C300 vs E350
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Lexus gs350
C300 vs E350
Hello, switching to benz yaay,
I want to get a used Benz cos I can't afford a new one, so I need your advice.
Which is better to go for in terms of maintenance and reliability 2010 c300 or 2010 e350?
is the parts of 2010 e350 more expensive than 2010 c300?
I want to get a used Benz cos I can't afford a new one, so I need your advice.
Which is better to go for in terms of maintenance and reliability 2010 c300 or 2010 e350?
is the parts of 2010 e350 more expensive than 2010 c300?
Senior Member
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 379
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From: ALLENTOWN PA
2017 AMG GT, 2015 ML350, 2013 C300
I had the same decision to make a couple of years ago (model year 2013-2014). E350 was about 4-5 grand more than C300. C300 makes 5 mpg more. Had plenty of test drives. The deciding factor was the size of the vehicle. I wanted something small because it was going to be a daily commuter (125 miles daily). So I ended up getting the C300.
Looking back now, I should have gotten the E350 because the C300 is just too small when I start hauling boxes for my company. I constantly have to move the front passenger seat all the way forward to fit 75"-80" long boxes.
So, both are very similar vehicle. It will come down to what you need it for.
Looking back now, I should have gotten the E350 because the C300 is just too small when I start hauling boxes for my company. I constantly have to move the front passenger seat all the way forward to fit 75"-80" long boxes.
So, both are very similar vehicle. It will come down to what you need it for.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 11
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Lexus gs350
I had the same decision to make a couple of years ago (model year 2013-2014). E350 was about 4-5 grand more than C300. C300 makes 5 mpg more. Had plenty of test drives. The deciding factor was the size of the vehicle. I wanted something small because it was going to be a daily commuter (125 miles daily). So I ended up getting the C300.
Looking back now, I should have gotten the E350 because the C300 is just too small when I start hauling boxes for my company. I constantly have to move the front passenger seat all the way forward to fit 75"-80" long boxes.
So, both are very similar vehicle. It will come down to what you need it for.
Looking back now, I should have gotten the E350 because the C300 is just too small when I start hauling boxes for my company. I constantly have to move the front passenger seat all the way forward to fit 75"-80" long boxes.
So, both are very similar vehicle. It will come down to what you need it for.
Although I'm not sure of getting the 2010 version is still dependable considering the age(8yrs) or I should just save up more and get 2011-2012
Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 130
Likes: 18
'11 E350 4Matic Sport
I just traded my '09 C300 Luxury (79k miles) for a '11 E350 4Matic Sport (78k miles) - here is my quick take after almost a week.
Performance & Handling:
Despite a hefty almost 500 LBS more than my old RWD C300 the E350 4Matic accelerates much more confidently during regular day to day acceleration. 0-60 and highway passing they feel very similar, C300 is a little bit more dramatic in the noise/vibration/harshness when pumping the gas all the way to the floor. Handling - C300 hands down at higher speeds like trying to get through a long yellow left across a 4 lane street. E350 feels more confident and point and steer at lower speed where the C300 felt very front heavy. Higher speeds in the E350 do not inspire the same confidence as the C300.
Comfort:
W212 E350 blows the W204 C out of the water in every regard. While my C300 was a very nice step up versus the Jetta and Mazda 3's I came from, comparing my "Luxury" C300 vs the "Sport" E350 the C300 feels like a rattle box. It crashed over bumps which the E350 just does not do. Mind you I had the "Luxury" C300 which is the softer ride of the C class, can only imagine what the Sport rides like. E350 just takes bumps, dips and bad roads with aplomb that would have had my C300 bouncing and crashing around - there is one road near me that is a severe test of any car suspension and the difference between the 2 was night and day. If comfort is your priority E350 all the way.
Reliability and running costs.
W204 C-Class is no pinnacle of reliability and the earlier ones will probably cost you more than a good W212. If you go with a W204 make sure the EIS/ESL (Electronic Ignition Switch and Electronic Steering Lock) have been replaced as if they have not failed and been replaced they WILL fail, this problem will leave you stranded, require a tow and cost you $1500+ if you don't have an extended warranty. The headlight switch will probably fail on some earlier models causing the automatic headlights to flick on and off during the day, side parking lamps to stay on randomly and in worst case scenario cause your headlights to turn on and off at night. If you are a visual person the side window defrost vents will break if you touch them wrong and can't be replaced as a standalone part, if you want something other than the busted 3D printed things being sold online you will be replacing your entire dash - mine just remained broken.
I have not read much bad about the W212 and the only thing with my '11 is the faded interior wood which I never noticed until someone pointed it out. It is the very last of the M272 engine (same in the C - avoid any M272 prior to 2009) so I have no qualms about having it as MB had long worked out the bugs on it.
Service I don't think my '11 will be much more (except for things that cost more because of 4Matic). I know the regular A & B services cost the same, engine/trans mounts quotes from the few quotes I received are 2x higher (guessing because of 4Matic) but it seems the service costs are pretty similar. I imagine if you are going RWD except for a few specific items the service costs would be similar.
Overall:
I would go with the W212 (E Class). While the W204 C was a step in the right direction back to quality it was still under the direction during the dark days of Daimler Chrysler, my traded 2009 was still badged as Daimler Chrysler in the drivers door. I have first hand heard the horror stories of the full on Chrysler days regarding W203 C's and W211 E's - wouldn't touch them with a 10' pole. The W204 was still touching that dark period with like a 1' pole. The W212 eliminated the avoidance.
Performance & Handling:
Despite a hefty almost 500 LBS more than my old RWD C300 the E350 4Matic accelerates much more confidently during regular day to day acceleration. 0-60 and highway passing they feel very similar, C300 is a little bit more dramatic in the noise/vibration/harshness when pumping the gas all the way to the floor. Handling - C300 hands down at higher speeds like trying to get through a long yellow left across a 4 lane street. E350 feels more confident and point and steer at lower speed where the C300 felt very front heavy. Higher speeds in the E350 do not inspire the same confidence as the C300.
Comfort:
W212 E350 blows the W204 C out of the water in every regard. While my C300 was a very nice step up versus the Jetta and Mazda 3's I came from, comparing my "Luxury" C300 vs the "Sport" E350 the C300 feels like a rattle box. It crashed over bumps which the E350 just does not do. Mind you I had the "Luxury" C300 which is the softer ride of the C class, can only imagine what the Sport rides like. E350 just takes bumps, dips and bad roads with aplomb that would have had my C300 bouncing and crashing around - there is one road near me that is a severe test of any car suspension and the difference between the 2 was night and day. If comfort is your priority E350 all the way.
Reliability and running costs.
W204 C-Class is no pinnacle of reliability and the earlier ones will probably cost you more than a good W212. If you go with a W204 make sure the EIS/ESL (Electronic Ignition Switch and Electronic Steering Lock) have been replaced as if they have not failed and been replaced they WILL fail, this problem will leave you stranded, require a tow and cost you $1500+ if you don't have an extended warranty. The headlight switch will probably fail on some earlier models causing the automatic headlights to flick on and off during the day, side parking lamps to stay on randomly and in worst case scenario cause your headlights to turn on and off at night. If you are a visual person the side window defrost vents will break if you touch them wrong and can't be replaced as a standalone part, if you want something other than the busted 3D printed things being sold online you will be replacing your entire dash - mine just remained broken.
I have not read much bad about the W212 and the only thing with my '11 is the faded interior wood which I never noticed until someone pointed it out. It is the very last of the M272 engine (same in the C - avoid any M272 prior to 2009) so I have no qualms about having it as MB had long worked out the bugs on it.
Service I don't think my '11 will be much more (except for things that cost more because of 4Matic). I know the regular A & B services cost the same, engine/trans mounts quotes from the few quotes I received are 2x higher (guessing because of 4Matic) but it seems the service costs are pretty similar. I imagine if you are going RWD except for a few specific items the service costs would be similar.
Overall:
I would go with the W212 (E Class). While the W204 C was a step in the right direction back to quality it was still under the direction during the dark days of Daimler Chrysler, my traded 2009 was still badged as Daimler Chrysler in the drivers door. I have first hand heard the horror stories of the full on Chrysler days regarding W203 C's and W211 E's - wouldn't touch them with a 10' pole. The W204 was still touching that dark period with like a 1' pole. The W212 eliminated the avoidance.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Lexus gs350
I just traded my '09 C300 Luxury (79k miles) for a '11 E350 4Matic Sport (78k miles) - here is my quick take after almost a week.
Performance & Handling:
Despite a hefty almost 500 LBS more than my old RWD C300 the E350 4Matic accelerates much more confidently during regular day to day acceleration. 0-60 and highway passing they feel very similar, C300 is a little bit more dramatic in the noise/vibration/harshness when pumping the gas all the way to the floor. Handling - C300 hands down at higher speeds like trying to get through a long yellow left across a 4 lane street. E350 feels more confident and point and steer at lower speed where the C300 felt very front heavy. Higher speeds in the E350 do not inspire the same confidence as the C300.
Comfort:
W212 E350 blows the W204 C out of the water in every regard. While my C300 was a very nice step up versus the Jetta and Mazda 3's I came from, comparing my "Luxury" C300 vs the "Sport" E350 the C300 feels like a rattle box. It crashed over bumps which the E350 just does not do. Mind you I had the "Luxury" C300 which is the softer ride of the C class, can only imagine what the Sport rides like. E350 just takes bumps, dips and bad roads with aplomb that would have had my C300 bouncing and crashing around - there is one road near me that is a severe test of any car suspension and the difference between the 2 was night and day. If comfort is your priority E350 all the way.
Reliability and running costs.
W204 C-Class is no pinnacle of reliability and the earlier ones will probably cost you more than a good W212. If you go with a W204 make sure the EIS/ESL (Electronic Ignition Switch and Electronic Steering Lock) have been replaced as if they have not failed and been replaced they WILL fail, this problem will leave you stranded, require a tow and cost you $1500+ if you don't have an extended warranty. The headlight switch will probably fail on some earlier models causing the automatic headlights to flick on and off during the day, side parking lamps to stay on randomly and in worst case scenario cause your headlights to turn on and off at night. If you are a visual person the side window defrost vents will break if you touch them wrong and can't be replaced as a standalone part, if you want something other than the busted 3D printed things being sold online you will be replacing your entire dash - mine just remained broken.
I have not read much bad about the W212 and the only thing with my '11 is the faded interior wood which I never noticed until someone pointed it out. It is the very last of the M272 engine (same in the C - avoid any M272 prior to 2009) so I have no qualms about having it as MB had long worked out the bugs on it.
Service I don't think my '11 will be much more (except for things that cost more because of 4Matic). I know the regular A & B services cost the same, engine/trans mounts quotes from the few quotes I received are 2x higher (guessing because of 4Matic) but it seems the service costs are pretty similar. I imagine if you are going RWD except for a few specific items the service costs would be similar.
Overall:
I would go with the W212 (E Class). While the W204 C was a step in the right direction back to quality it was still under the direction during the dark days of Daimler Chrysler, my traded 2009 was still badged as Daimler Chrysler in the drivers door. I have first hand heard the horror stories of the full on Chrysler days regarding W203 C's and W211 E's - wouldn't touch them with a 10' pole. The W204 was still touching that dark period with like a 1' pole. The W212 eliminated the avoidance.
Performance & Handling:
Despite a hefty almost 500 LBS more than my old RWD C300 the E350 4Matic accelerates much more confidently during regular day to day acceleration. 0-60 and highway passing they feel very similar, C300 is a little bit more dramatic in the noise/vibration/harshness when pumping the gas all the way to the floor. Handling - C300 hands down at higher speeds like trying to get through a long yellow left across a 4 lane street. E350 feels more confident and point and steer at lower speed where the C300 felt very front heavy. Higher speeds in the E350 do not inspire the same confidence as the C300.
Comfort:
W212 E350 blows the W204 C out of the water in every regard. While my C300 was a very nice step up versus the Jetta and Mazda 3's I came from, comparing my "Luxury" C300 vs the "Sport" E350 the C300 feels like a rattle box. It crashed over bumps which the E350 just does not do. Mind you I had the "Luxury" C300 which is the softer ride of the C class, can only imagine what the Sport rides like. E350 just takes bumps, dips and bad roads with aplomb that would have had my C300 bouncing and crashing around - there is one road near me that is a severe test of any car suspension and the difference between the 2 was night and day. If comfort is your priority E350 all the way.
Reliability and running costs.
W204 C-Class is no pinnacle of reliability and the earlier ones will probably cost you more than a good W212. If you go with a W204 make sure the EIS/ESL (Electronic Ignition Switch and Electronic Steering Lock) have been replaced as if they have not failed and been replaced they WILL fail, this problem will leave you stranded, require a tow and cost you $1500+ if you don't have an extended warranty. The headlight switch will probably fail on some earlier models causing the automatic headlights to flick on and off during the day, side parking lamps to stay on randomly and in worst case scenario cause your headlights to turn on and off at night. If you are a visual person the side window defrost vents will break if you touch them wrong and can't be replaced as a standalone part, if you want something other than the busted 3D printed things being sold online you will be replacing your entire dash - mine just remained broken.
I have not read much bad about the W212 and the only thing with my '11 is the faded interior wood which I never noticed until someone pointed it out. It is the very last of the M272 engine (same in the C - avoid any M272 prior to 2009) so I have no qualms about having it as MB had long worked out the bugs on it.
Service I don't think my '11 will be much more (except for things that cost more because of 4Matic). I know the regular A & B services cost the same, engine/trans mounts quotes from the few quotes I received are 2x higher (guessing because of 4Matic) but it seems the service costs are pretty similar. I imagine if you are going RWD except for a few specific items the service costs would be similar.
Overall:
I would go with the W212 (E Class). While the W204 C was a step in the right direction back to quality it was still under the direction during the dark days of Daimler Chrysler, my traded 2009 was still badged as Daimler Chrysler in the drivers door. I have first hand heard the horror stories of the full on Chrysler days regarding W203 C's and W211 E's - wouldn't touch them with a 10' pole. The W204 was still touching that dark period with like a 1' pole. The W212 eliminated the avoidance.
