Hmm, not sure if this is the best section or not.... Anyway, I have had the opportunity of driving some different MB and/or exploring/experiencing these cars recently....

My thoughts?

C-class - The C230 is a joke, no front/back(I mean move front back...) pwr seats, vinyl seats.... Doesn't feel like a MB. The C350 is nice w/pwr memory steering, leather, more powerful engine, etc; but about $40K!! Might as well jump on an E... ..used or something
I have seen the BMW 325 is pretty much the same thing... no leather std, etc..

SL- OH ****!!! I drove an SL500 (these are 06 as the C class), my good this 300 hp and 300 + ft lbs of torque feels soooooooo fast , wow!!.... awsome. I wonder, just wondering, does the new E500 feel the same, being the same engine? Its the same hp/torque.

After driving this V8, I am wondering, if I change from my 95 E320 to an 00-02 E430 will I feel anything like the SL, since it has a V8. While I don't drive an MB to be fast, it feels very nice to have that kind of torque on tap... Any thoughts on the E430 feel off the line, etc? There wasn't an E430 to drive, so couldn't find out myself... The new E500 really is not a good comparison, since its more hp and newer...

Recap.... I was highly dissapointed in the C230... the 6 speed is fun to drive, but that vinyl interior and NO pwr seats (fr/back).....

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1995 E320 smoke silver / parchment

The C230 front seats are leather inserts, but it's interesting that they've done such a nice job with it that you thought it was vinyl.

Excuse me "leather inserts" , definitely not the feel of leather... Come to think of it , i experienced an 06 E350 with leather inserts!!! WTF, someone is going to spend $53K-$55K on a car and be cheap about the seating material!!?!?

surfaces, right? seems ok to me especially since benz vinyl will outlast leather any way.

i drove a rather tired e430 recently that the dealership had. it was seriously quick. invoking traction control under straightline acceleration as i pulled out of the dealership parking lot. and many other times. and since the sl is normally about the same weight as a sedan, the e500 probably is about as quick on acceleration. the sl with less frontal area prob is a little faster on top end.

i have always felt that the small benzes were very impressive, myself. from the 190 to the c class. they all have driven like benzes to me.

if you are going to sell them for less $$ you have to leave some things out somewhere!

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

My C230 Coupe has full leather and dual power memory seats..... Not to mention Bi-Xenons as well....

But mine is a 2003 and before they dumped the dual power front seats in the w203.

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~Jamie
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2003 Pewter C230K SC C1, C4, C5, C7, heated seats, CD Changer, and 6 Speed. ContiExtremes on the C7's.

1986 190E 2.3 Black, Auto, Mods to come soon.....

They cut back on a few luxury items in the C230 so list price is under $30K. And cheap leases, too. But I am a strong believer in letting someone else take the initial depreciation hit...

Be sure to try a pre-owned C320 -- it's got plenty of zip and all the creature comforts. There are many, many off-lease cars out there that still have remaining warranty...and reasonable prices (depending on the dealer).

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'01 SLK320, '79 450SL & '01 C320 -- What? 3 Mercedes? I am DEFINITELY crazy!!!