CD Article: 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300

[mdxtasy]

MD, you add AWD there?

4Matic
sports package
no premium package
keyless ignition

[Mitlov]

This looks like a very nice car, and in my opinion, it's much nicer looking (in sport trim) than an E90 3-Series.  If MB proves that reliability is what it was twenty years ago, not two years ago, I'd gladly test-drive this (assuming I could afford a car in this price range, which I can't right now).

Shame the C350 Sport doesn't have a 6MT available.

[Jameel]

Just built mine.  $46,575.  So with taxes and delivery, I'm roughly out the door at $50k.  Think there's room to negotiate on it? 

Doubt it.  Only one Benz dealer in town, and a hot new model.

The new C-class would be a better alternative than the overcrowded 3 series.

 

[mdxtasy]

I think there won't be a lot of room for negotiation....but maybe Mercedes want riff raff like me to join the Mercedes club.  I abandoned them a few years back for Acura.

[2hondas1BMW]

Does the Merc logo have to be any bigger? 

[jcon]

Does the Merc logo have to be any bigger? 

You can get the old school ornament if you don't want the Sport package. Of course then the neighborhood vandal will steal it to wear around his/her neck. <--- I may still be stuck in 90's...

[Matt]

I think the car looks great, love the lines. and the price point is SHOCKINGLY good. and now for the but.

from the pictures alone the interior finishes look downmarket. there is a fine balance between modern, minimal, sleek and cheep and i have to say i think this interior looks cheep (not ugly).

i'll have to sit down inside it before i pass final judgement, but considering the previous C class could not be had for (at the same trim level) for under 45-47, something had to be made for less to keep the profit margin the same.

anywho, just my 2 cents. regardless i think its a great package and car, just hope they dont tarnish their image.

[mdxtasy]

Does the Merc logo have to be any bigger? 

You can get the old school ornament if you don't want the Sport package. Of course then the neighborhood vandal will steal it to wear around his/her neck. <--- I may still be stuck in 90's...

   Ahem...Y2k happened a long time ago.  You can come out from the bomb shelter.  Kids don't take the emblems anymore, they take the entire car. 

I prefer the big emblem in the grille....that front grille reminds me of the big old coupes from MB that were so stately in the 80s.

[jcon]

i'll have to sit down inside it before i pass final judgement, but considering the previous C class could not be had for (at the same trim level) for under 45-47, something had to be made for less to keep the profit margin the same.

Or it could be that they're sacrificing some profit margin for volume in order to build up this segment?

Seeing as 3 series Bimmers amount to 50% of their total car sales, maybe Mercedes wants a piece of that action?

I agree though, one must experience this car, or any car, before coming into any conclusion.

[jcon]

  Ahem...Y2k happened a long time ago.  You can come out from the bomb shelter.  Kids don't take the emblems anymore, they take the entire car. 

That's whack! 

[mmret]

Impressive all around. Free sport package? Amazing.

* mmret starts up Excel.

EDIT: hey there's a "me" tag thing?

[Mitlov]

Impressive all around. Free sport package? Amazing.

Got yourself a new favorite on the wish list?

[Jameel]

i'll have to sit down inside it before i pass final judgement, but considering the previous C class could not be had for (at the same trim level) for under 45-47, something had to be made for less to keep the profit margin the same.

Or it could be that they're sacrificing some profit margin for volume in order to build up this segment?

Seeing as 3 series Bimmers amount to 50% of their total car sales, maybe Mercedes wants a piece of that action?

I agree though, one must experience this car, or any car, before coming into any conclusion.

I remember reading an article a few years back saying MB wanted to get their quality back to that of the 80s.  So they decided to cut their profits from $3Billion to $1.5Billion to have better quality cars.

[mmret]

Impressive all around. Free sport package? Amazing.

Got yourself a new favorite on the wish list?

You know how my thought process, or lack thereof, goes.

I'll think "hey, that would be really nice."
Then I'll check out pricing.
Then I'll think about it, and realize that it isn't worth it.

I'm still on #1 right now.

[2hondas1BMW]

I find the interior to look kinda..bland. ANyone else agree? Oh, and I expect more power from a 3.0 L V6 from a luxury manufacturer.

[mmret]

I find the interior to look kinda..bland. ANyone else agree? Oh, and I expect more power from a 3.0 L V6 from a luxury manufacturer.

Keep in mind this is without any forced induction.
Peak horsepower only tells part of the story, too.

[2hondas1BMW]

I find the interior to look kinda..bland. ANyone else agree? Oh, and I expect more power from a 3.0 L V6 from a luxury manufacturer.

Keep in mind this is without any forced induction.
Peak horsepower only tells part of the story, too.

Torque? Power curve? How much power is the G35 putting out? Or G37? How are the driving dynamics compared between each?

[wing]

Felt torquey

[mmret]

I find the interior to look kinda..bland. ANyone else agree? Oh, and I expect more power from a 3.0 L V6 from a luxury manufacturer.

Keep in mind this is without any forced induction.
Peak horsepower only tells part of the story, too.

Torque? Power curve?

Si.

Torque Curve.

Horsepower = Torque (in lbft, damn imperial system) * RPM / 5250 (not entirely sure on that number, but its something like that).

Horsepower curve is implied from the torque curve.

But hey, don't evaluate the engine separately from the car, imo. Gotta drive it.

[Mitlov]

Mercedes-Benz C300 (3.0L V6):  228 hp @ 6000 rpm; 221 lb-ft @ 2700 – 5000 rpm

BMW 328i (3.0L inline-six):  230 hp @ 6500 rpm; 200 lb-ft @ 2750 rpm

The output of the Mercedes engine seems just fine to me.  I'd gladly lose two horsepower to gain 21 ft-lbs.

But for the power-hungry, the Infiniti G35, for the same price as the C300 and 328i, offers 306 hp @ 6800 rpm
and 268 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm.