Chrysler 300C ?
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Discussion

J4CKO

Original Poster:

46,829 posts

229 months

Monday 3rd March 2014
quotequote all
Specifically the diesel, as that what there is most of, the V6 is a bit pointless and rare and the V8 out of budget, plus I want an estate, I have always liked the looks and they seem reasonably well priced, bit of space, decent turn of speed, a bit different and fairly comfy. I can resist the urge to badge it as a Bentley (Never understood that).


Are they reliable, I know they contain a few Merc bits, is that a good thing ?

Codswallop

5,258 posts

223 months

Monday 3rd March 2014
quotequote all
I like them, and from what I've heard/ read, the cars are pretty durable.

There don't appear to be any major problem areas listed against the car on honest john. UK bound cars were built in Austria iirc.

B17NNS

18,506 posts

276 months

Monday 3rd March 2014
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Only driven a V6 petrol as a hire car in the States. Ace lazy cruiser, dead comfy. Steering wheel is horrible though.

Just looked. V8's are exceptional value.

Edited by B17NNS on Monday 3rd March 23:30

onlynik

4,214 posts

222 months

Tuesday 4th March 2014
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Had a diesel as a hire car, and although it was OK for cruising, I found the auto box crap. It seemed to be always hunting for a gear, made over taking near on impossible.

J4CKO

Original Poster:

46,829 posts

229 months

Tuesday 4th March 2014
quotequote all
Didn't realise how big these are, as big as a Lexus LS 430, always thought they were the next size category down really.

I was also just thinking, we bemoan the loss of the non premium exec waiters like the Omega and Granada, these seem about the nearest there is nowadays.

richyb

4,615 posts

239 months

Tuesday 4th March 2014
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I like the look of them and, as someone else has said, you get a lot for your money from the V8.

Barchettaman

7,255 posts

161 months

Tuesday 4th March 2014
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I also hired one in NA, drove from Montreal to Tremblant and back in the snow.

It has more than a bit of space, it's absolutely mahoosive inside.
I found the seats exceptionally comfortable.
The interior plastics get slagged, true enough, some of them look very 1970s but you pays yer money etc etc.

I turned the traction control off in Tremblant. Briefly. Crapped myself (I am a fairly untalented driver), put it back on again, eventually I got the thing pointing the right way.

Whilst badging the whole thing up as a Bentley seems utterly pointless, swapping the original grill for a Bentley-style one makes a lot of sense, looks ace, just leave the badges alone.

LuS1fer

43,508 posts

274 months

Tuesday 4th March 2014
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The estates seem to have a better image than the saloons (taxis and wannabe Bentleys) but I recall a motoring programme where a Volvo V70 came out comfortably ahead.

The general criticism seems to be about servicing costs and Chrysler parts prices.

J4CKO

Original Poster:

46,829 posts

229 months

Tuesday 4th March 2014
quotequote all
LuS1fer said:
The estates seem to have a better image than the saloons (taxis and wannabe Bentleys) but I recall a motoring programme where a Volvo V70 came out comfortably ahead.

The general criticism seems to be about servicing costs and Chrysler parts prices.
Would be servicing myself, on an 8 grand car I would be keeping for a while I wouldnt worry about a service history, there dont seem to be many horror stories out there about them.

toon10

7,135 posts

186 months

Tuesday 4th March 2014
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My cousin had one as a company hack. Based on the old E class I believe. It's comfortable and he didn't have any reliability issues with it but it was a bit dim witted and not very dynamic to drive. They make good cruisers if that's what you need it to do though.

morebeanz

3,283 posts

265 months

Tuesday 4th March 2014
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I drove a diesel saloon for while as a loaner from the garage and really liked it. It is a barge though, and unlike some, I found the seats to be very flat, so cornering was an aquired skill.

Do not underestimate the impression you make on the roadside! I took it to Ascot racing for the day, and despite the quality of cars, it got noticed. Of course, that can be good and bad!!

Thankyou4calling

10,978 posts

202 months

Tuesday 4th March 2014
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I had a Diesel saloon for two years and really enjoyed it. Not the most reliable car with several electrical issues and tyre wear was quite high but I wasn't a stickler for maintenance. Enormous inside, very comfy indeed, a good turn of pace but not keen on corners. I had the upgraded HIFI that was stunning. It definitely polarises opinion and people do either mock or like but I regret selling mine, as a comfy place for a long journey it was great.

J4CKO

Original Poster:

46,829 posts

229 months

Tuesday 4th March 2014
quotequote all
toon10 said:
My cousin had one as a company hack. Based on the old E class I believe. It's comfortable and he didn't have any reliability issues with it but it was a bit dim witted and not very dynamic to drive. They make good cruisers if that's what you need it to do though.
Yeah, considering one to replace a Galaxy, just fancy a change that can still fit 5 in comfort and carry stuff. Not sure what they sell like, I think the diesel being a six and a non posh brand puts people off and the terrifying prospect of £260 VED scares a few more off, plus the looks are a bit Marmite but I like that. I have to admit a slight thing for the Crossfire as well, ok it does look like what Clarkson said, in fact our dog is sometimes referred to as being in the garden doing a "Crossfire".

Ennoch

371 posts

167 months

Tuesday 4th March 2014
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J4CKO said:
...and the terrifying prospect of £260 VED scares a few more off,...
Is £260 really terrifying?! I haven't had a car that's cost much less than that for a year's ticket, and I can't see me having one that costs less than that for the foreseeable future either...

vtecyo

2,122 posts

158 months

Tuesday 4th March 2014
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I must say...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...

Seems like outrageous value. Quite a tempting buy if you're after a waft wagon.

y2blade

56,318 posts

244 months

Tuesday 4th March 2014
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I like the V8 Estate ones...the saloons look a bit__

LuS1fer

43,508 posts

274 months

Tuesday 4th March 2014
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The ones to have are the SRT V8 but I think the UK arm uses the "SRT" tag as a trim level. I also seem to recall the diesels are built in Austria and the petrol in the US - or something like that - could be totally wrong.

Patrick Bateman

13,166 posts

203 months

Tuesday 4th March 2014
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My dad has a black estate. They are MASSIVE in every sense, huge road presence too.

The interior quality doesn't match the exterior although it seems comfy enough whenever I've been in it. Plenty of room for rear passengers too.

andy-xr

13,204 posts

233 months

Tuesday 4th March 2014
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I'd definitely be interested in one in a couple of years when the S type needs shifting on, I really dont like the Bentley bks treatment though

y2blade

56,318 posts

244 months

Tuesday 4th March 2014
quotequote all
andy-xr said:
I'd definitely be interested in one in a couple of years when the S type needs shifting on, I really dont like the Bentley bks treatment though
I think that's probably why I don't like the Saloon version tbh.