NickCats

I just got back from Texas Wednesday and I had picked up the latest issue of Road and Track to read on the plane. In the back of the magazine I noticed they showed performance times for all the cars reviewed. I also saw an ad for "zinio" that allows you to receive a digital subscription ( or back issues ) of just about any magazine you can think of. So, when I got home I signed up for zinio and bought the Sept 07 copy of Road and Track for $0.99.

Also, it looks like I can send a copy of the magazine to a friend ( I assume for free ). So, would any of my fellow c350 owners like to read the original Road and Track review ? If so, let me know, and I'll try and send you a copy.

I'm not sure if you can only send to one person or multiple. If it's only one, first to reply gets it.

( I am not affiliated with Road and Track or Zinio in any way )

Nick

C300Sport

Hey Nick, thanks for thinking of us. Can you save the article as a file and post it?

NickCats

C300Sport,

That's what I was hoping as well. They way it's set up is pretty slick, you can either read it on their website, or download the reader ( to your PC, ipod, or ipad ) and read it there. Unfortunately, there isn't a physical file to share.

Nick

aekara27

I would love to read it. But since I don't want to hog maybe you can put the highlights (and lowlights ) from the article in a post.

mat2hu

^^ +1

NickCats

I'll see what I can do when I get home ( unfortunately the site is blocked here at work )

Nick

NickCats

52% front 48% rear weight bias

1/4 mi - 14.3 @ 98.2 mph
0-60 in 5.8 sec

top speed 130 mph

skidpad 0.81 g

slalom 63.8 mph

interior noise

idle in neutral 45 dba
maximum in 1st gear 74 dba
constant 50 mph 67 dba
constant 70 mph 69 dba

article points

- multiple comparisons to the S class from a design standpoint

- 3.7 inches longer and 1.7 inches wider than previous model ( but same 108.7 in wheelbase )

- very difficult rear entry / exit

- excellent 7 speed transmission

- faster than audi A4 2.0 ( 6.5 sec ) but slower than 335i ( 5.0 sec )

- slalom, skidpad, and braking performance softer than previous model ( this really suprised me )

skidpad .81 g vs .85 g
slalom 63.8 mph vs 66.4 mph
braking 135 ft vs 124 ft

aekara27

Nick thank you for the post. It would be interesting to see with what wheel/tire combo the skidpad numbers were achieved with. That IMO is very pedestrian at best. I like the 0-60 number although R&T is usually a little on the high side with their tests.

NickCats

I found the article online for free :

http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/ca...enz-c350-sport

Here's the data panel :

http://www.roadandtrack.com/content/...07_C350_dp.pdf

Tires were Continental Conti Pro Contact M+S

Enjoy !

Nick

NickCats

I was talking to one of my co-workers at lunch ( he's a car guy as well ) and he mentioned that the C350 is actually closer spec wise to the BMW 328 than the 335. Now I knew the 335 is a lot faster than the 350, but I though the 350 was much faster then the 328. Not so ( at least on paper ).

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

( Road and Track shows 5.8 0-60 and 14.3 in the 1/4 for the 350 )

Just thought that was interesting...

Nick

aekara27

In terms of performance and handling no way we can even begin to compare the C350 with the 335i (especially when it also has the sport suspension). I still feel the C350 should have at least 50 more hp (and 30 lbs of torque), proper 6speed manual and a different weighted steering. Otherwise chassis wise the car I believe can play ball with the Bimmer. Until however these happen it is very very hard pressed to stay with the 328i sport packaged equipped on a mountain winding road let along a 335i.