JohnnyUte

Ok, so I'm thinking the best way to wake up my car would be changing the gearing on it. It'll give it the low end pep that I desire without drastically affecting the engine. I've seen some previous threads discussing this however it doesn't seem like anything has come of it. I have a 2012 C350 4Matic coupe so that'll present some challenges. I'm coming from classic muscle cars where a gear change is (relatively) easy, so I may be in way over my head. I want this to be kind of an open discussion to see if it really is feasible. Here are my thoughts:

1. Available gear sizes: Even if it is possible to swap gears, what would fit it and what sizes can you upgrade to? I'm sure Mercedes has common components, but they may use the same gears which does us no good. But that leads me to my next point...

2. Commonality of components with Chrysler: The current gen of C class began development while Daimler-Chrysler existed meaning that there may be Chrysler components (or aftermarket) parts available.

3. 4Matic: With a front and rear ring and pinion upgrades, that means double the cost. You RWD types might have it easier.

4. Speedo: This will definitely need to be recalibrated, but I don't know how our current ones work. Again, classic cars you run some calculations and change a gear for a mechanical speedometer, these are probably different.

5. Cost: Says it all.

6. Performance changes: Quicker off the line, but lower top speed. Who really will use all 155 speed-limited mph? I checked the gears on the 7G and it shouldn't hurt highway cruising too much.

Again, I want to foster a discussion to see what others think. In the end it may be a total waste of time, but if it's worth a shot, I want to try it.

Knightmare69

Given that you have a 4-matic I think it's almost impossible as you may be right, RWD version are easier. I know in our Subaru's we had front/center and rear diff's that were all upgradable. 4matic issue aside, I wonder if you could fit the AMG rear diff on or if that's even possible and if at all helpful.

Sportstick

I am not sufficiently knowledgeable to address most of your list, but I can save you some time on #2. The destructive corporate ownership of Chrysler by Daimler has given rise to many suppositions which are not true. There is zero relationship between the C Class and any Chrysler product.

kevink2

I've done gear changes on my 1st tracked car, but would not attempt to do a 4MATIC.

An option may be to go with 16" wheels and a significant changes in tire OD. I did this on tracked car #2, and it was amazing how much quicker the car was, like how hard it pulled in 3rd and 4th vs before.

"It'll give it the low end pep that I desire without drastically affecting the engine."

That may be solved with the Sprint Booster.

.

JohnnyUte

Sportstick, thanks for the heads up, I wasn't sure the extent of what they've done together.

I've been trying to research the 4th Gen 4matic setup online but haven't found too much in terms of actual technical details. This is something where I'd definitely need to talk to Mercedes service to see if they have more info.

k-works

So technically, you could swap GLK300 ratios 3,92:1.

Time had passed, but now you know. Have a good time.

paulo744

If you want to spend the money on it to make the car faster, i would sell the car and buy something faster. The c300 c350 is a slower car, but it is reliable 😀

W204Motorsports

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W204Motorsports

My 2008 c 350 4matic can do 0-60 in 5 seconds, not the fastest but sure is fun to be able to do it consistently and reliably on a daily driver. That being said, my car has 3.27 rear end ratio and my friend has his 2011 c350 with 2.82 final gear ratio and you can feel the reduction in torque, especially when you first get on it. Not sure why they put lower ratios on the 350s while the c300s have 3.07 and the SLK350 have 3.27.

k-works

Well, I want to buy GLK350 and drop in GLK300 ratios.
3.67:1 vs 3.92:1

Not a big difference, but this plus some ECU/TCU tweaks or maybe a higher stall torque converter should make a fun car. I’d be happy if it makes 0-60 less or equal 6 seconds.