[chicagolab]

here is a chance to drive the new C Class. I'm going to take a spin on that Sun. at 11am.

Anyone else interested??

Sept 1 and Sept 2 in Chicago

http://www.themercedescdrive.com/

[ntpcrew13]

i just signed up for the same time and date as you.


do you think you can make it to the meet this sunday around 1245? id like to install your fogs before i have to leave. i might have to leave the meet around 230. i have 2 softball games that late afternoon in the city. see you sunday.

[omg516]

How are they going to have a driving event at Union Station in the middle of the loop? I signed up for the Audi Driving Experience and they're having it at the Autobahn Country Club.

[RANJHA]

Originally Posted by ntpcrew13

i just signed up for the same time and date as you.

+1

I'll see you guys at 11:00am

[FrankoQ]

Originally Posted by RANJHA

+1

I'll see you guys at 11:00am

Post pics of the event.
I have to wait until sept.

[RANJHA]

Originally Posted by FrankoQ

Post pics of the event.
I have to wait until sept.

u got it!

u should come to chicago lol

[FrankoQ]

Originally Posted by RANJHA

u got it!

u should come to chicago lol

Only if you hook me up with cheap blacklines.

[RANJHA]

Originally Posted by FrankoQ

Only if you hook me up with cheap blacklines.

haha lol come here first, then we'll talk

[purplewidow]

there is an audi event at the autobahn in joliet for $600...you get to drive the heavy pig of a car in the rs4 but you also get to drive the new r8 around the track for a while!!!!

also they are having a bmw one soon i think!!!!

[RANJHA]

Originally Posted by purplewidow

there is an audi event at the autobahn in joliet for $600...you get to drive the heavy pig of a car in the rs4 but you also get to drive the new r8 around the track for a while!!!!

also they are having a bmw one soon i think!!!!

u goin to the audi event?

[omg516]

There is a free 2 hr version of the audi event. The all day event is $600.

[ntpcrew13]

Originally Posted by omg516

There is a free 2 hr version of the audi event. The all day event is $600.

where can we sign up?

[BenMW]

Jut signed up for the Mercedes c class driving event in Dallas...thanks for posting this should make for a good sunday afternoon.

How can I sign up for the audi event the free one?

Edit: Found it AudiDrivingexperience.com

[chicagolab]

ready for the drive tommorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll see fellow members there

[ntpcrew13]

hey leo and alex..

i wont be able to make it to the mb drive today. i will be going to the taste of lexus on sept 8th; so i hope to see you guys there. let us know how todays drive ended up.

[Daya]

I went this morning at about 10. Nice event for the most part, the "drive" was kind of a joke, though. We drove maybe 20 blocks round trip through the loop and west loop stopping at almost every light. There wasn't much opportunity to test the performance of this car - stop and go city driving - *yawn*

I did an audi event last year in the south loop where I used to live and they took you by shuttle to the parking lot at solider field where they had an autocross course set up - you could drive any non-S car, and they had pro drivers take you 1 lap in the RS4.

From a luxury/safety standpoint I was very impressed - the nav, iPod integration, HK audio system, MB finishes - all standard. AMG styling on the C350 sport was a very nice touch, aesthetically it will not differ much if they do create a real AMG version. The shift knob was plastic, though, with a dull finish and easily scratched.

The real disappointment came in the power/performance arena. Granted, they only had automatics and all we did was city driving, but it felt heavy and clumsy compared to my 335 coupe. I even turned off the A/C so as to not rob the engine of any power - throttle response was sluggish at best. Even when I drove in sportronic mode (or whatever MB calls their version) there was still a delay in throttle response, and I hardly got the thrill I get when I drive my 6spd 335.

I know this is not an AMG so performance is not the primary focus but at a price point starting just shy of $38k the 335 is a much better value IMO, but I guess it all just depends on what you are looking for - luxury or performance.

I'll post up pics later.

[Daya]

pics as promised

[chicagolab]

as noted the drive was a let down. 10 minutes tops following others in a line. At least I was last in line, so I left some space at times and floored it. Power was OK, not impressive. The finishes of the inside were nice but not executed as well as advertised. They tout that Ipod integration is standard, this is not true. In the car I drove there was just an AUX jack like the one in our armrest but it was in their glove box. All controls of ipod and display are just on your ipod. After asking even the rep. who gave a speech inside about all the magnificent features was cluless about the ipod integration, but he assured me its standard. After finding another specialist they showed me a different car that had a cable instead of the AUX jack in the glove box. This cable gives you better integration but not as good as BMW. With this cable (BTW its $375 more, obviously not standard) you can control songs from the steering wheel and a limited display of song title is on the speedometer. The nav screen is not capable of showing the ipod contents, songs, etc. nothing. That is poor execution of something simple.

The front end looks great, but the rear especially the lights are lackluster at best. The back end makes the e90 rear look 100x better.

Overall, without a doubt it is a nice car, but I'll stay with "ultimate driving machine" Between the lexus is350 and the benz I would go with the benz and Ive driven both.