I drove a new C-Class for the first time today, and I've got to say I'm impressed. It's a definite improvement over it's predecessor. The ride is a little on the firm side, but I think the 18" AMG wheels are the reason for that. I'll compare it with another one and see if there's a difference. The COMAND system is pretty neat. The display screen automatically retracts into the dash when not in use, and the system can be operated in the same way as in the 221 S-Class, that is, by the central controller. The engine/transmission combination has been in use for awhile now, so there's nothing new to report. Some of the styling elements were obviously borrowed from the S-Class, but it seems to work well on the 204. We'll have to wait and see how it's received by the buying public, but I think it's going to be very successful.
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Does the car feel or seem bigger then the 203?

Any new service requirements or changes in servicing compared to the 203, is the battery still in the engine bay?

Did your example have those electronic dampers/shocks?

Are the seat controls still down on the bottom next to the sill?

Any runflat tires or still a spare in the trunk?

What's the command (iDrive) center like, plastic knob?

First of all, every dealer in the country received a C300 Sport model this week to be used as a demo. My guess is they are all silver with black Tex interiors.

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The car is less than two inches longer.

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Same as outgoing model.

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W204 uses a new design all hydraulic self adjusting shock.

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Depends on model.

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Didn't look but I'm sure there is a spare.

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It's Comand, not I-Drive which is a BMW feature. Yes, there is a control knob and all the reviews so far so it is intuitive and easy to use. Plastic? Probably. You wanted maybe sterling silver?

This model has been plastered all over the internet for months now and every magazine has tested them and there is nothing unrevealed. Including prices. Try www.germancarfans.com as just one site.

I have been keeping up with the news about this car because I have one on order which I will see about October 15. It will be a C300 Luxury, Barolo Red with Cashmere Beige leather plus most other options and it will be nearly $1700 cheaper than my '01 C320 that has less equipment.

I sat in my dealer's demo yesterday and am astonished at the obvious quality everywhere. Panel fit and paint quality is excellent and the interior, even in dismal black Tex is impressive. EVERYTHING is different.

Unfortunately, MB will be holding back the Bluetec diesel and the direct injection gas engines for another year. Probably to coincide with the new E-Class due as an '09 model.

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Roger E.

It's www.germancarzone.com, not www.germancarfans.com.

Also, my dealer told me this week that when W204 production is fully ramped up, for the US market, 30% of the cars will come from Germany and 70% from South Africa. How about THAT?

One last, it looks the the dealer demo cars have the 18" AMG wheel option and there have been complaints about ride quality with those wheels. Stock is 17" AMGs on the Sport model and 17" ten-spokes on the Luxury with no wheel options.

Another complaint is that the big outside mirrors produce a lot of wind noise but it's possible that the EU has decreed mirror size since they are also responsible for the higher hood level for pedestrian protection, relative to the outgoing model.

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Roger E.