Edmunds Inside Line - Long-Term Test: 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 Sport

[PHYBENZ]

Most cars look like this when they open their hoods.

The C300 Sport can look like this...

The C300 has hood struts that allow you to open the hood up to a near-vertical placement, as well as a few areas in between. Doesn't it look like the hinges broke, and the hood has flown up like it did to David Spade's car in Tommy Boy?

I'm honestly not sure how many cars feature hoods like this, but it's certainly nifty and actually prevents injuries. Before I discovered this feature, one of our editors knocked his head against the rather sizeable latch at the base of the C300's hood when it was in the lowest, rather normal position. The wide-open setting could've prevented that head bonk and any related brain damage it may have incurred (he later began to speak in a cockney British accent and described the Rondo as "sexy"). Quite the useful innovation.

Long-Term Road Tests - 2007 Mercedes-Benz C300 Sport: Flips its Lid

 

[Sunny]

That is pretty cool.

 

[coolraoul]

This is by no way an innovation, but an historical features of Mercedes-Benz. I think it is only on MBs. And I think the ML I did not have it.

However, I know for sure the W124 and all E-Class, the W201 and all C-Classes, and W126 and all S-Class have this feature. Maybe sooner, I don't know.

On the G-Class, the hood can be put on the windshield!! So it has an even wider opening!!

It is because the big grille can be dangerous, and it also allows a much better access to the motor. And because MB always has special features like that.

 

[bum-man]

My W123 had that feature, it must have been an option back then.

 

[Merc1]

Yep these are the details that make a Mercedes so special IMO. When dealing with a Benz in any way you always feel like they've engineered everything for a specific purpose even if it isn't immediately apparent what the purpose/reason is.

M

 

[cawimmer430]

This is by no way an innovation, but an historical features of Mercedes-Benz. I think it is only on MBs. And I think the ML I did not have it.

However, I know for sure the W124 and all E-Class, the W201 and all C-Classes, and W126 and all S-Class have this feature. Maybe sooner, I don't know.

On the G-Class, the hood can be put on the windshield!! So it has an even wider opening!!

It is because the big grille can be dangerous, and it also allows a much better access to the motor. And because MB always has special features like that.

Correct.

On our old W126 300SE, you can open the hood like that too. Not sure about my dad's R129 500SL though, need to check in the summer.

 

[LaArtist]

lol yeah my 78 300D has this..
so its far from anything new for MB

 

[Merc1]

2008 Mercedes-Benz C300: Still Waiting for Parts



Just over a month ago, Mercedes-Benz of Long Beach special ordered a part for the C300's rear sunroof shade. It arrived from Germany as forecasted, three weeks later. So we made an appointment to install it last week.

Our service advisor called a few hours after we dropped off the vehicle. He explained, "We lowered the headliner to install the part and realized that we need more parts to complete the repair." He followed with a humble apology and admission that they should have caught it the first time.

We were surprised by the straightforward apology, but not by what it meant: Another 7-10 business days for parts to arrive. We're waiting again.

Mike Schmidt, Vehicle Testing Coordinator @ 5,286 miles


Long-Term Road Tests


M

 

[PHYBENZ]

2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 Sport: Let Go Already!

First off, let me say that I enjoyed the C300 and though I like ripping acceleration as much as any other car buff, I don't know why anyone would spend the extra $5,300 for the C350. This 3-liter, 228-hp V6 has plenty of gusto for driving in the real world, provided you put the transmission in Sport mode where it holds lower gears longer and provides quicker downshifts.

The performance is usable too. At one point I was on a road that went from two lanes to one, and had the right of way when some idiot in an older Camry decided to come up along side me (rather than blending in behind) and stay there as the road started its lane reduction. I wasn't sure what this guy was thinking (well, evidently, he wasn't) so a quick jab to the gas quickly jetted the C300 ahead of the dolt without breaking a sweat or making a lot of racket.

My only complaint thus far concerns the ignition operation. Like every other Benz I've driven with this funky key, it's like the car doesn't want to let go of the key after you turn it off and attempt to pull it out. It's not a defect as they've all done this and it takes the same little tug to pull the key out. I'm flattered that the Benz likes me and wants to stay out and run around some more, but sheesh, just let go, will ya?

Long-Term Road Tests

 

[Merc1]

Oh god what the hell is he talking about? Turn key, engine shuts off, remove key. Jesus Christ.

M

 

[ZicZachZo]

I was just driving a '99 E320 with the older version of that key shown and I agree that it likes to stay in the ignition, but uh, wouldn't you want that while you're driving? You don't want to accidentally hit the key and it flies off do you? Mercedes still does everything for a reason...

 

[bum-man]

Ok, now that is being just a little too ridiculous.

 

[Deleted member 182]

Yep these are the details that make a Mercedes so special IMO. When dealing with a Benz in any way you always feel like they've engineered everything for a specific purpose even if it isn't immediately apparent what the purpose/reason is.

M

I feel the very same. My jaws dropped when someone showed how to open the hood like that in my W202.

Some details I know: for example when you open the trunk and the little light turns on inside the trunk. There is a switch which controls when the trunk is open (light on) and closed (light off). When you irrationally pull the switch towards you, the light is off even though the trunk is open thus saving the battery when needed.

Or when you open the sunroof and pull down the windowses. Then you step out of the car and press the lock button on your remote key. First it locks the doors of course but if you keep on pressing the lock button, the sunroof and windowses will close by themselves.

Anyone else know more "easter eggs" from MB cars?

 

[coolraoul]

I know that when a rear bulb does not work for the stop lights, then it automaticly makes the rear lights taking the role of the brake lights too. So that you still have 3 brake lights even if one brake bulb is dead. And you notice it because the on-board computer says there is a broken bulb.

Now that is clever!

The Comfort window open-close with the key was already here in a W124, but some other carmakers are doing it now...

Merc was also the first to feature the little plastic handle in the grill to open the hood without searching under the hood...That was (and still is) very clever too, but now even my Golf has that...

In fact there are plenty of these little tricks in a Mercedes that you only notice when you need them, and that makes life much easier...

 

[cawimmer430]

 

[PHYBENZ]

Here's a thought about our long-term Mercedes-Benz C300: Where's all the stuff?

Our car doesn't have autodimming mirrors, HID headlights, keyless ignition, heated seats, driver memory positioning, fold-down rear seats, a backup camera, HomeLink or satellite radio. It doesn't have leather seating, either, though the "MB Tex" cow-free version is a very pleasingly simulation.

You can get most of the above features via the C-Class' Premium II Package. But doing so would add $2,750. Chose leather and it'd be another $1,550. At this point, our C300 would cost $43,750. Our Infiniti G35, for comparison, has almost all of the features I listed above and rings in at $37,400.

Personally, I don't mind so much that our C300 isn't the luxury bonanza one might think it is. So far, I'm enjoying it quite a bit. But the average luxury sedan shopper might not be as kind. One could do a lot of things with an extra $6,000.

Then again, the average shopper might think that the big three-pointed star in the grille more than makes up for it.

Long-Term Road Tests

 

[cawimmer430]

Here's a thought about our long-term Mercedes-Benz C300: Where's all the stuff?

Our car doesn't have:

autodimming mirrors: (My my are you one lazy SOB )

keyless ignition: (Wow, this dude is laaaaaazy...)

heated seats: (Agreed, should be standard.)

driver memory positioning: (Not a big deal if only person drives this car.)

a backup camera: (Seriously, who needs this? Ah, wait, folks who can't park for sh*t...)

HomeLink or satellite radio: (Should have bought a Lexus my friend... )

It doesn't have leather seating, either, though the "MB Tex" cow-free version is a very pleasingly simulation: (The old "luxury needs leather" cliche. Buddy, visit Europe sometime and get the shock of your life. )

...

 

[coolraoul]

I've never understood all the fuzz about heated seats. I mean, unless you live in an Arctic country (and i mean really Siberian), it is just totally pointless. I've tried it many times, I even think it is uncomfortable, don't like it at all..

Here in Germany you can't even sell a bike if it does not have heated seats ?? Why?? In France nobody really cares this thing...

 

[bmer]

Trust me, it doesn't have to be Siberia. I think members from Canada and Nordic countries will agree with me.

 

[PanterroR]

I'm from Croatia and i agree with you, Mikael.

raoul, this is the 1st time ever i hear someone saying that heated seats are pointless and uncomfortable....

Are you sure that someone didn't light up a fire under your @$$?