Go | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
Member |
Since we're selling our trailer, I'm thinking about possibly going back to a car. Prior to the truck, my plan was to keep my Civic & but a new Miata. We got rid of the Civic when we got the F150, and I require 4 doors. I've always been into sports sedans, and found myself looking at the new C-Class, particularly the C400/C450/C43. Twin turbo V6, all wheel drive & mid 300 hp/tqe. Stopped & test drove a C400 Friday and quite liked how it drove. Predominantly looking used, as a $65k car new, is out of the budget. Anything any current owners can give some insight to check on? Thanks. The Enemy's gate is down. | ||
|
| Woke up today.. Great day! |
Not exactly what you are looking at but my wife currently drives an ML-400 with the twin turbo 3.0L. When she was buying she drove a ML-350 and was disappointed in the giddyup. She was considering a BMW, god forbid, until I told her they had a faster model. It is going on 3+ years old now. As far as performance, it is reasonably quick but it is also a heavy vehicle. Performance is likely better in their smaller cars. Reliability has been rock solid with no issues whatsoever. My wife is currently looking at the GLE350 and GLE AMG63. MB has upped the output of both the V6 and the TTV6 to a noticeable extent. Also the technology on this car is fantastic. | |||
|
| Member |
Thanks for the reply. That's good feedback, IMO. Coming from the 2.7TTV6 in my F150, at 325hp/375tqe, the C400 is definitely quicker (less weight, for similar power), and a lot more fun. An AMG C43 would be awesome, but a good bit out of the budget. The Enemy's gate is down. | |||
|
Caribou gorn |
We're on our second. Parents have had a number. Wife's parents have had an even bigger number. It's pretty much all we'll have now for the "family car" (I drive a truck.) We buy them used, a couple years old with ~30-50k on them. Wife drives an ML right now and loves it. Extremely comfortable, well-equipped, drives great. Its the V6 ML350 but it has plenty of pickup, IMO. Last one was an 09 E350... excellent car. We bought it in '11 with 50k and put around 75k trouble-free miles on it over about 5 1/2 years. We only sold it after child #2 because the backseat was just too small for two car seats. Fixed a few minor things... no engine, trans, drive-train issues. Biggest expense were tires due to asymmetrical sizes on front/rear. I loved that car (more than my wife did) and my parents bought one almost identical after we got ours. They are still driving it and its been a great car for them. My in-laws have had a few S classes but mostly ML's (GLE now) and E's. Their new (10 months old) E300 is a beast... much faster than our old E350 was. I recently drove a C63 rental for a bit... holy cow. One of the scarier cars I've driven when you put it in track mode. Just an insane amount of power in a small vehicle. I'm gonna vote for the funniest frog with the loudest croak on the highest log. | |||
|
Member |
I've been a Mercedes owner/driver for 25+ years. I started with the C class (C280 in 1995), then moved to the V8-powered CLK430 in 2000. A wonderful, speedy, powerful car bitten with the Chrysler electronic system (remember when Mercedes acquired Chrysler? Ugh). Liking the coupe, but disliking the cramped driver leg room in the current C class, I moved to the E350 Coupe. I'm now on my second E350C. I loved my first, and didn't think I could like a car better, but my dealer (who is also my friend) showed me the 4Matic version, which caused me to "upgrade." It's my current driver. I inquired about the E500, which has 100 horsepower more, but my dealer told me I'd be spending more time at the gas pump with little to show for it. She was right. The few times I've put the pedal to the metal, I experience a neck-snapping surge of acceleration! The V6 has 305-HP and is all I can imagine needing. I'm only 5'10'', but the C class just seems cramped to me. YMMV. You can't truly call yourself "peaceful" unless you are capable of great violence. If you're not capable of great violence, you're not peaceful, you're harmless. NRA Benefactor/Patriot Member | |||
|
| Member |
Thanks, I've had 2 in the past, both early-80s diesels (240D & 300SD) My grandmother is on her 7th S-Class, since 1989. 420SEL, S420, a few S430s & S550s. Sadly, the one I checked out Friday, already sold. Luckily, I'm in no hurry, so I can keep an eye out for the right one. The Enemy's gate is down. | |||
|
| Caribou gorn |
also, personally, the only way I'd have a C-class is if it was a coupe. I don't like the looks of the 4 doors... looks shrunken down to me. I'm 6-1 and felt relatively comfy driving one, but the back seats are so small that it's just about a 2-seater anyways. Might as well lose the doors. I'm gonna vote for the funniest frog with the loudest croak on the highest log. | |||
|
| Member |
Heh, heh. 503-HP. In a small package that MBWorld frequently runs articles showing how it compare against others. You can't truly call yourself "peaceful" unless you are capable of great violence. If you're not capable of great violence, you're not peaceful, you're harmless. NRA Benefactor/Patriot Member | |||
|
| Member |
I'm the opposite, at least in regards to the W205, I much prefer the sedan to the coupe & cabrio. Wish the Estate was sold here  At 6'0", I can comfortably sit behind myself. Though, I only took a C400 around the block. Need to find another to give a more thorough test drive. The Enemy's gate is down. | |||
|
thin skin can't win |
Isn't the E400 Wagon right up that alley? You only have integrity once. - imprezaguy02 | |||
|
| Member |
Looking to keep it under 40k, which rules out the E400, at least locally. Currently 2 E350 wagons in Houston under 40k. The Enemy's gate is down. | |||
|
| thin skin can't win |
I forgot that part of your OP. That's sorta a unicorn, and might be worth broadening a search. Cars.com lists 90 under $45K 2014 and newer, but only like 6 within 150 miles. For that car, might be worth a remote buy or a fun road trip. Our last car was purchased in AZ and were able to ship to Dallas for only $650, so keep that as an option perhaps? Either way, good luck in the search! You only have integrity once. - imprezaguy02 | |||
|
| Member |
Yeah, it's a tough find. I've given carmax some browsing & there's a few potential options. Could get pricey to get them brought in. The one I looked at last Friday was loaded, Distronic, Airmatic, HUD, red leather w heat & cool. Definitely haven't found another like it, and I am not a fan of the tan/gray/white leather. Makes it tougher that the C400 was a MY2015 only, then bumped to C450AMG for 2016 & AMG C43 for 2017+ May give a C300 a test drive to see how much difference there is with the ~80hp difference. Similar unicorn, finding a nicely equipped C300 Sport, instead of a base model retired service loaner. Looking on fuelly, the C300 only nets a ~2-3MPG advantage over the much more powerful C400. The Enemy's gate is down. | |||
|
| Member |
I'm currently driving a C400. Mine came with the multimedia, interior, and lighting package and upgraded 19" AMG wheels. The good: -Coming from a modified Subaru WRX, I thought I'd miss the pep but the C400 is plenty fast so the engine gets a big thumbs up. -Fuel economy is good. I average 23 mixed and 32 when mainly cruising on the freeway. -The interior fit and finish is superb. -The stereo is fantastic. The bad: -The standard sport suspension can feel a bit rough at times, especially with the crappy roads we have in Ohio. Add the 19" wheels and summer run flats, they weren't a good combo. My dealer was willing to swap out the run flats with a new set of Continental all seasons with a regular inflation kit that made the car much more enjoyable. -The exterior door handle lights: I've got an ongoing issue with the exterior door handle lights. The LEDs have burned out on my handles several times already. The car has been into get them replaced several times. I believe all four handles have been replaced at least twice. If they burn out after the warranty period is over, I don't plan on replacing them. So, except for the door handle issues, I've really been enjoying the car. | |||
|
Member |
I “run” a 4 banger sprinter cargo...(and now I read yo are selling your trailer...!) Same engine ina few of the Benz models. It is diesel, Evil nasty bull piss spitting diesel! I love it. I’d buy Benz diesel car ina minute.! | |||
|
| Member |
Yep, trailer for sale, moved it off of here & onto local sources a couple days ago. Going to try to get a spin in a C300 this week to see the difference with the less powerful I4T. The Enemy's gate is down. | |||
|
| Caribou gorn |
Suspension in that C63 was seriously harsh. I'm gonna vote for the funniest frog with the loudest croak on the highest log. | |||
|
| Member |
I took delivery of a 2018 AMG E43 a couple of months ago. So far I'm loving it. Plenty of power, handles very well for a sedan (although the suspension is a bit harsh with the 20" wheels), and fit and finish is great. I particularly like the interior. Lots of very usable tech, great seats, cool adjustable ambient lighting system, fat AMG steering wheel, etc.This message has been edited. Last edited by: EZ_B, | |||
|
| Powered by Social Strata |
 | Please Wait. Your request is being processed... |
|
© SIGforum 2024