new c vs old c - styling and interior - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jago1244 · #1 03-06-2001, 04:46 PM

ok , i havent driven it yet. and most of you guys have a better feel for the driving qualities of these cars than i do , but the new c just doesnt make me want to own one. thats on looks alone. especially the interior. i've seen the 'classic' c interior described as 'blocky' in an unflattering way in at least one big magazine , but i think its nicely laid out for space and i'll take my '99 c280 sport's white instrument cluster over anything out there. i did try to get oem wood console at the dealer , but they showed me junk. Anyway , i think the interior layout and exterior stance of old c (in sport at least) still looks better. i also like to think i've got 80% of the s-class experience here for 50% of the cost. do new c-class owners feel the same? i guess the only real way to know is to have one around for a while.

Glen · #2 03-06-2001, 07:01 PM

I haven't driven either model C-Class so from a styling point ONLY, I like the new C better. For me, I have never liked the tail lights on any version of the W202. Having said that, I like the W202 interior better because it feels 'better' to me, more substantial. Also note that I prefer the styling of the W124 over the W210 BUT prefer the W220 over the W140. Just MHO...

SHYNE · #3 03-07-2001, 02:11 AM

The new C looks better than the old one. Let's face it the old C was bland in comparison with the new model. As for the new model's interior, it belongs in a dumpster.

After I get through school I'll consider purchasing a new C when I'm starting out (20 years old currently) if they fix the inside I'll take a C240 with the auto. If MB continues to be a bunch of cheapskates then I'll go with a pre owned E320.....

#4 03-07-2001, 08:09 AM

If you are making a decision between these two cars based on looks and taste, you're wasting your time asking someone elses opinion. There's only one opinion that counts as to how the car looks, or whether it has a white or black instrument panel, ant that's yours. This is all personal taste.

If you want to know about the mechanical and functional differences in these two cars, then I can comment on that.

The 202 car drives like a Mack truck compared to the 203 car. The 203 car not only handles better, but is quieter, more predictable, and has better power. Most of the technology in the C is a bargain, brought directly from the more expensive cars.

What drew me to the new C was the fact that MBUSA decided, from atop their high horse, that they would FINALLY sell me a stick shift sedan. Once this got me into the car, I was amazed at how much more refined the 203 is as compared to the 202 car.

If you want what looks good to you, and the 202 looks better, that's absolutely what you should have. If, on the other hand, you want a couple of steps up in engineering excellence, test drive a new C.

My $0.02,

#5 03-07-2001, 02:14 PM

You asked for opinions, so here is mine, and mine alone.

My wife and I looked at the old C a couple years ago, it just was not a car we were interested in. Boxy and dated styling outside (square headlights and grille, etc.) and inside. And, the engine was way too rough (C230K). And, it seemed vastly overpriced. Frankly, we were pretty shocked that anyone would buy that car, esp. when compared to the BMW 3 series, which seemed to us a far superior car in every way (esp. as a driving car, 10x smoother and more fun to drive, and in styling, which is far fresher), for a ton less money. It seemed pretty rough, even compared to my old '86 535.

We happily paid for our C240 6 speed, though. To us, it was a night and day difference between the old C230 and the new C240 (I didn't drive the C280, didn't even bother, the price was way too high, esp. for a car that was about to become severely dated by the intro of the new C, in our opinion).

This was esp. emphasised when we had a 17,000 mile '00 C230K rental car for 2 days while they were fixing a Tele-Aid problem on our 240. After driving the 240 for a couple months, stepping into the 230 was like going back to the stone age, to us. The boxy, unintegrated interior, unbelievably cheap looking and uncomfortable shiny vinyl seats, the coarse, tractor-like engine. There was not ONE aspect of the 230 that we would trade for our 240 (styling, construction, engine, handling, ride, materials). Not one.

Just my opinion.

jago1244 · #6 03-07-2001, 06:23 PM

why i didnt buy bmw 3 instead of "old" c class..?
in 18 mos of c280 , changed one light bulb.
i had 92 bmw 525 and in first year...front seat loose , wiper motor bad, automatic fuel fill flap went bad, new battery needed, pass mirror glass fell off ...et al...later needed new head gasket and tranny work at 50k.
thats why i didnt buy 3 series , although i did like to drive my bmw when it wasn't falling to pieces.

#7 03-07-2001, 06:59 PM

Hi all!

It's weird, but I was never too fond of the W202 as I am of the W201 190E. However, I think the new C-class is absolutely gorgeous. And to add more to the design discussion here, I love the W124 design over the W210. I think once I finish school, I'd rather get a used 94-95 E-class (maybe a '94 E500?--ooooh!). But don't get me wrong, I do appreciate Mercedes-Benz's new designs. They did take some time getting used to, however. The new E-class has a very refined elegance to it, kind of flashy, if you ask me. The W124, on the other hand, has a more quiet, stoic demeanor, and I'd rather prefer it over the W210. I'm such a boring person!

Anyhow, in my humble opinion, I think the W201, W124, R129, and W140 are some of M-B's best designs--but, of course, that's coming from a guy who also loves Volvos. I have a square fetish!

ymsin · #8 03-09-2001, 08:34 AM

I had the old C200 (202) and wasnt much impressed with:
1. road handling - it was rather ordinary;
2. lack of power - going uphill was a task;
3. simple lay-out - very conventional;
4. engine - wasnt very refined.

I looked through the new C and was rather impressed with:
1. new interior-dash layout;
2. close resemblance to S-class;
3. sophisticated exterior though a vertically challenged;
4. improved performance.

The price is quite improved too.

The old C had a tag of RM220,000 (USD57,000) for the basic 200; and the new C has a tag of RM280,000 (USD73,000) for the entry level 200.

Overall, I rate the new C as being better than the old C. However, its only my personal view.

David C Klasse · #9 03-11-2001, 12:44 PM

Alright, I have been meaning to respond to this post for some time. I have a C280, and I have driven the C320 once.

3 things that come to mind that I don't like about the 203.
That dashboard is god-awful. That passenger side bar-thing-whatever it is looks like a mistake and as though it came from a space ship. Why is it there? Couldn't the dash just have flowed nicer and removed that awkard shape?? Looks so cheap and tacky! The rear (and front, but less so) head-rests are disgustingly ugly.
The placement of window switches on the door (are they going American!? same with S). I don't like the battery under the hood, ONLY because it's not genuine Mercedes, like it has been for 20 or so years. But REALLY I don't care, how could I?
I like the old C's interior because it was classy, simple, and everything seemed to placed perfectly. The new C's interior is atrocious (and "belong's in a garbage can") in many respects.

As for the styling... The new C is also more feminine I think. The old C can be feminine, yes, but the new C more so. I do like the look of the new C, yes, it's very sheek and pleasing to look at. But I don't like the extreme change that MB is going for all together.

Things I love about the new C:
Tiptronic shifter (but will miss the unique gate of the past), slightly faster than 280, and many standards such as ESP (vs prev. 2000 202 i believe), sensing wipers (vs older 202s), and so on. But all those conveniences come from a car being that much newer, as expected. And the value overall is a little bit better.

Driving experience.
The new C can be a little more fun to drive because of the slightly more torquey engine(30 more lb-ft)... 20 more hp I believe (195 to 215), but it has about 50 more lbs under it's belly, not much though really.
C320 = 17 lbs per hp, and C280 = 16 lbs per hp. Coefficient to drag has gone down .05 to .27 from .32. But mpg suffers about 1 in the city and hwy.
It was the old C, spiffed up in many ways. It handles a bit better, goes a little faster, steers a little more precisely, and so on. It's basically what it is, IMO: I small MB sedan of 2001, and it drives like one. But I don't think it's that vast of a difference from the 202.

Though I am gonna miss the old C dearly (but I'll still have it for a few years), as with all of the 90's MBs, I suppose I will grow fond of the new Mercedes-style soon enough, it just takes time I suppose!

But I have not driven that many cars in my time, but you would be suprised, so I wouldn't say this is post is from someone who has driven it all! Just my 2 cents!

[Edited by Hottee18m on 03-11-2001 at 11:48 AM]

MBenzNL · #10 03-11-2001, 01:14 PM

About the W202/W203...

I like the styling of the new C class; it is definitely a lot better as the W202 styling (which I do like as well!!!).

The interior of the W203 is one you have to get used to; for the average mercedes model changes, this interior is changed a terrible lot...
The car, however, runs very well (I have driven a C200CDI that was (much) quicker as my C250D and a lot cheaper on the fuel.
The available space in my W202 C class is brought down to an absolute minimum (I can hardly take any grow ups with in the rear), but the space in the W203 C class is even worse (big bummer). When you sit in the rear of the W203 with a sunroof, you will have your head close to the side pillars (almost ear-touching) and you will look at the lowered ceiling (the back part of the ceiling is higher as the front part with the sunroof).

The W203 C class comes in three different lines in europe (classic/elegance/avantgarde) and to be honest: the "classic" is too simple...

Overall: as soon as I got my 500.000km with my current C250D (only 135.000km to go) I will look around for a C220CDI "avantgarde"!

greetingz,

David C Klasse · #11 03-11-2001, 01:26 PM

Won't you miss your current C? I don't think I could EVER sell it after everything you have done to it!! I would keep it FOREVER!! Of course, with getting new ones along the way!

MBenzNL · #12 03-12-2001, 04:48 AM

By then I have driven 375.000km with this C class and I think I will have seen enough of it. However: if I still like the car well enough by then, I will add another 100.000km for sure.
The car will not be sold as long as I am still enjoying it and will possibly be kept as a second (third or fourth) car for my (possible) girl friend...
The next car has to be (at least) as luxurious as this one.

greetingz,

#13 05-20-2001, 08:01 PM

Although I own a 99, I've taken the new C for a spin. From what I'm told, it's top rate. Still, at the entry level price, you get a few less ponies under the hood than in the two previous years.

What I miss most in the 2001 is the unmistakable "Mercedes" look. When I come up from behind or alongside one, both my wife and I mistake them for typical mid-size generic sedans. This is mostly due to the shape change that, while technically far superior, has put MB in line with so many other rounder compact and midsize sedans. Not until you catch the headlights or the marque do you see Mercedes. Thank God the headlights are still a giveaway.

Let's face it. MB owners are a proud lot. It's never bothered me when someone has noticed I own one. Still, Volvos were boxes once, having in recent years emerged more muscled and buff. I suppose the lower hood and higher tailgate were inevitable.

Glenn

#14 05-21-2001, 07:13 AM

I think all the post show why people are so passionate about cars. We can all look at and drive the same car and draw dramatically different conclusions. I love the W202, but I'm starting to come around on the W203 as far as looks are concerned. A standard V6 was a must. The Kompressor was a temporary solution for the 230 but a V6 should have been offered on all W202, IMO. My 230 can be quick but it must be forced. I've yet to drive the W203 but I've heard nothing but good things (I did sit in several while having my car serviced a few months ago). I think some of the body mods offered by AMG, Brabus and Lorinser make the car look much more aggressive. I'm glad MB didn't go the cheap rout on the lower body like they did on the first W210 E class, W220 S class and C208 CLK. I hated that black plastic, and don't get me started on those terrible wheels they put on the first CLK 320s. I've seen rims on spare tires that are more attractive. The stock body and wheels on the 203 are attractive. I'm not too fond of the interior, but I also don't like the W220's interior. A friend of mine had a 2000 S 500 (With those terrible black plastic side skirts, unforgivable on a car that price), while I like the appearance of the car overall I thought the interior was a step down from the W140 S. I think our preferences about the interior may be based more on our being accustom to the MBs of the 90s. MB is obviously moving in a new direction as far as the interior and exterior appearance is concerned. I have a feeling as I get more accustomed with the W203 I'll come around on the interior also. The W202 was and the W210 is the last of an era for MB. the new S and the new C are what we should expect from Mercedes for the next decade. I'm sure the new E class will be along the same lines.

Robert W. Roe · #15 05-29-2001, 02:40 AM

From the few articles I've read, the new C32 AMG sounds sweeet. $53K though...