IS THE 2016 MERCEDES C350E THE BEST CAR EVER? | LONG TERM OWNER REVIEW

[@thedoble]

Thanks for the update. I considered one of these but ended up with a 2015 Porsche Macan Turbo. Having owned it for 8 months I'm considering letting it go as I already have a sports car for fun and being an SUV the seating position is not comfortable for me.

[@damos_cars]

Interesting! I just sold all my sports cars but the Merc C350E stays, still zero tax, nearly 300bhp, not a diesel and nearly 50mpg. Can't beat it. They can also be had for very little money now.

[@thedoble]

​@@damos_carsI like the idea of it a lot but the hybrid battery going wrong does concern me. Have you driven a BMW 5 series estate? That's the main competition I'm considering. Probably the 6cyl diesel.

[@jacklipinski2524]

Yes I miss the space I had in my 2007 C180 however, even when filled to the brim, the journey time remains a pleasure. I like you have absolutely no idea what its eventual replacement might be.

[@damos_cars]

Yeh possibilty a Panamera or Volvo estate PHEV - but they're really still expensive at the moment.

[@jamessmith84240]

My wife is having the same "problem" replacing her 2015 Volvo V40. It's fully loaded with just about every available extra they did for them including adaptive cruise control and she loves it. Volvo don't make a hatchback any more and she can't find a newer car with all the features she currently has without spending a fortune. I told her if she likes it just keep it well maintained and it will look after her.

[@damos_cars]

Indeed, having owned a 440, 940 and an XC90 I'm a fan of the Volvo brand. One of the close possible replacements for this Merc was going to be a new hybrid V60 hybrid estate. It would mean putting in a ton more cash but at least it would be a match in terms of spec. I think keeping the Volvo is a wise move and will probably do the same with this Mercedes at least for another year of so. Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers.

[@jamessmith84240]

@@damos_cars Thanks mate! You made a great honest video.

[@mazwan11]

Heyya, Thanks for all the insights you shared in the video. I am considering to get one for the next 3 years use, looking at the 2015-2017 made. I felt it difficult to tip my decision to get the Plug-in hybrid over a petrol ICE, but your video helps.

[@damos_cars]

Hey no worries! Thank you. I really recommend the phev, it very versatile 😂. Take a look at my other C350e videos here: kzbin.info/aero/PLOCda-wyPDq0L4Px5wWinmcOCXix2fv33&si=fCCUfVlRtqZjgqve Lots more useful info on those too!

[@paulomoniz4488]

Thank you 4 the vídeos , i by One for 2015 these vídeos help m a lot

[@damos_cars]

Glad you like them!

[@picaZZZZZo]

I bought one last week, with just 19k kilometers and I am very happy with it 😊👍

[@damos_cars]

Excellent - you'll be needing this playlist to help you get acquainted with what is definitely the best car in the WORLD!!... kzbin.info/aero/PLOCda-wyPDq0L4Px5wWinmcOCXix2fv33 Thank you!

[@picaZZZZZo]

@@damos_cars Thanks mate 👍

[@brendanpower5888]

Thanks for the video and your experience as I am looking at one of these to buy. I'm a bit apprehensive on the electric battery degradation.

[@damos_cars]

I think a lot of people are. All I can say is mine is 8 years old and in the 25k miles I’ve put on the car I haven’t noticed a difference. 3 years into ownership and no plans to sell.

[@brendanpower5888]

@@damos_cars Thanks for the quick reply and thats reassuring to hear. Love the channel and videos so keep it up!

[@damos_cars]

@@brendanpower5888 thank you 👍 good luck with the search.

[@mariuspix]

Hi there. What is the increase in ground clearance when you press the off road button?

[@damos_cars]

15mm I think

[@ChrisMooney-t5v]

I'm just looking at getting a used 2017 one of these! any watch outs?

[@damos_cars]

A few, worth watching my other videos on the car here: kzbin.info/aero/PLOCda-wyPDq0L4Px5wWinmcOCXix2fv33

[@SorinMiron]

I have a 2017 model prem+ and the steering wheel feels kind of hard no matter the speed or mode (comfort, sport). I've mentioned this to the MB dealer many times and they're saying it's normal. I drove a 2019 c300de and that one was nice and light. But I've also tested a 2019 E-class 220d and that one was even stiffer than mine. How does yours feel like?

[@damos_cars]

Mine is light but firms up in the sports modes.

[@jjjjrrr678]

Weird question, is it ok to charge in the rain? That "pointing down" socket worried me about water pooling inside 😕

[@damos_cars]

It’s a good point. I keep cloths in the boot and also make sure the whole charge port area is dry when plugging or unplugging the cable. When it’s in and it rains it does seem to be ok. 🤞

[@vitalikartsivadze]

Any possible reason why E-mode is disabled and the engine won't shut off on hybrid mode? It is exactly as you mentioned about the starter issue, but I don't see check lights or any other issue. Thanks!

[@damos_cars]

It’ll be the starter. The check light will come on at some point. Thanks. Worth checking the other videos where I talk about this more.

[@vitalikartsivadze]

@@damos_cars Thank you for reply. I did watch all of them

[@mikanobo5210]

But I couldn't find anyone mentioned this issue...How is it going, have you fixed it mate?​@vitalikartsivadze

[@jameshamilton533]

It's a great car. Just keep it!

[@damos_cars]

Yeh, don't think I've much choice! Thanks for confirming what I think I was already thinking. LOL. Cheers!

[@kev12558]

I’ve got the exact same model. Beautiful metallic blue with all of the chrome blacked out. Looks fantastic. I’ve had the battery replaced, was quoted £900 by Mercedes dealer, used an approved Mercedes garage £330! Electric range is poor. No carplay is annoying. Also, not being able to show outside temperature where it shows Kph is crazy. Like you, bought mine in 2022 for £22.5k, now worth maybe £16k tops. Can’t get the app to work. This was the first car I bought (apart from wife’s Mercedes GLC) in 30+ years as I always had company cars.

[@damos_cars]

Oh good one on the battery - were you getting the error message? Mine is still on the original (I think). I don't mind not having CarPlay at just use my phone in a holder. Electric range is not great but I still think its better than none at all. Outside temp you can see you just have to scroll to the screen that has it on. My app recently stopped work as the subscribed services I had expired which I think included tracking and the remote setting of climate control. I'm undecided whether to continue with them. We just went to the South of France and back in ours and it was absolutely brilliant. Did not miss a beat.

[@kev12558]

@@damos_cars No error message, I just found that despite charging at home on a proper charger not 3 pin, the engine was kicking in almost as soon as I got off my drive. The other thing that apparently is common, my wheels now look awful. Blistered even though they looked brand new when the car was delivered. Mercedes diamond cut. 😝 Nice car to drive. I do however, find the interface annoying. Can’t operate music when the sat nav is on unless you change settings on the steering for in between the dials. I find it odd that you can skip a track on the steering wheel, the rotary wheel in the centre console by turning and pushing to one side, and a bonus, swiping the bit above the rotary wheel. Pointless.

[@christopherlangaigne9260]

I am thinking of buying a 2017 atm. Wondering how tall Damo is as I'm 6ft.

[@damos_cars]

5’10”. You’ll fit fine but it’ll be tight for anyone sat in the back seat behind you. Cheers 👍👍

[@christopherlangaigne9260]

@@damos_cars Thanks for responding. Appreciated.

[@damos_cars]

@@christopherlangaigne9260 no problem! Thanks for watching

[@avalanche9142]

What will be the resale value of these PHEV cars? I am very worried that no one will buy them after 7-9 years of use.

[@damos_cars]

Well like anything there will always be a market it’s just what someone will pay. Depreciation on any car is a real factor but so far used phevs seem to hold up ok compared to their petrol counterparts.

[@avalanche9142]

@@damos_cars thanks for your comment. I am considering upgrading my old C class and I am a bit unsure about going for a C350e (to keep and use for 8-10 years) thinking that at worst the battery can fail, and even if it does not fail, its health and capacity will degrade over time; which will cost a lot to replace and the next buyer will therefore would not want to buy my 9-10 year old PHEV. Also the technology of car batteries and (PH)evs is still evolving and that's another reason buyers may avoid a 10 year old PHEV. Considering these points, wouldn't a C300-C350-C400 petrol be a safer choice for long use to hold better resale value after 8-10 years of use than a PHEV?

[@damos_cars]

@avalanche9142 yeh potentially but I think you need to take into account the type of driving you do. For example in our c350e in the last 2 weeks all the trips have been 10 miles or less so no fill ups. The petrol gauge hasn’t moved. In the uk the annual tax is free. Service cost are really not much different from the petrol equivalent. It’s also nice to know when in busy traffic you’re not emitting fumes. It really comes down to personal choice. None of us have a crystal ball. The resale could be better on the engine car but then fuel prices could be more by then. I wouldn’t over analyse it too much. Our C350e is 8 years old but still works perfectly and drives like new. Electric only range is still good and the HV battery boosts economy overall. We absolutely love it.

[@avalanche9142]

@@damos_cars Thank you, appreciate your feedback and comment

[@jameshobson6279]

Put my reg into we buy any car last week.. Just for shits and giggles.. Mine is 2017 c350e with 50k miles and is immaculate. They offered me £150 😂. I'm not sure why, but it doesn't give me much faith in the future resale of these things (hybrids and electrics) if the major car hustling outfit (BCA) are taking this stand off approach to them. Bearing in mind that a second hand wing mirror would probably cost more than £150 from a breakers.