2009 Mercedes-Benz C 300 vs. 2009 BMW 328
The Mercedes Benz C Class, BMW 3 series, and Audi A4 are often considered the best entry-level luxury sedans; your decision on which one to buy will lean heavily on which one fits your priorities best. The 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300 and 2009 BMW 328 are similar in many ways, but it is their differences that will push you to a final decision.
The 2009 BMW 328 is marginally shorter than its rival 209 Mercedes-Benz C 300.
Marginal as in a difference of 1.8 inches, the BMW 328 at 182.3 and
the C300 at 180.5, giving the BMW a slightly more squat appearance.
Neither of them are the shortest car you will ever buy, but if this is
important to you, the BMW 328 is more compact. They are identical on
wheelbase, both registering a total of 108.3 inches, making the
Mercedes-Benz C300 slightly tighter from a control point of view.
As for engine size and power, there is very little to discern between
the two: both are powered by three-liter engines, the BMW 328 sports an
Inline-6, while the Mercedes-Benz C300 uses a V6, and the number of
horses under the hood is almost identical. But if you are deciding on
the basis of power and will brook no argument on that, then the
Mercedes delivers marginally more than the BMW, 230hp to 228hp.
Then there is the issue of showiness. If you want a car that announces
your arrival wherever you drive, the BMW 328 is simply flashier. It is
all a matter of philosophy; decide which car reflects your ideology
about what makes a great car and then go for it.
BMW 3 Series Coupe
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| Model Line Overview | |
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| Model lineup: | BMW 328i Coupe ($35,300), 328xi Coupe ($37,100), 335i Coupe ($40,600) |
| Engines: | 230-hp 3.0-liter dohc 24-valve inline-6; 300-hp 3.0-liter dohc 24-valve inline-6 |
| Transmissions: | 6-speed manual or automatic |
| Safety equipment (standard): | dual front and front-seat side airbags, roof-mounted curtain air bags covering both rows, 3-point harness for all seating positions, child seat tether anchors and LATCH system, anti-lock brakes, dynamic stability control, run-flat tires and tire-pressure monitor system, adaptive brake lights, daytime running lights |
| Safety equipment (optional): | active cruise control, rear park distance control, cold weather package with headlamp washers, xDrive all-wheel drive |
| Basic warranty: | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Assembled in: | Regensburg, Germany |
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| Specifications As Tested | |
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| Model tested (MSRP): | BMW 335i Coupe ($40,600) |
| Standard equipment: | leatherette upholstery, automatic climate control with air conditioning, 8-way power front seats with memory for driver’s side, power windows, dark burl walnut trim (with light poplar, gray poplar or brushed aluminum as no-cost options), remote locks, start/stop button, rechargeable flashlight in glove box, title and telescoping steering wheel with audio controls, cruise control, power moonroof, Logic7 audio system with 13 speakers, split and folding rear seats, 18-inch wheels with run-flat tires, Xenon adaptive headlamps, fog lamps, rain-sensing windshield wipers with heated washer jets, power and heated exterior mirrors, ground lighting in door handles, dual chrome exhaust tips, chrome-trimmed doorsill plates |
| Options as tested (MSRP): | Premium package ($2,450), Sport package ($1,000), heated front seats ($500) |
| Destination charge: | ($695) |
| Gas guzzler tax: | N/A |
| Price as tested (MSRP): | $45,720 |
| Layout: | rear-wheel drive |
| Engine: | 3.0-liter dohc I6 |
| Horsepower (hp @ rpm): | 300 @ 5800 |
| Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm): | 300 @ 1400-5000 |
| Transmission: | 6-speed automatic |
| EPA fuel economy, city/hwy: | 19/28 mpg |
| Wheelbase: | 108.7 in. |
| Length/width/height: | 180.3/70.2/54.2 in. |
| Track, f/r: | 59.1/59.6 in. |
| Turning circle: | 36.1 ft. |
| Seating capacity: | 4 |
| Head/hip/leg room, f: | 37.1/55.3/41.8 in. |
| Head/hip/leg room, m: | N/A |
| Head/hip/leg room, r: | 36.1/51.9/33.7 in. |
| Cargo volume: | 11.1 cu. ft. |
| Payload: | N/A |
| Towing capacity: | N/A |
| Suspension, f: | independent |
| Suspension, r: | independent |
| Ground clearance: | 4.9 in. |
| Curb weight: | 3571 lbs. |
| Tires: | 225/40R18 front, 255/35R18 rear |
| Brakes, f/r: | disc/disc with ABS |
| Fuel capacity: | 15.9 gal. |
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| 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. |