It's becoming more and more certain that my next car will be an MB. I've been debating between a used E-320 and a new C-320 and the C is looking more and more probable. Therefore, I've been paying more attention to MB news and I've noticed that the 2005s are already out. Apparently the new Cs were introduced in -- what? -- May or June?

My question is, is this normal for MB to introduce models this early? I had the impression that they released in September-October like most other makes.

 

I think it was late May, Also my choice would be the 2005, Mercedes nicely redesigned the car and it looks really nice in person.

There is no normalacy with new car introductions these days.

 

Was it just the 2005 Cs that were introduced then or all the models?

Yes, the one thing I didn't like about the C Sedan before was the interior didn't seem good enough to me to get me excited. The 2005 interior is supposed to be upgraded and I notice what was referred to before as the C320 Sedan is now named the C320 Luxury Sedan.

 

I was down at my dealer and the interior of the C320 is a nice as the interior of my 99 C280, not the cheap plastic they used between 2001 and 04. I think you won't be making a mistake with this car, Also the V6 HP is up, mine has 195 HP or 205HP according to who you talk you, and the 2005 V6 has quite a bit more, but not sure how much more. The build quality of my W202 is excellent, don't know about the 05's there is an old saying you should never buy a car in its 1st model year, whether that is true or not I don't know I always buy Starmarked cars 2 or 3 years old and try to find them is 20K miles to 25K miles. Save big money that way. Personally I am stilled thrilled by the style of the W202, it has the really Mercedes look, where some of the new model are hard to tell apart from other makes, but this comment doesn't make the 05 C Class an ugly car, I like it alot especially the headlights, they finally got away from the runny egg yolk look.

 

Uhoh, I wasn't aware they had changed the exterior of the C-class. [&o]

One reason I am preferring the C over the E is that I don't like the rear-end on the E. The C was just about perfect. If they made the C look like the E in the rear then I'll have to do a rethink.

 

Keep in mind the E has a larger seating area in the rear seats, my 99 is OK seating in the rear, but not the best, if you don't carry a lot of passenger regularly, then go C. For the difference in price, I think the C is more cost effective

 

Mercedes introduced the 2002 SLK-class in March 2001 (with mirror turn signals)
So the May debut C-class is not "that early" [8D]
Keep in mind...for model year 2005, no more free maintenance, only the first service is free (just an oil-change).

 

I read Mercedes wanted the SLK to project a new sport car image, as the first generation got to be known as a "girls car" which I don't agree at all with. Yes, free maintenance is gone, must have cost too much or gave the car a bad image, as so many lower end cars are doing this. But I feel it was a money issue.