Taurian

Anyone driven both? How much quicker is the 350?

Breitling65

It is not just speed, C250 is not same car in many aspects. You would need to compare specs and packages.

But you could even make it looking as C63 if you wish, with 4 pipes out and AMG stickers all this car as many here would like to do

Jubair Ahmed

Well I haven't driven a 2012 C250 with the I4 but I do own a 2012 C350 and had a loan 2011 C250 with the last gen V6....let me tell you this: the C250 V6 is TERRIBLE. Smashing your foot on the throttle has a 2 second delay before anything even happens, acceleration is terrible. What confuses me is the car keeps a steady RPM range of about 1800-2200 and even then the torque is hardly there at all.

The C350 on the other hand...when you hit the accelerator it really goes (downshift is fairly quick and predictable). At about 4000 RPM is when the care really shines and is quick and nimble. Turning is meh but oh well.

I would never consider the 2011 or lower C250 V6's...however the 2012 is supposed to be much improved. I think you saw from my last post I was considering it.

DameMD

It's not about speed. In time the tuners will have as much power or more out of the c250 then a c350. It comes down to having a v6 or I4 as your base engine. Suspension components and everything else if optioned out correctly, are the same on the c350. Astethetically, the only difference between a c250 and c350 is the rear end.

When I bought mine the only difference in my car from a c350 was the engine. I didn't like the c350 mid range punch. The v6 was just ok, not significantly faster. I had way faster cars so speed was not that important. Now with my BMS JB+ tune, I really don't mind the I4.

Breitling65

i wouldn't agree on everything else is same^ at the time i got c350 i tried C250 and difference with sport tuned suspension on mine and regular on c250 is huge. Also vented front brakes and overall my AMG package was not available on c250 that time. I am not talking about lag on engine, that is assumable downside of stock i4. Tuning cost $, instead of sticking 4pipes/C63 exhaust to the c250 maybe it is better to buy c63?

DameMD

The OP is a prospect buyer, let's keep him updated with real facts. The c250 sports suspension is an option on the c250, and for 2013 not standard on the c350. Sport handling package is an option for both cars unless he is going for a 2012 c350. Build a c coupe on mbusa.com

Also, are you talking about the vented rotors or brakes? I have ventilated disk rotors standard on my c250. Quite frankly, both the brakes on c250 and c350 are garbage. Thats why I upgraded my pads and so have my friends with their c350 coupe and sedan.

Tuning costs is pretty low for the i4 at the moment. If you are getting technical, the 2012 c350 has 273lbs of torque available @3500rpms -5500rpms. My BMS tune with intake on my c250 has 275lbs. The c250 taps into it's torque at @2000-4000rpms, I get to my torque band faster with the c250, and with my tune lag is completely gone for me in sport mode. I need torque around town for city driving. I paid $199 for this tune and $110 for intake. The horsepower is still low but thats not a concern for me driving in the city 95% of my time. That's pretty cheap for a tune...

Again it all depends on what the OP wants, start off with a I4 for base engine or v6. Also, the 4matic can only be had on the v6 version.

One more thing, not everyone wants c63 quad tips on their c250 or c350. Just as many c350 people are doing the quad tips as the c250 people. I WILL NOT do this mod as I think quad tips on a non amg model benz looks horrible and doesn't benefit much.

Taurian

Dame: I will be using this car 95% of the time for City driving on Long Island/NYC. I have a Jeep Wrangler when I need 4 wheel drive, so I don't need 4Matic.

I'm thinking about a Silver C250 w/the 18" 7 Spoke Rims. I do like the look of dual exhausts, but if seems as if that is the real difference here for the C350, aside from the V6. Torque seems very similar, but I like your inexpensive ugrade. I'm building a 2013 model, and I don't see any upgrade for the suspension.

Can you PM more info on your torque upgrade?

DameMD

Keep in mind the tune is not for everyone as some people didn't like the tune due to some having issues with over boost. c250 torque is only 229 and the c350 has 273 stock. Even with BMS stage 1 tune, the c250 is not faster than a c350, I just want to be clear about that. BMS is working on stage 2 which should be out soon, so we will see how much more HP/TQ they are getting out of the I4.

Suspension upgrade is the sports plus package for 2013 $2800 option. Its for the exterior upgrade option.

Here is the link to the tune http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14512

Look at the dyno chart, as the c250 gets 43lbs of extra torque with tune @3500 RPMS. On par with the c350.

Taurian

Got it. I'm going to give my dealer specs on both a 250 and a 350...see where the pricing comes in.

DameMD

Glad we can help...I hope you are happy with either the c250 or c350. Shop around as you can probably find good deals on both as winter is approaching.

Breitling65

Again, at the time I got C350 coupe (year ago) neither sport suspension nor vented brakes been available for C250 no meter how bad they are. I would never buy C250 since that and especially after trying both on road test drive. Also no rear spoiler, and many other small things in this car which you would need to buy. If you could tune I4 who said that V6 is not tunable same way? Difference to me is obviose, stock C350 is much better car, period. Whatever you could do later could be done with any of them and 4 quad tips will look and feel much more natural on C350 even if anyone will place them (no me).

Breitling65

You should road test it. C250 first, if you like it don't even bother to try C350.

gwi42

I drove both and all I can say why get the 4cyl when for 5k more you can get the 6cyl. The sound and power is worth it. The c250 is like driving a hyundai its slow step on the gas and go nowhere I hate turbo lag thats why I sold my 2009 A4. Your spending a lot of money why settle for low end 4cyl model.

BlackjackM

You cannot. The turbo motor is much more tunable because you can increase the psi of the turbo.

Breitling65

Well one way or another but any engine could be tuned or modified. But why should I if as someone said above much better engine and car overall is available for not as much more money?

roger_C350

I own a C350 2013 and i test drove the 2013 C250. The reason why i went with the 350 because there was no turbo lag(the power was there when i stepped on the gas) and i liked the way it sounds.

Kevin82

I get 34mpg highway constantly with my c250 with BMS tune and intake on my 30 mile drive to work, 31mpg on the way back home in moderate/light traffic, and about 27mpg mixed.

Not sure how the c350 compares in real world. Just food for thought.

roger_C350

i dont know the exact numbers but i fill up once every 5 days with moderate driving and the car is stock bazinga lol

Breitling65

It is not the question; I could get Prius instead on MB and always save on gas. C350 is better overall car, sportier and with more man type oriented driving abilities as for me. Also having better tuned suspesion, brakes etc based on 2012 model I am driving. That time it was plane C250 with ugly cheap 17 inch non AMG rims, no spoiler, no front vented brakes, no AMG package elements, regular suspesion. I drove it and found nothing special, besides it takes forever until turbo will make it fast.

roger_C350

reality of the situation is how much money does someone have to spend... both cars are good and have their benefits and their downfalls. But again it all depends on how much your willing to spend. In the end we are driving mercedes benz vehicles not a honda, toyota and other economical vehicles.

in my opinion the C250 is an all round okay car. the gas mileage is going to be different since it is a smaller motor and it has a turbo.

the C350 is an all round okay car as well. The gas mileage is so so but the feeling of not having a turbo lag IMO is wayy better and the car was something that was in my price range.

DameMD

Well said...

Mods can we close this thread.

skat004

Both the engines have very different characteristics.
Neither is better than the other - they are simply "different"!

I don't believe it is a question of affordability for most people on this forum either, it is just a matter of taste and preference.

I am generally quite opinionated and hate sounding diplomatic but we're really comparing apples to oranges here - both are impressive in their own way!

Breitling65

Sure, since C250 owners can't stand this anymore ...

accce

I think it depends on what you are looking for. The 350 is more powerful and feels more substantial the 250 is more like a japanese car light weight and under powered your looking at 100 bhp between the 2.

Breitling65

is this why our cars got compared to accord by some dudes? +1 anyway!!!