joebenz

I'm in the market for either C300 or C350...havent decided which yet.

But I was just wondering if you guys were happy with your purchases and if there were any quirks/problems/recalls that you might know about.

I just want to make sure I go in knowing about the car.

Also how's the aftermarket performance for the car? I know on the new BMW335, a chip and exhaust increase the HP quite a bit. Anything like that on the C-Class? What are good manufacturers to look at? Also, if it was chipped, would it still pass smog? Basically wondering if I chipped a C300, is that the better way to go than getting the 350.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

transferred

Chips only really work on forced induction cars, esp twin tirbos like the 335i. Won;t see much change on a c300 or 330i (now replaced by 328i).

I rate them like this:

1.335i
2. C300
3. 328i

Now, C class is bigger and better looking than the BMW. I say try both. If perf isn;t the main thing then get the Merc. Test drive IS350 too. Quick AND reliable.

tanktube67

so far no problems, get the C350

oblu

Better looking, yes. Bigger, no. The e90 is actually a bit bigger inside, width and rear seat leg room. But trunk is a touch smaller.

After 6mo of having my C300, I'm already bored with it. Too many more exciting cars coming out, or soon to be out, in the same price range; 135i, WRX STi, Evo X, etc.

If you're a leaser, just about everybody's lease rates are better right now. You can get a mildly optioned 335i for the same lease as an optioned C300.

But the nice thing is, because I'm bored with it, I also don't have the normal mod bug so I won't be spending extra money on this car. Which makes my wife very very happy.

chilledbenz

Only by exterior dimensions...poor C class has less room inside than a Honda Civic. Also might add that if your main reason for getting a C is for performance you might as well stop looking at them now, both the C300 and C350 are way over weight, while the C350 does an ok job at throwing it around the C300 is just too porky to have any shot at being sporty. They do both have a great ride and handling and make great cruisers.

Mercedes Benz C Class:
Wheelbase: 108.7
Overall Length: 182.3
Overall Height: 56.3
Overall Width: 69.7
Curb Weight: 3,527 lbs
Front Headroom: 37.1
Rear Headroom: 36.9
Front Legroom: 41.7
Rear Legroom: 33.4
Front Shoulder Room: 54.7
Rear Shoulder Room: 55.1

BMW 3 Series:
Wheelbase: 108.7
Overall Length: 178.2
Overall Height: 55.9
Overall Width: 79.3
Curb Weight: 3,340 lbs
Front Headroom: 38.5
Rear Headroom: 37.5
Front Legroom: 41.5
Rear Legroom: 34.6
Front Shoulder Room: 55.4
Rear Shoulder Room: 55.1

Honda Civic:
Wheelbase: 106.3
Overall Length: 176.7
Overall Height: 56.5
Overall Width: 69
Curb Weight: 2690 lbs
Front Headroom: 39.4
Rear Headroom: 37.4
Front Legroom: 42.2
Rear Legroom: 34.6
Front Shoulder Room: 53.7
Rear Shoulder Room: 52.4

jrct9454

Our C300 is easily the best car I've ever owned, and I've had 55 cars total since 1962 [see also MB history below]. Quick, quiet, smooth, good handler, great brakes, best touring car in the class [the 3er is a better sports sedan, the C the better tourer - you decide what's important to you].

No significant problems in 6000 miles and 7 months.

Baron Samedi

And ugly.

joebenz

good info guys, thanks!

i sat in a C300 aand i did not realize the legroom in the back was smaller than a civic... i always thought in the past the C-class was kinda small, which i used to be looking at the E-Class, but after sitting in it, i didnt think it was that bad.

performance isn't the main issue, i just thought it's a nice thing to have :o
i'm looking for something nice to drive that can fit 2 car seats in the back seat.

kevmac

And cramped.

joebenz

does the IS have less rear room than the W204?

omgitselaine

I came out of an IS and truuust me it has a LOT less leg room back there than the current C-class. It was more a place for me to throw my purse or bag than lug an actual human being

joebenz

haha, wow, i would have never guessed. i havent sat in the newer IS'

syrAMG

I've owned the C300 4Matic for almost 4 months now
and I havn't had any problems with it. no mirror squeek, aircon malfunction etc.

another merit would be that my car so far is pretty exclusive in my area.

the size of the car makes it more fun to drive.

however if I were to get picky
its fuel consumption is a bit high and probably not getting 20~25 miles p/gal.

I wish it had more instant response during the 0~30mph band.

It does not have memory seats, steering, wing mirror adjust.

back seats are useless for my height (6"3')

The frame from the door to the front window is a bit too thick.
almost hit a skinny lady because she was hidden in that spot.

the headlights should be a bit more brighter.

in all its a great car for its value, but I'll probably switch to the new E-Class in 2010

omgitselaine

The only way youll get someone to ride in the back is to have him/her lie across thats how silly it is back there. I cant even sit back there without getting a headache or getting sick and im really petite too ....okay 5'2" 105 lbs if you were gonna ask ?

oblu

Still haven't figured out why they even bothered to make the IS a 4 door. I really liked them when they first came out, and almost bought one. Except that when we went to put my 2yr old son's car seat in the back he couldn't fit.

That's how small it is. With his car seat in, his knees were pressed up against the seat back if the person in front even had their seat back the slightest bit.

joebenz

you're about the same size as my wife...she's 2" taller tho :o

tha'ts good information to know. thanks! we were actually thinking about the IS before the W204 came out too. But we never actually went to sit in one. she sat in the front seat of one of our friend's, but never really looked at the back

joebenz

awesome response! thanks!

joebenz

wow...that's definitely good to know. the purpose of this is so i can fit a car seat in the back.

so in your C300, you dont have any car seat issues? would you see any problems getting 2 car seats in the back?

oblu

Two forward facing? No problem.

If they're rear facing then there are going to be issues unless you and the passenger have the seats cranked way forward.

One other thing I've found a bit odd, is that the rear bench is faced funny and our forward facing seems to pitch toward the inside of the car. It makes it difficult to cinch down the latch straps tight enough that the seat doesn't move. There's also not much give to the cushion so even kneeling in the seat it's tough to get it really tight.

That along with no child locks on the rear doors and it doesn't exactly earn my 'safety for the kids' approval. If I remember right, Merc's idea of child locks are that you can't open the rear doors with the inside handles once they're locked ... so you're forced to set the drive-away locking. But once you open a front door, all 4 doors unlock. My son's figured this out, he pulls the handle and kicks the door open. And lucky for me he's still too small for him to move the door far or I'm going to be paying for ding repairs if I don't get him to stop soon.

Sorry for the long winded post, but I've come the realization that even though Mercs have the reputation for being safe, they sure aren't well thought out as family vehicles.

My wife's Audi, you flip a child lock on the passenger door, and you're done. How hard would it have been for Merc to do the same damn thing that all other manufacturers do?

chilledbenz

Lexus IS:
Wheelbase: 107.5
Overall Length: 180.1
Overall Height: 56.1
Overall Width: 70.9
Curb Weight: 3,527 lbs
Front Headroom: 37.2
Rear Headroom: 36.7
Front Legroom: 43.9
Rear Legroom: 30.6
Front Shoulder Room: 54.4
Rear Shoulder Room: 52.7


Mercedes Benz C Class:
Wheelbase: 108.7
Overall Length: 182.3
Overall Height: 56.3
Overall Width: 69.7
Curb Weight: 3,527 lbs
Front Headroom: 37.1
Rear Headroom: 36.9
Front Legroom: 41.7
Rear Legroom: 33.4
Front Shoulder Room: 54.7
Rear Shoulder Room: 55.1

Krytech

I have two car seats in the back of my C350 and it works great. When I was debating between the 335 and the C, I brought one of my car seats (infant carrier) up to the dealer ship and it was easier to get in/out of in the C vs. the BMW. True the new 3's have a little more leg room, but the door opening seemed to be the issue.

No regrets with the C350. I wish it had a little more power, but it's all good. I rarely get the chance to punch it anyways. I do fear that if I had purchased the 300 I'd be disappointed.

I know you can chip the 350 and gain about 17-18 HP & torque starting around 600 for the Powerchip brand. Others cost >$1000. I'm hoping that with a chip/exhaust/pulley we can get to 300HP and ~5.5 0-60. Yeah, I'm probably overly optimistic, but hey...

Krytech

+1

+1000
I'm just waiting for the day he opens it from his car seat and a gust of wind takes the door right in to another car.... I'm going to take it out of his college fund!

mac911

I sit in the backseat of my C300 sometimes because it gives you a different feel, and I actually have a better view of the standard sunroof back there. ha-ha. I am completely comfortable in the back, I'm about 5'11.

Yes, I am very happy with the car too.

Should you get a C300 or C350? That is up to you obviously, I'm not one of these people obsessed with performance, since I figure I'd never get to take advantage of that performance anyway.

I also wanted to get a car right on the lot, when I did there was a 350 next to my 300 that was only about $800 more I think, but it had P1, whereas the 300 had P2. I decided I'd rather give up the 350 than lose the bi-xenon and rear shade. ha-ha. Not always sure, if it was right decision, but I am happy with the car without question.

I think for my next one I'd probably try to see if I could find a 350 with everything I wanted and nothing I didn't, maybe get it.

joebenz

hahahahahaha

joebenz

awesome. i appreciate all of your responses!