Edmunds Inside Line:Comparison Test: 2009 Audi A4 vs. 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350

[cawimmer430]

^^honestly though, as much as most of us would agree that the C350 should be over 300hp mark, it still isn't an issue for the average car buyer. Besides a car guy, I don't think the average person looking at the C will be like "What? Not 300 or more hp? I'm leaving right now!" Not going to happen. Sure, the C will get the new engines after the FL, but besides us, it's not really necessary.

Agreed.

Your typical C-Class buyer won't be turned off by this. They also won't be turned off by the fact that you can get a 306-hp Lexus IS350 or a 306-hp BMW 335i. Why? Because they want a Mercedes C350 or a Mercedes. That's all they care about (and the other qualities the car offers). This is what I suspect is the case.

On most car forums we have young posters who are enthusiastic about speed and power. For them horsepower and 0-60 times are important. For the real buyer out there, those things are secondary if at all.

 

[Zafiro]

I bet if there was +300hp C-class several owners wouldnt be so sure to pick a 335i. In US horsepower is important to many. And it would look better on paper too.

 

[cawimmer430]

I bet if there was +300hp C-class several owners wouldnt be so sure to pick a 335i. In US horsepower is important to many. And it would look better on paper too.

Not quite true.

Many buyers of these cars in the US are also older people who don't place that much emphasis on sheer horsepower. Besides, even with 268-horsepower, the C350 has some impressive performance numbers. Much of it is due to the 7Gtronic and also because the 3.5 V6 isn't underpowered as people want to claim.


Sure, a 300+ horsepower C-Class would be a welcome addition because it will speak to a potentially younger market, but knowing Mercedes this car will be 7Gtronic only and no 6-speed manual. Thus the young crowd will walk over their nearest BMW or Infiniti (maybe Audi) dealership for a 335i / G37 6-speed.

 

[Zafiro]

Chris, I wish I could agreee with you but I can't to 100%. I still believe +300hp C-class would do more good than bad.

 

[cawimmer430]

Chris, I wish I could agreee with you but I can't to 100%. I still believe +300hp C-class would do more good than bad.

Well the 268-hp C350 has been selling pretty well in the US, and so has the C300. Proof enough that there are buyers out there that just don't care about sheer horsepower numbers. I agree that a 300+ horsepower C350 is a welcome addition though for that "other part of the market".

Also, not everyone who buys a BMW 335i is an enthusiast. Some people who can afford to buy these cars buy them because of the badge. They buy them so they can brag about it at their local golf club. Because it makes them feel better or because they simply want a BMW because "it's a BMW". Or because they thought the car looked better than the competition etc. Things like these also influence car purchases, not just sheer horsepower numbers.

 

[Merc1]

Well the thing is guys is that a 300hp C-Class would only be a plus, but it wouldn't matter to everyone. Buyers run the entire spectrum. Some would see 300hp and be like "great" others would see 300hp and say "umph" or just sigh. Truth is some buyers would buy because of the 300hp and some wouldn't care. There is no one set demographic here.

The best way to gauge this is to look at the buyers on MBWorld. Some were disappointed that the C350 and E350 for that matter have "only" 268hp and others didn't care once they drove the car. Fact is a 300hp C350 would only be a plus, but on the other hand I doubt you'd see a big spike in sales because of 300hp, only a modest gain.

For most buyers the 228hp C300 is enough so the won't bother looking at the C350 with its 40hp advantage, now it if had 72+ hp more then it might get looked at a little more. It goes both ways. Some care about 300hp, some don't.


M