German Car Zone

Lol ,sorry for hijacking the thread,but i'm sure one of thier assistants are getting the new C

What is going on in here? Anyway, some updates:


Dec 6, 2007

2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 Sport: Flex fuel capable




Who says GM is the only one promoting E85? Our new Mercedes-Benz C300 long termer asks for either premium unleaded or E85 ethanol. It even has a yellow fuel filler cap like our old Tahoe.

This struck me as odd given that I haven’t heard a word about the C300’s flex fuel capability despite sitting through numerous press briefings on the latest C-Class. It’s an interesting alternative given Mercedes' requirement for premium gasoline.

Then again, with the nearest ethanol station over hundred miles away, our C300’s ability to burn it won’t matter much. A closer station is expected to open up soon. Until then, we’ll be paying for the top shelf stuff to keep our new Benz running clean.

Ed Hellwig, Senior Editor, Inside Line



2008 Mercedes Benz C300: Minor Problems

I dropped our C300 of at Mercedes Benz of Long Beach. The sunroof switch broke off and even when you use the nub that was left, the sunroof and sunshades didn't work properly. There's also an annoying rattle coming from the headliner/visor area - related? We'll see.

It's a little disappointing - the star on the grille does mean something, doesn't it?

The dealership couldn't have been better - nice facility, attentive advisors and prompt phone calls.

Brian Moody, Road Test Editor



Dec 14, 2007

2008 Mercedes Benz C300: Not so Minor Anymore



If you're really sharp, you may be saying to yourself "That's not a 2008 Mercedes Benz C Class." And you'd be right. This is the car the dealership gives you when they call you back to deliver a car that was, in fact, not fixed.

"The tech thought I meant the rear window sunshade and since your car doesn't have one of those, he disregarded my comments" That's what our service advisor said. They replaced the sunroof switch (we're halfway done) but failed to test the entire sunroof and shades - not good dude.

Here's the best part, since I was assured the car was done I brought my 18 month old daughter with me to pick up the car. The time we spent waiting for the dealer to figure out why no one did a simple test of the whole sunroof and shade after instaling the switch was the time my daughter should have spent taking a nap - hear that screaming in the background? That's her and now neither one of us is very happy.

How much is a loaded Malibu again? Or Altima, or Maxima or Accord or....

Brian Moody, Road Test Editor @ not one mile more than when I brought the car in.


Full Blog:

Long-Term Road Tests


M

Update:



A few hours after I left Long Beach Mercedes Benz in a Camry rental, my service advisor called to confirm what I suspected all along. The rear sunroof shade is broken and there's no quick fix. They gave us a temp fix by leaving it in the fully closed (or shaded) position. They'll call when the part arrives - estimate; 2-3 weeks, on back order from Germany.

The good news is I'd rather be driving a slightly busted C300 than a 4 cyl Camry LE. The problem is, that's a choice no Benz owner should ever have to make.

Totally Satisfied? Not exactly. Brian Moody, Road Test Editor @ 3,500 miles.




If tons of rear seat head room is important to you, you might not want a C-Class. Then again, I hauled two kids back there all weekend with no complaints. Those who are six feet or taller will want to brace themselves when speed bumps come up, you could whack your head on the roof.

Brian Moody, Road Test Editor @ 3550 miles.


Long-Term Road Tests

M

It seems like some Schrempp-era bugs are still lurking around.

These Edmunds guys are just looking for things to go wrong in this car. I'm personally not very impressed with the US spec model in its first year. What's the deal MB!??

Me either really. I think for 2009 the C will be a much more complete vehicle. Sportiest suspension setup, new engines, and hopefully some key missing features like memory seats will show up. If not then this C runs the risk of being an also ran for real.

There does seem to be a sense that they're really nit picking to death. I mean talking about anyone looks for tons of headroom, well duh they wouldn't be looking at a sedan in this class if they were.

M

^I guess everyone is very aware of Merc's resent problems ....but it does seem like things are improving. However, I am not surprised that some things are a bit flimsy in that cabin ....the 3er is a bit cheap in places too.

2008 Mercedes-Benz C300: Track Testing in Scotland

Every one of our long-term test cars undergoes track testing just like all the short-term cars that pass through our garage doors. For LT cars, we test them at the beginning and end of their stay with us. For the Mercedes-Benz C300 Sport, we decided to test the car in Scotland...or at least that's what the weather was like at our testing facility (I could almost hear the bagpipes). It's the type of conditions the Scots refer to as "atmospheric" (versus the two other types, "miraculous" and "crap"). With a thick fog, constant mist and a chill in the air, we realized why none of the British car publications publish substantial track numbers -- they can't. With a wet track, the morning was literally a wash, and without one of those GMC Sierra track drier thingies, we had to wait for the sun.

When the track finally dried, the C300 managed very well. Continue reading for official numbers and video of the testing.

James Riswick, Associate Editor @ 3,780 miles





ACCELERATION & BRAKING

0-30 - 2.6 seconds
0-45 - 4.4 seconds
0-60 - 6.9 seconds
0-75 - 10.0 seconds
1/4 Mile (ET/MPH) - 15.3 seconds @ 91.5 mph

60-0 - 114 feet
30-0 - 29 feet

Chief Road Test Editor Chris Walton: For 0-60, "a little tire scratch was all it could muster at launch. However, it's quicker than I predicted and every upshift is nearly seamless at wide-open throttle." The brakes are "Trustworthy, firm, consistant, German."

SKIDPAD

0.89 G


Videos:

Long-Term Road Tests - 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300: Track Testing in Scotland


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2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 Sport: It's Double Jointed!

Since it's perpetually 72 degrees and sunny here in Los Angeles, we don't get many opportunities to test out things like windshield wipers. In fact, last year I think I used them maybe thrice. So Tuesday's rain gave me an opportunity to become reacquainted with these forgotten automotive staples -- and in our Mercedes-BENZ C300 Sport, good ones at that. Long gone is Mercedes' huge one-blade wiper design, replaced instead by two that manage to cover an impressive amount of windshield. The passenger side one is double jointed, allowing it a greater range of motion. This isn't a feature unique to Mercedes-BENZ, but it does clear more of the glass and prevents that little shark-fin-shaped wiper gap at the bottom of the windshield.


Video:

Long-Term Road Tests - 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 Sport: It's Double Jointed!

As you may notice from the video, they aren't the quietest in the world and when there's not a lot of water, they squeek like a small field mouse is propelling them. Another complaint was that there are only four wiper speeds -- no manual, rain-sensing (optional) or speed-sensing intermittent settings. Considering it won't rain again for seven months, I can probably live with that. You may not be so lucky.

M