2008 Mercedes-Benz C 320 CDI
October 31, 2007 by George Skentzos
The range leader for the all-new C-Class has arrived, the luxurious and powerful C 320 CDI.
At the heart of the C 320 CDI lies the superlative 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 as used worldwide in other passenger car models and SUVs from the Mercedes catalogue.
The V6 CDI motor in the C 320 CDI expands the range of engines available for the new C-Class to four, joining the C 200 Kompressor, C 220 CDI four-cylinder turbo-diesel and C 280 V6 petrol.
The 3.0-litre turbo diesel engine produces 165kW and an impressive peak torque of 510Nm from a low 1600 and 2800 rpm.
It also features the third-generation common-rail technology, with advances such as rapid and precise piezo-injectors, as well as a maximum injection pressure of up to 1600 bar.
Although the C 320 has a kerb weight of 1700kg, it still returns an impressive fuel consumption figure of only 7.4-litres per 100km, while accelerating from 0-100km/h in just 6.9 seconds.
Comfort and agility go hand-in-hand with the standard inclusion of the Agility Control package, which features shock absorbers which adapt to road conditions for optimum comfort, or apply maximum damping forces during more spirited driving.
Hallmark Mercedes safety and quality make no exception for the C 320 CDI, with a total of eight airbags as standard, belt tensioners and belt force limiters, Neck-Pro head restraints, Brake Assist and ESP, as well as Mercedes-Benz’s PRE-SAFE anticipatory occupant protection system.
The interior features a new control and display concept which the new C-Class has adopted from the luxury-class Mercedes models. A centrally positioned colour display provides rapid access to frequently used functions, whilst steering wheel mounted controls provide access to information within the instrument cluster in the driver’s direct line of sight.
Optional Audio 20 and Comand APS systems complete the infotainment package for C-Class passengers, featuring keypad for entering telephone numbers and radio frequencies, as well as a Bluetooth interface which wirelessly connects the mobile phone to the hands-free system.
The Comand APS multimedia system conveniently features an Australia/New Zealand-wide navigation system, the data of which is stored on a 30GB hard disc. The system also includes a music server with a four-gigabyte memory, an integrated 6-disc changer, a DVD-player for video and audio, and the LINGUATRONIC voice control system.
The C 320 CDI is available from a recommended retail price of $92,800 excluding dealer delivery and statutory charges.
Tags: Mercedes-Benz C 320 CDI, Mercedes-Benz C-class
I’ve been in the C220 CDI and it’s surprisingly quick and with very decent levels of grip. I can only say that the C320 CDI will be a seriously potent machine and hugely economical at the same time.
Did I read that correctly?? 2 tonne in a C Class???
The 220 is 1585kg and the 320 is 1700kg.
“The 220 is 1585kg and the 320 is 1700kg.”
All those gadgets and sound deadening weigh a fair bit then.
Now if it was $50K cheaper, they would sell a bucketload of them.
Have Mercedes got the quality back yet? When they did the DaimlerChrysler merge, quality went downhill rapidly and they consistently rated pretty poorly in the customer satisfaction surveys.
A few years ago Merc decided to focus on bringing back the quality to the brand and this new-generation of Mercs might be finally showing the fruits of their labour.
i looked at the new c class when upgrading my wife’s bmw 320 sport, after the test drive and a look around the car I walked straight back into BMW, Mercedes produces a beutiful $100,000 car but a cheap nasty looking $70,000 car
Don’t know what you’re on about Chris. The 220 CDI is $65K on the road – you don’t need any options as its well stocked with gadgets. The three pointed star has way more cachet than the 320 Sport and I thought the interior in the Merc was better than the BM – which are all rather plain and boring. And good luck with your service costs, BMW are notoriously expensive to maintain. Just look in any of the classifieds sections, you’ll see pages of BM’s for sale after frustrated owners have had enough.
Tony, you raise a good point about service costs.
How about publishing indicative service costs when reviewing a vehicle.
A buyer is up against it getting this info pre-purchase. My Jackaroo handbook lists how many hours each service should take, which helps a bit, but each dealer and the manufacturer would readily have available the actual $ billed to customers.
I know the RAVV and peers in other stated give the cost of a bucket of spares when they compare vehicles, but the cost of a headlight assembly, windscreen or cat is not really relevant to the 30,000k service fee.
Oops, RACV.
The only thing “nasty” in the Jackaroo service schedule, for instance, is the 100,000k tappet adjustment, which is roughly 7 hours labour plus $12.00 per shim, plus the other bits of the 100,000 which are 2 hours.
All other services are .5 to 2 hours, with the 160,000k one requiring timing belt replacement. When this is done, the water pump is replaced as well, since it is exposed and easily accessed.
So it can be determined that the Jackaroo is quite affordable to own, and it has proven to be so for me. Tyres replaced at 80,000 along with shocks. CV boots at 120,000ks, a rear diff seal at 135,000ks, and nothing else other than batteries. Now at 9.5 years and 145,000ks.
Chris, i have to agree with you. When the current shape BMW 320i was released i thought it looked like Picasso’s vomit! But now, in comparison to the Merc C class it looks rather modern and dynamic, for some reason i think the new C class looks a little “conservative” for me… plus i drove (or is that hammered) a 320i down a stretch of windy roads and oh boy… it handles like a dream… attacking the corners at insane speeds, and hardly any understeer or bump steer…just tracks the steering line, hunkers down and grips and goes like the proverbial grey hound…i was totally surprised! i haven’t driven the new c class so cannot compare, but somehow i feel the 320i has this down pat all to itself! Think i would choose the BMW… only thing that pisses me off is the run flat tyres and the general maintenance costs of European cars…ridiculous!
U forgot to mention the donk is also used in the Vito Van, model 120.
Quickest stock van in Aus. and maybe the planet?
SILLY money though, $55k+
Superb van, better than the Fiat Ducato, so thats saying something.
Cheers
F-0
The benz i was looking at was a c220 avantgarde with a panoramic sunroof lights package (xenon headlights and a decent stereo) and amg kit from memory it has up close to 80grand, the benz need a lot of options to make it somthing reasonable. After spending somtime in the car and the drive the finaish in the car was just cheap and nasty, im sure it all works very well but it looked dull.
The BMW I think is still more apealing to the younger buyer, i a younger buyer and i bought the BMW, I am the type of buyer they are aiming the car at (existing BMW 3 series owner). as for servicing costs i don’t read the stats for complaints etc but my new bmw is my 3rd and so far the cars normally require 1 service a year(25000k’s at a cost between 350-430 dollars, cheaper than my BA II xr6 per year on servicing, the only dear part were the runflats @700 each when both rear tyres got a screw in them, i will compare the E class with a 5 series when the time comes but at the moment the 3 series still a nicer car in my humble opinion.
Is there any Diesel version of these?
Chris, are you comparing a 320 BMW with the Merc? The 320 BMW is a wheezing wanna be. If you want a decent BMW you have to start with a 6 and that puts you up in the high 70s plus plus. I have been here. I have ordered a 320CDI and there is not a BMW 3 series that comes close. The 520d is nice, but $25,000 more.
Merc C class has it over the 3 series in diesel. Now if BMW brought out the 335d that would be a different story, but I bet it would not be less than $120k.