[solstice]

Sorry, but that is just terrible. Benz style and my taste always clashed and this is no different. I agree though that the F30 is sorely lacking in quality look and feel. It has a nice enough design but does not look very premium due to the materials and it really should at $60k.

[b0bab0i]

Originally Posted by ThaiBruin

It's pretty for sure. But there's definitely no place for a 6MT shift knob. Yes yes.. not that MB has ever been about the true enthusiast.

W203's had manual and early model W204 C300's had manual too. Not that it really matters since 95% of the people that own an entry level luxury car (C-Class/3 series/A4) in the US get it in auto. Try seeing how many manual cars they offer at the dealer.

Pretty sure that center part for storage/ash tray is where the manual goes in European markets.

Edit: Found a pic of a test mule with MT.

[swanson]

Love the round air events. Classic Mercedes.

[Robert]

It looks great. I am reserving final judgement until I see one in person. I don't agree with some posters' interior ranking. Until 2 weeks ago I would have placed A4's interior above 3 series. However after accompanying a buddy car shopping A4's interior is seriously outdated. Here's my current ranking, C or IS (1st), 3 series, A4 & Infiniti ties for 3rd

[Efthreeoh]

This is not the new C-Class interior.

This is the new MB SPA-class. SPA as in "Spaceship". Look what's on the nav screen...

[SHEEDI]

Originally Posted by tdizzle

The only negative from that picture is the shape of the air vents. Everything else looks great.

I HATE THOSE ROUND AIR VENTS, THEY HAVE BEEN IN MB FOR DECADES. MB PLEASE CHANGE THEM,THOSE VENTS REMINDS ME OF OLD 80s Air conditioned BUSES

[ThaiBruin]

Originally Posted by b0bab0i

W203's had manual and early model W204 C300's had manual too. Not that it really matters since 95% of the people that own an entry level luxury car (C-Class/3 series/A4) in the US get it in manual. Try seeing how many manual cars they offer at the dealer.

Pretty sure that center part for storage/ash tray is where the manual goes in European markets.

Edit: Found a pic of a test mule with MT.

I think you meant 95% of people get it in automatic. But you're right. A buddy of mine had the ONLY manual C300 I've ever seen. It certainly wasn't the best stick in the world, gear shifts were rubbery, but he loves Mercedes and he loves driving manual and that's literally all he could get.

I love that BMW continues to (and will continue to) offer manuals. It seems like them and Audi are the only ones that figures they NEED to keep manual options just to say they really do care about the true enthusiast who wants to feel connected to their car. Though every dealer doesn't feel that way. When I was looking for a new BMW or Audi, there were literally less than 10 total cars with 6MT in a 200 mile radius. They know those cars will just sit on the lots for who knows how long.

[KingOfJericho]

Air travels through round passages with more ease than boxed so the MB vent design is actually quite efficient.

[wisesoul]

Looks pretty good, similar to the CLA. The round air vents caught me off guard in person, but they flow well. Can't wait for a C 63 black series, but that's ways ahead.

[ArthurKing1220]

Originally Posted by metrathon

Looks astounding, like true luxury car. Too bad engines are sh!t. The 2.5 is weak and gruff, the 3.0 and 3.5 old, slow and thirsty.



And again, why did they miss an opportunity here? They will sell loads of 4s, charging more for less. Why would they spend time/money on a new & better interior when this one will sell just fine?

Don't confuse customer's POV with company's POV. They are VERY different.

I think about the longer-term health of the brand, not whether they can, in the short term, sell at the absolute highest profit margin by keeping the same interior in a $65k 435i xd that they offer in a base 3-series. If they want to create a higher-market niche for the 4 -- which seems to be their long-term goal -- then they should try to distinguish the car's interior. Long-run, that lets them sustain a price differential between the models -- right now, a lot of the premium is being carried just by the fact that it's a "new" car -- people are overlooking the lack of interior differentiation because it's exciting to see a "new" coupe from BMW. Like I said, I suspect we'll see an interior upgrade with a mid-cycle refresh.

[metrathon]

Originally Posted by ArthurKing1220

I think about the longer-term health of the brand, not whether they can, in the short term, sell at the absolute highest profit margin by keeping the same interior in a $65k 435i xd that they offer in a base 3-series. If they want to create a higher-market niche for the 4 -- which seems to be their long-term goal -- then they should try to distinguish the car's interior. Long-run, that lets them sustain a price differential between the models -- right now, a lot of the premium is being carried just by the fact that it's a "new" car -- people are overlooking the lack of interior differentiation because it's exciting to see a "new" coupe from BMW. Like I said, I suspect we'll see an interior upgrade with a mid-cycle refresh.

In a perfect world, you would be right. But BMW - like Apple - has lots of iSheep followers, brainwashed beyond belief. They would pay anything because BMW says it's the ultimate driving machine.

And yes, there's always an interior upgrade when the LCI kicks in. But it won't be anything special. As long as they sell - and they do BIG TIME - they don't care about improving their game. It's business 101. They will do just enough to keep the sales coming.

[PA Z06]

Looks great

[ArthurKing1220]

Originally Posted by metrathon

As long as they sell - and they do BIG TIME - they don't care about improving their game.

For a lot of reasons, I sure hope that isn't true. Many a great brand has gone into the dustbin of history with that attitude.

[Billup]

Originally Posted by SHEEDI

I HATE THOSE ROUND AIR VENTS, THEY HAVE BEEN IN MB FOR DECADES. MB PLEASE CHANGE THEM,THOSE VENTS REMINDS ME OF OLD 80s Air conditioned BUSES

I'm surprised there's a lot of people who don't like round vents. I am a huge fan of round vents, and hope they stay around. They provide the best directional stream, round allows a more cylindrical release of air molecules compared to squared vents, and allows way more versatility in where you can aim them. I struggle with the square vents in my 128, they don't even travel to where I want the air to go!


Overall, I like the interior. The screen location may be a little tacky, but the overall styling is pretty aesthetically pleasing to me. Each manufacturer has things I like and don't like, but I think MB did a pretty damn good job compared to its precursors interiors.

[300hp]

Here is more info, 150lbs lighter apparently

http://www.edmunds.com/car-news/2015...how-debut.html

[M3_WC]

Originally Posted by Billup

I'm surprised there's a lot of people who don't like round vents. I am a huge fan of round vents, and hope they stay around.

I like them as well, actually one of my favorite aspects of the interior. I like the metal look with the center knurled knob.

[b0bab0i]

Originally Posted by ThaiBruin

I think you meant 95% of people get it in automatic. But you're right. A buddy of mine had the ONLY manual C300 I've ever seen. It certainly wasn't the best stick in the world, gear shifts were rubbery, but he loves Mercedes and he loves driving manual and that's literally all he could get.

I love that BMW continues to (and will continue to) offer manuals. It seems like them and Audi are the only ones that figures they NEED to keep manual options just to say they really do care about the true enthusiast who wants to feel connected to their car. Though every dealer doesn't feel that way. When I was looking for a new BMW or Audi, there were literally less than 10 total cars with 6MT in a 200 mile radius. They know those cars will just sit on the lots for who knows how long.

Yeah sorry meant auto.

[swanson]

Originally Posted by Billup

I'm surprised there's a lot of people who don't like round vents. I am a huge fan of round vents, and hope they stay around. They provide the best directional stream, round allows a more cylindrical release of air molecules compared to squared vents, and allows way more versatility in where you can aim them. I struggle with the square vents in my 128, they don't even travel to where I want the air to go!


Overall, I like the interior. The screen location may be a little tacky, but the overall styling is pretty aesthetically pleasing to me. Each manufacturer has things I like and don't like, but I think MB did a pretty damn good job compared to its precursors interiors.

Originally Posted by M3_WC

I like them as well, actually one of my favorite aspects of the interior. I like the metal look with the center knurled knob.

Looks way better then boxy air vents.

[Vervain]

Originally Posted by AMJAM

Please tell me that big ugly thing on the centre console is not the gear stick

No it's the 'mouse' for controlling the screen. MB has started to move the shifters to the traditional 'indicator stalk' ones of the past, which is soooooo weird.

[M3_WC]

Originally Posted by Anodite10

No it's the 'mouse' for controlling the screen. MB has started to move the shifters to the traditional 'indicator stalk' ones of the past, which is soooooo weird.

If I wasn't into manuals, that is how I would like my auto. Really no reason to have it down there. Recent Ferraris, Lambos, etc just have the flappy paddles.

[Vervain]

Originally Posted by M3_WC

If I wasn't into manuals, that is how I would like my auto. Really no reason to have it down there. Recent Ferraris, Lambos, etc just have the flappy paddles.

It does free up a lot of space, but the idea just seems so outdated. I just picture those ancient pick-up trucks whenever I see it.

I like the rotary knob shifter in the evoque and new jaguars

[metrathon]

Am I the only one that likes the iPad / stick-out nav style? I'm completely diggin' it, both in my F30 and in these pics. Makes the dashboard look slimmer, lighter.

However, I hate touch controls. They are inaccurate, lack feedback, hard to find (you have to actually look for them), you're smudging the screen non-stop, etc. But guess what: they are so MUCH CHEAPER to implement. So we're stuck with them ...