By Justin Berkowitz
October 1, 2007 -
The previous gen C-Class was not Mercedes’ finest hour. Chief amongst its non-virtues: base engines that offered little in the way of functional power, refinement, fuel efficiency or brand faithful character (e.g. the 1.8-liter blown four). The fourth gen C300 (W204) put paid to that– and how. In fact, the new C may have finally have broken the bigger-is-always-better mold that the German carmaker has deployed to lure Benz buyers up the ownership ladder. Ah, but does that mean that the new, more highly-horsed C350 is so superior to the C300 as to steal stars– and sales– from its cheaper stablemate?
The C300 Sport and C350 Sport are sheetmetal doppelgangers. From their AMG-designed grill– whose oversized three-pointed star seems specifically designed for fans of Mr. T– to their tightly tailored tushes, there’s nothing save rim design between them. For C300 Sport buyers, that’s no bad thing. In all its iterations, the new C is a profoundly attractive car; it’s perfect in proportion and elegant in effect. For owners of the more expensive car, well, price confers no honors.
Inside, same deal. Although we understand why Mercedes reserves its engine-size-related interior mods to their AMG variants (money), how much would it cost to give a C350 driver some indication that he’s got a hotter shoe than a C300 Sport driver? Anyway, the basics are [still] brilliant. The cabin is well assembled. The solid feel of the door and dash switchgear imparts the old-school Mercedes Benz attitude. It’s stoic, it’s stolid, it’s German, and it’s going to look the same when it’s thirty years old.
In my test car, it was all about the black, with predictably monotonous results. The brushed aluminum trim adorning the gear lever provides the only aesthetic relief from the Goth gestalt. One detail from the C350’s interior merits special attention: the tilt and telescope steering wheel. While many people will consider its manual operation a bit cheap at this price point, it’s a hopeful sign that the C-Class may be built (however inadvertently) for longevity.
Obviously, the engine underhood is the principal difference between the C300 and C350. Whereas the C300 has a 3.0-liter V6 making 228 horsepower, the C350’s [unchanged for ‘08] 3.5-liter six pot brings 268 horses and 258 ft.-lbs to the party. Accelerating from rest to sixty mph takes only a shade over six seconds; that’s a full second faster than the not-entirely-slow C300 Sport. As you’d hope.
Even better, C350 offers aural pleasures you’d never, ever expect in anything other than an AMG-fettled Merc. Once the V6 winds to the sweet spot, around 3000 rpm, the damn thing begins to growl. And it’s not the usual Mercedes “wall of sound” aggression, where you’d swear you were piloting an industrial strength vacuum cleaner. It’s a genuine gathering of sonic fury. And yet the C350’s engine’s smoother than the Pickup Artist and at least as refined as Nissan’s lauded VQ engines.
The new C350’s suspension remains more or less unchanged. In this case, less is more. Riding on firmer bushings, new subframes, revised geometry and a slightly lowered chassis, the C350 is a capable corner carver. Body lean is perfectly controlled, and the chassis responds instantly (if excessively) to inputs from the new, more tactile power-assisted tiller.
While a determined C350 driver could give a BMW 328i pilot a genuine run for the money down a twisting road, the C ain’t no 3. Like the interior, the C350 goes about the business of changing direction in a dour, cheerless sort of way. It’s as safe as houses [used to be], with easy-to-find limits and completely predictable responses at all times. But it’s just not what I’d call fun.
Compared to its real competition– the C300– the C350 asks you to give up a great deal for those 40 extra ponies and suspension tweaks. For starters, there’s the small matter (to some) of $5300. You also have to surrender the possibility of all-wheel drive and “Luxury” trim. Worst of all, the six-speed manual transmission is only available on the lower-priced C300 and its Sport derivative. Even if you forgive this omission, the C350’s seven-speed autobox is dim-witted when you need it most: downshifting for power. For a sports-minded vehicle, that’s an unforgivable sin.
In sum, it’s hard to understand why a “real” enthusiast would choose the Mercedes C350 Sport over a more genuinely sporting alternative (or the monster C63 AMG version). It’s also hard to fathom the C350 Sport's advantages over a C300. The “entry level” C-Class is a back-to-basics car that does what you want a Mercedes to do– better than the C350 does what you wish it could do. In that sense, the C350 reverses the curse, and puts sensible Mercedes owners in a happier place than those who continue to believe that bigger is always better.
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POWERED
October 1st, 2007 at 8:32 am
In all its iterations, the new C is a profoundly attractive car; it’s perfect in proportion and elegant in effect.
Styling must be an individual thing because I think the car just looks ugly, especially that snout.
October 1st, 2007 at 9:06 am
My ‘02 C230 (2.3 supercharged) does 30MPG freeway. That’s bad mileage? The new Benz C’s get 25. So, this is an improvement?
And yes, the new 7 speed tranny SUUUUUUUCKKKKSSS. I drove a C300 loaner a few months ago. I decelerated to take an on ramp and then mashed the gas to see what happened. Nothing. No thanks!
October 1st, 2007 at 9:51 am
@ ghillie
Yeah, I think it’s ugly too, but especially the rearlights and doors. Something about them just doesn’t look right.
And if you buy the “elegance” model you get the classical grill with star on top but somehow that doesn’t look good either.
how much would it cost to give a C350 driver some indication that he’s got a hotter shoe than a C300 Sport driver?
The driver should know by the reacion of the car to the go-pedal. But I guess this is an American thing; having to be able to see where the money went. Maybe so that other people can see as well? Something like ‘let there be a good visual distinction between a 300 and a 350 so I can leave the badge away so I’m not a snob but everyone can still see I bought the nice model :)’
The larger engine is just an option, like a sunroof…only better…except for the slushbox, which then of course, makes it worse again.
October 1st, 2007 at 10:29 am
I have never quite understood the appeal of the entry level Benz - it’s not a sports sedan like the BMW 3 nor does it have anything that other (much cheaper) cars don’t. It’s simply expected to get by on the reflected glory of loftier models such as the S and SL class. Unless the three pointed badge is must have (in which case you deserve your financial punishment) there are a number of choices that deliver better value if you’re in the market for a solid and luxurious sedan.
October 1st, 2007 at 10:35 am
These photos don’t do the C-series justice. I’ve seen a couple around town that have really caught my attention – and I don’t ever remember a Mercedes turning my head before.
October 1st, 2007 at 10:40 am
You know, as a Honda owner and a BMW Car Club of America member, I’m bizarrely attracted to this car.
Perhaps because I think it’s exterior and interior detailing is of a fine and well-defined german variety. It exudes Autobahn domination.
The new S class, followed by this C class, has reinvigorated Mercedes design and now sets it apart. It’s attractive and LOOKS solid.
Furthermore, the C300 Sport 6-speed is, on paper, a very attractive alternative to a BMW 328. Priced almost identically, and yet the Mercedes is better optioned stock. What a turnabout…
Furthermore, the Merc’s option packaging is down to earth. A few things should be standard at this price point that aren’t, but we’re more or less there.
Furthermore, for those of us in the snow belt, you can get your “Sport” model with a staggered setup and honest-to-god all-season tires. The ability to order this combination is a major attraction to those of us who can’t swap out winter wheels on their rides or choose not too (do to money, lack of a garage, or just plain laziness).
Lastly, honest to god cupholders. I’m not sorry if this makes me an American, but by Golly I want a place to put a cell-phone, iPod, and mug-o-Joe when I hop in my ride in the morning.
While the C350 may elicit 3 stars due to it’s price gap to it’s competitors, the C300 6-spd (on paper) looks a mighty fine companion.
Then again, for the same price the G35 6-speed offers alot more…
Maybe I’ll go drive a C300 6-speed and pop some comments in here. That is, if there was even one delivered to a dealership within 500 miles.
Joe
October 1st, 2007 at 10:47 am
William Montgomery - I hope your head turned for the SLK55 AMG. That burble coming from that little car always makes me smile :)
I can’t believe Mercedes launched a credible alternative to the Boxster S.
Carguy - I’ve never understood the previous C-class….but this one is quite attractive in and out.
The only thing I would say is that Mercedes engines are now lagging somewhat. It’s somewhat standard practice that a 3.0 liter should be putting out around 250 HP and that a 3.5 should be hitting the 300 mark. BMW has to detune their 3.0 liter N/A engine to hit 230.
Joe
October 1st, 2007 at 10:51 am
I actually really like the look of the new C-class. Haven’t driven one yet, but hopefully it’s more along the lines of the 190E than the previous-gen C. And no, I think Mercedes has something a little different than a 3-series competitor- more a small ‘personal luxury sedan’ rather then a true sport sedan- and they should focus on that.
I’ve never really understood the ’sport’ variants; why make a sports car out of a luxury sedan is beyond me. It’s an awkward combination of ‘lets put a sport suspension and flashy grille on a sedan with leather seats and an automatic transmission!’. It’s trying to please everyone, and it just can’t.
October 1st, 2007 at 11:34 am
I experienced the same sluggish responses from the seven-speed automatic. But after last driving the car I read that tapping the shifter (to the right? left? can’t remember) calls up a “sport” shifting program that brings with it quicker responses. Haven’t had a chance to check this out.
The two paragraphs on the car’s handling seem to contradict each other. Are responses instantaneous and the steering tactile, or is the handling not very entertaining? Are both somehow true?
October 1st, 2007 at 11:35 am
Altdude-
I think that it’s hard to make a car that wafts and hugs the road at the same time. So, for the wafters, we have the “luxury” theme. For those who want a little road feel, we have the “sport” theme.
Could be wrong about that. Chances are it all comes down to leather dye, spring rates and damper settings, and a different steering wheel. But the placebo effect is unstoppable :)
That being said, there is a huge difference between a sport and non-sport BMW 3-series. At least, among the RWD variant. Sport version of the 3-series AWD variants only modify the seating (sport seats) and steering wheel.
Joe