2007 Mercedes-Benz C Class
June 20, 2007 by Alborz Fallah
While Audi and BMW continue to exchange a war of words, Mercedes-Benz Australia is enjoying the show and concentrating on more important things.
Yesterday Mercedes-Benz Australia announced the recommended retail prices for the all-new C-Class sedan range. The C-Class is the volume seller for the German luxury brand and the new range will undoubtedly boost sales.
“This is a great announcement to make because I know so many customers have been waiting for this great news,” said Horst von Sanden, managing director of the Mercedes Car Group in Australia.
The new C-Class first saw the light of day at this year’s Geneva Motor Show in January. This all-new car, model code W204, replaces the W203 variant, which has been on sale in Australia for almost seven years.
Unlike Japanese brands which tend to overhaul their models every 3-4 years, the Germans are a little more conservative – which is of benefit as far as resale values go.
Mercedes-Benz has sold more than 1.4 million of the W203 variants, Australia has taken 2.2% of global sales with more than 32,000 C-Class vehicles sold since 2000.
The new C-class range will only be offered in three different variants at time of release:
- C 200 Kompressor,
- C 220 CDI Turbo Diesel
- C 280 petrol V6.
The first two models, the C 200 Kompressor and C 220 CDI come fitted with the traditional CLASSIC model line as standard equipment, nonetheless customers can choose either a more luxury-oriented finish by selecting the ELEGANCE MODEL LINE or a more sporty cut with the AVANTGARDE design and equipment line.
The C 280 V6 is fitted with the ELEGANCE model line as standard equipment, with the sporty AVANTGARDE design and equipment line a no-cost optional alternative.
Of course, you would expect all Mercedes to come with a pool of standard safety features, and they do. The C-class is privileged with
- ESP® Electronic Stability Programme,
- PARKTRONIC (parking sensors)
- Parameter Steering,
- eight airbags
- Mercedes’ PRE-SAFE anticipatory occupant protection system as standard equipment,
- AGILITY CONTROL suspension, a system which controls the car’s shock absorber forces according to the driving situation, optimising comfort and agility in equal measures.
Australian prices for the new C-Class with automatic transmission:
- C 200 Kompressor CLASSIC $56,990
- C 220 CDI CLASSIC $60,300
- C 280 ELEGANCE $85,000
Specifications for the new C-Class :
The new C-class will launch in Australia towards the end of July this year.
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BMW is already getting ready obviously as they have now (recently) included standard in the 3 series, things that are optional in the new C. (Comfort Access/Keyless Go and fold down rear seat)
This must be a serious challenge to BMW as Comfort Access is still only optional in much more expensive cars like the X5 !
This new C will be a serious competitor to the BMW 3 but the dashboard (that popup display !!!) and hard shiny plastics may be a downer…
I await a good inspection and drive with great interest !
much nicer looking car than bmws hyundai-esque curves though
I have to say those headlights really remind me of the newer Holden Caprice styled ones..
yeah i thought that when i saw them as well
The new C-Class looks awesome!!! Can’t wait for it to arrive. No wonder BMW sales are dropping off.
Headlights to me look like there from current 5 series ,havent they been out for years before the Caprice ? I think so !! Yet some thing else Holden stole !
The C class is a BIG improvement from the normal boring old Merc were use too. Not sure if they will sell more than the 3 series though.
After all Australia’s BMW managing director Guenther Seemann says
BMW remains the luxury-brand leader and that the 3 Series Coupe is still up a massive 274 percent in sales this year.
I drove the new C class whilst on holidays in Europe the C220 Diesel from Spain to Frankfut. And one of the first Aussie’s to drive it before it hit Australia.
You what until you drive it!!!. Their is nothing in Australia like it in its class price range.
The new Agility Suspension changes the landscape and hits a new bench mark in road handling for motor cars.
Just when the poor old Aussie makers come out with a “great car”, that are going to be set back by another 10 years, in trying to catch up with the Germans again.
This little 2.0L Turbo Diesel puts out 400Nm Torque !, where talking V8 performance here, on the autobarns, on the super hi speed left lane, this thing did 280kph!.
Sold me, I got my order in for one,can’t to get it.
The new Mercedes C-Class is classy hey…
I can hear the BMW lovers run for reasons to bag this vehicle… we’ll hear all kinds of analogies and stories… but the FACTS are… this IS an excellent vehicle… They are the FACTS… But, lets hear those stories anyway… its good entertainment…
Leon
What series on Aussie telly was it that someone was called Leon Wanker??? What ever mate,Mercs are great cars …but BMWs their not. Boring,sorry!!! AMG….MAYBE !!
Obviously Bavarian Missile is either a BMW dealer and its so obvious my your commentary here on this website
where you have bagged everyone else comments on the new
C Class, which has barely hit the market.
Stop abusing other people for a start, you haven driven the car yet dickhead, you don’t even know what you are talking about.
Leon is spot on , BMW have always been poor cousins to Mercedes Benz.
For example you compare today a 1988 190E thats on the road to 1988 318i, I have NEVER seen a seen a good example 1988 318i, their crap and falling apart, but however, you look at a 88 190E still on the road, their still solid as ever, since the day they were built.
You always notice, BMW always trying to compare its self to Benz, like a baby sister who has never grown up. You never see Benz people on blogs lowering them selfs to abuse other makes! As if they have to any why.
Sorry Bavarian Missile you are real wanker here.
Thanks for your support Steve… u see, this is exactly what I was saying. BMW owners have this inferiority complex…And they seem to WANT to share it with everyone… I dont know why its the case… but it just happens to be.
’nuff said… The BMW is a good car, i dont doubt it. I like the Merc so much more and I note that many BMW drivers can not grasp that. anyways… its my opinion.
I hope the new C230 (V6 2.5 litre) will eventually be brought into the Australian market, to fill the price gap between the range.
The C200 is a small 1.8 litre engine (albeit supercharged) for what is now a slightly bigger car than the previous model. I prefer a V6 engine.
The C280 is good but rather expensive. I drive an average 3,000 km a year in mainly inner suburb driving, as I am retired and travel overseas for annual holidays. A C230 would suit me fine.
Great car but without a reverse camera like the Lexus IS 250 ,Mercedes is just not in the safety first stakes ,in my humble opinion, and no amount of rationaliztion by sales staff will convince me otherwise
A few days ago, I read a few American reviews of this new C-Class. The base model over there is the C300 (what is called the C280 over here).
It costs just under US$32,000 and has a sunroof as standard. Compare this with the A$85,000 (sunroof is a payable option and metallic paint is $1,900 extra). Australians have to pay more than double what the Americans pay. Seems like a rip-off.
Think I will wait for the new Audi A4 in April 2008 (a bigger car than the C-Class) to see what it has to offer.
Took delivery of my C200 Kompressor last week. My first Mercedes and very glad to have bought it. Enjoying every minute driving it.
After some test drives and reading some reviews of the cars, I decided to buy the Lexus IS250. The 2.5 litre V6 engine and the 6 speed auto beats the C-200 1.8 litre and 5 speed auto. In terms of standard equipment, the IS250 has such a long list, that a C-200 would cost around $80,000 to match.
Just wished to comment on my C180, 2004 Elegance. I bought this car new in 2004 and love it. It is reliable, economical and comfortable, doing regular long distance running, ie, almost every trip is 1,200k’s+. I am looking at buying the new 220 diesel in February 08, if it’s as good as the company states. If anyone has any information that might dissuade me, please advise.
I am not interested in arguments about brands, just the facts, eg, my research suggests that M-B retains a better resale than some other brands and the dealer service is faultless,so far. Having stated all that, I am not so narrow-minded that I wouldn’t consider other brands if they can match the quality and service I have experienced, and I’m sure everyone has their own stories, good or bad.
Any input would be appreciated.
Errol.
I just recently purchased a C200 in poladium silver, it is quite an amazing vehicle. I’m a new car salesman at a holden dealership in qld and this car drives much smoother in the highway than an E Series GTS or WM Caprice and a benifit is the resale value of these C200’s. I paid close to 63K and a i got the vision package which includes a sunroof, xenon headlights and an upgraded sound system. For what I paid for this vehicle and what i get, the ellegance the smooth percision driving..I don’t regret not buying a grange or HSV for one second. Of course i get the occasional lag from the supercharger but no matter how hard a ride the car it still gets better fuel economy per 100km than a VE Omega if i don’t ride it hard n use the cruise everywhere i go. A wonderfull vehicle..and thanks to the petrol heads who helped me pay for it haha. VE’s are still great cars but you can’t top a merc or a BMW with these american deigned motors. Cheers all.
In my opinion:
- BMW’s
- Audi’s
- Lexus
are all good cars, HOWEVER, I have been in various Mercs and can say that the quality of the car design, the engine and the interior is FAR better than all those cars mentioned.
BM’s are SOOOO boring, You see everyone has one, and Lexus looks like an expensive up-tight over-priced car.
The Audi’s dont even go there, their trademark Xenon lights come as an extra not inclusive!! How SAD.
With the merc, esp. this model, you pay 70-75 gran for it and its all inclusive, there is no bullshit, no hidden extras and shit like that.
AND i must say that LEXUS is the cheapest of them all, the design is so cheap!!!
I never considered getting a merc until recently, being only age 26, I have been looking for a business car that is in the luxury league, I was considering an Audi but when I saw this car, my Jaw dropped. You want ELEGANCE, CLASS, QUALITY, get a MERC!!
You want wanky cars go for a LEXUS. If you want to be like everyone else, go for a BMW. And lastly but not least, if you want to get ripped off, Get an Audi, Im sure they will do their best to rip you off with the tiny extras that you want for the car that should be a standard!!
Dealer servicing costs are horrendous. You will be paying $150 to get the coolant changed. $120 for brake fluid. $123 for an air filter. $360 for a fuel filter. $316 for rear brake pads. This was on the last model. The latest model will cost you more.
l took delivery of my new c-class 200 kompressor some 8 montgs ago. I purchased it without driving it, let alone knowing what it looked like. One of the best decisions l have ever made. Nothing on the Australian roads compare to this magnificent vehicle. Although not a cheap car, you pay for what you get. Truely a dream to drive, outstanding on the driving course at Sandown racetrack and as our instructor said “the car will crumple in a collision” its built to take the full impact of a collision … and hey guess what, … the occupants will most probably still be alive….. and to that l say my life is work more than $70000 Congratulations Mercedes Benz