The new C- class drive.

Baron7700 · 09-17-2007

Im going to write this up as I have time, so forgive me if i come back and edit this to add stuff, or just add another post.

This past Sunday 9/16 Me and NoRegret went down to a private airport in Jersey where Mercedes invited us and tons of other people as we saw to drive the new c- class 350, and 300's.

We rolled in together, and were in line for the valet, in front of the standing line of people registering to get in. As usual the two shiny clean black SLK's stole the show as our roofs went up almost simultaneously (sp?). The days smiles started off right there, when nearly everyone in the lined stopped to turn and look, the valets jaws dropped, and one asked, "do you guys know each other?" Good times.

We registered and took a shuttle over to one the first staging area. There, they had a presentation, a C350 sport with a guy talking around and about it like at any auto show. This was inside a hangor fancily done with flatscreens, Au Bon Pain giving out free muffins and crouissants, Free Fuji water etc. Sirius had a little booth along with Teleaid services, and Merc Financial. Some 32" touch screens also were on one side allowing to configure and price your new C class. It was kinda neat, It was way more than what I expected, but i wasn't surprised at all with benz really pushing this new model.

After only about 15 minutes there we hoped back onto the shuttle to the registration staging area, to catch a shuttle to the closed course section of the drive.

The closed course section was basically a short track narrowly outlined by cones and obstacles. Only about a 1/2 mile long total, and it was held in a decently sized parking lot. Only being allowed to drive the cars twice on the track, (lines which went quick but was surprised at the AMOUNT of people who actually went), first we took turns driving by ourselves. Fortunatly the first time around we both got a 350 to test out.

Off the line, they claim 6 seconds 0-60 (0-100kmh). Wrong. I dont know how they would get to that number as the SLK350 is that much under 6 itself. But hey after punching it on the first little straight away (there was never any room to get above 40 really without having to slam on the brakes), for what the car is it went pretty good. Going around the first little slalom the car handled decently, I know my first run i definatly went a lot slower, as the brakes were very touchy (prob from just being new) and i was afraid of understeering right into a cone. Sidetrack - The brakes did seem really strong for the car, altho they were the same as on the 350. Anyway getting back to it, going thro some of the first turns at a decent rate the car did seem to oversteer a little bit, which is better than understeer!

Not being much to track to really explain because of its short length, and really inability to get it up to speed (the initial speech on the course was it was designed for the average driver to showcase some of the C class's everyday abilities.)

Im sure NR4L will chime in with his own account of his first run, As i couldnt really watch him as I was in the car behind him!

Our next run thro the Course we rode together, and NR4L was unlucky enough to be put in the C300 luxury edition. For some reason, this had a different trim or optioned, but not only was the color scheme of a dark blue, and an odd gold creme interior seem off, the ergonomics almost seemed different, we both agreed the this interior was

while the others (i guess the sport interior differs, like wheel and some other things ) was

.

Being the passenger on this ride, I must say he really took it to the limits for what that car was. But let you give me my account of the ride. The suspension, very soft (duh) and im surpised i didnt get see sick from the amount of tossing i did. And or, if my window wouldnt have been open i would of banged my head and busted the glass of the window like the night at the roxbury movie. The car (Note as I say this often in this post) For what it is, accelerated decently. The handling minus the fact i felt like a dingy tossing in a hurricane, well He kept it on the track at faster than that car will ever take turns, lets leave it that way. But the 300 was this, Comfortable, smooth ride, and very plush, especially for the C class.

So waiting in line one more time we get to the front again in only about 5 minutes time. The guy at the front, who instructed us what cars to get in and also gave the safety speil and such, seemed like a cool guy. The previous times we were up there we had some chats with us, and he knew we both had SLK350's. Its a good thing i mentioned this, as when it was our turn to get back into a car, it was a C300. He immediatly offered it to the next person in line, then turning to us and saying "I wasnt even gunna ask you guys if you wanted that one". Which i thanked him, because he was very right in his assumptions!

.

So we got the one we were drooling over the entire time. A bright red C350 sport, with the black leather interior. Good looking car.
As NR4L as my passenger and this being our last time around the course and me being a little more comfortable with the brakes, I thought i would push myself to my comfort lvls. (So nervous about these touchy brakes, hittin them to hard, and just oversteering right into a cone and making an ass of myself.).

Punching it from a stand still dint have much of a different effect of accerlation, as it still was a sedan that moved quickly, but not fast. (In street mark up i have a better review).

This handled quite a bit different as the suspension was tighter, and it felt a little more nose heavy, to me anyway. After the first two turns i was much more comfortable, and had the front end just sliding on some turns as the tires (which were quite crappy) squeled. The oversteer here seemed to balance out as I didnt feel i had loss of control. The car was agile thro some quick darts left and right, and on the hairpin-esque like turns, i could feel the back end wanting to come out a little bit. Only on one turn did i make the car power slide a little bit. But from previous experiences in sliding situations, it was more of a feel in the wheel and the pedals of the car starting to, than a visual cue.
The last few slaloms I really flew threw, and the guy at the end was waving his arms frantically tellin me to slow down, *BUt i wasnt at the end of the course!* and I did, when i hit the end of the course and rolled slowly over the rumble strips. It was a neat experience, but i thought left you wanting and wondering more about the car, as it didnt really showcase anything special about it. Almost (besides seeing how ***y it does look, and how nice some of the interiors were) turned me in the other direction of liking the car.

Well Im running low on time ATM, so i will leave the street test, (which we thought would be quite benign) which was the best part of the drive, and best tell of the car, till later.

Cliff Hangor!

**alroumi** · 09-17-2007

Thank you for the detailed review mate, the new C-class W204 is a looker.

**etyu** · 09-17-2007

Thanks Baron for the narrative.

Tslick · 09-17-2007

Today, I saw my first C300 a few streets over from my house.

I had to take a couple looks because I didn't know they existed. It was a twin piped, flared fender's and molding sport model.

Looked good from the back end.

I got a chance to check out a CLK63 black at the dealer Saturday and the C300 fenders are not as pronounced but similar.

Baron7700 · 09-17-2007

Ok so let me begin again.

After returning to the original registration staging area, to get in line for the street test drive. *Which wasnt much of a line anyway*

It was only about a 3 mile loop that we did. It involved some slight twisties coming out of the airport, a left at a light, a mile or so stretch, turned into a bumpy bank parking lot and drove around the drive thru, and drove the same route right back. It had some decent opportunities to open the car up.

Now the The Event holders plans were for us to follow a group leader...which we did.......

Originally when given our car numbers we grimaced at the fact that we would be 1 and 2 right behind the the group lead. We were hoping to get in the back and act like class clowns, but i think this actually gave us and the rest of the group a better time. We would simply just hang but and hit it wherever we wanted to test, turns, straight aways, the group leader even let it rip every now and then, but a couple of times went down to 30 in a 55 to slow us down

. This is where I truly felt the abilities of the car. Radio bumpin, windows down, sun roof open, occasionally blasting the exahust on acceleration. Taking some of the twisties at full throttle the car really had minimal body roll (especially for a sedan) and hugged the road. The oversteer again was a bit surprising, and yet refreshing.
I know the russian guy behind us, who had an e350 was sure glad we were in front of him, because he picked up our actions right away as he started to wait and gun like us. when originally he was stayin normal like the rest. Good for him, we actually ended up having a conversation with him afterwards and he seemed like a nice guy.

Anyway, After the street test, we all get out of the our cars with a grin on our face, and now the three of us instantly agreed that was WAY better than the closed course. I know i hit some 20-65's, some 30-50's, some 40mph turns and such, you know things you might occur in everyday somewhat spirited driving. From my brief 10 minute street ride in the car, its IMO that the car can handle more than it can throw at itself. In other words, it could probably handle itself fine if it were faster, but the brakes and control, altho very nice, seemed a little overkill to me.

thats where I think of the C63. If the 350 has great handling especially for its speed, than what is the amg gunna be like? The car seems like its on a solid platform, and an upgraded platform with more speed!? O boy! im excited.

Also in 6 months of a year time, the c350 seems like a good candidate to pick up as a powder puff for daily driving.

This is alot shorter than my first part, but i dont know how to be more descriptive, its hard to try to explain an above than average sedan when a lot of us are familiar with most of the gadgets in the car. Minus the cool new radio, roof, and styling.

Go test drive one.

in2dwww · 09-17-2007

I drove the dealer's C350 demo last week... suffice it to say, I was so unimpressed, I forgot to mention to anybody that I drove it.

The Interior...
Sucks. I absolutely hate that flip-up screen. The center air vents, steering wheel, and passenger side of the dash made me feel like I was driving a Honda. The seat switches should be on the door, not on the seat where I can't reach them. The knob used to control everything is nice, but it still requires way too much input to get anything done. To make matters worse, the buttons on the steering wheel are too identical, causing me to take my eyes off the road to figure out if I just changed something in the instrument cluster display, or if I made a change to something in the COMAND screen. I was not comfortable in this car at all because of all the "uncertainty" I experienced. I then got back into my E350 and all was well again.

The Exterior...
Looks good, but is too much of a poser for the "cheap" benz it is.

The Handling...
Oversteer galore. I think it's because of the ginormous rims and crappy low-profile tires.

Tslick · 09-17-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by in2dwww

....

The Handling...
Oversteer galore. I think it's because of the ginormous rims and crappy low-profile tires.

Do you mean understeer. Rims and tires are irrelevant to push / pull. Understeer is built into cars these days.

As to lousy interiors, I agree. But all I looked at was a C280.

Baron7700 · 09-17-2007

Different strokes for different folks, i didnt think any of all that was that bad. Altho ill give you the fact that i was trying to figure **** out with the comand and such.

I noticed oversteer.

Tslick · 09-18-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baron7700

.....
I noticed oversteer.

I'd love to get you into a Cortina, talk about overstear... fun. I don't get the comment, your report mentioned minimal overstear and that took briskness.

in2dwww · 09-18-2007

Honestly, I don't know why I would buy a new C-class. It's got a style that I think will wear off quickly and the interior is just so awful. The seats aren't supportive, the dash is nasty, and the instrument cluster (or clutter) just has too much data hidden away in menus. The steering wheel buttons don't make much sense and that COMAND mouse is overkill for a small car. Just put some buttons on there for the radio and be done with it.

I'm sure that I'll be stuck driving these things around town as a loaner car anyway. I had a '00 C280 sport and although it had no power, it had great materials and ambiance. The '08 just screams HONDA, and that's where I loose it and puke. The C-class is a leap backward in the interior department from previous generations. I dare to say that it is even a few grades lower, hovering in the economy car territory.

The only car I would really buy today is the E320 Bluetec. And that's what I want to replace my E350 with when the lease runs out next July. The problem is that I would have an '08 for about 6 months and then a new E class comes along. So if I wait, I can see the new E-class. If the new E interior is anything like the new C interior, I'd have to spring for a used S-class or jump ship.

But here's my problem:

New BMW's are too damn ugly and vulgar these days. They are just Germany's version of Ford to me now.

All Audi's are polished VW turds (I can say this as a former VW Jetta GLX owner). Lots of carryover between VW/Audi.

I'm not going to buy American.

So in short. The new C really dissapointed me and I fear that it's new trend is going to spill over into the new E.

I'm hoping that the S class trickles down into the E, but today's economics won't dictate that.

Baron7700 · 09-18-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tslick

I'd love to get you into a Cortina, talk about overstear... fun. I don't get the comment, your report mentioned minimal overstear and that took briskness.

Let Me Clarify. While only being able to take sharp turns at 20-30mph in the closed course, and the fastest one i was able to get the car up to was maybe 40, it was noticeable but not really a big deal.

There was some flat twisties on the way back and out of the airport that i had got the car up to about 65-70 before i caught up with NR4L (who had just done the same thing), and i noticed the car was trying to dive to the inside more than I expected. Took more corrections in the turn than i would of liked. My Slk in the same situation on the way out, I just held the wheel solid and it felt like it was on rails.

whats a cortina?

As far as the Interior, i didnt think it was all that bad. I kinda liked some of the stuff. The gauges ill agree i didnt like, im a big fan of the duel gauges like the slk, and the old C class's. Hopefully the 63 will have those instead of what they got now.

I think the screen is a tad to high, kinda blocks the windshield a bit, and like Dan, that thing changing around in my peripheral is annoying. But all in all I think the interior is an upgrade to the old one. I wasnt much of a fan of the old interiors, it was nice, but just for me i dunno didnt seem umph. Even though this might not be so much an upgrade, the fact thats its DIFFERENT, is probably why im attracted to it. I like cars like that, different, hence the SLK.

**SLKman** · 09-18-2007

Great reviews.

But you have to remember,...you guys are driving "AWESOME SLK's"...anything you get into will be a lesser vehicle than what you are accustomed too.

Would have been cool if you could have driven your own cars on the course just for fun.

Sounds like a fun time!

SLKman

Baron7700 · 09-18-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLKman

Would have been cool if you could have driven your own cars on the course just for fun.

Sounds like a fun time!

SLKman

We tried they wouldnt let us. WHen they closed they were going to tear down the cones immediatly, but the lines would stay up. Eh not as fun, and it didnt end for about another 5 hours after we left. No biggie.

noregret4life · 09-20-2007

I agree with Baron7700 on his overview as i felt the same while driving both the C300 and C350. So i won't go too much into the technical

Overall i was well impressed with the new body styling of the C350. The front grill really stands out. And there is definitly a major difference between the Lux and Sport versions.

While driving the C350 through the closed course with Baron on my tail, i did feel the adaptive suspension at work. And from the look on the guy's face at the end of the course, i knew i was pushing the C350 pretty hard as he was waving both his hands telling me to slow down while sweat was beading of his head. Honestly they did a great job with the C350 sport. Hands down a totally different car from the older C-class.

Now to the C300. As Baron mantioned i got put into the C300 with him as the pass. And right off the line i felt the lag in accel. However this did not mean i would let if off easy and give it a gentle ride. Suspension was smooth. Lots of body pith on turns and even on hard accel, you could feel the nose go up. Sound of the exhaust was quite low compared to the sport C350. Interior was nice... but that is all nothing special really. Baron got tossed around a bit in the pass seat as i drove the hell out of the Lux model i think even harder then the Sport the first time

And the guy at the end of the course just decided to get out of the way in fear for his life i guess.

Baron and I did get a few nods when they pull up both of our SLKs to go home. Quite a few people actually came out of the main tent to take a look. Baron dropped his top at park, and i did on the drive away.

One bit he i did not see him mention is the fact that we turned the corner from the event grounds, and parked side by side on a driveway right off the main road from where the "Street Experience" was passing through. While trying to decide where to go for food, a caravan of C350s and C300 was going past us. And although they were supposed to "Experience the C-class", they slowed down to a crawl and experienced our exhaust fumes

to which we both revved up and let them have a taste. The girl from the C-class that was giving the tour almost fell out of her car as she was checking out Barons rims

After that we hit the highway for a bit of cat and mouse and to a parking lot for a few pics...

Enjoy

noregret4life · 09-20-2007

More Pics from the New C-Class Event

Noregret4life

Baron7700 · 09-20-2007

pictures came out awesome.

hahahaha forgot about the C classes literally stopping in their tracks.

N4PWJ · 09-20-2007

John...

great report. your like a journalist from EVO magazine!!! that was very entertaining.

The pics of yours and Lenny's cars look great. Only thing is look how good Lennys exhuast looks, you need one!!!! the new rims are looking well also. good to see Lenny's car again, i can see it is as fresh as ever.

**alroumi** · 09-20-2007

Baron/Lenny, 5 stars for having a very nice subtle look. Honestly, they look very nice since the Monoblock V1's are one of my favourite wheels for the SLK.

Baron, your car would look identical to Lenny's if you added the Peicha exhaust, Lip and lowering.

09-17-2007	#1 (permalink)
Baron7700 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pennyslvania Vehicle: 2006 Slk 350 Other Toys: Lots of ATV's Posts: 1,599 Country: Thanks: 3 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	The new C- class drive. Im going to write this up as I have time, so forgive me if i come back and edit this to add stuff, or just add another post. This past Sunday 9/16 Me and NoRegret went down to a private airport in Jersey where Mercedes invited us and tons of other people as we saw to drive the new c- class 350, and 300's. We rolled in together, and were in line for the valet, in front of the standing line of people registering to get in. As usual the two shiny clean black SLK's stole the show as our roofs went up almost simultaneously (sp?). The days smiles started off right there, when nearly everyone in the lined stopped to turn and look, the valets jaws dropped, and one asked, "do you guys know each other?" Good times. We registered and took a shuttle over to one the first staging area. There, they had a presentation, a C350 sport with a guy talking around and about it like at any auto show. This was inside a hangor fancily done with flatscreens, Au Bon Pain giving out free muffins and crouissants, Free Fuji water etc. Sirius had a little booth along with Teleaid services, and Merc Financial. Some 32" touch screens also were on one side allowing to configure and price your new C class. It was kinda neat, It was way more than what I expected, but i wasn't surprised at all with benz really pushing this new model. After only about 15 minutes there we hoped back onto the shuttle to the registration staging area, to catch a shuttle to the closed course section of the drive. The closed course section was basically a short track narrowly outlined by cones and obstacles. Only about a 1/2 mile long total, and it was held in a decently sized parking lot. Only being allowed to drive the cars twice on the track, (lines which went quick but was surprised at the AMOUNT of people who actually went), first we took turns driving by ourselves. Fortunatly the first time around we both got a 350 to test out. Off the line, they claim 6 seconds 0-60 (0-100kmh). Wrong. I dont know how they would get to that number as the SLK350 is that much under 6 itself. But hey after punching it on the first little straight away (there was never any room to get above 40 really without having to slam on the brakes), for what the car is it went pretty good. Going around the first little slalom the car handled decently, I know my first run i definatly went a lot slower, as the brakes were very touchy (prob from just being new) and i was afraid of understeering right into a cone. Sidetrack - The brakes did seem really strong for the car, altho they were the same as on the 350. Anyway getting back to it, going thro some of the first turns at a decent rate the car did seem to oversteer a little bit, which is better than understeer! Not being much to track to really explain because of its short length, and really inability to get it up to speed (the initial speech on the course was it was designed for the average driver to showcase some of the C class's everyday abilities.) Im sure NR4L will chime in with his own account of his first run, As i couldnt really watch him as I was in the car behind him! Our next run thro the Course we rode together, and NR4L was unlucky enough to be put in the C300 luxury edition. For some reason, this had a different trim or optioned, but not only was the color scheme of a dark blue, and an odd gold creme interior seem off, the ergonomics almost seemed different, we both agreed the this interior was while the others (i guess the sport interior differs, like wheel and some other things ) was . Being the passenger on this ride, I must say he really took it to the limits for what that car was. But let you give me my account of the ride. The suspension, very soft (duh) and im surpised i didnt get see sick from the amount of tossing i did. And or, if my window wouldnt have been open i would of banged my head and busted the glass of the window like the night at the roxbury movie. The car (Note as I say this often in this post) For what it is, accelerated decently. The handling minus the fact i felt like a dingy tossing in a hurricane, well He kept it on the track at faster than that car will ever take turns, lets leave it that way. But the 300 was this, Comfortable, smooth ride, and very plush, especially for the C class. So waiting in line one more time we get to the front again in only about 5 minutes time. The guy at the front, who instructed us what cars to get in and also gave the safety speil and such, seemed like a cool guy. The previous times we were up there we had some chats with us, and he knew we both had SLK350's. Its a good thing i mentioned this, as when it was our turn to get back into a car, it was a C300. He immediatly offered it to the next person in line, then turning to us and saying "I wasnt even gunna ask you guys if you wanted that one". Which i thanked him, because he was very right in his assumptions! . So we got the one we were drooling over the entire time. A bright red C350 sport, with the black leather interior. Good looking car. As NR4L as my passenger and this being our last time around the course and me being a little more comfortable with the brakes, I thought i would push myself to my comfort lvls. (So nervous about these touchy brakes, hittin them to hard, and just oversteering right into a cone and making an ass of myself.). Punching it from a stand still dint have much of a different effect of accerlation, as it still was a sedan that moved quickly, but not fast. (In street mark up i have a better review). This handled quite a bit different as the suspension was tighter, and it felt a little more nose heavy, to me anyway. After the first two turns i was much more comfortable, and had the front end just sliding on some turns as the tires (which were quite crappy) squeled. The oversteer here seemed to balance out as I didnt feel i had loss of control. The car was agile thro some quick darts left and right, and on the hairpin-esque like turns, i could feel the back end wanting to come out a little bit. Only on one turn did i make the car power slide a little bit. But from previous experiences in sliding situations, it was more of a feel in the wheel and the pedals of the car starting to, than a visual cue. The last few slaloms I really flew threw, and the guy at the end was waving his arms frantically tellin me to slow down, BUt i wasnt at the end of the course! and I did, when i hit the end of the course and rolled slowly over the rumble strips. It was a neat experience, but i thought left you wanting and wondering more about the car, as it didnt really showcase anything special about it. Almost (besides seeing how ***y it does look, and how nice some of the interiors were) turned me in the other direction of liking the car. Well Im running low on time ATM, so i will leave the street test, (which we thought would be quite benign) which was the best part of the drive, and best tell of the car, till later. Cliff Hangor!

09-17-2007	#2 (permalink)
alroumi Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kuwait City, Kuwait Vehicle: 2006 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG Other Toys: 2007 Ebony Jaguar XKR Coupe' and 06 Black Cayenne S Posts: 6,271 Country: Thanks: 288 Thanked 231 Times in 145 Posts	Thank you for the detailed review mate, the new C-class W204 is a looker. __________________ 06 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG 06 Porsche Cayenne S 07 Jaguar XKR Coupe' I use the Torque and keep the HP for my Steak Sauce!

09-17-2007	#3 (permalink)
etyu Founding Member #2 / Ambassador Of Good Will Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Vehicle: 2008 SLK 55 Posts: 5,279 Country: Thanks: 376 Thanked 277 Times in 168 Posts	Thanks Baron for the narrative. __________________ *Eddy* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Pewter/Beige, PIII package, Airscarf, Hands-Free Communication System, Lighting package Designo Black Leather Cover on e-brake handle, ( To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Bill T), SmartTop v1.0, Kleyman 3BFM (NoRegret Custom), Green Air Filters, *Mod. R170 ant.*, EuroClear sidemarkers w/PIAA PlasmaIon lamps, chromed front & rear turn indicator lamps, PIAA SuperPlasmaGTX front parking lamps, bilateral rear fog lamps enabled.

09-18-2007	#12 (permalink)
SLKman Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Houston Texas Vehicle: 2000 Copper Designo Sport Posts: 1,063 Country: Thanks: 261 Thanked 73 Times in 35 Posts	Great reviews. But you have to remember,...you guys are driving "AWESOME SLK's"...anything you get into will be a lesser vehicle than what you are accustomed too. Would have been cool if you could have driven your own cars on the course just for fun. Sounds like a fun time! SLKman __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. 2000 SLK230 copper Designo Sport To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

09-20-2007	#18 (permalink)
alroumi Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kuwait City, Kuwait Vehicle: 2006 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG Other Toys: 2007 Ebony Jaguar XKR Coupe' and 06 Black Cayenne S Posts: 6,271 Country: Thanks: 288 Thanked 231 Times in 145 Posts	Baron/Lenny, 5 stars for having a very nice subtle look. Honestly, they look very nice since the Monoblock V1's are one of my favourite wheels for the SLK. Baron, your car would look identical to Lenny's if you added the Peicha exhaust, Lip and lowering. __________________ 06 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG 06 Porsche Cayenne S 07 Jaguar XKR Coupe' I use the Torque and keep the HP for my Steak Sauce!

09-17-2007	#4 (permalink)
Tslick Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Long Beach, Ca Vehicle: SLK32 AMG Posts: 1,326 Country: Thanks: 74 Thanked 56 Times in 29 Posts	Today, I saw my first C300 a few streets over from my house. I had to take a couple looks because I didn't know they existed. It was a twin piped, flared fender's and molding sport model. Looked good from the back end. I got a chance to check out a CLK63 black at the dealer Saturday and the C300 fenders are not as pronounced but similar.

09-17-2007	#5 (permalink)
Baron7700 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pennyslvania Vehicle: 2006 Slk 350 Other Toys: Lots of ATV's Posts: 1,599 Country: Thanks: 3 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Ok so let me begin again. After returning to the original registration staging area, to get in line for the street test drive. Which wasnt much of a line anyway It was only about a 3 mile loop that we did. It involved some slight twisties coming out of the airport, a left at a light, a mile or so stretch, turned into a bumpy bank parking lot and drove around the drive thru, and drove the same route right back. It had some decent opportunities to open the car up. Now the The Event holders plans were for us to follow a group leader...which we did....... Originally when given our car numbers we grimaced at the fact that we would be 1 and 2 right behind the the group lead. We were hoping to get in the back and act like class clowns, but i think this actually gave us and the rest of the group a better time. We would simply just hang but and hit it wherever we wanted to test, turns, straight aways, the group leader even let it rip every now and then, but a couple of times went down to 30 in a 55 to slow us down . This is where I truly felt the abilities of the car. Radio bumpin, windows down, sun roof open, occasionally blasting the exahust on acceleration. Taking some of the twisties at full throttle the car really had minimal body roll (especially for a sedan) and hugged the road. The oversteer again was a bit surprising, and yet refreshing. I know the russian guy behind us, who had an e350 was sure glad we were in front of him, because he picked up our actions right away as he started to wait and gun like us. when originally he was stayin normal like the rest. Good for him, we actually ended up having a conversation with him afterwards and he seemed like a nice guy. Anyway, After the street test, we all get out of the our cars with a grin on our face, and now the three of us instantly agreed that was WAY better than the closed course. I know i hit some 20-65's, some 30-50's, some 40mph turns and such, you know things you might occur in everyday somewhat spirited driving. From my brief 10 minute street ride in the car, its IMO that the car can handle more than it can throw at itself. In other words, it could probably handle itself fine if it were faster, but the brakes and control, altho very nice, seemed a little overkill to me. thats where I think of the C63. If the 350 has great handling especially for its speed, than what is the amg gunna be like? The car seems like its on a solid platform, and an upgraded platform with more speed!? O boy! im excited. Also in 6 months of a year time, the c350 seems like a good candidate to pick up as a powder puff for daily driving. This is alot shorter than my first part, but i dont know how to be more descriptive, its hard to try to explain an above than average sedan when a lot of us are familiar with most of the gadgets in the car. Minus the cool new radio, roof, and styling. Go test drive one.

09-17-2007	#6 (permalink)
in2dwww Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 203 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I drove the dealer's C350 demo last week... suffice it to say, I was so unimpressed, I forgot to mention to anybody that I drove it. The Interior... Sucks. I absolutely hate that flip-up screen. The center air vents, steering wheel, and passenger side of the dash made me feel like I was driving a Honda. The seat switches should be on the door, not on the seat where I can't reach them. The knob used to control everything is nice, but it still requires way too much input to get anything done. To make matters worse, the buttons on the steering wheel are too identical, causing me to take my eyes off the road to figure out if I just changed something in the instrument cluster display, or if I made a change to something in the COMAND screen. I was not comfortable in this car at all because of all the "uncertainty" I experienced. I then got back into my E350 and all was well again. The Exterior... Looks good, but is too much of a poser for the "cheap" benz it is. The Handling... Oversteer galore. I think it's because of the ginormous rims and crappy low-profile tires.

09-17-2007	#8 (permalink)
Baron7700 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pennyslvania Vehicle: 2006 Slk 350 Other Toys: Lots of ATV's Posts: 1,599 Country: Thanks: 3 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Different strokes for different folks, i didnt think any of all that was that bad. Altho ill give you the fact that i was trying to figure **** out with the comand and such. I noticed oversteer.

09-18-2007	#10 (permalink)
in2dwww Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 203 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Honestly, I don't know why I would buy a new C-class. It's got a style that I think will wear off quickly and the interior is just so awful. The seats aren't supportive, the dash is nasty, and the instrument cluster (or clutter) just has too much data hidden away in menus. The steering wheel buttons don't make much sense and that COMAND mouse is overkill for a small car. Just put some buttons on there for the radio and be done with it. I'm sure that I'll be stuck driving these things around town as a loaner car anyway. I had a '00 C280 sport and although it had no power, it had great materials and ambiance. The '08 just screams HONDA, and that's where I loose it and puke. The C-class is a leap backward in the interior department from previous generations. I dare to say that it is even a few grades lower, hovering in the economy car territory. The only car I would really buy today is the E320 Bluetec. And that's what I want to replace my E350 with when the lease runs out next July. The problem is that I would have an '08 for about 6 months and then a new E class comes along. So if I wait, I can see the new E-class. If the new E interior is anything like the new C interior, I'd have to spring for a used S-class or jump ship. But here's my problem: New BMW's are too damn ugly and vulgar these days. They are just Germany's version of Ford to me now. All Audi's are polished VW turds (I can say this as a former VW Jetta GLX owner). Lots of carryover between VW/Audi. I'm not going to buy American. So in short. The new C really dissapointed me and I fear that it's new trend is going to spill over into the new E. I'm hoping that the S class trickles down into the E, but today's economics won't dictate that.

09-20-2007	#16 (permalink)
Baron7700 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pennyslvania Vehicle: 2006 Slk 350 Other Toys: Lots of ATV's Posts: 1,599 Country: Thanks: 3 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	pictures came out awesome. hahahaha forgot about the C classes literally stopping in their tracks.

09-20-2007	#17 (permalink)
N4PWJ Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Belfast,N.Ireland Vehicle: 2006,slk280,carlsson Other Toys: Caterham Posts: 1,417 Country: Thanks: 1 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	John... great report. your like a journalist from EVO magazine!!! that was very entertaining. The pics of yours and Lenny's cars look great. Only thing is look how good Lennys exhuast looks, you need one!!!! the new rims are looking well also. good to see Lenny's car again, i can see it is as fresh as ever.