C350 Sports Sedan Reliability
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 506
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From: Argyle, TX
10 Tahoe LT, 07 Silverado Z71, 99 BMW R1100RT
I'm pretty sure there are not that many experiences yet about the 2012 reliability, but judged by the past performance, there should be nothing to worry about. These things have been pretty much rock solid since 2008.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
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From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
http://autos.jdpower.com/research/sh...856ba0ac63d6c7
Click on the "ratings" tab....good luck with your decision!
Click on the "ratings" tab....good luck with your decision!
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 68
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2012 C350 Palladium Sport Sedan
Too early to tell with the C350 though since it is new and when new, the 335 didn't have any serious problems either. I take it as the risk to pay for cutting edge though. If it's historic reliability that is needed, get an older model Toyota or Lexus, I think.
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Joined: Mar 2012
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BMW 335i
I didn't have any serious problems either, my issues are mostly suspension related as once I went to conventional tires the entire handling went to crap. I spent a fortune from that point forward to get the car actually handling well again, and that's something I just don't want to deal with again with another BMW.
Plus I agree the look of the new sedans is bizarre but mostly I have issue with the "lines" issue. The idea of having a red stripe through my interior just infuriates me.
Plus I agree the look of the new sedans is bizarre but mostly I have issue with the "lines" issue. The idea of having a red stripe through my interior just infuriates me.
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Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 91
Likes: 2
2012 C300 Lux
For me, comfort is the most important factor, and that's why I picked C300 Lux and I am very happy that I did. But I just want to point out that 3-series have lots of fans and the crowd is seemingly larger than that of C class.
Interestingly, about two weeks ago my X5 BMW salesman sent me a text message, advocating that the new 3-series is the best mid-size luxury sedan he has ever seen in his 20 years sales experience. I responded back saying that "Sorry, I like my C300 Lux better."
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 20
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BMW 335i
I test drove a new 335 a few weeks ago, it drove no better than my 07 335 and was certainly no faster. The transmission was a lot better but not enough to make me want to jump ship especially with all the other factors that I listed above. My goal is to see 350 sport coupe.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 27
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'12 C350 Sport Sedan
Loving my C350 sedan. I picked it over the 335 due to the price and the look of the interior. It drives great, though so does the 335. Def more of a lux ride which I was looking for in my case, but it gives me the speed I need when I need it.
So far so good!
So far so good!
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
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BMW 335i
I can't wait to have the time to drive one, I went for a very short test drive simply to check out the transmission function, and the ride seemed very firm and controlled. I was actually quite impressed how sporty it felt considering the reviews I've read and experience with family members past Mercedes
Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
2012 C350 Sport - Iridium Silver w/Ash
I've had one since November. No problems so far, not one. Thinking about it, this is the first car that I've owned where I didn't have some little problem. But it's new I'm not betting the farm that nothing will happen. Not too worried about issues while under warranty though. Thinking more about the long term say 5~10 years and out of warranty.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 68
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2012 C350 Palladium Sport Sedan
Had mine for a month now. Will be taking it back in because the passenger seat heater stopped working today, doesn't stay on more than a minute or less. Had it in already for alignment problem and again for seatbelt failing to catch and another time for the hood latch. And will have them check out the driver seat squeaking.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 343
Likes: 1
From: Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
C250,GLK350
I had a 2011 from the E.London SA plant and never had an issue, our 1st dealer sales demo was a '10 from the SA plant (13 months in service, 22K on the ODO when retired) as well and it never missed a day of service. Our current '11 is from the Sindelfingen, DE plant (15 months in service and 24K on the ODO currently) and has been solid. My wifes GLK is out of the Bremen, DE plant (normal Germany plant for the C) and has only had one issue which was a collapsed hose in the AC system. JD power did award the E.London plant with a Platinum quality award but it seems there are no issues that exist on cars coming from a particular facility.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2
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2009 BMW 328xi
I had test drove the 335i and C350. The 335i has good handling and auto start stop function but the interior pretty look like the same as my 2009 bmw 328xi although there are major improvement such as head-up display (which has to add as additional cost). my concern for the new 3 series is that I am not sure if it will support mp3 chinese. I know C350 sedan can supprt mp3 chinese and has a better internal look. Does anyone has any idea when Benz in canada will have support of internet on the LCD display such as facebook access? I know Europe has that functionality on the c class already and I think it will be cool to have that in here too.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
BMW 335i
I had test drove the 335i and C350. The 335i has good handling and auto start stop function but the interior pretty look like the same as my 2009 bmw 328xi although there are major improvement such as head-up display (which has to add as additional cost). my concern for the new 3 series is that I am not sure if it will support mp3 chinese. I know C350 sedan can supprt mp3 chinese and has a better internal look. Does anyone has any idea when Benz in canada will have support of internet on the LCD display such as facebook access? I know Europe has that functionality on the c class already and I think it will be cool to have that in here too.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2
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2009 BMW 328xi
Not much differences. but 335i bmw has a more sporty steering and tighter wheel, while benz has a more luxury steering wheel and it is much looser feel. but even though I still prefer C350 over 335i since in canada it is much cheaper to get that. Having driving bimmer for over 10 years, time to try something new. Another thing for me to consider is for 335i currently has no xi package have to wait till Oct or Nov..and I dont' want to wait that long
Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Arcadia, CA
W204 09' C350
pick the 335i only if you desire more power. C is slow.... very slow..
c350 with aftermarket h&r coilovers, I keep up with my friends 335i in the mountains pretty well. I also drove his 335i it didnt feel that much more planted than my C.
BMW 3 interior is poop... so is the C lol... so your pick!
Exterior C-class wins. BMW 3 is starting to look outdated in my opinion.
Reliability - C will win over the 3.
BMW 3 - better hope you have warranty. Friends have blown turbos/fuelpump/cooling issues/random electronic failure.
c350 with aftermarket h&r coilovers, I keep up with my friends 335i in the mountains pretty well. I also drove his 335i it didnt feel that much more planted than my C.
BMW 3 interior is poop... so is the C lol... so your pick!
Exterior C-class wins. BMW 3 is starting to look outdated in my opinion.
Reliability - C will win over the 3.
BMW 3 - better hope you have warranty. Friends have blown turbos/fuelpump/cooling issues/random electronic failure.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
'12 C350 Sport Sedan
pick the 335i only if you desire more power. C is slow.... very slow..
c350 with aftermarket h&r coilovers, I keep up with my friends 335i in the mountains pretty well. I also drove his 335i it didnt feel that much more planted than my C.
BMW 3 interior is poop... so is the C lol... so your pick!
Exterior C-class wins. BMW 3 is starting to look outdated in my opinion.
Reliability - C will win over the 3.
BMW 3 - better hope you have warranty. Friends have blown turbos/fuelpump/cooling issues/random electronic failure.
c350 with aftermarket h&r coilovers, I keep up with my friends 335i in the mountains pretty well. I also drove his 335i it didnt feel that much more planted than my C.
BMW 3 interior is poop... so is the C lol... so your pick!
Exterior C-class wins. BMW 3 is starting to look outdated in my opinion.
Reliability - C will win over the 3.
BMW 3 - better hope you have warranty. Friends have blown turbos/fuelpump/cooling issues/random electronic failure.
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,351
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From: Germantown, MD/Rehoboth Beach, DE
2024 GLS450
Not putting the pre-facelift interior down, but it had a lot of details and materials that did not befit the MSRP of the car.
Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Arcadia, CA
W204 09' C350
Are you referring to the '12 or the previous years? While the 335 is indeed faster with more torque, the added engine increase to the '12 makes it far from slow. Also, the new interior refresh on the '12 was a big selling point for me. Still respect the 335 though, just a lot more money!
The added hp in the '12 to 300hp still makes it a 5.9 sec 0-60 car and for a daily driver point of view is very underpowered from what BMW and LEXUS offers 5sec-5.5sec cars. Also the transmission lag is bad when needing the power band to pass vs a 335i.
I have a 09 but I bought it because the exterior styles are amazing in my eyes. Its my daily cruiser and I settled for what it is just a comfortable ride.
Last edited by eliteskill; Apr 3, 2012 at 05:20 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 360
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
2020 C363 S / 2007 SLK55 / 2016 F150 4x4 / 1998 Cobra Convertible
Edmunds has the car listed as having been timed at 5.6 sec.
