are you guys sure that for 2009, the C350 isn't getting the SLK350 300 hp engine? If not, then should I wait until 2010? cuz i need to trade my IS250 July of next year.

 

what's the latest on getting the 305hp V6 from the '09 SLK?
is it just me or is it lame that IS350, G37, etc...are all producing 300+hp while MBs are 268hp. furthermore, BMW has to twin-turbo its inline 6 cylinders in order to get to 300hp. heck, at this rate, new hyundai's will probably out muscle MB/BMW in the main stream cars.
Patrick

 

yeah.. can someone make sure.. i'm confused whether to order c300 or c350. if they change the new engine for the c350, i prefer to get the c350.

 

Never heard such misinformation. Your dealer is clueless. The ML and GL don't share anything with a Chrysler. Uh...maybe he was trying to say they share the same chassis, which is wrong...but they share the same "wheelbase" is just as hilarious as it is ignorant. I'd be careful of this guy. GL demand in Europe is low, but the ML does great in Europe.

M

 

BMW "chose" to do a twin turbo for the 335i, they didn't "have" to. BMW has had 300+ hp I6s since the late 80's in various M models. Besides who cares how they got the power when it so throughly trounces the competition's engines, save for the G37. The tuning possibilities of the 335 motor alone makes it worth it.

M

 

I wanna this MB ! (Joke ... it is available only E55, S, CL as option says mbusa )


http://www.mbusa.com/byo/pop_opt_pac...=o&model=S550V

 

And BMW has a non-turbo 330i engine sold in Europe that is 292hp(?). We don't get that engine stateside.

 

bump...

 

See the ink below the BMW 330i is 272 BHP not 292 BHP.

http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/pricesand...%3D%3D,00.html

 

Stand corrected. Thanks.

 

i hear great things about the bmw engine's performance/torque, but not sure about reliability - particularly in the smaller bmw's tight space. given my track record w/ the first year X5, i think best to skip 1st year of these new cars/engines.
Patrick

 

????? BMW has a pretty darned good track record with reliability - better than MB (unfortunately). Have you looked at the engine compartment of the new 3 w/335 motor? It doesn't look much tighter to me than my W211 compartment! Only thing that put me in the 08 W211 rather than a new M3 sedan was price and availability. I got too good a deal on the MB to overcome, and really do like the car. I would think the 335 would be even "more reliable" (whatever that means) than the M3. BTW, I had a 1st gen S56 M3 engine. GREAT motor. Smooooooth power.

 

The new 335i's motor isn't as reliable as you would say it is. I know of less common problems with the E35 M272 motor compared to the N54 BMW motor.

Theres already a large class-action lawsuit out there for fuel pump problems with the N54 which is very very common and oil temp issues we all know about. I know of someone who hit limp mode from high oil temps just from driving around for 2 hours at 60-85mph.

While recalls and service bulletins on the cars with the E35 M272 exist, I have yet to see one that specifically indicates a problem with the E35 M272 motor.

 

<<it is not cheaper to build per say, its the volume that drives the decision to build a plant here. When the sales volume reaches certain amount locally, then it becomes more sense to have the plant that will be dedicated to built that particular model line.... avoid tariff, tax breaks, local state incentive... etc.>>

Cheaper means no ocean freight, no import duty on completed vehicles and no german labor costs.

And it's per se, not per say.

 

RLE is completely right on all points.

Why all this angst about 270 v 300hp in a country with 70mph speed limits?? A wretched Corolla can keep up with you. If you're worried about the stoplight derby, buy American - a $25,000 Mustang will blow us all away.

Cheers

Keith

 

Show me the history of reliability issues. There are bulletins out on every single motor for BMW AND MB. The only issues of any merit on the S56 for example were some main seal /bearing issues on a small run of motors - which was taken care of. I mean, anything can have a problem - perfection is a goal - not a reality. I would have no concerns whatsoever with a 335 or 535.

 

yea, that's obvious isn't it? but the whole point is that merc has a plant in US to build M-class because of the demand.... but just because its cheaper to build. otherwise, every model will be built here.

 

True, but it makes 268-272hp depending on the market sold.

M

 

Just went to my local Mercedes dealership this morning to drop my car off for service and I starting talking to my salesman and he did state that the 2009 W204 C350 will have the new 305hp V6!

I almost gave him a hug when he told me that....he also said that memory seats will be available as well. So after he told me the good news I asked him how much more will the base price be on the C350 with the new engine, and he said around the same as it is now. I am guessing the base price will go up slightly...
Only question now is will the new engines be available right away at launch of the 2009's or maybe a mid-year update like a 2009.5??

He said MB has to put the new V6 into the 2009 C350's because they are loosing the HP race pretty bad right now against the G37/G35 and BMW 335...

Last note, when I asked him the HP question he kind of grunted at first and hesitated then after a second or so he slowly started talking about it. His body language makes me think that he wasn't really allowed to say.

I know sales reps are not always spot on with their info but I do trust me sales rep because he is pretty honest...let's just pray for the best! Just thought I shared the good news!

 

are you sure ?
lol
my sales lady told me that they are not going to upgrade it
she was pretty sure about it
I would love to see it get a upgrade
but i mean
are you sure
hahahaa
i would be so happy

 

if you read carefully it is said Mid. 09 so probably first 09 cars will have normal power then middle of season began 305 (I heard before 300 ) same with my beatiful C320 CDI will change in same time to 252 hp

 

who knows what to believe - to do a mid model year engine upgrade, at the same cost, you are going to have some very angry people who buy the 2009.1/2/3/4 C350, only to see the 2009.5 come along right after.

 

What sucks is that BMW is starting to SERIOUSLY crack down on 335i tuning. They sent out a Service Bulletin just today to urge dealers to look for any DME/ECU modifications (e.g. piggyback tuning devices) and if any are found, the engine/drivetrain warranty is supposed to be voided on the spot. Also, BMW is now using a new ECU/DME for the 335i that supposedly will "detect" the presence of piggybacks and if their presence is detected, the DME will register some kind of fault code/potentially prevent the car from working.

Luckily, for those who get the Dinan ECU flash, Dinan picks up the warranty coverage for the engine/drivetrain if it is voided by BMW.

 

Interesting stuff. I guess it had to happen sooner or later. Still though just as BMW does more the aftermarket will do more and around she goes.

M

 

On the engine upgrade Mercedes rarely does the 1/2 model year thing. Once with the ML a few years back was the last one I can remember. They aren't going to do such a half-arsed thing with the C-Class IMO. Wow we've got 2 different answer on the new engine for the C350. The clock ticks away until MB releases their official 09' model year information which varies according to sales of the 08's. I really hope the 09' C350 gets the extra power, but it might not. The ML350 didn't get this engine and it just got a facelift. Oh the mystery.

M