TA-9FF

I completely agree with hawk20.

I've been following this thread and the responses doesn't make much sense to me. What do you guys mean "there is no brand loyalty"? Exactly why did you guys buy a Benz if you love the BMW so much?

Fine, the 325i has more power than the C240, but so what? If power is the primary concern, why not buy a used 04-05 EVO or WRX? It'll be slightly cheaper too. Apparently most of you guys are somewhat blind, seeing how you can't discern ugly cars from good looking ones. 215hp is not enough for me to take an E90, sorry.

sdsilverm3

The MAIN reason he should choose the BMW is because he will have gained $12k+ in equity without having to put in any additional cash. The C240 isn't going to exactly appreciate once the W204 is out to market. The other advantages of the BMW are just cherries on top of the pie. If 215hp isn't enough to persuade you to take the E90 over the underpowered 168hp C240 would the extra $12k+ in value do it? Please think of another reason why you would keep the C240 other than the E90 being ugly which doesn't really count because that's subjective anyway. I've tried to think of other advantages of keeping the MB but can't think of any.

When I say there is no brand loyalty I mean exactly that. I, along with other people here, own/have owned BMW's before. There are reasons behind why we own the cars we currently own. My decision to get an MB was based solely on availability. My 3 cars of choice were A) 2003 M5 B) 2002+ NSX c) C55 (all in white). Try finding choices A and B on the market in the US and you will understand why I went with choice C. The E46 M3 was on the list but it has become way too common.

To put my MB brand loyalty, or lack thereof, in perspective: I would part ways with my C55 waaaay before I would sell my Acura Integra.

vraa

I have a 325i E90 loaner for my X5.
It's so nice, get the 325, I changed my mind. The W203 sucks. Dad has a C230 for his loaner

sdsilverm3

Listen to the MB moderator or he will B-A-N!

FrankW

you have the 200hp C230...and he has the C240 with 168hp. When you are comparing the old C240 with the new 325i with 215hp. There is a LOT of difference, left over equity for one like Ling said. looks are purely subjective. IMO the pre-facelifted C-class with the classic bodykit is not that great. The 325i definitely looks better compare to that. Power is not the only concern, but the 325i will also drive better.

325i is the better choice. it has nothing to do with brand preference.

TA-9FF

Hmm....good point. Those pre-facelifted ones do kinda suck.
What if this was between an 06 C230 vs the 06 325i? Would your opinion change then?

LorinserCClass

Again you are talking about a line(w203) that is nearing it's production run so it will depreciate much more than the newer e90 that will be around another 6-7 years. I love MB but the BMW gets the win here. Have you driven the e90 out of curiosity?

FrankW

at this point I would take the E90 over W203 if buying them new. since you know that MB will introduce the W204 in just two months. The E90 and the E92 that just debuted is here to stay for 5-6 years.

eckc21

I would very definitely get the BMW.
But why would your sister want to trade with you? I wish i had this kind of sister^^

SteveL1

Tell your sister that I'll go buy an '03 C240 and set it up just like yours and swap even up in a heart beat. Then I can sell the 325i and turn around and buy more goodies for my '06 C230. Trade it, it's only a car that you won't miss in about 2 months anyway.

I've had so many cars that I thought that I would miss, but thoe only ones that I really would like to have back are the '60s muscle cars that I had in my teens! 5 years from now your C240 will be just another old car on the road, if it lasts that long.

SEXSPHERE

lol what a question. No question asked, just trade it with the E90. I'd do it without even looking at it dude.

baodovvn

yea i think im goin to trade it, however i am goin to miss the c240

TA-9FF

I've driven the E90, and have to admit its superior to a W203 in terms of driving dynamics. I have no idea why I just can't get over it's god awful looks.....
I kept thinking it'll "grow" on me, but everytime I look at it, it still creates a

I went with a W203 solely for aesthetics, sadly. Which is a shame because the E90 drives so well..................

BTW, is the E90 styling what BMW considers to "play it safe"? I've always liked BMW in the past, but right now practically their entire line disgusts me to where I'm repulsed by them right now. I figure I'll wait 10 years for them to kick Van Hooydonk (or however you spell his name) and Bangle out and replace them with a team that understands and appreciates classic conservative BMW styling and not this nouveau flame surface BS.......

ijs

Im not a big fan of Chris Bangle's works too. Anyway, W204 should be due in 2007.

LorinserCClass

I love how BMW's drive but I always make the opposite choice sadly. For example I got a E320 over a 5based on looks alone, then I chose a A6 over the 5 based on interior...but when I finally drove the 5 I was really impressed actually it is a far superior driving car. The sport seats on it were WONDERFUL. Same goes w/the 3 vs C I bought it based on aesthetics. There is only one BMW I have my eye on for next year though, and it's the 6 series vert

hawk20

Yes well I got to admit the 6 series really is the most. The most lacking in legroom in the front, the most lacking in legroom in the back and the most ugly.

buzz888

get bmw 325i cause its newer but the interior is cheap.
C240 has less hp, more k/m and is older

the e90 is prob more fun

dmg3

I would get the 325i over the c230 in a heartbeat. The BMW styling is not that bad, its very unique and has a great shape IMO. The cheaper smaller benz is just a poser for looks only...

Howerver, I'd get the C350 over the 330i in a heartbeat. Why? That engine, looks, auto as fast as stick, and comparable gas mileage.

The Bimmer is faster w/ same mileage. Only if it has sports pkg though

TA-9FF

Isn't this an oxymoron? You think the "cheap smaller Benz is a poser for looks", but yet you would take the C350 that looks identical to the C230?????

tifosiv122

I must have missed the whole poser thing...with leases, who can't afford to drive an $80,000 car?

Cars mean nothing in this day and age...hate to say it. Buy a car that fits you, if it's $9,000 or $90,000. If the car is out of your range, do what everyone else does, put nothing down and pay $600-1500 per month (even a mcdonalds employee makes that) and you can drive whatever you want.

Erik

patrick_y

Now that our friend has made his decision, the correct decision (in my opinion, it was very obvious it was the correct decision), I applaud his decision!

patrick_y

Totally agree with you. I see lots of people who try to display their wealth with generic Louis Vuitton (and the like) handbags (and I don't see why, since EVERYONE HAS ONE).

Oh, you should see it here in California, lots of people drive cars they can't afford. I think it is especially apparent in LA and Silicon Valley. Everybody's trying to keep up with the Joneses next door. Go to the BMW dealership, ask them what the percentage of cars are leased? Are they business owners who can write off the lease? Not usually. Over half of BMW cars are leased. Mercedes is probably the same way.

Honestly, the wealthiest people I know (who are indeed very well off) drive very simple cars. No Mercedes, no Rolls Royce.

This is the funniest thing I see. When I'm travelling, the lady carries a brand name handbag, but her luggage is something extremely inexpensive (something you'd couldn't find at a luggage store) or it's just some makeshift luggage. They try so hard to show off with their handbag, but they forget the luggage. When the plane boards, they board last, figures.

Lastly, and this applies to many here in my area. Hope none of my neighbors are on this forum, a lot of housewives and soccer moms in my area drive Mercedes S500 vehicles, then they complain about the car being difficult to park in the tiny parking spaces we have in CA. Seriously, you don't drive a long wheel base car, you are supposed to be chauffeured in one. If it's too big for you, get a smaller car.

Some people have more money than brains, some people get what they want even if it's more than they can handle, some people get what they want even if it's more than what they need, and some are a combination.

The point is that cars mean nothing. Handbags mean nothing. You don't have to be a blue blooded person either. Just, your money power should equal your brain power. This country would technically be in poverty if we didn't have credit cards. This is why I love AMEX, you have to pay it in every month.

RichReg

Isn't your C-Class worth more with the upgrades even if it is an '03?

Swap your car for the 325......then trade the 325 in for the '07 335i Sedan
with 300 hp & about 300 ft/lbs of torque, which is available in October.
Starting at about $38,600 (guesstimate), and zero to 60 in about 5.7 seconds with an auto.

Or just wait for the new C-Class.....

sdsilverm3

Upgrades/modifications do nothing for resale which is why most people end up parting out their cars and selling it in stock form.

TA-9FF

You should come to Dallas, Patrick. You'll find the same thing happening here. I definitely agree with you that wealthy people are often also the least ostentatious. In Dallas we have lots of $30,000 Millionaires living here. Nice, eh?