Chrysler 300C (2005 – 2010) Review

Chrysler 300C (2005 – 2010) At A Glance

3/5

+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.

On average it achieves 89% of the official MPG figure

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".

Real MPG average for a Chrysler 300C (2005 – 2010)

RealMPG

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

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

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Ask Honest John

Best used estate car: 300C, V70 or Legacy?

"Can you give me an opinion on the Chrysler 300C Touring and the Volvo V70 2.0 D SE (driveability and reliability)? I recently test drove the former (2010), which impressed me hugely (3.0 CRD) and am about to look at the latter, but am slightly put off by the inferior power notwithstanding the blandness of modern Volvos. Grunt is a consideration. Also thinking about the Subaru Legacy, though the decent-sized engines are thirsty. Any other alternatives are gratefully received."
I haven't driven a 300C but if I remember correctly it is based on an old E-Class so I'm sure it's refined and comfortable. The Volvo is very comfortable and decent on fuel, but isn't going to set the world on fire in terms of performance. I would discount the Legacy, fuel economy is appalling, the frameless windows are quite noisy and the CVT gearbox makes a horrible drone when you're accelerating. Have you considered the Skoda Superb? These are huge inside and feel very well bit – a sizeable step up from the rest of the range. They're very easy to use and nice to drive for such big mile munchers. Things to look out for each: 300C https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/chrysler/300c-2005/good V70 https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/volvo/v70-2007/good Legacy https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/subaru/legacy-and-outback-2009/good Superb https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/skoda/superb-estate-2010/
Answered by Russell Campbell

What's the best big engined car for £3000?

"I have a small budget of about £3000 and I see I can afford old Chrslyer 300C, old Audi A8 or A6, old BMW 7 Series and a big Lexus. I like big engined cars, so which do you think ages better and will possibly cost less in the long run? In summary, best stupid car for £3000."
Honestly? They could all cost a fortune to keep on the road. An old Lexus is probably your best option but even then you'll need deep pockets for maintenance and fuel costs.
Answered by Andrew Brady

Faulty 300C Touring - what should I say to the dealer?

"My son bought a Chrysler 300C Touring five months ago with 30,000 miles on the clock, one owner and full service history. It broke down last weekend with a failed swirl motor and broken turbo pipe and was recovered to the supplying dealer. The repair costs are over £900 (which is apparently reasonable). All they have offered is a 10 per cent goodwill as the car came with a three month warranty. I've penned the draft mail below for him to send to the sales manager - have I missed anything? Dear Sir On October 16 2014, I purchased a low mileage one owner Chrysler 300C Touring from you with FSH. On March 16, it broke down in Carlisle and was diagnosed as a failed swirl motor and broken turbo pipe. The following day it was recovered to yourselves on my breakdown insurance. It has only done 3000 miles in my ownership. Today, you asked me for in excess of £900 for repair (parts and labour). I am not disputing that this is a reasonable sum as I know it is a difficult job with a high labour cost, but I do find your offer of a discount of £100 as goodwill to be insulting. You appear to being saying that the three month warranty that came with the car removes all liability from yourselves, when in fact you must know under the Sale and Supply of Goods to Consumers Regulations 2002, derived from EU Directive 1999/44/EU which became Clauses 48A to 48F inclusive of the Sale of Goods act in April 2003 that you retain liability for faults that were present at the time of sale for six months. Furthermore, it is the dealer's responsibility to prove that the goods were satisfactory at the time of sale. In view of the fact that the failed parts are a known problem with this engine and have been subject to a free repair notice from Chrysler in the past, then it's hard to see how you can escape the conclusion that these faults were a problem waiting to happen at the time of sale, and that it is your responsibility to effect the necessary repairs at your own cost. Please be clear, I am not claiming that this should have been replaced before sale - I understand the economics of doing that, but by selling on a car that had been in your care from new, with a known problem that could fail at any time, which you knew had not been replaced, you were taking a calculated risk that it would not fail on my car. Unfortunately, as it's failed within the first six months, it is clearly your responsibility to put me back where I should be. "
Good letter. Very strong indeed. I think on the strength of it they will capitulate.
Answered by Honest John

Seller refused to repair faulty car - what can I do?

"I bought a 2005 Chrysler 300C for £7500 in March. A month later the swirl flap motor failed. The car has been at the dealer for a month now. The selling garage refuses to accept responsibility under the sale of goods act. They say the £1000 repair is down to me. What can I do?"
Have the repair carried out, then sue them: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/running-in-a-petrol-engine/
Answered by Honest John
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