Hi folks newbie looking for some advice

[stan99]

Hi folks

Just wanted to say hi and ask your advice please.

I was always thinking about buying a 300C ever since they released them in UK but for one reason and another I never did but now I am seriously looking.

Hopefully not duplicating questions here but can I ask the following based on your experience of owning them?

I will be doing high miles and this is one of the obvious car choices for me as its not your run of the mill but is it really a good long distance wafter? Can it reach the low 40's in mpg if I am careful with my speed or are we just talking 30's?

Do the seats have enough support for your back and are they good on long distances? Do the heated seats work ok - burn your bum or just mildly warm your cockles!

With the reduced number of Chrysler Stealers are there likely to be parts issues in the next couple of years?

I am looking for the 06/07 models in particular (I dont like the darker revised interior - it just looks dull and bland like all the german stuff but when was the revision actually done - as I have seen an odd 08 plate car with the old interior - are they just late registrations??

Is the SatNav worth having and is it easy to use? Touch screen or do you have to spend ages with a joystick type setup like on Nissan Birdview??
Postcode search available?

The boggo stereo unit is it fine? No issues with the knobs breaking - they look a bit weedy?

I know there is an issue with the alloys and I know the reasons why but is every single car effected or have they finally done something about it? Is it worth getting them sprayed with paint then varnished? I think they are just varnish on polished alloy are'nt they?

What is the average price of a service for them?

When did they introduce the auto headlights on switch on when you unlock the car and can you switch that option off?

How long have your tyres lasted and are the Pirrellis ok? I know camskill sell them for a reasonable £100

The grille question! I do love the Bentley stylie one and I know you can get them off Ebay for about £300 - are they easy enough to fit - remove the original etc?

Is the exhaust system stainless or mild steel?

I have a lot of reading up to do on the forum for known issues but on the whole would you still recommend one and gut feel - are they built well enouhg to go the distance - I intend to keep it about 4 years at least!

Thanks very much in advance sorry for the many questions?(sorry if I have missed the FAQ section somewhere!)

Stan

[Da_Pimp]

Hi and welcome!

The 300C is a fantastic car. I will try to answer your questions below:


I will be doing high miles and this is one of the obvious car choices for me as its not your run of the mill but is it really a good long distance wafter? Can it reach the low 40's in mpg if I am careful with my speed or are we just talking 30's?

>> I get 26ish all town driving. It is possible to get 40ish in perfect conditions, but I would say mid 30's is normal

Do the seats have enough support for your back and are they good on long distances? Do the heated seats work ok - burn your bum or just mildly warm your cockles!

>> Seats are fantastic in my opinion. Heating has 2 levels, you can start it on 2 and it will go back to 1 once the heat gets up.

With the reduced number of Chrysler Stealers are there likely to be parts issues in the next couple of years?

>> Wouldn't think so.

I am looking for the 06/07 models in particular (I dont like the darker revised interior - it just looks dull and bland like all the german stuff but when was the revision actually done - as I have seen an odd 08 plate car with the old interior - are they just late registrations??

>> Yes, there were still some older models going about when they introduced the facelift. I prefer the older one too.

Is the SatNav worth having and is it easy to use? Touch screen or do you have to spend ages with a joystick type setup like on Nissan Birdview??
Postcode search available?

>> On the old model REJ the sat nav is pretty crap and is not touchscreen, but the sound quality of the unit is immense. The facelifts have the my-gig system which is far superior, touchscreen and built in hard drive. This is one of the few reasons to go for the facelift model. The old system uses DVD's which are well out of date even on the latest rev.

The boggo stereo unit is it fine? No issues with the knobs breaking - they look a bit weedy?

>> No experience on this one!

I know there is an issue with the alloys and I know the reasons why but is every single car effected or have they finally done something about it? Is it worth getting them sprayed with paint then varnished? I think they are just varnish on polished alloy are'nt they?

>> They will replace them under warranty, but a permanent solution is "still" being looked at by Chrysler. I wouldn't hold your breath there .....

What is the average price of a service for them?

>> Stealership £250 - £450 depending on service. Far better and cheaper using an independent as long as they use Chrysler parts there's no problem.

When did they introduce the auto headlights on switch on when you unlock the car and can you switch that option off?

>> It's been there since day 1 and can be disabled in the EVIC

How long have your tyres lasted and are the Pirrellis ok? I know camskill sell them for a reasonable £100

>> I'm over 20k and still on the first set. Some of the other guys can chime in here

The grille question! I do love the Bentley stylie one and I know you can get them off Ebay for about £300 - are they easy enough to fit - remove the original etc?

>> Yes, they take about 30 mins to fit, however I did it the other way and replaced the Bentley with the standard one!

Is the exhaust system stainless or mild steel?

>> Mild steel, although Startech do an expensive stainless option. I got my one with the car thankfully.

I have a lot of reading up to do on the forum for known issues but on the whole would you still recommend one and gut feel - are they built well enouhg to go the distance - I intend to keep it about 4 years at least!

>> Yes, swirl chamber aside they are very reliable in the whole. Read this thread, and if that doesn't convince you, nothing will. I've had mine over 2 years and apart from the swirl chamber issue it's been great. I really wouldn't part with it.

milage

Thanks very much in advance sorry for the many questions?(sorry if I have missed the FAQ section somewhere!)

>> No problem, that's what we're here for.

Now, go buy that 300C and get grinning

Keith

[lambournkoi]

Crikey I'm gunna be here all night lol. Welcome to the forum Stan.

On long runs with cruise set at 75 mine will return almost 43mpg.

The seats have two settings, burn your bum and warm your cockles. The CRD seats are ok but not much lumbar support adjustment, SRTD seats are very well supported and really good for long distance driving but they only come in black. Black interior came in in early 08 although there are loads of 08's in grey (late registered 07 cars)

Most parts should be no problem but we have had some issues whilst the Fiat takeover was taking place. They seem to be coming through a bit better now.

The early stereo's sound is good but the sat nav is pants, joystick control and does not do post codes.

The exhausts mild steel.

There are loads of grilles on fleabay from around £40 upwards. It's easier to take the bumper off to change. There are instructions of how to do it on the forum somewhere.

They are pretty solid build wise and very strong should you get hit hard at the back. Eddy on the forum is over 400k on his CRD so they last the distance.

[stan99]

Bet that took you some time to do! Thanks Keith thats very much appreciated - puts my mind at rest a bit there.

I am on my fourth car in 5 years- do approx 33K+ every year but this one will have to stay - got a baby on the way so wave goodbye to sports cars!

I will rummage around for the swirl chamber issue - but is this common/terminal?

Got a local non Chrysler dealers who are willing to service one for me as they can get the proper parts - so if and when I get one I will update you all - (they are in Manchester area btw)

Read that high mileage thread - sounds perfect. I cant stand the usual bland corporate cars I see on the motorway everyday and the 300 is just such a cool machine I always smile when I see one.

I have driven one just a short test drive and it felt composed and not wobbly like I as expecting.
What the hell is that under dash foot break for - is that for hill starts (excuse my ignorance?)

Stan

[stan99]

Thanks lambournkoi - you sneaked that reply in!

Ok then think decision is made I just need to find THE car - the last 3 have sold by the time I phone them - sods law!

I was reading about Chrysler Nottingham going bust and the car I wanted had been redistributed to the network and basically sod off attitude - but I will phone them back and see if I can track it down was a good price and spec.

I read some of that report about whats happening to Chrysler and it mentioned 07 as a bad year for quality - is this an issue for us in Uk or is that refering to the States only do you think??

[devilmaycare]

Hi Stan and welcome to the forum,

You've probably got most of the info you were seeking, but I would like to spring to the defence of the much-maligned SatNav. I'm very happy with mine; very clear mapping and verbal instuctions. OK, its "joystick" control, but then I'm no fan of touchscreens. The lack of postcode input doesn't bother me either, as I more often have an address rather than a postcode. Besides, there's no certainty that postcode databases are complete anyway. The SatNav unit also has a very rapid acquisition time - I suspect that initiation takes place as soon as you switch the ignition on. Finally, the SatNav works in conjunction with a gyrocompass and the car's odometer, so will continue to operate in tunnels and urban canyons.

Regarding spares; the engine and transmission are common to large numbers of Mercedes vehicles, so there shouldn't be any problems in that area. For other parts, there is a large user base in North America which should ensure plentiful supplies in the future.

The main thing, Stan, is to get your car and enjoy - you will find that the 300C is without equal. Its also encouraging to hear that used models are being snapped up.

The "foot" brake is actually a parking brake. Not needed (or even useful) for hill starts as the auto transmission takes care of that.

[propus]

In my opinion the 300C is a reliable as any other car I have owned, but is by far the best one There is nothing on the road within the same price range that I would consider changing to. I expect I will run this car into the ground or swap it in when something even better comes out.

I agree with all the points mentioned above and can also confirm that around town I get 23-27 mpg in my CRD depending on time of the year, but on a long run it will return low 40s if driven nicely and high 30's if you have been giving it some boot. If you want a motorway muncher get the CRD if you want a kick in the arse everytime you push the go pedal get the Hemi, but I expect you will be surprised how quickly a chipped CRD can shift so try and get a test drive in a 300C CRD with Startech chip if you can (or a 3rd party chip).

I have the preface lift model 56 plate and the seats with lumbar support are fantastic. I suffer from a bad back and I can't explain how much I love the seats! I'm not keen on the facelift model seats, they pin me in too much, but this is personal choice. The boston sound system is great and I often find myself bopping about in the car with the Choons turned up to 29 volume, but that's maybe just me

Test drive a hemi and a CRD and see what you prefer, but try and get a 24hr test drive from a dealer.

[UK CHRYSLER 300C]

I agree with Devil about the sat-nav,just have to use common sense sometimes with it thats all,I'm not gonna say what I usually say...should have got a hemi....OMG whats up with me,lol,on a motorway run I can get 30mpg(sometimes)but usually 25mpg.round the town I avg 19mpg but what fun I have,lol,no matter which one you get (as long as its not the 3.5 v6 petrol)you will love it,4 years now and I still smile everytime I'm in it,ENJOY

[keat]

I can average 44mpg on a decent motorway run, around 40 on my 26 mile each way commute, or about 35mpg pottering about.
Heated seats are fantastic, sat nav (joystick) is cumbersome, Boston Sound awesome.
Still loving mine, although something must be wearing off, as I don't wash it as much as I did when I first got it.

[stan99]

Thanks guys thats great.

I would love the Hemi but unless I own my personal petrol station I cant ever justify it - so the CRD is for me.

Its really odd as the Touring models seem to be the cheapest (after the 3.5 petrol that is) why is that - they too big for most or do people not like them? I know the 300 is a marmite car but I love it and even my other half loves it - she went on the test drive with me.

Well I just need to keep looking got some numbers to call but depending on what they will give me for my current car I suppose.

I am not too fussed about the satnav I have a seperate unit and got it on my phone too but sometimes just handy in the car and just wondered if between a choice of a car with or without it - if it was worth going for anyway (as stated just for the stereo)

I am guessing there is no Ipod connection by default - unless its the later Mygig unit? Got an fm transmitter anyway so no issue there?

Only thing I cant finds this reference to the Swirl chamber issue ?

Is the paint ok - I want a black one and yes they are a dog to keep clean but is the paint pretty tough on them or is it that water based rubbish?

I hope to do a lot of mechanics myself if I can - such as brakes etc - overall is it easy to work on?

Thank you again for your feedback - its good to get this kind of information as car review mags sites etc generally sneer at it - and dont give you the real low down long term ownership angle?