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2010 Loaner Car - Much Faster?!?

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Old Sep 22, 2010 | 03:25 PM
  #1  
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C300 4MATIC Sport
2010 Loaner Car - Much Faster?!?

I have a 2008 C300 4MATIC Sport. I needed to get the front headlamp fixed.

They have me a 2010 C300 4MATIC Sport loaner car.

This car was 2X as fast as my 2008 C300 and I was amazed. I have 25K miles on mine and it had 8K miles.

Is there any reason for this? I spoke to my service guy and stated that the loaner car was much faster and he said it had more HP, etc. I was under the impression the engines were identical.
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Old Sep 22, 2010 | 04:02 PM
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If yours and this one are both autos remember the auto transmission is adaptive to the driver. People are constantly beating up on the loaners so they might seem faster even though the engine is identical in HP to yours. I recommend doing a TCU reset when you get your car back, or ask the dealer to do it
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Old Sep 22, 2010 | 04:11 PM
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You should go ask your dealership to update your TCU and ECU with the latest software. They have the ability to do that for you and they should do that since the car is currently in the shop.
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Old Sep 22, 2010 | 04:57 PM
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I've thought the same thing! The 2010 loaners feel more like a 350 compared to my '08 C300. It has more of a rush of power, especially mid to high RPM power. And to think, these loaners usually run on regular grade gas (doesn't make a huge difference, but still)
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Old Sep 22, 2010 | 05:06 PM
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I got an update couple days ago - quite a difference. They did it on their own while checking for idle in D vibrations / fault codes etc.
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Old Sep 22, 2010 | 05:25 PM
  #6  
Niti24
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Yea the loaner cars are beat up. I had the GLK and to me, that car seemed faster than the C. I was surprised by all the power it had. I think it's all in our head!
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Old Sep 22, 2010 | 09:02 PM
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W204 C280
I have a C300. I had my computer updated by my dealer and the cars responsiveness is night and day. I would suggest having your car's computer updated. It sure worked for me.
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Old Sep 22, 2010 | 11:33 PM
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‘17 GT F1A E85 Monster ‘16 C63s
my loaner did a decent burnout
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Old Sep 23, 2010 | 08:42 AM
  #9  
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C300 4MATIC Sport
I heard there were no software updates for a 2008 C300 - only for the 2009+ models. Is this true?
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Old Sep 23, 2010 | 10:26 AM
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Originally Posted by Cpbball3
I heard there were no software updates for a 2008 C300 - only for the 2009+ models. Is this true?

False!! Call up your SA up and tell him that you have some annoying shift lag whenever you engage reverse and lack of responsiveness. They'll update your software.
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Old Sep 23, 2010 | 11:15 PM
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Originally Posted by I am Jeff
False!! Call up your SA up and tell him that you have some annoying shift lag whenever you engage reverse and lack of responsiveness. They'll update your software.
Request transmission update only yes?

Do you know how long the process is? Many many thanks.
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Old Sep 23, 2010 | 11:57 PM
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Originally Posted by mac911
Request transmission update only yes?

Do you know how long the process is? Many many thanks.

When you request it, they will usually ask for a "problem". Just tell them there is an annoying shift lag. They will update it for you. It's a quick software update.
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Old Sep 24, 2010 | 01:35 AM
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Awesome. I know my C300 is much slower than my slk350, but I always felt it was unusually laggy as suggested.

I've driven other Mercedes too, and only my car was this bad with the transmission. I really hope it does add a bit of freshness into the car, getting this sorted.

Many thanks!
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Old Sep 24, 2010 | 03:31 AM
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the only reason the loaner seems faster is because it is "broken in" and what I meant by is that it isn't constantly babied and afraid to be revved.

identical cars one with someone who will take it to the redline often the engine will actually respond better than someone who rarely revs their car.

you can do throttle reset, but it won't make that much of a difference.
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Old Sep 24, 2010 | 12:19 PM
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C300
Is there any way to tell if you have the newest version of TCU / ECU? Or at the very least, what version you have currently without straight up asking?

I just set up an appointment to get my stuff checked out. My car starts kinda rough anyway, so I figured what the hay, knock it all out.
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Old Sep 24, 2010 | 02:29 PM
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Originally Posted by vanisher
Is there any way to tell if you have the newest version of TCU / ECU? Or at the very least, what version you have currently without straight up asking?
Agreed on the newer C300 -- they feel closer to my C350 than the older ones were.

Any similar TCU or ECU update for C350?
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Old Sep 24, 2010 | 03:18 PM
  #17  
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From: Granada Hills
c350
Hey ive only had my c350 for 4 months do u guys suggest that i get an upgrade?
how often are the updates released?
and how long does the whole process take?
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Old Sep 25, 2010 | 01:40 AM
  #18  
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For those with a car a few years old, I also recommend this.

I live in a pretty dusty area (on the edge of the city). Therefore, I get lots of gunk sucked into the engine.

I'm changing my air filters much more often than the 4 years called for.

Whenever I put in a new set and clean out the airbox of bugs and things, I notice some acceleration/response comes back.

However, I'm sure it's much less noticable in many areas.

Nevertheless, if your car is the 2-3 year range a good bit of miles, you might do this too.

I just replace them with Original Mercedes part or the Mann Filter, which seems to be identical without MB logo.
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