teamplayer

I need to make decision today on which of the following is better deal.

$34K - 2008 C300 4matic, 17k miles, PII, Multimedia Package: Voice Control, Harman/Kardon Sound System, 17" Wheels, pana sunroof


$31K - 2008 C350 RWD, 9k miles, PII, Multimedia Package: Voice Control, Harman/Kardon Sound System, 18" AMG 5-Twin Spoke Alloy Wheels, pana sunroof

I really like the C350 but I live in snow state so 4matic is important. But then C350 is 3K less and I get more horse power, better brakes and 18" AMG wheels. With C350, I will have to switch to snow tires (Correct?). So is snow tires are as good as the 4 Matic? I have been driving 97 Nissan Altima for past 9 years and it skids sometimes but I manage to drive. I mean to say I am not a bad driver...

Please help me make decision so I can make the purchase before C350 is gone. I really think its good price.

JoeVal

You seem to know what you are getting into with the RWD, so I'd say 350.

Sportstick

Not a tough decision for me....the C350. The deciding issue you suggest is not the key. I live in the snow state of Michigan and for both of our MBs, one of which is 4MATIC, we put on winter tires. 4MATIC is not a substitute for winter tires...it's the tires which touch the ground regardless of whether two or four of them are being driven...and 4MATIC does nothing for braking!! So, don't drag around all that excess weight and machinery all year 'round...for less money, take nicer wheels, half the accrued mileage, and with a fraction of the difference, get some 17" Blizzak WS60 on low cost rims from tirerack.com (which you would need with either car, anyway!) and ENJOY!

P.S. Of course, this all assumes both are in similar good mechanical/cosmetic condition, other than the mileage difference!

Illusive

C350. Either way you will need to get snow tires. 4MATIC helps you get going and keep your back end in line (most of the time), but the snow tires are what make the biggest difference.

teamplayer

Thanks for the all the comments... Looks like 350 with 17" snow tires is the way to go. Is there such thing as C350 4Matic? I see in the pic above.

omgitselaine

Canada has the 350 4matic. Why the U.S. doesnt..... i dunnooo ??

teamplayer

Does it surprise anyone that C350 (which has less miles and 18" wheel upgrade) is being offered cheaper than C300 ? Both cars are being offered at same location and pretty much identical in condition.

Sportstick

Run this through the used car appraisal on edmunds.com to see market values...4MATIC may have less depreciation than rwd in your zip code.

paulsta420

ur buying a benz .. u can afford some tires. C350 for liffee!

teamplayer

It's not about affordability. I am just trying to find out if 4Matic is necessary for the snow season or I would be ok with snow tires on C350.

Peabody

We have it on the E350.

When I was faced with the decision between C300 and C350, I picked the 350 and I'm happy with it. The ESP + decent tires is amazing.

Norm01

Not at all to me, I live in Montreal and you could barely re-sell a non 4matic car. Allmost all C's on the road are 4matic. Until you've driven one with 4 good winter tires on it you don't know what your missing. I had a 2006 Dodge Ram Mega Cab Diesel with 4x4 and my C300 4matic outperforms it in the snow.

Sportstick

Agree, but, of course! Weight distribution! Unless you have quite a load in the bed, that Ram was essentially just front wheel drive on snow! Mega Cab+Cummins Diesel is what...75%+ weight on the front wheels? A well balanced awd should always win that contest!

C300Kid

The C350 is a way better deal.

whiteongrey

RWD + ESP & snow tires is great. MB ESP is amazing.

AWD is way over rated unless you're on remote roads because you're going to get stuck behind %90 of cars on the road that are 2wd anyway. Handling also feels dead compared to RWD.

With RWD it is necessary to run full tank of gas and couple sand bags in the rear if conditions are terrible.

350 is a much better deal.

duck718nyc

hahaha so true...

350 my man & snow tires...I live in the city, when it snows hard (like today) I just take public transportation...but if you live in the suburbs or a remote area, well then the 4matic might come in handy.

Dr.Brian

I consider the 4matic to be a safety feature. It aids in keeping the car under control in all weather conditions. If that means I have to give up on the bigger engine and 30 or 40 hp, oh well. If I wanted a sports car, I'd get one. I wanted a safe AWD 4 door sedan.
4matic + snow tires is what you really need in the snow belt. Are you really going to miss the extra hp enough to give up some increased safety? The 300 is fast enough for me. More HP than many (most) 4 door sedans on the road.
My Rover is a pig, luxurious pig, but a pig. It eats the snow for lunch with some good tires. I could trade it in for the new 500 hp one, but why? It's not a sports car, and it never will be at 5000 lbs.
4MATIC all the way.
Regards,

nickm

C350 all the way.
I live in NY and right now outside there is 12" of snow. BUT.. for the 5 maybe 10 days out of 365 that there is actual snow on the streets and I can't drive my c350, I really don't care. I stay home and relax.
The city does a descent job of cleaning the streets so really I can't drive my car only if it snows hard in the daytime..

clover168

i drive a C300 RWD on snow tires over here in Canada and i havent find any problem except the car is too low to go over deep snow. and i also think 4matic is just over rated beside RWD is more fun to drive in the snow