Is C300 really that slow?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
gets me from point A-B
Is C300 really that slow?
That's all ive been hearing on this forum...the C300 is painfully and irritatingly slow...well that has me wondering...what about the owners of the early W211? in 03 when it was released, the V6 engine was the E320, with 221 hp, which is EVEN LESS than C300. In that heavy of a car, 221 hp is nowhere near enough, but 0-60 was 7.1 secs, same as C300. So whats soo bad about the C300? If it really is that slow, then i bet the owners of E320 are probably banging their heads on walls cuz they didnt opt for the V8 
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
c300 4matic
I think it is all a matter of perception. IMHO the C300 has enough power for normal everyday driving. The car isn't designed to be a powerhouse and do 0-60 in 4 seconds. The car is geared more toward a daily driver with a little bit of power on a sporty chassis. If you want more power go to the AMG- that is what it is designed for. If they offered the C63 in an AWD configuration I probably would have gotten it over my car. For some stupid reason I still live where it snows.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,321
Likes: 0
C300 Sport/Palladium Silver on Black/P2
Would a 04.5 have the 5 G Tronic ? If so, at highway speed, putting your foot down, the 5Gtronic car would probably respond quicker.
I have a 2009 SLK 350 and 2008 C300. I enjoy driving the C300 almost as much. It's fast enough for everyday driving. I mean, it's faster than most rental cars I get too. What does speed mean at some point?
I say don't worry about it and enjoy.
Also cars in recent years have been getting more and more power, so that helps answer the one question why a E320 existed a few years ago. There has been a bit of a HP war lately among premium manufacturers in each class.
Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 164
Likes: 1
From: Upper Marlboro, MD
2006 SL500/2006 Porsche Cayenne S Titanium
It's interesting that everyone says the C300 is slow, I had one as a loner when my SL was in the A Service and I was suprised that it didn't seem like a slow poke. Mind you I had it in the sport mode, but it was relatively quick off the line and was definately better than expected.
Still beats all the other Japanese vehicles out there for the price and the prestige. IMHO I'd get one when my 03 BMW 530i dies...
Still beats all the other Japanese vehicles out there for the price and the prestige. IMHO I'd get one when my 03 BMW 530i dies...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,700
Likes: 0
From: Bergen Co,NJ
14' CLS550
Its def noty quick! Off the line its terrible.. No pick up, has seriouse lag issues.. But I must say on the highway once I get goin it moves niicely.. I've hit 135 with eas.. Just the 0-60 asspect isn't too good
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,601
Likes: 28
From: Atlanta, GA
2008 C300 Sport 6 Speed Manual, 1953 Chevy Bel-Air, 2015 Audi allroad, 1963 Chevy Apache
IMHO I think most people that say that are full of crap. It is certainly not a sports car but it is easily fast enough to get out of its own way. I understand that people who own and/or often drive very powerful cars can easily feel how much slower the C300 is than there own daily driver, but that does not make the C300 a "slow" car. For others, I think they just want to sound like they are accustomed to such fast cars that the C300 is below them.
Maybe I need to get my coffee before I start accusing people of being full of crap but oh well, there it is...
Edit: OK had my coffee...the only ones that may be full of crap are the ones that state "...the C300 is painfully and irritatingly slow..." not the ones that observe it is simply not a powerhouse.
Maybe I need to get my coffee before I start accusing people of being full of crap but oh well, there it is...
Edit: OK had my coffee...the only ones that may be full of crap are the ones that state "...the C300 is painfully and irritatingly slow..." not the ones that observe it is simply not a powerhouse.
Last edited by C300Sport; Sep 18, 2009 at 08:48 AM.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
Likes: 57
From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
Some folks seem to believe that their own expert credentials are better preserved by offering criticism than by what may seem naive praise. Speed is such a relative matter that each driver will need to decide if they like C300 and whether the relative performance of other cars matters or not.
My C300, our previous W211, and current W2114MATIC are/were all more than satisfactory, and the C qualifies as fun. Absolute 0-60 speed is not my ultimate criteria for enjoying a car. My prior vehicle history includes more than one SRT8 vehicle and a reasonable amount of time with Vipers, so I get the thrill of the 5-second distance. But, there's much more to enjoying MB than how quickly one gets to 60mph...and the C300 more than delivers. But, if rapid acceleration is the high priority, get out your buff books and start checking stats for most acceleration for the dollar.....Mazdaspeed3? Caliber SRT4?
My C300, our previous W211, and current W2114MATIC are/were all more than satisfactory, and the C qualifies as fun. Absolute 0-60 speed is not my ultimate criteria for enjoying a car. My prior vehicle history includes more than one SRT8 vehicle and a reasonable amount of time with Vipers, so I get the thrill of the 5-second distance. But, there's much more to enjoying MB than how quickly one gets to 60mph...and the C300 more than delivers. But, if rapid acceleration is the high priority, get out your buff books and start checking stats for most acceleration for the dollar.....Mazdaspeed3? Caliber SRT4?
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa, Canada
2008 Obsidian Black C300 Sport 6 spd
I haven't driven the auto-box but I imagine that most people who think the C300 is slow are using the auto as the baseline. I find my 6 speed to be pretty quick. It wouldn't surprise me if it was .3 or .4 seconds quicker to 60 than the auto. Definitely quicker than the 2005 325Ci I just got out of and quick enough to have some spirited driving.
Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: NJ/PA
'09 C300 Sport 4Matic Arctic White
There is a disconnect between how the car looks and it's "fastness". The car looks like it has ~300hp under the hood with it's aggresive styling.
I'm one of those that came from a sport compact, a Subie Impreza with 175hp. The C300 feels quick enough ... but it is nowhere near as "tossable" as my old Subie in the corners. Otherwise, it's a huuuuge upgrade
. I wonder what some bars and new tires could do to make the C300 handle sharper ...
Does it bug anyone else here that other V6's on the market are putting down a lot more power? ie. The Genesis' V6 is 290hp ...
I'm one of those that came from a sport compact, a Subie Impreza with 175hp. The C300 feels quick enough ... but it is nowhere near as "tossable" as my old Subie in the corners. Otherwise, it's a huuuuge upgrade
. I wonder what some bars and new tires could do to make the C300 handle sharper ...Does it bug anyone else here that other V6's on the market are putting down a lot more power? ie. The Genesis' V6 is 290hp ...
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 927
Likes: 0
From: Covington wa
05 SL500, 02 BMW Z3 (Mrs. VF), 05 FJR1300, 91 ZX-11
I had one as a rental last week. Nowhere near as fast as my SL, but much faster than the usual rental fare like Mazda 3s, 6s, Toyota Corollas, Camrys, etc. I think the car has plenty of oomph for everyday use.
What surprised me the most was the lightness of the steering. Much lighter than my SL or the CLK I had before. The stereo sucked too.
What surprised me the most was the lightness of the steering. Much lighter than my SL or the CLK I had before. The stereo sucked too.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
2015 Carrara White Metallic Porsche Cayman
I had one as a rental last week. Nowhere near as fast as my SL, but much faster than the usual rental fare like Mazda 3s, 6s, Toyota Corollas, Camrys, etc. I think the car has plenty of oomph for everyday use.
What surprised me the most was the lightness of the steering. Much lighter than my SL or the CLK I had before. The stereo sucked too.
What surprised me the most was the lightness of the steering. Much lighter than my SL or the CLK I had before. The stereo sucked too.
I'm with you on the steering. That will always bother me to some extent. It does stiffen up quite a bit at high speeds though. It only lacks feel around town.
Oh well..I'll keep this car through college then get a Porsche to satisfy my sports car needs.
Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: NJ/PA
'09 C300 Sport 4Matic Arctic White
I actually had the Gen Coupe in mind cuz that was what I test drove before I got my C300. But it's not so much about the car body, I was thinking more along the lines that companies like Hyundai and Chevy are selling cars with V6's with 290hp, 300hp etc... where as the V6 in our C300s have 60,70,80 less hp in some cases.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
2015 Carrara White Metallic Porsche Cayman
Nah..still doesn't really bother me. A. The Genesis is a sports car..B. You can't expect MB to be competitive with Hyundai.
The only real threat to the C300 is the G37 because that car IS pretty sick..and has 330hp..for the same price.
The only real threat to the C300 is the G37 because that car IS pretty sick..and has 330hp..for the same price.
Last edited by C300Kid; Sep 18, 2009 at 10:54 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
2015 Carrara White Metallic Porsche Cayman
I should add that while I think 230hp for a base model is fine..I DO think the 268hp C350 is sad. They absolutely needed that to be 300+ hp to be competitive.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,983
Likes: 21
From: Vegas and Vancouver, BC
.
I'm not sure what trans it has. Perhaps it is the gearing that made the 3.2 feel a littel quicker? The car just didn't feel it has the pickup from stoplight-to-stoplight.
Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: NJ/PA
'09 C300 Sport 4Matic Arctic White
C300kid you're right. I think it's the obnoxious feeling of entitlement in me that has me thinking that since I have a Benz, it "should" own everything on the road
It makes me sad that I can get owned by a soccer mom in a Hyundai, Accord, Camry etc. haha. A little less sad getting beat by the G37 in my mind ... awesome awesome car. My GF has the new Maxima with the VQ V6 and I get spanked every time... =(
It makes me sad that I can get owned by a soccer mom in a Hyundai, Accord, Camry etc. haha. A little less sad getting beat by the G37 in my mind ... awesome awesome car. My GF has the new Maxima with the VQ V6 and I get spanked every time... =(
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
2013 E350 4MATIC
I just helped by GF buy a C300 with P2 and automatic. The car has excellent power, but MUST be shifted aggressively to feel what this car can accomplish in terms of acceleration. A person can feel how the gearing is tilted towards mileage, rather than off the line performance.
The obvious, make sure the car in in sport mode. Manually down shifting 2 to 3 gears makes a huge difference in acceleration. You can chirp the tires and even burn rubber, but it must be shifted aggressively to realize what the C300 can do.
The C300 is fun to drive. The C350 is even easier to drive like a 3-series. The small amount of extra power is quite noticeable. After thinking about a couple of C350 test drives, I'm thinking the transmission is computer shifted more aggressively.
I agree with C300Kid and Alexlev's comments about the power being enough to make the C300 enjoyable, and the C350 is competitively under-powered.
Interesting to see what others have experienced.
-David
The obvious, make sure the car in in sport mode. Manually down shifting 2 to 3 gears makes a huge difference in acceleration. You can chirp the tires and even burn rubber, but it must be shifted aggressively to realize what the C300 can do.
The C300 is fun to drive. The C350 is even easier to drive like a 3-series. The small amount of extra power is quite noticeable. After thinking about a couple of C350 test drives, I'm thinking the transmission is computer shifted more aggressively.
I agree with C300Kid and Alexlev's comments about the power being enough to make the C300 enjoyable, and the C350 is competitively under-powered.
Interesting to see what others have experienced.
-David
Last edited by dw8083; Sep 18, 2009 at 12:08 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 388
Likes: 1
From: Montreal
2013 E350 4M, 997 Turbo, MK3 GTI
I have a C250 4 matic. It has about 25hp less than the C300, and heavier than most of your cars since it's 4matic. It's slow as **** off the line but pretty decent at higher revs on the hwy. Definitely slower than a 325xi.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,601
Likes: 28
From: Atlanta, GA
2008 C300 Sport 6 Speed Manual, 1953 Chevy Bel-Air, 2015 Audi allroad, 1963 Chevy Apache
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,525
Likes: 164
From: CT
Mercedes, Porsche, BMW, Tesla
Personally, around town, I think a C300 is just fine. I had one as a loaner when my ML was in service and I actually enjoyed driving it around. I loved how well it handled compared to these boats I'm usually driving around 
. Off the line, I do feel it isn't torquey enough but when already moving, I think it does just fine. I will agree with another poster that said the transmission is geared for MPG. I had it in S and it still seemed to want to be in the highest gear possible. It also shifts too much for my taste. IMO it wouldn't be as enjoyable if it didn't drive well. I wouldn't mind having one though. It's a nice, sportier change than what I'm used to.
. Off the line, I do feel it isn't torquey enough but when already moving, I think it does just fine. I will agree with another poster that said the transmission is geared for MPG. I had it in S and it still seemed to want to be in the highest gear possible. It also shifts too much for my taste. IMO it wouldn't be as enjoyable if it didn't drive well. I wouldn't mind having one though. It's a nice, sportier change than what I'm used to.
