2009 Mercedes Benz E350 vs. 2009 Mercedes Benz C300

In European countries, the Mercedes Benz E-Class is frequently used as a taxi, ambulance car, or police cruiser. Its hardiness and spacious qualities lend themselves to public service. The 2009 Mercedes Benz E350 adds a generous burst of power, representing a leap forward from earlier E-Class vehicles. When you want that power, all you need is to request it with a dab at the accelerator and you will be furnished with a big boost:  0-60 in just 6.7 seconds. There is the downfall of electronic limiters that keep it from getting silly. All this and fuel economy figures ranging from 29.1mpg in a sedate cruising setting to as high as 40mpg on a trundle.

The 2009 Mercedes Benz C300 is a smaller vehicle, though not a midget by any stretch of the imagination - it is, after all, a Mercedes-Benz. It is also a bit less fuel-efficient than the E350, but capable of greater power at a lower price.


Here's another debate one may commonly find himself having at the dealer. To move up in chassis class and/or engine types. Can the C-Class provide everything in a sedan that an E-Class can only barely improve on?

2008 E-Class Model Line Overview
Model lineup:	Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec ($52,200); E350 ($51,200); E350 4Matic ($52,700); E350 4Matic wagon ($55,950); E550 ($59,700); E550 4Matic ($61,200); E63 AMG ($85,300); E63 AMG wagon ($86,050)
Engines:	210-hp 3.0-liter dohc 24-valve turbodiesel V6; 268-hp 3.5-liter dohc 24-valve V6; 382-hp 5.5-liter dohc 48-valve V8; 507-hp 6.2-liter dohc 48-valve V8
Transmissions:	5-speed automatic; 7-speed automatic
Safety equipment (standard):	dual-stage front airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, front and rear curtain-style head-protection airbags, active head restraints, seatbelt pretensioners; Pre-Safe System, rollover sensor, antilock brakes (ABS) with Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), traction control, tire pressure monitor
Safety equipment (optional):	none
Basic warranty:	4 years/50,000 miles
Assembled in:	Sindelfingen, Germany

Specifications As Tested
Model tested (MSRP):	Mercedes-Benz E550 sedan ($59,700)
Standard equipment:	automatic four-zone climate control, power tilt and telescoping steering wheel with multifunction controls, power windows with express up and down, auto-dimming mirrors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, glass sunroof, 10-way power driver and passenger seats with leather inserts and three-position memory, cruise control, walnut trim, nine-speaker surround-sound stereo with six-disc CD changer, Tele-aid emergency communication system
Options as tested (MSRP):	Sport Package (N/C); Premium II ($4,770) includes Hands-Free Communication System, DVD COMAND Navigation, Sirius Satellite Radio, power rear window shade, Headlight Washing System, Bi-Xenon Active Light System, cornering fog lights, Keyless Go, Active-Ventilated front seats; Parktronic ($1,120); wood/leather steering wheel ($550); electronic trunk closer ($530)
Destination charge:	($775)
Gas guzzler tax:	N/A
Price as tested (MSRP):	$67,445
Layout:	rear-wheel drive
Engine:	5.5-liter dohc 48-valve V8
Horsepower (hp @ rpm):	382 @ 6000
Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm):	391 @ 2800-4800
Transmission:	7-speed automatic
EPA fuel economy, city/hwy:	15/22 mpg
Wheelbase:	112.4 in.
Length/width/height:	191.0/71.7/58.4 in.
Track, f/r:	62.1/61.9 in.
Turning circle:	37.4 ft.
Seating capacity:	5
Head/hip/leg room, f:	39.1/57.2/41.9 in.
Head/hip/leg room, m:	N/A
Head/hip/leg room, r:	37.8/57.2/35.6 in.
Cargo volume:	15.9 cu. ft.
Payload:	N/A
Towing capacity:	N/A
Suspension, f:	independent, four-link, air springs, variable-rate gas-charged shock absorbers, anti-roll bar
Suspension, r:	independent, five link, air springs, variable-rate gas-charged shock absorbers, anti-roll bar
Ground clearance:	3.6 in.
Curb weight:	3885 lbs.
Tires:	245/40R18
Brakes, f/r:	vented disc/vented disc with ABS, Brake Assist
Fuel capacity:	21.1 gal.

2008 C-Class Model Line Overview
Model lineup:	Mercedes-Benz C300; C350
Engines:	228-hp 2.8-liter V6; 268-hp 3.5-liter V6
Transmissions:	7-speed automatic; 6-speed manual
Safety equipment (standard):	frontal airbags, side-impact airbags, curtain airbags; electronic stability control, traction control, ABS, EBD, Pre-Safe
Safety equipment (optional):	none
Basic warranty:	4 years/50,000 miles
Assembled in:	Sindelfingen, Germany

Specifications As Tested
Model tested (MSRP):	Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport
Standard equipment:	N/A
Options as tested (MSRP):	N/A
Destination charge:	N/A
Gas guzzler tax:	N/A
Price as tested (MSRP):	N/A
Layout:	rear-wheel drive
Engine:	3.5-liter dohc 24-valve V6
Horsepower (hp @ rpm):	268 @ 6000
Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm):	258 @ 2400
Transmission:	7-speed automatic
EPA fuel economy, city/hwy:	N/A
Wheelbase:	108.7 in.
Length/width/height:	180.4/69.7/57.0 in.
Track, f/r:	60.4/60.5 in.
Turning circle:	35.4 ft.
Seating capacity:	5
Head/hip/leg room, f:	37.1/52.3/41.7 in.
Head/hip/leg room, m:	N/A
Head/hip/leg room, r:	36.9/54.9/33.4 in.
Cargo volume:	17.6 cu. ft.
Payload:	N/A
Towing capacity:	N/A
Suspension, f:	independent, coil springs, gas struts, stabilizer bar
Suspension, r:	independent. five-link with coil springs, gas shocks, stabilizer bar
Ground clearance:	N/A
Curb weight:	3498 lbs.
Tires:	P225/40ZR-17 front; P245/40ZR-17 rear
Brakes, f/r:	disc/disc with ABS, EBD, Brake Assist
Fuel capacity:	17.4 gal.