C350 Buying Advice

F31-340i · 08-08-2012, 05:29 PM

Starting to think about shifting my 330d.

These look interesting and I know there are some owners here.....

http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/c...0-miles/606041

I'm very out of date when it comes to Mercs - suffice to say my last one had COMAND Mk1...
- any tips?
- must have options/issues?
- can you swap the steering wheel for the current production standard (much nicer?)

Vaheed1 · 08-08-2012, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///ajd

Starting to think about shifting my 330d.

These look interesting and I know there are some owners here.....

http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/c...0-miles/606041

I'm very out of date when it comes to Mercs - suffice to say my last one had COMAND Mk1...
- any tips?
- must have options/issues?
- can you swap the steering wheel for the current production standard (much nicer?)

Before you commit to the 350 - try the 250 (2.0 Twin Turbo) - Personally, I think it's a better engine and makes the car feel a little more 'nimble' - it's better on fuel and will tune well.

m@rk · 08-09-2012, 02:51 AM

So I have a C350 CDI Estate Sport which is now 10 months old

The good:

They are a very well designed and thought out car, good level of kit, drive really really well and offer a lot more car for the money.

Where the BMW is the ultimate drivers car, that can translate into quite a hard ride where you really do feel every bump on the road. The MB is a more mature ride. Which is better depends on what you are looking for.

The not so good.

The build quality appears to be variable. Mechanically they are bullet proof but some of the materials used for the dashboard etc are questionable.

And forget what anybody tells you about the C250 being almost as good.

The V6 is silky smooth and very quiet (the C250 isn't) and just like your 330D will just keep going all the way to the limiter.

Options

MB have something called Artico which they fit as standard. It looks like leather but isn't.

Leather is always a good option

COMAND is also worth having (giving you Nav etc) but the standard multimedia setup is still good and you can always just plug in the Becker mapPilot into a slot in the glove box that gives you Nav via the built in screen and controls. You can pick this up for £300 and whilst not as good as COMAND is a step up from a TomTom stuck on the screen

BTW

The car you linked to on PH doesn't add up.

The facelift C350 (of which that isn't one) only kicks out 265bhp so that one there is about 30bhp less than that yet the ad claims 276

Bungle009 · 08-09-2012, 04:31 AM

Agree with the comment above. I tried a c250d and found it very noisy and clattery, but really liked the C350.

chrisbin · 08-09-2012, 07:06 AM

Coming from a 330d I'd say you would be disappointed with a C250....unless you are really keen to improve mpg....

F31-340i · 08-09-2012, 04:52 PM

thanks for the tips

so pre facelift - not so nice steering wheel, only 230ps, but to me looks nicer - with classic AMG styling

facelift - much improved interior & steering wheel - 265ps - looks OK but not a DRL fan, not sure about the new alloys either.

is the facelift much quicker?

facelifts are all a bit oo tnew and 30k, late low miles pre facelifts hovering around 20-25k - which seems like good value.

hmmm. could just plump for an E91 335d but ready for a change. Loaded 6 pot M Sport F31s will still be too much £££ for a while I guess.

F10s still pricy too.

I want to spend about £20-25k as thats a sweet spot depreciation IMO, as spend £30k and you still loose £6-7k in yr1 (not exact but sort of).

m@rk · 08-09-2012, 05:08 PM

The DRLs can be turned off if you don't like them. Simple menu option.

Chris100 · 08-10-2012, 04:20 AM

A friend of mine has the face lift model and its a real improvement on the pre-face lift model. In pre face lift trim I wouldn't have considered one but the new version would be on my list of possibles come change time.

chrisbin · 08-10-2012, 05:16 AM

Facelift interior is much nicer....

gIzzE · 08-10-2012, 07:57 AM

Facelift is worth it for the interior, 100x better.
Copied the E Class, which is the nicest of the German 3 imho.

This is my E Class interior the C facelift is pretty much the same.

Is an E Class too big?

Hell of a lot more car for the money.

F31-340i · 08-10-2012, 08:51 AM

Nice Gizze, this looks great value...

http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/c...te-auto/518799

Have they facelifted the E, or did they just give it the 265 motor from around 2011/12?

I'm wondering if the 230/265 engine makes much difference - it might sound a lot more power - like going 330d to 335d, but I have a suspicion that in this case the actual difference maybe much less?

Looks like they still do 7 seaters too....

http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/c...-seater/598898

m@rk · 08-10-2012, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///ajd

I'm wondering if the 230/265 engine makes much difference - it might sound a lot more power - like going 330d to 335d, but I have a suspicion that in this case the actual difference maybe much less?

I went from a 335D to the C350

When I test drove the 230bhp engine back to back with the 335D it felt lacking. This was not the case back to back with the 265bhp engine

Of course coming from a 330D, I would have thought there is less difference. After all, 230bhp is still going to be rapid.

gIzzE · 08-10-2012, 09:30 AM

E Class got a facelift in late 2011 for MY12 build.

Newer 7g+ gearbox that gives around 4mpg more, so 38/39ish instead of 34/35ish.

I went Avantgarde instead of Sport, slightly more Merc like, and after the years of BMWs I wanted to do the comfort thing. Still find it just as good as a 5 series, but if going Merc might as well really go for it.

231 vs 265??
I was adamant that I had to have the 265 as my last one was the E320cdi with Brabus box which was 272, but after trying both back to back I went 231bhp on a 10 plate and saved around £10,000 or 1/3.
This is costing me £350 a month, an 11 plate 265 would have been £550.

Mine has Nav 50, it does the job and does it pretty well.
It also allows MP3s burnt to DVD, so I have 4 DVDs with my whole itunes music collection on them, works well.
There is an Aux, and you can fit the media interface for around £400 new. This will give full ipod control etc.

Even a basic car is well specced.

I have Nav, bleutooth, intelligent Light System (amazing!), full leather, heated seats, ambient interior lighting (love it!) and I think that is probably it.
The standard stereo is very good, and it is a great car to drive. Did 14 hours the other week in one hit and went out when I arrived home, drove back from Edinburgh on Tuesday via Glasgow to Norwich which was 7 hours and was more like a 3 hour journey.

I just love the E Class, it does what it is meant to so well.

08-08-2012, 05:29 PM	#1
F31-340i Colonel 156 Rep 2,475 Posts Drives: BMW 340i Touring Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: ... iTrader: (1)	C350 Buying Advice Starting to think about shifting my 330d. These look interesting and I know there are some owners here..... http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/c...0-miles/606041 I'm very out of date when it comes to Mercs - suffice to say my last one had COMAND Mk1... - any tips? - must have options/issues? - can you swap the steering wheel for the current production standard (much nicer?) __________________ 340i F31
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08-09-2012, 02:51 AM	#3
m@rk Major 47 Rep 1,074 Posts Drives: 2014 520D SE Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Lincolnshire (sometimes) iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 520D SE [0.00] 2012 Audi A7 [0.00] 2013 Fiat 500 1.2 L ... [0.00] 2008 BMW 335D SE To ... [0.00] 2012 Mercedes-Benz ... [0.00]	So I have a C350 CDI Estate Sport which is now 10 months old The good: They are a very well designed and thought out car, good level of kit, drive really really well and offer a lot more car for the money. Where the BMW is the ultimate drivers car, that can translate into quite a hard ride where you really do feel every bump on the road. The MB is a more mature ride. Which is better depends on what you are looking for. The not so good. The build quality appears to be variable. Mechanically they are bullet proof but some of the materials used for the dashboard etc are questionable. And forget what anybody tells you about the C250 being almost as good. The V6 is silky smooth and very quiet (the C250 isn't) and just like your 330D will just keep going all the way to the limiter. Options MB have something called Artico which they fit as standard. It looks like leather but isn't. Leather is always a good option COMAND is also worth having (giving you Nav etc) but the standard multimedia setup is still good and you can always just plug in the Becker mapPilot into a slot in the glove box that gives you Nav via the built in screen and controls. You can pick this up for £300 and whilst not as good as COMAND is a step up from a TomTom stuck on the screen BTW The car you linked to on PH doesn't add up. The facelift C350 (of which that isn't one) only kicks out 265bhp so that one there is about 30bhp less than that yet the ad claims 276 __________________ MY BLOG :: MY PHOTOS :: FACEBOOK :: INSTAGRAM Last edited by m@rk; 08-09-2012 at 03:41 AM..
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08-09-2012, 04:31 AM	#4
Bungle009 Lieutenant 10 Rep 579 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Alton iTrader: (0)	Agree with the comment above. I tried a c250d and found it very noisy and clattery, but really liked the C350.
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08-09-2012, 07:06 AM	#5
chrisbin Colonel 112 Rep 2,333 Posts Drives: 640i MSport Coupe Join Date: May 2005 Location: S.Wales, UK iTrader: (1)	Coming from a 330d I'd say you would be disappointed with a C250....unless you are really keen to improve mpg.... __________________ Current: F13 640i MSport, e85 Z4 3.0i Previous - Alpina D3 BiTurbo E90 LCI Manual, 320d M Sport E92 Auto, 330i M Sport E92 courtesy of BMW UK....320i M Sport E92 Auto, 320d SE E90 Manual.
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08-09-2012, 04:52 PM	#6
F31-340i Colonel 156 Rep 2,475 Posts Drives: BMW 340i Touring Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: ... iTrader: (1)	thanks for the tips so pre facelift - not so nice steering wheel, only 230ps, but to me looks nicer - with classic AMG styling facelift - much improved interior & steering wheel - 265ps - looks OK but not a DRL fan, not sure about the new alloys either. is the facelift much quicker? facelifts are all a bit oo tnew and 30k, late low miles pre facelifts hovering around 20-25k - which seems like good value. hmmm. could just plump for an E91 335d but ready for a change. Loaded 6 pot M Sport F31s will still be too much £££ for a while I guess. F10s still pricy too. I want to spend about £20-25k as thats a sweet spot depreciation IMO, as spend £30k and you still loose £6-7k in yr1 (not exact but sort of). __________________ 340i F31
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08-09-2012, 05:08 PM	#7
m@rk Major 47 Rep 1,074 Posts Drives: 2014 520D SE Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Lincolnshire (sometimes) iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 520D SE [0.00] 2012 Audi A7 [0.00] 2013 Fiat 500 1.2 L ... [0.00] 2008 BMW 335D SE To ... [0.00] 2012 Mercedes-Benz ... [0.00]	The DRLs can be turned off if you don't like them. Simple menu option. __________________ MY BLOG :: MY PHOTOS :: FACEBOOK :: INSTAGRAM
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08-10-2012, 04:20 AM	#8
Chris100 First Lieutenant 7 Rep 367 Posts Drives: 320d M Sport Highline Coupe Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: N.Ireland iTrader: (0)	A friend of mine has the face lift model and its a real improvement on the pre-face lift model. In pre face lift trim I wouldn't have considered one but the new version would be on my list of possibles come change time.
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08-10-2012, 05:16 AM	#9
chrisbin Colonel 112 Rep 2,333 Posts Drives: 640i MSport Coupe Join Date: May 2005 Location: S.Wales, UK iTrader: (1)	Facelift interior is much nicer.... __________________ Current: F13 640i MSport, e85 Z4 3.0i Previous - Alpina D3 BiTurbo E90 LCI Manual, 320d M Sport E92 Auto, 330i M Sport E92 courtesy of BMW UK....320i M Sport E92 Auto, 320d SE E90 Manual.
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08-10-2012, 07:57 AM	#10
gIzzE Major General 363 Rep 5,984 Posts Drives: F11 + 911 C4 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Norfolk, UK. iTrader: (2)	Facelift is worth it for the interior, 100x better. Copied the E Class, which is the nicest of the German 3 imho. This is my E Class interior the C facelift is pretty much the same. Is an E Class too big? Hell of a lot more car for the money.
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08-10-2012, 08:51 AM	#11
F31-340i Colonel 156 Rep 2,475 Posts Drives: BMW 340i Touring Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: ... iTrader: (1)	Nice Gizze, this looks great value... http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/c...te-auto/518799 Have they facelifted the E, or did they just give it the 265 motor from around 2011/12? I'm wondering if the 230/265 engine makes much difference - it might sound a lot more power - like going 330d to 335d, but I have a suspicion that in this case the actual difference maybe much less? Looks like they still do 7 seaters too.... http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/c...-seater/598898 __________________ 340i F31
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08-10-2012, 09:30 AM	#13
gIzzE Major General 363 Rep 5,984 Posts Drives: F11 + 911 C4 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Norfolk, UK. iTrader: (2)	E Class got a facelift in late 2011 for MY12 build. Newer 7g+ gearbox that gives around 4mpg more, so 38/39ish instead of 34/35ish. I went Avantgarde instead of Sport, slightly more Merc like, and after the years of BMWs I wanted to do the comfort thing. Still find it just as good as a 5 series, but if going Merc might as well really go for it. 231 vs 265?? I was adamant that I had to have the 265 as my last one was the E320cdi with Brabus box which was 272, but after trying both back to back I went 231bhp on a 10 plate and saved around £10,000 or 1/3. This is costing me £350 a month, an 11 plate 265 would have been £550. Mine has Nav 50, it does the job and does it pretty well. It also allows MP3s burnt to DVD, so I have 4 DVDs with my whole itunes music collection on them, works well. There is an Aux, and you can fit the media interface for around £400 new. This will give full ipod control etc. Even a basic car is well specced. I have Nav, bleutooth, intelligent Light System (amazing!), full leather, heated seats, ambient interior lighting (love it!) and I think that is probably it. The standard stereo is very good, and it is a great car to drive. Did 14 hours the other week in one hit and went out when I arrived home, drove back from Edinburgh on Tuesday via Glasgow to Norwich which was 7 hours and was more like a 3 hour journey. I just love the E Class, it does what it is meant to so well.
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