I was very pleasently suprised with the performance of the C350 that I got as a loaner. I mean I would have never expected it to be the way it was. Lag is almost no existent, unlike my E320. The car is no 500 V8, but I mean for the engine size, it's great. I wonder how the new SLK350 w/ 300hp must be like. Idk, I'm really tempted to get myself one of these or a SLK350 for Christmas

 

I had a C300 Loaner and hated the thing, lol. I couldn't believe how boring and cheap the inside was and it had an obsene amount of wind noise on the Freeway. Decent looker, but the good looks are mostly in the front end IMO.

But yeah, I'd assume the 350 would move pretty nicely, it's got the 268 HP like the E right? With less the few hundred or so pounds it should be quick little ride.

I'm telling you man, no disrespect to the 320, but those things are DOGS!! When my mom had her E320 back in the day I remember thinking I couldn't believe how slow it felt.

 

Drove a C300 and C350. 350 power is great but really needs a 6 speed manual. I was close to financing one but decided to pay cash for the E500.

The big question is - when will MB upgrade these engines?! 268hp for a $50k + CAD car???

 

Ya, I can see why you guys make fun of the 320 now . Ya, the interior leaves a lot to be desired for (it was sort of based of the SLK I guess), I'm sure with leather it'd be a lot nicer. Also, the engine tone over the 320 is way better, a lot more deep sound to it instead of the higher pitch sound. Ya, the 300 is garbage. I just loved how there was almost no throttle lag with the 350, unlike with the 320. Is the throttle nice and quick like this on the E350's as well? Now, if I decide to stick with my 320 I will definitely get a powerchip installed when my CPO warranty runs out at the end of April.

155, the 2009 SLK350 was upgraded from 268 to 300 hp and has a single intake instead of a dual one. I believe that the facelift C350 (2010 model) and the new E and E-coupe (2010 model) will get the 300 hp engine instead.

Also, I noticed something about the C350. It's very light compared to the E (I also have airmatic). But tonight, while my neighbor in his M3 was up my a** on my way home, I was pushing the car. On turns however, I felt that I could have easily lost traction with the car, but have never felt this with my E on the same roads. The C would "peel out" more easily on turns than my E would. Actually, it would take quite a good amount of effort to peel out the E. Hmm... I wonder.

 

Yeah throttle with the E350's pretty zippy, I don't ever really remember feeling like it's sluggish or needing to over-compensate with the gas pedal to get moving. I'm not much of a racer (anymore at least), so I don't push it too hard, but when I do it does the job of getting up and going well enough for me. And yeah, it does sound really good for a 6'er, especially when you get on it.

Not sure about the handling thing, maybe because of the fact that the E's got more Engineering development behind it? Which would include the Suspension geometry? I dunno.

I wonder where they're getting the extra 32 HP from with the newer 350 motors?

 

Did the car have the MM system in it? I was most impressed by that.

 

Unfortunately, D by W will always seem sort of sluggish. Get a Sprint Booster to solve that.

 

All the charm of the new C's is nullified by the fact the interior looks like garbage, espcially that steering wheel

I remember test driving a 320 when I was buying my car, and I decided to turn around before the salesman got finished filling up the tank. lol

 

What's that? Sorry for my noob question.

Yeah, I think the extra 32hp comes from something with the injection system.

 

Could someone please tell me what the perks of Drive By Wire are? Because I've driven tons of cars without it and I've never been so annoyed by throttle and brake response as I am with my car. It works great most of the time, although I wouldn't say "better" than a good non-D by W car, but when it has it's little "glitches" it's quite annoying.

I lived with the car for 2-3 weeks, and considering I liked it when I first saw it, the interior really killed the charm for me. I got bored with the exterior minus the front end rather quickly, the rear is especially a turn-off IMO, and I couldn't believe the cheap materials used and overall feel of the interior. My GF kept saying she "couldn't believe it's a Benz". I love the little COMAND knob though. The dash has this horrible rubbery material that attracts dirt, the whole design is pretty cheapy and boring IMO, and the roof and A-Piller lining were this rough sand-paper like quality material. And again, that damn wind noise on the highway.

What I like about it is it felt really strong and durable, which is how the car should feel IMO, like it can take some abuse. I'd think it would make a perfect DD for someone with a weekend toy/garage queen.

 

No perks, imho. I guess the fact that there's no mechanical linkage means less chance of breakage. Probably less expensive for the manufacturer, too, in the long run. Some electronic throttles are better than others, e.g., BMWs seem a lot more responsive than MBs. My new E350 is what I would call kind of a slug in its response compared to what I'm used to. Not as bad as the lag with a FI motor, but it's definitely there.

 

The Multi-Media option. It includes the fold out screen, 7.1 channel DTS system with DVD Changer. Blows the W211 H/K system (at least up to 2008) out of the water. Plays DVD-Audio with full surround sound and at very high volume there is NO distortion. VERY impressive.

 

The AMG's DBW system is tuned MUCH more aggressively - so depending on the ECU tune one could really manipulate the throttle response, which could be some of the reasoning behind it. Also, I would assume it better integrates with the stability control systems, being able to cut the air off going in to the engine (as well as fuel and spark, of course) as needed.

 

I agree with that...

 

Thanks for info. I consider A4 3.2 against IS350. A4 has a similar engine to C350, it means A4 can be the same fast.

 

Ya, the ECU tuning makes a huge difference. I will definitely be getting a powerchip on my e320 once my warranty runs out. A evosport pulley kit also would be good. An x-pipe might be in the mix soon too, just waiting to hear back from the other guy.

Ya, the E just feels heavier but in a good way, like it's more stable and solid sitting.

It didn't have the MM system. The sound system was weird. I could hear the background beats in the music that I usually couldn't hear before in my E with the H/K system.

Ya, the interior left a lot to be desired for.

 

man....I see too many new C classes nowadays...

I drove the C300 as a loaner, it was ok from the outside, but the inside was ehhh....a good loaner, but nothing to invest in.

the 350 engine will be fine (same as my E350) but I'm not impressed with the interior. Now the C63 is a different level.

Gaazman, just mod your car until you're ready to upgrade...you still have a great car....it just depends on what you're after....sounds like you're ready for more of a sporty ride/car.... Used E55's are down in price these days.................hmmmmmmm

 

Sporting a C300 Sport loaner today. I 100% mirror everybody's sentiments on the cheap interior fittings. However the car drives pretty well. The steering feel surprised me the most (in a good way) and it does look good (esp in black).

For the money I'd still go with a comparable E90 though (but then I am biased).

 

Ya, I really wanted an E55 before I got this since I would not spend really any money on it (AMG body kit, exhuast already there, power is there, interior is amazing). Pretty much all I would do is get some clear side markers and a res. delete with an x-pipe. But I fear that I would not have enough self control, seriously. I love my E, just wished it had a little more power, so chip and pulley here I come, once my CPO runs out (actually I don't need to wait since the stupid CPO doesn't even cover most of the stuff that I needed fixed on my last visit to my dealer, I get the car back today. I'll never buy an extended warranty again, f*ck it I'm just gonna take on the risk and save the money).

Ya, the C350 interior was NO WAY up to par to what a mercedes should be. The performance, ride, and handling where there (which probably neither is in the C300), but this is a luxury car, hence luxury interior. Sat in my aunt's G37 coupe the other day. Wow, for about the same price what a better car and even more power (BMW 3-series is overpriced IMO, never really liked Audis, Lexus IS is overpriced as well).

 

About drive by wire, is there any way to disable through STAR or something? I know there is a sprintbooster you can buy, but are there any other ways besides this?

 

What didn't the CPO cover?

 

Pano roof clunking, seats squeking, bubble formed in my armrest. My back windows, if down but not all the way, if you press the auto up feature they go up for a split second then go all the way down . My windows make a high pitch grinding noise when they are going up, whining noise when AC on full blast, right side of drivers seat sticking out, right handle of butterfly style center console came off for no reason what so ever. Either they didn't cover anything or they said "we cannot duplicate what you have stated."

Oh and they told me it doesn't cover rubber hoses. So God forbid a hose has a leak and it leaks radiator fluid into my transmission, which I've heard is quite common on these cars, which will then cause contamination and require a whole new transmission, they will not cover it BECAUSE it started from a leaking rubber hose. Sh*t, I just hope it at least covers the air suspension components.

Lol, I was talking to the tech and the S/A about a certain DTB and they asked where I get all my info and how I know all this since they see I know a little too much about this stuff. I said I have my ways and the tech laughed and told me to stay off the internet. Right... so you guys can screw me without any lube???

 

WTF??

They didn't fix any of that stuff? Not even the windows? That doesn't sound right. How is the seat sticking out, like is it off it's tracks or misaligned?

That sucks. I'd try another Dealer if I were you, the squeeks could be a ***** to get fixed, also the defected pieces might be tough, but the hoses, windowns, and loud and very noticeable sounds and stuff should be covered I'd think. M-B of Encino has been pretty good to me so far, they don't really go out of their way to take care of some of the hard to duplicate problems I've had, etc. but they've took care of my loud door lock chatter rattles (just needed lube), and my power window assist which didn't work perfectly when I first bought the car. I did buy my car from them though, dunno if that helps.

 

Ya I bought mine from Beverly Hills. I would take it to them except it's far and they won't give me a loaner cause I'm not 25 (they sub out to enterprise there). The side of the seat, right side, the air blade sticks out. I just got it back today. He said it's something to do with the vacuum pump for the air blade and they even acknowledged that the tech noticed while driving that the right side did not inflate during driving as much as the left side did. However, this is not covered and it sounds very expensive to fix since the seat has to be taken apart. So I guess I'll live with that one.

Regarding the windows, they resynchronized the back ones for me, but said the motors might be going out in the near future. They changed my cats though since there was a service bulletin and my car fell in the production range.

Wow, I felt so odd driving the E. What a difference from the C, comfort wise. I felt like I could fall asleep on my way back.

 

Yeah I felt like I got into a Bentley when getting back into my car after driving the C for a couple of weeks.

They're saying they wouldn't replace the window motors? I dunno but I would be PISSED if I didn't get something that simple replaced since I spent so much money on a CPO car with the year extension on top of it.

Maybe M-B is getting a lot tighter with Warranty work as they're in a big financial bind right now, but I personally don't think any out of pocket expense should be payed on a CPO car period for any defects that aren't considered "wear and tear", maybe someone who's really knowlegable on the subject can chime in....