Rental Review-- MB C class hybrid

[GON]

Disclosure - this car is beyond fantastic, but I wouldn't buy one. The reason I wouldn't buy one simply comes down to service. I live 100 miles from the closest MB dealer, and travel routes that are easily 300 miles to the closest MB dealer. This outstanding vehicle is likely complex to service.

All I can say is WOW. Live this 2025 MB C class hybrid rental. I rented a compact car at Avis SEA, and this is what they assigned me. It helps to arrive at midnight on a Monday night, all the compact cars already assigned earlier in the day with business people arriving throughout the day.

This vehicle does everything well beyond expectations. The only thing I noticed was the insulation from outside noise could be better. Maybe different tires would reduce the outside noise l.

First off, I didn't know it was even a hybrid..kudos to Mercedes to make a hybrid that one doesn't even know. The only reason I knew was I did a 100+ mile one way trip, and didn't use much fuel. Then the why came to mind.

Super confident in this cars handling, design, fit, finish, qualities of materials. Ran super sweet. Everything was effortless. Even the Bluetooth Android Auto never missed a single beat.

Drop dead gorgeous interior, the fake leather is better than real leather. Seat controls, all the controls just outstanding. Even allows searching for a restaurant while driving without voice command.

Wow, this is one very nice little sedan. I say little, I have four boxes in in currently with a 112 inches of volume, and a fifth box in the trunk 36x36x14. Attached pictures of the boxes I have in the season right now. Four of the tripe stack boxes, one of the wide body boxes. All for so easy in this small sedan, the MB engineers are without a doubt the best in the world.

 

[loneryder]

Was it AWD?

 

[GON]

Was it AWD?

No, RWD.

 

[CKN]

The integrated starter/generator in an XC60 is the same way. You can't tell it's a hybrid or start/stop-it's that smooth.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

What did you think of theTesla-esque center screen?

 

[MCompact]

The integrated starter/generator in an XC60 is the same way. You can't tell it's a hybrid or start/stop-it's that smooth.

Ditto for my 4xe.

 

[MCompact]

I like the exterior and interior design of the current C class quite a bit. What keeps me from pulling the trigger on a new(er) C43 is the engine- a four cylinder turned up to 11. The M276 biturbo V6 in my current car is very reliable and I think the new car's four will not prove to be as trouble free.

 

[WeyounDS9]

I nearly picked up a 2008 C300 Black exterior over charcoal interior lastyears.
but then he decided to keep it.
It was immaculately kept.

Good to hear that Mercedes seems to be finding its way again even though those oversize wheels dont seem very practical.

 

[andrew_j]

Curious why any car would be more difficult to service ? Or do you mean repair ?

 

[GON]

Curious why any car would be more difficult to service ? Or do you mean repair ?

MB uses a proprietary diagnosis system. Yes, some diagnostic can be performed on certain other equipment, but not the full spectrum.

Next is warranty service, a minimum one way tow of 100 miles. Then part availability, MB has an awesome part distribution network, but often requires overnight shipping of parts.

The technology that I see in this car is amazing. How about the technology I can't see? What independent tech has the training, and tools to service this highly technical vehicle?

If I live 20 miles from a MB dealer, this car is a unbelievable value proposition, especially with the fuel economy.

If one lives a few hours one way from a MB dealer, maybe a loaded Toyota sedan is a more predictable choice.

 

[We're Metals]

Could you get a couple more photos of the boxes before loading into the car and after?

 

[GON]

Could you get a couple more photos of the boxes before loading into the car and after?

Actually, I unloaded all the boxes this morning, remeasured and weighted the boxes, and put them all back in the car.

I am hoping to transport these boxes on a commercial flight. Needed to make sure the boxes are under 115 inches, and under 70 lbs. if the airline rejects the boxes when I check in, my backup is UPS ground using pirate ship dot com, which shipping comes to just under $300. Shipping at UPS ground just walking into their customer service center is over $700 USD.

Here is my spreadsheet of the boxes. Of note, a 50lb box is less expensive than the same box at 27lbs, funky pricing model. Additionally, going above 50lbs to 60lbs almost doubles the price of the single box, would have been better for me to pack all boxes under 50 lbs, but to too late now.

 

[GON]

Could you get a couple more photos of the boxes before loading into the car and after?

Also, I know you are busting my chops. The duplicate photos were erroneous, I wasn't able to remove them as this was discovered after the edit window closed.

I though beneficial to visually show how much cargo this small sedan can hold. Amazing the volume this C class can hold, also no change in handling or sag in the rear from the weight.

 

[tbm5690]

Rolling the dice renting a compact knowing you needed to fit all those boxes, no?

 

[GON]

Rolling the dice renting a compact knowing you needed to fit all those boxes, no?

The items in boxes were something I purchased after the rental was acquired. I was quite surprised the boxes fit, I was prepared to rent a van for the movement of the boxes.

 

[shortyb]

Sweet looking car, with an interior to match. How much was the deposit? If it was just a few hundred, I might be tempted to not return it .

 

[GON]

Sweet looking car, with an interior to match. How much was the deposit? If it was just a few hundred, I might be tempted to not return it .

I typically get the gerbil/ hamster car from Avis, so living large this week.

The leatherette interior material is outstanding. All the niceness of leather, without the maintenance of leather. Very highly recommend the MB leatherette as a substitute for real leather.

 

[Chris142]

Curious why any car would be more difficult to service ? Or do you mean repair ?

You must remove a bunch of screws to get the undershield off just to access the oil drain plug. Can't suck the oil out the top because there is no dipstick anywhere to be found.

At least BMW puts an access hole in the undershield.

Replacing the rear brake pads requires a scan tool to release the parking brake motors. Also the car must be perfectly level or it won't release them.

Regular nuts and bolts have been replaced by torx and Allan bolts.

Often you must remove a lot of stuff to do regular repairs.stuff you would not normally remove on other brands.

There is a newer Mercedes out that has the air filter from Hades! It's an absolute nightmare to access and takes special tools you must use while standing on your head with your knees on the core support.

 

[GON]

What did you think of theTesla-esque center screen?

Screen worked outstanding, zero issues. Only thing I had to learn was the volume indicator on the screen is a slide, no a push button.

Screen is just right, great for navigating, great for restaurant searches, just awesome.

 

[GON]

Turned in the rental car earlier today.

Closeout of this review, I liked the car even more after driving it for a week. Absolutely outstanding vehicle, a standard other manufacturers should strive for.

I have a full size s class, with a designo interior. Less the road noise, this c class was every bit as nice as my s class.

If I lived near a MB dealer, and was in need of a new vehicle, this C class would be top on my list.

Just WOW with this sedan.

Btw, these are the boxes that came out if the MB at the airport this morning.