Used 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Consumer Reviews

C300 Sport - Best Car So Far

I've had a lot of cars. Loved BMW's but tired of the constant oil leaking, regulator repair, etc. Decided to try the C300, and glad I did. It's interesting to contrast it to the 3 series. It is definitely less involving, but also seems much more solid and stable. I am amazed at the traction and control. After rear-drive BMW's for so long the AWD of this car is stellar; I really can't break it loose much even on snow, though I do have Pirelli M&S tires on it so there's that. I was fortunate to get the 18" AMG wheel/tire package, which is great and highly recommended though a bit harsh riding. Electronics seem very solid and intuitive. Looks like working in the engine bay will be nearly impossible because of the cramped quarters. Last, I have to mention that I really like the size of this car. With everything else getting bigger it seems, the tidy dimensions of the C300 are just right for that ride/maneuverability compromise that's important to me. Update: I've owned the (certified) car for about 18 months now, and have had not a single issue arise. Expanding a bit on comparing it to a 3-series, this car does not like to be thrown around corners much - it grips almost too much, then lets go with quite a lot of understeer. So my take is that the limits are very high for normal driving and the balance is not optimized for tail-out fun, which makes perfect sense for most drivers. My only reservation about the car is that the transmission is reluctant to shift down at times, including when in Sport mode, but from what I've read that is a common issue these days. One last note: if like me you hate the auto engine shut-off system (eco), it is easily disabled by pulling the fuse in the trunk near the extra battery. My dealer would not tell me that (said it would be illegal to disable it) and Mercedes forum participants tend to be prissy about it. Another update: almost 2 years since I purchased this 2014 certified car and the end of the extended warranty is in sight... but I really don't worry about it like I thought I would. This car has been rock-solid and all I've needed to do was routine oil changes and filter replacements. Spark plug replacement is coming up next year, and that's a $500 insult, but the plugs are buried and I just don't feel like hassling with it. The engine seems stronger than when I bought it, and I've gotten 28 mpg on long trips with the cruise set to 77. The only concern I've had is that the steering wheel has failed to motor back down into its set position a couple of times lately when the car starts. One last comment: I've found that driving this car with gusto results in much improved shifting dynamics. I assume the computer learns how you drive and adjusts, and it seems that if you drive aggressively it will shift much more aggressively than if you drive sedately. This happens over time, of course - it's not an overnight thing. No regrets at all with this purchase. Another update: 3.5 years now and still absolutely no problems. No squeaks, very minor rattles, but still drives as good if not better than the day I bought it. Paint and exterior are like new. Electronics all work perfectly. Miles have gone down this year since I retired, and stand at under 70,000. I see these cars used for under $10,000; in my experience that may be one of the best bargains out there. 4 year update: Still going strong with no problems whatsoever. Regular oil changes when told by the computer, about once per year. Does not burn any oil. Original battery, brakes, shocks, etc. Everything works like new. Getting near 30mpg on the road. 4.5 year update: I replaced the HVAC blower motor that started chirping, but nothing else other than maintenance. Still solid as a rock and a joy to drive. Edmunds is prompting me again to update this review, so I'll just add this: I would recommend this car to my best friend or a family member without reservation.

Great value as a lease return purchase!

Bought used in November 2015 - was a lease return from the dealership. Had 25K Miles on it. Sport model, 2 dr coupe. 1.8L turbo provides more than ample acceleration. It's a head-turner, and I surprise people when I tell them my cost into the vehicle. Even with its sporty look, it's more a touring car than anything. When inside, ride is smooth, quiet. When getting in and shutting doors, it feels "vault-like" - VERY solid, well sealed. Interior is understated, functional and beautiful. The Harman-Kardon stereo is GREAT! Love the exterior design of the coupe, very sexy, eye-catching. Excellent handing, nice and tight. Very little body roll. Only gripe is the turbo delay, not smooth. Smooth braking, even under stress. If driven easily and smartly I can achieve an average of 27-28 mpg, mostly commute miles, 25'ish in town. Wish it was a 6 speed Manual, and dual exhaust, that would fit the muscular coupe vibe of the car better than the 7 speed auto, plus it would boost the MPG a little. No Nav on the car - would think at the retail price it would be included....that's a negative...Overall though, I love the car, absolutely fun to drive and a great value (as a lease return) the way I bought it. 1/16/17 - update: I still enjoy the car immensely. It's a looker and 9,000 miles later it's still purring along. One little annoying thing is the sensored windshield wipers - I actually would prefer them be a bit more manually controlled regarding wiper intervals and speed...just a nit...still love the car! 1/16/18 - update: No real change in my opinion.

Fun driving experience! Great car!

Traded my 2012 C300 sedan for the 2014 coupe. Very happy with that decision. This car is a lot more fun to drive, better on gas, and downright beautiful. The seats are very comfortable for long trips. For a coupe the ride is pretty decent. Only slightly bumpier than the C Sedan. In Sport mode it handles amazing! I got all the same options the sedan had with the exception of the Media Package (w/navigation). that was a BAD decision. The Becker Map Pilot is a piece of crap. My advice...spend the money on the Media Package. Looking forward to owning this car for a long time.

Over 60 perspective

From a pure drivability and love to own perspective this is my favorite car and I have owned dozens

What a Buy

Shop around for a pristine low mileage Mercedes, they are out there. You will not be disappointed once you find it. Use Carfax to insure that there have been no accidents (possible structural damage) and preferably only one owner. Also, used Mercedes all seem to have only one key and no manuals. Not sure if they are good to eat or if the previous owners want to keep a trophy. Manuals can sometimes be found on E-Bay and purchasing a second key is expensive. Still very happy with the Mercedes. No problems or issues and the car runs beautifully after two years.

The little engine that can!!

Great car! Provides an excellent ride, great build quality and that Mercedes Benz cachet! Owned a Lexus IS250 before the C250 and I can attest to the differences in build quality, features, ride, looks. Lexus can not complete with the 130 year history Mercedes has created. I feel like I am riding in a tank that handles well. Looked at BMW 3 series as well, but when touring the dealership hearing a customer cut up about the lack of reliability and the 3000 she would have to pay to repair her car took BMW off the list. Not just looking for a car that only drives great. I wanted something that will last me a long time and do it in style. " The best or nothing..." Nothing like a Benz!

style, performance and ecomomy

Owned this car since new...and loved the style/look What was amazing was how well it handles and accelerates Its a rocket getting on the freeway with not flat out gas, , from a standing start and I am at 75 to 80...doing a lane change without backing off and I am 90... wow! Driving the other day through the high desert I needed to pass in a short distance from 60.... and I was quickly shot up to 100... whoa.... Later driving on curvy coast roads with posted 50 mph, I found I could easily take them at 75. No body lean or tire howell ( I did up grade my tires to the new Michelin sport all season 165mph rated and run them at 36-38psi not the 42 than is on the gas cap door) In a recent drive to palm springs 53 miles all freeway, I got an astounding 54mpg at 70.... it was a elevation down of 1500 ft over 53 miles.. Returning at 75-80 back to home , same freeway the I-10 and a head wind of 30mph, I got an overall 36mpg... and on a an overall average over 6 months, city stop and go, hiway, back roads... a whole mix some 5000 miles I got 32.9 mpg overall. In feb I drove from LA to Chicago all interstate at 65-80 mph and back 4300 miles and got 36.2 mpg overall... this is 20% better than the MBZ raiting !!! Its a stylish economy car....yes an economy car. On the chicago run for grins, I made it from Amarillo tx to Palm Springs 1106 miles in 13 hours, stopping for gas only 2 times...the seats and ride were totally comfortable after 13 hours of non stop. A note on style....I frequently get people stopping to look at the car in the market parking lot with admiring comments....the 2 door style is sharp. In the downside It can be a little hard to get in unless you put the seats all the way to the rear. The rear seats are useless really and a tough entry unless your a midget or a small kid. One comment is that while some crave the computer-phone -bleu tooth, crap, I wish they would take it out... unless your into that its a real difficult thing. I have had to take the car 2 times to the dealer, to get some gps/electop radio message or the dam thing to stop talking to me... I like to drive a car, not have it tell me how to drive...in 3.5 years of driving it I only use 10% of the gizmos the gps map...no guidance, the the AM radio, the CD player,.... I dont use a phone, plot routes, text. I have white teeth, and dont want to have them turned blue so I can talk to people in the clouds..... Sadly I realize this is the last MBZ I will own because all the new gizmos....the 15-16-17 are so filled with techno toys that it is distracting... Hey I can fly airplanes, navigate ships... their techno is appropriate... the junk now in cars is fluff. Hey, if the new 16-17 cars had to be certified by the FAA they would require a 2 pilots due to the complex nature. Maintance at MBZ is astounding . However I run top shelf gas and synthetic oil... they say 10,000 miles between service... I do my car at 5000. oil is cheap.... I have owned 3 mbz care 240D 300SE, and this 250C... Their reliability and safety is tops... in 3 years I have replaced the tires, oil filter, air filter, wind shield wiper blades.... thats it... Up date.....I also own a Porsche Cayman-s and sold it because the MBZ 250 with Michelin PS tires, frankly was just as good handling and twice the comfort to drive and had 80% of the power of the Cayman-s ( I took the Cayman up to 150 before I backed off, The 250C I have had to 115) The comfort difference is astounding. Last week I drove 1476 miles in 2 days 240 miles of which was driving Fresno to Yosemite to Modesto. Then drove Redding to Palm Springs 690 miles in 8 hours 30 min , on I 5 at averaging 76 mph and 32 mpg ( a lot of the driving was between 80-90) Comfort, speed, economy...perfect lay out of the controls and gages. A word of caution my car is a 2014, The 2015 model has a totally different set of controls, no gear selector lever terrible instruments .. IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING A 250 DON'T BUY ONE AFTER 2014, THEY ARE nOW CALLED THE c300 AND LACK ALMOST EVERYTHING, AND DO NOT HAVE THE FULL GLASS ROOF/SUN ROOF... I drove one in Germany and France for a week a 2016 and it was no where the car the 2014 C250 .....the last year the 250 was produced and the last year is generally the best. I see no reason to ever sell this car...ever

My Black MB coupe

I bought my wife a certified 2012 C class sedan a couple of years ago and enjoyed driving it on trips occasionally. Also appreciated was the after sale service. I decided to get a coupe model for myself to prevent the B-pillar from blocking my side vision since I'm over 6 feet tall. My car is a 2014 certified C class 4matic coupe. The car was super clean and I passed 10,000 miles on my way home from picking it up. The car is comfortable in the front seats. The rear seats are for emergency rides only. The car is quiet, and pretty quick with the 3.5 liter V-6. The nav system is user friendly, the Harmon Kardon sound system with Sirius radio fills the car with great sound, and the panoramic roof gives great views. The sport seats are typically Mercedes Benz hard, but very supportive. The steering is a little vague, I don't know if its because of the 4 wheel drive system or the type of steering rack they use. My other car is a 2 seat sports coupe with the finest steering available on a passenger car in my opinion, so I don't tend to try and toss this car around too much. I've been calling this my adult car since I can actually carry luggage with me. This is a well engineered, well built, handsome automobile that I look forward to owning for some time.

Over the top pleased

Incredibly smooth handling, like floating. No noise, extreme power quality

C Class is OUTSTANDING

Have had C classes since 2009 and this is by far the best. Really like the excellent gas mileage of the C-250 four cylinder engine, often getting well over 36mpg on the oven road and always at least 25mpg in town. Beats out the C-300, though a great car, but a bite more thirsty. Sporty yet distinguished in appearance. Great ride and handling.

C250 1.8 4 cylinder turbo - Iridium Silver Coupe

CU's high marks ( red dots for all reliability benchmarks) join with 4 years and 37,000+ miles of no reliability issues. No repairs either. I rarely push the car. I like to drive this beautiful little (180 inches long) coupe in a sane and relaxed manner. This gives more folks time to glance and appreciate the timeless good taste design. A round trip to Scottsdale, AZ calculated out to 35 MPG for the 1735 miles driven. The dealership's (local dealer has three locations) service, courtesy and style set the bar. I'm really not a Mercedes type - previously owned a Corvette, Porsche and Supra Turbo. The C250 coupe is not quite as fast - but more than makes up by easily being the best looking. More reliable also.

Simply the best!

I bought this car in 2016 and have not had to repair anything other than normal wear and tear. A beautiful car in every way.

Great deal!

Couldn't determine what kind of car I wanted. Came across it on this site. Negotiated it to a steal and I can't stop driving it! Amazing on the road. Smooth and I get 500+miles per tank. I still drive my Infiniti SUV but I tell you, I've been thinking of selling it and moving to the Benz family full time.

BB'S Red MB

The front seats have plenty of leg room, the rear seats are just the opposite. I have the 2014 C350 4matic Mercedes. At 70 mph on a long trip, I average 33 mpg. Snow traction is great (although I drive carefully in the snow, so I have not explored the limits). My Mercedes is 3 3/4 years old and I have had NO problems whatsoever. Reliability is excellent. Typical of Mercedes: handling is very precise. My Mercedes Benz dealer is the only one in the northern part of my state (no competition); because of that, warranty costs are above average. I love this car and intend to keep it for many years to come. UPDATE 3/13/2018: I still love this car. Handling (especially in windy mountain driving) is excellent. Reliability continues to be excellent.

Best used car so far

Was looking for a replacement for my wife’s Lexus. She drove an ES for 10 years and loved that car,one small problem though, the ES doesn’t come with AWD. Moving from the South to the East AWD was a must. Enter the C class Mercedes. I bought it used for a good price and my wife loves it (and whenever I can I’ll drive it too). The car is solid,quiet,and fast. The best hill hold of any car I have driven including the Lexus. The car is not as luxurious as the ES was but the performance outweighs the lack of wood (I have the sport model). I have a 2014 and haven’t had any mechanical issues and only one recall (airbag). I would definitely recommend this car to family and friends.

excellent

Use to have a Lincoln Navigator, and we loved it! Lost it to a drunk driver. Then bought an LT Tahoe, which we still have, and love, but missed luxury. When we found this, we also found an Audi A6 premium sport coupe. I drove that first, and it was a great car, but I drove the Mercedes next and it just felt more together and solid. So I decided to go with it. The wife loves it, and so do I. Very fun to drive, and the technology and looks are second to none. From the navigation, to the heated seats, alloy wheels, suspension, etc, this car is awesome. And, great on gas mileage! First Mercedes we have owned, but probably will not be the last.

Good German Engineering

I was a BMW owner before I purchased this car and swore I would never drive anything else, but this really changed my mind. I test drove both the C250 as well as the 328i and although the BMW was a good car the Mercedes had that extra quality and details to it that pushed me towards it. Everything is very nicely done and the quality is great. I bought mine certified preowned with warranty and service included. The service with Mercedes Benz is excellent and I always feel valued as a customer. The c250 offers good road stability and especially impressive is the breaking and no rolling around corners. When breaking har the cars remains stabile and you never have that sense of being pushed forward. I have had mine for at year now, and I have had to take it in twice for a couple of minor repairs under warranty. One was the upper engine bearing and later a Harmon Kardon speaking stopped working out of the blue. If you ever replace the tires on your car dont go cheap. Get original continental or the Michelin AS. When I bought mine it had aftermarket tires on it and the road noise was so bad I had them replaced after less than a year in spite they were not worn. Check the alignment frequently and be sure to replace your oil as recommended. Compared to the never CLA250 this is the better car for sure.

Best car I have ever owned.

Great car. I am 62 years old have have owned over 20 cars, trucks and SUV's. I spoiled my self and bought this car, as I have been too practical. I tried a MB CLK 350 and loved the interior, but because it was a SUV it did not have price point I was looking for. How often do you really need an SUV in Calif.? Bought the car and love it. Very fast and quiet.

Smart Buy Benz

After driving from new ( my 25th. birthday ) a 1998 C230 for over 240,000 miles and 20 years. I had decided to look for another C-class Mercedes. Doing research for a reliable model I found the last model year W204 C (2014) too be the best one to look for. I wanted the Luxury model with out the sport suspension for the smoother ride and non staggered wheel setup. I also wanted the 1.8 turbo engine for the lower service costs and better fuel economy. I found a one owner with perfect service records and 37,000 miles in Iridium Silver for $18,000 out the door five months ago. The car came with all its books and 2 keys and the original window sticker showing $41500 list price. The car options were Metallic paint and Premium package no navigation or leather seats. My car now has 45,000 miles on it and I find performance is as good as one would ever want or need ! I'm very happy with my find.... Oh, I'm still keeping the '98 C230 also !

Smooth and quick

This is the luxury model, not the sport model. We drove both, and the luxury model is definitely a smoother ride, if that's what you're looking for. Beautiful interior, handles very well, and the transmission Sport setting (Economy is the default) is very quick off the line. We were not big fans of the Continental tires that came OE, so when the time came to replace them, we opted for Goodyear Assurance tires, which are an optimum comfort touring tire. Much quieter and smoother than the OE Continentals. Our vehicle is not driven a lot, but there are no wear issues in the interior. No mechanical problems of any kind. Takata airbag was replaced at no charge.

My 2014 c300

Handeling is great, it really hugs the corners and drives like a sports car. The ride is quiet and comfortable on long trips. Mpg is in the mid 20's combined hwy/cty but I get a solid 30mpg on the hwy. I have no complaints at all on this car.

Exceptional quality

Very attractive design and excellent performance matched by build quality. The more one drives thus coupe the more to fall in love with. Only gripe is a behind the times navigation system. That however applies to all Mercedes.

Overall a great car

While a 2014 car is going to be outdated on technology, this is a great overall car. Road handling was superb, the turbocharged engine accelerated flawlessly, thies was likely the most beautiful car I ever owned, and the leather seats were in as good shape as the day I bought it. The only real issue was maintenance cost, but the maintenance was likely the key to everything working well all the time for me, which in itself was a real value. Resale value, though, was not what you might expect, but ok.

Classy and Comfortable

This car is elegant inside and out. It is reliable and low maintenance. Has a 5/5 NHTSA safety rating. Drives like a dream. I love it!

Well-built and reliable, but slow and sleepy trans

Well-built small sedan, quality interior, great handling, but slow, sleepy transmission and firm gas pedal.

Very happy with my c350 4matic coupe

Upgraded from an Infiniti G37x. A bit more money, about the same performance but everything else blows my infiniti away. I got mine in black with the AMG package and it looks stunning. Get quite a few compliments. Being a techie, I love toys, and this car is chock full of them. The build quality is amazing. Everything has a vault-like solidity to it. Drives and handles great, I pretty much put it in "S" mode as soon as I start it off. Wish there was a way to leave that on permanently.

Love my 2014 C300 Benz

I would purchase again

Great car

Great car I have like 100k miles on it and it’s never gave me problems. I’ve drove it for hours without stopping and it’s always been good to me. Not one issue with it and it’s not too bad on gas 👏 would really recommend it and it looks so good 😻

Still my favorite "sports" car to drive.

This car has been great. It's our second C300 and I have never driven a car that handles better. The negatives: you cannot charge your phone in this car. The USB plug in located in the center console does not charge...if anything, it drains any charge remaining. Worse yet is that the old fashioned cigarette lighter by the gear shift doesn't charge either! Ridiculous!

Good buy!

C350 4matic is exception car for the money

I love my car . The car drives like it is on rails with superior handling, great braking, and overall comfort. I don't feel safe in any other car. I will buy another Mercedes after I get some miles on this one

Benz

Good car.

Smooth car

Its a little compact if you have a family im single so its roomy to me but worth the payment and reliability

Buy now Ultra Rare

I was fortunate enough to buy a 2014 C350 4matic Coupe with 52,000 miles, AMG styling package, sport package. The car is painted Tenorite Grey and built in Germany and in exceptionally great condition for its age. Thankfully my local dealership did not understand its worth and got for a great deal. Pros: Very Rare( have not seen another since I've owned the car, only a limited amount sent to US from Germany)! Reliable year, better than 2013 and 2015. Good gas mileage(stop and go feature). Sporty ride, quick! 306HP Great in the snow with all season tires Paddle shifters Strong engine and transmission Cons: Not the smoothest ride with low profile tire. Not a lot of information on the internet about this vehicle. Some parts hard to find, in my case a rim. None to be found on the interwebs. No leg room in back but it is a Coupe

My first Mercedes, I love it.

I truly love this car. I haven’t loved a car like this since I sold my MGB many years ago. These two cars couldn’t be more different, but both are a joy to ride. My main criticism is the lack of modern safety features like a backup camera which my 2012 Prius had.

Best car I’ve ever owned!

Excellent value. I have never owned a car this long. I kept up the service.

C300 Sport - excellence!

I purchased my 2014 C300 Sport AWD certified used at the end of 3-year lease with 30K miles and still drive it today; I am the second owner; owned many cars before and drive mostly in NJ/NY area. Car was initially maintained at the dealer as the first year was included by Mercedes and additional two years purchased maintenance plan. Then switched for maintenance and repairs to a local highly recommended mechanic and still servicing there. Only minor repair issues: 1. At dealer: A/C not cooling well, evacuated system (noted lower than expected refrigerant amount), recharged with dye, no leak for one week, used loaner car, returned to dealer for checks after few weeks, still no leaks, system charged at spec, cooling great since then; cost ~$250 (not covered by maintenance plan). 2. At mechanic: defective / worn-out driver's seatbelt buckle, replaced with OEM part; cost ~$150. Other than that, regular comprehensive maintenance, meaning: oil/filter every 5K miles at $125, differential fluid (~$100), ATF (~$400), break rotors/pads (~$1000, after driving 75K on OEM installed by dealer at time of purchase), wipers (every two years, ~$50). Overall ratings in Consumer Reports are low / very low which I completely disagree with after owning/driving this car for eight years. My assessment of this car: reliable, sporty with excellent handling in all conditions, surprisingly comfortable driving up to ~500 miles, very solid build, and many other positives. Two relatively minor negative observations: 1. I am 6 feet tall and only with the lowest driver seat setting my head is not touching the ceiling trim by side window and 2. car is truly compact (at least for my taste) - I wish Mercedes sized it between C300 and E350, somewhere in the middle. My overall rating and experience: excellently balanced car, fun to drive, reliable, and really solid. FYI, I rarely write any reviews. this one was triggered by few conversations with wife who has the same opinion (for once!).

Fun car

This has been a fun car to drive, but less than ideal for someone taller than 5'9. The front seat is very uncomfortable and is difficult to get in and out of when you are tall. Only reason I am selling it.

When did you get a Mercedes?

My lunar blue Mercedes 300 is SWEET! It's a head turner for sure

Great car unless misfortune.

Good car except if hail comes cheap thin metal body. If involved in a accident CHEAP plastic body and metal will total car plus matance labor and parts have ludicrous prices.

Classy Car!

Proper maintenance can be expensive. It will keep you from costly repairs later on!

Review

Has hard ride and hard seats

Drive to Arrive!