2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic

People make a lasting impression on young age. This could explain why the population over 35 years, neither Audi nor BMW can match the mystique of a Mercedes. Even the bottom-of-the-US-C300 series, the eyebrows of people who have an Audi A7 give nary a glimpse (and who would look for an additional $ 8,000 for a hatchback like crazy). But this will remain so for the next generations, or Mercedes will follow in the footsteps of Cadillac? A brand is as strong as its weakest link. C300 has the seal of approval, to justify the three-star? The previous C-Class was the W203 a nicer car. But it was also clear. The W204, with its square cut expensive, sharper lines and more complex graphics, a lot more road presence, and at least as important is looks. Most important of all, it is usually recognizable as a Mercedes-Benz. The proof, if you need it, that Mercedes leeway to break with the current contract reserves: an upright hood ornament. A Cadillac that had tried the same thing as to be hopelessly out-of-touch release.

The interior will not win any beauty contests, but the sophistication and the sheer amount of detail you're not proposing enough in a normal car. The materials have been upgraded to freshen this year, and usually avoid any obvious charges of inexpensive (although HVAC dials felt more firmly). Leather seating is increasingly rare on the Mercedes-Benz deal, and you will not find $ 43,980 in this case. But the people are strongly influenced by the assumptions and the MB-Tex vinyl is difficult to distinguish from the standard-class, highly processed leather. How many people have a Mercedes without ever realizing that their cover is based on oil? In an attempt to reduce the number keys to minimize the coupling of a console-mounted button with a Multi Function Display, BMW's iDrive, MMI, Audi and Mercedes COMAND. The latter is not as sophisticated or as simple as in the previous iterations of the others to use, but as with all such systems, you'll eventually sort it out. Or not. More of a liability: (. The handle is mounted slightly lower) Mercedes remains stubbornly the position of the cruise control lever, while other manufacturers of the position of the indicator even to the end of my week in the car, I accidentally turned the system over several times a day. Also in need of tweaking: power seat adjustments quickly to frustration-free fine-tuning.

A positive sign that you're in a Mercedes: the doors closed with a mechanical solid thunk. Although significant technical hours were spent refining the sound the car comes by it honestly. The C300 body structure radiates brute strength. Crash tests again this impression. In a 35 mph offset crash test, deforms the structure of only 2.59 inches. The side-impact structural distortion figures even more impressive. (Note: Lower numbers are better in these statistics) Mercedes are probably unworthy of their reputation in some respects, but security is not one of them. The driving position in the C300, it is hardly better, with a more open view to the front you will find behind the impressive instrument panel BMW 3-series programs. (My guess: Cadillac C-Class studied closely in designing the architecture for the new Cadillac DTS). The traditional opinions about the Mercedes-Benz Very flat, very firm seats. Some people find good support hours. Others will simply find it flat and hard. Count me in perhaps the last group, because I did not take long trips in the car. Fortunately, the back corners of the bottom cushion features, and so good lateral support. Characteristic of the segment of the back seat for adults in a pinch. A little more toe room under the front seats would go a long way. For long distances, space and comfort you desire to the E-class and even the S-class change.

The C300 4Matic, the specs are not promising. While the V6 sedans starting in regular medium with 3.5 liter, where the Mercedes is only 3.0. The mill of 228 PS (at 6,000 rpm) and 221 pound feet of torque (2750-5000) to fight with 3737 pounds of curb weight. And yet, by the magic that survives from the 1990 S300 feels more than adequate acceleration, and the 4,000 rpm right of the line, and spirited with a heavy foot of the north. The seven-speed automatic is not the fastest or the most refined, but the exact amount is still out there somewhere. Two modes are provided, E and S. I was able to detect any difference between them. Although much has changed in recent decades, retains traces of the engine sound of traditional mechanical Mercedes-strumming it does not sound like an old six. The all-wheel drive is available only on the C300 and no rear-drive option. The rear-wheel-drive C-class is either a 201-hp, 229 lb-ft turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder or a 302-hp 3.5-liter V6 offered. Although the latter is undoubtedly a strong performer, few retailers stock it. If even the 3.5 is not strong enough for you, it is the C63 AMG with a 451-horsepower V8. The argument against the six: fuel. A larger, heavier and more powerful BMW 528i xDrive manages EPA rating of 22 city, 32 highway. The next 3-Series xDrive must be even better. An Audi A4 Quattro: 21/29. And the 333-hp Audi S4: 18/28. The C300 4MATIC: only 18 city, 25 highway. The onboard computer is a backup of this paragraph numbers, reporting around 20 in the suburbs of driving. The C300 could save up to six, the specifications, but at a price.

The C300 is available in both sports and luxury finish. I've sent people to the former over the years, as a body kit and much more sporty suspension tuning to a very un-price: free. Scratch that: better this year, better handling C-class version costs a bit less actually. For their own reasons (which I can not fathom) if this Mercedes. Even in the luxury to trim the suspension is firm enough to be sporty and fidget in some way to continue, despite the shocks, which reports that adapt to driving conditions. The performance is pushed to the front wheels only when the rear tire slip, and even then, the torque split is 45/55, there remains the feeling that a rear wheel drive car, complete with tail-out oversteer on slippery surfaces. (Do not worry, the seemingly invincible stability control will intervene.) The biggest problem, both in Trim: light steering, which feels numb still remember others that I have described how a deaf ear to. As in the current E-Class brings the steering wheel next to nothing about the direction of the front wheels are declared or the extent to which they hatch. As a result, there is little joy and even less faith in the exercise of state drivers.

Does not apply to the chassis to exercise important? Want to consume only fast mile after mile of concrete slab, which extends right where the eye can see, to see? Then the Mercedes was in his element and performs admirably. The C300 is not as quiet as a grave, but low quality sounds are filtered out. If you feel drowsy, do recognize this is a standard system and its best to wake you up. Our test car listed for $ 43,980, including $ 1,515 for the bright white color (a sign that Mercedes is trying to hamper the car). Another metallic color will set you back only 720 $. Has not the embrace of a telematics system? Then you can shave another $ 660, what the sticker on $ 42,525. For some nice features like navigation, xenon lamps and passive element that you need to tick more. Seem steep? Now this is a well-equipped four-cylinder Audi A4 is only about $ 1000 less, a much smaller difference than in the past few decades. While Mercedes is still a major advantage is the fact of approval among the masses, they will not try to ask for more money. And the cost on the street? While some Mercedes remain notoriously unreliable (eg SUVs), the C-Class is not there. The W204 C-Class has always been above average, based on responses to the True Delta Car Reliability Survey.

Mercedes-Benz, the picture is not entirely in his favor. As for Cadillac in the past, many people can afford a Mercedes and not just buying the same expensive rivals I can not imagine could be in one. If these people have their prejudices and took the C300 for a drive to find them ... a car with a very rigid structure, but little else, to separate it from the rest. The seats prove supportive on long drives, but in the city, they feel difficult. The 3.0-liter V6 feels like a larger engine, but will also drink some more powerful engines under the table. The chassis is certainly feet, but the steering is numb disturbing. The electronics can be said of the German competitors in order, but the same. We're back on the solid structure and security. Looking for a rolling bank vault with neat dimensions? Then, the C300 is your car. But is that both Volvo feels the need to talk, naughty?