Merc C350e estate

John_Rambo

Hi everyone, thinking of finally ditching diesel for a Mercedes Benz C350 Petrol Hybrid Estate. Anyone any experience? My work has changed, so lots of small trips and the current diesel is suffering. Looking for;

Comfort & refinement
Ease of driving
A bit of umph
Family car
Lots of boot space
Reliability

Thanks a million!

Heroditas

I have a c350e saloon and it definitely ticks all the boxes I wanted it to.
Brought it to France last year with a roof box on it and went to Center Parcs this year with a bike rack on the back and three bikes - not a bother.
Boot is a bit small on the saloon but I don't need the space unless I'm heading on holidays.
It's a very quick car off the mark but also comfortable and quiet.
Definitely worth taking for a spin
I have 2 kids so it's perfect. It holds the two kids seats but there's precious little room between the two seats.

danoriordan1402

As mentioned -

Just brought in a c350e Saturday myself if you have any questions. Main reason for me is the 7mile commute to work each way, chargers at work, boot for the dogs. 170 a year to tax a 2.0l turbo petrol with about 280bhp and less than 1500 to vrt it. Get a nighttrate meter and its 8c/kwH (Bord Gais )to charge it
Potential disadvantages are MB service costs, range of about 10 km of battery in winter, maybe 15 in summer..

Would second taking one for a spin

John_Rambo

I feel like asking the mods to close the thread incase someone says something bad about the car! Thanks so much, sounds epic. I'll have to see how the finances are after the 2020 tax bill!

Heroditas

John_Rambo wrote: »

I feel like asking the mods to close the thread incase someone says something bad about the car! Thanks so much, sounds epic. I'll have to see how the finances are after the 2020 tax bill!

Serious wheelspin if you floor it from a standing position with a full battery. There's a lot of power going through those back wheels
Only problem is I was a bit heavy on the accelerator exiting a roundabout leaving Belfast once and nearly fishtailed into a car in the lane beside me!!!
I absolutely love getting into it though. Only one problem with it after nearly two years - windscreen washer isn't working so I need to get it fixed soon but am rarely driving now with WFH so no immediate rush to get it fixed.
I have a 22km round commute to work and there are chargers there so weekday petrol consumption is minimal.
Saved a fortune on motor tax and petrol as a result.

danoriordan1402

Heavy on back tyres as well I hear, with the extra weight in the boot

kirving

I was very close to buying one recently.

Had an E300 Diesel Hybrid for 2 years and really liked the build quality, acres of space and hybrid drivetrain. It could in theory do a few km on the battery, but could barely get out of a car park on the battery due to to the motor being just 20kW. Really excellent around town due to no diesel rattle in traffic and instant pull off with no clutch, but great on long journeys too.

It was very hard on rear tyres, any tyres in general. Heavy car and AMG alloys are very unforgiving puncture wise. Expect a suspension airbag (€350-400) to go as they're a wear part effectively. Servicing not too dear in a main dealer. Get the gearbox oil changed on time.



I've now made a jump to a smaller, saloon, petrol PHEV in a BMW 330e. Space is more an issue, and build quality or interior layout isn't that of the Merc.

Looking back, I think the C350e Estate would have been a great compromise for me anyway, but I wanted a change, and I plan to sell this car onto someone who told me they wanted the 330e over the C350e so that swayed me.

Lotus 79

Thinking of getting a C350e myself and was wondering what the manufacturer's warranty is on the hybrid system? I heard that 2018-onwards models have a better warranty to those older than that. Or am I mistaken?