Quick Drive: 2018 Chrysler 300S AWD

The platform dates back to 2005. Please stop the old false info that it is just a mercedes e class.

I dig that green. It doesn't work on this as well but it's one cool color. 

It'd be perfect on their Jeep lineup. 

2 hours ago, thedriver said:

The platform dates back to 2005. Please stop the old false info that it is just a mercedes e class.

Actually the W211 Mercedes-benz platform is from 2002 to 2009, Chrysler was allowed to use it starting in 2005. The W211 is an enhanced version of their W210 platform that was all new starting in 1995. So this family platform ended in 2009 as it was replaced by the global W212 platform at MB. Chrysler continues to use it so if you look at the whole family, then you have 1995 to current on a W210, enhanced platform called W211 when given to chrysler.

Pretty old platform no matter what.

I agree with @ccap41 Green with bronze wheels is a lovely color.

Falsehoods repeated without research.

Though Chrysler had chosen rear wheel drive before the merger, hooking up with Mercedes provided existing technologies and parts, including the A580 electronic automatic, and Mercedes’ stability control, steering, rear suspensions, electronics, and seats; the traction and stabilitycontrol systems, axles, wireharnesses, five speed automatic transmissions, steering columns, and some other components were shared with Mercedes(Wolfgang Bernhard claimed 20% of the Magnum’s components were shared with Mercedes).

AutoWeek’s Mark Vaughn quoted chief engineer Burke Brown as saying that while Mercedes provided many components, “few parts are straight out the Benz bin.” He cited the front suspension as having a lower roll center and wider track, for example.

And for that matter, they have gone to great lengths to replace all the MB parts after Daimler got rid of them.

19 minutes ago, thedriver said:

Falsehoods repeated without research.

Though Chrysler had chosen rear wheel drive before the merger, hooking up with Mercedes provided existing technologies and parts, including the A580 electronic automatic, and Mercedes’ stability control, steering, rear suspensions, electronics, and seats; the traction and stabilitycontrol systems, axles, wireharnesses, five speed automatic transmissions, steering columns, and some other components were shared with Mercedes(Wolfgang Bernhard claimed 20% of the Magnum’s components were shared with Mercedes).

AutoWeek’s Mark Vaughn quoted chief engineer Burke Brown as saying that while Mercedes provided many components, “few parts are straight out the Benz bin.” He cited the front suspension as having a lower roll center and wider track, for example.

And for that matter, they have gone to great lengths to replace all the MB parts after Daimler got rid of them.

@Drew Dowdell Please comment as well.

In regards to your falsehoods comment, nothing but actual research. Yes there is Wiki which also says this is a stretched widened version of the W211 platform from MB that is an enhanced W210 version. Then there is all the reviews from 2005 where Chrysler is quoted as staying they were given the MB E-Class platform and stretched it, widened it and made it better than the current W211 E-Class platform and reviews show that the 300 did handle better.

I do see stories that say Chrysler has been replacing Benz parts as they continue to improve the 300 platform. Yet it seems to me that the begining of the auto started with benz.

I can't imagine there is much Benz left in it but it definitely originated as one. 

There is almost no Benz left in this car, if any. 

I had one of these as a rental for my trip to Detroit for NAIAS, though mine was RWD rather than AWD. It is a fantastic roadtrip car. I don't know what kind of wheel bearing they are using but the 300C/S rolls better than nearly anything out there.. and I say that in while in the past week I've been at the helm of CT6/LS/G80. 80mph is way too easy.

It's comfortable. It's big. It handles well. It goes fast. It has road presence.  It is everything a big American sedan should be.

On top of that, it is efficient and the infotainment system works well. My long distance trips at the aforementioned 80 mph have yielded 27mpg.  Ya'll keep it under 70mph and you can get it over 30 on RWD models. 

If there is any letdown it is in the quality of materials in the interior.  The S and the C Limited do fix some of that, but not all. 

This is one of my favorite vehicles on the market right now.... not because it is the best at any one thing, but because of the blend of things it does so well.  I would absolutely drive the one pictured above and be very happy with it. 

Though I like how the driver rips stuff right off allpar ( common theme I've seen in uses like this)-but bottom line-he is pretty much right. Many of the things things used in the FCA products were pretty much "modded" and borrowed" tech from Benz. There was no way Benz was going to give up the good stuff to what they thought was the "weaker" company.

Many forget how Benz was more in it for the money rather than FCA's product line.....still the worse marriage I've seen-worse than Fiat and GM.....I've haven't forgot the stories of my friends who worked there.

Back to the subject at hand- it's hard to put lipstick on an old dated pig, but regardless-I still like them-and would pick one up in a heartbeat....

4 minutes ago, daves87rs said:

Though I like how the driver rips stuff right off allpar ( common theme I've seen in uses like this)-but bottom line-he is pretty much right. Many of the things things used in the FCA products were pretty much "modded" and borrowed" tech from Benz. There was no way Benz was going to give up the good stuff to what they thought was the "weaker" company.

 

Many forget how Benz was more in it for the money rather than FCA's product line.....still the worse marriage I've seen-worse than Fiat and GM.....I've haven't forgot the stories of my friends who worked there.

 

Back to the subject at hand- it's hard to put lipstick on an old dated pig, but regardless-I still like them-and would pick one up in a heartbeat....

It wasn't FCA at the time and none of those parts are still in use today.  The suspension has been completely revised since the first generation. Transmission, engines, rear-diff are all replaced. Even the stupid MB cruise control lever was replaced after the first gen. 

There might be some random power window motor still shared, but parts like that get shared among manufacturers all the time.  We don't call the Escalade based on an F-150 just because they share a transmission. 

35 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

It wasn't FCA at the time and none of those parts are still in use today.  The suspension has been completely revised since the first generation. Transmission, engines, rear-diff are all replaced. Even the stupid MB cruise control lever was replaced after the first gen. 

There might be some random power window motor still shared, but parts like that get shared among manufacturers all the time.  We don't call the Escalade based on an F-150 just because they share a transmission. 

True, pretty much all the parts that they used (or kinda shared) were gone after the first few years.....as they updated them pretty quick. 

Yes, I know that they were not FCA back then......I just hate using the "D" word.....😜🙂

1 hour ago, Drew Dowdell said:

There is almost no Benz left in this car, if any. 

I had one of these as a rental for my trip to Detroit for NAIAS, though mine was RWD rather than AWD. It is a fantastic roadtrip car. I don't know what kind of wheel bearing they are using but the 300C/S rolls better than nearly anything out there.. and I say that in while in the past week I've been at the helm of CT6/LS/G80. 80mph is way too easy.

It's comfortable. It's big. It handles well. It goes fast. It has road presence.  It is everything a big American sedan should be.

On top of that, it is efficient and the infotainment system works well. My long distance trips at the aforementioned 80 mph have yielded 27mpg.  Ya'll keep it under 70mph and you can get it over 30 on RWD models. 

If there is any letdown it is in the quality of materials in the interior.  The S and the C Limited do fix some of that, but not all. 

This is one of my favorite vehicles on the market right now.... not because it is the best at any one thing, but because of the blend of things it does so well.  I would absolutely drive the one pictured above and be very happy with it. 

AND what exactly does GM build like this any time in the last few years....is 

what

i 

m sayin

59 minutes ago, regfootball said:

AND what exactly does GM build like this any time in the last few years....is 

what

i 

m sayin

CT6, second gen Lacrosse.

It doesn’t have to be RWD to get the nod.

The only one at Ford I would give such a trophy to is the latest Explorer, Navigator too if we’re not considering budget.  None of their cars though.

7 hours ago, Drew Dowdell said:

There is almost no Benz left in this car, if any. 

I had one of these as a rental for my trip to Detroit for NAIAS, though mine was RWD rather than AWD. It is a fantastic roadtrip car. I don't know what kind of wheel bearing they are using but the 300C/S rolls better than nearly anything out there.. and I say that in while in the past week I've been at the helm of CT6/LS/G80. 80mph is way too easy.

It's comfortable. It's big. It handles well. It goes fast. It has road presence.  It is everything a big American sedan should be.

On top of that, it is efficient and the infotainment system works well. My long distance trips at the aforementioned 80 mph have yielded 27mpg.  Ya'll keep it under 70mph and you can get it over 30 on RWD models. 

If there is any letdown it is in the quality of materials in the interior.  The S and the C Limited do fix some of that, but not all. 

This is one of my favorite vehicles on the market right now.... not because it is the best at any one thing, but because of the blend of things it does so well.  I would absolutely drive the one pictured above and be very happy with it. 

I pretty much agree with everything you said here...

Feel the same way about the Charger too.....

I like that color.  There was one at the Cleveland Auto Show on display in this color.   The Challenger looks great in this color also...would love to see a GC in this color. 

Benz never "gave" anything to Chrysler; pieces/components were SOLD to ChryCo, and in some instances mandated that they be used to boot. I have seen ex-insiders claim the prices were "full development cost" and royalties were also charged for components MB was moving to the next generation of (were worthless to MB).

ChryCo was already moving to the RWD LX platform before the take over; the FWD LH platform was engineered to support RWD. MB also had all their US/Germany conference calls billed to Chrysler.

Daimler raped & pillaged Chrysler.

I love Chrysler Corp's use of retro colors, and this one is a knockout, and when sprayed on a beautiful car like the 300, it really is the total package.  I do love the Dodge Challenger in this color... I'm dreaming of a Challenger in this color with matching interior... and a black vinyl top!

Another recent Mopar color I like is a dark red I've seen on the Challenger and Charger. Octane Red.    

6 hours ago, ocnblu said:

I love Chrysler Corp's use of retro colors, and this one is a knockout, and when sprayed on a beautiful car like the 300, it really is the total package.  I do love the Dodge Challenger in this color... I'm dreaming of a Challenger in this color with matching interior... and a black vinyl top!

Weekend play toy and cruising or replacement for the current auto?

Weekend playtoy strictly.  Would be cool.

17 hours ago, ocnblu said:

Weekend playtoy strictly.  Would be cool.

I can upvote and agree with that with no problem whatsoever

Look. I had a 2013 and sold it to my Brother in Law as I bought a 740 IL. I still miss the thing. Furthermore, I swear that this thing is faster than over six seconds on the 0-60. It also is very happy with regular unleaded gas. The engine is SO SMOOTH. I am ticked that they dropped the transmission slapstick for that round dial selector. Yes, the interior is a bit cheap. My biggest gripe about this story lies in the price. It may have a "As Tested" price of around 50, BUT do they ever discount this thing. I'll bet that your actual cost is closer to 40.

that is very..... green

but they are the best rental car for your money

Seems like Chrysler is exiting stage left now anyways...

Get one while you still can

I'd love a 5.7 300 or Charger. I think it would be difficult to buy a 300 over a Charger though. There doesn't seem to be a large enough gap in "niceness" for a 300. 

2 hours ago, ccap41 said:

I'd love a 5.7 300 or Charger. I think it would be difficult to buy a 300 over a Charger though. There doesn't seem to be a large enough gap in "niceness" for a 300. 

They are pretty darn close.  To me, the Chrysler looks a bit more prestigious on the outside.  I just like the more upright roofline.  It's just a visual preference though. I know most here will prefer the more sport looks of the Charger.

I prefer the 300 as well, and the S trim looks sporty enough IMO.  My brother still has his first gen 300 SRT.

10 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

They are pretty darn close.  To me, the Chrysler looks a bit more prestigious on the outside.  I just like the more upright roofline.  It's just a visual preference though. I know most here will prefer the more sport looks of the Charger.

If they are priced the same, I think I'd only really want the Charger because I would see myself with some aftermarket exhaust and a louder 300 seems trashy but an equally loud Charger seems to fit. FWIW, I wouldn't do anything obnoxious, likely a Borla/Flowmaster/Magnaflow cat-back. 

4 minutes ago, frogger said:

I prefer the 300 as well, and the S trim looks sporty enough IMO.  My brother still has his first gen 300 SRT.

I keep looking at the 300S as a possible lease replacement for the Encore.  Our miles have cut way down now. He takes the bus to work most days, and if I go into the office, he rides in with me. 

We still need an SUV though.

1 minute ago, ccap41 said:

If they are priced the same, I think I'd only really want the Charger because I would see myself with some aftermarket exhaust and a louder 300 seems trashy but an equally loud Charger seems to fit. FWIW, I wouldn't do anything obnoxious, likely a Borla/Flowmaster/Magnaflow cat-back. 

Oh, yeah, not me at all.  I want quick but quiet.

2 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

I keep looking at the 300S as a possible lease replacement for the Encore.  Our miles have cut way down now. He takes the bus to work most days, and if I go into the office, he rides in with me. 

We still need an SUV though.

 

I would love a 300s either if my commute was shorter, the deals on used ones are nice.. it currently costs me $10 per commute in gas for a TSX so I'd imagine I'd be... not happy.  My partner would definitely not be happy if I showed up with a full size car for her to drive, even if just occasionally.  

If we absolutely need to buy a car in a year to be our one and only vehicle, it is probably is going to end up being a Sportwagen/Alltrack 4Motion or hybrid RAV4 unless the GM Voltec powertrain makes it into something we like.  Not worth continually paying $150 extra a month in insurance for a second car when our total mileage annually is around 12,000 miles.

18 minutes ago, frogger said:

I would love a 300s either if my commute was shorter, the deals on used ones are nice.. it currently costs me $10 per commute in gas for a TSX so I'd imagine I'd be... not happy.  My partner would definitely not be happy if I showed up with a full size car for her to drive, even if just occasionally.  

If we absolutely need to buy a car in a year to be our one and only vehicle, it is probably is going to end up being a Sportwagen/Alltrack 4Motion or hybrid RAV4 unless the GM Voltec powertrain makes it into something we like.  Not worth continually paying $150 extra a month in insurance for a second car when our total mileage annually is around 12,000 miles.

If you can be gentle on the go-pedal and it's all highway, you might be able to squeeze 30+ out of it.  You'd be better off in a C though. They actually get a higher EPA rating because of slightly less power. 

I have always liked the current 300 over the Charger. For me, I would be willing to go for a low mileage 300 SRT as I would love the 6.4 L over the current 5.7 L V8. 

AutoTrader Listing

Amazing how many low mileage 300 SRTs are available.

20 minutes ago, dfelt said:

I have always liked the current 300 over the Charger. For me, I would be willing to go for a low mileage 300 SRT as I would love the 6.4 L over the current 5.7 L V8. 

AutoTrader Listing

Amazing how many low mileage 300 SRTs are available.

Wow! Those ARE cheap. It's a shame they are practically useless in my area because of the condition of our roads. 

I could do this one... 😍😍😍😍

2017 Chrysler 300S

13 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

I could do this one... 😍😍😍😍

2017 Chrysler 300S

Sweet  

I would love to get my hands on the Australian 300 SRT that they still sell.

15 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

I could do this one... 😍😍😍😍

2017 Chrysler 300S

That one is sweet...I like the dark blue. 

I prefer the 300 to the Charger as well.  I'd love a 300C in that green with a saddle color leather interior.