease rates will drop a bit? last month when i went, the dealer told me there was no way to get anything from them since there is such a HUGE demand for the New C-class. it was either you pay it or get out and stop wasting their time. there are lots of other people that will buy the C-class for it's price and not try to get a discount of some sort but i guess this was before the month of october so do you think that there will be a SLIGHT chance that things will be differnt when i go to the dealer 2 weeks later?

 

Go for the 300 & get the 4matic , if you have bad winter weather like we do here in CNY. As to pricing the dealers have way too many of these on the lot right now. I saw over 20 at the dealership when I was there last week & no one seems to be buying right now. The salesman said things were slow. I'd say you should be able to get a great deal on a sightly used '08 or expect at a big discount on the '09 IMO. If your dealer won't give you a fair price shop around until you find one. Good luck. :thumbsup:

 

oo i see, well i hope that when i go back it will be like what you said! have my fingers crossed! is 4Matic nesscary? i have a '98 C230 witch obviously doesn't have 4Matic so i don't really know how a 4Matic will feel like. Also i think that adding the 4Matic option will be adding a bit too much to the price rage, at first i was planning on getting a C230 at $540/month but later finding out the C300 is only $77 more at $618/month im opted for the C300 but from C300 to C300 4matic it is only $37 more but the total i would've spent more is $114. Is it worth spending $114 more? from a C230 to C300 4matic?

 

Timing: You will most likely get the best deal on the last day of the month, or the last day of the quarter, or the last day of the year because dealerships want to meet monthly, quarterly and annual sales targets.
Price: In Canada most new cars are marked up about 10% above the cost to the dealer. Most options are marked up 15 % above the dealers cost price.
Suggestion: Go to the dealer already knowing how much you want to pay - which should be 5% below MSRP and about 7.5% below MSRP on the options.
You can confirm the prices on Carcostcanada.com.
I also suggest you put your offer in writing and advise the dealer you are ready to finalize the deal today - if they can immediately accept and approve your offer. Then if there is any stalling , just leave your telephone number and walk away.

 

hmm, that is a very good suggestion! thanks for the advice and i will look into it more after i finish my term papers!

 

And, I live in Southern California. I purchased the car, not leased it.

 

Patrick,

I would suggest you get sign up at Car Cost Canada to get dealer invoice pricing for the various models and options you are considering. Your thinking now that "it is only $77 more" per month will allow the salesman to eat you up and make a huge profit. CC Ryder is pretty bang on with his numbers though.

Under your scenario you will be on the hook for $6,000 (downpayment and Freight/PDI etc.) just to get off the lot and then your monthly is through the roof as well.

I am currently negotiating with $0 down on a '09 C230 and am below your numbers, I am now just working on the off the lot price, I am reluctant to give them all the money for the fees they want.

Anyone here have any luck negotiating down the Freight/PDI charge? Based on my company (we sell trucks) Freight/PDI costs for MB I estimate are about $1,300, is MB really making $695 on this fee?

You can get a better deal you just need to be patient and willing to walk out the door! Their current lease rate of 5.25% which is pretty decent right now lasts until December 31.

 

I had a similar situation in deciding between the C300 and C350 last May. They wanted about $5000 more for the C350. The C350 had more standard equipment than the C300 I was looking at (black on black auto iPod) and was clearly a more powerful car. But I chose the C300 because of the value. The cars were very similar save for a bit more power at launch and lower rpm's but at midrange I felt very little difference in the power band and they handled nearly identically.
If I really wanted a faster, better handling car I would have chosen the BMW 328ix with sports package or the 135ix over the C350 (which is similar in price) .
No, I wanted the beautifully designed, rock solid build quality and historic mystic of the three pointed star brand at an affordable price (for me at least) with plenty enough torque/power in it's 228HP silky smooth V6 engine, a 7 sp transmission and a luxury-like ride when cruising but decidedly German sports car handling when desired....

IMO the Mercedes C300 is the best value in the Entry Level Luxury Sport Sedan category. Similar offers by Infinity (interior rattles, poor ride quality, no brand history), Audi (Ugly design and poor standard features) and BMW (the only ones even near this price range were the non sport equipped models which are cheap looking and have few standard features not to mention small 16" wheels with economy car like 205/55 tires) may be faster and give you a slighter better sports car-like drivers experience but they are simply not the all around value this C300 is...
For $32,000USD OTD this was BY far the best value I have seen out there (US)...
JMO

 

after talking to my mechcanic, who lives next door to me so i don't have to bring my MB into dealer to get it fixed he told me to wait it out. He gave me a number of reasons why we should wait it out and i guess they are quite valid.

1. the new C-class is too "in" at the moment, everybody is trying to get one so there is no way to negotiate a cheaper/better deal with the dealers

2. given the economy status of the country right now, the prices are bound to drop ALOT. with the recession and such, people will most likely abandon their cars, and leases and so forth;hence littering the MB parking lot with brand new/second hand but low mileage cars.

3. why get a new car in the winter? it was one of the questions and it kinda made sense i guess. canadian winters, higher rate of accident.

4. with the new law in quebec all winter tires are outrageously expenisve and the demand for them has skyrocketed hence should wait till after the winter and not worry about winter tires until next year.

I guess waiting until after winter it is. Hopefully the rates will decrease, prices will decrease and will be able to pick up a nice C300/C350 maybe sometime march/april/may.

on a side note, 2 of my friends just got their C63 AMGs. Amazing cars! the power is just amazing, i triend turning and basically got alot of wheel spin and a slight slide. Since im used to driving my old C-class and sometimes a CLK, i really did not realize that just by tipping the gas pedal by a little bit you get immense power. hand made engines, wonderful wonderful cars.

one thing that bugs me, i know there will be some disagreeing to this but i do feel that my '98 C230 is more spacious than the new C-class. And the interior is a tad more well built.

ex, the locks on the doors, though the door looks on my '98 C230 are made of plastic they are polished and is very smooth, looks high class, but the new C, the door locks seem to be made from cheap plastic? kinda looks like the BMW x3 locks. the center console seems very plain, compared to the older MBs, i guess because of the pop up screen, but the materials they have chosen for this new C-class i beleived lost the luxarious feel, though the exterior is just stunning! :thumbsup: