***Testdrove a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C200 Kompressor AMG with Sport Suspension***

cawimmer430 · 11-16-2007, 04:48 PM

First off, I am extremely proud of the photographs I took! I drove the car quite late in the evening (1500 hours) so I was afraid the upcoming darkness would totally ruin them. It didn't! I took a ton of shots using different shutter speeds which allowed a variety of pictures to be produced with light or dark backgrounds. If you want some of these shots in their original 2256 x 1496, send me a PM and your email address and tell me which one.

Next, this car was friggin awesome! I've already driven two standard Avantgarde C220 CDI's and was mightily impressed. But the optional AMG package adds a whole new dimension and character to the car. The C-Class Avantgarde becomes noticebly sportier, but comfort doesn't suffer either. More on that later. As you can see, the car I drove had an optional AMG body kit. I've see it up at the dealer a few times and it had wonderful AMG rims. Sadly, they were exchanged for winter tires and their respective rims. The Tenoritgrey C200 Kompressor was well-optioned out with heated seats, automatic transmission, Audio 20 radio, AMG sport package and suspension and parktronic. The price of this beauty was 35,430 Euros.

We begin with a description of the interior. The most common complaint about the C-Class cockpit is that it supposedly is a cheap interior below the level of a 1980s Hyundai. How wrong the haters are. While the interior might not look flashy, the materials are perfectly acceptable for a car of this premium class. The plastics are definitely of a high caliber. Chrome strips here and there add a nice touch of luxury and class. I've come to like the dark interior color combinations as well since they add to the sporty character of the car, visually and mentally. My only gripe was the steering wheel. It's ugly and boring looking, but the grip was great. Other than that, the interior is well executed. The tightness of the panel gaps indicates a high level of workmanship.

Start the engine, engage the transmission and you're of to a fun testdrive. I should add that this car also had sport seats, which are probably part of the sport package option. The offered excellent lateral grip as I would later find out. They were particularly thick and bloated on both sides so that they became a bit too uncomfortable for your body afterwhile (Or maybe I was taking corners like a madman too much?): this despite being quite soft in general.

The sport suspension was impressive to say the least. It featured a superb balance between sport and comfort. The car glided across roads as if it were an S-Class. The comfort was top notch in my book. On the one hand you could push the car hard never once fearing you'd loose control, as the suspension coped really well and the steering response was both sharp and direct. However, I didn't feel a large noticeable difference between the regular Avantgarde suspension and this sport suspension. I'd go as far to say that the base Avantgarde C-Class is equally sporty - with the sport suspension possibly giving you a few extra sport advantages here and there. If this were my money, I'd simply opt for a normal Avantgarde W204 and forget the sport suspension. The sport package didn't really do much for me to be honest. It's almost like a "waste of money" in some regards as I felt the standard Avantgarde W204 was just as good, perhaps a little softer but still fun and sporty.

The engine was especially pleasant. There's not a 2-liter but a supercharged 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine under the hood. I've driven the C200 Kompressor before, but with a 6-speed manual transmission. This time the same motor was mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission - and what a difference this made. Mercedes' automatics are fundamentally better than their manuals, and you could feel this here. Previously, on the C220 CDI W204, there was a short delay when you gunned it: not here, not here. The engine response was instantaneous and the automatic transmission shifted quickly, effeciently and silently. I was even more amazed with the engine refinement, although I've driven this same engine in the W203 C-Class (both pre-facelift and facelift models) and the W211 E-Class. For an "old" motor, she's very refined. Those counter-rotating-balance shafts do their job in eliminating the inherent instability of 4-cylinder engines as this engine is very refined. Overall the engine feels like a V6 in smoothness and response, no joke. The only downside is that past 140 km/h in cruise mode, she's a bit loud - and getting louder as you increase. Speed. Yep, I used the new Autobahn for a short stint with this baby. I only brought her up to 190 km/h and then backed down because I wasn't sure what the winter tires were rated at (no sticker in the car). At 190 km/h, the engine is screaming and really loud.

The short drive on the Autobahn gave me some nice insights into the car. First, she's an excellent high-speed cruiser. The ride is firm and the car glides across the road as if she were luxury-biased. The steering becomes slightly vague at higher speed because the Parameterlenkung wants you to enjoy the car in a limousine-like fashion. Slow down and the steering response tightens right away. Awesome. The midrange power of the supercharged 1.8-l is quite respectable. In fact the car feels like a little rocket, probably do to some fine transmission shifting. Only past 160 km/h does the motor run out of a breath a little. The supercharger is generally quiet during normal cruising and acceleration periods, but I suspect that part of what causes the louid noise at high speed is the whine of the supercharger as more performance is demanded.

One aspect that made this car fun was the fact that one could change gears via paddle shifts on the steering wheel. They were well positioned and to my surprise responded very well, especially when downshifting. You could feel the transmission go a gear down and then the car would pick up speed quicker, naturally. Upshifts appeared to be a litttle slower and jerky though. You could naturally also change gears via the tiptronic option on the transmission lever, but for sporty driving, the paddle shifts were better suited, and they were fun to use too. The C200 Kompressor has a nice raw sporty engine sound when it's pushed. You might not believe me, but it's kind of addictive.

Overall, I really enjoyed this car, I know I would. Compared to the old W203, this car feels worlds apart. In fact it doesn't really feel like a traditional Mercedes' because of the excellent sporting factor. If you're the kind of guy who wants a car that's both extremely comfortable and capable in the sports department, consider the new W204 C-Class. I still feel the sport package didn't really do much, except make the car a tad sportier. For some people it might be worth it, but not for me. Other positive attributes are a sold build quality feel and spacious interior, upfront only though (the rear is still cramped). The comfort is great and so are the sport qualities. Watch out for the seat side supports though, they're a bit hard and get uncomfy after awhile. The C200 Kompressor is a good model too. It's refined, not slow and can be driven in a sporty fashion with the engine easily coping and delivering. For Europe, this is very likely the perfect car. Who needs a C350?

Hope you liked the pictures and review! Sorry for fooling you guys but if I said C200 Kompressor nobody would have clicked!

Bruce · 11-16-2007, 04:56 PM

You bastard. I clicked this open hoping to find a C63 AMG.

Great review though, and awesome pictures.

cawimmer430 · 11-16-2007, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce

You bastard. I clicked this opene hoping to find a C63 AMG.

Great review though, and awesome pictures.

I just changed the title a bit.

Remember, if you want any of the pics, let me know. I took a total of 79 pictures but I only posted "a few" of them.

ree · 11-17-2007, 05:08 AM

Great review as normal! And awesome photos Christian!! Just read in FAZ, that over 70 % go with the Avantgarde version of the new C-Class! So, the Elegance and Classic ones are really rare!

Amo · 11-17-2007, 12:56 PM

^^
That is a very very cool picture!

Giannis · 11-17-2007, 02:05 PM

Nice review - classic Wimmer style. As for the pics, stunning

About the car now, i tend to agree with Wimmer. I also drove the new C, a C200K for me. Very nice car from all driving aspects, but i still don't like the interior design-wise. I used to bitch about the materials, but i have to admit that they are fine. My testdrive car had manual transmission and standard seats. (I prefer my Volvo Sport seats overall...)

cawimmer430 · 11-17-2007, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ree

Great review as normal! And awesome photos Christian!! Just read in FAZ, that over 70 % go with the Avantgarde version of the new C-Class! So, the Elegance and Classic ones are really rare!

Thanks.

I can see why! The Avantgarde version looks really sporty and classy at the same time. I wouldn't mind Elegance myself, but given the choice I'd go for Avantgarde all the way.

cawimmer430 · 11-17-2007, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amo

^^
That is a very very cool picture!

Thanks. If you want it I can send you the fullsize version.

cawimmer430 · 11-17-2007, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giannis

Nice review - classic Wimmer style. As for the pics, stunning

About the car now, i tend to agree with Wimmer. I also drove the new C, a C200K for me. Very nice car from all driving aspects, but i still don't like the interior design-wise. I used to bitch about the materials, but i have to admit that they are fine. My testdrive car had manual transmission and standard seats. (I prefer my Volvo Sport seats overall...)

Thanks Giannis.

I wanted to do some HDR pictures of this car but it would have taken too long. Plus, I wanted to enjoy the car too and not spend most of the time given photographing it. I spent about 20 minutes photographing this thing! I am insane!

Tarek · 11-18-2007, 07:57 AM

Very nice and informative review man

And damn 20 mintues of taking pics? are u nutts?

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