2021 Mercedes c300 e
Discussion
I am a bit of a fan of the latest generation PHEV’s with the bigger batteries. If the use case fits for you, I think they are a pretty good match. For example, occasional longer trip but most times less than 20 miles seems to be the sweet spot for PHEV’s. Obviously, access to charging is critical though - if you cant charge them frequently (at home or work for example), they are a bit pointless though.
As for Mercedes as a whole, its fair to say that quality has dropped over the years and I ran a W205 C63S for 3 years and wasn’t that impressed with the quality of some of the interior components. Lots of plastic, rattles is light switches and so on. Nothing broke (except the sunroof mechanism, but thats a known weakness in the W205 models) and it never let me down, so there is that though.
However, I would absolutely go over it with a fine tooth comb though. Build quality seems to be patchy (mine was an Alabama built one, and panel gaps were good, just not so much the interior) so its worth checking on anything that might wear or break and if its a current model or very new, it should be perfect.
That said though, Mercedes has lifted its game up on driving dynamics though. The days of the old Mercedes ride and drive have gone and they have closed the gap to BMW. They do drive well and should ride well too with a good spread of comfort, fun and handling. AMG suspension models will ride hard though, so check that you are happy with this (W205 AMG’s are notoriously hard riding). Overall, they are good cars, if expensive, and should last well. Specifically on the e models though, I dont know - though know a few people with smaller engined 2.0T models and they are sprightly to drive and owners like them - so guess its going to feel pretty good too.
I am sure there is an owner though, and I hope they will chip in with specifics.
As for Mercedes as a whole, its fair to say that quality has dropped over the years and I ran a W205 C63S for 3 years and wasn’t that impressed with the quality of some of the interior components. Lots of plastic, rattles is light switches and so on. Nothing broke (except the sunroof mechanism, but thats a known weakness in the W205 models) and it never let me down, so there is that though.
However, I would absolutely go over it with a fine tooth comb though. Build quality seems to be patchy (mine was an Alabama built one, and panel gaps were good, just not so much the interior) so its worth checking on anything that might wear or break and if its a current model or very new, it should be perfect.
That said though, Mercedes has lifted its game up on driving dynamics though. The days of the old Mercedes ride and drive have gone and they have closed the gap to BMW. They do drive well and should ride well too with a good spread of comfort, fun and handling. AMG suspension models will ride hard though, so check that you are happy with this (W205 AMG’s are notoriously hard riding). Overall, they are good cars, if expensive, and should last well. Specifically on the e models though, I dont know - though know a few people with smaller engined 2.0T models and they are sprightly to drive and owners like them - so guess its going to feel pretty good too.
I am sure there is an owner though, and I hope they will chip in with specifics.
off_again said:
I am a bit of a fan of the latest generation PHEV’s with the bigger batteries. If the use case fits for you, I think they are a pretty good match. For example, occasional longer trip but most times less than 20 miles seems to be the sweet spot for PHEV’s. Obviously, access to charging is critical though - if you cant charge them frequently (at home or work for example), they are a bit pointless though.
As for Mercedes as a whole, its fair to say that quality has dropped over the years and I ran a W205 C63S for 3 years and wasn’t that impressed with the quality of some of the interior components. Lots of plastic, rattles is light switches and so on. Nothing broke (except the sunroof mechanism, but thats a known weakness in the W205 models) and it never let me down, so there is that though.
However, I would absolutely go over it with a fine tooth comb though. Build quality seems to be patchy (mine was an Alabama built one, and panel gaps were good, just not so much the interior) so its worth checking on anything that might wear or break and if its a current model or very new, it should be perfect.
That said though, Mercedes has lifted its game up on driving dynamics though. The days of the old Mercedes ride and drive have gone and they have closed the gap to BMW. They do drive well and should ride well too with a good spread of comfort, fun and handling. AMG suspension models will ride hard though, so check that you are happy with this (W205 AMG’s are notoriously hard riding). Overall, they are good cars, if expensive, and should last well. Specifically on the e models though, I dont know - though know a few people with smaller engined 2.0T models and they are sprightly to drive and owners like them - so guess its going to feel pretty good too.
I am sure there is an owner though, and I hope they will chip in with specifics.
Thanks. As for Mercedes as a whole, its fair to say that quality has dropped over the years and I ran a W205 C63S for 3 years and wasn’t that impressed with the quality of some of the interior components. Lots of plastic, rattles is light switches and so on. Nothing broke (except the sunroof mechanism, but thats a known weakness in the W205 models) and it never let me down, so there is that though.
However, I would absolutely go over it with a fine tooth comb though. Build quality seems to be patchy (mine was an Alabama built one, and panel gaps were good, just not so much the interior) so its worth checking on anything that might wear or break and if its a current model or very new, it should be perfect.
That said though, Mercedes has lifted its game up on driving dynamics though. The days of the old Mercedes ride and drive have gone and they have closed the gap to BMW. They do drive well and should ride well too with a good spread of comfort, fun and handling. AMG suspension models will ride hard though, so check that you are happy with this (W205 AMG’s are notoriously hard riding). Overall, they are good cars, if expensive, and should last well. Specifically on the e models though, I dont know - though know a few people with smaller engined 2.0T models and they are sprightly to drive and owners like them - so guess its going to feel pretty good too.
I am sure there is an owner though, and I hope they will chip in with specifics.
Would use a granny charger using power from solar panels at home. Effectively free in the summer.
This one has air suspension on the rear which should help with the ride.
I like the C300e for what it’s worth. Mercedes has done a bit of thinking on PHEVs by fitting larger batteries and rapid charging. It’s like an EV that happens to have an engine vs the usual let’s add some batteries to hit some tax friendly CO2 targets.
It’s a very attractive car inside and out in my opinion.
It’s a very attractive car inside and out in my opinion.
DMZ said:
I like the C300e for what it’s worth. Mercedes has done a bit of thinking on PHEVs by fitting larger batteries and rapid charging. It’s like an EV that happens to have an engine vs the usual let’s add some batteries to hit some tax friendly CO2 targets.
It’s a very attractive car inside and out in my opinion.
just so happens it makes sense as a company car with that battery range.....It’s a very attractive car inside and out in my opinion.
Prolex-UK said:
Any thoughts on the above?
PHEV with 26kw battery and claimed 60 mile EV range
Autotrader had some saloons showing for £44k earlier this week.
Now not showing.
Reviews seem positive.
Would suit me perfectly.
Wondering about reliability /battery life though
I've got a 2015 C350e. It's been reliable. PHEV with 26kw battery and claimed 60 mile EV range
Autotrader had some saloons showing for £44k earlier this week.
Now not showing.
Reviews seem positive.
Would suit me perfectly.
Wondering about reliability /battery life though
Regarding battery life, do take a read of the T&C with the latest model to see exactly how long the hybrid system and battery are warranted for by MB. I know the C350e cars had a 6 year battery warranty.
Also on lifespan of the batteries, there are quite a few high mileage C350e cars on Autotrader, including this 2016 model with 160k miles!
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204074...
raspy said:
Prolex-UK said:
Any thoughts on the above?
PHEV with 26kw battery and claimed 60 mile EV range
Autotrader had some saloons showing for £44k earlier this week.
Now not showing.
Reviews seem positive.
Would suit me perfectly.
Wondering about reliability /battery life though
I've got a 2015 C350e. It's been reliable. PHEV with 26kw battery and claimed 60 mile EV range
Autotrader had some saloons showing for £44k earlier this week.
Now not showing.
Reviews seem positive.
Would suit me perfectly.
Wondering about reliability /battery life though
Regarding battery life, do take a read of the T&C with the latest model to see exactly how long the hybrid system and battery are warranted for by MB. I know the C350e cars had a 6 year battery warranty.
Also on lifespan of the batteries, there are quite a few high mileage C350e cars on Autotrader, including this 2016 model with 160k miles!
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204074...
Aiui, if the battery fails in these hybrids the car is immobilised because it relies on the hybrid battery and an integrated starter/generator to fire up the IC unit.
Gassing Station | EV and Alternative Fuels | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff