2012 or 2013 C300
 

Hi,

I am looking to replace my C240 with a C300 12-13, but I am not sure which one is the better choice.

So it pretty much all boils down to this:

The 2012s have a nice amount of options (4-6) such as Premium, Nav, Assist Pack, Panos, MM, etc. and miles within the 20,000s.
The 2013s have less options (2-4) such as Premium, Nav, MM, etc. and more miles high 30,000s but it has the detuned C350 engine and ECO mode.

Both years are close in price considering the differences.

Currently I am leaning towards more engine, less option, more miles, same price. Is it worth it?

Thanks.

C350 over C300. Don't like the ECO on the 2013 but the 2012 C300 is a slug.

I'd say go for a C350 as well. Personally I'd regret not getting more power, versus options I'd rarely use.

I think the motors from the 2012-2014 C300's are all the same. There would be more of a difference between MY 2011, and 2012 (when they went from the 3.0l, 228hp to 3.5l, about 250hp), as 2012 was the first year of the facelifted C's. 2012-2014 C300's should all be fairly similar. Personally, I'd choose the more highly optioned car. You may think that you won't use a lot of the options, but you'd be surprised.

I thought the 3.5l in the C300 was introduced in 2013?

I don't believe so, Bill. 2012 saw the intro of the C250, and I think that's the point that the C300's motor was upgraded, otherwise there would have been too much of an overlap in motors.

Based on all the information I've seen the detuned C350 engine with 3.5L is only available in C300 2013-14

I was wrong, 2012 C300's had the 3.0l, though the 300 was the only one available with 4Matic.

I have a 2012 C300 - I tested a 2013 C300 and C350 before I bought mine and have had numerous loaners since. I bought mine new in 2012 right when the 2013s came out. Few things to ponder - ultimately it boils down to what matters to you most:

1. Direct Injection - I was nervous about long term maintenance of DI engines in terms of sludge when I was shopping. Probably made a mountain of a mole hill based on what I see in the forums. I've had no issues with the 3.0L since new (at 54k mi now) though. Wouldn't expect anything though for either engine until 250k or so miles to be honest. Seem pretty solid.

2. Transmission is different - the 2013s have the 7G Tronic Plus. 2012s have the older 7G Tronic. Main difference is the start-stop tech from what I gather. Perhaps someone else will know more on the technical differences. All I know is make sure the transmission service gets done at 40k (drain the torque converter too!) no matter which version you buy and make sure they use the correct trans fluid. Also, I think the power steering changed - from hydraulic to electric. I might be wrong on that one though.

3. Auto Stop-Start - I hate this feature, and at the time I saw no way to permanently defeat it meaning I would always have to push the button. That alone was enough to push me toward the 2012. Not really a big deal though in hind sight.

3. De-tuned 3.5L makes a raspier noise and has a slightly more noticeable vibration. My ex preferred the raspier exhaust and engine note. I did not. We both love driving, but the ex was definitely more of a hoon than me. The 3.0L seems more buttery over the 3.5L, and to my ear I prefer its softer note.

4. Speed - the 3.0L was fast enough for me. The 3.5L is noticably more quick, but not enough to make my eyes pop or anything. I felt that the C250 was just as fast (maybe faster) as my '12 C300, but sounds awful and the turbo lag was very noticeable. The C250s just always feel jerky to me. I also just hated the noise a 4-cyl makes. I also don't care about gas mileage. The 3.5L definitely has better acceleration though - especially around clover-leaf on-ramps. If speed is your top priority, get the '13 C350, give up the AWD, buy a set of snow and summer tires and be done with it.

5. COMAND - 2012 has the slightly older version of COMAND with brown/black color scheme. 2013 had the last update with the black/grey background. There are a few subtle updates (MB Apps), but honestly I don't notice any functional difference when I pick up loaners. MBrace became standard in 2013 - so if the connected telematics system is important to you, get a 2013. Personally, I see it as slow and pointless.

6. Distronic Plus - The Driver Assistance Package was not an option in 2012 for US W204s. 2013s finally introduced Distronic and all of that - though it is very very rare to find any US W204s equipped with it that are not C63s. So if you want adaptive cruise and active lane keep and blind spot, get a 2013 (but good luck finding one equipped with the package).

Hope that helps a little bit with your decision.

Good luck.

MB says the 7G Tronic + should have its transmission oil changed every 70K miles (at least this is the case for my 2014 C300 so I am sure the same for the 2013). Why would I want to do it almost 2x as often as Mercedes states? Seems like it would waste money?

This (in BOLD) seems a very, very cogent/$$$ question.

Hope some real sharp answers ensue (but not holding my breath)


ez

Everything I've read says the 2012's should have the 7g+, not the 7g.


OP- Consider a 2012 c350. I got mine a heck of a lot cheaper than a 2013 c300. You get all the goodies, but lose the 4matic (at least in the US) That's a mixed blessing as the transfer case on the 7G 4matics has known to have issues. I haven't really heard anything about the 7g+ having the same issues. In any case, RWD avoids all that.

Mostly because mercedes has overstated service intervals in the past and the previous 7G was very sensitive to being serviced at the right time. Cheap insurance. There isn't really evidence to say the 7g+ is suffering for issues either way, but its not old enough for a lot of that stuff to show up yet.

I looked in EPC with my VIN before my car hit 40k to figure out which transmission I had - didn't want to pay for a service I didn't need. The newer 7G Tronic Plus has a longer interval from what I understand - but also uses a different fluid. You can search for the difference - confusion exists on transmission service out there.

My dealer actually told me my transmission didn't have a torque converter drain plug when I checked to ensure the TC was drained during the service. I disagreed and had them put it on the lift and spin the converter - lo and behold a drain plug was found. At least they were nice about it and did the service again.

So, I'm no expert - Glyn Ruck's threads made me realize I probably should check before having the service done though.

I am very pleased with my 2013 C300 4 Matic with the 3.5 motor. Plenty of power and very smooth.

I just got my 2012 c300 4matic sport and every time i get in it i smile. it has all the power you need and all the bells and whistles. i would defiantly go with the c300 4matic sport. good luck in making a decision it took me months :) and I'm happy

Recently I had to decide this very same question. 2012 or 2013? I finally decided on the 2012. I found one with 25,000 miles, with P1 package and multimedia package. Excellent condition. Ultimately it came down to price. The 2013 was $3,000 more and in many cases had more mileage on them. I'm very particular about the condition of my cars and many 2013's were not in as nice a condition as the one I purchased. MPG was also a consideration, but I figured by the time I made up for the extra $3,000 I spent on the 2013 (mpg is better) the 2012 would be long gone and I would have lost money on the deal.

I also went with the 2012. It had all the options I wanted which were a minimum of P1 + COMMAND 6' and more. The extras were Lighting Pack, 18' AMG 5 Spoke, Trunk Spoiler.


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...ed7e37994a.jpg


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...b907c10335.jpg


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...2e5e447114.jpg

CONGRATS. Good choice. the 3.0 is a very easy engine to work on if your auto savvy.
and parts are much easier to get reasonably.
that's why I chose the 12 over 13 or 14.
what's your mileage when purchased.
you do have to watch for transfer case problems.
I highly suggest extended warranty on your car.
The 4matic will leave you bankrupt if it gives up ghost.
just the lighting option your C300 is extremely hard to find .
nice find.
also the 12 I purchased had very low mileage which to me was the deal maker for me getting the 12.
enjoy your new ride very nice.:y

FWIW the '12 should have the 7g+. Hopefully they solved the transfer case issues with that one. The one people were having issues with was the 7g. Not to say the 7g+ isn't affect as well, but I haven't read about a ton of isssues with the newer transmission, but we're really just getting to the age where they would start showing up.

How can I see which transmission the car has? I have tried vindecorderz and EPC and neither says which transmission the car has. I really don't want to deal with the transmission issue that so many people are having, especially since I am considering not to extend warranty. This will be the 3rd Benz in the family the previous two had 3k+ each for a total of 6k+ on extended warranties and they were used zero times. The only issues the cars had were worn belts/idler pulley which I replaced myself for less than the $100 deductible.:crazy:

Thanks.

You can always check the service manual that came in your car. If it lists 39k interval, its a 7g, 79k its a 7g+. Other than that, the indents in the oil pan are different and they have different color fluid. The overflow tube is different as well. If you look up the transmission overflow pipe and then google it you might be able to tell. A2222710097 is the PN on mine and its the green that 7g+ has. White or black tubes are on older models (Though I'm not 100% sure they haven't updated the part) The green tube and oval indents on the pan though... those are the easiest physical signs.

oval indents

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...359ecf566c.jpg

Check this thread for more pics
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w221...7g-tronic.html

lol I already had my transmission replaced on my 12 and the transfer case twice. :smash:

just get the extended for the 4matic system .
it pays for itself in the first time of trouble. :bow:

You mean a Power train extended warranty only? Not bumper to bumper?