[m@rk]

So after 2 separate test drives, today I took the plunge and ordered my new motor which is already somewhere between the factory in Germany and here so should be with me in a couple of weeks.

Whilst the 335D has been by far the best car I have ever owned, a new 335D just did not appeal and after test driving other cars, the interior especially is starting to look tired and a little dated.

So time for something different.

A C350 CDI Estate Sport 125 edition in black with black leather and black ash trim and black privacy glass and black roof lining. BTW did I mention it is black?

Other options include heated seats, reversing camera and DAB

Due to the sheer spec as standard on this thing (Xenons, Nav, Bluetooth etc etc etc) this comes in several thousand pounds cheaper than the 335D as well.

It is certainly a very different animal to drive with a lot more sophisticated ride and very similar power figures:

335D - 286BHP @ 4400rpm and 581Nm @ 1750rpm - 6 Speed Auto - 0-62 = 6.1
C350 - 265BHP @ 3800rpm and 620Nm @ 1600 to 2400rpm - 7 Speed Auto - 0-62 = 6.3

So the deal is done and I am just waiting for a confirmed delivery date but I do know it will be very soon. I also know that my local Mercedes dealer managed to blow the quote I had from a couple of brokers on the overall package out of the water with a better cash price on the car and a better finance number. I suspect this is partially due to the car being already built and in need of an owner.

Is it better than the 335D?

I don't think I will be able to answer that for some time and even then it will depend on how you define "better". Having said all of that, it is very very good.

And I am sure when the new 3 comes out, it will leapfrog the C Class and so on and so on.

Pictures will be posted when it arrives

PS

Did I mention it's very black?

[Danny.B.]

Sounds like it could be very nice mark, any pictures?

[rogerxp]

Does sound good, especially when the figures stack up (good timing on that particular car!). It's about time BMW addresses their interior; seems Audi & Merc are running away with things at the minute.

[KadeSdad]

Sounds lovely.

Brabus do a plug and play chip (D6 III) that is 'Mercedes Friendly' for that engine and will not void your warranty, mind its not cheap but will boost it by around 30BHP and increase the torque hugely and will match the 6.1 to 60mph of the 335D

[JLR1969]

I am a big fan of Mercs, must be due to my advancing years. Given the 3 series coupe is at the end of it's life the C class is definitely a better choice. I noticed a huge improvement in ride when I moved to the SLK. I think any move from run flats is a positive one though.

Looking forward to the pics.

[TikoV]

I think you've made an excellent choice. The Mercedes is definitely much more appeasing in many respects to the current 3. Power isn't too far behind either, given you can remap the 265bhp/580nm to 308bhp/ 710nm.

I've been urging my dad to trade his old C-class in for a lush e350cdi sport, but he just won't. What a beautiful car but old man is soooooo old school. Believes a car should be on it's last legs before you change lol.

[KadeSdad]

Originally Posted by TikoV

I've been urging my dad to trade his old C-class in for a lush e350cdi sport, but he just won't. What a beautiful car but old man is soooooo old school. Believes a car should be on it's last legs before you change lol.

Urge him a little more He won't be disappointed. I have to say that its one of the best all round cars I've owned. I get more comments of this current car then any other I have had, even the M3 and the Lotus!

[TikoV]

Originally Posted by KadeSdad

Urge him a little more He won't be disappointed. I have to say that its one of the best all round cars I've owned. I get more comments of this current car then any other I have had, even the M3 and the Lotus!

We're Indians...enough said lol. Tightness is a trait/characteristic many old generation have.

I can see why you get comments....it is lush!!!!

[CardinalZeus77]

Look forward to seeing the pics

[rich1068]

I was just looking at the contract hire figures for that model and it does seem to be a steal.

[dxb335d]

Actually in testing the 335d does 0-60mph in well under 6 secs. It's 0-100mph I'm very sure would utterly trounce the Merc.

Enjoy your new car! I look forward to seeing some pics.

[BanziBarn]

I think you made the right choice, the C-class is a very nice looking car - getting the same car as last time wouldn't have been so exciting.

The Brabus plug in thing sounds good! Alpina should do something like that for BMW!

[m@rk]

Originally Posted by BanziBarn

I think you made the right choice, the C-class is a very nice looking car - getting the same car as last time wouldn't have been so exciting.

The Brabus plug in thing sounds good! Alpina should do something like that for BMW!

I have been told that the Brabus D6 takes this engine to 313bhp (no idea on the torque but assume more than the current 620Nm) and as long as you have it fitted in the first 20,000 miles, doesn't affect the warranty in any way. Indeed it is installed by your dealer.

Cost = £1500 fitted however you can remove it and take it to your next car (assuming the same engine).

But just like I could have had the 335 chipped, I never found myself craving more power so never bothered plus of course there are things like increases in insurance to consider.

So on day one I will see how I get on knowing that I can have more if I want it.

As soon as I get it, pictures will be posted.

[gIzzE]

I have the D6 on my E320cdi estate, very, very impressive box of tricks, massive gains.


I would not go move away from Mercedes now as my main car, I have fallen for them big time.
Some cracking contract hire deals on the Edition 125 cars and as said above all the kit you need as standard.
C350cdi sport estate for £360 a month, E350cdi sport estate for £15 more and that includes vat.

Seriously tempted, however, I will own my E320cdi next year and have a youngster starting school in 2 years and a daughter off to Uni next year, so think I will need all the spare cash I can get my hands on! But do keep looking at the deals out there.

[mgarvey]

Originally Posted by gIzzE

C350cdi sport estate for £360 a month, E350cdi sport estate for £15 more and that includes vat.

Sounds phenominally cheap - where can you get these sorts of prices?

The current W204 C-Class is a really choice car right now and if I was in the market for a new car would probably choose one over an E90, but when I come to change next year the F30 will be out and the position will most likely be so much different!

[rogerxp]

Originally Posted by mgarvey

Sounds phenominally cheap - where can you get these sorts of prices?

I was thinking the same - link???

[rich1068]

Cheapest I'm seeing the C350 CDI Sport Estate is £421.58 plus VAT. That's at 10k miles per year, 4 years, 3+47. Elegance is £396.46

Either way that still stacks up well against an E91.

[gIzzE]

Just search on http://www.contracthireandleasing.com/ there was loads last week, and found another one on Monday, he upped the mileage to 15k pa and still kept it under £400 a month, plus it was in stock so he gets it next week.

When I say 'He..' it was someone I work with ordered it.

I am a bit gutted as when I looked 2 months back they were all £500 plus for a standard sport with comand.

[gIzzE]

You have to look every day, oh, and I found the better deals over 24 months for some reason.

[rich1068]

I like www.comparecontracthire.com

And yes, cheap two year deals are odd. I can only imagine they're dealer/manufacturer supported for a short time so cars with strong residuals come back on the forecourt after two years. When the new Touareg came out you could get the 3.0TDI SE for £405 PM on 2 years contract hire direct from VW. The only thing was they couldn't build them fast enough to qualify for the offer.

[TikoV]

I'm really loving these now....more than ever!!! So, when old man is away to India sunning it up for 4 months...I'm trading the c-class for a nice shiny e350.

I want this....http://pistonheads.com/sales/3118176.htm

[chrisbin]

Originally Posted by rich1068

I like www.comparecontracthire.com

When the new Touareg came out you could get the 3.0TDI SE for £405 PM on 2 years contract hire direct from VW. The only thing was they couldn't build them fast enough to qualify for the offer.