The two-door C/E-Class is practically the same car under the skin. Should you save 700,000 baht?
Mercedes-Benz's coupe strategy has become a little confusing lately. No, it's not the four-door, coupe-like CLS in question; it's about the C-class Coupe and E-class Coupe conundrum.
You see, when Mercedes rolled out the two-door E-class some three years back, it properly bore the looks of the four-door E-class but cannily had C-class underpinnings.
This year, the Stuttgart boys came out with the C-class Coupe rightfully looking like the (facelifted) four-door C-class and sharing the technical credentials and wheelbase as the E-class Coupe.
In other words, the two-door C/E-class is the same car under the skin, yet one is cheaper by around 700,000 baht with the same 204hp 1.8-litre petrol-turbo engine at 4.099 million baht (of course, it's the C250 Coupe).
Quite a nice way of making money, you would say for the E-class Coupe. A generation back in the C-class, the strategy was clearer when the CLK was an outright two-door coupe and CLC (formerly called Sports Coupe) a distinct three-door hatch.
That's why you don't hear Mercedes ever mentioning who were the successors to the CLK and CLC, nor have they uttered a single word about the predecessors of the C-class Coupe and E-class Coupe.
Let's just put it like this for the sake of 2011. Which is the coupe to go for: C- or E-class?
For starters, we're pretty sure that many Merc lovers in Thailand wouldn't mind spending a little more (it's 4-5 million baht luxury cars we're talking about here) on something that looks more elegant and visually corresponds to a car with a higher perceived image.
The C-class Coupe looks simply too C-class, some might suggest, particularly with the design elements its shares inside and outside with the mainstream saloon. It's understandable, though, because it's merely a derivative of an existing model.
At least, the planners at the Thai Mercedes office have taken the effort to make the C-class Coupe a little more exciting than it should be, hence the so-called Look 1 that mixes several styling accessories with bespoke items from the AMG performance car division.
Not many of the Look 1 will be made which will be followed by another cosmetic package later in its life cycle. It's a strategy worth noting because it makes customers feel special and should help hold the car's value better than usual. Note the Mini's success story.
Because of that, the appearance of the C-class Coupe is best left to you, dear readers to judge. The same goes for the interior that comes with white/cream coloured panels contrasting with the black interior plastics and leather.
If you happen to be an owner of the facelifted C-class saloon — or even the E-class — the dashboard of the C-class Coupe springs no surprises. There's the same boxy profile with an enduring quality added to it. The only aspect new for E-class clients is the three-spoke steering wheel.
Since coupes are supposed to have a sporty touch hanging on themselves, the C-class Coupe gets bucket-style front and rear seats — just like in the E-class Coupe — that can accommodate four six-footers.
Adding up to practicality in the C-class Coupe are rear seats that fold to increase luggage-taking ability. This Merc is a modern coupe in the right tradition to take up the fight with the Audi A5 and BMW 3-series in Thailand.
On the road, the two-door C/E classes are very similar, confirming their shared DNA. Coupes are supposed to blend sporty and comfortable road manners well, and the C-class succeeds in doing so.
Although those give-away 18-inch wheels from AMG can be felt on not-so-perfect road surfaces, the ride is rarely irritating. The steering itself is light, if lifeless in feel, in town-driving and should satisfy most potential buyers.
The good thing is that these aspects don't backfire outside the city. The rack is pleasantly direct in corners and doesn't feel vague on corners or on highways. The C-class steers more like an A5 than a 3-series.
It's only when you push the C-class Coupe to the limits that you'll know it's a rear-wheel-drive car like the 3-series and not the front-drive A5.
Performance-wise, the C-class Coupe in C250 form goes just like as expected. The turbocharger provides extra flexibility at medium speeds and is a good reminder that BMW needs to forward forced-induction technology into its entry-level petrol-powered 320i. The usual downside of this Merc unit is turbo lag at city speeds.
Like in most other applications, the C250's engine is not musical at all and, as a coupe with a touch of sportiness, it lacks the aural thrills of the 325i's inline-six when pushed to high engine revs.
The only technical aspect to take E-class and pre-facelift C-class saloon owners by a slight surprise is the gearbox. Along with the new SLK and revised C-class saloon, the C-class Coupe gets a new seven-speed automatic in place of the old five-speeder.
We say by a little surprise because the improvements aren't vast. You can feel the more eager kickdown and relaxed gearing at cruising speeds for better economy, but the new transmission still shifts in a lethargic manner, especially when you think of the A5's snappier dual-clutch automatic.
Which, in the end, still makes the A5 a decent car to drive and to go for that also happens to be the cheapest at 3.99 million baht in its class of 200hp-plus performance.
But we'd still suspect that many Merc fans won't be swayed to other brands, particularly with the C250 that's quite decent. Should you save 700,000 baht and drop your image consciousness for a car that's practically the same as a dearer one? That's simply up to you, although objectivity tells us that you should do so.
The new transmission still shifts in a lethargic manner, especially when you think of the A5’s snappier dual-clutch automatic
AT A GLANCE
Styling ................................. 7/10
It may look very much like the facelifted C-class saloon, but Mercedes has added spice by giving the Coupe sporty details and AMG appointments.
Performance ........................ 7/10
The 1.8-litre petrol-turbo yields good levels of performance and economy, but turbo lag is evident and new gearbox isn't perfect yet.
Handling/ride ....................... 7/10
The chassis nicely mixes handling and ride factors even though the steering is lifeless and the 18-inch wheels can be felt at most times.
Practicality .......................... 8/10
As a 2+2 coupe, the C-class Coupe has enough room for four adults and a boot that can be extended by folding the rear seats down.
Safety kit ............................. 9/10
This can is an import from a premium brand, so expect loads of standard equipment to justify its price.
VERDICT .............................. 7/10
The C-class Coupe upstages its E-class Coupe in pure objective terms due to a same basic package, a slightly more technically advanced drivetrain and a cheaper price. It's probably the styling and C-class image that may deter buyers from moving down.
OR TRY THESE
AUDI A5
Price 3.99 million baht
Power211hp 2.0-litre inline-four petrol-turbo
Gearboxseven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Wheelbase2,751mm
We thinkAn often overlooked alternative here, the A5 scores with smooth and usable performance.
BMW 325I
Price 4.699 million baht
Power218hp 2.5-litre inline-six petrol-turbo
Gearboxsix-speed automatic
Wheelbase2,760mm
We thinkStill good to drive, despite its age. There's the cheaper 320i at 3.799 million baht, but it's slow.
MERCEDES-BENZ E250 COUPE
Price 4.75 million baht
Power204hp 1.8-litre inline-four petrol-turbo
Gearboxfive-speed automatic
Wheelbase2,760mm
We thinkBasically the same car as the C250 but feels more elegant. The premium it carries is for you to decide.
Credit: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com)
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