C350e anyone considering one?

[Eagle]

Car arrived at dealer on Tuesday, and I was to pick it up yesterday. Have not seen milage or anything... All I know is that they say it has been driven on and off transport vehickles in Germany and here. The issue appeared as they were going to take it off the truck after having been in for prep and polishing, which leads me to think it has not been driven much at all. Will be interesting to see mileage when I get it... Makes me wonder what QA/QC they are doing at manufacturing before shipping... And what else may be wrong...!

I can feel your frustration
I would have asked to be copied in the correspondences made with the factory. If facts and the truth of the matter are exchanged between the factory and the dealer, then you preserve your statutory rights- for now and future if something goes wrong.
I would also ask for a written warranty for the undertaken corrective measure! I believe this is a standard industry code of practice which obliges the factory to acknowledge an OTB (Out Of the Box) failure. If proven, this will lead to an investigatory None Conformance in the factory.
I think as a customer, you can ask to be delivered with a feedback and explanation.
At least you can get the dealer to offer you a free of charge longer term service plan as a compensation. The factory can and will compensate for this through your dealer.

 

[JP350e]

I've been reading this thread for some time now whilst eagerly awaiting delivery of my new C350e. That happy day arrived yesterday, several months after my order on the 24th March.

I went for the C350e Estate Premium Plus in Palladium Silver and added a few options:
- Privacy Glass
- Air Balance Pack
- Intelligent LED Headlights
- Leather Upholstery (Black)
- Manually Folding Towbar
- Driving Assistance Package

I may of got a little carried away with ticking extras, the only things I didn't add were the 360 camera and the HUD!

Initial feedback is that the car is certainly worth waiting for. These reports of the petrol engine being rough / noisy / unrefined are absolute rubbish. Quite simply the only way to tell that the engine has kicked is to see the rev counter pick up from zero. It is very smooth and refined, the packs are well worth the extra (adaptive cruise makes driving in traffic / motorway rush-hour a breeze), the towbar implementation is fantastic and the best part - charged at home overnight for a few pence and achieved 70mpg overall to work on a ~30 mile journey this morning. Yes mpg will be less on the way home as the battery is depleted but I'm expecting an average of around 50mpg overall and working on getting charge points installed at work!

If you are considering getting one but are put off by the fact you cant get a test drive, don't worry, seriously. You will not be disappointed!

 

[Tomlkj]

I've been reading this thread for some time now whilst eagerly awaiting delivery of my new C350e. That happy day arrived yesterday, several months after my order on the 24th March.

I went for the C350e Estate Premium Plus in Palladium Silver and added a few options:
- Privacy Glass
- Air Balance Pack
- Intelligent LED Headlights
- Leather Upholstery (Black)
- Manually Folding Towbar
- Driving Assistance Package

I may of got a little carried away with ticking extras, the only things I didn't add were the 360 camera and the HUD!

Initial feedback is that the car is certainly worth waiting for. These reports of the petrol engine being rough / noisy / unrefined are absolute rubbish. Quite simply the only way to tell that the engine has kicked is to see the rev counter pick up from zero. It is very smooth and refined, the packs are well worth the extra (adaptive cruise makes driving in traffic / motorway rush-hour a breeze), the towbar implementation is fantastic and the best part - charged at home overnight for a few pence and achieved 70mpg overall to work on a ~30 mile journey this morning. Yes mpg will be less on the way home as the battery is depleted but I'm expecting an average of around 50mpg overall and working on getting charge points installed at work!

If you are considering getting one but are put off by the fact you cant get a test drive, don't worry, seriously. You will not be disappointed!

Thank you for this, I have not been able to get a test drive so have made the choice blind. Interesting about the engine refinement, reviews all over the place (if not a little hard to find) talk about this issue.

Can I just ask about the driving modes?

I assume you can put the car in a mixture type mode that used petrol and electric together to balance performance and economy.

On performance does it need to be in sport mode to feel quick or is it quick.no matter what mode?

 

[JP350e]

Thank you for this, I have not been able to get a test drive so have made the choice blind. Interesting about the engine refinement, reviews all over the place (if not a little hard to find) talk about this issue.

Can I just ask about the driving modes?

I assume you can put the car in a mixture type mode that used petrol and electric together to balance performance and economy.

On performance does it need to be in sport mode to feel quick or is it quick.no matter what mode?

You have a few simple choices for modes - ranging from pure electric to sport+ which has the engine running all of the time and EV assist for maximum performance. To be honest, you only need one mode (hybrid) which works it out for you. This one switches the engine on or off as needed depending on how far you push the throttle to give economy or performance as demanded by throttle input.

To be honest, it feels very quick in all modes, whether just electric, just petrol or both together!

 

[350e]

Thank you for this, I have not been able to get a test drive so have made the choice blind. Interesting about the engine refinement, reviews all over the place (if not a little hard to find) talk about this issue.

Can I just ask about the driving modes?

I assume you can put the car in a mixture type mode that used petrol and electric together to balance performance and economy.

On performance does it need to be in sport mode to feel quick or is it quick.no matter what mode?

Be assured if you set the car to Hybrid mode, choose Comfort setting and at some point push the accelerator pedal to the floor expect to be surprised, very surprised. Best also that you don't have a significant other in the car at the same time

 

[Zeplin000]

I have HUD in my current vehicle which is a reflective green one but very useful and nice. I couldn't have missed the large colour projective HUD in the Merc! It makes my driving easier as I'm a multitasked long distance driver everyday.
As for the MY16 changes, up to the present time, the changes seem to be like the one I mentioned earlier plus a minor interior change as well. That is the Burmaster Speaker cover on the front door will be delivered in black as opposed to the silver as it was!
Come on Merc! stop playing ....

Where did you see this about the changes to the Burmeister system please? Small change, but I thought the silver really lifted an all black interior. Shame...

 

[JP350e]

Not sure this is correct. Mine is a 2016 variant and the Burmester Speaker grill is most certainly silver!

 

[JP350e]

Where did you see this about the changes to the Burmeister system please? Small change, but I thought the silver really lifted an all black interior. Shame...

Just had a look at this. The non-Burmester grill changes to black for MY16 (post June 15 production). Burmester is the silver grill.

 

[Eagle]

Where did you see this about the changes to the Burmeister system please? Small change, but I thought the silver really lifted an all black interior. Shame...

Well this was the result of an update to my ordered car via a dealer- factory conversation. So I was told by the dealer! I questioned the cosmetic changes on the recent deliveries and dealer made a query- they came up with a list of minor changes.

 

[Eagle]

Just had a look at this. The non-Burmester grill changes to black for MY16 (post June 15 production). Burmester is the silver grill.

Right- well mine is definitely a Burmester as it is defined by the Premium Plus package. So I hope that you are right and the dealer got it wrong!

Thanks for your input.

 

[350e]

model Year 16 changes

Having read all the pages in this thread I remembered this

Key Changes: Model Year 2016 (from June 2015 production on Saloon & Estate)

New nomenclature for entire C-Class range
Seat Comfort package added as standard on all lines
Executive package now including Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC Upgraded Driving Assistance package
All 18” wheels now without run flat-tyres
Further options simplification
Agility select becomes Dynamic select
Chrome trim on mirrors becomes black
Chrome trims under front bumper and on rear go
Chrome trim on speaker surrounds on standard interiors go to black
Model Year 2016 vehicles can be identified by the code 806
Inflationary price increase of £395 inc. VAT (£260 inc. VAT for Mercedes-AMG models)

Full PDF to come. can't upload at present.

j

 

[Tomlkj]

Having read all the pages in this thread I remembered this



j

How annoying. I went to look at a sport today and I liked the crome trim on the front bumper (not sure what black would look like on the rear bumper). As for the crome on the inside vents black might make the inside too dark.

Doesnt seem like for the extra money you are getting anything extra.

 

[Zeplin000]

I have been sent a presentation detailing changes for 2016 by my dealer. Im not sure how to upload this here... But heres a summary of the key points I think relevant to the 350e:
- No mention of the change to the chrome trim or speakers, but this could just be an omission from the presentation.
- Black ash and analogue clock now available as a trim option
- Remote online now standard on 350e
- Contrast stitching on doors now gone on Sport models. Still present on armrest.
- Premium Pack price increase £100, PP £200! (If you ordered in 2015 and get a 2016 car this will apply - at least it has to me as I ordered a car with PP in April!)
- Theres a slide detailing info on the plug in car grant. Here's the text:

Update on C 350 e Plug-In Car Grant (PiCG)
•
Confirmation from government received that the PiCG has been extended in its current form until at least February 2016
•
Lead time for C 350 e Saloon & Estate now falls within the parameters of the grant
•
MBUK recommendation to apply PiCG on orders taken before February 2016 with a delivery date before November 2016

Please ensure that you apply for the PiCG as per the guidelines which state:
‘the order should be started as soon as a ‘contract’ has been signed with the customer’
This will help to ensure a smooth & quick processing of claims

 

[MaidenheadMerc]

The only time I notice the engine sounding a little harsh is if I'm parked up with it running and it's trying to charge the battery - the revs climb a little bit and it's a little more metallic sounding, but nothing terrible. This is probably exaggerated as I'm usually parked in a concrete underground car park, so more surfaces to bounce the noise off.

If the engine is running and not actively charging the battery then it sounds nice and quiet. When I'm driving I can't really tell if the engine is on or not, just have to keep an eye on the rev counter and the gauge showing energy use.

My accelerator pedal is rather squeaky - reckon a bit of WD40 would sort it or should I pop into a garage? I only really notice it as the car is so quiet!

 

[Eagle]

How annoying. I went to look at a sport today and I liked the crome trim on the front bumper (not sure what black would look like on the rear bumper). As for the crome on the inside vents black might make the inside too dark.

Doesnt seem like for the extra money you are getting anything extra.

Hey don't be too upset These are minor changes- the chrome trim edge on the lower middle of the front bumper remains but the little twin line splitters on the side vents are removed. As they say, the Burmester door speakers will have the chrome trim on Premium Plus.
These little touches were nice to have but surely their removal can't spoil the elegance of the whole package.
I studied almost every single available car in this class before ordering it. No other manufacturer are offering anything near the C350e in terms of luxury, performance and technology under 40K.

Can't wait to take mine home

 

[mrwalshy]

I have been sent a presentation detailing changes for 2016 by my dealer. Im not sure how to upload this here... But heres a summary of the key points I think relevant to the 350e:
- No mention of the change to the chrome trim or speakers, but this could just be an omission from the presentation.
- Black ash and analogue clock now available as a trim option
- Remote online now standard on 350e
- Contrast stitching on doors now gone on Sport models. Still present on armrest.
- Premium Pack price increase £100, PP £200! (If you ordered in 2015 and get a 2016 car this will apply - at least it has to me as I ordered a car with PP in April!)
- Theres a slide detailing info on the plug in car grant. Here's the text:

Update on C 350 e Plug-In Car Grant (PiCG)
•
Confirmation from government received that the PiCG has been extended in its current form until at least February 2016
•
Lead time for C 350 e Saloon & Estate now falls within the parameters of the grant
•
MBUK recommendation to apply PiCG on orders taken before February 2016 with a delivery date before November 2016

Please ensure that you apply for the PiCG as per the guidelines which state:
‘the order should be started as soon as a ‘contract’ has been signed with the customer’
This will help to ensure a smooth & quick processing of claims

I believe that these are the YR 16.5 changes where the Black Ash is now an option.

There were also some changes back in June which removed the external chrome from the large intakes one each side of the front bumper and from the area behind the rear wheel. There was the addition of Dark Ash as a wood trim and the Brilliant Blue paint options.

 

[350e]

most people are looking at around 9 months. I ordered mid June, and don't have a delivery date yet. All I have is a vague guestimate saying end of February 2016. Hopefully you won't have to wait as long!

This extract from a press release from Mercedes today may explain the delivery times associated with the 350e, which is still a C-Class from a manufacturing standpoint.

Demand for the C-Class Saloon and Estate is as high as ever. In October, a new high was reached of 36,799 vehicles sold (+15.6%). Unit sales in the first ten months increased by 54.0% compared with the prior-year period (369,090 units). Never before have so many units of the C-Class been delivered to customers than this year.

 

[Tomlkj]

I have been sent a presentation detailing changes for 2016 by my dealer. Im not sure how to upload this here... But heres a summary of the key points I think relevant to the 350e:
- No mention of the change to the chrome trim or speakers, but this could just be an omission from the presentation.
- Black ash and analogue clock now available as a trim option
- Remote online now standard on 350e
- Contrast stitching on doors now gone on Sport models. Still present on armrest.
- Premium Pack price increase £100, PP £200! (If you ordered in 2015 and get a 2016 car this will apply - at least it has to me as I ordered a car with PP in April!)
- Theres a slide detailing info on the plug in car grant. Here's the text:

Update on C 350 e Plug-In Car Grant (PiCG)
•
Confirmation from government received that the PiCG has been extended in its current form until at least February 2016
•
Lead time for C 350 e Saloon & Estate now falls within the parameters of the grant
•
MBUK recommendation to apply PiCG on orders taken before February 2016 with a delivery date before November 2016

Please ensure that you apply for the PiCG as per the guidelines which state:
‘the order should be started as soon as a ‘contract’ has been signed with the customer’
This will help to ensure a smooth & quick processing of claims

This is Interesting, any chance I can get hold of this?

 

[Eagle]

This is Interesting, any chance I can get hold of this?

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/plug-in-car-grant/plug-in-car-grant-eligibility-guidance

 

[Tomlkj]

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/plug-in-car-grant/plug-in-car-grant-eligibility-guidance

Thanks,

Thats really helpful.