Baby is All Grown Up; Mercedes-Benz C-Class delivers big-car qualities in a smaller package.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)

When unveiling the new C-Class last spring, Mercedes-Benz officials made a point of asserting that the car was not a reduced-in-size S-Class, the company's flagship. But management had a hard sell: The C's styling, with its sleek nose, slanted headlights and turn signals in the outside mirrors, sure made the car look like its big brother. S-Class-like features crept into the interior as well, including the popular door-mounted seat controls and the console-dominating COMAND center that manages audio, HVAC and navigation functions.

Many readers told us they bought the new C precisely because of the family resemblance-and because it costs substantially less than an S-Class-which may be what the Mercedes spin doctors were trying to counter. More than one reader said the styling actually looks better on the C-Class than on the bigger car. ``It has a tighter, more together look,'' wrote one.

Unfortunately, a significant number of C-Class owners said their cars lack one S-Class component: quality control. A myriad of problems was reported for this all-new car. Several readers complained about trunks that wouldn't open, childproof locks that couldn't be disabled, horns that didn't honk and transmission hesitations. Another oft-mentioned problem: the need for a ``software upgrade.'' Owners found having to bring the car in for this relatively simple fix within days of plunking down $43,000 disconcerting.

The lack of a factory-installed in-dash CD changer, or even CD player, also struck a discordant note with a chorus of owners. Dealers can install in-dash CD units, but at additional expense to the owners.

Despite these concerns, the vast majority of owners said the car-its basic mechanical bits, its ride, handling, brakes, the many safety features-met or exceeded expectations. And for any car wearing a three-pointed star out front, expectations are high.

The C320 is a quiet car, certainly helped by the sleek design featuring one of the lowest coefficients of drag in a production automobile. The 3.2-liter, 18-valve aluminum V6 engine is smooth and strong, and the five-speed automatic transmission makes ...