2008 Chrysler 300 C SRT Design 3.0 V6 diesel
Summary:
A mean looking gangster ride. The Beast
Faults:
Worn track rod end (these things happen).
Boot lock wouldn't release. Replaced with second hand part. Cost £30.
Leak in turbo pipe caused car to go into limp mode. Cost £250 to diagnose and repair.
Faulty throttle body valve and glow plug issues caused car to go into limp mode. Cost £600 to diagnose and repair.
Exhaust valve sensor failed. Cost £80 to diagnose and repair.
Starter motor failed. Cost £200 to repair.
Front brake caliper seized. Decided to replace all four calipers, cost £380.
Alarm goes off for no reason. Can't locate the siren so I now lock the car manually and don't use the remote. No one takes any notice when a car alarm sounds anyway.
Battery died. New one cost £180.
When I replaced the battery four warning lights and engine light came up on the dash. Cost £40 to diagnose and clear the faults.
Factory fitted stereo went kaput. Replaced with Sony DIN system. Due to complicated electrics I had it fitted professionally. Cost £590.
General Comments:
I loved the look of the 300c when they first launched it. I decided I was going to have one some day. The day came in January 2018. It's a black SRT Design, tinted windows, Bentley grille, all black interior, and has 20 inch alloys. You have to have at least 20 inch rims on a 300c; anything smaller just looks stupid on such a big car. I wish Chrysler had fitted 22 inch rims as standard. I'd have loved a 5.7 or 6.1 litre V8, but petrol in the UK is a ridiculous price. The car's looks demand a V8 rumble from the twin tail pipes, the diesel just doesn't have the right sound but what can you do? Can't have it all.
The car looks great to my eye and turns heads on every drive; kids love the mean gangster looks! I've even had a request to drive a bride to her wedding next May, I said YES!
The car drives smooth and cruises effortlessly. It is extremely comfortable, has acres of leg room. Electric windows all round, electric heated front seats that adjust forwards, backwards as well as up and down, air con, cruise control. It's not a sports car so don't go throwing it around twisty bends, you'll end up in a field... or worse.
The 3.0 litre diesel engine is a Mercedes-Benz unit and the electrics are also from Merc. However, instead of just using the tried and trusted Merc technology, Chrysler decided to tinker with it so it's a Chrysler-Merc mongrel. Therefore, Mercedes-Benz mechanics don't want to touch it. Chrysler will, but charge big bucks. Most independent mechanics shy away, but I've found a couple who are happy to get stuck into it.
It's a big car for UK roads and it can be a tight fit in certain car parks.
My previous car was a 1995 BMW 525i, and I have to say the build quality of the Chrysler is not as good. The exterior is okay, but there's far too much plastic on the inside and the quality of the plastic is cheap. Chrysler have used low quality leather on the seats which cracks easily. You'll see most 300c drivers' seats are split on the side bolster. Mine is okay but I take great care getting by backside in and out. Come on Chrysler... you can do better than this. The boot is enormous and the rear seats fold forwards.
I have had a few problems as listed above... mainly in the first year of purchase, but it had done over 110,000 miles so maybe I should have expected them. Most issues have been electrical, which are very annoying because they require a computer to diagnose the faults. It bugs me having to pay money to find the fault on top of the cost to fix the problem. I reckon the electrical problems are because Chrysler messed about with the Mercedes-Benz wiring harness.
But... when it's running fine, with no issues, no warning lights, no limp mode, when it's clean and shiny and the sun is out... I just love this car.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 30th November, 2019
4th Dec 2019, 20:14
I hear what you're saying man. In the UK our cars are put into categories, i.e. city runabouts, family saloons, 4x4s, executive saloons, etc. The 300c was marketed over here as an executive saloon which put it up against the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E Class, Jaguar XE for example. Compared with those, the interior fabrics and plastics and build quality just don't match up. I would say most 300s over here are the 3.0 litre diesel because fuel is taxed so highly. But when I see a 300c hemi and hear that V8 rumble, I have to admit to feeling inferior and envious. A 300c needs to growl, not rattle.
2nd Dec 2019, 18:13
The thing you mentioned about the 300 versus the BMW you had before. They aren't in the same class really. Over here in the US the 300 is still more or less a run of the mill family car that has a retro appearance. Sucks that you guys get to have a diesel option. We would kill for that!