C-Class (W204) 2008 - 2014: C180K, C200K, C230, C280, C300, C350, C200CDI, C220CDI, C320CDI

so who redlines their C on a regular basis?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Dec 21, 2013 | 09:03 PM
  #1  
angusjohnjones's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: NOVA baby
2010 c300 sport 4matic
so who redlines their C on a regular basis?

I have an infiniti and it's generally agreed that the VQ37 VVEL engine benefits from being worked. How about these MB 3 & 3.5 engines? Is redlining a healthy routine exercise, or just something just done on an as-needed basis?
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2013 | 09:10 PM
  #2  
xXHotelCrazyXx's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,878
Likes: 8
From: five oh two
2008 W204 Sport
Redlining any engine on a regular basis is not healthy. An engine only has so many revolutions in its life time. You can use them all up at once in a hurry, or stretch it out and take it easy on it.
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2013 | 09:35 PM
  #3  
angusjohnjones's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: NOVA baby
2010 c300 sport 4matic
The VQ VVELs actually stay the healthiest when being worked fairly hard on a fairly routine basis. They put out an enormous amount of power for their displacement. But I honestly know very little at this point about the engine in our c300.
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2013 | 09:45 PM
  #4  
splinter's Avatar
Super Moderator
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 12
From: Orange County, CA
GMC - Miata - Trek - P-Car
Yeah when fully warmed up (e.g., oil temperature) and stabilized brief spurts of WOT and revs toward the upper end of the range to “keep the plugs dusted off” will do little to no harm.

The likelihood of a well maintained engine outlasting with other consumable bits on these cars is great. :)
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2013 | 09:45 PM
  #5  
angusjohnjones's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: NOVA baby
2010 c300 sport 4matic
Originally Posted by angusjohnjones
The VQ VVELs actually stay the healthiest when being worked fairly hard on a fairly routine basis. They put out an enormous amount of power for their displacement. But I honestly know very little at this point about the engine in our c300.


Also, I've been wonder if, at least anecdotally, anyone has a feel for the impact of redlining and the transfer case failure rate in the 4matic W204. I read one thread where a fellow had a transfer case failure and swore he drove his W204 like a granny. I guess I'm wondering if reasonably robust workouts benefit the transfer case, or put it at increased risk.
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2013 | 09:47 PM
  #6  
angusjohnjones's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: NOVA baby
2010 c300 sport 4matic
Smile

Originally Posted by splinter
Yeah when fully warmed up (e.g., oil temperature) and stabilized brief spurts of WOT and revs toward the upper end of the range to “keep the plugs dusted off” will do little to no harm.

The likelihood of a well maintained engine outlasting with other consumable bits on these cars is great.


Italian tune up
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2013 | 09:58 PM
  #7  
xXHotelCrazyXx's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,878
Likes: 8
From: five oh two
2008 W204 Sport
Most modern engines now days have variable valve timing/cam phasers. I can't recall one off the top of my head that doesn't incorporate this technology into their engines.
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2013 | 10:09 PM
  #8  
angusjohnjones's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: NOVA baby
2010 c300 sport 4matic
Originally Posted by xXHotelCrazyXx
Most modern engines now days have variable valve timing/cam phasers. I can't recall one off the top of my head that doesn't incorporate this technology into their engines.


Agreed. And the VVEL is an especially sweet one that loves to rev :
http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/TECH...VIEW/vvel.html
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 22, 2013 | 02:33 AM
  #9  
Rodpwnz's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 473
Likes: 15
From: SF bay area
C300 sport
I hit redline very often, maybe once or twice most times I drive the car. Is it bad for the engine? Maybe, I don't know. Is it fun for me? Yes, very much. Did I buy an assumed quality vehicle in order to be able to do something like this, among many other things? YES.

If I ever get to find out that the engine fails prematurely due to my driving habits, then I guess I'll have to find a competitor who makes a quality vehicle that will live up to my standards. I'm sure there are many equal or more affordable options.

But I highly doubt such a tried and true engine will fail before something else unrelated does. I don't abuse my car, I don't track it, I don't race with it. I'm a spirited driver, and if Mercedes advertises this as a sports sedan, I will use it as one.

I'm hoping someone more knowledgeable can shed some light on this for the m272. I can only tell you what I think is acceptable for redlining. Of course it could maybe increase the wear and tear on the engine, but what's the point of having a car like this if you can't drive it the way you want, assuming that its still within reasonable boundaries of use. This is all just my opinion OP, those VQ engines are amazing - was looking at getting a G37 a while ago.

Last edited by Rodpwnz; Dec 22, 2013 at 02:36 AM.
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2013 | 04:28 AM
  #10  
Tarek307's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 106
Likes: 2
Porsche 911
I had to go buy a 2001 M5 400 HP so i could stop red lining my gay 2012 c250
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2013 | 09:50 AM
  #11  
JWH321's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
2008 C300 Luxury
Mine has never seen redline in almost 80K miles. I promise to try it once before it gets to the planned 350K mark, probably at 349999.9K -- maybe.
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2013 | 10:04 AM
  #12  
||||||||||'s Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
2009 Mercedes C350
I don't think I've taken it passed 4k RPMs yet. Granted, Ive only owned it for a few weeks, I don't think I ever will. It's a Mercedes C350, theres no point in pretending it's fast. If I want speed, ill hop on the bike and hit the I-10 on ramp
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2013 | 10:45 AM
  #13  
abqhudson's Avatar
Senior Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 488
Likes: 37
From: Albuquerque, NM
2014 e350
Not me.
Can't be good.
A motor is not a muscle.
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2013 | 02:03 PM
  #14  
MDMercedesGuy's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 90
From: Germantown, MD/Rehoboth Beach, DE
2024 GLS450
Originally Posted by Tarek307
I had to go buy a 2001 M5 400 HP so i could stop red lining my gay 2012 c250
I had no idea that your car was a homosexual. Let me send it a welcome kit. Word choice, man.
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2013 | 02:19 PM
  #15  
spyked's Avatar
Super Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 583
Likes: 24
2026 GLC300 4Matic (X254)
I don't REDLINE my car too often, but I will spend some time in the upper ranges from time to time. I figure the engine in my car has been around for 10 years....it's stout enough to handle a few revs every now and then.

Not that it matters, but I've never been a fan of any VQ series engine anywhere close to redline. Not a very elegant engine.
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2013 | 12:06 AM
  #16  
tpdietz's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 99
Likes: 4
From: Ann Arbor, MI
2008 c300 sport 4matic
Originally Posted by Tarek307
I had to go buy a 2001 M5 400 HP so i could stop red lining my gay 2012 c250
wtf
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2013 | 05:59 PM
  #17  
MDMercedesGuy's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 90
From: Germantown, MD/Rehoboth Beach, DE
2024 GLS450
Originally Posted by tpdietz
wtf
Exactly. What a load of bigoted bs.
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2013 | 06:21 PM
  #18  
Tarek307's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 106
Likes: 2
Porsche 911
Originally Posted by MDMercedesGuy
Exactly. What a load of bigoted bs.
looooool...Dont get your panties in a bunch man...maybe i should be suspended like the guy from duck dynasty...
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2013 | 06:25 PM
  #19  
MDMercedesGuy's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 90
From: Germantown, MD/Rehoboth Beach, DE
2024 GLS450
Originally Posted by Tarek307
looooool...Dont get your panties in a bunch man...maybe i should be suspended like the guy from duck dynasty...
No, but maybe you should consider word choice better next time. It's not a laughing matter.

I had a lot of respect for you man.
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2013 | 06:25 PM
  #20  
Sportstick's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
Likes: 57
From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
Originally Posted by MDMercedesGuy
I had no idea that your car was a homosexual. Let me send it a welcome kit. Word choice, man.
Originally Posted by MDMercedesGuy
Exactly. What a load of bigoted bs.
Originally Posted by tpdietz
wtf
You are all absolutely correct. Troubling that the original user of the slur likely speaks in this manner often and may have no idea about the implications. His sarcastic/mocking reply seems to suggest that complete avoidance will be the best tactic here.

"Prejudice is the child of ignorance."

William Hazlitt (1778-1830)
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2013 | 06:32 PM
  #21  
MDMercedesGuy's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 90
From: Germantown, MD/Rehoboth Beach, DE
2024 GLS450
Originally Posted by Sportstick
You are all absolutely correct. Troubling that the original user of the slur likely speaks in this manner often and may have no idea about the implications. His sarcastic/mocking reply seems to suggest that complete avoidance will be the best tactic here.

"Prejudice is the child of ignorance."

William Hazlitt (1778-1830)
Amen.

Taking this thread back on topic, my car sees redline a couple of times a week. In my commute, I have to jump into traffic and cross a couple of lanes and then get into the inner express lanes of the highway. This means giving it the boot a lot of times - so it's not a redline from a dead stop, but a rolling redline.

My opinion - once it's warmed up, the entire rev range is usable without worry. I keep the oil changed at about double the MB recommendation so I know it's getting good lubrication and such.
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2013 | 06:37 PM
  #22  
Sportstick's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
Likes: 57
From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
Originally Posted by MDMercedesGuy
Amen.

Taking this thread back on topic, my car sees redline a couple of times a week. In my commute, I have to jump into traffic and cross a couple of lanes and then get into the inner express lanes of the highway. This means giving it the boot a lot of times - so it's not a redline from a dead stop, but a rolling redline.

My opinion - once it's warmed up, the entire rev range is usable without worry. I keep the oil changed at about double the MB recommendation so I know it's getting good lubrication and such.
Good idea.....with a manual, I don't hit redline as it seems not productive. I don't have the torque curve on paper to see, but it certainly feels like the optimal shift point is closer to 5000-5500 rpm when being aggressive than the approximately 6500 shown on the tach.
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2014 | 06:01 PM
  #23  
chris5949's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
2008 C300 4MAT LX
no one, a mercedes is not for redlining, go get a honda if you want...
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:30 PM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE