Just back from a short test of a 300C 3.0CRD Auto.
Overall, I really want to like the car - the engine and gearbox work well, it's refined, with Jaguar-rivalling ride quality and almost silent at 70mph.
On the other hand, it's a bit 'Dell Boy' in terms of looks and a fair bit of the interior trim wouldn't even be acceptable quality in a Mondeo.
Bit split on this one. It's on the shortlist, but can't see it winning my money.
Is "Dell Boy" a bit like Mondeo man? i.e. someone who ends up buying a reasonably competent, but fairly common as muck product in its field?
I was thinking more fake wood and leopard skin seat covers. The 300C is only one step away....
[snip]
On the other hand it might be closer to being on-topic as it's a candidate for modification.
I'd rather have one of these than a poxy Saab.
HTH
-- JackH
Yes but it only points one way, low-rider with trick hydraulic suspension. Oh and the obligatory "Bentley" grill so that one is indistinguishable from all the other publicans.
Wrong engine. It's only worth it with a "hemi".
Even then it's better to be driven in than to drive.
I liked it in so many ways, but reckon the cheapness of it would irratate me.
S-Type is still my favourite car of those tested so far - but I'm taking the S60, S80 and 9-5 HOT out tomorrow and a 159 2.4JTDm next weekend.
In black with blacked out windows and de-chromed I think it would look quite nice.
That's the problem, from the driving seat the cheap stuff all falls to hand. From the rear seat with lots of legroom, there's not much to irritate and the chauffeur shouldn't exceed 50mph so the wallowy ride won't be noticed.
I'd consider one for the waft across Europe, but not in winter.
I really shouldn't be looking at cars at the moment but I have seen a replacement Exploder with 7K on the clock so I'm tempted although it's a bit over-priced.
You'd *have* to drop the V8 in as well.
300C diesel says "Can't afford the V8 but like to pretend" louder than a C180 Merc screams "I wanted a proper Merc, but life has been cruel".Not even the most tasteless footy players would drive a diesel 300C.
Amusing that one of the best diesel engines available still can't cut the mustard in a car that is all about style.
Indeed... they tend to favour unreliable s**te like blinged up Range Rovers, don't they?
HTH
-- JackH
Says the man who is the ultimate petrol pikey and prefers his V8s to run on LPG.
David James?
They're not that bad... and they're a damn sight better if mapped properly.
Mine revs nice and quickly up to just over 4k - the traction control doesn't really cope that well in fiirst because it flies up to peak revs so quickly, and you tend to get a bit of traction control kicking in in second as well if you're nailing it, to give you an idea of how much extra poke it has in the real world over the standard 130.
I could have mapped it to rev past 4k with more power, but I also wanted reliability to be retained.
-- JackH
*Please* can we have a UKRCM trackday or something soon - I'll bring the Passat and demonstrate to all the non-believers what can be achieved with a half decent in the first place TDI, when it's mapped. :-)
-- JackH
Ah, see, I never had that problem.
Mine was of course a 4motion with proper A4 style multi link suspension ;-)
Ah... all that extra weight stifling what powerband there was available then, eh? ;-)
-- JackH
1800kg......
Or, more than 3 times what my Sylva weighs.
Yeah, 'cos everyone wants a modern diesel that's going to want a new commonrail pump come 150-200k or so, and the risk of a new turbo at some point. Ok, if you buy new and look after it carefully, you can avoid the latter, but there's still a good chance of the former, but the fact remains that you can buy a normally aspirated V8 petrol and not worry about any of that s**te.
Yeah, it's a very pikey way of doing things.....
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