Chrysler 300C (2005 – 2010) Review
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Chrysler 300C (2005 – 2010) At A Glance
Mean looks. A lot of car for the money. 3.0 CRD popular and offers strong performance.
Soggy handling of 5.7 V8. Quick SRT-8 is thirsty.
A lot of drivers bemoan the demise of big rear drive automatics. They're not trying to make the statement that a BMW 5 Series or a Mercedes E-Class says of them. Nor into spending the money that making such statements entails. They simply miss the performance, luxury and ambiance of a big rear-drive car like a Scorpio, an Omega or a Volvo 960.
The Omega is probably the most missed of all. So, quite smartly, GM stepped into its breach and filled it with the right-hand-drive Cadillac CTS, at prices between £25k to £30k. Meanwhile, Daimler Chrysler's other half was looking at the same niche. And, though they were a long time coming, Brits were able to buy the 300C in the UK from October 2005.
To launch it Chrysler sprung two surprises. The first was the option of Mercedes very latest 218bhp 3.0 chain cam V6 diesel engine. The second is the price: just £25,750 on the road.
For that you got a large 5-seater saloon sitting on big 18" wheels with huge, unfashionably high profile but very good looking 225/60 tyres. And film star looks. See: "A History of Violence", and "The Island".
Reviews for Chrysler 300C (2005 – 2010)'s top 3 rivals
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Chrysler 300C (2005 – 2010) handling and engines
- Engines range from 3.0 V6 CRD to 6.1 SRT-8
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 13–36 mpg
You get leather upholstery, 8-way heated electric memory seats, dual zone climate control, tyre pressure monitoring system, Xenon headlights, headlight washers, electronic vehicle information system, pre-programmable electric dipping/folding side mirrors, suspension self-levelling, 60/40 split folding rear seatbacks, 6-speaker CD radio, express lift and drop anti-pinch electric windows, multi function leather steering wheel with mock tortoiseshell top, automatic wipers, electrochromatic dimming interior rear view mirror, 5-speed Mercedes style Geartronic automatic transmission, Mercedes style cruise control, ESP, TCS, EBA, front and rear side curtain airbag, rear park assist, even metallic paint.
And the choice of either a 249bhp 3.5 litre V6 petrol engine or the aforementioned 218bhp 3.0 litre Mercedes V6 diesel. At the risk or repetition, I'll say it again. All for £25,750.
What can Chrysler be thinking of? They're only bringing in 2,500 300Cs in total next year and every former Scorpio and Omega owner together with every private hire owner/driver in the country is going to want one.
The idea is to make sure they don't have to discount. And that, of course, protects owners' investments. There's nothing worse than paying £30,000 for a car, then finding out that Steve down the road got the same car as an end of the month bargain for £24,000, then, a year later, seeing year old examples sell for £12,000 at auction.
The astonishing thing about the 300C CRD auto is it's also the best of the range to drive. On paper, performance is pretty good. 0-60 in 7.3 seconds, top speed 143mph, and 376lb of torque in the mid-range.
The engine, transmission and gearing are very well matched. You get 35mph per 1,000rpm in 5th, so motorway cruising is quiet and unflustered. Yet bury the pedal and you're up to 120 very quickly. On main roads, the Geartronic selector means you can select and hold 3rd to overtake by simply knocking the lever left a couple of times. Then get back into D by knocking it right. Or just used the reliable kickdown.
In comparison to the diesel, the identically priced 3.5V6 petrol does everything a bit more slowly, drinking more fuel in the process. So that's a car for the very few people who just have to have a petrol engine under the bonnet.
For £32,995 you can step up to 340bhp 5.7 V8 Hemi, and a lot more kit including GPS satnav, 6 CD multiplayer, electric glass sunroof, premium sound system and walnut trim instead of tortoiseshell. While straight-line speed is obviously faster, it's not really that much quicker than the diesel and the bigger engine means more understeer.
Later next year there will be a 425bhp 6.1 litre SRT V-8, still with the 5-speed autobox and sitting on 20" wheels with lower profile tyres. While Chrysler UK's MD told me the biggest selling 300C accessory in the States is a slightly less intimidating Bentley/Jaguar style chrome mesh grille.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 V6 CRD | 35 mpg | 8.7 s | 215 g/km |
| 6.1 SRT-8 | 20 mpg | 5.0 s | 337 g/km |
Real MPG average for the Chrysler 300C (2005 – 2010)
Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
89%
Real MPG
13–36 mpg
MPGs submitted
57
Chrysler 300C (2005 – 2010) interior
- Boot space is 504 litres
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 5015 mm |
| Width | 1880 mm |
| Height | 1462–1475 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3050 mm |
The seats are big, soft and comfortable with a good range of lumbar adjustment. Ride isn't perfect because they've stiffened the suspension a bit for the UK, but those 225/60 tyres shrug off speed humps and kerbs with distain. In fact, the track is so wide you can straddle metre wide ‘speed cushions' without damaging the tyres. And while the handling isn't as good as it would be following the BMW route of even bigger wheels with ultra low-profile tyres, it's good enough, especially at high speeds.
Any downsides? Well there is the flawed console. The fascia is simply designed and well put together with an expensive looking brushed aluminium insert. Yet the console is low-rent with a nasty hard plastic flap over a pair of cupholders that get in the way of the gearlever.
Chrysler 300C (2005 – 2010) models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 5015 mm |
| Width | 1880 mm |
| Height | 1462–1475 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3050 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 1815–1995 kg |
| Boot Space | 504 L |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Servicing | 7500–12500 miles |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £26,995–£43,995 |
| Insurance Groups | - |
| Road Tax Bands | K–M |
| Official MPG | 19.9–34.9 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | - |
| Child | - |
| Pedestrian | - |
| Overall | - |
On sale until November 2010
| Saloon | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 3.0 V6 CRD SE 4dr Auto | £26,995 | 34.9 mpg | 8.7 s |
| 3.0 V6 CRD SR 4dr Auto | £27,995 | 34.9 mpg | 8.7 s |
| 3.0 V6 CRD SRT 4dr Auto | £29,995 | 34.9 mpg | 8.7 s |
| 6.1 SRT-8 4dr Auto | £43,995 | 19.9 mpg | 5.0 s |
On sale until May 2009
| Saloon | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 3.0 V6 CRD Auto | £27,600 | - | - |
| 3.0 V6 CRD SRT-Design Auto | £32,500 | - | - |
On sale until August 2007
| Saloon | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 3.5 V6 Auto | £26,995 | - | - |
On sale until November 2006
| Saloon | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 5.7 V8 HEMI Auto | £33,550 | - | - |
Model History
- October 2005: Chrysler 300C launched in the UK
- August 2006
- January 2008: Exterior refreshed for 2008
October 2005
Chrysler 300C launched in the UK
Three launch engines.
300C 3.0 CRD V6 (2,987cc) V6 diesel : 160kW (218bhp) at 3,800rpm; 510Nm (376 lb ft) torque at 1,600 – 2,800 rpm. 0-60 7.3 seconds; top speed 143mph; 34.9mpg combined; CO2 215g/km. EU4.
300C 3.5i V6 (3,498cc) V6 petrol : 183kW (249bhp) at 6,400rpm; 339Nm (250 lb ft) torque at 3,800 rpm. 0-60 8.9 seconds; top speed 136mph; 25.7mpg combined; CO2 262g/km. EU4.
300C 5.7 V8 Hemi (5,684cc) V6 petrol: 254kW (340bhp) at 5,000rpm; 525Nm (387 lb ft) torque at 4,000 rpm. 0-60 6.2 seconds; top speed 155mph; 23.3mpg combined; CO2 287g/km.
Dimensions: 4,999mm long by 1,881mm wide by 1,581mm high.
Prices in the UK started at £25,750 (OTR) for 3.0-litre V6 CRD diesel or 3.5-litre V6 and £32,995 (OTR) for the 5.7-litre V-8 HEMI. All very well equipped with leather, CD, dual zone climate control, cruise, even tyre pressure monitoring system. Huge 225/60 R18 tyres give plenty of cushion effect.
Hemi and 3.5 V6 in UK from November 2005. 3.0-litre V-6 CRD in the UK from January 2006.
Chrisyler 300Cs have W220 S-Class front suspension and W212 E-Class rear suspension, but a different floorpan from either Mercedes.
August 2006
SRT-8 performance version with 425bhp 6.1-litre V8 arrived in August 2006. 420lb ft torque. 0-60mph in 5 seconds. Top speed 168mph. Brembo brake callipers. Price with RHD £39,040. Excellent, fully-sorted handling, nice grippy front end, good braking and effective 'slapshift' auto gearchange, plus a fantastic engine note.
January 2008
Exterior refreshed for 2008
Changes to the rear fascia and rear light clusters. The rear saloon boot lid was also new and incorporates an integrated spoiler and high-mounted stop light. Interior enhanced with new instrument panel and centre console design, highlighted with satin silver bezels. Soft touch surfaces on arm rests and door panels add to the comfortable interior while the new dark interior colour adds to the sophisticated feel. A new ignition key with one-touch start-up, a fully adjustable steering wheel as well as LED lighting in the front cup holders and front and rear door pockets all provide additional driver convenience. Seat-mounted airbags added to the front and side-curtain airbags to the rear for increased driver and passenger safety.
MyGIG infotainment system was a new option that offers owners integrated onboard systems of MP3 player compatibility, touch screen controlled navigation system featuring clear graphical maps as well as the ability to store up to approximately 1600 songs on an integrated 20GB hard drive. UConnect Hands-free Communication System uses Bluetooth technology to provide voice-activated wireless communication.
300C SRT-Design model included all of these refinements and adds all the visual enhancements that made the high-performance SRT-8 such a crowd pleaser. The SRT-Design was available as a saloon or a Touring and featured the economical 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine. SRT-Design features include SRT 20-inch alloy wheels and wheel arch spats as well as a chrome mesh grille. Inside, the SRT-Design gets MyGIG satellite navigation as standard as well as an SRT-8 steering wheel, SRT-8 leather sports seats and carbon fibre interior details.
Standard features on the Chrysler 300C included Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) and an all-speed Traction Control System, front and rear side-curtain airbags, xenon High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps, rain-sensing windscreen wipers and a rear park assist system. A leather interior, air-conditioning and heated driver and front passenger seats also come as standard on all vehicles in the range.
The 2008 300C Saloon came with a choice of two petrol engines in the UK: a 3.0-litre V-6 engine that produces 215 bhp at 3800 rpm and 376 lb.-ft. of torque from just 1600 rpm, and a mighty 6.1-litre V8 Hemi SRT-8 petrol engine that produces 425 bhp at 6,200 rpm and 420 lb.-ft of torque at 4800 rpm. Also, the Mercedes sourced 3.0V6 diesel, 2,987cc: 160kW (218bhp) at 3,800rpm; 510Nm (376 lb ft) torque at 1,600 – 2,800 rpm. The 2008 300C Touring offered the 3.0-litre V-6 engine.
These right-hand drive models will be priced (on-the-road) as follows:
3.0 V6 CRD auto Saloon £27,495
3.0 V6 CRD auto Touring £28,495
3.0 V6 CRD SRT-Design auto Saloon £32,495
3.0 V6 CRD SRT-Design auto Touring £33,245
6.1 V8 Hemi SRT-8 Petrol auto saloon £40,995
What to watch out for
Report of problem with satnav due to failure of wheel sensor and failure of an electric mirror mechanism.
Report of electric door mirrors failing to resume their correct positions on starting the engine up.
Rear seatbelts lock up once they are being worn.
Annoying creaking sound from rear axle.
Electronic throttle sensor failures on diesel version. Further reports that this is due to Turbo swirl pot failures. The electronic throttle warning light coming on, closely followed by the engine management light and the engine goes into 'limp home' mode. Yet further reports that the fault is with the ‘boost control regulator’, a problem shared with the Mercedes E 320 CDI.
Reports of rattles on a bumpy road was diagnosed and corrected by "Replacing N.S.F.Control arm". Further rattles require an "O/S/F Disc Back Plate, O/S/FLower Ball Joint, and O/S/F Tie Rod Bar". In March 2010 the Tie Rod Bar wss on 'Back Order' at Chrysler because it is or has been redesigned.
TPMS valves prone to failure due to corrosion battery effect between metal valve caps and the valve stems. This is easily prevented by fitting plastic instead of metal valve caps.
16-11-2014:Canbus wiring problems because connection boxes attempt to translate German codings into American codings.
24-03-2015:Swirl flap motor failed in engine of 30k mile 2010 Chrysler 300C Touring, causing damage to a turbo pipe. Repair cost estimated at £900. Car bought from a Chrysler franchise in October 2014. There had been a Chrysler UK TSB instructing dealers to repair the swirl flap motors FoC and this had not been done prior to the sale (see above).
06-01-2016:2009 Chrysler 300C CRD SRT recalled for airbag and ignition module, but Chrysler dealer has had the car for 4 weeks and is claiming not to be able to get the parts.
