Road Test
Follow-Up Test: 2006 Mercedes-Benz C350
A Benz worth shifting?
According to Mercedes-Benz, 95 percent of its C-Class buyers opt for an automatic transmission. With so few Americans going for the three-pedal models, you'd think Stuttgart would save a dime and discontinue the manual gearbox option all together, but they wouldn't dare.
You see, BMW makes the rules in the entry-luxury sport sedan class. The 3 Series is far and away the top seller, and about a third of those Bimmer buyers choose a manual. That means everyone else better offer one, too.
So for 2006, Mercedes has mated its six-speed manual gearbox to the same sweet 3.5-liter V6 that powers most of its other new models, including the SLK350 roadster. The result is the 2006 Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport. Short of the C55 AMG, it's the athlete of the C-Class range, and it may have arrived just in time.
Chief competitors of the aging C-Class are either all-new or significantly upgraded for 2006, and Mercedes hopes the new engine and transmission combination are enough to draw a few more buyers and create a little buzz.
New engine, modified trans
A replacement for last year's 215-horsepower 3.2-liter, the 3.5-liter V6 engine is the elite member of a new family of V6 engines available on the C-Class in 2006. Siblings include a 201-hp 2.5-liter in the C230 and a 228-hp 3.0-liter in the C280. All three engines are built entirely of aluminum and feature double-overhead cams, four valves per cylinder and variable valve timing.
The 3.5-liter is rated for 268 hp at 6,000 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque at 2,400 rpm, which is still behind the big numbers posted by the Lexus IS 350 (306 hp, 277 lb-ft) and Infiniti G35 (298 hp, 260 lb-ft) but comfortably ahead of the 255-hp BMW 330i and 255-hp Audi A4 3.2 in torque.
Mercedes has always offered a manual transmission on the current-generation C-Class, which hit the road in 2001, but early examples were vague through the gears and more suited for a low-end economy car than a pricey entry-luxury sedan.
So the company reworked its six-speed unit for 2005, installing a new linkage and refining the clutch engagement. For 2006, engineers adjusted the gear ratios to better match the new V6 engines' power bands.
Quicker than you'd think
Hard-core enthusiasts will still prefer the more performance-oriented feel of the manual gearboxes in the 3 Series, A4 and G35, but the six-speed is extremely well matched to the engine's power curve.
Our test car accelerated to 60 mph in 6 seconds flat and went through the quarter-mile in 14.3 seconds. These are amazing numbers for an entry-luxury sedan. In fact, they're not far off the 5.6-second 0-60 and 14.0-second quarter we got out of the C55 AMG, which costs almost $20,000 more.
Yet, drive a manual-shift C350 around town and you'd never guess it's as fast as it is. There's ample torque to get you started in traffic, but the V6 loafs along until about 3,500 rpm. Then, it begins to spin with urgency, hurrying to its 6,400-rpm redline while delivering the satisfying exhaust sounds we wanted to hear all along.
In contrast, a manual-shift BMW 330i is more excitable, as its inline six breaks into a sprint right off idle. But the 330i is not as quick as the C350, taking 6.6 seconds to hit 60 mph.
Fuel economy rates 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway on a C350 with a manual versus 20/29 for one with a new seven-speed automatic. That's a 2-3-mpg improvement in highway mileage over last year's C320. Our test car averaged 21.4 mpg.
Loosens up in the curves
Only on the open road do we feel the true benefit of owning a manual C350. Not only is the engine most likable at high rpm, but you can take advantage of the well-spaced, aluminum-nubbed pedals and rip off a satisfying heel-and-toe downshift before diving into a corner.
Fortunately, the C350 Sport's running gear is also up to the task of hard driving. Compared to the C350 Luxury model, the Sport sedan has a 15mm-lower suspension with 20-percent firmer shocks and springs, along with 0.6-inch-larger front brake discs, and wider 17-inch high-performance tires measuring 225/45ZR17 in front and 245/40 in rear (in place of the Luxury's skinny 16-inch all-season rubber).
Although it doesn't feel as light on its feet as a 330i or even a sport package-equipped A4 quattro, the rear-wheel-drive C350 Sport turns in aggressively and its Continental SportContact2 tires are some of the stickiest we've experienced on a Mercedes. Body roll is reasonably well controlled, but we'd prefer even firmer damping on a would-be sport sedan. Likewise, the steering needs more heft and feedback.
Still we were able to hustle the car through the slalom at a brisk 67.5 mph, which is faster than its rivals (we recently tested an automatic-equipped 330i that ran a 67.4). The C350's stability control can be turned off, although it reawakens every time you hit the brakes. Thankfully, the system is only mildly intrusive.
No need to change the brakes. They're strong, progressive in feel and consistently capable of stopping the car from 60 mph in under 120 feet, which is very good for the class.
Classy but aging interior
Optioned only with the $1,790 Sunroof Package, our test car came with 10-way power front seats (with leather on the seating surfaces only), dual seat memory, real aluminum cabin trim, an MP3-capable CD stereo and dual-zone auto climate control — all for $40,795. That's big money for a compact luxury sedan, but you'll spend just as much equipping a 330i, A4 3.2 or Lexus IS 350 to similar levels.
Nevertheless, the C350's cabin lacks the elegance of some peers. The metal-ringed gauges look modern, and most materials are quite nice, but there are a few cheap plastics in little-seen nooks. A standard power tilt-and-telescope steering wheel and trunk opener are unexpected bonuses, but the lack of retained accessory power is an unexpected slight.
Another annoyance is Mercedes' refusal to redesign the foot-operated parking brake, an awkward setup in any car with a clutch pedal. The C-Class shares this distinction with the Cadillac CTS.
The front seats are well shaped, but the backseat is cramped for adults, with less legroom than the 3 Series or A4 or G35.
Tough call
With so many good sedans in the entry-luxury bracket right now, the 2006 Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport isn't the obvious choice. It satisfies on most levels, but aside from its 6-second 0-60-mph time, it doesn't offer anything the 3 Series and A4 don't.
The manual transmission works well enough, but given our test car's reserved demeanor, we'd probably join the other 95 percent and go with an automatic-equipped C350. Mercedes says it's just as fast.
You see, BMW makes the rules in the entry-luxury sport sedan class. The 3 Series is far and away the top seller, and about a third of those Bimmer buyers choose a manual. That means everyone else better offer one, too.
So for 2006, Mercedes has mated its six-speed manual gearbox to the same sweet 3.5-liter V6 that powers most of its other new models, including the SLK350 roadster. The result is the 2006 Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport. Short of the C55 AMG, it's the athlete of the C-Class range, and it may have arrived just in time.
Chief competitors of the aging C-Class are either all-new or significantly upgraded for 2006, and Mercedes hopes the new engine and transmission combination are enough to draw a few more buyers and create a little buzz.
New engine, modified trans
A replacement for last year's 215-horsepower 3.2-liter, the 3.5-liter V6 engine is the elite member of a new family of V6 engines available on the C-Class in 2006. Siblings include a 201-hp 2.5-liter in the C230 and a 228-hp 3.0-liter in the C280. All three engines are built entirely of aluminum and feature double-overhead cams, four valves per cylinder and variable valve timing.
The 3.5-liter is rated for 268 hp at 6,000 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque at 2,400 rpm, which is still behind the big numbers posted by the Lexus IS 350 (306 hp, 277 lb-ft) and Infiniti G35 (298 hp, 260 lb-ft) but comfortably ahead of the 255-hp BMW 330i and 255-hp Audi A4 3.2 in torque.
Mercedes has always offered a manual transmission on the current-generation C-Class, which hit the road in 2001, but early examples were vague through the gears and more suited for a low-end economy car than a pricey entry-luxury sedan.
So the company reworked its six-speed unit for 2005, installing a new linkage and refining the clutch engagement. For 2006, engineers adjusted the gear ratios to better match the new V6 engines' power bands.
Quicker than you'd think
Hard-core enthusiasts will still prefer the more performance-oriented feel of the manual gearboxes in the 3 Series, A4 and G35, but the six-speed is extremely well matched to the engine's power curve.
Our test car accelerated to 60 mph in 6 seconds flat and went through the quarter-mile in 14.3 seconds. These are amazing numbers for an entry-luxury sedan. In fact, they're not far off the 5.6-second 0-60 and 14.0-second quarter we got out of the C55 AMG, which costs almost $20,000 more.
Yet, drive a manual-shift C350 around town and you'd never guess it's as fast as it is. There's ample torque to get you started in traffic, but the V6 loafs along until about 3,500 rpm. Then, it begins to spin with urgency, hurrying to its 6,400-rpm redline while delivering the satisfying exhaust sounds we wanted to hear all along.
In contrast, a manual-shift BMW 330i is more excitable, as its inline six breaks into a sprint right off idle. But the 330i is not as quick as the C350, taking 6.6 seconds to hit 60 mph.
Fuel economy rates 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway on a C350 with a manual versus 20/29 for one with a new seven-speed automatic. That's a 2-3-mpg improvement in highway mileage over last year's C320. Our test car averaged 21.4 mpg.
Loosens up in the curves
Only on the open road do we feel the true benefit of owning a manual C350. Not only is the engine most likable at high rpm, but you can take advantage of the well-spaced, aluminum-nubbed pedals and rip off a satisfying heel-and-toe downshift before diving into a corner.
Fortunately, the C350 Sport's running gear is also up to the task of hard driving. Compared to the C350 Luxury model, the Sport sedan has a 15mm-lower suspension with 20-percent firmer shocks and springs, along with 0.6-inch-larger front brake discs, and wider 17-inch high-performance tires measuring 225/45ZR17 in front and 245/40 in rear (in place of the Luxury's skinny 16-inch all-season rubber).
Although it doesn't feel as light on its feet as a 330i or even a sport package-equipped A4 quattro, the rear-wheel-drive C350 Sport turns in aggressively and its Continental SportContact2 tires are some of the stickiest we've experienced on a Mercedes. Body roll is reasonably well controlled, but we'd prefer even firmer damping on a would-be sport sedan. Likewise, the steering needs more heft and feedback.
Still we were able to hustle the car through the slalom at a brisk 67.5 mph, which is faster than its rivals (we recently tested an automatic-equipped 330i that ran a 67.4). The C350's stability control can be turned off, although it reawakens every time you hit the brakes. Thankfully, the system is only mildly intrusive.
No need to change the brakes. They're strong, progressive in feel and consistently capable of stopping the car from 60 mph in under 120 feet, which is very good for the class.
Classy but aging interior
Optioned only with the $1,790 Sunroof Package, our test car came with 10-way power front seats (with leather on the seating surfaces only), dual seat memory, real aluminum cabin trim, an MP3-capable CD stereo and dual-zone auto climate control — all for $40,795. That's big money for a compact luxury sedan, but you'll spend just as much equipping a 330i, A4 3.2 or Lexus IS 350 to similar levels.
Nevertheless, the C350's cabin lacks the elegance of some peers. The metal-ringed gauges look modern, and most materials are quite nice, but there are a few cheap plastics in little-seen nooks. A standard power tilt-and-telescope steering wheel and trunk opener are unexpected bonuses, but the lack of retained accessory power is an unexpected slight.
Another annoyance is Mercedes' refusal to redesign the foot-operated parking brake, an awkward setup in any car with a clutch pedal. The C-Class shares this distinction with the Cadillac CTS.
The front seats are well shaped, but the backseat is cramped for adults, with less legroom than the 3 Series or A4 or G35.
Tough call
With so many good sedans in the entry-luxury bracket right now, the 2006 Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport isn't the obvious choice. It satisfies on most levels, but aside from its 6-second 0-60-mph time, it doesn't offer anything the 3 Series and A4 don't.
The manual transmission works well enough, but given our test car's reserved demeanor, we'd probably join the other 95 percent and go with an automatic-equipped C350. Mercedes says it's just as fast.
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