oggle

Here's my take:

Luxury can't be modded aftermarket, but sportiness CAN.

Just slap on some Eibach sway bars, H&R sports suspension, wheels, pullies, and the 330 will be just another car in the rear view mirror.

DL_AMG

When I had my first BMW (brand new 325is), it breaks down on the first day I drive off the lot. And for the following 3 yrs of ownership, I always see some red light lid up inside the warning instrument.
With this expriance, I will not get another BMW period.

FrankW

$3700 to be exact. With the p pkg, a 330i will cost about $39k

you get what you pay for. Alcantara w/nappa leather insert, alcantara steering wheel, real carbonfiber interior trim, 18" multi-spoke low profile rims and tires, 10 more hp (new cams and a modified electronic mangement system, short throw shifter, and a M-tuned suspension. I think it's worth it.

FrankW

the 330 can be luxury too if one chose to have the premium pkg to go with the sport pkg. Like I did with my E46 328Ci.

oggle

Nothing you can do to fix the cheap looking interior of the 3 series. Sorry.

Guest0001

lolllll

ditto that

FrankW

hey, if you're biased, you're biased, sorry. I can't change that

Guest0001

hey FrankW

im curious why you did not get an M3?

it seems to me u like bmw more. and dont say its because u wanted 4 doors.

FrankW

you've said it "4-door" and another reason is that I've already had the E46 328Ci which is pretty much the same with the M3 interior wise. Just wanted something different. In the end I'm very happy with my choice.

it's not about the brand name, it's about the car. Maybe I like the C32 more, who knows

I don't know, when I saw the picture of the C32, I knew that's wat I wanted and not the M3. But if i was choosing between the 330i sport or C320, I'd probably pick the Bimmer like I said.

The regular C320 just doesn't get my interest, but C32 is something different...there is just something about it.

oggle

I'm assuming you're talking about yourself?

As for me, no I'm not biased. One of the major factors for me when deciding between the 330ci and the C320 was the difference in the luxury feel of the interior. I liked the sportiness of the 330, but the cheap looking inside really killed the deal for me.

FrankW

u assume too much. read my previous posts. I'm not the one that keeps saying 3-series has a cheap interior. btw, if you've read my previous posts "I had a 328Ci" before the C32. Me, biased? blah...watever you say.

how does two car with different design make one another cheap?! There are some stuff in the 3 that are not well made (the moonroof cover,glove compartment, etc), but that is also true with the C-class (sun visor, ait vents, etc)

Mike T.

I have to agree about the BMW interior. Although it's made out of generally OK to good materials, it has the look of a 1980s Honda dash, and is similar to that introduced in 1975 on the first 320i. It's REALLY dated - they haven't upgraded the ergonomics or look in a serious way for at least 20 years.

The other knock against the 3er is the body styling. It is so boring. I can't say I'm a fan of Chris Bangle's BMW designs generally (however I LOVED his Fiat Coupé), but BMW needs a shakeup in the styling department. To me, the 2003 3er looks like a slightly morphed 1975 320i - it's not been daring enough. BMW buyers must have been very conservative for this to persist through so many generations of 3 Series cars.

But if I was looking for a stripper German sedan, it'd still have to be the 320i; at 34,000 CDN with alloys (every dealer will throw them in - it was even a BMW Canada promotion for a while) it's good value for money, faster than a C 240 and blows the C 240 into the weeds in fuel economy too. Plus the 2.2 L version of the IL 6 is the smoothest engine BMW makes, bar none. Very sweet.

For me, I could not see buying any 3er other than a 320i though, as the more upmarket you go in terms of price, the more the passé interior grates. I could not see blowing $45 K+ on any 3er.

When it comes to the $65K+ M3, they have a fragile, raucous and rough engine which would be an additional reason to avoid it (on top of the 1970s interior). Oh, and the 4 Pontiac Grand-Am tailpipes are so stupid, really, does that kind of nonsense impress anyone other than 9 year old boys?

Mercedes is missing out on the opportunity to sell the C 200 K in Canada. It could compete directly with the 320i on price and be close in performance (the C 200 K is about as fast as the C 240, but massacres it in fuel economy).

Summary: go for the BMW 330i if you value performance and good fuel economy above all else and can get over the homely styling and dismal interior. Go for Mercedes if you like the relatively luxurious ambience, the comfortable ride (not as good as a Peugeot, but, hey, it's German) and can put up with the gas-guzzling, slightly rough 90 degree 3.2 L V6. Get Xenon lights if you want to avoid the heavy-lidded sleepy-eyed regular sedan lights - the worst feature of the car. I now like the look of Bi-Xenon far better than the standard lights.

FrankW

how is this 1970???

at least show me some 1970's 320 interior and exterior shot to explain that why you feel the way you feel.

btw this is a new M3's interior

quad exaust certainlly impress those with CL55, S55, E55, and SL55. oh yeah, and the Murcielago, 360, McLaren F1, etc. want me to go on?

FrankW

79 323i

now tell me where do they look similar besides the traditional BMW tach-speedo dash.

Mike T.

Thanks for being able to prove my point for me

Look again! They're so similar it's not funny! There are nearly 30 years between those designs! Does it really look like that to you? Not me!

Compare the dash of a 1975 Mercedes 240 to a 2003 C 240 and THAT will show you a difference!

Guest0001

if i was going to spend 65 grand on an M3, i would expect much more then what u just showed me. that is not right at all. no wonder u got a c32

and they want a 5- 10 grand mark up on these cars??? get the **** outta here. stupidass dealers. they better **** and suck the hell outta if the want that markup. the only way id get the m3 is if i get massive discount!!! hell forget ill go for the c32!

FrankW

again, WHERE are you looking at???? all you said is "They're so similar it's not funny". WHERE are you looking at?

I don't see the point comparing a 1975 MB to a 2003 C-class because there was NO C-class back in 1975. Why don't you look at the W202 C-class and the W203? almost every buttom on the center dash is in the same place, except one is more rounded and one is more square. There's more change in interior from the E36 to E46 3-series than W202 to W203.

FrankW

that guys car only has the NAV and no charge optional red leather interior. The msrp is probably around $50k. The M3s are selling below msrp now.

my friend's 03 M3 was $64 OTD. He has everything, NAV, park tronic, Harman Kardon, SMG II, nappa leather, and 10 way adjustable 3 memory seats with adjustable lumbar support. It's a pretty luxury coupe IMo.

btw, this is really getting offffffff topic here guys. Where is the dude that post the question anyway?

oggle

Then please don't throw out such an accusation then thank you.

Yup and the Civic is just as luxurious as the BMW too?

Go do a survey. I'm pretty sure the majority of the people would say the C sedan is more luxurious than the 3 series. The stingy little buttons of the 3 series imho is what makes it look less luxurious. Sure it looks sportier, but it much less luxurious compaired to the w203.

It's a give and take.

FrankW

what does this have to do with Civic? Why do you keep bringing up stuff that's not even relevant? "Nothing you can do to fix the cheap looking interior of the 3 series. Sorry." if this is not a bias commet than what is? because you are not even considering different turners that does the modification for BMW.

that's because you'll get an biased answer on the MB forum. Same thing would happen if you do the survey on BMW forum.

btw, what you just said is just repeating of what i said from the beginning, thank you. But not because of the smaller buttoms, but the brand image that MB and BMW had created over decades. One is more luxurious brand because of the S-class, and the other one has a more sporty image because of many of the M cars that were produced. i.e. M1, the first M5, etc.

Guest0001

i actually like the new civic interior it does look decent considering its a honda

the 3 series does not have wood standard on their cars so definitely there is no luxury setting (even if it did, it does not much the car at all)

ahhh im glad i like benz. i am a luxury person i guess.

hey frank, do u like the c32's metal trim in place of the wood??? i personly think its disgusting. no wood and benz is a total oxymoron i just love my wood

oggle

That comment about the Civic was directly for this remark you made:
Just following your logic.

No, you accused me of being biased. If that's the case I'm saying the same back to you. If you say you're not, then I'm not also. Fair?

No it's not just the brand name image. It's the physical comparison of the e46 interior vs. the w203 interior.

I don't know why you're so defensive about this. One is sportier looking and the other is more luxurious.

J P

Consumers Report
Fit & Finish
330i: excellent, C320: excellent

Edmunds
Interior Materials
330i: 93, C320: 77

Car & Driver
Fit & Finish
330i: 9, C320: 9

Road & Track
Interior Styling
330i: 12.8, C320: 12.3





I have yet to see any editorial give the W203 C-Class a better rating than the E46 3-Series for fit & finish, interior materials, & interior styling. I think both interiors are excellent.

Go to E46Fanatics.com, they'll all say the W203 C-Class interior is cheap compared to the E46 3-Series, & vice versa here. It is bias to what you own.

IMO, the C320 is more luxurious while the 330i is more sporty. Cost is about the same, w/ equal room (both compacts).

Both auto, the 330i is a bit faster, & has better handling. Since Benz manuals don't seem to improve times, I assume the 330i manual would own the C320 6-sp.

Exterior styling is completely subjective but I prefer the 330i. The # of safety features is equal, & both do well in NHTSA & IIHS tests. Because they're relatively close in all areas, I'd say C320 because the 330i will be redesigned soon (06 model yr is the new 3er).

PS, I own a E46 3-Series but am considering a W203 C-Class, B6 A4, & another E46 3-Series as my next car.

FrankW

J P, that's just what I'm talking about.

My 328Ci had birds eye maple interior trim, which it has better quality than the standard wood trim in the C-class. IMO the wood trim in the C-class looks plastic.

let me see if i can find a picture of my 328's interior...

FrankW

not my old car, but it's pretty much the same except mine was auto. My shiftnob was full birds eye maple as well.



this is what my shiftnob looks like