C300 CDI 4matic

[rassi]

Having sold my E60 M5 I was planning on being carless for a while but found myself drawn to a 2011 C300 CDI 4matic, and bought it today...

Strange to be back in a W204, as I had a C220 CDI for 6 months a year ago, which I got rid off because of the engine and gearbox.

The C300 rectifies this: great engine sound and really liked the smoothness of the 7G, compared to the SMG of the M5. All toys (ILS, memory seats, rear camera, Comand online).

Got 8l/100 km on an extended test drive which is maybe not amazing, but compared to the 16-17l/100 km I was getting from the M5, and with diesel 25 % cheaper in Belgium, I am over the moon with this kind of fuel economy.

[Nick644]

I have the exact same car, same year but the Estate version. All the toys also, which Mercedes do so well. 150mph, 0-60 in 6.5 secs and 40plus mpg. My only problem with it is the seats are very hard and their angle and lack of thigh support leads to the crushing of my lower spine on long drives! Gave the 4matic a good testing over the winter in Andorra for several months. With snow tyres and permanent 4x4, very impressed with grip levels in ice and snow. Pretty quiet on the French Autoroutes also.

Edited by Nick644 on Saturday 18th May 21:28

[rassi]

Will only pick it up next Friday so can't comment on the seats - it has the memory package but did notice it didn't have the extendable thigh section as per the M5. Hope it will be ok, will be used for long distance driving mostly...

I ideally wanted an estate too but none for sale in Belgium - in fact only 2! And think I got it for a good price so accept the compromise.

Look forward to getting it, even if it is more than 50 % down on bhp compared to the M5

[st4]

4matic sadly isn't available here.

Try fiddling witht the seats, initially I found mine uncomfortable but the seat base is quite long,, try reclining the seat a bit if your back is being crushed or dialing out the lumber support

[Nick644]

rassi said:

Will only pick it up next Friday so can't comment on the seats - it has the memory package but did notice it didn't have the extendable thigh section as per the M5. Hope it will be ok, will be used for long distance driving mostly...

I ideally wanted an estate too but none for sale in Belgium - in fact only 2! And think I got it for a good price so accept the compromise.

Look forward to getting it, even if it is more than 50 % down on bhp compared to the M5

It will be more than 50% up on fuel economy, which if you're doing mainly motorway miles, you'll really appreciate. Mine has the slightly larger fuel tank, which is an option on left hand drive versions, 67 litres. If you drive at 110kph on the autoroute, you'll get over 1000km on a tank. Calais to Toulouse on a tank of fuel is not bad!

[rassi]

Nick644 said:

It will be more than 50% up on fuel economy, which if you're doing mainly motorway miles, you'll really appreciate. Mine has the slightly larger fuel tank, which is an option on left hand drive versions, 67 litres. If you drive at 110kph on the autoroute, you'll get over 1000km on a tank. Calais to Toulouse on a tank of fuel is not bad!

Yes, mine also has the 67 litre tank, so it would allow me to get slightly more than the 400 km I got out of the 70 litre tank (98 octane) of the M5, albeit this was at 150 kph cruising...

[Nick644]

In the past when I've had sports cars, I always looked enviously at the efficient diesels passing me on the autoroutes whilst I was always hunting for fuel stations! Like you say, doing 300-400km to a tank! I love the distronic cruise, the lane assist, (surprisingly useful on a long boring motorway trip). Love the blind spot assist also and the aircon seats in hot weather. No one does this better than Mercedes.

Edited by Nick644 on Tuesday 21st May 11:03

[Nick644]

st4 said:

4matic sadly isn't available here.

Try fiddling witht the seats, initially I found mine uncomfortable but the seat base is quite long,, try reclining the seat a bit if your back is being crushed or dialing out the lumber support

Take your point regarding the seats and it does make a difference reclining them, though reduces visibility around the 'B' posts and feels a little weird to drive! It is a very good compromise as a car, very practical, better looking than the equivalent Audi or BMW. By the way, your photos are stunning!