spyked

Hi all:

It's getting close to time to take the plunge. I've always wanted a W204, and now that the 2012+ have had the interior refresh, I can't think of a better time.

Would you all agree - the 2012 C300 4M is the most "sorted-out" W204, in terms of glitches and issues? To me, it's the last W204 that steers clear of the DI-related issues, and the rest of the car has been around for 5 years, so it should be well sorted. The ONLY thing I don't care for are the LED running lights....prefer classic fogs down there. I realize I can't escape LEDs so at least they are tasteful.

One other question - the port injected 3.0 in the C300 - I've driven a few of them and I like them. They seem "old-school MB" to me. They can't really be anymore bulletproof now, right? Old tech, tried and true, no surprises. Am I wrong? I don't have anything against the C250 actually, as I find the power to be fine, but the DI aspect....based on the other thread....seems that MB hasn't convinced anyone that their DI tech is good for the long-haul. So I'm thinking a 2012 C300 is the best option since the 2013 C300 goes DI.

Am I on the right track?

Thanks!

Tomspo04

Spyked, Ive only been around Merc for a year, and picked up my second one yesterday. I can tell you that we bought my wife's 12-C250 exactly a year ago, and it impressed me so much that I just bought myself an E class yesterday. Her C250 Sport is an awesome car! It's a black/black car with AMG wheels, P1, entertainment package, nav...etc. The AMG wheels do make you feel the road quite a bit, but that's to be expected with that package. Other than that, it's a blast!

Sportstick

I bought two MBs at the end of 2008, and both have been extremely high quality and reliability. The C is the 300 and, as many others here have found, it just keeps soldiering on. The more recent 250 does not seem to get much in the way of quality problems (something broken), but there is more discussion about design issues (the way it performs) than I would expect. There are a variety of opinions about how well the trans was developed to work with the capability of the engine, with more complaints than one would hope about inadequate response, being in the wrong gear (or at least feeling that way). Here is a recent example:

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...y-problem.html

While your thinking is clear about the C300, the other side of the coin is that I am not a fan of all wheel drive, the more I compare our two cars. Even here in Michigan, I have learned quite clearly that a set of outstanding winter tires relieves one of the need to schlep around all that weight all year long with the effects on steering feel/response, handling, fuel consumption, cost of purchase and maintenance, etc. Our E4MATIC has no clear advantage, other than some better off the line motion on low mu surfaces. We put Blizzaks on both of our cars in the winter.

Drive the 300, drive the 250, and then just to understand how a 4 cyl turbo of the same general category can perform, just for education, go drive a 328i. If/when you come back to MB, you can decide the trade-off between the seemingly more generally satisfactory 300 vs the 250, and all wheel drive versus rear wheel drive.

global33

Perhaps you might consider a 2010 C300? That year still had the classic fogs vs LEDs. Although it must be said that quite a few people have had to replace a fog light due to rock strikes. I have the LEDs on my 2011, and at first I didn't like the look. But now I really appreciate the DRL LEDs on other cars for superior visibility and safety.

Sportstick

Fog lamps are easily protected with a piece of Lamin-X film. Our have survived four years intact.

LEDs are good for increasing the conspicuity of the vehicle, as DRLs are intended to do. But, they do not have the capability to throw a proper beam in the fog, if that is needed. So, the safety is a trade-off, depending on the conditions where you drive.

RLE

Yes, you are. There is more to life than an extra 3-4 mpg and considering all the buyers-remorse posts about the four cylinder engine, I would not buy it.

Remember, MB put a little 4-banger in a 3500 lb. car because they had to and didn't want to bring the diesel here or go to the trouble of creating a hybrid version.

And I read just last week that for the UK market, the V-6s are being dropped from the W204 leaving only the little gassers and diesels.

awstansbury

I drive an '09 C300 with the 6-cylinder and every time I get a C250 loaner I HATE it. The throttle response is slow; I expect my Mercedes to move reasonably well off the line and not feel like, as the driveability link posted below mentions, a stick-shift in 5th gear at take-off. The mid-range power is good, but the bottom end is totally lacking. These aren't Hyundais, right? Every time I get back in my C300 after a C250 loaner, I feel like I'm in a completely different car (by "different" I mean better). No offense to C250 owners, btw, this is just my opinion.

Go with the C300; I promise you, you won't regret it.

Scat01

OP, you are clearly a well thought out potential owner...If you choose to go this route, do yourself a favor and look at C350 cars while your shopping the 300's - it seems a large majority become complacent with the power of the 300 and are always seeking HP gains whether thru cold air intake, exhaust, or tune options - no sense trying to achieve this 15% gain with bolt ons when you can just buy it as a well engineered option.

Good luck with your decison/purchase. (btw, I agree with RLE...)

dcjwlee

I think the OP wants the refreshed interior

spyked

Thanks for the replies, everyone! Great thoughts!

Glad to know the classic C300 isn't troublesome for everyone. And I have definitely tried my best to like the 08-11 models, and I'd have one now, but I just can't get past the center stack. Don't like the buttons and the retractable cover (a sure-fire issue down the road, IMO).

I'm leaning towards the C300 because I want that classic MB feeling (solid, but relaxed). We've got an F30 328i in the family right now. Fine car, to be sure, but not a fan of the interior design and HATE the shifter and stop start system. The engine is certainly a nice one....but BMW isn't known for having great engine reliability lately (DI, HPFP, etc.), so it's a lease. The engine has changed the classic character of the 3 series though. That's another reason I am seriously leaning towards the C300 vs. C250 - already have a four cylinder turbo. I want to buy the MB and keep it for awhile, another reason I prefer not to wait for the W205. Always take a risk on leased cars, never purchased cars. In my (maybe misguided) opinion, a long term car is more durable in NA form, turbos (unless Swedish), tend to just be junked at 100k+ miles.

One more question - the LEDs at the bottom of the front bumper on 11+ models. If the LED burns out (if that's even possible), are they easily replaceable, or does the entire bumper have to be removed? How much is a replacement LED strip?

Thanks!

Samaral

Why don't you consider a 350 once your intention is to keep the car?

awstansbury

Just another suggestion: If you're looking for something "solid, but relaxed", I would go for the Luxury version as opposed to the Sport. The Sport feels solid, but a little too jumpy in the ride for my taste. The Luxury feels more like a luxury MB to me; well-built, no creaks, very quiet, and smooth ride. Plus, the wood-grain interior trim looks very nice.

spyked

Because the 350 is Direct Injected. DI technology doesn't seem to be extremely durable so far.

spyked

Oh yes, and most important....Luxury model has hood ornament and doesn't have staggered wheels. It will take a small miracle to get me into the Sport model. That miracle is called M.A.R.S. Red, lol.

Sportstick

This is great advice. Although I am firmly in the other camp, we've had some "buyer's remorse" among Sport buyers who want a more comfortable/relaxing experience. I've driven them both and the difference is quite clear. So, don't relent on getting the one you want!

Jaywalker

I was under the impression that the C-250, the C-300, and the C-350 were all Direct Injected. Is that not the case?

Reported driveabiltiy issues aside, in my search for a W204, I preferred the C-250 to the other models - it was easily peppy enough for me. I liked it a lot.

And one FWIW, I'm looking also at the Luxury, as the Sport tires can't be rotated due to having different sizes, front and rear. That seems to be a guarantee of really short tire life, IMO.

alsyli

+1. I wish I had at least test-driven the Luxury model. The current sport model seems to be even more firmly sprung than the 2008-2011 models (which I already felt was a wee bit too firm) and is a bit too lively for my tastes.... Otherwise, I think the C250 has been fine. Just put it in "S" mode if you need to accelerate rather quickly....

spyked

The C300 was never DI until very, very recently (2013 MY). The 350 and 250 are/have always been DI.

I'm sure the C250 is a fine automobile, but it doesn't offer 4Matic here in the U.S, and it's got DI AND a turbo....not exactly a recipe for long term durability, in my opinion.

Jaywalker

Thanks.

Only "possibly" on durability, though. I avoid All-Wheel Drives - I prefer to replace one tire, rather than all of them, if only one tire is damaged, and that's not always (ever?) possible with AWD. I'd buy a C300, if the weren't AWD. (I guess you could shave the new tire down to the same diameter as the old ones, bu tthat's wasteful and I'd rather just stay with RWD - I like the feel.)

I was always paranoid about my turbo on my Audi 5000, but the turbo was the one thing that didn't break - that doesn't mean you're wrong, though. A small engine is working pretty hard with a turbo, but old Volvo's engines have held up pretty well. Still, I have nothing against the pre-2012 C-300's and am considering them - DI may be the future, but I'd like to see a year or so of repair reports before I buy one.

kevink2

I thought the early C350's were not DI ???

.

kevink2

With 4MATIC, if you get a terminal flat, you should be able to buy 2 tires, not 4. The planetary center differential has friction clutch plates with a small preload.

For a Luxury model with the same size tires, front and rear, if you rotate your tires every 5-10K miles, any diameter difference will result in very slow slippage at the center diff clutch plates.

With staggered tires, the radius of the rears is 1/8" smaller than the fronts, when new. This confirms that some front to rear wear difference is OK. It's not likely you are burning up the rears with 4MATIC, so I see no reason to have to change all 4 tires.

Also, the 4MATIC only adds 145 lbs to a ~3500 lb car, so it's unlikely you will feel bogged down with the extra weight.

.

shotgun_banjo

funny as I am currently have a 2012 c350 loaner with dynamic package and I find the ride to be a bit softer than my c300 or my ex. shocks are starting to give already.

Sportstick

Depends on your sensitivity. Most of that weight is directly over the front wheels, far from optimal. I can feel it (dealer loaner back-to-back experience) and don't at all care for it. It makes the entire experience feel more like a small version of our E rather than anything fun or entertaining.

So, which is softer? Your C300 or your ex?

rjmcc01

+1 Waited 3 months to get the C350 that I wanted CPO. So, so glad I did. Car is much quicker than 300, shocked me how much.

RLE

You are correct. The 248hp engine was not DI.