I have the C350 Coupe and I think it is a great car plenty of power sounds good and gets good gas millage. I just can't see any value in buying the 4 banger. Come on 200HP. This is a german car not some rice burner. I am not knocking those who want a fast car, but why buy the 4 banger and then spend money voiding the warranty trying to make it faster? Why not just buy the C350 in the first place.

Go read some of the old threads. Your argument makes sense here in the states where the price difference between C250 and C350 is ~$3500. The rest of the world, this spread can range from $6000-15000 between the two models because of various tariffs. It makes sense to save on the $6000-15000 and spend $500-1000 instead for 40hp (ECU upgrade). Also, some countries like Hong Kong have annual taxes tied to the displacement of the engine, so you save in the long run too.

Looking back, I would probably have taken the C350 instead of the C250, but after 10k miles, it's not that bad and it's drivable.

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.

The price jump is minimal for U.S buyers, so I can and can't imagine why one wouldn't want the C350.

However,

Some people may care about MPG more than we think they do. Insurance cost may be a consideration (depending on region, age of driver, etc).

Some people may just want the MB brand and really don't care about HP. A lot of female drivers may just like the shell and shape of the car and not care about the extra cost of a V6. Who knows.

If there was a C150 (140HP) for $29K, I bet there will be a market for that as well.

IMHO, the C250 Coupe can't compete with the Audi A5, the 328i, or the G37 on any levels of performance. However, the MB does have a nice interior. So people may just want a car to be pretty on the inside and out.

I'm sure there are people out there who will build a C250 way over a C350 price. I dont think the money is an issue her since the difference is minimal. People just have different priorities.

Also the Emissions is a factor, maybe not in the US, but in europe they are strictly capped, buy a car that exceeds them and watch the cost of leasing one mount up!

^This is the LEAST concern I would think between choosing between either cars. Both cars are Blue Efficient vehicle and have nearly identical Emission numbers.

CO2 EMISSIONS 0.79 lb/mile 0.87 lb/mile

I'm sure my C250 is waaaay over a C350 in price. I optioned and ordered mine sight unseen in April of 2011, without knowing the prices and scheduled Euro Delivery. Didn't really care, didn't really look for a "deal". It's the way I wanted it, it has just about every option conceivable for the C204.

Yes, my priorities are different. Probably why I have two 500+hp cars that get 10mpg and 12mpg that I track in addition to it.

Different strokes for different folks, not everyone's situation is the same...

C250 CDI is 134(g/km) C350 164 (g/km) as lease buyer, the emisions value matters greatly, the option of the C350 was heavily penalised due to its higher emissions, depends which country your buying in i guess.

This is my driver also. I have a Ferrari 550 maranello and 996 S4 but would never drive a 4 banger. My 350 is loaded except for leather.

well, like I said, different strokes for different folks.

let's see pics of the 550!

I guess you are right. I will try to get some picts up soon!

I don't really see the point of this thread... Not everyone cares about power and values different things. You say that you are sure that people price a C250 over a C350 - which you imply to be silly. Why so?

Some people look at it like this: They have $45,000 to spend, would they rather get a fully loaded C250 with all the bells and whistles - or a relatively stripped c350?

As for me, me and my brother both have c250's. The fact is, thats all Long Island had at the time, I was coming off lease and needed a new car ASAP. It really isn't a huge deal to me, coming from a c300 sedan, the c250 power is just as good, and in some cases, feels faster. Not to mention that the C350 still isn't "that" fast.

Alternatively, one can ask a question on why spend the money on a C350 when you still can't beat any G37, or 335 or other competitors in any redlight races or the like. Seems like you're the one who wasted money... ;-)

I think the c250 is an interesting idea. After getting abysmal gas mileage on the c63 I have a new found appreciation for good mileage. I do agree it might be silly to try and squeeze extra power from the c250 but if all you want is a sedan to commute with and you're daily commute doesn't involve fun roads then why not?

Everyone has different priorities and MB is just trying to cover all the niches.

I drove AMG in a few occasions and they are indeed great and fun cars. IMO, AMG is more of a weekend vehicle than a vehicle for daily commute. After a stressful work day, I would like a comfortable, quiet vehicle to get home.

Maybe I am getting old !

I could say the same for your 550 Maranello, why would you get a front engined Ferrari? It goes against the spirit of the brand. Sure it's a fast car but could you have bought a faster car that would have cost more money? Does the fact that it isn't as fast as a Diablo 6.0 make it worse?

Different people have different agenda's. I got the C250 because it was at a phenomenal lease price for a $40,000+ car. It costs $100 less per month to lease than a C350 and if I wanted a faster car I could have gotten another G37 and paid roughly the same amount of money per month. I never had a coupe and I never had a RWD car before this, so I figured I'd put up with the lack of power in return for a quiet, smooth, and comfortable ride and more gas mileage.

As far as voiding warranty's goes, had I gotten the F30 328i like I wanted to, I would have put a JB4 in there just like I would with any turbo car, more speed for a small investment.

^^^ what he said. Rather get fully loaded c250 than base c350. A c350 with the same options I have for my c250 cost about ~$4195 more or ~$116 more per month for my lease.

Some people will spend the cash to upgrade their c250 LATER because they don't have cash to spend NOW.

Agree and not just engine is different, suspension and brakes too. That is huge to me. I am not talking a about Amg body kit, spoiler, rims etc
Choosing 250 is like choosing BMW 328 over 335, looks same from very far

Adding to everything above, how about because 200HP is more than enough power for anywhere in the US?

The 250 has less weight over the front end and feels a bit more light on its feet. I also personally think it sounds better.

I here ya'll, but the only reason I'm not getting a C250 is my G35 has 280hp, so why go backwards..

C350 is about as powerful as mine G37x coupe I sold, very minimal difference towards G is a bit better. HP is not as important, torque is. Suspension, brakes, handling/cornering is much better on MB. Also C350 is way better on gas.

& that's why I'm getting the C350 & not the C250... ;-)

Honestly, who cares? All you guys tooting your own horn about having a C350 like you're driving some sort of performance sports car. Many of us got two year leases and are saving money on gas and payments. Whoever wants a fast car should definitely not be looking to the C class unless its an AMG. /thread

Sounds like you don't & can't get one... I'm sorry!! You will one day...

You've been here a month. You're not going to gain any credibility here dropping posts like that. Don't assume anything about anyone by what they drive.

going by what he said. And not looking for friends, just info about the car..