jws444

A big thanks to all the posters here for providing so much info. I never really needed to post much as the info was already here!

After almost 7 years with MB (2004 Coupe, 2007 C230 Sport) I've decided to go elsewhere for my next car. There's just nothing in the lineup that makes me excited. I know I didn't want to transition straight in to a C250 or C300. The GLK was the only thing remotely interesting as I drive to the boss' cabin every so often. The extra space would've been great for these trips. However, the space is useless when i'm in the city with just my GF and myself. The deal was sealed when I test drove the GLK last week in hopes of igniting a spark. Sorry to say the experience was a bit bland. After reading so many good reviews here (and all the GLK youtube videos) about how fast the 3.5 engine is, I was disappointed that it was only a little faster than my 2.5 engine. I guess the bulk of the car played a factor in it too. Even with the 20" rims and low profile rubber, the car wallowed a lot. Maybe I had expected too much since I also read that people found the car nimble with a sporty feel. I now fear that these people have been driving their bathtubs around town as it wasn't remotely close to the level of expectation, or hype.

I still like MBs and especially the drivers. All have been gracious and farily kind. Maybe one day I'll be back when they make a niche car that fits my needs.

Cheers all and enjoy your rides.

GuidosGottaBenz

Ull be back hahaha

TemjinX2

good luck with your new ride.

samaritrey

so what are you looking at to replace the mb's.

jws444

I don't mind talking about my new car as long as it's ok with the rules since it's obviously not a MB. I don't want to start a flame war.

I just picked up a BMW 135i today. First impressions were the same as the test drive. Wow. What a fun car to drive. Now I have a small taste of what the C63 guys are ranting and raving about and how getting into a car can put a smile on your face. Revving can make you smile. Hell, sitting at a red light waiting for it to turn green can make you smile. I had honestly forgotten that feeling. Something unwittingly matured my senses prematurely. Perhaps it was the planted yet soft ride of MB suspensions? The deadness of the accelerator pedal? I think I was forced to age like fine wine when I really wanted to be a (Bavarian) beer!! lol.

Seriously though, I found the 135 had everything built-in already that I would've had to tinker with if I had kept the W203 sport. The 135 is amazingly fast, handles well and is a good touring car when driven calmly. Did I mention it was fast? I would've never had enough money or time (or desire) to make the C230 sport into a 5.4 second car. With the Bimmer, everything just came in one neat package. Granted, it's smaller than a C sedan -- it's about the same size as the C coupe. Surprisingly though, the trunk is not much smaller than the C sedan. The 135 is missing 2 inches of leg room in the back and 2 doors, making it even more difficult to get in and out of. But being a daily driver to/from work, I'm not ferrying people around at all.

In the end at the risk of sounding conceited, I really want people to feel what I felt today.(I think it was 120 in 2nd gear) Seeing that the forums are full of drivers wanting more dynamics out of their cars, is it futile to try and drastically change the fundamental mature style of MB's into something that's possibly not meant to be? Given the time and cost involved, I now see the logic of moving to a competitor that has provided the package sought.

kickR

Everyone who is going to give you a hard time because of the 135 is just ignorant. IMO you made the best possible choice. Incredible engine, much nicer interior (and I am usually no BMW interior fan) than any equal value MB and you get the 4 years free maintenance with it. Since it's just you and your girlfriend, you aren't missing out on the back seat space too much either. Enjoy it, although it sounds like you already are

samaritrey

+1 i have not driven the 135 yet only the 128 but it was nice. if they brought the 1 series 4 door to the states i would consider one. i like 4 doors so my next car will most likely be a c55. I really want a slk 55 or a g55 but they cost more and are not as practical. lol c55 practical should not be anywhere close to each other. i plan to keep my c320 forever though so i could get away with having a 2 door but i want to go fast with 3 friends in the car GL with your bmw my family has had issues with them but every car maker has some bad eggs.

SeaCoupe

Foremost, I like the 135. Nice car.

I think you are comparing two different cars. The Coupe didn't come with a suspension like the 135, nor the power output. The GLK and the 135, two different classes.

Enjoy the drive.

LILBENZ230

That didn't sound conceited, just a bit.. dumb? 2nd gear isn't taking you to 120mph. 2nd runs out at about 65MPH in the 6MT. And if you didn't get the 6-speed, you're missing out big time.

The 135i is a fantastic drive and I completely understand where you are coming from. It connects on an emotional level that I've never found in a Benz. Gigantic V8s in small sport sedans gets you either a hearty helping of understeer (C55) or a car that is completely out of control (C63). The BMW dynamics are superb and I was a skeptic of all the praise until I owned one. The feel of the wheel, the sound of the I6, it's such great fun!

Of course the RFT suck and are shot at 13,000 miles.

tommy

I'd think that should be the first mod on any Bimmer. I would definitely for my next car get a 1 series (especially the 5-door, which we should get!) over any current MB, but the runflats do rub me the wrong way for a company that otherwise is so much more driver-oriented than the competition.

LILBENZ230

Don't get me wrong, the RFTs were fine for sporty driving and offered plenty of grip. They just were loud, rough and wore out really fast... and are expensive to replace.

jws444

Thanks all for the kind comments and advice.

Sorry, I should've mentioned kph, not mph. I did not go 120mph in 2nd! And also, I should've put "in about 6.5 seconds" to put things into scale. But regardless, I guess I was trying to emphasize the emotional aspect of it all rather than technical because honestly, I wasn't even looking at my gauges.

Current gas consumption is through the roof. Averaging 19l/100km. I put 100kms on the car yesterday with 1/3 tank used. I wanted to drive more but I didnt want to get stuck in traffic from the Olympic opening ceremonies. I remember my C 230 had horrendous efficiency during the break-in period as well. I'll burn through a few tanks before seeing change for sure.

jws444

I do appreciate not having to lug around a spare though! What did you replace with? Would you go wider with 265's? It would be harder to kick-out the rear though with the added traction, but straight line performance may improve.

LILBENZ230

I've yet to replace them. The 135 doesn't see the huge mileage my C230 does. Gas mileage of the 135 is about 21mpg average for me.

tommy

I'm with Ed. A direct comparison between the 135 and any Benz, other than on price alone, would make no sense at all.

sky

jws444, seems like you are from vancouver

which bmw dealer did u get it from and if you don't mind telling me (either on board or PM) how much you pick it up for ....

Thanks!

Evolved8

keep us updated with some pictures

jws444

Isn't the process of shopping to do exactly that? To make direct comparisons from what each automaker has to offer in a given price point? I understand where you're coming from but these were the cars on my short list for my needs. And for me, I did have a set budget in mind so price was a huge factor. It just worked out for me that BMW was a better value to me at this point in my life. If I had kids, that would've been a different story for certain.

jws444

Took a few shots while it was in the delivery bay.

LILBENZ230

I think what they mean is that the price of a GLK350 and 135i are pretty similar, but how much different could they be? You shopped based on your needs, you didn't directly compare because you couldn't compare a small SUV with a small sport coupe.

And I think you made a fine choice. The W204 C-class is quite uninspiring in C300 or 350 form (no manual transmission unless you want the slower 300 instead of the less slow 350). The C63 is just tacky and ridiculous.

LILBENZ230

Isn't she lovely... a 2010, I like your rims better. Mine is a 2009 135i with the Sport and Premium packages, black/black, with a 6-speed manual. Price was $38,550 USD, discounted from a $41,900 sticker and shipped here from NC in April 2009.

jws444

Dealt with Autowest BMW on Shell and Cambie in Richmond. It has to be the biggest dealership in Western Canada. Tag price with options came to just over 51k + taxes for a new 135. But they gave (without much bantering too) a 4k discount and a 1.9% rate because the car was on the lot. They wouldn't have moved nearly as much if it needed to be built.

A loaded GLK at the Richmond Automall wouldve been around 54k and MB offered me 3.75% rate and needed to be built. He wouldn't really budge on the sticker price even though I sincerely told him about considering a BMW. I went back to BMW and bought the 135 right after leaving MB.

jws444

I know that mug well. A beauty! We have different packages here in Canada. Our M package comes with the those rims, sports seats and M steering wheel. I think you guys can cherry-pick many of the options whereas it's all bundled in expensive packages here.

kickR

Sorry to say, but when it comes to comparisons, the question is always: What can I get for my money" and "how does it relate to my personal needs".

He did exactly that and ended up with the 135.

In the end he DID compare two/ several cars and DID end up with one. He did the comparison and in the end figured out that for his own needs the 135 has the right size, and the wanted power.

He was never talking about a comparison between two of the same kind, such as the X3 to the GLK, hence I don't get what you were aiming for with your post

LILBENZ230

No ours are bundled in packages. The M Sport package comes with sport seats, M-steering wheel and shifter, blacked out trim and the rims my car has. The premium package added real leather to the interior, homelink, power folding mirrors, and a few other things I can't recall.