new member here, C320 or 330 CI
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new member here, C320 or 330 CI
hey guys, ima new member, i want to get either a C320 or 330Ci. I want to note that i want to get automatic no matter which car i get. im stuck between these choices. what do u guys think? and convince me to get a C320 over the 330CI 
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Tough choice
That is a tough choice. As a former BMW owner they are great cars. As a new Mercedes owner, I love my C320 and am glad I bought it. In my opinion it seems the 330s are luxury with more of a sport feel. Mercedes has improved on the sport feel but is more luxury than the Beem. I believe you a talking about a 2 door as opposed to 4 with the different cars. That was where I had trouble deciding but the Mercedes has done a great job making a 4 door car have an apearance of being a coupe. Decisions,decisions,decisions- good luck!
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Don't ask us to make a decison for you. Drive both and buy why you like not what other people convince you to do This is a MB forum so what do you think people are really going to say ?
I suppose you posted this question in the BMW forum as well.
Next thing you will want us to pick your girlfriend for you .
I suppose you posted this question in the BMW forum as well.
Next thing you will want us to pick your girlfriend for you .
Last edited by viper; Jun 8, 2002 at 01:26 PM.
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I shopped both cars, too, with autos a must. I consider them to be exact matches (within 10HP) of each other, at least pricewise, marketwise and demographically.
The 330 tips the scale more toward sporty. The C320 tips the scale more toward luxury. But the C-Class can be plenty entertaining (sporty) when you want it to be. The deciding factor for me is that the C320 is not as common as the Bimmer, hence more interesting/exclusive for me. 3-series Bimmers are common as Chevies where I live. You may also find you can buy more standard equipment for less money with the C320.
But Viper is right. Only you can decide what you want.
The 330 tips the scale more toward sporty. The C320 tips the scale more toward luxury. But the C-Class can be plenty entertaining (sporty) when you want it to be. The deciding factor for me is that the C320 is not as common as the Bimmer, hence more interesting/exclusive for me. 3-series Bimmers are common as Chevies where I live. You may also find you can buy more standard equipment for less money with the C320.
But Viper is right. Only you can decide what you want.
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From: Afghanistan / South Florida / Camp Lejeune, NC
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If you go with the C320 Sport, you will not regret it and you will be happy you chose it over the BMW. For one thing, the C320 is a LOT safer than the 330ci. If you're a young kid, you will probably be more partial to the BMW, however you cannot go wrong with the C320. I don't like the feel of the BMW 3-Series, the seats are extremely uncomfortable and the car just feels "boxey" on the inside.
The C320 is also a very fresh, new design, the BMW 3-Series is very dated, they've been using the same body style for some 20 years and just modifying it very little a few years to give it a more modern look. When I leave my house to goto a supermarket 5 miles away, I will see probably 20 BMW 3-Series on my way there, and then another 20-40 in the parking lot. BMW's are just WAY to common. If i'm lucky, I will see one or two Mercedes-Benz C-Classes.
The C320 Sport also looks a whole lot better than the BMW 3-Series, or any other BMW for that matter, in my opinion.
I don't like BMW's, and I never have.
The C320 is also a very fresh, new design, the BMW 3-Series is very dated, they've been using the same body style for some 20 years and just modifying it very little a few years to give it a more modern look. When I leave my house to goto a supermarket 5 miles away, I will see probably 20 BMW 3-Series on my way there, and then another 20-40 in the parking lot. BMW's are just WAY to common. If i'm lucky, I will see one or two Mercedes-Benz C-Classes.
The C320 Sport also looks a whole lot better than the BMW 3-Series, or any other BMW for that matter, in my opinion.
I don't like BMW's, and I never have.
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
Originally posted by Accord
If you go with the C320 Sport, you will not regret it and you will be happy you chose it over the BMW. For one thing, the C320 is a LOT safer than the 330ci. If you're a young kid, you will probably be more partial to the BMW, however you cannot go wrong with the C320. I don't like the feel of the BMW 3-Series, the seats are extremely uncomfortable and the car just feels "boxey" on the inside.
The C320 is also a very fresh, new design, the BMW 3-Series is very dated, they've been using the same body style for some 20 years and just modifying it very little a few years to give it a more modern look. When I leave my house to goto a supermarket 5 miles away, I will see probably 20 BMW 3-Series on my way there, and then another 20-40 in the parking lot. BMW's are just WAY to common. If i'm lucky, I will see one or two Mercedes-Benz C-Classes.
The C320 Sport also looks a whole lot better than the BMW 3-Series, or any other BMW for that matter, in my opinion.
I don't like BMW's, and I never have.
If you go with the C320 Sport, you will not regret it and you will be happy you chose it over the BMW. For one thing, the C320 is a LOT safer than the 330ci. If you're a young kid, you will probably be more partial to the BMW, however you cannot go wrong with the C320. I don't like the feel of the BMW 3-Series, the seats are extremely uncomfortable and the car just feels "boxey" on the inside.
The C320 is also a very fresh, new design, the BMW 3-Series is very dated, they've been using the same body style for some 20 years and just modifying it very little a few years to give it a more modern look. When I leave my house to goto a supermarket 5 miles away, I will see probably 20 BMW 3-Series on my way there, and then another 20-40 in the parking lot. BMW's are just WAY to common. If i'm lucky, I will see one or two Mercedes-Benz C-Classes.
The C320 Sport also looks a whole lot better than the BMW 3-Series, or any other BMW for that matter, in my opinion.
I don't like BMW's, and I never have.
as a former 2000 328CI owner i would recommand him to get a 330CI simply it is a better sports car. if he is looking for the room in the back as a new C32 owner i can tell you that both have little leg room and the C-class has much less head room in the back. if still want more sport and room, go with the 330I sport.
John would you care to explain how the new 3 looks the same as the previous E36 or even the E30? the 3-coupe only came out at the end of 99 as a 2000 model and my old 328CI was one of the first that rolled off the lot of dealership. the double round headlight is a trade mark of BMW. same goes for the grill on the MB.
the seats between the two if opt for sport pkg. the 3 will have a tighter side support. if one feel uncomfortable it is because the seat in the 3 are more sports like or maybe we are just too FAT
Fun to drive factor, you will have to drive them both.
maybe it's because of the charcoal in my C32, the interior feels smaller than my old 328CI. "boxey" might apply to the E36 3-series but definitely not the E46 3-series.
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From: Afghanistan / South Florida / Camp Lejeune, NC
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Originally posted by FrankW
John would you care to explain how the new 3 looks the same as the previous E36 or even the E30? the 3-coupe only came out at the end of 99 as a 2000 model and my old 328CI was one of the first that rolled off the lot of dealership. the double round headlight is a trade mark of BMW. same goes for the grill on the MB.
John would you care to explain how the new 3 looks the same as the previous E36 or even the E30? the 3-coupe only came out at the end of 99 as a 2000 model and my old 328CI was one of the first that rolled off the lot of dealership. the double round headlight is a trade mark of BMW. same goes for the grill on the MB.
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From: Vancouver Island, B.C. Canada
2005 smart cabrio; 2008 Mercedes-Benz B 200
crash test ratings
Originally posted by FrankW
both the 3-series and C-class got highest rating by IIOHS.
both the 3-series and C-class got highest rating by IIOHS.
On the other hand, the EuroNCAP tests are more rigourous and difficult. Here are the results:
BMW 316i (2001)
frontal collision: 10 (63%)
side collision: 15 (83%)
overall rating: 25 (74%)
Mercedes-Benz C180 (2001)
frontal collision: 14 (88%)
side collision: 17 (94%)
overall rating: 31 (91%)
I know which car I'd rather be in.
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From: Ashburn, VA
'19 GLC 300, '19 TM3SR+
Originally posted by Accord
The C320 is also a very fresh, new design, the BMW 3-Series is very dated
The C320 is also a very fresh, new design, the BMW 3-Series is very dated
.. they've been using the same body style for some 20 years and just modifying it very little a few years to give it a more modern look.
Last edited by vadim; Jun 9, 2002 at 03:20 AM.
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From: Afghanistan / South Florida / Camp Lejeune, NC
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Yes. BMW just recently came out with the E46, however, the E46 looks strikingly similar to the E36, and so on. Yes, they have come out with new body styles, but none of the body styles have any very drastic changes, they all still look fairly the same.
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From: SF
C230k
bimmer or benzo
I've owned both bimmers and benzos. In my opinion, MB makes a vehicle that is more practical for the roads that most of us drive on. However if your typical dirve consists of more "sporting" roads and environments... a bimmer might be the right choice. I also find MBs to be more comforting and easier to drive over a long distance... whereas some of the "sportiness" of the bimmer can lead to driver fatigue. Just my opinion... best of luck. you have a fun decision. no matter what you do, you can't go wrong.
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Mike,
Are you being sarcastic? I wouldn't want to be in a high speed crash in an old BMW 2002 or an old 318i. But I was under the impression that modern BMW's were very good.
It's not like we're comparing a Mercedes-Benz to a Honda Civic or something.
Are you being sarcastic? I wouldn't want to be in a high speed crash in an old BMW 2002 or an old 318i. But I was under the impression that modern BMW's were very good.
It's not like we're comparing a Mercedes-Benz to a Honda Civic or something.
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From: Afghanistan / South Florida / Camp Lejeune, NC
2008 BMW M6, 2008 Ducati 1098, 2008 Ducati Monster S2R1000, 1971 Ducati Scrambler
E36:
E46:
The E46 just looks like an updated version of the E36, however the W202 and W203 are completely different. This is not like saying the W203 is the same thing as a 190 with a few updates, because they look completely different.
When I say that BMW has a dated design, I am referring purely to the aesthetics.
E46:
The E46 just looks like an updated version of the E36, however the W202 and W203 are completely different. This is not like saying the W203 is the same thing as a 190 with a few updates, because they look completely different.
When I say that BMW has a dated design, I am referring purely to the aesthetics.
Last edited by Accord; Jun 9, 2002 at 03:35 AM.
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From: Afghanistan / South Florida / Camp Lejeune, NC
2008 BMW M6, 2008 Ducati 1098, 2008 Ducati Monster S2R1000, 1971 Ducati Scrambler
Originally posted by Cryptnotic
Mike,
Are you being sarcastic? I wouldn't want to be in a high speed crash in an old BMW 2002 or an old 318i. But I was under the impression that modern BMW's were very good.
It's not like we're comparing a Mercedes-Benz to a Honda Civic or something.
Mike,
Are you being sarcastic? I wouldn't want to be in a high speed crash in an old BMW 2002 or an old 318i. But I was under the impression that modern BMW's were very good.
It's not like we're comparing a Mercedes-Benz to a Honda Civic or something.
As far as safety goes, BMW's are on the same level as economy cars such as Honda, Acura, Ford, Subaru, etc.
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From: Ashburn, VA
'19 GLC 300, '19 TM3SR+
Originally posted by Accord
Cryptonic, whilst modern BMW's are safe cars, they are nowhere in reach of the level of safety that modern Mercedes-Benz cars have.
As far as safety goes, BMW's are on the same level as economy cars such as Honda, Acura, Ford, Subaru, etc.
Cryptonic, whilst modern BMW's are safe cars, they are nowhere in reach of the level of safety that modern Mercedes-Benz cars have.
As far as safety goes, BMW's are on the same level as economy cars such as Honda, Acura, Ford, Subaru, etc.
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From: Ashburn, VA
'19 GLC 300, '19 TM3SR+
Originally posted by Accord
E36:
E46:
The E46 just looks like an updated version of the E36,
E36:
E46:
The E46 just looks like an updated version of the E36,
however the W202 and W203 are completely different. This is not like saying the W203 is the same thing as a 190 with a few updates, because they look completely different.
When I say that BMW has a dated design, I am referring purely to the aesthetics.
That is not to say that I don't like the new MB design style.
But up until the current model line, it was pretty conservative, like BMW. In case of latter, the E36 was just as leap as the W203 is for the MB.
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From: Afghanistan / South Florida / Camp Lejeune, NC
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Yep, check out www.euroncap.net, they are the best organization for crash testing world-wide.
Infact, I was just on their site and to my surprise, a 2001 Honda Civic received higher ratings for both front and side impacts, aswell as a higher overall rating than a 2002 BMW 3-Series. So the BMW 3-Series is not only on the same safety plateau as economy cars, but they are worse in some cases. The 2001 Mercedes-Benz C-Class however received a 91% overall rating, which is significantly higher than both the Honda Civic and BMW 3-Series.
Infact, I was just on their site and to my surprise, a 2001 Honda Civic received higher ratings for both front and side impacts, aswell as a higher overall rating than a 2002 BMW 3-Series. So the BMW 3-Series is not only on the same safety plateau as economy cars, but they are worse in some cases. The 2001 Mercedes-Benz C-Class however received a 91% overall rating, which is significantly higher than both the Honda Civic and BMW 3-Series.
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From: Afghanistan / South Florida / Camp Lejeune, NC
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Originally posted by vadim
To me - no. Neither on the inside, nor on the outside. Especially, comparing the E46 to a 20-year old platform.
Again, that's your subjective opinion. I do like the E46 lines, what a beauty.
That is not to say that I don't like the new MB design style.
But up until the current model line, it was pretty conservative, like BMW. In case of latter, the E36 was just as leap as the W203 is for the MB.
To me - no. Neither on the inside, nor on the outside. Especially, comparing the E46 to a 20-year old platform.
Again, that's your subjective opinion. I do like the E46 lines, what a beauty.
That is not to say that I don't like the new MB design style.
But up until the current model line, it was pretty conservative, like BMW. In case of latter, the E36 was just as leap as the W203 is for the MB.
You're right though, MB has been very suttle with their design style up until around '99.
