gnus

I'm debating between the 300 and the 400 and wanted to see if anyone had any insights on the difference between the engines in terms of driveability. It would seem the 300 has enough for what I would need, but the V6 is always appealing, especially as it relates to accelerating while in passing/merging situations. Any advice would be appreciated.

I currently have a 2010 GLK...does anyone have any experience as a comparison?

StanNH

The choice depends on your priorities. If speed and torque are what you're looking for, the C400 is the choice. If a quick and economical engine is what you value, the C300 is an excellent choice.

Having opted for the C300, I am very pleased with both its performance and its fuel economy. But ... I was willing to give up the greater power of the V6 for that economy. Those who own a C400 will be just as happy with their choice.

The V6 is smoother than the 4, but both are quiet when cruising. The C300 is lighter and, according to some reviews, feels more agile because of the lighter weight. Either way, you're getting a heck of a car.

c4004matic

Short and long of it. Name your price and you will have your answer. If you are not price constrained and like a very powerful car the C400 is definitely your car. If you are counting your pennies the c300 provides essentially the same driving experience but with 28% less power. If you are thinking of base price the C400 is more expensive but its actually a better deal at base price since not only do you get the very significantly more powerful engine but it also includes a lot more goodies that are optional on the 300. However as options go up so does the price rather quickly. Things that you take for granted in a $18000 Honda Fit like rear view camera, leather seats, and push button start, are pricey options on both models. The 300 is plenty fast, regardless, the c400 is still a lot faster. So it all boils down to price and what is fast enough for you 6.5 and 98 at the quarter or 4.7 and 108! Otherwise, the cars are essentially identical in every other way.
Idiotically some options like rear heated seats, heated steering wheel, rear climate control and side view camera are not even available in the US I guess Germans think that Florida and LA are the entire USA!

Glyn M Ruck

There are a number of other threads that discuss this issue if you want broad input.

gnus

Thanks Glyn...I did do a search, but didn't really come up with a concise discussion, especially as it relates to personal experience with both engines; and a comparison of the same.

To clarify, I'm really just talking about how the engine's feel/drive, and to hear if anyone has personal experience with both. I've read reviews, but I'm coming from a "non-enthusiast" POV, if that makes sense.

As to what I'm familiar with, would be the GLK driving experience, so I was also asking if anyone had a comparison between the GLK and how that compares to the 300 or 400.

Either way, I do plan on optioning either choice in the same fashion.

Jinzen

I'd wait for the C450 if you like the idea of more power. If you want to keep the price tag down, get a C300 or a "base" C400 if you can get a deal.

I also wanted the Luxury styling for the C, so I had no choice but to get the C300. If there was a luxury C400 I may have sprung for that instead.

Glyn M Ruck

If you are used to the V6 quadcams you will appreciate the refinement of the C400. Make sure you drive both.

Jinzen

The I4 is noisy ... is that what you guys mean by refinement?

Glyn M Ruck

Obviously not as smooth as the V6 & makes a diesel like drone. Some are sensitive to this & some are not.

Jinzen

Mine - when cold makes several noises you can hear. When you are coasting down it will make a tick tick tick. Noise slowly goes away when car is warmed up.

Also, it will make almost an electrical coil whine noise when cold.

When it's warmed up though, the engine doesn't make any other noises.

c4004matic

I think calling the 4 noisy is a total misnomer. Both cars are VERY quiet. Sound only intrudes when really pushing the engine. For most folks the sound of the 6 when pushed is more pleasant than the 4. I like them both when pushed, they simply have a different "character". I'm certain when the C63 shows up it will have its own music pipes too.

floridadriver

You really gotta do a real world test drive on a variety of roads in each to make your own decision.

If you go C400, try airmatic on the roads you frequent, as they force you into the stiffest steel suspension with required "sport" pkg. C300 has more options in the build and more balanced. The RWD C300 releasing next month will be even more so.

Cost doesn't matter to me at all, but the C400 compromises too much for me for the few times I could use the extra horses. If no rush and you want more power and acceleration AND agile/light in its feet feel of the C300, you might wait for the upcoming C450 to try out.

PeterUbers

Over the years, of the people dissatisfied with their car I've read thousands of posts from owners across the web stating "I should have got the bigger engine" and only about a handful that said "I bought too much engine"

If price is not an issue get the c400 and be done with it

First-e320

C400 with the biturbo is fast right off the line, a little more so than the C300 that only has one turbo and has less boost off the line. The C300 sounds OK at speed, but off the line, the engine makes that 4 cylnder engine drone that reminds you of the 2 missing cylinders. V6 is very smooth with a much more linear power delivery than the i4, which will show some minor turbo lag. The i4 has auto shutoff of the engine when you stop (must be manually shut off every time you start the car of you do not like that). The v6 does not have auto shutoff (unless the default is off and it is buried in the menus). You will also end up with more tickets in the C400 as with all that power, you end up racing everywhere without noticing!

alsyli

What your asking for would be rather difficult since it seems as though it'd require someone to have owned both a V6- and 4-cyl C-class. And the this version of the engine is relatively new for those of us in the US.


I can compare the pre-facelift C300 w/ the post-facelift C250 (since I've driven both fairly extensively). The 6-cyl is significantly quieter, smoother, and more linear. Having said that, I don't think that V6 was particularly special (I much preferred the NVH characteristics of my Honda Accord's engine, even if the power delivery in the C300 was better).

If my C250 had better fuel economy, I'd probably be more willing to overlook its flaws.... It's not a horrible engine by any stretch of the imagination, though, and I'm surprised by how generally pleasant it is. And MB didn't offer a RWD C300 post-facelift. I don't need a car as powerful (or expensive) as the old C350.

With the added power and (presumably) improved gas mileage of the current C300 (for the upcoming RWD version), I'd probably be sufficient satisfied w/ it. It felt quite powerful during the short test drive I had a few wks ago....


The things that bother me the most about the W205 vs W204 are the inferior sightlines and the very fussy column gear selector....

NYC-Style

I would have been content with a C300 but after options it was barely $3k less than the C400...that was negligible enough for me to go with the C400.

StanNH

Maybe I'm the exception, but I did not buy my C300 because of price. I bought it because I preferred the lighter weight and better fuel economy of the smaller engine. I've owned many powerful cars ... much faster than my C300. That's not what I was looking for this time around, and the C300 suited my needs to a greater degree than the C400. With 0-60 times of less than 6.5 seconds, it's certainly fast enough for any passing situation I might encounter.

If you feel you need or want that extra oomph, then the C400 makes more sense. If not, the C300 is a very satisfying car to drive regardless of price.

bguybrad

i just couldn't spending 50-60k on a 4 cylinder. lol. 329hp v6 was about as low as i wanted to go.

seems MB is going for smaller bi-turbo engines now. i was going to buy a gla45 amg until i saw the trunk in person. in the showroom i saw the c300 and test drove one and was sold.

but had to go c400.

PeteInGilroy

On order: C300. Not because of the price, but because I want the Luxury version, which I could not get in the C400, and I didn't want anything "sporty". I would have liked the extra horsepower.

c4004matic

People spend 80k on an LS hybrid. Buying a very powerful 4 cylinder for the same reason makes perfect sense to me. Outside of the US the 300 is considered very fast. The 250 has less juice and the diesels are much slower still but more frugal of course. If gas were 8 bucks a gallon here like elsewhere, most people would be singing a very different tune.

Jinzen

$80K on LS Hybrid? Maybe 10 years ago. That's a Tesla Model S..

c4004matic

Worse yet, the epitome of self righteousness. Woohoo! Range anxiety here we come. At least its a good excuse to spend a few hours at the bar. Sorry honey I can't make it home for a couple of hours, the Tesla needs recharging!!!!

gnus

Yeah, I totally get that, but figured there may be some folk on here with experience with both. I'm leaning towards the c300 for fuel efficiency, but am concerned about the engine noise in the cabin. I like to drive in creepy silence.

c4004matic

Absolutely no worries, the 300 is one of quietest cars in existence. The 400 is no different as far as in cabin noise is concerned. For some mysterious reason internet reviews are always putting a microphone in the engine compartment or next to the tail pipe. I guess some people actually buy a car just for the tail pipe tone. Both cars are equally and superbly silent inside. The 300 probably more so, since the 6 is tuned to allow a few extra dB of interior motor music when revved.

Glyn M Ruck

Cabin noise is NOT the same C300 to C400. The difference can be measured & heard. Suggest you drive both to see whether you are sensitive to the difference or not. Only you can do that.

Everybody is welcome to their opinion & preference. Saying there is no difference is however plain wrong.