MarkS

Very shortly I will be buying another car. I am giving my car to my sister and am going to get either an 01 325i or an 02 C240 sedan. The 325 has about 30K miles while the C240 has 15K miles. I like the color of the Mercedes better with black/tan were as I do not like the 3er's silver/black. The interior is nicer on the BMW, it is a lot simpler, and it has all power seats but the Mercedes is half power and half manual. The C240 felt a little slower, they are both auto. I reall like how they both look. I just wanted to hear what you guys think I should objectively do, I will also as on a BMW forum. Thanks a lot, Mark.

MJ50

it really depends on ur taste.
if u want sporty car, go wid 325i.
if u want luxury car, go wid C320.

i had a choice between 325i and C240.
325i was a bit cheaper.
chose C240 over 325i because:
- too many BMWs around my area.
- SmartKey looks nicer than BMW's :p
- 325i's ignition is located where Hondas and Toyotas are
- 325i does not have vent in the rear
- MB's automatic shift looks better than BMW's

p.s. i really didn't consider much of handling & horsepower when i bought the car.

LorinserCClass

Just on the fact alone that the E46 has been updated and I think its having a complete over haul soon is enough reason to get a 203. You wont be driving around the 'old' body style. Well not for another couple of years. 240 engine is very slow btw. If you noticed it now you will definetly despise it as you drive the car around more often.

amdeutsch

Your post talks about a C240 and a C320. They way you talk about it it sounds like a C240. Which one is it as there is a big difference between the 2.
Regardless of which forum you go to the ultimate choice will be yours: Luxury versus handling. Which do you value more.

P.S.
The MB will most likely have a year up on the "paid for" maintenance.

brabus c

well my buddy has a BMW and here are the comparissons that i have between to two cars.... 325 has more torque than the c240 therefore you feel the difference when you drive the two....

amdeutsch

He did say 325i and not 325ci. But thats OK. You got an MB.

EDIT:
Not that it makes a difference since the engine is the same.

brabus c

ops did not read carefully enough....i dont like the 325i it has no arm rest....

MarkS

Sorry for the error, I meant the C240. Also, the BMW is a sedan. I like the Benz and kind of feel like it is time for a change, but the 3 is classic. How hard/expensive is it to get power from the 240 engine, on BMWs it is very expensive. I have not had a very lengthly test drive yet, but the handling is still very good on the MB, no? Thanks again.
Funny but true brabus c, although it has one and I have never seen one without, but you do have to pay for it.

ggong5150

I had an E46 323 for 4 years and sold it to buy my C320. The 325 engine is very powerful for an inline six. I installed strut bars, cold air intake, sport springs, and a Supersprint exhaust on mine and noticed a big difference immediately. I haven't had the chance to drive the C240 but the power from the BMW is instant and with my C320 it seems at times it takes longer to react when you mash the pedal. As far as handling the BMW in my opinion handles much better. I like the looks of the MB better as all I see now are E46 3s. If you like handling then go with the BMW you won't be disappointed. If you want luxury and all the immenities then go with the C240. Either way they are both great cars. Good luck!

MarkS

Thanks guys, this place is great. I think that I will not get the 240, but will look at other Mercs. Not too many BMWs or MBs around here so that is not a concern.

r_liebo

so here are my thoughts. The BMW is better built -- if you are buying used, I'd go BMW, b/c there is a much smaller risk of inheriting a lemon.
BMW is a better performance car. It is faster than the C240 and has a much better engine, even though BMW auto trannys suck out a ton of power. It also handles a lot better. Merc has a better ride and is quieter on the road.
Looks are subjective, but as mentioned above, the BMW is being redesigned very shortly, so the 325 will look dated more quickly.

Between these two, particularly used, I'd go BMW.

MarkS

Things have come together such that I am going to get the 325. The 240 was too slow, I do not want a 4 cylinder, and there are no 320s around. THe only reason I am somewhat disapointed is that I am a little sick of the 3 and soon there will be a new version out. I will have to mod this one a lot I guess. Maybe I will be back some day Thanks guys.

brabus c

its not a 4 cylinder

LorinserCClass

feels like one...

Frank B

If you want track handling get the BMW. If you want superb road handling and ride get the 240. As far as power is concerned I have a 03 240 4matic and I'm very satisfied. It feels like it has more power than its advertised horsepower.

I came from an 01 Audi S4 so I know what it is to have lots of power. I miss the blazing acceleration of the S4, but not that much The 240 has adequate powerand I prefer the ride/handling combination.

brabus c

thats cuz you have dead bodies in the trunk

Guest0001

Between a C240 and 325 I would get a 325.

I Am not at all a performance person but the C240 is just way to underpowered. 325 is a little bit better but not by much!

Only Solution C320

r_liebo

Agreed!

MJ50

did u know SC parking structures have more BMWs than any BMW dealer in SoCal?

most of my friends drive BMWs... definitely a nice car...
only one drives MB...
i had to think a lot before i made my choice...

Junbug

Hey MarkS,

Have you driven a 2003 C230 with a Kompressor? That's what I have and have been pretty pleased with the power (not the fastest, but quick enough around town and on highways). If the C240 (V6) is not powergul enough, this might be an alternative to the Bimmer.

MarkS

When I said I did not want a 4 cylinder, I was talking about the 230K. While I have not driven one I tend to not like 4s. What performance options are there for the 230K? Thanks, Mark.

trench

For the sedans and newer coupes with the 1.8L there really aren't any major ones, save for a CPU upgrade which a couple of people on here have done.

For the 2.3L 2002 C-coupe (which may not be your cup of tea since you've mostly been discussing sedans), the best mod is probably a larger crank pulley, which spins the supercharger faster and is good for about 20-30 additional hp.