Paul333

What is the C350 Sports Sedan reliability? Looking to possibly order one. I am looking to avoid the BMW 335i due to past problems as I need something reliable.

Paul333

This would be the 2012 C350 sports sedan. Looking to know reliability. Transmission, fuel pump, brakes, etc.

TexFinn

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.

Sportstick

http://autos.jdpower.com/research/sh...856ba0ac63d6c7


Click on the "ratings" tab....good luck with your decision!

cswang

Had mine for about a month. No serious issues. But it doesn't compare to the 335 in driving dynamics. More comfort than sport.

Fraggy

I dunno, I have a 335 and have spent a fortune to get it driving good. But now it's got 110k miles and I don't wanna get another BMW. Their business practices are disappointing.

cswang

I guess I was lucky. I had mine for five years without any serious issues, including no HPFP or cooling problems, the latter of which I think was exaggerated a bit. Had less than half your mileage when I traded in though and it was starting to have some issues, which is partly why I did trade it in. Don't like the look of the new BMW sedans and the interiors which is why I jumped ship.

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.

Fraggy

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.

kev10

Being also a BMW owner (X5 though), I occasionally check Bimmerpost forum. People there are crazy about the new BMW 3-series, the look, the fastness, the driving dynamics, and the fuel efficiency. There are seemingly 2-3 auto magazines that gave dominating high rating to 3-series over C class.

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."

Fraggy

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.

Dirtywater

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!

Fraggy

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

wireless200

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.

cswang

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.

acela11

Is there problem differences depending on where they were built?

DCubed

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.

cswang

Dunno. Mine was from the plant in Germany.

Oni777

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.

Fraggy

Do you believe there is a significant difference in handling between the 335 and theC 350?

Oni777

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

eliteskill

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.

Dirtywater

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!

MDMercedesGuy

There is very little comparison between the 2012 interior and previous years in terms of materials or design...

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.

eliteskill

12' or previous year model. Me owning a 09 itself. The '12 interior refresh was a good one however the colors of the displays and radio controls in my opinion still say "old outdated" (brown/red/tan). We couldnt get some nice white/blue/red updated modern colors? Everyone in the car industry is moving to these colors. Its user preference but I like the C interior more. So the OP can choose either or for BMW/C

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.

Interior is a toss up. Others like the BMW others like the C thats why I told the OP (Your Pick!)

2012c350

Edmunds has the car listed as having been timed at 5.6 sec.