C250 CDi BE Auto vs E350CDi BE Auto

[C240Sport97]

Last weekend, I drove a C250CDi BE Auto Estate Sport

I thought the engine was really quite good. Smooth, powerful (but it ran out of puff quite quickly) and quiet. The thing that let it down was the slightly dull witted 5 speed auto. The gearbox is still quite good, but it can be slow to change.

Today, I tried an E350 CDi Sport Saloon. What a car!

Comfortable, big without being massive. Fantastic limousine ride. Far better than the C class.

Best thing is the V6 diesel. Very quiet compared to the 250CDi. Athough only about 30 hp more than the 250CDi, the V6 is an altogether much classier engine. It has very accessible power, which lasts longer, and which is much more smoothly delivered than the 250CDi. The V6 is Club World, 250CDi sort of premium economy.

The other really wonderful thing is 7G-tronic. It is superb. Seamless, quick, smart and never caught out. I even like the US style stalk freeing up the center console. 7G-tronic is miles ahead of the 5 speed auto.

An E250CDi Auto is about £1500 cheaper than an E350CDi Auto. I would go for the V6 everytime. £1500 for a much better engine and much more modern and intuitive gearbox. Yes, the 250 is more fuel efficient, but the 350 is so much nicer to drive, so much more suited to the luxurious and big car feel of the E class.

The E saloon is really a class act. Beautifully built, solid, taut and true old style Mercedes comfortable and not wallowy ride but with better handling.

Only trouble is the only 350 available with panoramic roof is obsidian black with black leather, palladium silver with black and calcite white with black. All sub optimal as I really don't want a black interior, and I need split folding rear seats.

Am going to wait for the 212 estate. It will be amazing.

 

[Mudster]

My car is up for replacement in the middle of next year. I'd already decided to go for a 350cdi I just need to decide if it's a C Estate, E Estate or ML.....

In the back of mind I was wondering if I really needed the 350 if the 250 was so good, but you've answered the question in exactly the way I wanted to know.

I want a smooth, comfortable easy drive...v6 all the way by the looks of it. If I go with the 250 it rules out the ML, and I'm sure I'd be driving around looking at 350's thinking I should have got one.

 

[C240Sport97]

My car is up for replacement in the middle of next year. I'd already decided to go for a 350cdi I just need to decide if it's a C Estate, E Estate or ML.....

I would go for the E ..

The C does not have the big car feel .. it is almost too nimble, and too responsive. And it does not have the ability to make rough roads smooth like the E. The E is premium, and for not that much more.

ML is just big .. and high center of gravity means not inferior handling. Don't really know as I have not driven one. But it doesn't have any more interior space than the E, probably less. Plus made in the USA!

 

[Barryh]

E is much better if you want the space.

I have just bought an Audi A6 avant as my lease on the E is up in december and the new E estate could be March,April or whenever next year.there is seemingly problems getting parts for a new model.
Unfortunatly cant wait till then.

Good luck in your choices.

 

[RichardM]

E is much better if you want the space.

I have just bought an Audi A6 avant as my lease on the E is up in december and the new E estate could be March,April or whenever next year.there is seemingly problems getting parts for a new model.
Unfortunatly cant wait till then.

Good luck in your choices.

Which engine did you go for Barry?

 

[davycaslad]

Hi

i have a new c class 320cdi and it truely a fantastic car and after 14k miles the engine is amazing handling as well.

but i needed more space so i have a new e350 cdi coming on wednesday so i can give you an accurate comparison then.

although i live in Yorkshire < mercedes cardiff have done an amazing deal for me with delivery and collection included

 

[C240Sport97]

Hi

i have a new c class 320cdi and it truely a fantastic car and after 14k miles the engine is amazing handling as well.

but i needed more space so i have a new e350 cdi coming on wednesday so i can give you an accurate comparison then.

although i live in Yorkshire < mercedes cardiff have done an amazing deal for me with delivery and collection included

what is the spec of the E350?

 

[Mudster]

The choice has more to do with Mrs M (who has Multiple Sclerosis) so it's down to which ever one is easier for her to get in and out of.

I'm liking the look of the new E class Estate and I can wait for it to come out.

She tried the C class and liked it, not tried either of the others.

Is the ML really built in the States? I k new the old model was, but is the new one?

I'm not overly bothered about sports car handling so the higher centre of gravity on the ML wouldn't bother me if it meant getting on/out was easier.

E is current favourite though and I get the feeling I'd not be paying much more over the C.

My Saab is currently too low, Mrs M's A class is perfect.

So we need room for a daughter, two dogs and a wheelchair for family days out.

 

[Mactech]

The choice has more to do with Mrs M (who has Multiple Sclerosis) so it's down to which ever one is easier for her to get in and out of

Is the ML really built in the States? I k new the old model was, but is the new one?

I'm not overly bothered about sports car handling so the higher centre of gravity on the ML wouldn't bother me if it meant getting on/out was easier.

E is current favourite though and I get the feeling I'd not be paying much more over the C.

My Saab is currently too low, Mrs M's A class is perfect.

So we need room for a daughter, two dogs and a wheelchair for family days out.

We really like the ML but...
It really is made in the States! Mercedes build standards are universal so that really isn't an issue.
It is not the easiest car to get into. You have to get up to the seat which is not a natural movement whilst bowing your head to clear the top of the door opening, as perhaps it is when dropping down into a lower car.
My mother in law found the Renault Scenic the easiest car to enter.
The dogs have to be either large or athletic to get in the back!

 

[Mudster]

It is not the easiest car to get into. You have to get up to the seat which is not a natural movement whilst bowing your head to clear the top of the door opening, as perhaps it is when dropping down into a lower car.
My mother in law found the Renault Scenic the easiest car to enter.
The dogs have to be either large or athletic to get in the back!

The dogs are a Spaniel and Terrier, that finds the Saab a stretch......looks like the E class is looking more viable.

I really like the ML, but having owned a Range Rover I wondered if it would be a Climb up and it sounds like it is.

I actually really liked the idea of an Audi S4 Avant for the same money as a cooking E class...we went to the showroom, the entry was absurdly low (without a curb) and suspension was comically harsh....not a chance. The Q5 was a genuine alternative until we worked out exactly how much money it was for anything other than a Manual 2.0 TDi (which is a no go as it absolutely has to be auto). It's shocking how expensive these are.

I guess middle age has finally arrived and I value comfort more than power!

 

[crockers]

My "old" 320 cdi still puts a on my face...... great engine

 

[Branko]

I have just taken delivery of my new E250cdi Sport saloon which replaced my 06 CLS 320cdi. Before the CLS I had an 03 E Class (320cdi) straight six.

The new E class I find smooth and powerful and whilst not as powerful as the CLS (which had a re-map) it is still quick and there's a good pick up when needed for overtaking. It has a 5 speed auto which is also smooth although in 5th it is revving higher at high speeds when compared to the 7G in the CLS.

The new E class handles very well and is very sharp and the steering continually brings smiles to my face. It comes with 18 inch AMGs and has Bridgestones which seem a tad noisy to me.

As I've only done less than 400 miles I am sure as it is run it it will get smoother and more efficient. First fill up averaged 29mpg which I am sure can only get better.

Happy to post pics if people want to see it.

 

[whitenemesis]

Happy to post pics if people want to see it.

Always!

 

[Branko]

Never done that here before so will need to read up how to and blank the now changed number plate!

 

[crockers]

Once you've blanked your plates - open a photobucket account or similar - upload your pictures there and you can then link back to them via here...lets you show bigger files etc.

 

[Branko]

What's the best way to blank those plates please? My laptop is running Vista and whilst I can fix red eye etc I can't cut/crop parts of a photo or add white to a defined box which would cover the plate area.

 

[crockers]

Don't you have a paint program? Crop them out and they go white..

 

[C240Sport97]

The choice has more to do with Mrs M (who has Multiple Sclerosis) so it's down to which ever one is easier for her to get in and out of.

Go try out the new BMW 5 Series GT .. very easy to get in and out of, and will carry loads of stuff.

I quite like it.

 

[C240Sport97]

Happy to post pics if people want to see it.

yes please

 

[Mudster]

Go try out the new BMW 5 Series GT .. very easy to get in and out of, and will carry loads of stuff.

I quite like it.

Didn't even know there was one...I'll have a look at that.

Don't like the idea of BMW though.

EDIT:- Had a look, not my bag thanks....looks like a saloon/hatchback and I'd prefer a proper estate. Nice idea though.