Off-Roading with the C - MBWorld.org Forums

Jun 17, 2008 | 12:44 PM

jstaneff

Thread Starter

Super Member

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 648

Likes: 1

From: Seattle

C-300, XC70, Wrangler

Off-Roading with the C

This is my C after a few miles of dusty dirt track. Very uneven surface, plenty of ruts and stones sitting up to snag the unsuspecting undercarriage. As you can see, the Barolo Red is fairly well hidden by the loose dust and dirt.

I've been over this track in two different air-suspensiion 4x4s, in a Jeep, and now in my C. I have to say that the C was the most comfortable ride of the bunch. It was also the slowest. My speed on this track was about 10 mph, and I was constantly aware of the deep ruts, having to straddle them.

The car was dirty before this, and after I hit the local car wash (hand-held nozzle, no brushes) the new dirt washed off, leaving the road dirt from our frequent rains. Now I need to do a thorough hand wash to get the car clean.

I also noticed that the dust/dirt found its way into the cavities between the outer door and the interior. Open the drivers door and look down and back and it's still very dusty. This will require using a sponge to wipe clean the dirt (no, I won't spray it with the car door open ;-)

Odd noise: bouncing side to side on the ruts caused a sound like keys bouncing from side to side in a Jeep, but there aren't any keys in the ignition, save the MB key). I wonder what that noise might be? Yikes.

Worst "fear" driving the track was a puncture. Going slow and avoiding the sharp rocks kept that from happening. Tires are dirty, but still holding air.

Jun 17, 2008 | 01:12 PM

narky

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 1,007

Likes: 0

From: N. California

2008 Arctic White C300 Sport 6M

Wow. You are brave.

I don't think I'm quite ready to go through such a rocky road just yet, for fear of scratches and chips. How many miles do you have on the car?

BTW -- I've always loved the XC70 (the only station wagon I'd ever buy) AND the Wranglers (a must-have)... I think our car tastes are similar.

I have neither just yet (I'm poor

), but soon!

Last edited by narky; Jun 17, 2008 at 01:14 PM.

Jun 17, 2008 | 01:30 PM

got_thang?

Super Member

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 804

Likes: 1

2008 C350

The dirtiest my car have ever gotten

But man

you are so brave with your car

Jun 17, 2008 | 01:31 PM

peabers

Super Member

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 811

Likes: 2

From: Toronto, ON

2011 E350 4Matic Wagon, 2013 C350 4Matic Sedan

Wow... I had no idea the W204 could even handle this sort of terrain. Glad that someone else tried it out for me though.

Now I feel legitimate in poking fun at those soft road CUV drivers.

Jun 17, 2008 | 01:33 PM

Azn_C300

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 3,809

Likes: 4

From: Chino Hills, CA

Mercedes C300 Sport, BMW 745Li, VW Mk6 Golf TDI

now I know my route options when running from the authorities :p

Jun 17, 2008 | 02:34 PM

Devastator187

Super Member

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 556

Likes: 1

From: California

2008 Sport C-300, 2003 Accord Coupe V6

I don't think mine is ready for that punishment.

Jun 17, 2008 | 02:50 PM

vb26

Super Member

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 736

Likes: 0

From: Manhattan

Velvet Fleetwood

I'm curious as to why someone would do such a thing to a C class? last time I checked MB still had ML, GL, and G's in stock.

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Jun 17, 2008 | 05:33 PM

jstaneff

Thread Starter

Super Member

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 648

Likes: 1

From: Seattle

C-300, XC70, Wrangler

Quote:

Originally Posted by vb26

I'm curious as to why someone would do such a thing to a C class? last time I checked MB still had ML, GL, and G's in stock.

It is, of course, just a car. We are fairly spoiled here in the US about our roads. I've driven on many a dirt track in vehicles that weren't 4x4s, and rarely had any problems. The potential issues with the C are dirt getting into the air cleaner, shattering the rims on a hard rock, and getting stuck in a rut that also damages the bottom of the car. The C, especially the sport version like mine, does not have fabulous ground clearance, so careful driving is the rule.

I've got other cars designed for off-road, like the XC70 and the Jeep. That doesn't mean that only they can go off-road, but that careful driving, and knowing the limits is important.

As to MB's ML, GL, and G, they're fine, but how do most people use them? How often do owners actually take them off-road?

I suspect most sport drivers "punish" their cars far more often by red-lining the engine on take-off. In 11K miles, I've red-lined only once, and that was with a warm engine.

It is just a car ..... and did wonderfully well on that track. Meanwhile, didn't MB take a fleet of E-class cars from Paris to Beijing a year or so back? Any MB should be able to handle most road surfaces with careful driving.