safesphere

C300 is no longer made for Germany. Does MB just have an overstock of the old 3-liter engines they want to get rid of by selling C300 in North America? Sure, dumb Americans, wouldn't know the difference of the aluminum-silicon 60-degree v6 engine. All we want is a 4-wheel-drive, like the one a horse has...

C300Kid

I think we just like V6s better in general. I doubt the C300 was ever nearly as big a seller overseas as it is here.

Pete7874

With the introduction of C250, I'm thinking the sales of C300 in Germany would plummet, and MB realizes that. In many places in Europe, you pay taxes and insurance according to the car's engine displacement (among other things), so a smaller engine which offers better fuel economy and nearly identical performance would be chosen by majority of the buyers.

EDIT: By the way, C300 RWD is no longer sold in the US either. Only C300 4Matic is available. Same as in Germany.

safesphere

I do not see RWD or any C300 on a German site. This old engine is no longer offered there. All clearance merchandise went to the MB "outlet store" - US and Canada. This is not about smaller engines or 4 vs 6 cylinders, because C350 is there with a brand new engine more powerful and more efficient than the obsolete C300.

Pete7874

Sure, the C350 is there for those who don't care about higher tax/insurance rates. But for those that do care and for those who want a performance of an entry level V6 engine without the associated price tag and expenses, the C250 turbo just makes a lot more sense over there.

And sure, the C300 is a bit dated by today's standards. The performance is just average and the fuel economy is atrocious. So I agree, it's probably on its way out. Since it's a German car, all the new technology/engines show up there first. About a year later, it trickles down to North America. It's like this with all the German makes, not just MB.

I'm not sure exactly what your issue is. If you don't like the C300, nobody is twisting your hand to buy it. C250 and C350 are available as alternatives.

Pete7874

Oh, I see, you want a C350 4Matic which won't be available for another year or so. Honestly, don't get hung up on this AWD thing too much. A set of good winter tires will do you more good than a fancy-shmancy AWD, especially when you're trying to stop. My 530i with winter tires is just as capable (if not more) in the white stuff as my wife's C300 4Matic.

safesphere

You got it Pete! It is a 4MATIC for my wife. She wouldn't drive a RWD nor would I want her to So I'm a bit pissed off that I have to order a clearance item for the price of new while C350 4MATIC is available everywhere else, even in Canada. I guess, this is a payback from Germans for the WW2...

Glyn M Ruck

Another point to consider is US high sulphur fuel. The latest engines with 3 way Cats can't tolerate high sulphur gas without producing benzines (carcinogens) at the exhaust. Selling older spec engines to the US & other countries with crap fuel is an easy choice for Benz. When Euro 6 comes in 2013 this will be even more of an issue. Euro 6 will force up vehicle prices as well in Europe.

amdeutsch

Anybody care to STFF the C240 vs C320 debacle in the W203 forum? History is a lesson.