Reliability 300C diesel?

[DOM]

Hello to you all! I am a prospective buyer of a 300C diesel. I would like to know more about reliability of this american car made in Europe.

I took a test drive and liked the space inside the car. I am changing my BMW 3 series which is quity small and old to a new bigger car for a growing familly.

300C is within the budget. However, I did not like:

- the plastic interior (leather seats though)
- the breaks no comparison to BMW (car much heavier also)
- handling could be better

I liked the large numer of things coming standards and that are all optional in other European manufacturers. A BMW with all these shall add 50% to the starting price or even more.

So, I can deal with the issues I found during drive test, but I would like to know your experience regarding reliability. Mercedes is also not what it used to be, but it is much better finished inside.

thank you

[Murphy The Cat]

Good morning Dom and welcome to the forum.

I'll try and answer your questions without sounding too much like a Chrysler Employee or a 300C blinkered nutter !

- the plastic interior (leather seats though). Hmm, it sin't the best, but its a long way from being the worst. TBH, if your stepping from a BMW, most cars would look fairly poor by comparison. For me, it wouldn't be a deal breaker by a long way. I've got very attached to mine. BTW, the 2008 model cars are supposed to be a bit nicer inside.

- the breaks no comparison to BMW (car much heavier also). Never having driven a BMW, I can't comment on how they compare, but the brakes on the 300C do a fair job of slowing the big fella down - until you get on the wrong side of 100mph, & then they get go do with some more oomph.

- handling could be better. I've got absolutely no complaints in this area and I've found the handling of the 300C to be very much 'my cup of tea'. I prefer my cars to be built for comfort rather than outright handling and the 300C does that. i quite often have to to a 250 mile/300 mile drive and I get out at the other end of the trip relaxed, comfortable and ready to make an immediate return trip if needed. it really is a VERY comfortable, long distance, high speed cruiser.

I liked the large number of things coming standards and that are all optional in other European manufacturers. A BMW with all these shall add 50% to the starting price or even more. We all like the goodies that come as standard, as well as the the relatively low list price. The fact that there aren't so many on the roads, and the positive feedback that you get from other drivers/motorists is a positive as well.

So, I can deal with the issues I found during drive test, but I would like to know your experience regarding reliability. Mercedes is also not what it used to be, but it is much better finished inside.

My car Arnie is just coming up to 2 years old and has 32000 miles on the clock (he is one of the early CRD's to the UK), so far , reliability has been 100% excellant, and running costs have been VERY reasonable (IMO). Compared to a BMW, the 300C has shorter service intervals, but the service cost may be lower (I'm not sure on this, maybe worth checking). The tyres lasted 31000 miles and cost about £100 each to replace. I get 35 mpg from each tank of mixed motoring, and over 40 mpg on a sustained high speed run.

As for the #1 reliability guide - getting into Arnie gives me a smile on every single trip.



p.s. There are quite a few ex-BMW/Merc drivers on here who have taken the 300C route, and most (if not all) are really pleased with their decission. The car isn't perfect (what is), but I think that its fair to say that most of us on here love our 300C's - and we're not petrolheaded motoring nutters, just regular blokes.

p.p.s. If you do get one, say good bye to anonymous motoring. Turn up somewhere in a 300C and get used to people coming over to you to ask all about your car - & to date, its been a positive reaction from them all.

[UK CHRYSLER 300C]

- the breaks no comparison to BMW (car much heavier also). Never having driven a BMW, I can't comment on how they compare, but the brakes on the 300C do a fair job of slowing the big fella down - until you get on the wrong side of 100mph, & then they get go do with some more oomph.

Morning Murphy,you say the brakes need more oomph over 100mph!!,Im just wondering if your car being a CRD has the twin brake servo's like my Hemi,because ive braked from 145 and had no problems so im presuming you may only have a single servo,if you want to check they are piggy backed onto each other,it would be interesting to find out the differences between the CRD and the Hemis,apart from the engine.lol

[Murphy The Cat]

Originally Posted by UK CHRYSLER 300C

- the breaks no comparison to BMW (car much heavier also). Never having driven a BMW, I can't comment on how they compare, but the brakes on the 300C do a fair job of slowing the big fella down - until you get on the wrong side of 100mph, & then they get go do with some more oomph.

Morning Murphy,you say the brakes need more oomph over 100mph!!,Im just wondering if your car being a CRD has the twin brake servo's like my Hemi,because ive braked from 145 and had no problems so im presuming you may only have a single servo,if you want to check they are piggy backed onto each other,it would be interesting to find out the differences between the CRD and the Hemis,apart from the engine.lol

This is really tricky, but not being a regular Very high speed driver, in a variety of cars, I have nothing to compare it to. My fairly limited experience on this was really giving Arnie some welly one night (on a large private road) and braking him down hard from 135 mph. I just 'thought' that the braking would have been much more effective that it was. Sub 100mph I find the brakes to be absolutely fine.

Where would I find the servo to check for single/dual?

[UK CHRYSLER 300C]

I noticed on another thread you have pics of where your chip is,well its behind there,there is a plastic flap on the plastic shield underneath the wiper arms,that flap hides the brake fluid res,If you look under the shield you will see the brake res and attached to the res is/are the servo/servos,mine has two piggy backed together.I tried looking at your pics on the other thread but I couldnt make them out.I take it your body clock working too.lol

[Murphy The Cat]

Originally Posted by UK CHRYSLER 300C

I take it your body clock working too.lol

Mines OK, but my baby daughter and infant son have no concept of 'extra hour in bed'.

I do Sunday mornings, and man alive, it was early today !

[UK CHRYSLER 300C]

also does the CRD have BAS?

[Derek Mc]

In forming your comparison Dom, it would be far wiser to do a cost per cost one rather than say 7 Series S' class (as those are closest in size to the 300C) you would compare cars at £50>60K) find a car at £27K such as a BMW 320d M-Sport spec for spec price for price.

I have no criticism in reality of the car versus value. The plastics could be better, the trim could be tougher, but that they are not doesn't bother me.
Yes the handling could be better, my neighbours M5 handles better but does result in giving me back-ache, so horses for courses really, its a luxury car in that class not a sport saloon, so any comparison should be like for like, as a piece of advice I would suggest driving a Lexus LS430 then compare it?

The brakes do need getting used to compared to my BMW 750i that had 4 pot ATE calipers that could almost lift the rear wheels off the ground they "seem" primitive, and if you throw it round a track, then they will go off inside a lap and a half, but I don't have any concerns in daily reality no fade no high speed issues, no feel problems, but, with the SRT-8 Brembo's they would be perfect.

The only big worry I have is the RFL costs on my Hemi at approaching £400 in the year to come it is pathetic.

[Murphy The Cat]

Originally Posted by UK CHRYSLER 300C

also does the CRD have BAS?

Big Arse Syndrome ?

[Stefan Tapp]

Just to add my 2p's worth, I echo all of MTC's comments.

Brake wise, I've, ahem, had a few cars in the past and have no complaints about the 300C at all, they are equally as good as the brakes on my wifes Renault Clio 182 Sport and that is built as a pocket rocket performance car!

Stef