2009 Mercedes-Benz C350 vs. 2009 BMW 328
The entry-level luxury car was first launched in the 1970’s; little amazement that it was introduced by German manufacturers. The BMW 3 Series, 35 years old now, is the make’s most popular car by a long way with customers, accounting for almost 40% of the company’s sales in recent years. The BMW 328 has been right there among the best sellers of all of these, so how does it compare with one of its rivals, the 2009 Mercedes Benz C 350?
The specs on both cars make for instructive reading. The 2009 Mercedes
Benz C350 carries a 3.5-liter V6 engine under its bonnet, developing
268 bhp. A 108.7″ wheelbase hangs around the lower end average for this
class of vehicle. Devotees of the C350 say that it gives them an
agreeable feel of power and does not ask too much of them when
cornering. Meanwhile, the EPA suggests it cannot get you very far at
17.4 mpg, but that is an estimate worth testing with a spin rather than
a read.
The 2009 BMW 328? Well, it has a smaller engine at 3.0 liters, which
translates to 230 bhp. And the wheelbase is the exact same length as
that of the Mercedes. You will pay a little bit more for the C 350 in
exchange for a boost of power and a little extra cargo capacity. If you
can stretch a little, the specs make the Mercedes a more desirable buy.
But if you have driven in both, you know that the numbers do not always
make the difference.
2008 BMW 3 Series
Model Line Overview | |
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Model lineup: | BMW 328i sedan ($32,700); 328i wagon ($34,500); 328xi sedan ($34,600); 328i coupe ($35,600); 328xi wagon ($36,400); 328xi coupe ($37,400); 335i sedan ($39,300); 335xi sedan ($41,200); 335i coupe ($41,200); 335xi coupe ($43,000); 328i Convertible ($43,500); 335i Convertible ($49,500) |
Engines: | 230-hp 3.0-liter inline-6; 300-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 |
Transmissions: | 6-speed manual; 6-speed automatic |
Safety equipment (standard): | dual front airbags, front passenger side-impact airbags, full-cabin head protection airbags, tire-pressure monitor, traction control, anti-lock brakes, Dynamic Stability Control and post-impact system to unlock doors, switch on hazard and interior lighting and disable fuel pump |
Safety equipment (optional): | N/A |
Basic warranty: | 4 years/50,000 miles |
Assembled in: | Munich, Germany |
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Specifications As Tested | |
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Model tested (MSRP): | BMW 328i sedan ($32,700) |
Standard equipment: | leatherette upholstery, burr walnut, light poplar or aluminum interior trim, automatic dual-zone climate control with cabin micro-filter, climate-controlled center console, 10-speaker AM/FM audio with single CD player and two sub-woofers, cruise control, power windows, remote keyless entry, leather-wrapped tilt/telescoping steering wheel with multi-function controls, rain-sensing variable-speed wipers, halogen foglights, two-way power moonroof, 16-inch wheels with H-rated all-season tires |
Options as tested (MSRP): | automatic transmission ($1,325); Sport Package ($1700) includes M sports suspension, 17-inch wheels with W-rated performance tires, power sport seats and 155-mph speed-limiter; Premium Package ($3,350) includes Dakota leather upholstery, Bluetooth cell phone interface, power folding side mirrors with reverse tilt-down feature on passenger side, digital mirror compass and BMW Assist telematics; Cold Weather Package ($1,000) includes electrically heated seats, high-intensity headlight washers and split-folding rear seat with ski sack |
Destination charge: | ($825) |
Gas guzzler tax: | N/A |
Price as tested (MSRP): | $40,900 |
Layout: | rear-wheel drive |
Engine: | 3.0-liter dohc 24-valve inline-6 with variable valve timing |
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): | 230 @ 6500 |
Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm): | 200 @ 2750 |
Transmission: | 6-speed Steptronic automatic with manual shift feature |
EPA fuel economy, city/hwy: | 19/28 mpg |
Wheelbase: | 108.7 in. |
Length/width/height: | 178.2/71.5/55.9 in. |
Track, f/r: | 59.1/59.6 in. |
Turning circle: | 36.1 ft. |
Seating capacity: | 5 |
Head/hip/leg room, f: | 38.5/NA/41.5 in. |
Head/hip/leg room, m: | N/A |
Head/hip/leg room, r: | 37.5/NA/34.6 in. |
Cargo volume: | 12.0 cu. ft. |
Payload: | N/A |
Towing capacity: | N/A |
Suspension, f: | independent, double-pivot lower control arms, coil springs, twin-tube shocks, anti-roll bar |
Suspension, r: | independent five-link, coil springs, twin-tube shocks, anti-roll bar |
Ground clearance: | N/A |
Curb weight: | 3340 lbs. |
Tires: | 225/45WR17 / 255/40WR17 run flat |
Brakes, f/r: | ventilated disc/ventilated disc |
Fuel capacity: | 16.1 gal. |
2008 Mercedes-Benz C Class
Model Line Overview | |
Model lineup: | Mercedes-Benz C300; C350 |
Engines: | 228-hp 2.8-liter V6; 268-hp 3.5-liter V6 |
Transmissions: | 7-speed automatic; 6-speed manual |
Safety equipment (standard): | frontal airbags, side-impact airbags, curtain airbags; electronic stability control, traction control, ABS, EBD, Pre-Safe |
Safety equipment (optional): | none |
Basic warranty: | 4 years/50,000 miles |
Assembled in: | Sindelfingen, Germany |
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Specifications As Tested | |
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Model tested (MSRP): | Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport |
Standard equipment: | N/A |
Options as tested (MSRP): | N/A |
Destination charge: | N/A |
Gas guzzler tax: | N/A |
Price as tested (MSRP): | N/A |
Layout: | rear-wheel drive |
Engine: | 3.5-liter dohc 24-valve V6 |
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): | 268 @ 6000 |
Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm): | 258 @ 2400 |
Transmission: | 7-speed automatic |
EPA fuel economy, city/hwy: | N/A |
Wheelbase: | 108.7 in. |
Length/width/height: | 180.4/69.7/57.0 in. |
Track, f/r: | 60.4/60.5 in. |
Turning circle: | 35.4 ft. |
Seating capacity: | 5 |
Head/hip/leg room, f: | 37.1/52.3/41.7 in. |
Head/hip/leg room, m: | N/A |
Head/hip/leg room, r: | 36.9/54.9/33.4 in. |
Cargo volume: | 17.6 cu. ft. |
Payload: | N/A |
Towing capacity: | N/A |
Suspension, f: | independent, coil springs, gas struts, stabilizer bar |
Suspension, r: | independent. five-link with coil springs, gas shocks, stabilizer bar |
Ground clearance: | N/A |
Curb weight: | 3498 lbs. |
Tires: | P225/40ZR-17 front; P245/40ZR-17 rear |
Brakes, f/r: | disc/disc with ABS, EBD, Brake Assist |
Fuel capacity: | 17.4 gal. |