'15 IS350F AWD vs '15 Mercedes Benz C400 4MATIC
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'15 IS350F AWD vs '15 Mercedes Benz C400 4MATIC
My girlfriend is deciding between these two cars. I have the '14 350F so she definitely digs my car, but she's been a big Benz fan.
Anyone chime in on their opinions?
Anyone chime in on their opinions?
#2
The pursuit of F
If it's a lease and to try something different and more luxurious, go for the benz. If it's a keeper (reliability) and budget is important, the IS is the cheaper better choice.
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If she can afford new C400 with 4MATIC, then it is no brainer, Benz is clearly a better car. Better options (HUD) better powertrain better interior better practicality and so on and so forth. It is just a lot more expensive though.
#4
Lexus Test Driver
saw the new C Class today. absolutely beautiful. I traded in my 2010 C for the IS, but if this new C was out when i got the IS, i might have been swayed to stick with the MB
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Thanks for all the suggestions guys. Yes, we test drove the C400 and its beautiful atheistically as well very powerful, but I still preferred the interior of my IS350F compared to the C400. She's looking at around $54K for the C400 and $46K for the 350F AWD. This will be a lease so it'l be a lot more affordable. The Benz is nice but I don't see why its considered "so much better" than the IS350F?
#6
Thanks for all the suggestions guys. Yes, we test drove the C400 and its beautiful atheistically as well very powerful, but I still preferred the interior of my IS350F compared to the C400. She's looking at around $54K for the C400 and $46K for the 350F AWD. This will be a lease so it'l be a lot more affordable. The Benz is nice but I don't see why its considered "so much better" than the IS350F?
#7
Objectively, the new C-Class is amazing and I definitely like it more than the IS. However, it'll be about $10k more than a comparable IS.
Honestly, a decently equipped C-Class enters GS territory. That would probably be the better debate.
Honestly, a decently equipped C-Class enters GS territory. That would probably be the better debate.
Last edited by FPerform; 10-15-14 at 07:38 AM.
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#8
The C400 is by far a better car. Obviously it is newer but during my test drive:
C400 engine is just a beast. Easily 0-60 under 4.8 seconds!
C400 drives better. Felt more solid than anything in the class. It is a Mercedes thing. Something so solid. The steering feel is right on perfect. Better than BMW, Audi, and a little better than Lexus.
The ride on the C400 a perfect balance too. It is nimble and comfortable. Not tightly sprung yet goes around corners feeling very planted. I say it is like the Lexus IS350 F Sport but just more solid like a vault.
Interior is hands down better in the Mercedes too. My god the interior is a highlight. No cheap materials anywhere. Even in Bmw and Audi or even Lexus you see cheap plastic in certain hidden places. Not so with the C Class. Feels like they took the baby S class title seriously.
C400 engine is just a beast. Easily 0-60 under 4.8 seconds!
C400 drives better. Felt more solid than anything in the class. It is a Mercedes thing. Something so solid. The steering feel is right on perfect. Better than BMW, Audi, and a little better than Lexus.
The ride on the C400 a perfect balance too. It is nimble and comfortable. Not tightly sprung yet goes around corners feeling very planted. I say it is like the Lexus IS350 F Sport but just more solid like a vault.
Interior is hands down better in the Mercedes too. My god the interior is a highlight. No cheap materials anywhere. Even in Bmw and Audi or even Lexus you see cheap plastic in certain hidden places. Not so with the C Class. Feels like they took the baby S class title seriously.
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Maybe it's just me, from a looks standpoint I like the look of the Lexus Interior more so than the mercedes. I won't argue quality, but that screen looks aftermarket. Not something I want when I am buying new. I am going to test drive one this weekend, a C300 and C400. Will see if that engine that good, I have high hopes.
#10
Driver School Candidate
I tried to get the C400 with multimedia and interior package. It was a really, really nice car and if it wasn't $300/month more I would have gotten it. I've also had issues with German reliability.
#11
Anyone with anything negative on the new C interior or drive hasn't sat in or driven one.
$52k C300 4 Matic rivals S at half the price.
Wish it was around one year ago. :|
$52k C300 4 Matic rivals S at half the price.
Wish it was around one year ago. :|
Last edited by dbs600; 10-16-14 at 08:15 AM.
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I had a chance to test a 2015 C400 with the sport package and the luxury package. It also had the heads up display which I turned off immediatly because I couldn't focus.
My thoughts
Interior - C400, hands down this is one of the nicest interiors
Exterior - I would call it a tie, while the merc is more luxury the IS is a lot more sporty
Comfort - I would also call this a tie, while the mercedes is quieter for sure, the engine sound isn't as nice (even though the Lexus's comes from the speakers)
Reliability- honestly who knows, most likely a win for Lexus
Power- ok the C400 throws you back in the seat hard whenever you push the pedal... However you don't really get a sensation of picking up speed, most likely due to the immediate torque from the bi-turbo
Cost- well the mercedes once you include taxes puts in into $74,000 (just a few thousand off the S4 I test drove)
Which one did I like, if money wasn't an option I would take the C400. However I can't say the mercedes is that much better of a car for the cost. So if you can afford it, get the merc. I do like the IS350, either way you can't go wrong with either I imagine.
My thoughts
Interior - C400, hands down this is one of the nicest interiors
Exterior - I would call it a tie, while the merc is more luxury the IS is a lot more sporty
Comfort - I would also call this a tie, while the mercedes is quieter for sure, the engine sound isn't as nice (even though the Lexus's comes from the speakers)
Reliability- honestly who knows, most likely a win for Lexus
Power- ok the C400 throws you back in the seat hard whenever you push the pedal... However you don't really get a sensation of picking up speed, most likely due to the immediate torque from the bi-turbo
Cost- well the mercedes once you include taxes puts in into $74,000 (just a few thousand off the S4 I test drove)
Which one did I like, if money wasn't an option I would take the C400. However I can't say the mercedes is that much better of a car for the cost. So if you can afford it, get the merc. I do like the IS350, either way you can't go wrong with either I imagine.
#13
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The fully loaded C400 4MATIC will sticker around $60K here in states. This is more of a mid to full size luxury car category. I drove this machine recently and I was truly impressed. But for 60K I would consider other cars such A6 and 5 Series. In the compact luxury segment C400 is a king with some true luxury attributes to it directly coming from S Class. But the price is very steep. For 60K I honestly would buy A6 again. It is a fabulous machine.
#14
Lexus Champion
Good review, however, note that the enhanced engine sound in the IS (250 F Sport and all 350s) comes from an under hood intake sound generator, not the speakers. The new NX F Sport does, however, use the speakers. I believe the 3 Series and others use speakers as well, just not the IS.