InTheBenz0

Hi, Right now the 2012 is a C300 4MATIC Sedan... 228 hp V6...


Is this staying for the 4matic sedan or will they have a c350 4matic in the usa unlike before the facelift?

What about the C250?

TIA!

-Mike

DonjuanOriginal

Still Amazed you owners in the USA. Don't have 4matic c350 w204. They're so common here in Canada.

MBRedux

The dealers are now taking orders on 2012 C350 4Matic Coupes for early spring delivery. The company is devoted in meeting the new USA Cafe' standards so two new direct injected engines (BlueEFFICIENCY) have been introduced (the 1.8L Turbo Four and the 3.5L V6).

I was told that the old port injected 3.0L V6 will be eventually dropped from the lineup for the sedan with a new direct injected replacement (with more power and torque and far better fuel economy) to follow. (I think they would fair far better by just dropping the 3.0L altogether and bring in the C350 4Matic like they are in the coupe and the rest of the world, including those maple-leafs!)

So for now, the only change is that the Coupe will be coming in a 350 4Matic.

xolinlevh

Im still really bummed at this, id have loved the extra HP of a 350, but need the 4MATIC for Minnesota winter driving...

InTheBenz0

the c350 now has 300 hp and the 250 has a 1.8 turbo engine... so the sedan will remain with the na 6 cyl for a while? Or are they changing this to a c250 4matic sedan, etc soon

jctevere

The Sedan is going to remain only offered with the C300 in 4matic. At least for now, the C350 4matic coupe is on schedule to launch come April (or as late as May). This comes straight from MBUSA. I would say though, that it wouldn't be unreasonable to expect the sedan to follow suit in the coming months, before the next winter season (probably as a 2013 model).

Here is the information I got from MBUSA below:

"Posted by MB_Abby on 10.18.11 at 10:26 am | 0 Likes
Hi jctevere,

Thanks for your question! On the sedan side, 4MATIC will only be available on the C300. For the coupes, the C350 will be available with 4MATIC in Spring of 2012. The launch date of the C350 4MATIC Coupe is not yet firm, so please check with your local dealer in early 2012.

Thank you,

Abby"

Hope this helps.

acr2001

Woah. Stop the presses. An actual useful informative response from an MBUSA rep? I am flabbergasted.

Having just leased a C300 and not wanting to admit it, I must say, they need to update the engine. The fuel economy is unacceptable. I didn't have a choice though, I consider the 4Matic a must have and my 203 was about to cost quite a bit in repairs (piece of junk was falling apart, and was only an 05!)

jctevere

Haha, yeah, well, don't get too excited. This was a response from someone whom I am directly in contact with at generation benz as part of a focus group. I doubt if you email MBUSA directly you would get such an answer... lol

But anyway, the C300 engine is a bit of an "underperformer". It is neither fuel efficient nor has robust power output. It is kind of an all around decent engine. However, I did manage to get upwards of 30mpg on the highway in my c300 4matic, and averaged around 23mpg with mixed city/highway. Keep in mind, that the w204 is MUCH heavier than your average sedan (around 3,800 lbs) versus a typical sedan, such as the Hyundai Sonata, weighing in at 3,200 lbs.

Even with that, the Sonata GLS has a 4-cyl that puts out:
MPG: 22 City / 35 Hwy
Horsepower: 198
Torque: 184

While the C300 puts out:
MPG: 18 City / 25 Hwy
Horsepower: 228
Torque: 221

This is all while lugging around 600lbs extra and running 4matic system and a 7-speed tranny. Does this mean that the engine is still "new" or "advanced" no, but it isn't the worst.

akmerc

I agree that that the C300 engine is a decent all around engine. A lot of it depends on what you're used to and whatnot. We own an 09 VW GTI, and it's 0-60 time is almost identical to the C300, yet it feels faster than it is. I think the C300 engine makes it feel a little slower than it actually is because it's so smooth. Of course this is 4 cyl turbo power vs. 6 cyl natual power.

I've also owned a brand new 2004 WRX that had an ECU tune and was very fast IMO. This car was great, but came with high insurance costs and a speeding ticket....

Personally I'm very happy with the performance of this engine, sure it could be faster, but the ride, fit and finish go a long ways for me!

johnmiddle

if they do not come out c350 4matic sedan before new 328xi/335xi, they will lose my business for sure..or even new lexus GS350, Audi A4 allroad... why do not they have a S4 Allroad?

MBRedux

They will, the 2013-14 W205 which will be built here, to keep the price competitive.