Discussion
Mkindy said:
Mine had a factory recall completed in the "flap department" a few weeks back when it was in for a service so could be worth a call to the dealer. On another topic I'm due to replace the C350e later this year do people think this is still one of the best options for company car drivers or has anyone seen anything better on the horizon? Oh, and I get around 39MPG over the last 35K
Was it the charging cable recall? There's been cases of corrosion from the socket down into the car, and I believe there is a recall to deal with this.I think it's still a choice between this and the BMW330e.
You can now get the C350e in AMG trim if you want a bit of a change.
Or the equivalent new E-class and 5 series, but they are bigger and more expensive.
39mpg for a petrol engined car that can do 0-60 in six seconds and 150mph is pretty fair isn't it?
RicksAlfas said:
Was it the charging cable recall? There's been cases of corrosion from the socket down into the car, and I believe there is a recall to deal with this.
I think it's still a choice between this and the BMW330e.
You can now get the C350e in AMG trim if you want a bit of a change.
Or the equivalent new E-class and 5 series, but they are bigger and more expensive.
39mpg for a petrol engined car that can do 0-60 in six seconds and 150mph is pretty fair isn't it?
And thanks to BIK, £40 per month cheaper than it would've been to replace my current S-Max with a similarly specced one.I think it's still a choice between this and the BMW330e.
You can now get the C350e in AMG trim if you want a bit of a change.
Or the equivalent new E-class and 5 series, but they are bigger and more expensive.
39mpg for a petrol engined car that can do 0-60 in six seconds and 150mph is pretty fair isn't it?
If, like me, you've got three kids and you also need a towbar for lugging mountain bikes around, there is simply no competition to the C350e estate for a company car user.
Kermit power said:
And thanks to BIK, £40 per month cheaper than it would've been to replace my current S-Max with a similarly specced one.
If, like me, you've got three kids and you also need a tow bar for lugging mountain bikes around, there is simply no competition to the C350e estate for a company car user.
Most of the guys I work with who needed a tow bar gave the C350e Estate a miss because it puts it up a level on BiK, same applies if you wanted the Burmester stereo. May have changed now, but most of my colleagues who need practicality went for the Outlander.If, like me, you've got three kids and you also need a tow bar for lugging mountain bikes around, there is simply no competition to the C350e estate for a company car user.
Russ T Bolt said:
Most of the guys I work with who needed a tow bar gave the C350e Estate a miss because it puts it up a level on BiK, same applies if you wanted the Burmester stereo. May have changed now, but most of my colleagues who need practicality went for the Outlander.
It does put it up a level, but it's still far less than a comparable diesel. There's a balance between having a nice car and saving money. If all you want is the cheapest car to do the job, then yes, the Outlander will be the choice. 
RicksAlfas said:
It does put it up a level, but it's still far less than a comparable diesel. There's a balance between having a nice car and saving money. If all you want is the cheapest car to do the job, then yes, the Outlander will be the choice.
But then it becomes a more difficult decision whether to take the company car in many instances.As a matter of interest my Director has just swapped a top end Audi for a C350e, he detests it. Last time I saw him he was trying to work out how to get out of the lease deal. Apparently the safety functions are very intrusive.
I haven't looked at the estate, do you lose a chunk of boot space like you do with the saloon for the batteries ?
s111dpc said:
cant he just turn the safety functions off?
Apparently not. It seems more about pulling out and the car thinking something is too close, and countering what he is trying to do.He commutes around the M25 so presumably fairly congested. I haven't been in his car so not speaking from first hand experience, he hates it though.
Russ T Bolt said:
s111dpc said:
cant he just turn the safety functions off?
Apparently not. It seems more about pulling out and the car thinking something is too close, and countering what he is trying to do.He commutes around the M25 so presumably fairly congested. I haven't been in his car so not speaking from first hand experience, he hates it though.
Russ T Bolt said:
I replied to some legitimate questions.
Do you work for Mercedes ?
Do you work for Mercedes ?
No.
I am sorry your boss detests and hates a car many people enjoy. However I'm sure the features he is having trouble with can be turned off, or at least subdued. Time to get the handbook out I think.
Russ T Bolt said:
Kermit power said:
And thanks to BIK, £40 per month cheaper than it would've been to replace my current S-Max with a similarly specced one.
If, like me, you've got three kids and you also need a tow bar for lugging mountain bikes around, there is simply no competition to the C350e estate for a company car user.
Most of the guys I work with who needed a tow bar gave the C350e Estate a miss because it puts it up a level on BiK, same applies if you wanted the Burmester stereo. May have changed now, but most of my colleagues who need practicality went for the Outlander.If, like me, you've got three kids and you also need a tow bar for lugging mountain bikes around, there is simply no competition to the C350e estate for a company car user.
It's not the stereo that puts it up a level, btw, it's the panoramic glass roof, which adds enough extra weight you need the 18" wheels, and those are what actually ups the CO2.
Kermit power said:
Russ T Bolt said:
Kermit power said:
And thanks to BIK, £40 per month cheaper than it would've been to replace my current S-Max with a similarly specced one.
If, like me, you've got three kids and you also need a tow bar for lugging mountain bikes around, there is simply no competition to the C350e estate for a company car user.
Most of the guys I work with who needed a tow bar gave the C350e Estate a miss because it puts it up a level on BiK, same applies if you wanted the Burmester stereo. May have changed now, but most of my colleagues who need practicality went for the Outlander.If, like me, you've got three kids and you also need a tow bar for lugging mountain bikes around, there is simply no competition to the C350e estate for a company car user.
It's not the stereo that puts it up a level, btw, it's the panoramic glass roof, which adds enough extra weight you need the 18" wheels, and those are what actually ups the CO2.
I haven't yet bothered getting a demo car from our fleet department because of that.
Lots of people I work with have, I am told that the C350e is a bit of a barge, great on the Motorway with the air suspension, but not so good on twisty roads.
Most are opting for the 330e. So I guess if you are going to choose a barge, you may as well get one that doesn't have boot space reduced by batteries and is cheaper on BiK, unless of course you simply must have the badge.
Get whatever car you want. There is a thread for the 330e, but you'd probably post on there saying it's not available as an estate.
To say the Mitsubishi is the practical choice and then state the c350e is a barge is pretty confused.
The easiest thing yo do is make a list of the things you want from your new car.
Then make a colum for each car you are considering. (The first column could be the 350e)
Let's say the first thing on the list is a sub 7:00 minute ring time. Well the c350e can't do that so you'd put a cross under it.
You keep going like that until you've put a tick or cross against every car and "must have" list.
Then choose the car with the most ticks.
I've put this sample together for you, to show you what it might look like. I have also tried to channel you for the answers.
Let me know if you need any more help.
To say the Mitsubishi is the practical choice and then state the c350e is a barge is pretty confused.
The easiest thing yo do is make a list of the things you want from your new car.
Then make a colum for each car you are considering. (The first column could be the 350e)
Let's say the first thing on the list is a sub 7:00 minute ring time. Well the c350e can't do that so you'd put a cross under it.
You keep going like that until you've put a tick or cross against every car and "must have" list.
Then choose the car with the most ticks.
I've put this sample together for you, to show you what it might look like. I have also tried to channel you for the answers.
Let me know if you need any more help.
Edited by robemcdonald on Sunday 19th March 09:03
You could sell that idea to What Car. 
Something else to confuse our confused contributor.
The 330e also loses significant boot space over its none electrical counterpart and the rear seats don't fold unless you pay for the option.
If he is happy with a saloon, the C350e is available with the Burmester stereo and the rest of the Premium Plus pack, and remains under 50 CO2.
Both cars are excellent and I'm sure he will enjoy which ever one he gets. I will look forward to hearing which he chooses.
Something else to confuse our confused contributor.
The 330e also loses significant boot space over its none electrical counterpart and the rear seats don't fold unless you pay for the option.
If he is happy with a saloon, the C350e is available with the Burmester stereo and the rest of the Premium Plus pack, and remains under 50 CO2.
Both cars are excellent and I'm sure he will enjoy which ever one he gets. I will look forward to hearing which he chooses.
Russ T Bolt said:
But you can't have the stereo without the roof, so in my case I would want the stereo, so couldn't have the estate.
I haven't yet bothered getting a demo car from our fleet department because of that.
Lots of people I work with have, I am told that the C350e is a bit of a barge, great on the Motorway with the air suspension, but not so good on twisty roads.
Most are opting for the 330e. So I guess if you are going to choose a barge, you may as well get one that doesn't have boot space reduced by batteries and is cheaper on BiK, unless of course you simply must have the badge.
Err... ok....I haven't yet bothered getting a demo car from our fleet department because of that.
Lots of people I work with have, I am told that the C350e is a bit of a barge, great on the Motorway with the air suspension, but not so good on twisty roads.
Most are opting for the 330e. So I guess if you are going to choose a barge, you may as well get one that doesn't have boot space reduced by batteries and is cheaper on BiK, unless of course you simply must have the badge.
I wasn't aware there even was a 330e estate! Have I missed something here?
People often question the point of charging a plug in hybrid for the perceived low electric range. With the c350e having one of the lowest electric only ranges I thought I would see the effect of not charging having forgotten to plug in last night..
So, my commute is 26 miles, mainly flowing b-roads but plenty of junctions and 3 miles of 70mph dual carriageway with 2 school drop offs.
Over the winter I have been achieving 58mpg with charging.
Today the car did 33mpg with no charging (it also drives worse as is less smooth and slower. And no cabin pre heat
)
Allowing for the c50p it costs to charge the car and £1.16/l for petrol, costs are £2.86 vs £4.15, a saving of £1.29 each way. In the summer the saving will be more like £1.70 each way.
Ignoring the costs I would still charge for the drive benefits and cabin pre-heating.
So, my commute is 26 miles, mainly flowing b-roads but plenty of junctions and 3 miles of 70mph dual carriageway with 2 school drop offs.
Over the winter I have been achieving 58mpg with charging.
Today the car did 33mpg with no charging (it also drives worse as is less smooth and slower. And no cabin pre heat
)Allowing for the c50p it costs to charge the car and £1.16/l for petrol, costs are £2.86 vs £4.15, a saving of £1.29 each way. In the summer the saving will be more like £1.70 each way.
Ignoring the costs I would still charge for the drive benefits and cabin pre-heating.
So my car is at mb Hertford today for a service and to have the consumption looked at.
Rather annoyingly during my preservice chat with the advisor yesterday she started blaming the low mpg on weathe and driving style. This is before they have even looked at the car, so as they are getting the excuses in early I don't hold out much hope of a resolution. Maybe they will prove my cynical side wrong. Either way I'm not going to let it go as I am getting fed up with it.
I have a GLC250 as a courtesy car and it sounds / feels like a tractor after the 350e.
Rather annoyingly during my preservice chat with the advisor yesterday she started blaming the low mpg on weathe and driving style. This is before they have even looked at the car, so as they are getting the excuses in early I don't hold out much hope of a resolution. Maybe they will prove my cynical side wrong. Either way I'm not going to let it go as I am getting fed up with it.
I have a GLC250 as a courtesy car and it sounds / feels like a tractor after the 350e.
robemcdonald said:
I have a GLC250 as a courtesy car and it sounds / feels like a tractor after the 350e.
I've currently got a poverty spec C-Max hire car whilst my S-Max gets some repairs done before my C350 arrives and it goes back.Having to actually use the key fob to open the car, put the key into the ignition and remember to turn the lights on when it starts to get dark feels like a return to the Stone Age, to say nothing of almost reversing straight into a low level brick wall because the (non-existent) reversing sensors hadn't started beeping!
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