Pratana-Areepitak

What do you guys think of trading in my 2006 WDP for the new 2008 MB C300? Downgrade or upgrade? I'll probably lose some of the TL's snazzy standard options though.... debating it after seeing some on the road lately.

stillhere153

iTrader: (1)

wow, how about no, wait till the 4th gen drops then if it doesn't meet your expectations only after that should you even consider trading your wdp in...

berite100

if you are going to do that...might as well get the c350. dont think the c300 is worth it.

Will Y.

A new model MB in its first year of production??


You must like taking risks or driving loaner cars...

timmahh

A girl here has a new C300.. it's absolutely beautiful - makes the old one look like a pile of poop!!

But i'll stick with my TL

.. and I can't afford a C300

cbptls

Nah, I would stick with the TL.

I will however be attending a Mercedes Driving event in a few weeks, where they'll be showcasing the new "C". Maybe my impression will change after attending..... Will they have a manual transmission for the C Class?

ballinfizzle89

iTrader: (6)

C300? No, definitely stick with the TL. First year production MB is a no no from what I've heard. I like the front of it, not so much the back at all. I honestly think, although the model is 4 years older, the TL kicks the 08' C class's ass. But thats just my opinion.

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

JJW

DanL

iTrader: (2)

MB's reputation for quality has been tanking for a while now, but they're going to great lengths to let the world know that, with the new C-Class, you'll get the type of rock solid and reliable car MB used to be know for. Personally, I'd wait a year and let 'em prove it.

S power

Im thinking of the same but with the c350. It is just $2k more on the 350 with the same options on both 300 and 350. The C350 have less hp than the Type-S but torque seems to be neck to neck. Interior is not up to par with the TL but looks alot better than BMW's.

dnd2984

iTrader: (6)

I did the build your own. Get the C350. Not a big differ in price.

timmahh

6MT is only available on the sport models; I think the C350 sport only.. maybe the C300

XS2K

Do you read Consumer Reports? Almost all Mercedes vehicles have a poor reputation for reliability. The TL on the other hand is one of the highest rated cars. Easy choice IMO.

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

^^ no MT option for the C350

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

Your more likely to get an unbiased opinion in the Car Talk forum.

psheu

Agree plus driving first model year car = lab rat that pay money to test out cars for that company --> company makes money than makes their car better(maybe), lab rat get screwed over.... in this case, a poor reliability MB....

CarbonGray Earl

The new C class is a nice car. I'd say go for it if you don't plan on keeping it. From experience (my parents and sister were german car snobs) whats going to last on the Benz is its interior. Can't really say the same for BMW but Benz and Honda interiors seem to keep pretty well for the same period of time....albeit for distinctly different levels of economy/luxury.

Reliability was never an issue for my parents Benzes. Indeed, my grandma's 1985 190e still drives and feels good inside and out. However, when something does go wrong, prepare to grab your ankles. That isht costs so freakin much. A window motor here, a special ordered direct from Deutschland door lock there, and bam, you're topping a grand. Even though they never left us stranded, things went wrong with it well before any of my Honda/Acuras did, mileage-wise. And this is not to say my parents couldn't afford a repair, they had benz because they could afford all aspects of ownership. But its the headache of maintaining such a car that eventually scared me off.

Compare this to a TL, and to me, I'm willing to take a relatively small difference in interior quality (if any) and forgo getting a Benz. Save your money and keep the TL.

ChicagoBurbs

Check out the list of what the TL comes with standard, add that to the MB, and you come out well over 40K. I realize the fact that the MB comes with some status that the TL does not, but it's a very sedate car in both power and handling. Also you need to consider that MB is not famous for 1st year model reliability, whereas your TL is pretty damned good.

It's really what you're looking for in a car that matters, especially since the MB is really a very different car than the TL. Want luxurious, cushy ride over handling and power? Good choice! Otherwise you may want to reconsider this trade.

mrproul

If you are looking for a "status" symbol, the C class is not were it is at. i have had more fun in my buddy's SCed Civic than in a "Kompressor" Benz. also the performance is not there. i just read road and track's article on the C 350. had some nice features but nothing that stood out to me. I feel my 02' TL-S is nicer than that car. but to each there own. do what makes sense to you. don't buy a car for that status symbol uless it is an enzo.

mrproul

jvinhj240

If you pick C class. Go with Chrysler. TL's are much better than C class. If you ask any mechanic, C class = trash.

AcuraTL06

I think the C350 is absolutely beautiful. I honestly wanted to trade my TL for it when I first laid eyes on it. But, I was totally dissapointed after the test drive. The rep said I would be impressed by the "power", so I put the pedal to the metal entering the freeway, and it didn't feel any better than our TL. It actually didn't feel as good as our TL. We arrived back at the dealership, and the rep didn't even bother trying to sell me the car cause he said he saw my face when I stepped on the gas....

I think you should take the car for a spin and then decide.

CarbonGray Earl

Its interesting....the last generation C-class competed with the TSX here and was compared against the Euro Accord across the pond. hence, from that perspective, the C-class = TSX.

I personally think you would be downgrading since, for all intents-and-purposes, the TL is a step above the TSX...and by default the TSX's competition, the C.

yohan81718

new C class is one ugly car.. except C63

Pratana-Areepitak

wow thanks for all the opinions. i used to be a c-class hater too, trust me, but the new one just seems so much better looking and mean. i guess i'm just having TL blues because it's past the year old mark quite a bit now and i'm afraid of the TL looking dated when all these new models and bodystyles are coming out maybe i will take the c300 and c350 for a test drive and report back. thanks again for the comments!

stillhere153

iTrader: (1)

I don't have the pockets for it but if I were to get anything from benz it would be amg anything bmw it would m and anything audi would be rs... as for the tl I got my type s, and saved so much money I can go on vacation lmfao

yohan81718

i drove c350 at the MB events.. trust me.. i'll take my TL day and night

BLACKURA_NY

iTrader: (6)

um.... not to burst your bubble....

i dont know if anybody knows or noticed... but the C300... um.. chrysler sebring??? look at them both together, and then make your judgement...

my mom just got rid of her 04 330ci for a new clk550...the benz is nice interior.. but ... eh.... ill take the TL over the C300... C63.... different story...

hell if you want to try something different.. G37.. thats what i was gonna get if i didnt go 08 TLS

timmahh

I don't think any mechanics have worked on the new C class yet.

Also remember Cerberus now owns Chrysler, MB sold them off to focus on their product line and not drag their name down.

psheu

I agree with you on the mechanics not have worked on the new C class yet... but regardless of worked on it or not, I think MB is going down hill... they're just trying to pull all the tricks out of their ass with all the different variety of models... compare to what they were years ago prestige, name recognition, etc., now they're just struggle to keep their heads up... there are lot more better cars than the MB in any level of their lines... and have you seen the new LS460 from Lexus? it kick the living crap out of the S-Class... and our TL is comparable to the E-Class and even the E have nothing on the TL when it comes to value, quality, reliability... the only thing worth mentioning from MB are the AMGs for their innovation and ability to squeeez more power out of the same size engine... so IMO, going from TL to C is a down grade... the only thing it's good for is dish out more money for something less....

AZN.M3NACE

i would just say no and keep the TL because MB has a higher cost for maintnance then Honda/Acura. you would be saving more money if you just keep the TL.

BLACKURA_NY

iTrader: (6)

does nobody agree with me on the C-Class and the chrysler sebring ? they are the same car !! ya know, pretty wheels, moldings, trim , etc.... but....eh...

jvinhj240

+1 Thats what i am saying...

BLACKURA_NY

iTrader: (6)

im not dissing mercedes. my 60 year old mother just got an 08 CLK550. thing is a monster with 390hp. 0-60 in 5.0... but its a 2 year lease. mercedes are not reliable or "good" cars like that. they have lots of problems when they get to be a couple of months/years old. maintance is HIGH on them, and i honestly dont think they are built that great anymore. especially the C class....

the TL, is basically a glorified accord, as the C class is a sebring. which car is better/less problems.... accord or sebring lol.....

but its up to you man. i mean shit, the c350 w/ amg package or the c63 is a pretty sick looking car

jvinhj240

add to what your saying.. mercedez are below average in term of reliabilty compare to Japanese are high reliablity. People still think that Germans car are the best. It is but only certain car only.

steve9207

I saw a preview of the new C a few months back, I really like the 'Sport' version...this is of course just what I saw in a presentation, not in person.

Trade in my Acura for one - I wouldn't, b/c I love my TL!

BLACKURA_NY

iTrader: (6)

ahem..ahem... BMW... lol

i love my acura, but i think bmw is among the best cars out there. next is acura or lexus... merecedes... thats below daewoo LOL

camporealer

I have seen articles on the new MB but I haven't seen them in person yet. The 350 Sport is a nice looking car, but I would have to test drive it to see how the power and handling are.

I would not buy a 1st year MB because of the reliability history. Also they are more expensive than a similarly equipped Tl to buy and maintain (Hey if you have the money that's not an issue... but it is very important to me)

I love my TL-S... I will be keeping it for quite a while...

architectonic

stay with the TL

JAB00

MB has fallen off so far because of reliability problems. C-classes are for chicks anyways, in my opinion. All they types care about is that they drive a MB, nevermind that it's probably the base w/o any options and the pleather seats. Options and higher HP on the C will beat you a pretty penny. I'd sooner go with the 3-series BMW if I were inclined to go German. Just my $0.02.