av_audi

I only ask because I noticed some outstanding deals on the C300. I am actually considering a new car only for next year, but I am ready to jump on great deals. Although I have never imagined myself in an MB, I wouldn't mind a manual C300 if the deal is indeed exceptionally good. But the one complaint about the C300 I have seen in many places, including in Consumer Reports (!!!), is the excessively light steering that supposedly feels completely out of place considering the rest of the character of the car. At least based on reviews, the A4 also seems to handle better, is more involving to drive, returns better gas mileage, and has a nicer interior. I wonder if they are noticeably different for the back seat size.

Any personal opinions by those who have checked out the C300 before choosing the A4?

Turbo Freak

I have considered it, but I am 6'4" and just do not fit in the MB.

The B8 A4 is much more roomier, in fact my B5 A4 was roomier that the C300...

Bada Bing

The B8 A4 has more rear legroom but I disagree that any A4 prior to the B8 was roomier than the current C300/C350.

I've driven both the C300 and C350 (automatics). The C350 has good power, but the C300 automatic doesn't feel as strong as its 228-hp rating would suggest. Also, the gas mileage is quite mediocre. The 6-speed manual may exist on paper but you'd be hard pressed to find any dealership in a metropolitan area stocking a manual MB car. The interior plastics are decidedly downmarket in my eyes, so that's another thing to check out if you decide to pursue it further. The deals on C-Class are pretty tempting, however. The $1000 AMG 18" wheel package is a must-have option on any C-Class sport model.

Turbo Freak

I have driven my B5 for eleven years and could not have driven the C300 for 5 minutes, because it is to small.

The B5 was tiny in the back seat, but at least the front seats were roomy enough for a 6' 4", it is defenitely not the case with the MB C300...

iflywoe

theres some good deals on a 2009 a4 too, im sure they are both great cars , i get the a4 either way. :-)

RED G8R

The MB C-class is an excellent car. Their 4Matic system is also very good. I seriously consdered the C350 4Matic but chose the A4 Avant. First, MB would not give a deal while Audi immediately offered $3000 off. Second, MB Canada does not stock any C-class with leather. I would have to order and wait. On the otherhand, Audi does not stock any A4 with the Nav. pkg and so I had to order and wait 3 months anyway.
In the end, I had always wanted to have an Audi so went that route. If MB had given me a good deal, I would be just as happy with the C350 4Matic.

SFV A4

I spent some time behind the wheel of the C and was thoroughly unimpressed. The interior looked and felt very cheap and outdated. It's handling wasn't bad, but the A4 cornered and rode better in my opinion. I don't think you could go wrong with either, but I'd personally stay away from the C based on the interior alone.

mktt

I considered the C3004matic... I was coming out of an '07 BMW E90 328,

I liked the way the MB drove, I hated the interior, the dash felt cheap compared to the BMW and the Audi.

The rear seat was cramped, but nothing major.. there was great deals on it too, but at the end of the day I knew I wanted the A4, so that's what I got and I do not regret it for a second

BMWBig6

Many dealerships south of the border are the same way. I was surprised when the local dealer told me that everybody buys the MB-Tex interior these days and they only sold a small percentage of cars with real leather. He then opened up 2 cars (one w/ leather, one w/MB-Tex) and challenged me to tell the difference. They were pretty similar, and I only noticed minor variations in the texture/grain because I was looking hard for differences. I don't think I'd miss MB's leather (at least in the C-, E-, and M-class models we examined). Maybe MB uses some really soft, supple hide in their higher end models (S, SL, CLS-, etc.) but the MB-Tex looked great to me.

belzebutt

I drove the C300 4Matic and it felt great, it was like driving a vault (in a good way). But my A4 feels pretty similar. I think the styling of the C300 is fantastic. It is smaller on the inside, the interior is not as high-end as the A4, and it doesn't have anything close to the MMI.