terranical 1.8

I am of the personal opion that a 3 series is a supior car performance wise. I have driven the 330ci convertable 5 speed and the 330 (last model style) boxer type car. The 2 seater was ***** to the wall fast and handled great from what I remember. The 330 was fast a well and handled better than my stock set up for sure. I have not driven these cars in a while so my impressions have gotten fuzzy.

My question is how close after modding the suspension does the MB come to matching the BMW's stock handling. Forget power, cant seem to win in that category. The reason I ask is I will be getting a new car in about 6 months. If my car handles like a 3 series now, then I'll look for a different car, no need to buy something I already have. Im more about handling and less about power.

Im not trying to start a discussion on which car is better here. I just want to know how close I come to what I concider a better handling mark.

My set up is H&R Cupkit with AMG sways, Superleggera 18" rims.

preyx

Cupkit + sways? Your suspension is as good as it's gonna get. Most likely it'll be better than a stock Bimmer, since even their sport packages still come on the soft side, to satisfy the majority of their buyers.

CitronC230K_03

MB is a good combo of performance and luxury. of course the bimmer will be better performance wise, im not saying that its not. this topic gets discussed over and over, and if you look closely, youll see a dead horse over there on the left.

preyx

Guest0001

imo cupkit and AMG sways are ok, but if you want superior handling its not the answer.

jbcritch

Get a 330 PPi (performance package) which is the 330 sport sedan with upgrades, or get the base 330 and have them install a Dinan kit. BMW seems devoted to their owners as they advertise Dinan as an aftermarket company and they install the parts and it does NOT void your warranty. If you really want performance - go 330 with a Dinan suspension setup installed at the dealership!
happy hunting.

Buellwinkle

I've driven the Bimmer and MB C320 back to back, neither with the sport package and the MB handled better and had about the same performance. I've never driven the 330 with the sport package but I would imagine it's comperable to the C320 sport. MB and BMW have been doing one up's-manship on performance and handling for years, if one is better one year then other catches up. The performance package on the Bimmer does look like it will beat the C320, of course at a price. Then you have to ask youself, if performance is that important, why not get the M3 (one of the last of the 6 cylinder high performance cars), S4 or C55.

CitronC230K_03

personally i think the exterior of the bimmer looks good but the interior is gawd aweful.

prodigy1387

i hear that. i HATE how the center console is turned towards the driver.

Guest0001

Well thats bmw for you. They spend there entire R&D into suspension and engine,etc. They fail to understand that interiors have SOME IMPORTANCE! Benz is just a better all around car.

CitronC230K_03

thats why i think mercedes is a perfect blend of looks, performance and comfort.

Guest0001

Id like to add a modified MB. With an aftermarket suspension MB is perfect.

CitronC230K_03

true, i did add the AMG sways and im planning on new shocks and springs eventually.

jbcritch

That is where I certainly disagree. I really loved the console turned towards me in my 330Cic. I could read the radio at a glance, adjust the air, stereo, etc, without much problem. Seems to me that driving a car is just about that - DRIVING - not about whether my passengers can see my controls or not and IMHO BMW makes driving easier on the eyes by placing the console towards the driver. They also make cupholders that work (at least in the 3).

Also the reason to get a 330PPi and not an M3 is the 4 doors. You cannot get a 4 door M3 in the states....last year for that was what....1990? No plans on making one either for us. the 330PPi matches the old school M3 performance (230 hp) and gives you the 4 doors that many drivers want/need.

Again...it is just my opinion. I love my benz, but my BMW was a much better driving car....despite not being as luxurious.

prodigy1387

guess it all depends on the person, personal preference. to me, the center console in the 3 series doesn't make it any easier for me to see the radio or a/c controls, or to use them, just because it's slightly shifted towards me. my arms are long enough to easily control those items without me having to shift my body in my car. i can also glance at them without having to shift my body, or take extreme focus off of the road. in fact, the buttons on my steering wheel make it easiest to change my radio/cd, which almost completely eliminates my touching the radio control buttons on the center console. if they wanted to do something like that, i prefer how mercedes gently slopes the center console outwards in the E and S classes. that makes the interior look stunning and elegant, as well as aiming to help ergonomics, as opposed to this random shift to the left of the center console, making the dash and everything look awkward. that's all IMHO.

tommy

I don't see why that's a bad thing, though.

If you want a more pure driver's car, you get a BMW. If you want a more comfortable cruiser, you get the Mercedes. It's good to have options, esp. when the differences are pretty well drawn.

CitronC230K_03

thats why there are sooo many different types of cars out there. to fill every little niche and suit everyones individual needs.

Jon200

The bimmer is a much better driving car when u thrash it everytime u sit behind the steering wheel. I can assure u, the difference between the two around town is minimal, barely enough to be noticed by many

tommy

And those are the ones who buy MBs. No offense, but if you don't want to push your car to get the performance out of it, a BMW really shouldn't be #1 on your list.