C&D Comparo
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From: Gaithersburg, MD
2002 C240 6-spd (ret)
C&D Comparo
Anyone else see the Car & Driver comparison test yet? Just got my issue 2 days ago. Compared: BMW 330i, 3.2TL-S, A4 3.0, G35, Passat W-8 and C320. M-B came in 5th! All the models were auto (A4 was CVT). They liked the C320 tranny, ride, "sports-car" brakes. Disliked "delinquent" body motions, mushy throttle response, price, and said the interior (charcoal) was "somber enough to depress a funeral director". The one other car that had a charcoal interior (3.2TL) they also said was "dour". The other interiors were either light gray or beige.
Quote: "In the hills, our C-class went all wobbly. Its body weaves and dips and bobs and rolls and dives and squates whenever you start working the contact patches..." Although, the C320 won the skidpad test.
Funny thing, the pictures looks like the C320 had the sport package -- 5-spoke wheels and aluminum trim. They didn't mention that.
The Passat came in last, and of course, the Bimmer was #1.
Final order: Passat W-8, C320, G35, 3.2TL-S, A4, 330i.
Quote: "In the hills, our C-class went all wobbly. Its body weaves and dips and bobs and rolls and dives and squates whenever you start working the contact patches..." Although, the C320 won the skidpad test.
Funny thing, the pictures looks like the C320 had the sport package -- 5-spoke wheels and aluminum trim. They didn't mention that.
The Passat came in last, and of course, the Bimmer was #1.
Final order: Passat W-8, C320, G35, 3.2TL-S, A4, 330i.
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From: Vancouver Island, B.C. Canada
2005 smart cabrio; 2008 Mercedes-Benz B 200
yawn...
I suppose that means the BMW advertising account for that month is a little richer than the others'. What else is new?
Don't look for external validation of your purchase decision. Buy what you like and let the so-called opinion leaders in the car magazines drink their own bathwater
Don't look for external validation of your purchase decision. Buy what you like and let the so-called opinion leaders in the car magazines drink their own bathwater
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From: Los Angeles
2002 c230k
Originally posted by vyse
Well, I do think that Mercedes does tend to feel wobbly. I switched cars with my friend who drove a 323CI for a drive, and his car felt a lot flatter through the corner.
Well, I do think that Mercedes does tend to feel wobbly. I switched cars with my friend who drove a 323CI for a drive, and his car felt a lot flatter through the corner.
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From: Ashburn, VA
'19 GLC 300, '19 TM3SR+
Originally posted by mdp c230k
The 323Ci is a sport version 2 door. try a 325e if you want apples and apples. Or compare the C230K with the 323Ci.
The 323Ci is a sport version 2 door. try a 325e if you want apples and apples. Or compare the C230K with the 323Ci.
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
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But somehow i feel that is pretty much all true though. The C-class does have tendency to understeer and plows. The suspension for the C320 is firm but not as sporty as the 330i, or the A4 3.0. The wobbly feel could be due to the smaller tires, and that could be changed with bigger rims and tires. The throttle response of most regular MB does feel slow compare to the BMWs.
As for the interior, because all the other cars have lighter color, charcoal does look "regular", but the quality and material used is definitely better than the crap they put in the G35 or 3.2TL.
i don't think that advertising has to do with who make the better compact sports sedan. Truth is the 330i and A4 3.0 are much better performer than the C320. Just like M3 will out handles the C32 in the mountains.
Magazines comparisons should not be a reason to purchase a car. People should buy cars to their liking, not because some magazine somewhere says which one is better.
As for the interior, because all the other cars have lighter color, charcoal does look "regular", but the quality and material used is definitely better than the crap they put in the G35 or 3.2TL.
i don't think that advertising has to do with who make the better compact sports sedan. Truth is the 330i and A4 3.0 are much better performer than the C320. Just like M3 will out handles the C32 in the mountains.
Magazines comparisons should not be a reason to purchase a car. People should buy cars to their liking, not because some magazine somewhere says which one is better.
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From: Vienna, Austria
Audi S4
You know car magazines rarely take into account anything except acceleration, handling, and how much leather and bulls**t is in the car. They don't consider stuff like "everybody in Atlanta has one" or anything like that.
That said, I would have the Audi #1, C320 #2, 330i #3 and so on. But if you are going on pure performance how can the BMW not win?
That said, I would have the Audi #1, C320 #2, 330i #3 and so on. But if you are going on pure performance how can the BMW not win?
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From: Behind the Orange Curtain, CA
C230K, 325iT
Agree with FrankW's comments. The throttle linkage on MB cars is deceptive - makes the car seem slower than it is because you need to step more deeply into the gas. I've driven some American cars which were calibrated at the other extreme - where the slightest pressure on the throttle made the car take off as though you floored it.
I seem to recall C&D has never been a huge fan of the C-class (except for the C32).
I seem to recall C&D has never been a huge fan of the C-class (except for the C32).
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
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Originally posted by MR325iT
I seem to recall C&D has never been a huge fan of the C-class (except for the C32).
I seem to recall C&D has never been a huge fan of the C-class (except for the C32).
But they did say that if people want to drive a 4 door sedan and a daily driver, C32 is a great choice.
compare to the last generation C-class, the new one is already much better as CD have said before.
Last edited by FrankW; Sep 1, 2002 at 12:11 AM.
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'01 C240/6
Analyzing the cars as sports sedans, those rankings seem about right. CD/RT, etc. tend to like sports sedans that are heavier on the "sports" side than the luxury side.
With that in mind, they seem to be right on:
1) The C320/C240 have very soft suspensions, not sporting AT ALL. Including the so called "sports" package. Sure, its better than a Buick, but nothing like a BMW or Audi.
2) The trottle response IS mushy. Esp. with the automatic, which is a big reason I would not buy an automatic C.
3) The price is a downside, compared to an Audi or BMW. No one is ever going to say that price is one of the C320's strong points.
Quote: "In the hills, our C-class went all wobbly. Its body weaves and dips and bobs and rolls and dives and squates whenever you start working the contact patches..."
If the test protocol calls for hard driving, the C is going to lose every time. Its just not made for that.
The BMW came in first because the 330i is a fantastic SPORTS sedan. I've driven one (with a stick) extensively, and its really a remarkable car - rocket quick, smooth with near-full-sports-car handling.
With that in mind, they seem to be right on:
1) The C320/C240 have very soft suspensions, not sporting AT ALL. Including the so called "sports" package. Sure, its better than a Buick, but nothing like a BMW or Audi.
2) The trottle response IS mushy. Esp. with the automatic, which is a big reason I would not buy an automatic C.
3) The price is a downside, compared to an Audi or BMW. No one is ever going to say that price is one of the C320's strong points.
Quote: "In the hills, our C-class went all wobbly. Its body weaves and dips and bobs and rolls and dives and squates whenever you start working the contact patches..."
If the test protocol calls for hard driving, the C is going to lose every time. Its just not made for that.
The BMW came in first because the 330i is a fantastic SPORTS sedan. I've driven one (with a stick) extensively, and its really a remarkable car - rocket quick, smooth with near-full-sports-car handling.
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
Originally posted by SoCal240/6
Analyzing the cars as sports sedans, those rankings seem about right. CD/RT, etc. tend to like sports sedans that are heavier on the "sports" side than the luxury side.
With that in mind, they seem to be right on:
1) The C320/C240 have very soft suspensions, not sporting AT ALL. Including the so called "sports" package. Sure, its better than a Buick, but nothing like a BMW or Audi.
2) The trottle response IS mushy. Esp. with the automatic, which is a big reason I would not buy an automatic C.
3) The price is a downside, compared to an Audi or BMW. No one is ever going to say that price is one of the C320's strong points.
Quote: "In the hills, our C-class went all wobbly. Its body weaves and dips and bobs and rolls and dives and squates whenever you start working the contact patches..."
If the test protocol calls for hard driving, the C is going to lose every time. Its just not made for that.
The BMW came in first because the 330i is a fantastic SPORTS sedan. I've driven one (with a stick) extensively, and its really a remarkable car - rocket quick, smooth with near-full-sports-car handling.
Analyzing the cars as sports sedans, those rankings seem about right. CD/RT, etc. tend to like sports sedans that are heavier on the "sports" side than the luxury side.
With that in mind, they seem to be right on:
1) The C320/C240 have very soft suspensions, not sporting AT ALL. Including the so called "sports" package. Sure, its better than a Buick, but nothing like a BMW or Audi.
2) The trottle response IS mushy. Esp. with the automatic, which is a big reason I would not buy an automatic C.
3) The price is a downside, compared to an Audi or BMW. No one is ever going to say that price is one of the C320's strong points.
Quote: "In the hills, our C-class went all wobbly. Its body weaves and dips and bobs and rolls and dives and squates whenever you start working the contact patches..."
If the test protocol calls for hard driving, the C is going to lose every time. Its just not made for that.
The BMW came in first because the 330i is a fantastic SPORTS sedan. I've driven one (with a stick) extensively, and its really a remarkable car - rocket quick, smooth with near-full-sports-car handling.
beside CD did test their car as Sports Sedans, not as entry level Luxury sedans. If it was the other way around the A4 3.0 would be the winner and follow by C320 than the 330i.
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From: San Francisco, CA
1996 C36 AMG, 1995 Volvo 850 Turbowagon
eh, think in another mag, the g35 come out on top of 3-series. i do like the look of the new a4...not too bad, although i thought the motion of the body of the car looked kinda odd going over bumps...
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From: Toledo, Ohio
Originally posted by steve s
eh, think in another mag, the g35 come out on top of 3-series. i do like the look of the new a4...not too bad, although i thought the motion of the body of the car looked kinda odd going over bumps...
eh, think in another mag, the g35 come out on top of 3-series. i do like the look of the new a4...not too bad, although i thought the motion of the body of the car looked kinda odd going over bumps...
The rankings were:
Infiniti G35
BMW 330i
Lexus IS300
Saab 9-5 Aero
Audi A4 3.0 Quattro
Acura 3.2 TL Type-S
Mercedes-Benz C320 Sport
Cadillac CTS
Volvo S60 T5
Jaguar X-Type 3.0
Lincoln LS
The BMW 330i is the clear winner in performance, but lost the comparo based on price.
*note - I love my oyster interior. No more boring, dark carcoal interior for me or my wife.
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Originally posted by SoCal240/6
3) The price is a downside, compared to an Audi or BMW. No one is ever going to say that
price is one of the C320's strong points.
I will. Admittedly, I priced the wagon versions of the C320, A4 and 325i and the C320 was entirely competitive, same as A4 and lower than the 325i (and Passat!).
Kal
3) The price is a downside, compared to an Audi or BMW. No one is ever going to say that
price is one of the C320's strong points.
I will. Admittedly, I priced the wagon versions of the C320, A4 and 325i and the C320 was entirely competitive, same as A4 and lower than the 325i (and Passat!).
Kal
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
Originally posted by DCX Engineer
That would be Road & Track - July, 2002.
The rankings were:
Infiniti G35
BMW 330i
Lexus IS300
Saab 9-5 Aero
Audi A4 3.0 Quattro
Acura 3.2 TL Type-S
Mercedes-Benz C320 Sport
Cadillac CTS
Volvo S60 T5
Jaguar X-Type 3.0
Lincoln LS
The BMW 330i is the clear winner in performance, but lost the comparo based on price.
*note - I love my oyster interior. No more boring, dark carcoal interior for me or my wife.
That would be Road & Track - July, 2002.
The rankings were:
Infiniti G35
BMW 330i
Lexus IS300
Saab 9-5 Aero
Audi A4 3.0 Quattro
Acura 3.2 TL Type-S
Mercedes-Benz C320 Sport
Cadillac CTS
Volvo S60 T5
Jaguar X-Type 3.0
Lincoln LS
The BMW 330i is the clear winner in performance, but lost the comparo based on price.
*note - I love my oyster interior. No more boring, dark carcoal interior for me or my wife.
If price is not a factor in R&T's test the 330i will definitely come out a winner.
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From: Afghanistan / South Florida / Camp Lejeune, NC
2008 BMW M6, 2008 Ducati 1098, 2008 Ducati Monster S2R1000, 1971 Ducati Scrambler
You just cannot go by anything Car & Driver says about Mercedes-Benz. They are so bias it's not even funny. In their 16 supercar shootout, they ranked the Renntech SL55k AMG 13th out of 16th and the Renntech SLK38 15th out of 16th when it was clear that both cars were far superior to nearly all of the cars in the field.
When Car and Driver did a 1/4 mile test of the Renntech SLK38 which packed 440hp and an insane amount of torque, it did it in 13.5 seconds. Yeah... right... there goes the little bit of credibility that Car and Driver had left.
When Car and Driver did a 1/4 mile test of the Renntech SLK38 which packed 440hp and an insane amount of torque, it did it in 13.5 seconds. Yeah... right... there goes the little bit of credibility that Car and Driver had left.
Last edited by Accord; Sep 1, 2002 at 07:30 PM.
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From: Sitting behind thing freakin desk of mine. Dreaming I was playing my Taylors, and driving my Benz. Long Live The VRAA!!!!!!
C230 Sports Coupe
The SLK32 will do the quarter quicker than 13.5. WTF were they smoking?
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
Originally posted by Accord
You just cannot go by anything Car & Driver says about Mercedes-Benz. They are so bias it's not even funny. In their 16 supercar shootout, they ranked the Renntech SL55k AMG 13th out of 16th and the Renntech SLK38 15th out of 16th when it was clear that both cars were far superior to nearly all of the cars in the field.
When Car and Driver did a 1/4 mile test of the Renntech SLK38 which packed 440hp and an insane amount of torque, it did it in 13.5 seconds. Yeah... right... there goes the little bit of credibility that Car and Driver had left.
You just cannot go by anything Car & Driver says about Mercedes-Benz. They are so bias it's not even funny. In their 16 supercar shootout, they ranked the Renntech SL55k AMG 13th out of 16th and the Renntech SLK38 15th out of 16th when it was clear that both cars were far superior to nearly all of the cars in the field.
When Car and Driver did a 1/4 mile test of the Renntech SLK38 which packed 440hp and an insane amount of torque, it did it in 13.5 seconds. Yeah... right... there goes the little bit of credibility that Car and Driver had left.
i actually seen video of a Viper GTS lose to a Civic in 1/4 miles because of wheel spin on the Viper.
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Look on the bright side. The MB was not the most expensive,plus it probably has the best resale value. Personally I think the whole 3 series line is looking a little dated (besides that you can't escape them, they are everywhere in the Toronto area). I do like the A4 though.
wrabs
wrabs
