C350 or C350CDi

[NISFAN]

Thinking of changing cars soon and the two options I was toying with was another C Saloon or a C coupe.

My default thought was 350CDi as an engine, but that changed as C coupe doesn't have the 350CDi option. I see the new petrol 350 is quite economical so might be worth a look.

Another option was new 3 series, but was sooo disappointed with the 320D engine. Seems so unrefined in the new 3, so much so that the 328i would be the engine of choice.

Any comments on the 350 petrol, does it return anything like the 40 odd MPG claimed (combined)?

What would YOU choose 350 petrol or 350CDi?

 

[@MARK]

How many miles per year do you do?

Use that to work out the total fuel cost for both cars and you will find little difference in running costs compared to the price of the car itself.

So then it comes down to what you prefer.

Personally I prefer the sheer torque of a big diesel over a petrol to the point that I would discount the C Coupe for that reason alone but each to their own.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Unless you're a petrol purist (or you're buying an AMG) the diesel ticks pretty much every box; I had over 50mpg on a run out of a 2012MY W212 E350 CDi (265bhp).

 

[NISFAN]

I do around 30K miles a year...business use......but not so up tight about running costs as I used to be.

In the case of the BM 3 series I would def go for the 328 petrol, which is similar MPG as the C350.

Diesels are nice, have driven diesel now for the last 8 years, but still a petrol fan at heart

 

[kianok]

All i can say it the 350CDi is AMAZING imo.

Not driven the petrol 350 though so i know nothing.......

 

[wilsodg]

Why buy a 3 litre car and then worry about the fuel cost?

If you want economy then buy a 2 litre. If you want outrageous performance buy a 5.x litre AMG. If you want a balance buy a 3 litre. To get 40mpg from a 3 litre petrol you'll be driving it such that you'll rarely exploit the reason for the incremental cost over a 2 litre.

I see posts that members achieved 50mpg from a 350 diesel but frankly don't ever expect to achieve that in normal use. It's a bit like saying you got it to do 155mph (you'll hardly ever do that either). If I drive my E350 really really gently (like moving the throttle about 10mm, no more) on a 50 - 70 miles run, I'll get perhaps 44mpg. But in everyday use, I average 31, and if I rag it (i.e. use the difference between a 2litre and a 3 litre) then I get 23mpg.

The 'average' for the 350 Diesel on Fuelly seems to be about 35mpg for an E, and slightly more for a C.

Now performance.. the 350 diesel produces roughly the same torque as the old 6.1 litre 63 and 60% of the power. The surge is awesome. Buy it for that alone, not for the economy. But if you want petrol, well you'll miss the surge, but it will (maybe) feel more refined at low speeds or when cold, and cost about the same to run.

Best advice - try them all for at least a day and see what you personally prefer (considering real performance and economy).

 

[st4]

Get the petrol, everyone has diesels these days.

 

[NISFAN]

I wouldn't normally consider a 3litre petrol, as previously, a 3 litre is not powerful enough to put a massive smile on your face, and is thirsty, so never really been an option. However the new direct injection petrols are achieving reasonable MPG, so becoming more interesting. A used C63 would be an option but would bankrupt me

The 350CDi is a brilliant engine so no doubts about that, but not available if I go coupe.

 

[st4]

C350cdi Saloon, great cars....

The petrol coupe is an interesting alternative, and with a peak power of over 300bhp, I bet it will put more than a smile on your face.

 

[redbaron]

There is no point buying a C350 petrol though.... the giveaway deals on C63 make it just about pointless

 

[st4]

There is no point buying a C350 petrol though.... the giveaway deals on C63 make it just about pointless

LOL!!!

There is if he is buying one cash, about £15-£20k difference and without the parts/insurance/tyre shredding that come with the C63.

C350 petrol makes a fair bit of sense and a nice bridge between 2litre rep boxes, and AMG drifting machine monsters....

 

[redbaron]

Buying one with cash? Sorry brain just did a divide by 0.

No one in their right mind buys a new car cash.

 

[NISFAN]

There is no point buying a C350 petrol though.... the giveaway deals on C63 make it just about pointless

Eh? A C350 is only 2/3rd of the price of a C63, so pretty big discount needed to get anywhere close. Demo C63's are still being touted on Autotrader for £60k.

 

[redbaron]

Touted and sold are two very difference concepts.. there is 10-12k across the bonnet of a c63 with the merc deal...

 

[st4]

Buying one with cash? Sorry brain just did a divide by 0.

No one in their right mind buys a new car cash.

A lot still do....might be borrowed cash on a loan/HP but for a lot, this is how they buy cars....

 

[BenzedUP]

I wouldn't normally consider a 3litre petrol, as previously, a 3 litre is not powerful enough to put a massive smile on your face, and is thirsty, so never really been an option. However the new direct injection petrols are achieving reasonable MPG, so becoming more interesting. A used C63 would be an option but would bankrupt me

The 350CDi is a brilliant engine so no doubts about that, but not available if I go coupe.

I'd go for the 350 petrol, sounds allot nicer & smoother and with 306bhp or so I think its fast enough, that's the same as the old 500V8!

 

[redbaron]

A lot still do....might be borrowed cash on a loan/HP but for a lot, this is how they buy cars....

used maybe... but new cars - dealer rates with manufacturer subsidy generally produce the best deal.

 

[NISFAN]

Touted and sold are two very difference concepts.. there is 10-12k across the bonnet of a c63 with the merc deal...

Very true.....but MB will give a sizeable 'dealer contribution' on just about any one of their cars...C350 included.

I guess in my mind I am aware that a W205 (?!?!?) is just around the corner, so would be difficult to go for another W204 so late in it's life. The coupe has a few more years in it, and if I am honest, if a coupe C350CDi was available there would be no question. D'Oh, decisions decisions.

 

[kianok]

Is the (slight) difference in performance between the the two worth the compromise in fuel economy? (i must be getting old!)

 

[redbaron]

There is a Coupe C class with the 350cdi engine they just got the badge wrong... E350cdi is a C class coupe.