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Tags: first drive, Mercedes-Benz, c350

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First Drive: 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport
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Among automotive cognoscenti, the Mercedes C-class has long labored in the shadow of BMW’s 3-series, a wistful also-ran in the entry luxury sports sedan sweepstakes.

To be fair, corporate wistfulness has been tempered by frequent bank deposits. Over the course of its long history—Mercedes is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its entry-level sedan this year—the company has produced and sold some six million of them.

Which suggests the kids in Stuttgart were doing a pretty good job.

But be that as it may, with the introduction of the fourth generation C-class (W204), the long quest for sport sedan equality may be over. Based on a short first drive in a C350 Sport, the smallest Mercedes sedan looks ready to challenge BMW’s segment leadership on fairly equal footing.

Smallest is a relative term here. The baby Benz is smallest among Mercedes four-door sedans, but it’s bigger in every dimension than its predecessor, and also bigger than 3-series four-ports in terms of length and height, riding an identical 108.7-inch wheelbase.

Bigger translates as roomier, something rear seat passengers are sure to appreciate.
But bigger also translates as increased mass. Mercedes worked hard to keep curb weights in check for the new car, but there looks to be some inevitable gain at the scales. Mercedes forecasts 3615 pounds for the C350 Sport under scrutiny here, which is 100 pounds more than the C350 Sport we tested in the November 2005 issue of Car and Driver, and heavier than either of the gasoline-powered 3-series sedans (328i, 335i) we see in the U.S. market.

That 2005 C350 sprinted to 60 mph in an impressive 5.5 seconds. The new C350 Sport is propelled by the same 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V-6 as its predecessor, with identical output (268 horsepower, 258 pound-feet of torque), mated to the same seven-speed automatic transmission.

All things being equal except for a slight increase in mass, it’s hard to see the new C350 being quicker than the gen three edition. Mercedes forecasts 6.6 seconds, which we view as conservative.

The governor-limited top speed is listed as 130 mph. Read Article
First Drive: 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport



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BMWRocksBMWRocks - 3/15/2007 11:58:24 AM
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Not impressed by this car. I hope it will be better when it comes out.

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Sauceboy01Sauceboy01 - 3/15/2007 12:10:14 PM
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If Mercedes knows what they're doing we'll see a better engine for the US release.

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SupraNeverBackSupraNeverBack - 3/15/2007 12:16:08 PM
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C350 is nothing special, slow with average handling compared to 335i, IS350, G35.





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Will_Will_ - 3/15/2007 4:14:49 PM
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The same way you and S4 knew the LX wouldn't be as good as the GL.


BMW4me4everBMW4me4ever - 3/15/2007 12:21:57 PMView My AgentSpace
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I was expecting more. For the money and such, I am surprised. It really will not be very competitive vs the BMW 335.

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BMfanBMfan - 3/15/2007 12:25:57 PM
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Looks to much like a smaller S-class,which is ugly and if it doesn't drive any sportier than the old one it's still no good for me.

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rg12345rg12345 - 3/15/2007 8:12:48 PM
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No way the new S class is ugly. While I will never buy one before I'm 50, I can still see and admire the look of the car.


BMfanBMfan - 3/15/2007 12:26:11 PM
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Looks to much like a smaller S-class,which is ugly and if it doesn't drive any sportier than the old one it's still no good for me.

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themantheman - 3/16/2007 6:55:33 AM
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The S class is best sedan on the planet, STFU and respect the car for what it is, a legend...


VinnyPVinnyP - 3/17/2007 3:40:48 PM
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Don't worry about this man's opinion, he thinks the Veyron is ugly. Let him drive his Daewoo in South Africa...and forget about him.

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1995e341995e34 - 3/15/2007 12:28:40 PM
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anything over 200hp in a 3600lb car is fine for my use. i'm sure bmw will be sportier, but this looks like a strong contender. the grille belongs on coupes though.

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1995e341995e34 - 3/15/2007 3:18:08 PM
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rule #1: if you hit the red button next to my name, give an explanation on what i said that was out of line, or why you disagree.

there's a lack of intelligent discussion on this site. let's change that.


DallasMR2DallasMR2 - 3/15/2007 4:30:54 PM
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i hot the green button because i agree with you. NO intelligent conversation.


kpaxxkpaxx - 3/15/2007 12:44:49 PM
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BMW has the 3-series Benz has the S-class and SL. Both companies make superb cars. The C-class has always been designed to be like a 3-series but a little more smooth riding. The 3 and C are different cars and appeal to a slightly different buyer.

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BMfanBMfan - 3/15/2007 12:51:10 PM
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The only merc i like is the SL55,will wait to see what the SL63,but no kompressor will be better.

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r_driver04r_driver04 - 3/15/2007 1:38:52 PM
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Benz and BMW...still two very different companies.

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Will_Will_ - 3/15/2007 1:44:51 PM
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The grille and badge are overkill, but is still a viable alternative to the hideous-at-any-angle 3-Series in my book.

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Will_Will_ - 3/15/2007 3:47:59 PM
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This thread would look better without your presence...


DallasMR2DallasMR2 - 3/15/2007 4:49:26 PM
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for once i agree with Will...on both comments. stranger thins have happened.


RupertRupert - 3/15/2007 5:39:49 PMView My AgentSpace
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Why am I agreeing comlpetely with Will?


EL34EL34 - 3/15/2007 1:50:49 PM
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This car is perfect and is a UberWinner.

Make it a great day,

el34

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1995e341995e34 - 3/15/2007 3:14:38 PM
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more boring than an e46?

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S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 3/15/2007 3:58:40 PMView My AgentSpace
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I don't love it. It's okay. It would be a pleasure... as a winter car.

I feel the style isn't distinctive enough, the interior looks cheap (IN THE PICTURES), and it just looks like a "been there, done that," kind of design.

IMO it could easily pass for a Lexus if you switched the badges.

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S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 3/15/2007 3:59:25 PMView My AgentSpace
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Excuse me!

"It would be a pleasure... as a RENTAL car" is what I meant to say.


Will_Will_ - 3/15/2007 4:03:40 PM
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I know "it could pass for a Lexus" is supposed to be an insult, but I agree.


1995e341995e34 - 3/15/2007 7:59:16 PM
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i have a feeling it will be more distinct in person. i see what you're saying though.

i have found many of benz's current designs are not as they appear in photos. particularly press-photos. for example: i thought early photos of CL and S reminded me a bit of a ford taurus. in person, NOT AT ALL.

as well, i think the CLS has dimension that doesn't "pop" until you see one drive by you

just a few more months, and we can all know how it really looks


Threepoint1415926Threepoint1415926 - 3/15/2007 8:44:38 PM
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I think that Mercedes' lines always look bad in photo. In the flesh is a different story all together. I've always felt that way specifically about the SL.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 3/16/2007 11:27:19 PMView My AgentSpace
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Will, it's not necessarily an insult. I just don't really think it looks like a Mercedes; it might as well be the next-gen ES.

But you guys are right, I should wait until I see it in person.

The difference? When I first saw the W221 S-Class and the new CL-Class (insert M-B development number here) in pictures, I thought they were ugly and extroverted. Then I saw them in person and I loved them.

On the other hand, this looks underwhelming in pictures, like it's understyled. Maybe it will look more exciting... but I can't say. All I know is, I really like the IS, I love the 3 Series coupe and I love the A4.


BMfanBMfan - 3/15/2007 4:03:40 PM
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Why do YOU think i put IF!!!

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BMfanBMfan - 3/15/2007 4:10:34 PM
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Of course u think the bm is boring u are merc man ,staid and simple,servorbeupstry

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RupertRupert - 3/15/2007 5:41:19 PMView My AgentSpace
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I agree. THe E90 design isn't great. I way prefer the E46.


1995e341995e34 - 3/15/2007 8:07:13 PM
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i think they just turned the "girl next door" into an "up town girl"

i like both. but "girl next door" is for honda. and "up town girl" is for bmw.




BMfanBMfan - 3/15/2007 4:10:48 PM
-3 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Of course u think the bm is boring u are merc man ,staid and simple,servorbeupstry

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BMfanBMfan - 3/15/2007 4:38:30 PM
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I am from S africa and the rear lights look like they are from a daewoo,but really like the front and how it drives,i just find that the C , E & S class mercs are to close in design. When the new E class came out it looked just like a facelift.

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SedulousSedulous - 3/15/2007 6:47:44 PM
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that's because it IS a facelift


HwanyHwany - 3/15/2007 7:54:57 PM
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so the CL- class looks like Daewoo too?

and btw, 2008 5 series are not "NEW", they are facelifted but they call it the new 5series.

That's the way it is.


1995e341995e34 - 3/15/2007 8:09:33 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
i think if i had to compare the rear to another car it would be the subaru legacy (looking at rear, from side view). no joke.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 3/16/2007 11:29:25 PMView My AgentSpace
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It is only a facelift.

And a damn good one! It looks like the pre-facelift E was in a polo... but the '07-'09 has got a tuxedo (the Sport version, in black).


BMfanBMfan - 3/15/2007 6:57:56 PM
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It was marketed as a new model ,not a facelift.

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S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 3/16/2007 11:30:42 PMView My AgentSpace
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Marketing isn't everything. Do you actually believe the '08 5, which looks almost exactly like the '07, is a completely new model?

My sympathy overcomes my puzzlement of your common sense.


vitalichaconnevitalichaconne - 3/15/2007 7:09:27 PM
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this is definitely much better looking than the last generation

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1995e341995e34 - 3/15/2007 8:24:18 PM
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we all know your preference. but what about this car turns you off so easily? i'm not saying it'll be the hands-down best in segment, just that, seeing what benz has released SINCE their quality bugs almost 2 generations ago, they are due to have an impact on this segment.



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