Centurion

Surprised by the result? So was I when I drove the E500 for the first time. The sales bguy told me that I would be amazed how well it handles and I didn't believe his words until I took the car for a drive.
It isn't a slobby pension day mobile like most people young people think it is. Still I think that the C should be the winner in driving dynamics but then again this is only one comparison in teh bunch.

Bruce

I and it appears most, are completely surprised to see the E-class to walk away with the win. Especially considering the C-class is supposed to be more 'sporty' vehicle and I imagine most would naturally assume that with a shorter wheelbase and whatnot it would have won in subjective categories such as 'driving dynamics'.

Anyhow, my personal choice would be the E200.

Merc1

I'm just glad we don't get this engine in any U.S. models!

M

Autofan

I think the new C is good,but I like E more.

cawimmer430

It's not that bad at all. Although it's a 4-cylinder it feels like a 6-cylinder in terms of refinement and even sound.

It's loud though at higher Autobahn speeds and that's basically one of the major criticisms about the 1.8-l Kompressor engine.

cawimmer430

For one, the C-Class tested was a softer ELEGANCE model. The E-Class was a sportier AVANTGARDE model. I've driven the E280 CDI Avantgarde (facelifted) and the new W204 C220 CDI Avantgarde and the C-Class to me felt more nimble and easier to control in corners.

Had Autozeitung tested an Avantgarde C-Class, I am sure the driving dynamics would have gone to the C-Class hands down.

My family has a 2002 E320 Avantgarde and I've driven the Elegance models and they feel noticeably softer and less sharp: big difference in handling and response etc.

Same thing here: Elegance C-Class vs Avantgarde E-Class = unfair comparison.

Just_me

but the E-class has most comfortable seats and softer suspension acc. to them. Thats my interpretion of this?

C / E
COMFORT
Seat comfort in front: 100 / 132
Seat comfort in the back: 62 /72
Suspension empty: 143 /165
Suspension load: 143 /160

DRIVING DYNAMICS
Handling: 55 / 61
Slalom: 46 / 44
Steering: 73 /76
To be dosedness of the brakes: 15 / 17
Braking distance coldly: 63 / 75
Braking distance warmly: 63 /80
Traction 47 / 45


Go figure

cawimmer430

The E-Class also needs more comfortable seats, as the people in this class expect a higher degree of comfort over that what's offered in the C-Class.

Just_me

yes I know but I was thinking even though this E-class has better seats and softer suspension, the car is almost 2 seconds faster around their testtrack.
I think you guys should give more creds to E-class than you guys are doing right now

cawimmer430

I think the main reason the E-Class did so well was because it handled better thanks to its Avantgarde suspension setup. The article said the 1.8-l Kompressor engine was more lively in the lighter C-Class, so the handling qualities of the Avantgarde E-Class ensured that it would perform better on the track. Plus let's not forget that the C-Class they tested was an Elegance model.

Like I said, I've driven both and to me, the Avantgarde W204 C-Class was more nimble and easier to control in the limits than the facelifted Avantgarde E-Class.