2007 Mercedes-Benz C320 Reviews

Mercedes-Benz has just launched an all-new C-Class model, so there's a good chance many owners of older models will be trading up. Meaning there could be a glut of used C-Class in Australia, giving you the chance to select between the many on offer, as well as the opportunity to select from the best of them. 

Mercedes-Benz built an enviable reputation based on safe, solid, comfortable and reliable prestige cars, but in recent times it has had to add another element to its appeal: excitement.

This must surely be the way of the future.In fact, it makes you wonder why these donks haven't taken the passenger car market by the scruff of the neck and changed the world of motoring even more in Australia; like they have for so long in Europe.We are talking about the turbo diesel power plant that has been dropped into the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the new 320 CDI.Apart from the rapid C63 AMG hot rod, the CDI is now the range-topper for the C-Class family.And that is no idle claim to fame.Accepted that you have to be a diesel fan and that you must appreciate the way those engines blend performance with reasonable economy to justify even a look-see at one.At $92,800 it is priced in the upper echelons for what is in essence a small sedan that tucks into the garage beside a humble Mazda 3 sedan.A casual glance cannot pick the size difference.This new 320 CDI joins the all-new W204 model C-Class launched earlier this year.It is a rapid piece of kit and is not going to break your bank account considering the infrequent stops at the bowser.After a test of mainly freeway work mixed in with splashes of peak-hour crawling, the CDI was showing that it used half a tank of diesel after about 420km.So somewhere around 800-900km out of a tank would not be an unreasonable assumption.OK, so there is no doubting the economy but where it really stands up is in performance.After a think for a split second when you press the throttle, the CDI soon warms to the task, building up a healthy burst of energy that seems to have no bounds on open stretches.It is in the mid-range where it shines and the marriage to the 7-speed 7G-Tronic auto box seems to be a smooth union ordained in heaven.Third and fourth are particularly well hooked up to what is a beautifully refined powertrain. There is 510Nm on tap which not too many moons ago used to be the domain of bigger engine petrol muscle cars. That is a mountain of torque for a small car coming from the well mannered direct-injection V6 diesel.There is a bit of clatter at idle but other than that there is little suggestion a compression ignition motor lurks under the bonnet.But however good this Benz diesel is, it still lags behind BMW's 335d twin-turbo diesel available in Europe, which this tester sampled in a comparable three-series on autobahns and twisting roads.BMW has committed to bringing that engine here in the X5, which is a boon to BMW buyers because it is again a shining example of why you would be converted to these high-performance diesels.Over and above the engine, which is the primary story with this car, it gains all the kit of the new C-Class range which is, dare we say it, bigger, wider and taller than the W203 version it replaces.The interior switches and console layout is a little busy and cluttered compared to the BMW layout, which sways toward clarity and a simplistic design.But if you are greased enough financially, and you feel the need to look over and above the entry C200 Kompressor ($56,990), or the baby diesel C220 CDI ($60,300) and the V6 C280 ($85,000), then the 320 CDI is calling you.  SnapshotMercedes-Benz C 320 CDIPrice: $92,800Body: 5 seats, 4 doorsEngine: Turbocharged diesel 2987CC V6Power: 165KWTorque: 510NMTransmission: 7-speed automatic, rear wheel driveTyres: 225/45 R 17 (front), 245/40 R 17Economy: 7.6L/100KM (combined) 

Few if any other European manufacturers have been bold enough to put forward a diesel as their range topper in the small/medium class. But taking a drive in the C320 vindicates Mercedes' decision because the car is simply superb to drive and uses minimal fuel into the bargain.A C350, 3.5-litre V6 petrol variant is available overseas but realistically, it is unnecessary in the face of the smooth and powerful diesel V6 model. We have seen this engine before in other Mercedes vehicles and it works well in all. That's partly due to a prodigious 510Nm torque output, which is on par with a large capacity V8 petrol engine. Even better is the fact that all this grunt is available in the Benz from just off idle speed.Maximum power is a creditable 165kW and along the way to delivering this hefty whack of power and torque, the 3.0-litre turbo diesel sips a frugal 7.4-litres/100km.In pure performance terms, the C320 is no slouch putting away a 0-100kmh sprint in 6.9 seconds.Drive is to the rear wheels via a seven speed automatic transmission that offers sequential change mode side-to-side on the gearstick. A button shift on the steering wheel is optional.Priced from $92,800, the C320 is well specified for the money offering Pre-safe crash protection, eight air bags and Electronic Stability Program (ESP), three zone climate control and variable suspension called Agility Control as standard.A comprehensive list of options is available including an exceptional audio system with a four gigabyte music server on which owners can save a large selection of music.On the road, the C320 shines in all environments but especially when touring country backroads where the bumps and rough stuff are ironed out like they don't exist. Long distance touring is enhanced due to the smooth, silent engine and superb throttle response.Overtaking is achieved in a blink and cruising at high speed registers a mere 2000rpm on the tachometer.In practical terms, the C320 has the same tight turning circle as all C-Class models, a large boot with full size spare underfloor, seats for five in the roomy interior and easy to operate controls housed in a stylish dash.Mercedes offers the C320 in the sporty Avantgarde spec' as well as the Elegance model. Avantgarde has been a runaway hit with new C-Class buyers.Coinciding with the C320's arrival is the new ML500, a brutally quick luxury Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) powered by a 285kW/530Nm, 5.5-litre V8 petrol engine. The previous ML500 had a 'mere' 5.0-litre V8.Weighing in at a well-grounded 2310kg, which doesn't affect the ML's performance out of the blocks where it puts away a 0-100kmh sprint in 5.8 seconds. And this is without gobbling large amounts of fuel. It will deliver an average of 12.9 litres /100km with normal steady driving.Transmission is a seven speed auto with sequential shift. A permanent all wheel drive 4Matic system apportions power to the wheels with most traction. Air suspension controls ride and handling and the ML500 is equipped with a wide range of practical and luxury goodies. And  in case you were wondering, yes, it will comfortably go off road; though why you'd want to take a $120,874 SUV bush bashing is beyond us.

Those buyers will confirm that this is a very impressive compact sedan that now drives on a different road to its rivals at BMW and Audi. In fact, it doesn't even follow the same path as its highly successful though rather uninspiring predecessor.Now the C-Class has muscle for performance, handling that comes up to the hurdle set by BMW, quality to match Audi and yet it also manages to go on its own way by being refreshingly uncomplicated.Compared with its main German rivals, the C-Class — available here in July — has lighter steering feel but morphs quickly into a taut, precise machine through the corners.The ride is plush and compliant for general driving, though body roll is tightly controlled.On a sunny day in Spain last week, only the C350 petrol and C320 diesel were on offer for a drive. Impressive as the V6 350 is, it falls in the shadow of the diesel. Mated to a seven-speed automatic, the diesel pumps out an impressive 510Nm of torque to wonderful effect.Like a locomotive that has lost its rails, the diesel's mid-range delivery is so strong that the gearbox is often reluctant to downchange. All this and a 0-100km/h time of 7.7sec and 9.1-litres/100km when driven hard.And just to add to the experience, it remained rock solid on the Spanish roads and allowed for quiet conversation between occupants at speeds of 200km/h.Mercedes states this new model is "destined to take the lead in its segment" and has placed emphasis on an ergonomic cabin to create an "impressive first impression".In practice, it is very user friendly and immediately feels compatible with its driver.The dashboard style is simple and uncluttered as Mercedes hides its layers of convenience — ventilation, audio, satnav and communication — within a central command button, steering-wheel buttons and, of course, a voice-activated system.Despite the breadth of functions, the system is child's play to use and trounces the complexity of BMW's iDrive.Clearly, there's a lot of the technology from the car's big-sister S-Class at work here.The C-Class is clearly a Mercedes in styling and could be initially forgiven for resembling the old model. But put the old and new together, however, and the difference is dramatic. The new car gets a higher and more vertical grille for improved pedestrian collision safety, while the boot is neatly tapered without a lip spoiler.To achieve this remarkably low 0.27 co-efficient of drag (Cd), Mercedes employs vents in the tail lights to create a neutral air-pressure zone behind the car.Interesting is the choice of two C-Classes. There is one C-Class sedan but by changing the nose, Mercedes has come up with two distinctive models aimed at different buyers.The Avantgarde version has the Mercedes three-pointed star within the grille; the Classic and Elegance models have the trademark star atop the bonnet edge.Mercedes believes younger, more sports-oriented buyers will opt for the Avantgarde while older, more conservative buyers will probably be lured to the Classic or Elegance.Subjectively, the Avantgarde looks better. Meaner, more dynamic and, yes, more sporty.That aside, the difference between the C-Class versions is pretty much negligible.The sedan is marginally longer than the outgoing C-Class but because it rides on a wider track and a stretched wheelbase, it travels with E-Class ease and comfort. In fact there is a lot of E-Class in this smaller car — so much so that some buyers may be lured to consider downsizing in the Mercedes ladder. Pricing and specification levels for theAustralian market have yet to be confirmed. However, the European cars will sell for practically the same as the outgoing model, despite having more up-to-date features.Engines have been retuned to deliver up to 13 per cent more power and 6 per cent less emissions. Most will have the seven-speed automatic though there's the option of a six-speed manual gearbox. The new C-Class model will be built in German factories.All variants get seven airbags, adaptive braking, adaptive brake lights that flash rapidly when braking hard, auto headlights and wipers and dual-zone climatic airconditioning. Cabin options include infotainment system with Bluetooth, 175mm colour display for TV/sat-nav and computer, voice-control that accepts spoken words, and an iPod/MP3 plug-in server with a 4Gig memory.