laughing about Mercedes bragging about their C230 w/25 highway mpg and 7 speed transmission

[cwerdna]

I just saw a commercial earlier today for the (joke of a car because of its poor value and poor reliability) Mercedes C230. It was at a gas station and they were bragging about the 7 speed transmission contributing to fuel efficiency amongst other things. They mentioned "25 exhilarating miles per gallon".

Gee, let's see, it's EPA rated at 19/25, has a underwhelming 201 hp V6 and weighs 3405 lbs w/an automatic. An 07 Nissan Altima V6 has 270 hp, gets 22/28 w/a CVT and weighs 3360 to 3423 lbs. An Accord V6 has 244 hp, gets 20/29 w/an automatic and weighs 3413 to 3435 lbs.

[hill]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cwerdna @ Feb 21 2007, 06:25 AM) [snapback]393824[/snapback]</div>

I just saw a commercial earlier today for the (joke of a car because of its poor value and poor reliability) Mercedes C230. It was at a gas station and they were bragging about the 7 speed transmission contributing to fuel efficiency amongst other things. They mentioned "25 exhilarating miles per gallon".

Gee, let's see, it's EPA rated at 19/25, has a underwhelming 201 hp V6 and weighs 3405 lbs w/an automatic. An 07 Nissan Altima V6 has 270 hp, gets 22/28 w/a CVT and weighs 3360 to 3423 lbs. An Accord V6 has 244 hp, gets 20/29 w/an automatic and weighs 3413 to 3435 lbs.
[/b]

Agreed. Equally high creep factor: BMW commercials . . . all which spew the same ol' drole, "look how wonderfully powerful our cars are". "Ultimate Driving Machine" ?? Are folks so dumb they can't think, "ultimate because .... hmmm ... no reason". Oh wait, I know! 'cuz I can burn out ... wear tires before their time!

[Jonnycat26]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hill @ Feb 21 2007, 11:31 AM) [snapback]393909[/snapback]</div>

Agreed. Equally high creep factor: BMW commercials . . . all which spew the same ol' drole, "look how wonderfully powerful our cars are". "Ultimate Driving Machine" ?? Are folks so dumb they can't think, "ultimate because .... hmmm ... no reason". Oh wait, I know! 'cuz I can burn out ... wear tires before their time!
[/b]

Actually... BMWs are the ultimate driving machines because they can pretty much do anything.... cruise in silence at 90, hang on a corner at insane speeds. But you rarely see people burning out tires in a BMW. BMW understands vehicle dynamics in a way that very few other manufacturers (Audi and recent Cadillacs excepted) do.

[hill]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jonnycat26 @ Feb 21 2007, 11:39 AM) [snapback]393914[/snapback]</div>

Actually... BMWs are the ultimate driving machines because they can pretty much do anything.... cruise in silence at 90, hang on a corner at insane speeds. But you rarely see people burning out tires in a BMW. BMW understands vehicle dynamics in a way that very few other manufacturers (Audi and recent Cadillacs excepted) do.
[/b]

Yes ... Lexus too, touts it obscene power/handling . . . and maybe others as well. So there I am, hanging on a corner at insane speeds. Too bad my insane power/handling car doesn't have a computerized substance analizer ... showing that oil spill. ZOOM ~ right over the cliff. Ka-chinnnnnng (spouse paying for my funeral) . . . or the kid I just ran over ... because I'm at that insane speed. SLAM (jail door closing). I suppose the Ad man will always cater to the lowest common denominater.

[Tideland Prius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jonnycat26 @ Feb 21 2007, 07:39 AM) [snapback]393914[/snapback]</div>

Actually... BMWs are the ultimate driving machines because they can pretty much do anything.... cruise in silence at 90, hang on a corner at insane speeds. But you rarely see people burning out tires in a BMW. BMW understands vehicle dynamics in a way that very few other manufacturers (Audi and recent Cadillacs excepted) do.
[/b]

What he said. I never owned a BMW but I did take a few of them on an autocross type circuit to test our their awd handling. I gave them a good workout and they're quite pleasant to drive. Of course, like most German cars, they're not that well equipped and once you start adding options, the price becomes quite shocking but as a vehicle, you can't beat its dynamics and stability.


Oh and the C230 is cramped. Only recently did MB Canada start adding features (quietly too, surprisingly) to their models without much of a price increase. A few years ago, a single CD player was optional and so were a few other things. I recently priced one for the hell of it and found it quite competitive against the Lexus IS250 and BMW 325i (I guess it's 328i now)

[Jonnycat26]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hill @ Feb 21 2007, 01:34 PM) [snapback]393996[/snapback]</div>

Yes ... Lexus too, touts it obscene power/handling . . ..
[/b]

Actually... Lexus is just known, at least in enthusiast circles, as a really fast Buick-like car. Just all floaty. Ironically that's probably even more dangerous as it gives the impression that the vehicle is more capable than it really is.

[SW03ES]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jonnycat26 @ Feb 21 2007, 06:20 PM) [snapback]394233[/snapback]</div>

Actually... Lexus is just known, at least in enthusiast circles, as a really fast Buick-like car. Just all floaty. Ironically that's probably even more dangerous as it gives the impression that the vehicle is more capable than it really is.
[/b]

They're trying to remedy that, and the new IS is a great handling car for instance and the new GS is improved as well. Lexus however do not handle like BMWs, thats coming from a very satisfied Lexus owner.

If you slam BMWs, you've never driven one. Every model they make is a true pleasure to drive.

[cwerdna]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SW03ES @ Feb 21 2007, 09:17 PM) [snapback]394384[/snapback]</div>

They're trying to remedy that, and the new IS is a great handling car for instance and the new GS is improved as well. Lexus however do not handle like BMWs, thats coming from a very satisfied Lexus owner.

If you slam BMWs, you've never driven one. Every model they make is a true pleasure to drive.
[/b]

I'm not a BMW fan (and am very unlikely to ever buy one), but I've driven the BMW 3-series (E90) and the Lexus IS250 and 350 at Lexus driving events. The 3-series hands down handled better than the IS. In prior events, when it was the IS300 (w/goofy gauges and lousy interior for a Lexus) vs. the E46 3-series, I felt that in handling they were a closer match but w/the 3-series still having an edge.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hill @ Feb 21 2007, 09:34 AM) [snapback]393996[/snapback]</div>

Yes ... Lexus too, touts it obscene power/handling . . . and maybe others as well.
[/b]

For one of the few times, I'm going to have to agree w/Jonnycat26. I'm not sure Lexus' obscene power/handling touting is well deserved. None of their cars handle particularly well. They're definitely not power leaders either compared to some of their competitors in each class.

Some performance bargains out there include the Corvette, esp. the Z06, Mitsubishi Evo, Subaru WRX STI and Ford Mustang GT, although the Corvette and Mustangs aren't so good in the handling department.

[Jonnycat26]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cwerdna @ Feb 22 2007, 04:02 AM) [snapback]394420[/snapback]</div>

Some performance bargains out there include the Corvette, esp. the Z06, Mitsubishi Evo, Subaru WRX STI and Ford Mustang GT, although the Corvette and Mustangs aren't so good in the handling department.
[/b]

I'd agree with you on everything, except the Corvette. Top Gear recently tested (read: beat the hell out of) a Z06 and praised the handling as being pretty damn good.

They also raced a CTS-V against an Audi S4, and the CTS-V out-handled and out-accelerated the S4. Just destroyed it.

The Lexuses aren't even in the same league when it comes to handling and performance. They're basically luxo-barges.

[Tideland Prius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jonnycat26 @ Feb 22 2007, 05:16 AM) [snapback]394447[/snapback]</div>

I'd agree with you on everything, except the Corvette. Top Gear recently tested (read: beat the hell out of) a Z06 and praised the handling as being pretty damn good.

They also raced a CTS-V against an Audi S4, and the CTS-V out-handled and out-accelerated the S4. Just destroyed it.

The Lexuses aren't even in the same league when it comes to handling and performance. They're basically luxo-barges.
[/b]

Are you sure it wasn't Fifth Gear? Tiff liked the Z06.