I'm about to get a new C class from Fletcher Jones, I'm choosing between a fully loaded C300 (keyless go, heated seats, P1, multimedia) vs a C350 which is basically a base model, doesn't have upgraded nav.

I'm about to go to the dealership to check both out but assuming the two are the same price, which would you guys pick and why? Please help ASAP!

 

The C300 is the way to go.

First of all its got everything on there already, you may be feeling excited from purchasing the new car and thought that you don't need all those, but over the long run you'd want these extra gadgets to receive more pleasure out of the car

There's a 40hp difference between both cars, with C300 at 228bhp - 3.0L and C350 at 268bhp 3.5L.

Personally I think the C300 got enough power to satisfy me, plus it would be a little more fuel economical then the C350.

 

That's the feedback I'm looking for, thanks!

 

Firstly, congrats on the new car! I'm excited for you!

Personally, options ALL THE WAY. I'd always opt for the car with the "lower" engine aka lower MSRP so I have more room for upgrading and better fuel economy. However, I would recommend test driving both. If for some reason you love that extra boost from the 350 and feel like you couldn't live without it then go for it. Otherwise you should opt for the 300 with more stuff :] Good luck!

 

Glad that I've helped

But give them both a good test drive and fiddle with the navigation menus etc. to see which suits your taste more.

Also, congrats on getting a new ride

 

I would agree with the above posts. I have a fully loaded C300 and I absolutely love it and all the options. Certainly having any sort of Benz gives you a great vehicle but it's those extra options that day in and day out gives you added pleasure.

 

Not to stray but do the navigation systems vary? I've also heard of people commenting on an upgraded navi (but it's an upgrade to begin with)?

 

I'm guessing the navi would vary for different continents, the upgrades must just be updates on the maps, unless there's other details that I'm not aware of

 

Oh ok sorry for the confusion!

 

get the best/highest model you can afford. no one thinks back and wished that they got the lesser model. TC

 

Really depends on what you enjoy about driving - search as much much as you want, you will find a very large group on here trying to squeeze more HP out of their cars - and 40 HP is almost impossible to gain in these cars even with adding exhaust, tune, whatever CAI you can come up with and spending thousands of dollars trying to get there...

I like performance, not that I have a stripped C350, but would most likely give up Nav for HP any day of the week - what else is "missing" from the 350 that the 300 has?

Again, read these forums, and see how quickly owners are seeking power after owning their cars for a short periiod of time - If you want a "sport lux", go with the 350..If you are more in tune with a "lux sport", enjoy the goodies in the 300 (but dont challenge me on the hwy)

 

I was at the same crossroads, I picked up a well optioned C300 (MSRP of $46k) as I just cannot use the power of the 350 around town (work commute is 9 miles, all city streets)

 

Really depends if you value performance. I'd suggest driving a C350 first, then go C300 though so your last impression would be the hp drop comparison. If that drop is acceptable, go C300.

 

You are in exact same boat as me, 2 weeks ago i was at FJ (ignored me, bought from my home dealer anyway), While id like the HP from the 350, I preferred the extra options. P1+nav is great

 

Thanks guys, drove home a fully loaded C300, the options really do make a difference. Test driving the two I felt the C350 would be the clear winner but the stock navigation system is just so terrible. I don't think I could've lived with that miniature screen, now I have a lot to play with!

The power difference is noticeable though and I'm hoping the memory of the C350's power fades and I just enjoy my drive back and forth from OC to LA for the next few years in law school.

 

Congratz!!

 

congrats on the purchase, hope you enjoy the ride and the forum

 

Congratulations! I had a feeling you would take the C300 with the options :] Not to say a stock Benz is bad, but the options just provide you with a more pleasant atmosphere, better technology, etc... it's all what you value.

You will enjoy cruising back and forth from OC to LA. Congrats again and I'd love for you to post some pics when you get a chance! Enjoy!

 

Now all you need is some vossen cv2's lol!!!!

 

Congrats on the purchase mate, how much difference was the price between your C300 and the C350??

 

I did face the same dilemma as you and opted for the C300.

I love the Nav system and have always been frustrated driving loaners without it. C300 is plenty fast and I doubt that I would notice the difference in day to day driving. I would certainly miss the Nav though. No matter how fast I could go...

 

Congrats on your purchase. Your memory of C350's power will soon fade away as you daily drive that horrendous 405 traffic...

 

Get a fully loaded C350

 

When I was buying C300, saleaman and I figured out that the C350 is about $2500 more than C300, assuming both are equipped the same. I know I don't need the extra 40 hp, so just sat in a C350 but didn't test drove it. Would rather use $2500 for more options. Just half hour ago, I made a 25 miles trip mostly on highway. I can hit 90 mph very quickly without hitting redline. I was a bit scared but still wanted to try it for a minute or two.

To most people like myself, who is racing every minute, everyday? Maybe with all five people stuffed in, we can feel difference. The other good thing with larger engine I guess is that, driving at the same speed, larger engine has less labor therefore less noise, a bit smoother.

By the way, I should have waited till saleman found a rear camera equipped C. I am going to install it myself.

 

I noticed quite a few people complained about how terrible MB navigation is compared to a Garmin GPS. Would you let me/us know exactly what is wrong? Does it give you wrong direction, hard to find a place of interest, or signal is randomly weak, takes too long to set it up?

Mine works just fine. Maybe Garmin is super good but I don't have it to compare. I have a Magellan which works equally fine.