e1000

Finally, I've been waiting to get a C class for a very long time. The stars lined up perfectly today and I picked up a C350 Sport Sedan with the following options:

C350 Sport Sedan
Iridium Silver Metallic
Black Leather
7G-Tronic
Sunroof package
Lighting package
6-Disk Changer
Heated Front Seats
Slit-Folding Rear Seats

Happened to find a car that was pretty close by. I was looking for one that had the Entertainment package and the Rear side airbags but those weren't deal breakers for me. Probably better this way as the overall price is less without them. Really glad it had the folding rear seats though.

I test drove a C230 (multiple times, both the 1.8L Kompressor and the new 2.5L V6), a 2006 330i, 2003 CLK500, and for the sheer pleasure, a 2006 C55 AMG. I ended up with the C350 for it's great looks and with it's new 3.5L V6, amazing performance. The engine is butter smooth with lots of torque throughout the powerband. The 330i definitely had better handling, and quicker throttle response but I just can't get over the rear design, just not me. The CLK500 is a very nice car but in the end I wanted 4 doors. The C55 is an animal. Starting it felt like awakening a beast. It was also a little more than I wanted to spend and I could also see myself getting into a lot of trouble with 362hp on tap.

My thoughts on the C350? Drove it around for a couple hours after I picked it up. This car is EXACTLY what I was looking for. Sporty yet refined. Powerfull and composed. It almost feels like they read my mind and made a car just for me. I really can't wait to drive it again.

FYI - my car came with Michelin Pilot Primacy (not thrilled) tires.

PS - I've been lurking here for over 2 years and only recently started posting. :v

white_w203

congrats on the 350ss. glad u chose the mb design over the bimmer design

MBNorCal

congrats on your purchase. picked mine up at Autobahn in Belmont as a dealer trade. didn't even have to wait, the car sat there for 3 weeks because no one wanted to drive stick, then a sucker like me comes along. purchased it thru the DEPP (Dealer Employee Purchase Program) I work at Beshoff Motorcars in sales. got a really good deal! This is mines:

C350 Sport Sedan
040 Black
111 Black Leather Inserts
6 Speed Manual
Sunroof package
Lighting package
Entertainment Package
DVD Navigation
Split Folding Rear Seats

I've driven about 550 miles and driven it hard. I like to break it in hard. I'm going to change the oil at 2000 miles. I love the car but my only thing i hate about the car is the parking brake. it's foot operated. other than that, it's fast and fun to drive.

FrankW

congratz ...happy modding

e1000

yeah, the foot operated parking break is as close to a flaw as I can find with the car so far, but it's not a big deal for me.

Black on black has gotta look pretty sharp. I'm with you on the hard break in. I'm sure i suprised a 530i on my way home last night. He didn't want to play after I passed him from behind while he was flooring it. I was considering the 6 speed as well. I decided to go with the 7G because of the stop and go Chicago traffic.

As for modding.... I think I want to get some 19" Bremma's next spring. Also considering the power folding mirrors, digital climate control, iPod integration kit, and illuminated door sills. Maybe when the 335i's come out I'll look into some performance mods but this thing is plenty fast as it is right now. Looks like I'll definitely need Steve's help soon!

C43AMG

Where's the pics ?

Turbo2

All Mercedes have rear side airbags. There not options, so you have them.

Correct me if I'm wrong guys, but airbags have never been options on MB's.

Jkw

Enjoy your new ride!
Post Photos.
Jkw

Jkw

I believe your correct,

Capt Nemo o2

In 2005 the rear air bags were standard. In 2006 they became an option.

Turbo2

Wow....Mercedes is getting cheap! Mercedes has always been known as a car that focused on safety. This is ridiclous, MB really needs to make some changes in standard features.

Jkw

I didn't know that, but justed checked their web site,
Rear Side Air Bags ... $385
No wonder more people buy Jap cars.
Jkw

Turbo2

Damn...MB is really going down the ****ter. What are they thinking?

e1000

The rear door side airbags are in fact an option this year. The rear curtain air bags are still standard. Not a huge deal (for me). I don't have any kids and hopefully, I won't need the airbags anyways!!!

Turbo2

Even if you don't have kids, adults still need airbags!

Additionally, its no such much about the fact that people may not ride back there, it's more about value. MB has been raising prices, reducing standard features and the quality just isn't there right now for them to be doing this.

While Japanese manufacturers are including almost everything as standard features, have great pricing and have the reliability down.

MB just isn't paying attention and is falling further behind....

mick1

well, they got to compensate themselves for the bigger, more powerful engine on the C350 since they didn't increase the price compared to the C320

e1000

I think the car comes with enough standard safety features. While we all want the safest cars possible, I also think we need to think about all the other features that have been added to the car over the years. 13.6" rotors and dual pot calipers were an addition a couple years back. Overall I'm beyond satisfied with my purchase, I definitely wouldn't have bought it if I wasn't completely sure about every detail.

Turbo2

mick1-
You mean finally upgrading the engine to compete with their Japanese rivals (G35, Acura TL) in terms of size? It's a good think they didn't raise the price, there already very overpriced compared to the two above noted cars.

e1000-
I'm sure your satisfied with your purchase, as am I (and I only have the C230), but my point is MB seems to keep taking away features...when others are making features standard and with more reliability, its just disappointing.

mick1

Yep. According to the articles I have read on the C350, MB didn't raise the price, so they had to take out something to keep their profit margin.

There's a thread in the forum where someone posted the comparison testing results between the Lexus IS350, BMW 330i and MB C350. Lexus was the fastest car, BMW was the slowest car, and MB was the most expensive car. You are right about it being overpriced, but money isn't everything if the car can bring you happiness

Turbo2

Your right...but MB isn't going to be losing money for $385 for side airbags. For a company that states "Safety...Unlike Any Other", airbags shouldn't be an option, they should be standard.

I'm just on a rant here....I've been very upset with MB's decesions interms of standard features, prices, reliability lately.

e1000

You know, I read that whole article and I think that they were more focused on performance aspects of the three cars. There are comments through that article saying how suprisingly well the MB handled. I think the MB strikes the best balance between luxury, performance and drivablility. In the end, I think all three cars are fantastic vehicles.

Sauceboy01

Congrats, but post some pics!!

e1000

I'll put some pics up later today - Have a job to keep

FrankW

in that test the C350 was the cheapest out of all three. The IS350 had a msrp of $46k something with all their options. The 330i had a $44k msrp while the C350 only had the sunroof for option with $41.5k msrp as tested. I don't think the 330i was equipped with Nav or Bixenon either.

C320TM

Enjoy!! your new ride