CAR: Mercedes C180 SE - Page 2

Kowalski · **Re: CAR: Mercedes C180 SE -** 01-18-2008, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tycoon

In their, yours and everyone else's dreams....

Hang on a minute, AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! Just pinched myself... It hurts!

No I'm not dreaming.

Quote:

You’ll be telling me it handles, next

It does. Don’t go expecting Caterham-sharp steering but rest assured that you can thread this C-class along a twisting B-road with great poise. A 3-series is more involving, but the C180 shields you better from imperfections in the road surface and somehow invites a slightly less frenetic driving style.

The ride is chunky at low speeds but becomes smoother as you gather speed, and the C cruises with unruffled stability, carving quietly through the air while the tall sixth gear keeps the engine twisting unobtrusively.
Even the gearshift plays ball, slotting deftly from ratio to ratio without the unnecessary heft of a BMW ’box.

So there you are, while the 3-Series is the more involving car, the C-Class is just as good and rides smoother than the 3-Series.

Tycoon · **Re: CAR: Mercedes C180 SE -** 01-18-2008, 03:42 PM

Who said that? CAR?

So, i should be listening to them... Nah, Antonio... That ain't the fact just because they said so...

Kowalski · **Re: CAR: Mercedes C180 SE -** 01-18-2008, 03:49 PM

Sure, but it's nice to hear that the reviews are saying that Mercedes, finally catching-up with BMW in terms of driving involvement.

justanthony · **Re: CAR: Mercedes C180 SE -** 01-18-2008, 03:54 PM

And just to emphasize....

Executive Car of the Year: Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Tycoon · **Re: CAR: Mercedes C180 SE -** 01-18-2008, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kowalski

Sure, but it's nice to hear that the reviews are saying that Mercedes, finally catching-up with BMW in terms of driving involvement.

Competition doesn't let you breathe...

Therefore it forces you to improve...

Still, it's a looong way to go...

tmehanna · **Re: CAR: Mercedes C180 SE -** 02-21-2008, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cawimmer430

Nope, just being realistic. I know my needs and I don't need a C350 or a C280.

I think you should take a C180 Kompressor for a spin too. They're really not that bad. Gone are the days when Mercedes 4-cylinders felt like 4-cylinders.

What do they feel like then, I6s or V8s?

Granted the C200 I've test driven felt punchy, but it still felt and sounded like an I4, a smooth one but still a 4. Specially in idle when you can't possibly mistake it for anything other than an I4. I would say a 200 is a decent proposition (almost the same fuel consumption as a 180 but with more power on tap) but I think the sweet spot is the 280.

ojis · **Re: CAR: Mercedes C180 SE -** 02-21-2008, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cawimmer430

I personally find the bottom C180 Kompressor and C200 Kompressor to be the most attractive gasoline-powered C-Classes. Yep, you read that right!

Well said.

For me the C-class has few reasonable engines that actually have a good purpose and therefore a decent resale value. (in Europe)

C180 & C200 are for people who don't drive that much but want luxury.
C230 - C350 I can't see the purpose, bad resale value.
C200 CDI and C220 CDI are for people who drive a lot.
C320 CDI is E-class territory, not good.
C63 is in it's own league, it's for fun...

cawimmer430 · **Re: CAR: Mercedes C180 SE -** 02-23-2008, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmehanna

What do they feel like then, I6s or V8s?

They're great engines, but just not for me. A C180 Kompressor or a C200 Kompressor is adequately motorized for my needs. I'm happy with the power, power delivery, overall performance, smoothness and of course fuel economy. Given that these satisfy my needs I don't need a C230 or C280 etc.

tmehanna · **Re: CAR: Mercedes C180 SE -** 02-23-2008, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cawimmer430

They're great engines, but just not for me. A C180 Kompressor or a C200 Kompressor is adequately motorized for my needs. I'm happy with the power, power delivery, overall performance, smoothness and of course fuel economy. Given that these satisfy my needs I don't need a C230 or C280 etc.

C'mon Christian, I remember on your E230 test drive post you said - and this is completely from memory - "may be a 280 and that's it." Given that the 204 isn't a hell of a lot lighter than a 211, why the change of heart?

PS. I have a C280 and an E280 and the E actually feels faster, C is still in break-in though so may be it's my right foot not the C.

cawimmer430 · **Re: CAR: Mercedes C180 SE -** 02-24-2008, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmehanna

C'mon Christian, I remember on your E230 test drive post you said - and this is completely from memory - "may be a 280 and that's it." Given that the 204 isn't a hell of a lot lighter than a 211, why the change of heart?

Yes, but that's an E-Class. I've driven the E200 Kompressor when I was working for an MB dealership and it was pretty underpowered. The E230 with the V6 on the other hand felt more agile. My family owns an E320 (3.2 V6 224-hp) and it feels just about right, which makes me assume the E280, which I have not driven, will drive about the same, probably a bit more agile and more efficient when it comes to gas.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmehanna

PS. I have a C280 and an E280 and the E actually feels faster, C is still in break-in though so may be it's my right foot not the C.

Cool! Same engine in two cars!