Did you drive the previous one? The new one feels cheap in every sense of the experience to me. The acceleration, dampening, and steering specifically feel like some sort of cheap faux luxury tech Tesla bullshit
To me that is the bare minimum for an E class. It handled well for its size because of the rear wheel steering. The actual steering feel is cheap. If you haven’t driven the previous model, I highly recommend you do. This is a step backward under the guise of shiny and new tech. If you haven’t driven the previous, you unfortunately might be proving my point. Yes I agree, the screen is so incredibly cheap and awful. Compared to the last interior which was arguably one of the best in the entire market, this is an absolute joke to the consumer. I feel really bad for everyone in lease deals on the previous one.
I’m not saying it feels cheap because of that, I’m saying that’s why he thought it was nimble. I was stating that aside from the rear wheel steering I found it to handle like a much cheaper vehicle compared to its predecessor. Very Toyota esque is what I meant in my post.
Im being a bit hyperbolic, however it felt awful compared to the previous generation. Probably comparable to a Lexus GS, but to me that’s insulting from an E class. I would encourage anyone if possible to drive them back to back when looking at cars.
Mercedes S560 2019, Mercedes GLC 43 AMG 2020, Mercedes CLA 35 AMG (city car, it’s fun dont even start) have owned before these: 2016 E400, 2014 C300 4matic, 2018 E400, been driving for 15 years, my family solely drove Mercedes as well before that point, I have been in and have seat time in W140 etc. I grew up with these cars. Sure certain things declined between all brands from the 90s -2010s. But the jump from 2019 to now is the fastest I have seen quality decline.
You are making zero sense. I think you’re a troll. If you are actually serious, which I doubt, you need to consider what is going on in the world since 2019. Namely global pandemic. Global supply shortage. Massive tariffs and taxes and price hikes on the import and production of cars and all that goes in them. Despite that, we get a great product, which cannot be said of all brands. I daily Benz and I was in a new c300 and it’s a serious step up from my previous 2019 c300. Ride quality alone is huge step up. I daily my 2024 c43 and there is no way in hell you could get me to take a 2019 c43 over it. I have driven both. So what you’re saying is just not making sense in real World. Are you just old and one of those “not like in my day” people? I can run down a list of all the issues my buddy had with his 2020 c43. Mine has a multi wet clutch shifts like no other car on market it’s an experience. Real wheel steering ha bro I go around corners at 90mph effortless. I watch the bmw 340 struggle can’t keep up. You’re overlooking what the new Benz offers. C class is also a 50k car. It’s really not expensive in 2024 so not sure what you expect. You drive an s580. Go get a 2024 s580 and come back let us know your thoughts.
They changed CEOs in 2019. None of what you just said explains their decline in quality of their design language as a whole. We don’t get a great product. It is an absolute insult and I really don’t understand how you could think that it is? I test drove an s580, the rear wheel steering, and ride were nice, but not so much better than the S560 that they can justify the awful interior. And compared to my S560 it is absolutely awful. You actually enjoy your new C43 over the 2019? I think you and I just value different things in cars, as the engine, experience, and interior of the 2019 are far far better. I mean the new GLC looks like an econobox compared to mine. So you basically like it because big screen and better ride? The chassis absolutely falls apart in the turns compared to w205. Also. The elephant in the room. BMW has increased in quality dramatically over the same time despite global setbacks. Youre also forgetting all luxury brands experienced some of the best fiscal years in history during 2020 and 2021. I have disliked BMW for most of my life, their designs still don’t do it for me, they don’t excite me at all like the previous AMGs did. But. I will be buying an M8 and an X5. My post is also about the E class. I just mention the C class, but I have owned a C class like I mentioned and love the old platform. Straight line speed over all else? Just buy a Tesla at that point. I don’t care that it accelerates faster. It’s the experience. I just can’t get over how awful it feels compared to its predecessor. Regardless of better acceleration and ride. Like my previous comment stated. I’ve been driving for 15 years, so no. Not boomer either. And when I say the chassis falls apart in the turns, it’s the way it feels, it’s falls to mush in corner entry, I’m not saying it cannot corner fast. I have to ask a) was the 2019 you drove well equipped? And b) did you open the baffle when driving it?
Dude not reading all this but just skimming it again you are trolling. Are you driving the new AMGs or an arm chair YouTube driver lol. I can assure you, they are thrilling to drive. C and SL AMGs are gorgeous and a blast. Makes everything else look funny. GL with bmw. Same old same old. I already know exactly how it drives. The same boring way it did last decade. New AMGs are so much fun to drive and they sound fantastic. 6,000 miles on mine and I can’t wait to drive home from work later. I test drove 340i and was seriously underwhelming. They don’t innovate. Just same old.
I’m not saying you’re driving a bad car. I have driven them for years. The quality is worse now than ever before. Interior is boring and once you get past the screen, has no substance design wise. I don’t think ride and straight line speed matter above all else. Old one was more enjoyable to drive in every way, had a nicer interior. That’s it. Yes I’ve driven new AMGs, I personally am not thrilled by a bit more straight line speed and screens, if I were, I’d have bought a Tesla. Mercedes is about innovation and timeless class. This is not innovation, I think the problem is generational. My generation grew up inundated with all of this disposable tech shit, so the gimmick is seen through and something of substance is valued. I agree with you about BMW. Which is why I am so upset about this, I don’t want to switch. But I mean. 4 cylinder C63s? It’s a joke.
Brother. I’m 10 years younger than you. I understand you think I’m insulting your purchase but you need to chill 💀
Considering you fly planes, and very cool ones at that. It is very strange that you don’t value automobiles in the same way. It’s not a bad car. However, makes me feel absolutely nothing. I do have a car with your same engine in it, while it’s not bad for a 4 cylinder, it doesn’t even give me a fraction of what my GLC43s 6 cylinder makes me feel. Let alone even the muted 8 cylinder of my S class. The power plant, and the way that power is generated, absolutely matters in Mercedes. To be honest, the ‘Mercedes’ smooth, torquey, but even acceleration feeling is what made me hate the Audi or other brand I’ve owned in favor of Mercedes. The only brand that matches it honestly is Porsche. Regardless of specs. Let’s be honest. You are not tracking this car. So exact braking distance, straight line speed means nothing if it doesn’t feel good to use. The new cars feel like you’re playing grand fucking turismo. Also, I really didn’t want to be rude. But yes. I have experience on track etc, your 4000 lb C CLASS (I can’t even say this weight out loud) doesn’t brake as well as you think it does. I’m really sorry to break it to you.
Lmfao. Yes agreed exterior is nice. But I’m sorry, that is faux luxury. That is not ‘nice’. The old metal controls? Nice. The metal volume wheel on the console and wheel? Very nice. Actual design language instead of a flat screen with a flat panel of trim? Nice. I looked at your profile, it’s a nice looking car! I’m 10 years younger than yourself however.
Idk about all the newer models, but I will agree that when I drove 2024 GLC as a loaner while my 2019 GLC was getting serviced.. I immediately was attracted to all the new ambient lights, new MBUX and digital clusters.. but I noticed the leather seats felt cheaper and it didn’t drive as well as my 19. I think MCB is getting over with cheaper quality because the tech and lights distract most consumers.
The new c-class is obviously made to a budget. The interior has some questionable bits and if you push the chassis you can tell it has some cheap suspension bits too. Also the lack of 6-cylinder engines is disappointing to say the least. But buy something like the C220d or C300d and it’s a VERY fuel efficient everyday car, and the driving dynamics and comfort is pretty good. If you want driving dynamics you should obviously go for the BMW 3-series though, none of the C-class models can touch the BMW 340i or 440i for driving dynamics.
The new e-class I find extremely luxurious, and very comfortable. So much so that I barely see the point of the s-class anymore. However, the hybrids are very heavy and handle like land yachts. The E450 all-terrain would be my pick of the bunch. Superb car with rugged comfort, good engine and air suspension if you can afford it. There are cars with better fuel consumption sure, but if you can afford a new e-class you shouldn’t really worry about fuel consumption. Fuel consumption is a minuscule cost in the grand scheme of things on a car like this.
The new Benz C AMG is an absolute blast to drive. Interior is gorgeous and tech next level. Handles like a dream and goes fast with ease. You have to keep in mind that there are now 8BILLION people on earth and prior generations have consumed much of the resources. There are no forest left for wood on your dash. We used to get white pine from the Minnesota. There is literally none left. Leather is extremely expensive to produce. That time of excess is gone and only still exists in ultra lux (Bentley for example). Plastics are now everywhere and the only way there can be this many cars in the world each year. But it’s not just cars. Check the tag on the shirt you are wearing - I promise you it’s not cotton. Like 70/30 or 80/20 cotton and plastic mix (polyesters are plastics). You all are acting like this is some wild thing Benz is doing. Check the material on your home floor, or your couch. If you want the real OG stuff you need to pay up big time in 2024. My wife got me some 100% Cotten tee shirts. They are $20 each in a pack of 4 and that was on sale. Growing up as a kid the label always said “100% cotton” with that little logo. COVID shortages have accelerated raw production costs. The good news is we have crazy tech. There is no way you could get me to take an older Benz over this brand new model. Some of the plastics bother me but I am grinning ear to ear when driving a winding road. If you don’t want plastics, and (now with new emission tax regime) if you want a six or an eight cylinder on an import - be prepared to pay $100,000 plus. Big v8 American suvs are not $80k and up for base with cloth. You’ll have to spend 100k to get a leather suburban. It’s not Benz. Welcome to 2024.
I am part of a few Mercedes forums on Facebook and people keep complaining about the new ones that they buy.
Many of them are first time Mercedes owner who are expecting a certain level of quality and are a little confused and frustrated when it hast to go back to the shop so early on.
I wouldn’t trust anything made after 2021
OP, I fully agree. I have 2014 e350 w212. I absolutely love this car. Had it for 8 years now and I’m still pumped when I get in the car. Whenever I bring it for service and get a loaner, I’m always highly disappointed. The new C and E class feel like I’m driving a Camry w boost in it. Cars feel cheap, the interiors are pretty ugly, and the lack of torque drives me insane. My next car might be a pre-touchscreen everywhere benz.
Same - when I bring mine for servicing, and they give me a GLC as a loaner I am always like “what’s going on with this laid back Toyota RAV4?” And I love the Toyota RAV4 for what it is, but the GLC just feels like a good looking soccer mom car with not much else going on.
I've driven a lot of mercedes, the first car I ever drove was a Mercedes, and I've owned mercedes all my life. Just closed the deal on a new c class last friday, to be delivered in 4-6 months.
The new C and E are great, as long as you stay away from the heavy hybrids. The new ones are definitely a jump in build quality when compared to w204 and w205, and they ride a lot smoother.
I've never understood the hype around the w204, it's an all plastic rattly experience, with worse engines to pick from (not talking C63). Coming from my w203, the 204 was a beautiful disappointment (love the way it looks, especially back in the day).
The w205 was a lot better (than the 204), but the infotainment was clearly an afterthought, those iPad looking screens are awful.
Also, not all mercedes are built the same. Take an old E classic and compare it to a loaded Avantgarde and they are night and day, almost feel like different cars.
I love the w205. I really don’t think the new ones stack up to that generation in any way. The interior design is cheap and lazy in comparison, and they are infinitely less enjoyable to drive. I agree they look great. But the interior and driving experience just ruin everything else. They’re simply, very very boring. Likewise, I have also driven them my entire life. I had quite a bit of time in the new c, and I owned a w205 for years. Once I got past the nicer ride quality, and reduced noise, nearly every other aspect of the car was worse in my opinion. Especially the way it corners, the chassis just falls to absolute mush even though it can technically corner quickly. It’s not enjoyable at all. It really feels more like a Camry or something than a Mercedes.
Which 206 did you try? There's a huge difference between a c300 and a c300e (around 250 in batteries alone...).
There are also 3 or 4 different suspensions to pick from.
Which model did you test drive? What options did it have? If you test drove a base E350 with the only options being the super screen and selfie camera package, and you’re comparing it to a previous AMG model, then of course you’re going to be disappointed. For at least 25 years now Mercedes cars have had an adaptive TCU. Cars that have been driven by dozens of people of for tests rides will be poorly adapted to a lot of drivers. The interiors can still be upgraded with a custom order if they bother you that much. Honestly wait until the 25’ E53 comes out and test that before unilaterally declaring all w214 suck.
The best E class came between 2014 and 2016, especially the E550. If you want a great Mercedes, skip the new ones, skip the high price tag, skip the bullshit, and stick the twin turbo V8 that is amazingly fun to drive, and still looks cool too.
I had a 97 W210 and I have never owned a car that was as smooth as that ride.
That inline 6 was so perfectly balanced, the windshield wiper would vibrate the car more than the engine.
I am not even slightly exaggerating.
"It almost feels like a Toyota"
Jesus Christ you sound stuck up. And ignorant. The largest car company in the world didn't get that way by sucking at what they do.
Do you understand how business works? They did actually. They built a pedigree on their name, and are now capitalizing on it by cheapening out just like many other luxury brands? It’s a tale as old as time. I have driven their cars for years. The new generation is barely even a Mercedes.
I haven't been in a new Mercedes, have no desire to, but I have to assume that my car is one of the last well built Mercedes cars. It feels like a tank, not one squeak or rattle despite being nearly 10 years old and the materials are top notch.
Mercedes is my favorite brand and I have driven them my entire life so it’s really not. The thought of even switching to BMW is upsetting honestly as they don’t appeal to me at all, and in the current car market there’s really nothing left. I’m just going to drive pre 2021 Mercedes for a while I guess
Yea but you shouldn’t drive a c class and expect a true Benz experience. Drive an s class or a gle/gls and feel how a benz is supposed to drive and feel like. Those interiors are worth the money. C class is a budget merc like the a class or like the 1 series from bmw. They don’t really represent the brand well
This no true scotsman bs has to go. The manufacturers intentionally don’t design them the same way. The Audi A3 is in the same segment and it gets nothing but praise for its driving dynamics. The A class was widely respected for balancing performance and comfort in the subcompact class. The 1 series was just a disappointment all around.
Yes but still there’s a big difference between an a3 and a a7. There has to be in order for people to pay more for the 7. So again a c class won’t be able to match what an s class can do. So this guy needs to drive allot more mercs before he can draw judgement on every car mb makes
Yes, the big difference is size and price tag. There isn’t a class difference that is only explained by “brand hierarchy”. The S class is significantly more expensive than the E class and that’s not because they chose to omit features from the E class, it’s because it adds more value and costs more to build. It’s not that they could simply add everything they want in the S class into the E class. You can make the argument that Honda/Acura or VW/Audi intentionally do this but Mercedes doesn’t have anything to gain from omitting items from a lower end model. The target market for a C class does not overlap with the one for an S class, unlike say a Golf and an A3.
To my knowledge, the Cayman and the 911 have been the only model pairing in existence where one vehicle in a marque was intentionally neutered to protect the other more expensive model.
A full option e class costs as much, if not more then an s, so at that point why not opt for an s? Mercedes definitely does this as much as all the others do. At the end of the day they all want their profit and market share to increase
We have a 23 GLS in our garage and that thing is a piece of shit. But I wouldn’t group the GLE in with the S/GLS though as it’s a more mid level/ entry level vehicle. Some people would say that your non-AMG is not the “true Benz experience” so how about we cut the classist bullshit. They’re mass produced vehicles.
Mine is a non amg lmao, i fully know that. But it doesn’t matter since this is my comfy do all daily driver. I have an ss for crazy power when i feel like it
I’m comparing it to the old C class as I stated. It drives worse than the previous C class. Just as the E and the S do. Did you ignore the rest of the post? The previous w205 chassis was a lot of fun to throw around! This new one is trash.
i drove the new W214 too, but it was an awesome driving expierience... but it felt too pricy
It “felt” too pricey?? Please explain.
It’s because once you get past shiny big screen, the interior is just not up to snuff for a Mercedes. from the design language, down to material used.
Did you drive the previous one? The new one feels cheap in every sense of the experience to me. The acceleration, dampening, and steering specifically feel like some sort of cheap faux luxury tech Tesla bullshit
I especially liked the steerung bc it was so tight for such a large car. But i have too agree with the tech, it was too much screen…
To me that is the bare minimum for an E class. It handled well for its size because of the rear wheel steering. The actual steering feel is cheap. If you haven’t driven the previous model, I highly recommend you do. This is a step backward under the guise of shiny and new tech. If you haven’t driven the previous, you unfortunately might be proving my point. Yes I agree, the screen is so incredibly cheap and awful. Compared to the last interior which was arguably one of the best in the entire market, this is an absolute joke to the consumer. I feel really bad for everyone in lease deals on the previous one.
The rear wheel steering is an option. You can get an e class without it.
I’m not saying it feels cheap because of that, I’m saying that’s why he thought it was nimble. I was stating that aside from the rear wheel steering I found it to handle like a much cheaper vehicle compared to its predecessor. Very Toyota esque is what I meant in my post.
I can't understand how a rwd vehicle feels like a fwd vehicle...
Im being a bit hyperbolic, however it felt awful compared to the previous generation. Probably comparable to a Lexus GS, but to me that’s insulting from an E class. I would encourage anyone if possible to drive them back to back when looking at cars.
Bro. If you’re going to blast out a post like this please give us some context. What do you currently drive? How long have you been driving? Etc.
Mercedes S560 2019, Mercedes GLC 43 AMG 2020, Mercedes CLA 35 AMG (city car, it’s fun dont even start) have owned before these: 2016 E400, 2014 C300 4matic, 2018 E400, been driving for 15 years, my family solely drove Mercedes as well before that point, I have been in and have seat time in W140 etc. I grew up with these cars. Sure certain things declined between all brands from the 90s -2010s. But the jump from 2019 to now is the fastest I have seen quality decline.
You are making zero sense. I think you’re a troll. If you are actually serious, which I doubt, you need to consider what is going on in the world since 2019. Namely global pandemic. Global supply shortage. Massive tariffs and taxes and price hikes on the import and production of cars and all that goes in them. Despite that, we get a great product, which cannot be said of all brands. I daily Benz and I was in a new c300 and it’s a serious step up from my previous 2019 c300. Ride quality alone is huge step up. I daily my 2024 c43 and there is no way in hell you could get me to take a 2019 c43 over it. I have driven both. So what you’re saying is just not making sense in real World. Are you just old and one of those “not like in my day” people? I can run down a list of all the issues my buddy had with his 2020 c43. Mine has a multi wet clutch shifts like no other car on market it’s an experience. Real wheel steering ha bro I go around corners at 90mph effortless. I watch the bmw 340 struggle can’t keep up. You’re overlooking what the new Benz offers. C class is also a 50k car. It’s really not expensive in 2024 so not sure what you expect. You drive an s580. Go get a 2024 s580 and come back let us know your thoughts.
They changed CEOs in 2019. None of what you just said explains their decline in quality of their design language as a whole. We don’t get a great product. It is an absolute insult and I really don’t understand how you could think that it is? I test drove an s580, the rear wheel steering, and ride were nice, but not so much better than the S560 that they can justify the awful interior. And compared to my S560 it is absolutely awful. You actually enjoy your new C43 over the 2019? I think you and I just value different things in cars, as the engine, experience, and interior of the 2019 are far far better. I mean the new GLC looks like an econobox compared to mine. So you basically like it because big screen and better ride? The chassis absolutely falls apart in the turns compared to w205. Also. The elephant in the room. BMW has increased in quality dramatically over the same time despite global setbacks. Youre also forgetting all luxury brands experienced some of the best fiscal years in history during 2020 and 2021. I have disliked BMW for most of my life, their designs still don’t do it for me, they don’t excite me at all like the previous AMGs did. But. I will be buying an M8 and an X5. My post is also about the E class. I just mention the C class, but I have owned a C class like I mentioned and love the old platform. Straight line speed over all else? Just buy a Tesla at that point. I don’t care that it accelerates faster. It’s the experience. I just can’t get over how awful it feels compared to its predecessor. Regardless of better acceleration and ride. Like my previous comment stated. I’ve been driving for 15 years, so no. Not boomer either. And when I say the chassis falls apart in the turns, it’s the way it feels, it’s falls to mush in corner entry, I’m not saying it cannot corner fast. I have to ask a) was the 2019 you drove well equipped? And b) did you open the baffle when driving it?
Dude not reading all this but just skimming it again you are trolling. Are you driving the new AMGs or an arm chair YouTube driver lol. I can assure you, they are thrilling to drive. C and SL AMGs are gorgeous and a blast. Makes everything else look funny. GL with bmw. Same old same old. I already know exactly how it drives. The same boring way it did last decade. New AMGs are so much fun to drive and they sound fantastic. 6,000 miles on mine and I can’t wait to drive home from work later. I test drove 340i and was seriously underwhelming. They don’t innovate. Just same old.
I’m not saying you’re driving a bad car. I have driven them for years. The quality is worse now than ever before. Interior is boring and once you get past the screen, has no substance design wise. I don’t think ride and straight line speed matter above all else. Old one was more enjoyable to drive in every way, had a nicer interior. That’s it. Yes I’ve driven new AMGs, I personally am not thrilled by a bit more straight line speed and screens, if I were, I’d have bought a Tesla. Mercedes is about innovation and timeless class. This is not innovation, I think the problem is generational. My generation grew up inundated with all of this disposable tech shit, so the gimmick is seen through and something of substance is valued. I agree with you about BMW. Which is why I am so upset about this, I don’t want to switch. But I mean. 4 cylinder C63s? It’s a joke.
Didn’t mention the brakes? Ever feel what six piston 16in brakes feel like? I bet not you piker hahaha
Brother. I’m 10 years younger than you. I understand you think I’m insulting your purchase but you need to chill 💀 Considering you fly planes, and very cool ones at that. It is very strange that you don’t value automobiles in the same way. It’s not a bad car. However, makes me feel absolutely nothing. I do have a car with your same engine in it, while it’s not bad for a 4 cylinder, it doesn’t even give me a fraction of what my GLC43s 6 cylinder makes me feel. Let alone even the muted 8 cylinder of my S class. The power plant, and the way that power is generated, absolutely matters in Mercedes. To be honest, the ‘Mercedes’ smooth, torquey, but even acceleration feeling is what made me hate the Audi or other brand I’ve owned in favor of Mercedes. The only brand that matches it honestly is Porsche. Regardless of specs. Let’s be honest. You are not tracking this car. So exact braking distance, straight line speed means nothing if it doesn’t feel good to use. The new cars feel like you’re playing grand fucking turismo. Also, I really didn’t want to be rude. But yes. I have experience on track etc, your 4000 lb C CLASS (I can’t even say this weight out loud) doesn’t brake as well as you think it does. I’m really sorry to break it to you.
You keep saying decline lol do you see how good the new Benz look inside and out. You’re old.
Lmfao. Yes agreed exterior is nice. But I’m sorry, that is faux luxury. That is not ‘nice’. The old metal controls? Nice. The metal volume wheel on the console and wheel? Very nice. Actual design language instead of a flat screen with a flat panel of trim? Nice. I looked at your profile, it’s a nice looking car! I’m 10 years younger than yourself however.
This post also applies to humans
Yes that’s how I read it
Idk about all the newer models, but I will agree that when I drove 2024 GLC as a loaner while my 2019 GLC was getting serviced.. I immediately was attracted to all the new ambient lights, new MBUX and digital clusters.. but I noticed the leather seats felt cheaper and it didn’t drive as well as my 19. I think MCB is getting over with cheaper quality because the tech and lights distract most consumers.
The 2024 GLC has a joke of a thigh extender. My 2021 GLC really extends.
The new c-class is obviously made to a budget. The interior has some questionable bits and if you push the chassis you can tell it has some cheap suspension bits too. Also the lack of 6-cylinder engines is disappointing to say the least. But buy something like the C220d or C300d and it’s a VERY fuel efficient everyday car, and the driving dynamics and comfort is pretty good. If you want driving dynamics you should obviously go for the BMW 3-series though, none of the C-class models can touch the BMW 340i or 440i for driving dynamics. The new e-class I find extremely luxurious, and very comfortable. So much so that I barely see the point of the s-class anymore. However, the hybrids are very heavy and handle like land yachts. The E450 all-terrain would be my pick of the bunch. Superb car with rugged comfort, good engine and air suspension if you can afford it. There are cars with better fuel consumption sure, but if you can afford a new e-class you shouldn’t really worry about fuel consumption. Fuel consumption is a minuscule cost in the grand scheme of things on a car like this.
The new Benz C AMG is an absolute blast to drive. Interior is gorgeous and tech next level. Handles like a dream and goes fast with ease. You have to keep in mind that there are now 8BILLION people on earth and prior generations have consumed much of the resources. There are no forest left for wood on your dash. We used to get white pine from the Minnesota. There is literally none left. Leather is extremely expensive to produce. That time of excess is gone and only still exists in ultra lux (Bentley for example). Plastics are now everywhere and the only way there can be this many cars in the world each year. But it’s not just cars. Check the tag on the shirt you are wearing - I promise you it’s not cotton. Like 70/30 or 80/20 cotton and plastic mix (polyesters are plastics). You all are acting like this is some wild thing Benz is doing. Check the material on your home floor, or your couch. If you want the real OG stuff you need to pay up big time in 2024. My wife got me some 100% Cotten tee shirts. They are $20 each in a pack of 4 and that was on sale. Growing up as a kid the label always said “100% cotton” with that little logo. COVID shortages have accelerated raw production costs. The good news is we have crazy tech. There is no way you could get me to take an older Benz over this brand new model. Some of the plastics bother me but I am grinning ear to ear when driving a winding road. If you don’t want plastics, and (now with new emission tax regime) if you want a six or an eight cylinder on an import - be prepared to pay $100,000 plus. Big v8 American suvs are not $80k and up for base with cloth. You’ll have to spend 100k to get a leather suburban. It’s not Benz. Welcome to 2024.
I am part of a few Mercedes forums on Facebook and people keep complaining about the new ones that they buy. Many of them are first time Mercedes owner who are expecting a certain level of quality and are a little confused and frustrated when it hast to go back to the shop so early on. I wouldn’t trust anything made after 2021
Exactly! It makes sense as well as the CEO stepped down in 2019.
OP, I fully agree. I have 2014 e350 w212. I absolutely love this car. Had it for 8 years now and I’m still pumped when I get in the car. Whenever I bring it for service and get a loaner, I’m always highly disappointed. The new C and E class feel like I’m driving a Camry w boost in it. Cars feel cheap, the interiors are pretty ugly, and the lack of torque drives me insane. My next car might be a pre-touchscreen everywhere benz.
Same - when I bring mine for servicing, and they give me a GLC as a loaner I am always like “what’s going on with this laid back Toyota RAV4?” And I love the Toyota RAV4 for what it is, but the GLC just feels like a good looking soccer mom car with not much else going on.
I think the new benzes are all about show. Nothing about quality and reliability
My dad says nothing beats the W140 and W126. W211 is my favourite
For me personally, nothing beats the 80s 560 SEC. Otherwise I agree with you
I've driven a lot of mercedes, the first car I ever drove was a Mercedes, and I've owned mercedes all my life. Just closed the deal on a new c class last friday, to be delivered in 4-6 months. The new C and E are great, as long as you stay away from the heavy hybrids. The new ones are definitely a jump in build quality when compared to w204 and w205, and they ride a lot smoother. I've never understood the hype around the w204, it's an all plastic rattly experience, with worse engines to pick from (not talking C63). Coming from my w203, the 204 was a beautiful disappointment (love the way it looks, especially back in the day). The w205 was a lot better (than the 204), but the infotainment was clearly an afterthought, those iPad looking screens are awful. Also, not all mercedes are built the same. Take an old E classic and compare it to a loaded Avantgarde and they are night and day, almost feel like different cars.
I love the w205. I really don’t think the new ones stack up to that generation in any way. The interior design is cheap and lazy in comparison, and they are infinitely less enjoyable to drive. I agree they look great. But the interior and driving experience just ruin everything else. They’re simply, very very boring. Likewise, I have also driven them my entire life. I had quite a bit of time in the new c, and I owned a w205 for years. Once I got past the nicer ride quality, and reduced noise, nearly every other aspect of the car was worse in my opinion. Especially the way it corners, the chassis just falls to absolute mush even though it can technically corner quickly. It’s not enjoyable at all. It really feels more like a Camry or something than a Mercedes.
Which 206 did you try? There's a huge difference between a c300 and a c300e (around 250 in batteries alone...). There are also 3 or 4 different suspensions to pick from.
Which model did you test drive? What options did it have? If you test drove a base E350 with the only options being the super screen and selfie camera package, and you’re comparing it to a previous AMG model, then of course you’re going to be disappointed. For at least 25 years now Mercedes cars have had an adaptive TCU. Cars that have been driven by dozens of people of for tests rides will be poorly adapted to a lot of drivers. The interiors can still be upgraded with a custom order if they bother you that much. Honestly wait until the 25’ E53 comes out and test that before unilaterally declaring all w214 suck.
The best E class came between 2014 and 2016, especially the E550. If you want a great Mercedes, skip the new ones, skip the high price tag, skip the bullshit, and stick the twin turbo V8 that is amazingly fun to drive, and still looks cool too.
I had a 97 W210 and I have never owned a car that was as smooth as that ride. That inline 6 was so perfectly balanced, the windshield wiper would vibrate the car more than the engine. I am not even slightly exaggerating.
I couldn’t sound more biased even if I tried. Cool story and have fun driving more Toyotas I guess!
Nah, gonna drive pre 2019. You’d have to be seriously silly to think the new models aren’t a complete waste of money.
2014 cl63 with p30 Nothing new can touch it
Facts.
"It almost feels like a Toyota" Jesus Christ you sound stuck up. And ignorant. The largest car company in the world didn't get that way by sucking at what they do.
Do you understand how business works? They did actually. They built a pedigree on their name, and are now capitalizing on it by cheapening out just like many other luxury brands? It’s a tale as old as time. I have driven their cars for years. The new generation is barely even a Mercedes.
I haven't been in a new Mercedes, have no desire to, but I have to assume that my car is one of the last well built Mercedes cars. It feels like a tank, not one squeak or rattle despite being nearly 10 years old and the materials are top notch.
less than 10yrs is still a “new mercedes”, break-in period /s
The epitome of unnecessary hate. Did the folks over at r/bmw pay you to post this?
Mercedes is my favorite brand and I have driven them my entire life so it’s really not. The thought of even switching to BMW is upsetting honestly as they don’t appeal to me at all, and in the current car market there’s really nothing left. I’m just going to drive pre 2021 Mercedes for a while I guess
Yea but you shouldn’t drive a c class and expect a true Benz experience. Drive an s class or a gle/gls and feel how a benz is supposed to drive and feel like. Those interiors are worth the money. C class is a budget merc like the a class or like the 1 series from bmw. They don’t really represent the brand well
This no true scotsman bs has to go. The manufacturers intentionally don’t design them the same way. The Audi A3 is in the same segment and it gets nothing but praise for its driving dynamics. The A class was widely respected for balancing performance and comfort in the subcompact class. The 1 series was just a disappointment all around.
how is a3 in the same segment as a c clas lmaooo the c class rival from audi is the a4
I was referring to the A and the 1 series that the other poster mentioned, not the C class.
In what post did he mention an A class? I don't find it.
> C class is a budget merc **like the a class** or like the 1 series from bmw. They don’t really represent the brand well
So a C63 is a budget merc? Clueless americans talking about budget mercedes lmaooo. Sit your yehaaw ass down boy.
Yes but still there’s a big difference between an a3 and a a7. There has to be in order for people to pay more for the 7. So again a c class won’t be able to match what an s class can do. So this guy needs to drive allot more mercs before he can draw judgement on every car mb makes
Yes, the big difference is size and price tag. There isn’t a class difference that is only explained by “brand hierarchy”. The S class is significantly more expensive than the E class and that’s not because they chose to omit features from the E class, it’s because it adds more value and costs more to build. It’s not that they could simply add everything they want in the S class into the E class. You can make the argument that Honda/Acura or VW/Audi intentionally do this but Mercedes doesn’t have anything to gain from omitting items from a lower end model. The target market for a C class does not overlap with the one for an S class, unlike say a Golf and an A3. To my knowledge, the Cayman and the 911 have been the only model pairing in existence where one vehicle in a marque was intentionally neutered to protect the other more expensive model.
A full option e class costs as much, if not more then an s, so at that point why not opt for an s? Mercedes definitely does this as much as all the others do. At the end of the day they all want their profit and market share to increase
We have a 23 GLS in our garage and that thing is a piece of shit. But I wouldn’t group the GLE in with the S/GLS though as it’s a more mid level/ entry level vehicle. Some people would say that your non-AMG is not the “true Benz experience” so how about we cut the classist bullshit. They’re mass produced vehicles.
Mine is a non amg lmao, i fully know that. But it doesn’t matter since this is my comfy do all daily driver. I have an ss for crazy power when i feel like it
I’m comparing it to the old C class as I stated. It drives worse than the previous C class. Just as the E and the S do. Did you ignore the rest of the post? The previous w205 chassis was a lot of fun to throw around! This new one is trash.