[danielt]

Drove the C280 yesterday

1. the interior dash looks quite cheap with it's plain dark plastic surrounding all the buttons, however the wood trim itself looks stylish

2. the LCD screen for navigation etc looks like a really high definition computer screen monitor. It can also play DVDs

3. Steering - had something equivalent to active steering, so it felt really really light and removed from the road

4. acceleration - floored it down a straight, not fun at all, told my dealer mate I'll be doing a U turn and heading back.

Conclusion: Asked him when the C63-AMG might be available for a test drive.

[VGR00]

Just went into the MB dealership to have a look at a sports pack model with the AMG gear. This car only came in this morning and was being preped for delivery tomorrow therefor it was not available for a drive. They offered to take me for a drive in a standard car but I was more interested in the sports for the suspension + ride quality so I declined. No doubt the C200 will pull a lot harder than a 320i as it has 135kw. It was a C200 in a colour similar to space grey. The outside looks great. The cross drilled rotors stand out and adds to the sportiness of the car. I agree with Daniel on his comments regarding the dash and it's plastics. Just have a look how cheap the door button pop up thing looks and feels.

They priced one up for me at just over A$80K drive away with the only option being the cheapest package for sunroof and metalic paint. That AMG package is $8800 dollars but considering you get te brake kit in that then it's not bad.

Daniel - I can understand why you wern't impressed with the accelleration considering the C280 only has something like 176kw as opposed to 225kw of the 335i. The sales person started the SL63 they had in the showroom to demonstrate their keyless go but I was more happier listening to that V8. Hmmmm .... lovely.

All in all, you will either love it or hate it. That big star in the grill is a little bit too in your face for my liking.

I want to upgrade the wife's 530i before the end of the year so this trip has deffinitly swung me back to another 3 series (at the moment). I'll probably get a 325i and do a hand me down of my 320i to my wife. That will make me popular (not)!!!!

[danielt]

Vgr02, true, the acceleration was never going to compare, but you can still have a fun drive with 125kw, which is what my E46 323 Coupe had!

[bond0007]

drove my new c200k, just got it on wednesday. my first impression was a huge shock because the steering is extremely light at low speed, but it stiffens up at higher speed. interior is nice, i actually prefer it more den my own 3 series. Acceleration is also pretty gud compared to my 320i coz it has 25Kw more. Design wise, again i prefer the new c class, but its a matter of personal taste i reckon.

[scheps]

so how much is the drive away without options for a C200 and C280? in brisbane?

[VGR00]

A C200 with sunroof and metalic paint with the sports kit is A$80490.00.
The sports package added $8800 and the sunroof was $3350