this is very true 
C300 RWD review?
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 337
Likes: 7
From: North San Diego, CA
2015 C300
to be honest, you dont need a separate review for RWD vs AWD
unless you are REALLY interested in the driving dynamics, at which point you wouldnt be looking at a C-class for driving dynamics
Just think of the AWD to be more capable in the weather with slightly lower MPG's
RWD has the classic "sports" sedan feel with all the power in the rear that you can throw into a turn and know exactly what its going to do
unless you are REALLY interested in the driving dynamics, at which point you wouldnt be looking at a C-class for driving dynamics
Just think of the AWD to be more capable in the weather with slightly lower MPG's
RWD has the classic "sports" sedan feel with all the power in the rear that you can throw into a turn and know exactly what its going to do
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 16
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Porsche Cayman
Got it. I'm just second guessing my 4Matic choice. I live in SF, so snow isn't a concern. It's mostly for safety/control in the rain. Would you say that there are any negatives to 4Matic, aside from cost and fuel consumption? I watched a YouTube video where someone from Mercedes was showing the new C class, the 400 in this case, and mentioned that 4Matic/AWD is always thought of as a safety feature, which it is, but that it's also for performance. Kinda like what Subaru and Audi say.
Vincent
Vincent
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,524
Likes: 1,181
From: WI
17 E43; 21 GLS580
Got it. I'm just second guessing my 4Matic choice. I live in SF, so snow isn't a concern. It's mostly for safety/control in the rain. Would you say that there are any negatives to 4Matic, aside from cost and fuel consumption? I watched a YouTube video where someone from Mercedes was showing the new C class, the 400 in this case, and mentioned that 4Matic/AWD is always thought of as a safety feature, which it is, but that it's also for performance. Kinda like what Subaru and Audi say.
Vincent
Vincent
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 337
Likes: 7
From: North San Diego, CA
2015 C300
Got it. I'm just second guessing my 4Matic choice. I live in SF, so snow isn't a concern. It's mostly for safety/control in the rain. Would you say that there are any negatives to 4Matic, aside from cost and fuel consumption? I watched a YouTube video where someone from Mercedes was showing the new C class, the 400 in this case, and mentioned that 4Matic/AWD is always thought of as a safety feature, which it is, but that it's also for performance. Kinda like what Subaru and Audi say.
Vincent
Vincent
i'd say they are pretty even in performance
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,822
Likes: 33
From: Whitefield, NH
2015 C300 Sport: Palladium, Premium, Multimedia, Leather, BLIS
The 4Matic feels like it has very little drivetrain friction and coasts very freely. I've owned several brands of AWD cars, and none feels as smooth as this car. Also, fuel mileage numbers are excellent. I have not driven a RWD version, so I have no direct comparison, but I can't imagine there would be a dramatic difference in feel or performance.
Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 217
Likes: 2
From: New Jersey
2016 C300
meh. not really a performance feature in C300 trim. there is almost zero wheelspin off the line in RWD so you're not gaining much. in fact one could argue that there is more drivetrain power loss due to the AWD system as is noted in almost all AWD applications.
i'd say they are pretty even in performance
i'd say they are pretty even in performance
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Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 69
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area, CA
C43
I have a rwd c300 sport and had a 4matic c300 sport as a loaner last week. The rwd has good traction already, but I did notice that with the 4matic I could literally floor it from a stop while making a turn without a hint of wheelspin. It did feel like the engine was lugging a bit more in high gears though, I could sense a bit more vibration than in my car when applying the throttle in high gears at low rpm. Also, the steering felt completely different as well. My car has a distinct stiffness at center, the 4matic had a much lighter feeling at center that reminded me of the f30 328i that I test drove while car shopping.
Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 159
Likes: 5
C300
The C was given to the media press when it was only available in AWD. I've driven both. The RWD is a noticably better driving experience on the dry roads.
You should seek a dealer with both out. Physics are impossible to defy. You'll see a small hit in mileage and performance, until getting to very high performance where all wheels spin. That said, the penalty for weight over the front axle, and the friction loss aren't as much on the 2015 C as many previous AWD cars I've driven. If you need traction to go, get the AWD. Though good tires bests AWD. IF I lived where it didn't snow, I'd definitely skip 4matic for cost, weight, performance, and a more fun drive feel. I don't have that lucky choice.
You should seek a dealer with both out. Physics are impossible to defy. You'll see a small hit in mileage and performance, until getting to very high performance where all wheels spin. That said, the penalty for weight over the front axle, and the friction loss aren't as much on the 2015 C as many previous AWD cars I've driven. If you need traction to go, get the AWD. Though good tires bests AWD. IF I lived where it didn't snow, I'd definitely skip 4matic for cost, weight, performance, and a more fun drive feel. I don't have that lucky choice.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,524
Likes: 1,181
From: WI
17 E43; 21 GLS580
I have a rwd c300 sport and had a 4matic c300 sport as a loaner last week. The rwd has good traction already, but I did notice that with the 4matic I could literally floor it from a stop while making a turn without a hint of wheelspin. It did feel like the engine was lugging a bit more in high gears though, I could sense a bit more vibration than in my car when applying the throttle in high gears at low rpm. Also, the steering felt completely different as well. My car has a distinct stiffness at center, the 4matic had a much lighter feeling at center that reminded me of the f30 328i that I test drove while car shopping.
I just ordered some Michelin supersports for my C 400. It will be interesting to see what some track worthy sticky rubber does to the handling balance. The all season runflats from continental are very good tires but they are really not meant for high speed sports use at all.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 600
Likes: 4
From: Sunshine State
2015 C300 RWD
Got it. I'm just second guessing my 4Matic choice. I live in SF, so snow isn't a concern. It's mostly for safety/control in the rain. Would you say that there are any negatives to 4Matic, aside from cost and fuel consumption? I watched a YouTube video where someone from Mercedes was showing the new C class, the 400 in this case, and mentioned that 4Matic/AWD is always thought of as a safety feature, which it is, but that it's also for performance. Kinda like what Subaru and Audi say.
Vincent
Vincent
I live in Florida and no need for 4matic and went RWD. I drove the 4matic and RWD c300 on all suspensions and the C400 on steel and air.
RWD with airmatic was my favorite. C400 (discontinued and only made in C300's 4matic) my least favorite.
AWD a profit maker for car makers who play the safety card in advertising. Just no need for it here. Like carrying an extra person all the time in weight alone. If I had the 4matic I wouldn't sweat it though. Nice car you didn't buy to be a 'sports car' in any version.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Porsche Cayman
Thank you for the comments, everyone. Well, my previous two cars were both AWD (Audi TT, A4) and they were a lot of fun off the line- the TT, anyway. So we'll see. I'm looking forward to it- though it might be hard to switch from one of the best sports cars out there, but I was really impressed when I test drove the non-sport suspension C300 RWD. I ordered mine with every option minus the Interior package (we're vegan)- so there will be a lot to play with.
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 240
Likes: 8
2013 BMW 328i
i don't own a C300 yet.
but I do care about driving dynamics. Now getting a mercedes shouldn't mean, giving up all hope of driving dynamics as one other poster seemed to imply.
I mean in the end you want the total package, so if you want a car with great looks / luxury features and some good driving dynamics well, I'd want the whole package.
My current car is a f30 328i rwd with sport, and my last one was a B8 A4 with quattro and sport.
And brand dynamics and such aside, the A4 yes you'd never lose grip. But it was way way way less fun to drive. it had worse weight balance, and you've got an extra 250lbs of stuff for the same engine to carry around.
the C300 RWD i'd hope drives pretty well (i tested a w204 c300 before I got the A4 and i didn't think it drove too badly.... i only ended up with the A4 well since it was pretty and i'm stupid and like LEDs and at the time it was the only one with LED accents)
but yeah unfortunately the RWD c300 was released later than the 4matic so all the review cars were 4matic.
since the coupe (which is the car i want actually) should have RWD from the start, whenever they start putting reviews out of C300 rwd coupes, i'd imagine it should be a pretty good approximation (yeah the coupe is slightyl lower etc)
but I do care about driving dynamics. Now getting a mercedes shouldn't mean, giving up all hope of driving dynamics as one other poster seemed to imply.
I mean in the end you want the total package, so if you want a car with great looks / luxury features and some good driving dynamics well, I'd want the whole package.
My current car is a f30 328i rwd with sport, and my last one was a B8 A4 with quattro and sport.
And brand dynamics and such aside, the A4 yes you'd never lose grip. But it was way way way less fun to drive. it had worse weight balance, and you've got an extra 250lbs of stuff for the same engine to carry around.
the C300 RWD i'd hope drives pretty well (i tested a w204 c300 before I got the A4 and i didn't think it drove too badly.... i only ended up with the A4 well since it was pretty and i'm stupid and like LEDs and at the time it was the only one with LED accents)
but yeah unfortunately the RWD c300 was released later than the 4matic so all the review cars were 4matic.
since the coupe (which is the car i want actually) should have RWD from the start, whenever they start putting reviews out of C300 rwd coupes, i'd imagine it should be a pretty good approximation (yeah the coupe is slightyl lower etc)
