In my area MB offers MB loaners (BMW nothing), free full car washes (BMW zippo), great customer service (BMW crap), 4 years free maintenance (don't know BMW's deal). Also consider resale value, MB is much better. I would get the Audi A4 or Jag Type-X before the BMW 3 series. Also they've been making pretty much the same car for a very, very long time and I'm sure the new one is better than a 1992 but to me they look the same, it's dated.

Personally I have a C-Coupe with some enhancements that can beat out a BMW 330Ci for $15,000 less. I drove the 325i on a track and thought it was pretty mediocre compared to a C320 in handling and performance.

 

BMW 330i is a good family car and can blow the C240 out of the water in terms of high end torque, speed, horsepower, accerlation, and suspension wise- the car handles like a sports car. For 5,000 over the 325xi, just jump in and get the 330, cuz you might regret buying the 325.

 

wow... BOB: (will get to you later)

Rick: the C320 and the 4-Matics will be TOO much money, the C240 is fire-sale to get it where we want it. and that car would be REALLY slow with AWD!

viper: new 3er is 2005 in NA, and I LIKE the central window switches, the C-Class swithes are all wrong. (the center switches are nice when you can have the passenger roll the window down for little janie in the back seat with a tummy ache and gut-rot from the fast-food she just inhaled. and with a manual tranny car like many BMWs are, it helps that the switches are in a place near a major control like the shifter, you just drop your right hand a few inches (about 3-4 in the Z3) and pop the swithces and you are back to the gear-shift... but it really is a non-issue, they both work.... and the whole "new for longer" thing means jack **** to us, if it looks good, it looks good!

pix: .... FLAME!!!!!!!!!! that thing is HIDEOUS!!!!! (and way to small to dream of putting 3 car seats in the back seat, and the only dealer is in omaha, and driving it 100 miles round trip for an oil change is BS.

Mark: this one has the C1 with the sport seats.

Buell: BMW/MB is the same dealer, the loaners are all 3er/5er and C-/E-Class, so no worries there. and free washes are good! they even have the same service writer (Cory Wheeler, GREAT guy). I dont see anything in common between an E36 3er and an E46, in fact, I don't think any of the parts interchange. and the E36 is actually a more fun car to drive.

Gold: interesting point, but the 330 is more than we want to spend and for HER car, power is less of an issue. and again, no jag or audi dealers in lincoln, and I'm not travelling for service.

BOB: my wife has all of 3 girl friends she hangs out with, and NONE of them drives a BMW! (one Grand Am, one Breeze, and a blazer). BMWs are also much less comon in lincoln than they are elsewhere. I am going to let her decide. if she likes the 325 that much more, than that is what we will get. you are soooooooooooooooooooo right about never hearing the end of it. and AMEN on the Jag... teh LS is actually better looking anyway!

 

After all of the words typed, it turned out you already had the correct answer all along.

 

Das...
The most important features you could possibly get by buying a new Mercedes for your wife are as follows:
1) You'll make her really really really happy you didn't let her settle for something less
2) You'll be back in good standing with all the members of this wonderful forum that still remember you already bailed out on a C-Coupe to buy a Tucan Sam-mobile(heheh, had to sneak that one in)

 

I guess if she likes the 3er that much better then you better go with it... but there are just so many of those things on the road!!

 

Yeah, and start sounding like hardcore Bimmer fans who say the same thing about Mercedes and Chrysler. I know, the Ford intervention is more apparent in Jaguar than Chrysler is in Benzos. And yes, the high selling S-Type is about 65% ford whereas the new X-Type is now only 35% Ford. It don't matter, it's still a Jag. Would you really rather buy an LS, cuz in the end you would be just be driving a Lincoln. Don't forget that many of you have argued in favor of their C-Class on the basis that is was a "Mercedes" not an Acura or Honda. Same goes for the Lincoln versus the Jag. There is still much more prestige driving a Jag over the Lincoln (unless you are a politician who has to). Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar = on the same level. Argue factual basis that the car is bad, don't substitute it for a lesser vehicle for the sake of being able to "pocket lots of change." Because if this were true, none of you would be driving Benz's. I'm not trippin, just making sure things stay consistent.

 

The IS300 is a bona-fide luxury level ricer. I think the chrono speedo and the silver tail lights do not appeal to the customer that is looking at BMW's and MB's. Japanese cars may be reliable but I never could get excited about their styling.

 

I'd just like to know where the Chrysler "intervention" is apparent at all in Benzes. You're doing a total apples to oranges comparison here. When the Crossfire comes out, then you can talk about muddying the waters, but until then, they're totally seperate. There just isn't any of the integration that is so obvious in the Jag/Ford models.

 

Agree with tommy - Ford intervened with Jaguar when they took them over. But Chrysler was taken over by DBAG, hence Mercedes would be the one intervening with Chrysler.

 

Agreed. And when the Crossfire does come out, it will be Chrysler using MB, and not the other way around.

This may be true for some people, but I think when most people make this kind of comment, they are talking about the features of a Mercedes vs that of a Honda.

 

I knew this would happen, some herb would nit-pick the quote and miss the whole point. I've been on Bimmer forums where this has been said many times. Is it true, no, but ignorance is bliss especially to the biased. Most people are biased, but while the majority is brand biased (Mercedes, BMW, etc.) I am biased to europeans in general. I like them all. I don't like american cars, not saying they are bad because many of them are excellently engineered, but seldom will they make me do a double take. My mom's daily drive is an S500. My dad's is an XKR. Guess which one has been in the shop more (though quite infrequent still)? Yeah, it's the S. Jaguar's have become much more reliable since Ford stepped in. Did they lose their prestige, no. Apples to oranges, the LS is not even in the same class. Would you really drive a Lincoln over a Jaguar? I would never tell my parents to choose a Toyota over a Benz even if Consumer Reports "Hypothetically" said they were more reliable, had better performance, and was the better bang for the buck. The point is that a big part of choosing these types of cars is the novelty of driving a Benz, a Bimmer, or a Jag.

 

So what was your point then? If you admit that this is not true, then why even make the comment???

Not arguing that Jaguars are more reliable since Ford stepped in, but when they start making cars with parts from less expensive Fords, then I would say that thier "prestige" is suffering. I actually like the Lincoln LS better than the X Type, and I'm under 40! --Still not saying I would buy one. I think people that are willing to pay more money for a car just because of the "Brand Prestige" or "novelty" are fools. I personally chose Mercedes because I like the style of their cars, I liked the way the car drives, and I like the safety features of the car. I did not buy it so I could drive around saying "look at me, I drive a Benz"! If I wanted that, I would have bought a S class.

 

The LS was built to compete with the 5 series and E-Class. The X-type is in the 3 series C-Class category, that is why I like it better and i'm under 25! :p But for real, i'm just arguing that Mercedes, BMW, and Jaguar are seen as being in the same category.

 

Well, as Rev said, you wasted bandwith on a point that isn't relevant or even accurate then. That wasn't a meaningless side point of your argument, if you actually go back and read your quote. WTF?
I think that there is enough empirical evidence to state that Toyota is more reliable than any other brand. Why would you debate that? You're gonna lose that one before you even start.
I do agree with you about the "novelty" aspect of European cars, but that's being eroded away by cars like mine, and that's a good thing IMHO. Let them drive Benzes!

 

Yes, this I agree with! I think I would rather have my C320 or even the 330i than the Lincoln LS. And considering the price range is from 33-40k, I would say that it does compete with the lesser C and 3 series. I've never been attracted to the Jag (S or X) so I can't say that I would take the Jag over the LS. But the V8 LS with 252hp starts at 37.5K (V6 221hp starts at 33.3K) compared to the V6 240hp S type starting at 41.8K (The V8 400hp is 61.7K) and the V6 231hp X type at 36k. I would have to think about this....

 

Okay, I fully retract my statement which was poorly structured and gave way to misinterpretation.

I was unsure and the "Hypothetical" was placed in my quote just in case it wasn't true. I don't read those publications nor do I care. Once again, it was meant to imply that even if it was (and now apparently is) that far ahead in reliability, I would still choose the Mercedes.

I guess with decreasing profits, car manufacturers are realizing that Quality should be associated with Brand Name and Prestige should be tied to internal Brand Classes.

 

For long run c240 is much better buy.. BMW offen have alot of small prob which will drive a girl driver crazy, oil leak.. ac don't work seems to be the STANDER prob on BMW

Or you can simply said.. a benz will fit better to a classic girl like u =p

 

Oh now really dasMafia, you know the only reason BMW has refused to move the window switches is because of cost. Its definitely cheaper to route all the wiring to one location. And as long as all the brain-washed but loyal bimmerheads keep buying them they won't spend a dime to correct this. The 5 series and 7 series are not saddled with this backward cost-cutting design. Don't defend this mediocrity please. Admit they have cheaped out on this and stop defending it.

 

I'm compelled to respond to a few of the following remarks...IMO, based on past experience with Jaguars, I would say Ford intervention might be a welcome thing. You need only ask people who have tried to divine the mysterious world of Lucas electrics to understand. My uncle had an XKE for a couple years. Spent more time bent over those carburetors than he ever spent behind the wheel. Imagine a man both crying and laughing with joy as he sold it to the next unsuspecting soul.

Yes, I'd rather have the LS. I shopped both cars before buying my MB. As Revstriker points out there is a severe premium to be paid for Jaguar "prestige." Unfortunately, the difference in prices are equalized the minute you drive the Jaguar off the showroom floor. It's no secret that Jaguar depreciation is among the most extreme of all car makes. The most intelligent buyers of Jaguars pick them up as (highly depreciated) 2-year old used cars, then drive them into the ground over then next 10 years, provided they can tolerate the maintenance costs.

I believe my previous two sets of remarks are generally factual. It's a shame that today's Jaguar (although possibly improved) must try to shrug off it's long and (less than glorious) past reputation. But that's the way it goes.

 

I know someone who did this. Picked up a 2-3 year old XK8 (originally listing for around $70K I think) for something like $40K, 57% of it's original sticker price.

Ouch, BT

 

Audi A4 Quattro!

 

what about the slk, clk and e-classes? they have centrally located window controls.

(i went to mbusa's site to look at the 360° interior pics )

 

nononononono.... i actually like them there! i may be a bit sick in the head, but it works for me!

 

OK, well this issue was wholy resolved today.

after a second test drive (and then another in a non-sport C320) it has become apparent that MB seats and my wife just do not mesh. it seems that any/all MB seats have a natural hatred for skinny redheads as the seats in my moms ML320 had the same effect in the past.... so, the C240 is OUT.

and talk about hi-jacking a thread... you guys got WAY off.

we did, however come to the conclusion that the MB was a phenomenal vehicle and a decent value for the mild-enthusiast driver. it WOULD be the perfect vehicle for us if you could just drop in the seats from a 325 sport!

I do thank you all for your thoughts and wish to continue this well meaning banter untill benz figures out how to build seats!

I will be announcing the final results tomorrow or thursday... I think you all need to wait for the news.