Why Buy a C250 over the C350
#26
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2012 C250 Coupe
I don't really see why c350 owners - "SirHoward" in particular are trying to **** on someone for cheaping out and getting a c250... I'm 21 and this is my third car. I had a 2008 G37S coupe as my first car and picked it up the day it arrived at the lot. That car was a true rocket ship and a great starting point. Not to mention, it was $4,000 under the MSRP of a C350 at the time, with the same equipment, if not more (bi-xenon standard).
Needless to say, my model had the crappy 5-speed automatic tranny, and not the new 7-speed. So it felt a bit sluggish on the highway. I have test drived a C350 (the only one on Long Island at the time of my purchase, which was bright red). Definitely not even in the same league as a G37 - but decent. I'm sure the difference is even larger now with the G37 having a 7-speed and the option for an IPL tune near the same price as a c350 coupe.
Bottom line is this: I certainly could have afforded a C350 if I wanted to. Besides for the fact that there were none that I liked/wanted (in my color options - let alone even in a broad range, like I said, only one was red on tan). I felt that the C250 really is ample. It feels fast enough, I get well over the estimated 30MPG highway, and average 28mpg historical with near 50/50 city/highway driving. Not to mention that many tunes are now coming up easily providing 260+hp and even more torque, putting it well within the speed of a C350 considering its significant weight savings - and all for around $500...
So when you look at everything from a different perspective. I get to drive around a fully loaded c250 coupe for $5,000 a year, and can pay $500-1000 to get the performance of a C350, with MUCH better fuel economy. Sounds like C350 buyers were the foolish ones...
Needless to say, my model had the crappy 5-speed automatic tranny, and not the new 7-speed. So it felt a bit sluggish on the highway. I have test drived a C350 (the only one on Long Island at the time of my purchase, which was bright red). Definitely not even in the same league as a G37 - but decent. I'm sure the difference is even larger now with the G37 having a 7-speed and the option for an IPL tune near the same price as a c350 coupe.
Bottom line is this: I certainly could have afforded a C350 if I wanted to. Besides for the fact that there were none that I liked/wanted (in my color options - let alone even in a broad range, like I said, only one was red on tan). I felt that the C250 really is ample. It feels fast enough, I get well over the estimated 30MPG highway, and average 28mpg historical with near 50/50 city/highway driving. Not to mention that many tunes are now coming up easily providing 260+hp and even more torque, putting it well within the speed of a C350 considering its significant weight savings - and all for around $500...
So when you look at everything from a different perspective. I get to drive around a fully loaded c250 coupe for $5,000 a year, and can pay $500-1000 to get the performance of a C350, with MUCH better fuel economy. Sounds like C350 buyers were the foolish ones...
#27
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2024 GLS450
Couldn't have said it better myself. My C250 is getting paid for outright, so it's not like a C350 wasn't in the budget. More that it's highly unnecessary for me, and I'd rather have the boosted 4 cylinder for the sound, less weight over the front end, and more equipment for my money.
#28
I hear YA, I can't **** on anyone cuz I don't have one yet & that's not what I do. I'm just trying to pick one, so I'm getting info on the 250 & the 350 that's all man.. so I'll keep reading, NO replying from me.. Sorry!!
#29
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that is why I got rid of my Mustang GT the C350handles soooooo much better and 300 hp in that small body let's it fly
Last edited by nomoremustang; 02-26-2012 at 06:59 PM. Reason: none
#30
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Honda Civic
One issue that nobody has mentioned yet is this:... In Canada at least, you can't get all the options on the C250 that you can with the C350. I am pretty sure that in Canada you can't get things like keyless-go, backup camera, 18" wheels with the C250.
Trust me, I wish that companies made something like a C63 body with a C250 engine lol :P
Trust me, I wish that companies made something like a C63 body with a C250 engine lol :P
#31
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2008 C350 Benz, GLA250 4matic
I think soon enough the C250 is gona take the C350...dont get me wrong i love my 350 but theyre gona be able to possibly fit bigger turbos, intercooler, ECU, and who knows what else since it has the space under the hood unlike our C350s...
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2012 C250 Coupe
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Combine all this with weight savings and a better weight distribution, and things start to seem better :-)
Although, you really can't knock the C350 for what it offers. Great power and fuel economy for a great price. However, I do find this thread a bit unnecessary. Asking why anyone would buy a C250 over a C350 is a bit like asking why anyone would buy a size 30 pair of jeans instead of a size 40...
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#35
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In the states, the only thing you can't get on a 250 that you can on a 350 is Bird's Eye wood trim on the interior.
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This is starting to sound like the sensible European market. Buy a fully loaded CLK, E or whatever suits your needs with a 4 cylinder petrol or diesel engine. Best of both worlds.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
#38
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2012 C250 Coupe
The fact is, the C250 with around 200hp and around 230 lb/torque is definitely "ample enough" for many buyers.
Heck, back in the day in muscle cars and sports cars, 200hp was a number v8's would dream of. We are now getting this in a 4-cylinder with fuel sipping efficiency.
To directly answer your stated question. It makes sense to buy a 250 and spend the money to make it faster because it is easier to modify than a C350.
Put it this way, the C350 is not enough of a performance monger to buy it and be happy with it at those levels (if performance was your main concern - as you suggest with your question). It is easier and much more cost-effective to get a c250 and modify it to get 0-60 numbers at 5 seconds than it would be to get a c350 and modify it to get to 5 seconds.
As stated before, the c350 has no engine bay real estate available for turbo applications, and is really limited in its modifications or upgrades. A c250 on the other hand can easily make room for a second turbo, and albeit, even two larger turbos - not even talking about increasing PSI, intercoolers, or any other modifications you can do on a C350 that you can also do on a C250.
There are mercedes oem twin turbo designs of the c250 engine with the power output of a c350 - stock! All of this with greater fuel efficiency and lower weight. Not to mention, it is much easier to modify.
I guess one can sum it up with the statement - bigger is not always better.
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Last edited by jctevere; 02-27-2012 at 12:11 PM.
#39
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2015 C300 4Matic Sedan, 2015 C300W, 1997 Jaguar XK8,
yawn. some of us have other cars and don't really need the "power" from a C350.
I think the C250 is a great commuter and has adequate power for daily driving and sitting in traffic. In addition, the car looks great and has great features and amenities. The fuel economy is also a plus.
I think the C250 is a great commuter and has adequate power for daily driving and sitting in traffic. In addition, the car looks great and has great features and amenities. The fuel economy is also a plus.
#40
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
I hate 4-Bangers and wouldn't want one in my Benz, but that's more of a sound/feel as well as prejudice against 4-cylinders thing.
This whole "power c*ckfest* is annoyingly unrealistic. Everybody who drives with regard to themselves and those around them go the same speed, sit in the same traffic, regardless of whether they have 140 or 400 HP. In the vast majority of cases, those who seek higher HP do so for some over-compensation reasons, i.e to boast about it. Yes, many do Track their cars which justifies the performance capabilities (rare), and many do drive illegally and recklessly (they have bigger problems than psychologically delusional superiority-factor of having more HP), but the vast majority of those I know who have even ridiculously powered cars, drive just as conservatively as I do my car.
Moral of the story is, in real life, you're getting as fast to where you're going whether in a C250 or C350. I personally would pick the 350 simply due to the engine sound, feel, refinement and dual exhaust much more than the extra power that I'd rarely tap into. HP is relative, for every person tooting their horns about their "HP advantage", there are tons of others who think their cars are dogs, and so on and so on.
This whole "power c*ckfest* is annoyingly unrealistic. Everybody who drives with regard to themselves and those around them go the same speed, sit in the same traffic, regardless of whether they have 140 or 400 HP. In the vast majority of cases, those who seek higher HP do so for some over-compensation reasons, i.e to boast about it. Yes, many do Track their cars which justifies the performance capabilities (rare), and many do drive illegally and recklessly (they have bigger problems than psychologically delusional superiority-factor of having more HP), but the vast majority of those I know who have even ridiculously powered cars, drive just as conservatively as I do my car.
Moral of the story is, in real life, you're getting as fast to where you're going whether in a C250 or C350. I personally would pick the 350 simply due to the engine sound, feel, refinement and dual exhaust much more than the extra power that I'd rarely tap into. HP is relative, for every person tooting their horns about their "HP advantage", there are tons of others who think their cars are dogs, and so on and so on.
Last edited by K-A; 02-28-2012 at 03:56 AM.
#41
I hate 4-Bangers and wouldn't want one in my Benz, but that's more of a sound/feel as well as prejudice against 4-cylinders thing.
This whole "power c*ckfest* is annoyingly unrealistic. Everybody who drives with regard to themselves and those around them go the same speed, sit in the same traffic, regardless of whether they have 140 or 400 HP. In the vast majority of cases, those who seek higher HP do so for some over-compensation reasons, i.e to boast about it. Yes, many do Track their cars which justifies the performance capabilities (rare), and many do drive illegally and recklessly (they have bigger problems than psychologically delusional superiority-factor of having more HP), but the vast majority of those I know who have even ridiculously powered cars, drive just as conservatively as I do my car.
Moral of the story is, in real life, you're getting as fast to where you're going whether in a C250 or C350. I personally would pick the 350 simply due to the engine sound, feel, refinement and dual exhaust much more than the extra power that I'd rarely tap into. HP is relative, for every person tooting their horns about their "HP advantage", there are tons of others who think their cars are dogs, and so on and so on.
This whole "power c*ckfest* is annoyingly unrealistic. Everybody who drives with regard to themselves and those around them go the same speed, sit in the same traffic, regardless of whether they have 140 or 400 HP. In the vast majority of cases, those who seek higher HP do so for some over-compensation reasons, i.e to boast about it. Yes, many do Track their cars which justifies the performance capabilities (rare), and many do drive illegally and recklessly (they have bigger problems than psychologically delusional superiority-factor of having more HP), but the vast majority of those I know who have even ridiculously powered cars, drive just as conservatively as I do my car.
Moral of the story is, in real life, you're getting as fast to where you're going whether in a C250 or C350. I personally would pick the 350 simply due to the engine sound, feel, refinement and dual exhaust much more than the extra power that I'd rarely tap into. HP is relative, for every person tooting their horns about their "HP advantage", there are tons of others who think their cars are dogs, and so on and so on.
Do I like having an inline 4 with 201 hp? NO. But I do like not getting into trouble, having better gas mileage and saving over $100 per month on lease payments. That was my reasoning.
#42
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
This is a good point. It's hard to tell just how fast you're going when in a car, and the sound and aggressiveness of a motor has more say in that than your actual speed outside. When you get to such high HP levels, you can't really utilize and experience your car going ***** to the wall without being in, and putting others in incredibly dangerous positions.
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#44
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2012 c250 Coupe
Bottom line not everyone has an extra $4000+ to spend. Some of you make it sound like you can come up with that extra cash easily, then why don't you save up and get the c63 or e350 instead? (See what I just did there?)
#45
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'12 C204 C250, '05 SLK350 (sold)
Well if you're looking for advice: if you can afford the c350 and don't mind losing ~3mpg then get it over the c250. Period.
Bottom line not everyone has an extra $4000+ to spend. Some of you make it sound like you can come up with that extra cash easily, then why don't you save up and get the c63 or e350 instead? (See what I just did there?)
Bottom line not everyone has an extra $4000+ to spend. Some of you make it sound like you can come up with that extra cash easily, then why don't you save up and get the c63 or e350 instead? (See what I just did there?)
After 10k miles, my only real complaint is the initial lag from acceleration that the C250 is notorious for. It's really dangerous in traffic when I need instant acceleration and I don't get it. S mode helps the throttle response part of the lag, but the turbo lag is still atrocious. I hope the JB+ will help too.
Another issue is availability of the C350. At my time of purchase (October), my dealer had mostly C250's and very very few C350's, so I really had no choice.
#46
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2012 c250 Coupe
Actually, here's some more food for thought for those in the US market. The C350 has the Premium package standard, which is an ~$1800 option on the C250. If you're planning on getting that anyways (I had to have the H/K sound), it really does make a bit of sense to get the C350 (I half-regret it now).
After 10k miles, my only real complaint is the initial lag from acceleration that the C250 is notorious for. It's really dangerous in traffic when I need instant acceleration and I don't get it. S mode helps the throttle response part of the lag, but the turbo lag is still atrocious. I hope the JB+ will help too.
Another issue is availability of the C350. At my time of purchase (October), my dealer had mostly C250's and very very few C350's, so I really had no choice.
After 10k miles, my only real complaint is the initial lag from acceleration that the C250 is notorious for. It's really dangerous in traffic when I need instant acceleration and I don't get it. S mode helps the throttle response part of the lag, but the turbo lag is still atrocious. I hope the JB+ will help too.
Another issue is availability of the C350. At my time of purchase (October), my dealer had mostly C250's and very very few C350's, so I really had no choice.
Good observation on Premium I being standard on c350. It's when you add options that the base c350 is still missing (HID, Navi, keyless go, backup cam, etc) is when a fully loaded c250 starts to have better value when comparing side to side.
But yeah, if you're torn between a base c250 (with Premium I) and base c350 then I agree the c350 makes sense if you're going to get the Premium I.
#47
Well if you're looking for advice: if you can afford the c350 and don't mind losing ~3mpg then get it over the c250. Period.
Bottom line not everyone has an extra $4000+ to spend. Some of you make it sound like you can come up with that extra cash easily, then why don't you save up and get the c63 or e350 instead? (See what I just did there?)
Bottom line not everyone has an extra $4000+ to spend. Some of you make it sound like you can come up with that extra cash easily, then why don't you save up and get the c63 or e350 instead? (See what I just did there?)
Last edited by Igor1080; 02-28-2012 at 09:28 PM.
#48
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B:Where exactly in the US can one legally exploit what the C63 has to offer other than on a track? The E350 is not as entertaining as the C to drive, but is more comfortable.
To me, a car that goes superlegal in a couple of seconds isn't nearly as fun as something you can wring out without being completely stupid.
Not that I have anything against fast cars - I would like to own an S600 in the relative near future... but practicality kind of wins out in the sub $50K segment.
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2012 c250 Coupe
A: Just because you have the money doesn't mean you need to spend it.
B:Where exactly in the US can one legally exploit what the C63 has to offer other than on a track? The E350 is not as entertaining as the C to drive, but is more comfortable.
To me, a car that goes superlegal in a couple of seconds isn't nearly as fun as something you can wring out without being completely stupid.
Not that I have anything against fast cars - I would like to own an S600 in the relative near future... but practicality kind of wins out in the sub $50K segment.
B:Where exactly in the US can one legally exploit what the C63 has to offer other than on a track? The E350 is not as entertaining as the C to drive, but is more comfortable.
To me, a car that goes superlegal in a couple of seconds isn't nearly as fun as something you can wring out without being completely stupid.
Not that I have anything against fast cars - I would like to own an S600 in the relative near future... but practicality kind of wins out in the sub $50K segment.
I was trying to make an exaggerated point to those posters that keep on insisting that c250 owners should of shelled out a few extra grand and get the c350.