The C Class in a nutshell from my experience:

W202:
Pros- Its a MB, Sport Package give sharp style, handling is amazing, mono wiper is great.
Cons- Small, not the most comfy car to live with, interior is cheap looking and feeling, the paint quality is not good, the transmission shifts hard, the ride is stiff.

W203:
Pros- Ride quality is great, quite ride, the looks are great, the paint quality is fantastic and rich looking, more comfort then the 202, plush looking interior, AWD as a option that is amazing and will get you to a safe place in any weather, the tunk space has lots of room, the car is very, very reliable and has never let me down. The upkeep is very cheep vs my 202. I owned it for 4 years now and only did a battery and rea springs.

Cons- Well there are a couple things. Interior creeks, lots of cheaper plastics used and creeks and rattles more then any other car I have ever owned except the Infiniti Q45 and GMC Suv. The interior is very small and it is hard to fit 4 people inside with comfort. The coupes are awful.

W204:
Pros- Looks, performance and style of the inside and out. Coupes especially that look sexy. The size of it is larger then the 202,203. The handling is great as well. It car stands out where you go and people do not think it is a C Class.

Cons- Well there is the interior! Cheap, Cheap, Cheap! Squeek, rattle. Layout wise it is fine but cheap. The seats are VERY uncomfortable and find my w203 much more comfy. The drive is not too exciting. Sure you get a more power V6 in the 204 vs the 203 but it feels boring and almost like a japanese car to me.

Overall-If you must buy one... Take the W203. I find it to be the best out of all of them. 05-07 being the best and a sedan of course.If not a w203 just skip the C all togeather.

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2015 ML350 4Matic. Wifes DD
2015 GLK350 4Matic. My winter DD
2012 E350 4Matic. Road Trip car
2009 CLK350 Coupe Designo.Kleemann Tune For nice days/DD
2006 CL600. V12.Eurocharged Tune. Enough said
2005 CLK55 AMG Coupe.Kleemann Tune. For the sound and style
2004 CLK320 Cabriolet. 2005+ Interior swap. For the sunny Florida days & beach days

The early years of the W203 did indeed include some night mares.

I bought one of the very first that made it to the States in September 2000. It had so many electronic Gremlins that I finally gave up on it and sold it. It was a rare six speed car and was FABULOUS to drive, but had many problems. I think they solved the issues by the 2004 MY or somewhere along there.

Last time I'll be the first to buy first of a series of anything.

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2001 SLK 320 six speed manual
2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual

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