Dilemma between 2012 C250 VS C350
#26
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2012 C350 Sport - Iridium Silver w/Ash
How exactly is "the Mercedes ride" compromised in a 250? It has the same suspension as the other models - if anything, less weight over the front axle would make it feel slightly less nose-heavy than the V6 models.
I'm finding it hilarious the reasons people are coming up with why they feel the 250 is inferior to the other models...
I'm finding it hilarious the reasons people are coming up with why they feel the 250 is inferior to the other models...
But I'm sure the c250 is fine. I saw one in the dealer show room optioned out and it was $5k more than my C350 though. My C350 was about $44k msrp and the C250 was about $48. Crazy. I have 18"s and keyless go but no NAV or panoramic or Comand. Don't miss them either.
#28
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Lighting package, blindspot assist, and keyless go - 3 things (in that order) which I wish I had.
I feel like the halogen headlights are the only downgrade from the older C class. At least they came with projectors if you didn't pony up the cash for the lighting package. Now we are back to reflectors...
I feel like the halogen headlights are the only downgrade from the older C class. At least they came with projectors if you didn't pony up the cash for the lighting package. Now we are back to reflectors...
#29
I would also consider how long you want to keep the car. The M271 EVO turbo engine is partially unproven. The previous M271 has not shown the reliability of the V6 engines or long term durability. The M272 has all it's cam magnet & sintered sprocket on the Lanchester balancer shaft drive problems sorted.
I would have the same attitude to the new 60 degree V6. Don't buy one until the early life gremlins have been sorted out in production. Just a thought.
I would have the same attitude to the new 60 degree V6. Don't buy one until the early life gremlins have been sorted out in production. Just a thought.
I won't buy a 4matic as I mentioned in my previous posts because it does not pertain to the area that I live in and insurance is higher as well the cost of fixing if it breaks down. The vehicle is heavier and therefore consumes more gas.
Last edited by Liquid Metal; 12-02-2011 at 02:23 PM.
#31
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2008 C300 6speed, 2015 GLK 250 2017 E400 wagon
The 08 to 2010 c250 were really base. IMO never saw panoroofs or Kardon stereo. The 2012 c250 has many opitions now and i see more now than any other C-Class. Rare to see C350's in Canada. People just buy the E350. The Early w204 C300 was just as good as the C350 so it killed the market here.
#32
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Depends on what you want. Do you want more power or better fuel economy? How do you drive? Is this your only car? I think the C250 is more than good enough for SoCal commuting.
I didn't need the power and the car is a nice change from my 12mpg 500+hp cars, that's why I chose it. Plus, who knows what the tuners will do with it.
I didn't need the power and the car is a nice change from my 12mpg 500+hp cars, that's why I chose it. Plus, who knows what the tuners will do with it.
#33
350 with P1 and command isn't missing much, I have P2 C350 and I only have a rear sunshade and a cute little spoiler and HIDs to show for it.
If you get a P1 C350 you can Add drop in HIDs, buy a cooler CF spoiler, and the sunshade you can comp for with window tint.
Blind spot/lane tracking is for people who don't know how to drive or turn their head to check their lane IMO
Only thing I wish I had was Pano, but Ive lived with the sunroof, plus I think I enjoy the extra 100Hp and the smoothness of a V6
Plus when it comes to resale, the more expensive base C350 will be worth more then the C250 with the few options it has over the 350
The 3.5 you will enjoy every push of the pedal, pano you will enjoy in nice weather, and bliss only when you aren't paying attention, so Id go with the daily joy of a 350.
I love My C350 and its not even the new 3.5 you'd get in yours with gets even better MPG then the M272 and has more power. Even though I eek out about 30MPG highway in mine, so the "it saves" fuel argument it not really a matter when the V6 gets almost the same or is 2-3 mpg off
Most except people who own 250s will prob say 350 for the hp, smooth 6 and extras just coming with a 350
If you get a P1 C350 you can Add drop in HIDs, buy a cooler CF spoiler, and the sunshade you can comp for with window tint.
Blind spot/lane tracking is for people who don't know how to drive or turn their head to check their lane IMO
Only thing I wish I had was Pano, but Ive lived with the sunroof, plus I think I enjoy the extra 100Hp and the smoothness of a V6
Plus when it comes to resale, the more expensive base C350 will be worth more then the C250 with the few options it has over the 350
The 3.5 you will enjoy every push of the pedal, pano you will enjoy in nice weather, and bliss only when you aren't paying attention, so Id go with the daily joy of a 350.
I love My C350 and its not even the new 3.5 you'd get in yours with gets even better MPG then the M272 and has more power. Even though I eek out about 30MPG highway in mine, so the "it saves" fuel argument it not really a matter when the V6 gets almost the same or is 2-3 mpg off
Most except people who own 250s will prob say 350 for the hp, smooth 6 and extras just coming with a 350
Last edited by AdidasC230; 12-03-2011 at 08:18 AM.
#34
I have a hard time understanding what you wrote but I am interested in understanding more of what shared in these paragraphs. Thanks
#35
Premium 1 Package
SIRIUS Satellite Radio
Heated front seats
Auto-dimming driver's side and rearview mirrors
Garage door opener
Rain-sensing wipers
10-way memory driver's seat with
Integrated compass in rearview mirror
Premium 2 Package
Includes all items from the Premium 1 Package plus:
Bi-Xenon headlamps with Active Curve Illumination
Heated headlamp washers
60/40 split fold-down rear seats
Rear sunshade
Last edited by AdidasC230; 12-03-2011 at 08:28 AM.
#37
#38
I drove a 250 for a few days last week, at first it was fun knowing that it was a turbo, within a few hours it sort of lost that fun factor for me. In normal driving it is too noisy and underpowered, unless you are into the throttle all the time it feels like an underpowered four banger, not at all the smooth powerfull car that Mercedes is known for. Bottom line that in normal driving it is not responsive, if you start to ask it for power it becomes very busy and loud, and the trans is forever shifting all over the place to keep the car moving. Totally drives like a ricer and not like an MB. I am surprised that the wonderfull 3.0 motor is now only available in the 4 Matic.
#40
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2012 C300 4Matic
I drove a 250 for a few days last week, at first it was fun knowing that it was a turbo, within a few hours it sort of lost that fun factor for me. In normal driving it is too noisy and underpowered, unless you are into the throttle all the time it feels like an underpowered four banger, not at all the smooth powerfull car that Mercedes is known for. Bottom line that in normal driving it is not responsive, if you start to ask it for power it becomes very busy and loud, and the trans is forever shifting all over the place to keep the car moving. Totally drives like a ricer and not like an MB. I am surprised that the wonderfull 3.0 motor is now only available in the 4 Matic.
#41
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Statements like
but there's no way its going to meet the reliability of the V6.
How soon the 300 owners who are used to being crapped on by the 350 owners change as soon as there's a car with a lower number in the model.
#42
I drove a 250 for a few days last week, at first it was fun knowing that it was a turbo, within a few hours it sort of lost that fun factor for me. In normal driving it is too noisy and underpowered, unless you are into the throttle all the time it feels like an underpowered four banger, not at all the smooth powerfull car that Mercedes is known for. Bottom line that in normal driving it is not responsive, if you start to ask it for power it becomes very busy and loud, and the trans is forever shifting all over the place to keep the car moving. Totally drives like a ricer and not like an MB. I am surprised that the wonderfull 3.0 motor is now only available in the 4 Matic.
#43
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Only time will tell, so speculation is useless. Suppliers and parts may have changed in its 7 year hiatus from the US, and the turbocharged version is going to have different characteristics than the roots supercharged version.
Statements like
have no merit until we have more of them on the roads.
How soon the 300 owners who are used to being crapped on by the 350 owners change as soon as there's a car with a lower number in the model.
Statements like
have no merit until we have more of them on the roads.
How soon the 300 owners who are used to being crapped on by the 350 owners change as soon as there's a car with a lower number in the model.
Mercedes is the taxi of Europe. The major choices for good reason are V6 Petrol’s or 4 & 6 cylinder Diesel models.
The last really tough 4 cylinder petrol engine built by Benz was the M111 if you could tolerate it leaking coolant from the rear of the head & it's rough & raucous behaviour. It's NVH characteristics were woeful - In the words of the European motoring press "Coarse. Noisy. Crude. Hardly words you'd expect to hear applied to a car bearing the famous Mercedes badge. Yet, when describing the company's M111 four-cylinder petrol engines – the 180, 200 and 230 Kompressor – all are entirely accurate." It behaved as though someone had cobbled it together in a shed at the bottom of their garden.
Anyway. Even the M111 would not do close to the mileage of the V6's or old inline 6's for that matter – especially the twincam 2.8. In ROW people expect a Benz to last.
I think the M271 EVO turbo performs just fine for what it is but I would not want to own one when the Mobilodrive (Motorplan) runs out. In the US it's OK. The cars are cheap & you can throw them out with the trash. Small turbo engines are part of the future & can run stoichiometric or leaner in this form so they are economical. I would rather let the technology mature & drive a V6 meantime.
#44
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2012 C300 4Matic
Glyn has it right as always.
I'm sorry MDMercedesGuy - I have no intentions of offending you. If you prefer the 4 then that's good enough, but as far as reliability concerns go, it's an engine with a very poor track record. Don't fool yourself by thinking otherwise. If it were a different engine then I would agree completely that only time will tell, but time has already told the story for that engine. The good news is there have been improvements to it over time, so many of its most common problems shouldn't be as much of a concern in this implementation.
This is just a ridiculous comment. The 250 engine is what it is, and people are simply stating its faults. The new 350 engine also is what it is - more powerful and more efficient than the 300 engine. It is a better engine. It's just facts man! Only big question remaining for the new 350 setup (in my mind) is how reliability will be with regard to carbon build up under American fuel. Each engine has its pros and cons and that's really all I see being discussed. Feel free to talk about the lack of fuel efficiency on the 300 engine in comparison to the 250 and 350 engines.
I'm sorry MDMercedesGuy - I have no intentions of offending you. If you prefer the 4 then that's good enough, but as far as reliability concerns go, it's an engine with a very poor track record. Don't fool yourself by thinking otherwise. If it were a different engine then I would agree completely that only time will tell, but time has already told the story for that engine. The good news is there have been improvements to it over time, so many of its most common problems shouldn't be as much of a concern in this implementation.
Originally Posted by MDMercedesGuy
How soon the 300 owners who are used to being crapped on by the 350 owners change as soon as there's a car with a lower number in the model.
Last edited by acr2001; 12-04-2011 at 06:10 PM.
#45
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Glyn is definitely correct - sometimes being in the US with our limited choices, one tends to forgot about ROW applications.
This is just a ridiculous comment. The 250 engine is what it is, and people are simply stating its faults.
Only big question remaining for the new 350 setup (in my mind) is how reliability will be with regard to carbon build up under American fuel.
#46
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I'll bet that US cars have the ultra lean burn disabled as they have done in Asia & SA due to poor gasoline quality. We are a year away from Euro4. They can't fit the latest three way Cats in the US due to fuel suphur & the production of Benzenes at the tailpipe.
Does anybody know?
Does anybody know?
#47
Glyn M Ruck, how do you know so much about these mercedes and its history?
#48
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An enquiring mind & a lot of work done with all OEM's in my oil company career. See my profile.