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Mercedes-Benz C-300 2008+

301 messages,  Last post on Oct 08, 2012 at 2:30 PM

You are in the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Forum.

What is this discussion about? Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Coupe, Hatchback, Sedan

Messages Page 21 of 31

#198 of 301 Re: C300 '09 Lux impressions? [avatar1] by jrct9454

Aug 18, 2008 (6:07 am)

Replying to: avatar1 (Aug 17, 2008 3:58 pm)
We took delivery of the first W204 in the NW region on Aug 9, 2007. Ours is a C300 Lux [I hate the look of the AMG add-ons on the Sport, and I don't like staggered wheels, so the Sport was not an option], and now has about 9500 miles.
 
I've owned 15 Mercedes, and 38 other cars since 1962, and the new C is the best we've had - smooth, quiet, quick, responsive, comfortable, and reasonable fuel use [though I would have preferred the new twin-turbo 4 cyl diesel - maybe 2010]. We have had no issues and no problems. It is a wonderful long-distance tourer, which is precisely why I picked this car.
 
The BMW competition [E90 3er] has a couple of things that I really go out of my way to avoid, the most important of which is the mandatory run-flat tires, which I hate. It was also moderately noisier when we tested it, which I also attribute to the run-flats. No one who picks the BMW would get a serious argument from me - it really depends on what you value most. I don't need a "sports sedan" - if you do, your choice might be different.
 
The Lexus IS didn't compete - its back seat is so tight as to be unusable...trunk space also too small for our trips.
 
In short, I think the W204 C is a great choice. Ours has been everything I wanted except 40 mpg. That will have to wait for the latest diesel, if they ever decide to sell it here.

#199 of 301 Re: C300 '09 Lux impressions? [jrct9454] by avatar1

Aug 18, 2008 (6:32 am)

Replying to: jrct9454 (Aug 18, 2008 6:07 am)
Thank you for your impressions, I am even more excited now than I was when I test drove the car yesterday. I drove both the Lux and Sport, I found the Sport to be harsher but less sway hard cornering. Since I don't do a lot of hard cornering and I (like you) prefer the looks of the lux version better, that's the one I am interested in most.
 
I liked most how the cabin felt secure, quiet and comfortable. I think the electronics are a fantastic and I love the looks of the car. The acceleration is OK, it's not a sports car and the "reported" MPG is something I can live with, but hoped for better. Maybe the diesel you talk about can help when I return the car in 3 yrs, after the lease expires.
 
I was also pleased to hear you had no mechanical problems, which for many has been a problem with the older MB's. I have owned 6 MB's and never really had an issue.
 
I too have owned a lot of wonderful cars in my life, my all time favorite car was my 1996 S500, which was a dream on wheels.
 
I look forward to hearing about other's impression of the car as well.

#200 of 301 Re: C300 '09 Lux impressions? [jrct9454] by be325

Aug 18, 2008 (6:40 am)

Replying to: jrct9454 (Aug 18, 2008 6:07 am)
We agree with ALL what jrct9454 wrote ..... our car meets all our needs and looks good to us.
We only have 3000 miles on our 2008 c-300 Lux. We didn't like all the stuff the Sport come with (aluminum trim inside, the pedals, etc.) We did put the sport grille on because we like it .... the other grille is OK.
We looked at IS, BMW-3 and TL. C-300 has a fresh look (to us).
We only had 1 minor thing (with the loose door knob) which the dealer promptly took care of (Lokey in Clearwater, FL). They even replaced (at no charge) the driver's armrest (because of a little imperfection) and gave us a new c-300 sport for a loaner. I think ours rides better.

#201 of 301 Re: C300 '09 Lux impressions? [be325] by avatar1

Aug 18, 2008 (8:15 am)

Replying to: be325 (Aug 18, 2008 6:40 am)
I agree the lux rides better than the sport. Sounds great to hear you are enjoying the car and the dealer is treating you well. Herb Chambers is the dealer here in MA, they are usually very customer responsive.

#202 of 301 Re: Lease 2009 C300 Luxury Sedan [christo2626] by ghstudio

Aug 19, 2008 (8:28 am)

Replying to: christo2626 (Aug 12, 2008 5:23 pm)
Don't fall for the low monthly payment with a large up front cost trick. If you want to compare lease deals, add up all the costs...initial down payment, any dealer charges, origination/bank fees and the monthly costs over the life of the lease...then divide by the number of months.
 
If you are quoted a $300 monthly payment on a 24 month lease with $4800 down, then your real monthly cost is $300 + (4800/24) = $500 a month.
 
Dealers just love to advertise and quote deals with low monthly costs and high down payments....because most just look at the monthly payments. Don't fall for that...be a smart buyer.

#203 of 301 Re: Lease 2009 C300 Luxury Sedan [ghstudio] by 604doc

Aug 19, 2008 (9:03 am)

Replying to: ghstudio (Aug 19, 2008 8:28 am)
Plus, it's not a good idea to put money down to reduce the cap cost on a lease. If you drive off the lot and the car is totaled, the insurance will only pay off what's owed to the bank. Your down payment would be lost.

#204 of 301 Re: Lease 2009 C300 Luxury Sedan [604doc] by ghstudio

Aug 19, 2008 (9:51 pm)

Replying to: 604doc (Aug 19, 2008 9:03 am)
Insurance doesn't work that way.....insurance pays the fair market value of the car at the time of the loss. It doesn't matter if you own it outright or you owe someone for a loan or lease.....What they pay has nothing to do with the down payment.
 
However, if you lease the car and you total it, the "fair market value" paid by the insurance company may be less than you owe the leasing company. This is covered by the gap insurance provided in most leases. But, if you've paid money up front, then that's used to pay the gap....not the insurance.
 
Hopefully, you won't total your car, so it doesn't matter...but if you do, you will likely lose your total up front payment.
 
The other reason not to make an up front payment is something that most folks leasing don't know about. It's called "multiple security deposits"....and it's a much better use of that money. In return for your loaning the leasing company multiple security deposits, they will reduce the money factor on the lease. Yes, Mercedes leases have this option. It's a security deposit so you get the money back at the end of the lease.
 
You have to work out the numbers with your dealer....but in general, multiple security deposits pay you 8-12% on the money you loan (not the entire lease) by saving you money on each payment because of the lower Money Factor. That's far better than you can do keeping that money in a bank. The only reason you wono't get the money back is if you have damage to the car when you return it, but you have to pay for that no matter if you have multiple security deposits or no security deposits.

#205 of 301 Re: Lease 2009 C300 Luxury Sedan [ghstudio] by avatar1

Aug 20, 2008 (3:58 am)

Replying to: ghstudio (Aug 19, 2008 9:51 pm)
I just spoke to my ins company. They will actually pay off the lease and pay 100% of your down payment in the 1st two years of the lease. After that, it's prorated, but this is a new program with Liberty Mutual. 604doc is right about the Money Factor, the higher your upfront payment, the lower the money factor is with Mercedes. The deal I just wrote reflects that.
 
As an aside, I told the salesman I liked the grille from the sport model better than the luxury model, but I liked the lux model overall better than the sport. He offered to swap the grille and now I have a lux C300 with a sport grille. This is what I wanted. I personally felt the sport version's ride was harsh compared to the lux version.

#206 of 301 Re: Lease 2009 C300 Luxury Sedan [avatar1] by ghstudio

Aug 20, 2008 (7:15 am)

Replying to: avatar1 (Aug 20, 2008 3:58 am)
Once again...there are two types of upfront payments. One is a capital cost reduction which does not reduce the Money Factor and exposes you to loss of your money if you total the car. The other is to make multiple security deposits which you get back at the end of the lease and do reduce your money factor as well. I assume that avatar1 used multiple security deposits.
 
Warning...many dealers (and most sales people) don't even know that they offer an option for multiple security deposits. If you run into one of those dealers, find the finance manager and have him pull out his literature and learn about the program.

#207 of 301 Re: C300 '09 Lux impressions? [avatar1] by jamieh1

Aug 21, 2008 (4:52 pm)

Replying to: avatar1 (Aug 17, 2008 3:58 pm)
Hello avatar1,
BUY the C300 and NOT 328xi.
In terms of style and sophistication, you can't beat Mercedes. BMW is nice but the style is outdated and "square" meaning it looks hard and not sophisticated.
I bought the c300 6 months ago and I have to say I am very impressed with the car and I LOVE IT. No regrets whatsoever. I got one with the paranoma sunroof, 6-disc CD changer and the multimedia package with the 7-inch screen navigation for only $37,000 OUT THE DOOR including taxes and license fees.
So you should try to bargain yours down to around that range. $40,000 is a bit too high.
Good Luck.

Messages Page 21 of 31

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