I will spend up to $50k in mods--Which has more potential C300 or C350?

[viper655rt10]

I've decided that I'm building a track car with show potential. This is probably the best place to get extensive info so, here we go..
I don't know of any shops in the area that have experience in what I want to do. I want to turn a stock W204 into an HWA-DTM track car. I'm sure it wont be difficult to find a shop that can do good carbon fiber work. But, I need a shop that can modify the hell out of the drivetrain, and do a good job at it. But, first we need to determine the following thing; C300 4matic or RWD, or C350? Which powertrain is more robust? I've done a bit of reading on the matter, the 7-speed can handle loads of torque. I need as much as advice as you guys have. If you know any shops in SoCal that do great custom work I'd like their websites and any other info you have. Thank you!

[MikeInCanada]

I don't know anything about racing but isn't the correct answer C63???

[ddic350]

Hey Viper,
Why not wait for the C63 if you have that much too spend, I was at my local dealership yesterday and was told my C63 may be in as early as April. I use my C350 as a shop car and the dealer asked me months ago if I could put some sort of performance and appearance pkg together. Just not worth doing anything other than wheels/springs/chip tuning , I carry Carlsson and Brabus and both suggest increasing displacement,changing the catalyst along with the exhaust but that will only get you up too 332hp .Horsepower isn't everything and I'm assuming you're talking road courses,put that money towards a C63 do some chip tuning and terrorize the streets and track. The 7 speed auto will handle the torque but you need paddle shifters not the auto stick, a turbo would work but no one has tried yet. Not sure if I helped but keep us posted.

[MBPup]

I'll probably get flamed for this, but if you're really looking for track performance (as opposed to just making a dtm lookalike), an M3, 335 or 135 is probably a better starting point.

Or get a Lotus Exige, an Ariel Atom or heck, why not a 911 with the money you're talking?

[SNOW W204]

Originally Posted by MBPup

I'll probably get flamed for this, but if you're really looking for track performance (as opposed to just making a dtm lookalike), an M3, 335 or 135 is probably a better starting point.

Or get a Lotus Exige, an Ariel Atom or heck, why not a 911 with the money you're talking?

Agreed.

[GKMB]

This is the ticket! Why mod when you can have a 4 year/50,000 mi. warranty?

[MB-SV]

Originally Posted by MBPup

I'll probably get flamed for this, but if you're really looking for track performance (as opposed to just making a dtm lookalike), an M3, 335 or 135 is probably a better starting point.

Or get a Lotus Exige, an Ariel Atom or heck, why not a 911 with the money you're talking?

Agreed (2x)

[edm17el]

I would wait for the C63 myself. Like others, why waste a good warranty. Have you seen the reports on the C63? I love it, my only question is why it is rated less in bhp than the ML63 if it has the same engine?

[Tri-Star]

$50k in mods alone?! Just buy a faster car out of box. It's common sense.

[300yoz]

HA I agree if you are going to spend the money buy the c63 or m3 but if you want to mod a w204 i have a manual 300 and love it I think it would be a blast to mod, I just don't feel like mods on a auto are the same