Strfry,

I would love to hear more information regarding your decision to trade in your 335 on the C class. I often think about trading mine in for a 335, but I just like the way the Benz looks so much better ( plus, I have read about numerous problems with the engine in the 335 ). So, what prompted the switch ?

Thanks,

Nick

I never had a 3 series, but I believe they are more powerful than the MB C300. I have had a BMW Z4 and a 530 which were both very powerful and really can't be compared to the C class. If I wanted performance, I would have stayed with BMW. Maybe a new 335 with the single scroll turbo.
The MB C 300 is perfect for me at this time. I am much tamer and older now.

Gotta go apple to apples on this, 335i vs c350 or 328i vs c300. The BMW are geared shorter and should be marginally faster but the 335i is noticeably quicker than a c350 (it's a little bit lighter but the turbos are awesome for pickup)

Yea, comparing the c300 to a 335i was a bad example, sorry. Honestly, when I had test drove the c350, I could not really tell a difference in acceleration, and what it boiled down to was the fact I could fit more goodies and options into my budget with the c300.

@Nickcats-

Yes, our cars do look better ! The main problem I had with my 335i was actually with their version of the "keyless-go." The minor problem was that for some odd reason you are required to stick the key into the ignition even with the start/stop button. Now for the major problem, on two occasions my car would not recognize the key (or the spare) so I would be stuck stranded until a tow truck could pick my ride up, bring it to BMW, and they would reconfigure the key. If you have the keyless-go for Merc, they sort of solved this issue by being able to remove the start/stop cap and manually turning the ignition. Main thing for me though is that I really no longer speed- just cruise - and I noticed this even in the last year I had the 335i. So for me, I rather load my car up with gadgets and what not and sacrifice the speed-- In my opinion, I think the handling is about equal, just different.

werewolf,

Suprisingly, the c350 is actually closer performance wise to the 328i.

According to Edmunds :

6.4 0-60 & 14.6 in the 1/4 for the BMW 328 and

6.2 0-60 & 14.5 in the 1/4 for the Benz 350

and

5.0 0-60 & 13.6 in the 1/4 for the BMW 335

Strfry,

Thanks for the response ! That sucks about the keyless go in the BMW, but I am happy to hear you feel the handling is similar...

Enjoy !

Nick

The C300 with the six speed runs 0-60 in 6.5...just a tick behind the 328.

After my C55 and numerous BMW's including M3 and M5, I'm quite enjoying my C300 Sport 4Matic. It's a welcome change for me (practical in the Northeast) and I don't feel the need to jump from stoplight to stoplight. It is smooth and allows me to enjoy a relaxing drive. I could never drive some of my past cars the way they begged to be driven without attracting too much attention. I can always get my excitement when I go to Germany every 1 to 2 years for work. The C300 has a enough power for the way I drive. I like that it is not turbo-charged nor direct-injected (the way a lot of manufacturers seem to be going now but with their own unique problems). I avoided BMW because I hate the run-flats and am not crazy about the designs. The C300 works for me, at least for now.

Glad to hear that you're enjoying your C300!

How are you enjoying it as opposed to the C55? (not factoring in all-wheel drive but general driving feel, solidity and fun). Obviously the bigger engine and more power would make it more fun, but i'm just curious how you feel the w204 drives vs. the w203 because I drove a w203 before my current car and I really enjoyed the way it drove. The only real complaint I had was that the steering was a bit dead and heavy at points.

In the interest of this conversation, I pulled some comparison numbers this morning :



All data was pulled from the manufacturer's web site except 0-60 times for the Infiniti and Acura which were pulled from Edmunds. Prices reflect published base model with no options. I used automatic and non-AWD data to try and keep everyone on the same playing field.

Most HP - Infiniti
Least HP - Audi

Lightest - BMW 328
Heaviest - Acura TL

Cheapest - Audi A4
Priciest - BMW 335

Fastest - Infiniti
Slowest - MB C300

Least lb / hp - Infiniti
Most lb / hp - Acura

Keep in mind, there are discrepancies in 0-60 times between published numbers and actuals. For example :

BMW 335 - Edmunds shows 5.0 0-60, BMW web site shows 5.6
BMW 328 - Edmunds shows 6.4 0-60, BMW web site shows 6.9

So, the Infiniti may not actually be the fastest ( and the Acura numbers may be higher then warranted as well )

Nick

Wow... 7.1s for the C300. It is slower than my R500.....

It's hard not to factor in the 4Matic because it really changes the dynamics even in the dry. Sure it feels heavier and slower but I don't race my cars (especially since it only has 600 mi on it right now ). The C55 was definitely more spirited and you could get into trouble with it in wet. I also needed snows to get around in Winter. About steering, I didn't find either one bad or that numb at all. In fact, I had more complaints about a few of my BMW's in that department (e.g. severe tramlining and needing to make steering corrections all the time,... very tiring). Some people like that about BMW's ("road feel"). Don't get me wrong, not all my BMW's drove that way and I certainly liked some of them. My favorite was probably my E36 M3. The C55 was also good but not practical for me. MB wins hands down in the design department, especially exterior.

C300 should be more than adequate!

The C250 with 4-matic is a bit slow (201hp)...

I test drove a S550 (rated 5.4 sec from 0-60mph) and floored it, what interesting is you don't feel a super strong pull, but the speed went up fast...
So "feeling fast" means "unrefine" in my dictionary...LOL

I wouldn’t say it’s fast, but it sure does have some nuts to it for a v6… I had a mk6 GTI before this car and that little thing was quick. I find both cars relatable, not fast but quick. I put this 300 in sport and it sounds like the engine is gonna fly thru the hood 🤣 I am very happy with this thing, I call it my hobo amg. Cheap luxury is awesome when it’s all you can get.

Feel pretty quick, especially the S mode. If I test drive a C63, then I would say it differently