StephenK

My dad has had a BMW for years, always their 3 Series which I think is good for him due to the size, not to much to maneuver like an S Class or 7 Series. I really like the new C Class but he seems to be set on a 4 wheel drive 3 Series BMW. He lives in the upstate New York area so four wheel drive is a nice plus. I have had an E Class, and now still have a 96 SL320, a 2001 S500 and a 2006 SL600.

Even though I suspect the opinions will be biased towards the Mercedes, put yourself in my shoes and tell me why I should steer him towards the new C class over the newly redesigned 3 Series BMW.

Thanks in advance for any input.

MBTex

Sounds like you should have him test a C300 Luxury 4matic. Has the nicer wood trim interior and a more traditional MB look and feel. He's giving up power by going with the MB, but the general consenus is that the W204 interior is nicer then the Bimmer's.

Unfortunately, there is no 350 4matic (Sport or Lux) in the US this year so that one is ruled out. Perhaps a 350 Lux 4matic will come next year that would more closely compete the the greater power in the BMW. Might also give MBUSA a chance to correct a few left-outs for the US market as well.

oblu

He's 80. Why the need to steer him toward anything? Let the poor guy get what he wants ... if I'm 80 (I can only hope) and still enjoy driving (double down ... if by then we still get the right to pilot our own transportation and I'm still able to do it without being a hazard to everyone else) my son better not be trying to tell me what I should or shouldn't want to buy.

StephenK

Steering is not like FORCING him to do anything. He respects my opinion but ultimately makes his own decisions. We were both in a mall about a month ago which had several different cars in it. One car we both noticed by the big emblem in the grill was the Mercedes, we walked up to it and both liked the look of it, it was the C-Class with the sport package. I think he would lean towards the sport over the luxury, likes the look better.

Shake

The only reason I would get a BMW over a C is for speed/power. Since your father is 80 years old, I don't think that should be a big issue, but again I don't know him I think the C looks a lot more updated since it has just come out. Also, he will probably enjoy the interior of the new C's over the BMW's. I'd say test drive both cars and see

peabers

I'd say it's a personal choice for him. Considering that he's been a long-time BMW owner, he is probably familiar with the BMW controls (which I have difficutly going for, since I grew up in a family of MB drivers), and he probably knows the BMW dealership well (if I was 80 and been driving BMW's all my life, the dealer better be rolling out the red carpet for me).

Having said all that, I personally believe in MB's reliability, built-quality (minus the W203 as I am sure many will tell me), and safety.

If you really need to "sell" him on the W204, I'd say the fact that it's a newer model, much easier drive (the effort to steer a 3-ser, geeze, gave me a workout), and more composed ride (the 3-ser wants to tell you about every crack and ripple on the road).

Good luck!

StephenK

Thanks for the feedback on the ride quality.

Krytech

Think about your inheritance man, tell him to buy a Hyundai! j/k

The only thing I can think of, is if you steer him towards a MB and he ends up not liking it as much as he thought he would, you may never hear the end of it.

Honestly, you can't go wrong. Both cars would serve him well.

StephenK

I was hoping more people would have test drove each car and could give me some real feedback on the two different cars.

peabers

I cross-shopped both models, as well as the IS350. The ride quality/composure difference was apparent.

MB C350W4M (Winner)
Excellent reputation, safety, features, and price. It was the easiest car to live with day-in/day-out. Everything works without fuss. I'll miss the high-tech nature (toys, gadgets, customization) and space of my Acura TL.

BMW 328xi
Everything on the BMW felt tight and like I had to work hard to accomplish things (like turning, accelerating). I also did not like the spartan 1990's interior of the BMW. There are more 3-ser than people in my neighbourhood.

LEXUS IS350
The Lexus has excellent build quality and I am confident that it will have less problems than the BMW and the MB. The V6 is amazingly smooth with lots of power. But it did not have enough interior room for my 9-month-old's car seat.

stormkenny3

both are good cars, i would prob say get the merc.




nice vids

lx Raven xl

for comfort , MERC all the way. For Speed and only that . go for BMW.

Considering you dad is 80 and have been driving BMW all his life. he should take a C class for a test drive. Its a must cose the drive of C and 3 series is very different. Once he drives the car he will know pretty soon whether he likes it or not.

oblu

I owned an e90 for almost two years prior to buying the W204. They're both good in their own ways, you can't go wrong with either.

Honestly, if you get the premium package on the 3 which includes leather, I feel the interior on the e90 is a nicer place to be. Everything feels much better, like they spent more money on the materials. The armrest and door pulls are leather instead of hard plastic, the dash has a nice swash of wood or aluminum to visually cut down on the amount of plastic you look at and the steering wheel feels much better in your hands because it's thicker and softer. Just no i-drive, the double hump makes the whole thing look ridiculous. Seats have a lot more bolstering on them too, along with the adjustable thigh extension. And then little things like the foot pad on the floor mat.

Everything in the W204 feels like a domestic brand cost cutting piece.

Don't get me wrong, I like the W204 enough to have bought one, but which one you want to buy all depends on priorities and point of view.

I wouldn't be steering my 80 year old dad toward anything. I'd just nod my head and say, 'nice car pops'.

abqhudson

No.

He's used to the BMWs - let him alone.

My advice would be the same if this was a BMW forum and someone was asking if they should steer their Mercedes owning father to BMWs - NO!

No steering!

Kieffer

I guess everyone's butts and ears are different! I tested the IS as well. I loved the features for the money, but the two models I drove (350 and 250AWD) both had quality issues - squeaks in the dash and console. I thought the ride was jittery and inspired no confidence in me. I thanked the very nice salesman, but told him the model was obviously not for me.

It just proves that you should buy a car because it works for YOU, not because everyone else says it is the best.

Dema

I expect he may have mid age crisis and should buy something sportier and more catchy than 3 series. C63 amg looks like a good choice. Give him also your SL600.

Stiggs

Your dad sounds cool.

oblu

+1! Hope I'm still as excited about cars as your Dad sounds when I'm that age.

StephenK

Found out tonight he ordered a new C-Class to his specs before I even made the first post.