CD Article: 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350

[CD_Editor]

Today's Test Drive:

Though less powerful than some of its rivals, the new Mercedes-Benz C350 provides "luxury, comfort and safety at an excellent price point," says contributor James Bergeron.  "On the road, the C350 is quiet, quick and comfortable," he says.
   
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Read the article | View the photos | All The Test Drives

[G0dspd]

Very nice car!  Looks a lot better than BMW's 3-series (everybody has a 3-series these days  ) and hopefully the old MB quality is back.

[Jameel]

What a sexy car! But a tad underpowered, I would think MB would have given it at least 300 HP. 

I agree way too many 3-series.

[2hondas1BMW]

Very nice. The only thing I am scared of is MB reliability. 

If I had the money, I would get this over the 3 Series. The 3 Series is becoming the new Civic.

[Jerry Hung]

Couldn't agree more, 3 series are everywhere (I drive a 2000 E36 myself too)

If only I have money, I would get this C-class baby right away
It looks awesome!!! My friends seem to think so as well

Now, maybe in couple years, I can get a used C-class, if the quality is decent

[rsxca]

Just went to MB dealership in oakville.  They had a white c class in the showroom.  Tha is one nice looking car.  I felt the interior quality was not as nice as the lexus IS or the audi A4 but not bad at all.

[The Mighty Duck]

As with the C300 base model, the C350 is available with the optional sport package at no-charge.

From looking at Mercedes' website, it looks as though the "sport package" is all standard equipment, actually.  There's no option to select the sport package - although perhaps the dealer can get it without those features if one so desires.

No manual transmission and the power deficit compared to its competitors strikes it from my list, were I in the market, though.  Looks very nice, but I'll take the dime-a-dozen 3-series with more power and a real transmission.

[jeepers]

Let's see, this is a good price point. Maybe in the states it is, where it lists at $37,000, but here at $47,000 it isn't.

[Mitlov]

No manual transmission and the power deficit compared to its competitors strikes it from my list, were I in the market, though.  Looks very nice, but I'll take the dime-a-dozen 3-series with more power and a real transmission.

I could live with the power deficit, but not the lack of a proper manual.  If I had this sort of cash, Audi, BMW, or Infiniti would get my business (most likely Audi with the 2008 A4), but MB or Lexus would not until they put a six-speed manual in their upgraded-engine compact sport sedans.

[mmret]

I could live with the power deficit, but not the lack of a proper manual.  If I had this sort of cash, Audi, BMW, or Infiniti would get my business, but MB or Lexus would not until they put a six-speed manual in their upgraded-engine compact sport sedans.

Mitlov? Audi? Doesn't sound like you.

Sounds more like me.

[quadzilla]

Everybody keeps talking about the lack of power.  How much slower is this thing?

0-60 < 0.5 seconds?  Are there any test yet?

If you first priority is getting to 60mph first then this just isn't the type of car you would be looking at is it.

I'm sure its much faster than my 6-wgn and I have had no problems anywhere staying up with or ahead of traffic.....140kph...150kph...160kph...170kph...180kph  Oh oh.

[mdxtasy]

Everybody keeps talking about the lack of power.  How much slower is this thing?

0-60 < 0.5 seconds?  Are there any test yet?

If you first priority is getting to 60mph first then this just isn't the type of car you would be looking at is it.

Agreed.  Many people buy cars on spec sheets and what a magazine can thrash it to 60 in.   

[Julie]

I could live with the power deficit, but not the lack of a proper manual.  If I had this sort of cash, Audi, BMW, or Infiniti would get my business, but MB or Lexus would not until they put a six-speed manual in their upgraded-engine compact sport sedans.

Mitlov? Audi? Doesn't sound like you.

Sounds more like me.

Audi - you? I would have figured you for Lexus.

Mitlov, I can understand. The Jetta's convinced him me thinks.

This MB looks great.

[wing]

The car is fast, one of the journalists did a 2:45 standing start lap at Calabogie with the 300 manual.  I do a 2:40 in my S2000 flying lap.  The car is fast.

[The Mighty Duck]

Everybody keeps talking about the lack of power.  How much slower is this thing?

0-60 < 0.5 seconds?  Are there any test yet?

If you first priority is getting to 60mph first then this just isn't the type of car you would be looking at is it.

I'm sure its much faster than my 6-wgn and I have had no problems anywhere staying up with or ahead of traffic.....140kph...150kph...160kph...170kph...180kph  Oh oh.

Oh, the power deficit is completely meaningless in the real world.  I'm sure the C300 has enough power for anyone (and a proper transmission!).  But it's the principle of the matter!  300 is something of a benchmark, one might say, and it's disappointing MB did not meet this mark when all of its competition do.  Would I dismiss the C350 based on that alone?  No.  But all things being equal, I'd rather have more power.

Mitlov: agreed.  I adore the Lexus IS350, but until they put a manual tranny in it...  even better, MT and AWD.  That would be a wonderful machine... 

[mdxtasy]

Another one sucked into the marketing hooplah.   

[wing]

The IS350 as the commercial says is "scary fast"

[mmret]

I could live with the power deficit, but not the lack of a proper manual.  If I had this sort of cash, Audi, BMW, or Infiniti would get my business, but MB or Lexus would not until they put a six-speed manual in their upgraded-engine compact sport sedans.

Mitlov? Audi? Doesn't sound like you.

Sounds more like me.

Audi - you? I would have figured you for Lexus.

Mitlov, I can understand. The Jetta's convinced him me thinks.

This MB looks great.

I'm open to Lexus too, but Audi has the critical advantages of styling and Quattro. Sometimes I am easily swayed by marketing. Ever seen the 40th (i think) anniversary of Quattro commercial, or the commercial where an A6 drives up a 37 degree incline in the snow?

I would have figured that Mitlov would appreciate the BMW / Infiniti type car over the Audi in that kind of pricerange.

Me, well, I wouldn't count out my next purchase to be a used geezermobile (GS / RL).

[Mitlov]

I would have figured that Mitlov would appreciate the BMW / Infiniti type car over the Audi in that kind of pricerange.

Me, well, I wouldn't count out my next purchase to be a used geezermobile (GS / RL).

Where I live, BMW is the ultimate "I'm rich and important and I know it" car.  That's a BIG turn-off for me.  You're more likely to find a true driving enthusiast in an Infiniti or Audi than a BMW, where I live.  Also, as Julie noted, falling for a VW has changed my impression of Audi.  Plus, the R8 is mind-blowing, not that I'll ever see one in the flesh.

I like the new G35 a lot too though.  Don't get me wrong.

[tpl]

I bet the C300 MT has enough power for the real world. My 330 has a mere 230 bhp and has no trouble getting out of its own way but then I don't care about 0-60. 50-80 is far more useful on regular 2 lane roads... to get past the codgers in their Buicks and Camrys... and in doing so, help the  seal the reputation of BMW drivers as being pushy, rude, uncouth etcetera.