2009 Mercedes Benz E350 vs. 2009 Mercedes Benz C300
The “E” in 2009 Mercedes Benz E350 stands for “Einspritzung”, “fuel injection” in German. This does not separate the E-Class from the herd anymore, certainly not from the 2009 Mercedes Benz C300 – when it was being developed in the 1950’s, it was a big deal. Luckily, these days the E Class stands out for more reasons than that. How much does that count when you can opt for the more affordable C-Class?
In European countries, the Mercedes Benz E-Class is frequently used as
a taxi, ambulance car, or police cruiser. Its hardiness and spacious
qualities lend themselves to public service. The 2009 Mercedes Benz
E350 adds a generous burst of power, representing a leap forward from
earlier E-Class vehicles. When you want that power, all you need is to
request it with a dab at the accelerator and you will be furnished with
a big boost: 0-60 in just 6.7 seconds. There is the downfall of
electronic limiters that keep it from getting silly. All this and fuel
economy figures ranging from 29.1mpg in a sedate cruising setting to as
high as 40mpg on a trundle.
The 2009 Mercedes Benz C300 is a smaller vehicle, though not a midget
by any stretch of the imagination – it is, after all, a Mercedes-Benz.
It is also a bit less fuel-efficient than the E350, but capable of
greater power at a lower price.
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2008 E-Class Model Line Overview | |
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Model lineup: | Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec ($52,200); E350 ($51,200); E350 4Matic ($52,700); E350 4Matic wagon ($55,950); E550 ($59,700); E550 4Matic ($61,200); E63 AMG ($85,300); E63 AMG wagon ($86,050) |
Engines: | 210-hp 3.0-liter dohc 24-valve turbodiesel V6; 268-hp 3.5-liter dohc 24-valve V6; 382-hp 5.5-liter dohc 48-valve V8; 507-hp 6.2-liter dohc 48-valve V8 |
Transmissions: | 5-speed automatic; 7-speed automatic |
Safety equipment (standard): | dual-stage front airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, front and rear curtain-style head-protection airbags, active head restraints, seatbelt pretensioners; Pre-Safe System, rollover sensor, antilock brakes (ABS) with Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), traction control, tire pressure monitor |
Safety equipment (optional): | none |
Basic warranty: | 4 years/50,000 miles |
Assembled in: | Sindelfingen, Germany |
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Specifications As Tested | |
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Model tested (MSRP): | Mercedes-Benz E550 sedan ($59,700) |
Standard equipment: | automatic four-zone climate control, power tilt and telescoping steering wheel with multifunction controls, power windows with express up and down, auto-dimming mirrors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, glass sunroof, 10-way power driver and passenger seats with leather inserts and three-position memory, cruise control, walnut trim, nine-speaker surround-sound stereo with six-disc CD changer, Tele-aid emergency communication system |
Options as tested (MSRP): | Sport Package (N/C); Premium II ($4,770) includes Hands-Free Communication System, DVD COMAND Navigation, Sirius Satellite Radio, power rear window shade, Headlight Washing System, Bi-Xenon Active Light System, cornering fog lights, Keyless Go, Active-Ventilated front seats; Parktronic ($1,120); wood/leather steering wheel ($550); electronic trunk closer ($530) |
Destination charge: | ($775) |
Gas guzzler tax: | N/A |
Price as tested (MSRP): | $67,445 |
Layout: | rear-wheel drive |
Engine: | 5.5-liter dohc 48-valve V8 |
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): | 382 @ 6000 |
Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm): | 391 @ 2800-4800 |
Transmission: | 7-speed automatic |
EPA fuel economy, city/hwy: | 15/22 mpg |
Wheelbase: | 112.4 in. |
Length/width/height: | 191.0/71.7/58.4 in. |
Track, f/r: | 62.1/61.9 in. |
Turning circle: | 37.4 ft. |
Seating capacity: | 5 |
Head/hip/leg room, f: | 39.1/57.2/41.9 in. |
Head/hip/leg room, m: | N/A |
Head/hip/leg room, r: | 37.8/57.2/35.6 in. |
Cargo volume: | 15.9 cu. ft. |
Payload: | N/A |
Towing capacity: | N/A |
Suspension, f: | independent, four-link, air springs, variable-rate gas-charged shock absorbers, anti-roll bar |
Suspension, r: | independent, five link, air springs, variable-rate gas-charged shock absorbers, anti-roll bar |
Ground clearance: | 3.6 in. |
Curb weight: | 3885 lbs. |
Tires: | 245/40R18 |
Brakes, f/r: | vented disc/vented disc with ABS, Brake Assist |
Fuel capacity: | 21.1 gal. |
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2008 C-Class Model Line Overview | |
Model lineup: | Mercedes-Benz C300; C350 |
Engines: | 228-hp 2.8-liter V6; 268-hp 3.5-liter V6 |
Transmissions: | 7-speed automatic; 6-speed manual |
Safety equipment (standard): | frontal airbags, side-impact airbags, curtain airbags; electronic stability control, traction control, ABS, EBD, Pre-Safe |
Safety equipment (optional): | none |
Basic warranty: | 4 years/50,000 miles |
Assembled in: | Sindelfingen, Germany |
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Specifications As Tested | |
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Model tested (MSRP): | Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport |
Standard equipment: | N/A |
Options as tested (MSRP): | N/A |
Destination charge: | N/A |
Gas guzzler tax: | N/A |
Price as tested (MSRP): | N/A |
Layout: | rear-wheel drive |
Engine: | 3.5-liter dohc 24-valve V6 |
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): | 268 @ 6000 |
Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm): | 258 @ 2400 |
Transmission: | 7-speed automatic |
EPA fuel economy, city/hwy: | N/A |
Wheelbase: | 108.7 in. |
Length/width/height: | 180.4/69.7/57.0 in. |
Track, f/r: | 60.4/60.5 in. |
Turning circle: | 35.4 ft. |
Seating capacity: | 5 |
Head/hip/leg room, f: | 37.1/52.3/41.7 in. |
Head/hip/leg room, m: | N/A |
Head/hip/leg room, r: | 36.9/54.9/33.4 in. |
Cargo volume: | 17.6 cu. ft. |
Payload: | N/A |
Towing capacity: | N/A |
Suspension, f: | independent, coil springs, gas struts, stabilizer bar |
Suspension, r: | independent. five-link with coil springs, gas shocks, stabilizer bar |
Ground clearance: | N/A |
Curb weight: | 3498 lbs. |
Tires: | P225/40ZR-17 front; P245/40ZR-17 rear |
Brakes, f/r: | disc/disc with ABS, EBD, Brake Assist |
Fuel capacity: | 17.4 gal. |
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