lpjz50

Good afternoon forum,

I currently own a C250 and it might not be with me for long, it's having some issues. Looking at other options as I'd like to stay W204.

With that in mind, I am debating between a C63 and a C350. In my area, they are about 9-12k difference in price (C350s are 28-33k and 12'+ C63s are 40-45) but I am wondering about reliability of both the engines and which one could handle a bit more than average abuse? I would be buying the car for reliability and fun factor.

For the 350 owners (with or without tunes) - how hard do you drive your cars? I test drove a 350 and wasn't too impressed about the performance over my C250 to justify getting one, but I am wondering if a tune and the noise from the V6 (with an exhaust) would change my mind. Engine seems to be reliable for this choice.

For 63 owners (I know, wrong forum) - headbolt issue aside, how are we looking reliability wise? I probably wouldn't touch the limits of the 6.2L motor (don't like going too fast) but I would love to hear the motor sing. Engine reputation for this vehicle seems to be very reliable as well.

What do you guys think? I don't really like to go fast above 80-100, and I do not track my cars. I am more into just hearing them make noises and get up an go (love torque, who doesn't?) sub 80. I am in a tough pickle in my mind over what I would like to do.

Thanks for your input guys, much appreciated.

LILBENZ230

I'm not sure what was wrong with the C350 you drove.. was it a 2012 or later? The 2012-2014 C350 has 101hp on the C250 and the difference is huge in my experience. I own a C350 but have extensive seat time in the C250. Mine is not tuned.

I would go with the C350. While I like the C63 as much as anyone, the extra cost both upfront and ownership overall don't make sense for me. Like you, I don't track the car, and I rarely go over about 90mph. My DD before this was a 2012 G37 and the Benz is every bit as quick as that car was.

chrisridebike8

2012+ should be pretty bulletproof. After the headbolt issue (2012+ is unaffected), the cars are pretty stout. As far as performance, you might THINK you will only go 80-100, but plant the throttle just to pass someone on the freeway and you will be at 120 in a blink. I often find myself well into triple digits without even thinking about it. And the car feels so planted, without cruise control or traffic to give me speed reference, I've found my cruising speed to creep up to 100+. IMO, drive both and see if it's worth it to you. You may not like the stiffer suspension. Or you may never want to get out of the car. It all depends.

lpjz50

Noted from both of you.

I drove a 14' C350 and it just wasn't as peppy to even consider between a 250 and 350. Maybe I need to drive another one.

I keep hearing this bulletproof term, I like it but again as mentioned earlier, upfront costs to my usage are more important.

LILBENZ230 - How do you like your C350? Do you drive it hard sometimes? Hold up okay? Reliable thus far?

Adi-Benz

As all the guys say in the C63 section,

For headbolts, its not a matter of if but when. It will happen and it will cost about $3k+.

Also struggling to see how the c250 is close to the c350, the fact that it has so much more hp and can put it down better.

LILBENZ230

I go WOT at least once a day. I picked it up at 24k miles and have just over 40k now with no real issues. The later W204s 2012-2014 are well sorted, reliable cars.

As for power delivery, the C350 and C250 are quite different. The 250 is a very peaky engine, where the C350 pulls strong all through the rev range. I always thought the C250 was spunky, but the numbers tell the truth. There is a huge difference in performance by any measure, so I would drive another and make sure to put it in S mode for full effect.

I'd mark the C250 off the list as I'm not sure about long-term reliability with the timing chain. The M271 engine has been known for this for some time and as best I can tell, these C250s won't fare much better. The reason being the V6s run duplex chains, the I4s run singles and can stretch. Also unless you absolutely have to have it because of where you live, don't buy a 4Matic. That's no issue since the C63 and C350 are RWD only. As for the headbolts, the latest models have updated parts and that should not be an issue.

lpjz50

The 2012+ as far as I know do not have the old headbolt part number and are immune to this issue.

And well, maybe it was because I didn't wanna scare the salesman that I didn't get the full effect. Besides, no way I'd own a V6 without an exhaust, lol!

Adi-Benz

yes 2012+ have no issues with headbolts.

lpjz50

Thank you for the fantastic explanation.

So you are saying a 350 should be very reliable in terms of getting up and going with hard accelerations, and I like to hear that. What maintenance or repairs have you had to do so far?

Yes, the C350 I drove was not what I would call a night and day difference vehicle coming from my C250, but I will test another then.

Do the 14+ W204s all have the updated transmission for the rev matching or only Sport Plus models?

LILBENZ230

Here is the performance data showing the difference.. of course, real world performance will vary but it is a good demonstration of the power difference:

Not to "mag race" or anything but the performance data from MT testing the C250 and C350 both 2012 models:

C250
0-60 7.2
1/4 mile 15.4@89.5mph

C350
0-60 5.5
1/4 mile 14.1@100mph

That is not a close race by any definition. Consider that the cars also get similar fuel economy and it seems a no-brainer without the C63 in the mix.

The only maintenance I've done is new tires, a service A, and new wipers. It's rock solid.

I don't have the dynamic sport package, so no paddle shifters. And I never use the manual mode, so I can't tell you if it rev-matches or not. I'll try later and report back. But the 14s do have the 7G-Tronic plus with services now due every 70k miles instead of every 39k.

lpjz50

Some good data there, thank you for that. I think I will find a sport coupe to test out and see how I like it, and then go drive a C63 and justify the costs.

Thank you for the plethora of information. C350 sounds like a worthy option, just need to find one that feels quick!

Adi-Benz

if you get '14 you can get a 4matic if you want

lpjz50

No fun if I can't spin tires every new moon! Is 4Matic all time AWD or biased?

Adi-Benz

all time

issue with them is the transfer case. you might get an unlucky one (like I have, going in shop tomorrow and will try and solve my way out of it...otherwise $6k repair from dealer, trans swap)

but no issues heard from the 7g+/2013+

Atlas Grey

My wife drives an 11 C300 4matic sedan. I have a 15 C350 Coupe 4Matic. I now live in Wisconsin and lived in PA so 4 Matic wasn't not an option for me. I have driven a C63 coupe and yes the power is intoxicating but for me rear wheel drive only wasn't an option. If you need 4Matic then get the 350 if you don't get the C63. BTW, not sure what was going on with the C350 you drove but my C350 drives circles around my wife's C300 which is faster than the C250. It's not even close. I beat mine like a red headed step child and have had no issues so far. Regularly into triple digits. Regularly to red line after proper warm up and I do use my paddle shifters if I'm more aggressively driving.

lpjz50

Thats awesome to hear! I will go drive a coupe sport plus model and see if I like it.

Flarearrow

I bought my (2nd hand) C350 coupe a year ago with 34,000 mi on the odo, and now have 45,000 mi.

When I had my C55 (bought 2nd hand back in 2011, owned it till 2015)....
- Things I loved about the car, it was an AMG
- Things that I didn't love about the car, it was an AMG.

I'm sure that we're all jealous of Tom Brady having Gisele Bundchen to himself, but I'm having Gisele brings it's own set of headaches.

I loved the feel of the C55. It went down the road with a certain presence. If you ever seen this Top Gear video of the CLK63 Black, all the comments Clarkson makes is how I felt in my C55

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xdc...lack-edit_auto

I bought the car in 2011 with just about 50,000 mi. Things started acting up when I got to 70,000 mi, and that's when I gave it up. Heaving oil leaking from the breather cover, A/C compressor went out, alternator went out, transmission acting up..... it was getting expensive.

After letting go of the C55, I missed having that fun car and a Merc product sitting in my driveway. So I started searching the used market for a C350 coupe.

Right away on the first test drive, when I stabbed on the gas pedal to exit the dealer lot, I smiled big!

Sure the C350 is not an AMG product, it's not as fast (on paper) as the C55, but from the seat of the pants feel, it wasn't too far off. I actually looked forward going to work the next day because I wanted to drive my C350. It steers, corners, and takes the turns better than the C55 did. Love the panoramic sunroof, bluetooth connectivity, the adaptive HIDs, a more modern 7 speed auto with a more modern engine. With the C55, I would start looking for gas stations after going 250 miles. I can go 400 miles in the C350 before i need a gas station.

After having an AMG product, unless I have deep pockets, I'd probably wouldn't do AMG again. The C350 is plenty fast for the driving conditions in the NY, CT, NJ area

lpjz50

The only thing I have to say against that is that I didn't like the one I test drove, and that maybe technology has advanced since then to where they wouldn't break as prematurely. One can only hope. If I bought a used 63, it would be 50-60k miles and I'd keep it for the lifetime.

Flarearrow

I said the exact same thing to myself when I had my C55. But it left me stranded so many times, and needed to be towed, I was getting fed up. Plus the resale value vs the repair costs, it didn't make any sense in keeping it.

Colin G

C350 can come with 4Matic. Lots up here in Canada. A fella I work with has a 2008 C350 4 Matic.

lpjz50

The only thing I have to say against that is that I didn't like the one I test drove, and that maybe technology has advanced since then to where they wouldn't break as prematurely. One can only hope. If I bought a used 63, it would be 50-60k miles and I'd keep it for the lifetime.

lpjz50

Oops didn't meant to double post.

edgalang

Factory ordered a 2012 C350 sedan here. Accumulated 78k miles on the clock since delivery and have spent nothing out of pocket with the exception of mods, general maintenance, and a replacement windshield.

If purchased NEW, I'm sure a properly broken in C63 will last just as long without additional maintenance. The issue I see over and over again is with folks purchasing 2nd hand without knowing the full history of the vehicle (and to me, carfax reports only tell a small part of the story).

lpjz50

What do you think I should worry about with a used C63 W204? I can't buy new obviously,

edgalang

Nothing with the C63 specifically but with the used buying process in general.
Even if you had perfect maintenance records (including services like carfax)...

You don't know...

#1 Whether the primary owner/leasee properly broke in the engine or not.
#2 How hard the vehicle was driven/abused in its lifetime.
#3 How the vehicle was stored/neglected when not in use.

I don't have any hard facts, but I'm going to assume most of the vehicles you'll be looking at are lease returns, of which the prior leasee probably didn't care about at least 2 of the above. This is of course just personal observation from friends and colleagues who lease regularly for business expenses.