Car and Driver Review - Latest Issue
#26
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2008 Black Out C350 Saks Edition / 87 VW GTI
Flipped through the new issue of Car and Driver at O'Hare just before I flew out of there tonight. There is a comparison test of the C300 vs. A4, BMW3 series and Cadillac CTS ... The C comes in dead last, Caddy is 3rd, A4 is 2nd and the BMW which - as always - they rated first. You will be surprised to read how poorly designed and built our cars are; poor handling (partly due to lousy tires); overly aggressive stability control; cheap interior materials; flat uncomfortable seats; smaller inside than a Civic, etc.. I think I will trade for a Kia, they usually seem to like them......
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Take a look at the high performance modles resolts
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http://www.caranddriver.com/assets/d...orts_final.pdf
#27
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2008 Black Out C350 Saks Edition / 87 VW GTI
Copied from another forum (from the latest issue of Car & Driver):
1st Place:
BMW 328i - 227 points
Highs:
Better to drive than most sports cars, hushed refinement of a luxury car, relative light weight, best fuel economy.
Lows:
Smallish back seat, radio display disappears with polarized shades
Verdict:
BMW still makes the best sports sedan for $38,000.
Price as test: $38,825
6-Speed Manual Transmission
0-60 mph - 6.1 seconds
0-100 mph - 16.4 seconds
1/4 Mile - 14.8 @ 95 mph
5-60 mph - 6.7 seconds
30-50 mph top gear - 10.5 seconds
50-70 mph top gear - 10.2 seconds
EPA City - 18 miles per gallon
EPA Highway - 28 miles per gallon
C&D observed - 16 miles per gallon
Braking 70-0 - 161 feet
Skidpad - .90
Lane Change - 62.9
2nd Place:
Infiniti G35 Sport - 212 points
Highs:
Rocket-sled acceleration, lots of features for the price, thinks it is a Nissan 350Z.
Lows:
Gritty shifter, the coarse hum of the big V-6, lacks the finesse of the Bavarian.
Verdict:
It's all good, but the BMW is all great.
Price as test: $38,865
6-Speed Manual Transmission
0-60 mph - 5.5 seconds
0-100 mph - 13.6 seconds
1/4 Mile - 14.1 @ 102 mph
5-60 mph - 6.1 seconds
30-50 mph top gear - 9.1 seconds
50-70 mph top gear - 8.4 seconds
EPA City - 17 miles per gallon
EPA Highway - 25 miles per gallon
C&D observed - 14 miles per gallon
Braking 70-0 - 157 feet
Skidpad - .89
Lane Change - 61.8
3rd Place:
Cadillac CTS DI - 199 points
Highs:
Impeccable chassis tuning, Cadillac style inside and out, the interior GM refused for so long to build, a relatively big back seat, requires only 87 octane.
Lows:
Loutish shifter, odd clutch feel, engine groans, leaden feel, excessive weight.
Verdict:
America's sport sedan is let down by an uncouth transmission and a slight weight problem.
Price as test: $36,970
6-Speed Manual Transmission
0-60 mph - 6.1 seconds
0-100 mph - 16.5 seconds
1/4 Mile - 14.7 @ 95 mph
5-60 mph - 6.9 seconds
30-50 mph top gear - 14.0 seconds
50-70 mph top gear - 14.5 seconds
EPA City - 16 miles per gallon
EPA Highway - 25 miles per gallon
C&D observed - 13 miles per gallon
Braking 70-0 - 155 feet
Skidpad - .87
Lane Change - 64.2
4th Place:
Mercedes C300 Sport - 189 points
Highs:
Supple ride, subdued mechanicals, superb navigation and stereo systems.
Lows:
Low-grip tires, light and fast steering, intrusive stability control, floppy shifter, flat seats, unimpressive interior materials.
Verdict:
A convincing sports sedan at a sedate pace, but pushing hard reveals a luxury car impersonating a sports sedan.
Price as test: $37,410
6-Speed Manual Transmission
0-60 mph - 6.5 seconds
0-100 mph - 16.8 seconds
1/4 Mile - 14.9 @ 95 mph
5-60 mph - 7.1 seconds
30-50 mph top gear - 12.8 seconds
50-70 mph top gear - 10.7 seconds
EPA City - 18 miles per gallon
EPA Highway - 26 miles per gallon
C&D observed - 15 miles per gallon
Braking 70-0 - 174 feet
Skidpad - .83
Lane Change - 59.9
1st Place:
BMW 328i - 227 points
Highs:
Better to drive than most sports cars, hushed refinement of a luxury car, relative light weight, best fuel economy.
Lows:
Smallish back seat, radio display disappears with polarized shades
Verdict:
BMW still makes the best sports sedan for $38,000.
Price as test: $38,825
6-Speed Manual Transmission
0-60 mph - 6.1 seconds
0-100 mph - 16.4 seconds
1/4 Mile - 14.8 @ 95 mph
5-60 mph - 6.7 seconds
30-50 mph top gear - 10.5 seconds
50-70 mph top gear - 10.2 seconds
EPA City - 18 miles per gallon
EPA Highway - 28 miles per gallon
C&D observed - 16 miles per gallon
Braking 70-0 - 161 feet
Skidpad - .90
Lane Change - 62.9
2nd Place:
Infiniti G35 Sport - 212 points
Highs:
Rocket-sled acceleration, lots of features for the price, thinks it is a Nissan 350Z.
Lows:
Gritty shifter, the coarse hum of the big V-6, lacks the finesse of the Bavarian.
Verdict:
It's all good, but the BMW is all great.
Price as test: $38,865
6-Speed Manual Transmission
0-60 mph - 5.5 seconds
0-100 mph - 13.6 seconds
1/4 Mile - 14.1 @ 102 mph
5-60 mph - 6.1 seconds
30-50 mph top gear - 9.1 seconds
50-70 mph top gear - 8.4 seconds
EPA City - 17 miles per gallon
EPA Highway - 25 miles per gallon
C&D observed - 14 miles per gallon
Braking 70-0 - 157 feet
Skidpad - .89
Lane Change - 61.8
3rd Place:
Cadillac CTS DI - 199 points
Highs:
Impeccable chassis tuning, Cadillac style inside and out, the interior GM refused for so long to build, a relatively big back seat, requires only 87 octane.
Lows:
Loutish shifter, odd clutch feel, engine groans, leaden feel, excessive weight.
Verdict:
America's sport sedan is let down by an uncouth transmission and a slight weight problem.
Price as test: $36,970
6-Speed Manual Transmission
0-60 mph - 6.1 seconds
0-100 mph - 16.5 seconds
1/4 Mile - 14.7 @ 95 mph
5-60 mph - 6.9 seconds
30-50 mph top gear - 14.0 seconds
50-70 mph top gear - 14.5 seconds
EPA City - 16 miles per gallon
EPA Highway - 25 miles per gallon
C&D observed - 13 miles per gallon
Braking 70-0 - 155 feet
Skidpad - .87
Lane Change - 64.2
4th Place:
Mercedes C300 Sport - 189 points
Highs:
Supple ride, subdued mechanicals, superb navigation and stereo systems.
Lows:
Low-grip tires, light and fast steering, intrusive stability control, floppy shifter, flat seats, unimpressive interior materials.
Verdict:
A convincing sports sedan at a sedate pace, but pushing hard reveals a luxury car impersonating a sports sedan.
Price as test: $37,410
6-Speed Manual Transmission
0-60 mph - 6.5 seconds
0-100 mph - 16.8 seconds
1/4 Mile - 14.9 @ 95 mph
5-60 mph - 7.1 seconds
30-50 mph top gear - 12.8 seconds
50-70 mph top gear - 10.7 seconds
EPA City - 18 miles per gallon
EPA Highway - 26 miles per gallon
C&D observed - 15 miles per gallon
Braking 70-0 - 174 feet
Skidpad - .83
Lane Change - 59.9
![mercy](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/mecry.gif)
2008 MB C350 fully loaded $42,000.00 & $10,000.00 in my bank acct.
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#29
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LOADED 08' C350 & 14' GLK-350 Diamond White (P1, MM, AMG Pkg, Ln Trkng, Htd Sts, Keylss Go)
I just got my copy of Car and Driver in the mail and my memory of what I breezed through at the newstand was a little off - the 2nd rated car was the Infiniti G35 Sport; there was no Audi in the test. The C300 was a sport model with 17" Continental ContiPro Contact all season tires that they admit could not keep up to the performance tires on the other cars (quote: "the road felt like it was coated with Crisco... I've never hydroplaned on a dry road before").
To eliminate any doubt about where the review is going, the article starts with, "We're not exactly sending lambs to the slaughter, but putting various competitors of the BMW 3-series into the ring with that brilliant German car can occasionally feel like cruelty. The 3-series ... is so good at doing so many things that these contests turn out to be battles for second place".
I do like BMW's - I just find here in Canada if you want to add a few options (like seats and a steering wheel), they hit you with package upon package and quickly add $15K or more to what looked like a good starting price. For my needs - a 4 door all wheel drive for commuting 2 hours per day - the C300 represents much better value. if I want sportier handling, I'll drive my SLK.
To eliminate any doubt about where the review is going, the article starts with, "We're not exactly sending lambs to the slaughter, but putting various competitors of the BMW 3-series into the ring with that brilliant German car can occasionally feel like cruelty. The 3-series ... is so good at doing so many things that these contests turn out to be battles for second place".
I do like BMW's - I just find here in Canada if you want to add a few options (like seats and a steering wheel), they hit you with package upon package and quickly add $15K or more to what looked like a good starting price. For my needs - a 4 door all wheel drive for commuting 2 hours per day - the C300 represents much better value. if I want sportier handling, I'll drive my SLK.
#31
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Again I don't know how Car and Driver does it. They get 6.5sec for the 0-60 time for the C300 when Mercedes clearly states 7.0sec. Its like they are always 0.5sec faster....always! I don't get it?
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#32
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2011 E350 4Matic Wagon, 2013 C350 4Matic Sedan
why the hell dont they test a c350????? that isnt even fair comparison that they test a c300... i drove a c300 andd just the performance difference alon gave me a more negative perception of the w204... funny how they can test a 335i and not a 328 i but they can only test a c300
Possibly due to conditions... such as weather, altitude, driver, tyres... etc..
#33
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2008 - S550 4Matic, 2010 - E350 4Matic, 2010 - C350 4Matic
These reports are very subjective and sometimes ridiculous. I did own a BMW 745i and everybody ridiculed the iDrive. I learned the system and never had a problem.
I can let you in on a secret. I owned BMW's and MB cars and it takes me, on average, 12 minutes to drive from my home to my office and it doesn't matter which car I take, it takes 12 minutes, C-Class or S550, 12 minutes.
The car purchase decision is very complex and varies from client to client. No car is best in every category. Then again for me "one Car ownership" means, buying, maintaining and selling the car, makes one deal, economically speaking.
Yes MB dropped the ball under the last chairman. The new S-Class is flawless. The local dealership has had no deficiencies to speak off. BMW bought many 745i back, because the never were able to fix them.
I have had no problems with BMW and no problems with MB, but I admit the driving experience is very different and I agree, it is unusual, if you like the MB or BMW very much that you will switch brands. They are different.
The local dealership plays a big role in the decision making process. Audi just does not have the trade in facilities in place to be a real contender. The cars are nice, trade in is lousy. Trade a Benz on an Audi is even worst.
I don't drive my cars on race tracks and I obey the traffic laws on the road and the C350 gives me all the speed I ever need.
Then in the end, price plays a role too and in this area the difference was huge and then some options like key less go, panorama roof etc. were not even available at any price on a BMW.
I like both brands very much and yet when it came to writing a cheque, MB had the inside track and I am very happy with my decision and that is all that is important in my decision making process.
Jorg![drive](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/driving.gif)
![drive](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/driving.gif)
I can let you in on a secret. I owned BMW's and MB cars and it takes me, on average, 12 minutes to drive from my home to my office and it doesn't matter which car I take, it takes 12 minutes, C-Class or S550, 12 minutes.
The car purchase decision is very complex and varies from client to client. No car is best in every category. Then again for me "one Car ownership" means, buying, maintaining and selling the car, makes one deal, economically speaking.
Yes MB dropped the ball under the last chairman. The new S-Class is flawless. The local dealership has had no deficiencies to speak off. BMW bought many 745i back, because the never were able to fix them.
I have had no problems with BMW and no problems with MB, but I admit the driving experience is very different and I agree, it is unusual, if you like the MB or BMW very much that you will switch brands. They are different.
The local dealership plays a big role in the decision making process. Audi just does not have the trade in facilities in place to be a real contender. The cars are nice, trade in is lousy. Trade a Benz on an Audi is even worst.
I don't drive my cars on race tracks and I obey the traffic laws on the road and the C350 gives me all the speed I ever need.
Then in the end, price plays a role too and in this area the difference was huge and then some options like key less go, panorama roof etc. were not even available at any price on a BMW.
I like both brands very much and yet when it came to writing a cheque, MB had the inside track and I am very happy with my decision and that is all that is important in my decision making process.
Jorg
![drive](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/driving.gif)
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#34
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2011 E350 4Matic Wagon, 2013 C350 4Matic Sedan
...C-Class or S550, 12 minutes...
...The car purchase decision is very complex and varies from client to client...
...No car is best in every category...
...The local dealership plays a big role in the decision making process...
...C350 gives me all the speed I ever need...
...were not even available at any price on a BMW...
...I am very happy with my decision and that is all that is important in my decision making process...
...The car purchase decision is very complex and varies from client to client...
...No car is best in every category...
...The local dealership plays a big role in the decision making process...
...C350 gives me all the speed I ever need...
...were not even available at any price on a BMW...
...I am very happy with my decision and that is all that is important in my decision making process...
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#35
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'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
Car & driver article
<<Flipped through the new issue of Car and Driver at O'Hare just before I flew out of there tonight. There is a comparison test of the C300 vs. A4, BMW3 series and Cadillac CTS ... The C comes in dead last, Caddy is 3rd, A4 is 2nd and the BMW which - as always - they rated first. You will be surprised to read how poorly designed and built our cars are; poor handling (partly due to lousy tires); overly aggressive stability control; cheap interior materials; flat uncomfortable seats; smaller inside than a Civic, etc.. I think I will trade for a Kia, they usually seem to like them......>>
Well, now, wait a minute. Look at the car MBUSA gave them. A plain-*** C300 Sport (silver/gray, ooo how exciting) with the 17" wheels which means crap Conti tires which is a BIG handicap. You may not have noticed that the BMW and Infiniti both had Bridgestone RE-050A tires as stock and since I chose those for my own C300 with 18s, I know how good they are. That probably explains the poor braking and cornering. And since the test car did NOT have the P2 package (observe, no Xenon headlights) , MBUSA could have furnished a C350 Saks edition whose interior is far nicer with 40 more HP and has bigger wheels and better tires perhaps.
C&D said that the C350 would have not exceeded their price ceiling.
Just another knuckleheaded decision by MBUSA which has come back to bite them in the butt.
Well, now, wait a minute. Look at the car MBUSA gave them. A plain-*** C300 Sport (silver/gray, ooo how exciting) with the 17" wheels which means crap Conti tires which is a BIG handicap. You may not have noticed that the BMW and Infiniti both had Bridgestone RE-050A tires as stock and since I chose those for my own C300 with 18s, I know how good they are. That probably explains the poor braking and cornering. And since the test car did NOT have the P2 package (observe, no Xenon headlights) , MBUSA could have furnished a C350 Saks edition whose interior is far nicer with 40 more HP and has bigger wheels and better tires perhaps.
C&D said that the C350 would have not exceeded their price ceiling.
Just another knuckleheaded decision by MBUSA which has come back to bite them in the butt.
#36
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#37
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2008 R350 & 2008 C300
I've been waiting for my issue to come in the mail before I commented on this thread and it finally came yesterday. Just wanted to make some quick points, the first being the major one.
The poor C class never had a chance in a manual transmission head to head. Yeah I know those three guys on here that actually bought the manual transmission will jump on here and yell at me, but MB does not know how to produce a good manual transmission. I think they know that all too well themselves and don't even bother to offer one on any car except the C300. Do I have facts to back it up? Well a short stint, I test drove a W203 with the six speed and felt it to be real rubbery, slippery almost, never felt like it was in gear and gave me no feed back. I've driven many Honda's, which I feel have a great grasp on what a manual transmission should feel like, but thats for another forum. My point being is that if the review were of automatic transmission cars the C might have faired a bit better than what it did.
Their gripe about tires is a moot point to me. The C was at a disadvantage on this, because the others had more agressive tires installed. Even so, to be fair to the Benz, it might have had a bad set of tires. I haven't heard many complaints from users on here complaining that their tires are making them slide around.
Like the others mentioned here already, this is all opinon. Take for instance the chart where they add up the total points. BMW gets 1 point for rebates/extras, the others none, sounds like BMW's aren't selling as nicely as they would like. The price as tested catagory is really skewed, the Benz under shot the BMW by $1415 on the as tested prices and was easily the cheapest base price in the bunch and scored a perfect 20, but the BMW got a 19 being close to the most expensive missing only by $40 bucks?
Where the Benz ends up losing this contest, or at lest the reason it comes in last is in the final two catagories. Gotta have it and fun to drive. Those two catagories are the opinons of the people driving that certain car on that certain day. Give them a different car with the exact same set up on the same exact day and they might change their numbers. Same could be said about the same car on a different day ect. The numbers for this catagory read like this: Gotta have it, 25 being the best, the winner the BMW scored 23 the Benz a 18? 18 being the lowest of the four tested, I would think just from a consumer stand point, that a newer model would rank higher in the gotta have it catagory just because its new, everyone wants the latest and greatest, for this the Benz should have scored a 22-25 easily.
The fun to drive catagory is worse. I can sit here and think of lots of cars that were fun to drive for me, but others probably think would suck. Lol drove a school bus once, that was pretty fun to drive, but I wouldn't want to put it up against a Ferrari, you get my point. I will cut the reviewers some slack for the reason they had a C300 with a crappy manual transmission, and in their case some bad tires, but I still don't see how they rate it two points lower than the caddy, who they also mention has a bad tranny.
After all this complaining because I love my Benz my final numbers would have only moved it up one position in their test ha ha. Well least its not last, and for the record I think its the best.
The poor C class never had a chance in a manual transmission head to head. Yeah I know those three guys on here that actually bought the manual transmission will jump on here and yell at me, but MB does not know how to produce a good manual transmission. I think they know that all too well themselves and don't even bother to offer one on any car except the C300. Do I have facts to back it up? Well a short stint, I test drove a W203 with the six speed and felt it to be real rubbery, slippery almost, never felt like it was in gear and gave me no feed back. I've driven many Honda's, which I feel have a great grasp on what a manual transmission should feel like, but thats for another forum. My point being is that if the review were of automatic transmission cars the C might have faired a bit better than what it did.
Their gripe about tires is a moot point to me. The C was at a disadvantage on this, because the others had more agressive tires installed. Even so, to be fair to the Benz, it might have had a bad set of tires. I haven't heard many complaints from users on here complaining that their tires are making them slide around.
Like the others mentioned here already, this is all opinon. Take for instance the chart where they add up the total points. BMW gets 1 point for rebates/extras, the others none, sounds like BMW's aren't selling as nicely as they would like. The price as tested catagory is really skewed, the Benz under shot the BMW by $1415 on the as tested prices and was easily the cheapest base price in the bunch and scored a perfect 20, but the BMW got a 19 being close to the most expensive missing only by $40 bucks?
Where the Benz ends up losing this contest, or at lest the reason it comes in last is in the final two catagories. Gotta have it and fun to drive. Those two catagories are the opinons of the people driving that certain car on that certain day. Give them a different car with the exact same set up on the same exact day and they might change their numbers. Same could be said about the same car on a different day ect. The numbers for this catagory read like this: Gotta have it, 25 being the best, the winner the BMW scored 23 the Benz a 18? 18 being the lowest of the four tested, I would think just from a consumer stand point, that a newer model would rank higher in the gotta have it catagory just because its new, everyone wants the latest and greatest, for this the Benz should have scored a 22-25 easily.
The fun to drive catagory is worse. I can sit here and think of lots of cars that were fun to drive for me, but others probably think would suck. Lol drove a school bus once, that was pretty fun to drive, but I wouldn't want to put it up against a Ferrari, you get my point. I will cut the reviewers some slack for the reason they had a C300 with a crappy manual transmission, and in their case some bad tires, but I still don't see how they rate it two points lower than the caddy, who they also mention has a bad tranny.
After all this complaining because I love my Benz my final numbers would have only moved it up one position in their test ha ha. Well least its not last, and for the record I think its the best.
Last edited by chilledbenz; 12-06-2007 at 11:50 PM.
#38
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2008 C300 Sport Sedan Manual, Uridium Silver, 18" AMG's
Car and Driver, Manual Test
Chilled Benz:
You make some excellent points here!
However, please don't take this as a defensive reply but I previously had the 2004 manual and agree with you completely that the W203's stick was a bit on the cheesy side. It didn't feel rubbery but more like it belonged to a compact economy car. I understood this was re-worked on later W203 models but evidently not reworked enough?
The new W204 Manual shifts as smooth as well oiled watch.
If you get the opportunity, drive one. I know you'll be quite surprised and impressed. In my honest opinion, the BMW shifted rubbery and the throws were much too long. The new W204 stick is an awesome improvement over my previous 2004's. Too bad there are so few C300 manuals available in the North American market.
Regarding the tires, the 17" Contis make the W204 ride super smooth and quiet. It's got to be the reason MB chose them (plus they are cheap helping to keep the MSRP's lower).
My C300 has the 18" AMG's. This does make the handling feel just as sharp and tight as the BMW w/ their 17" run flats in my own test drive comparison. (I'm not driving my car on a slalom test or on a track).
I love the 18" AMG's appearance and I was already pretty well committed to the car but when I first test drove mine, the first thing I noticed was the increased steering response yet harsher ride of the 18" Contis my car came with. They do pick up the bumps and let you know you are driving on more sport oriented tires and wheels.
My biggest compliant might be that the steering, though super fast, feels too light or "easy" to turn.
You make some excellent points here!
However, please don't take this as a defensive reply but I previously had the 2004 manual and agree with you completely that the W203's stick was a bit on the cheesy side. It didn't feel rubbery but more like it belonged to a compact economy car. I understood this was re-worked on later W203 models but evidently not reworked enough?
The new W204 Manual shifts as smooth as well oiled watch.
If you get the opportunity, drive one. I know you'll be quite surprised and impressed. In my honest opinion, the BMW shifted rubbery and the throws were much too long. The new W204 stick is an awesome improvement over my previous 2004's. Too bad there are so few C300 manuals available in the North American market.
Regarding the tires, the 17" Contis make the W204 ride super smooth and quiet. It's got to be the reason MB chose them (plus they are cheap helping to keep the MSRP's lower).
My C300 has the 18" AMG's. This does make the handling feel just as sharp and tight as the BMW w/ their 17" run flats in my own test drive comparison. (I'm not driving my car on a slalom test or on a track).
I love the 18" AMG's appearance and I was already pretty well committed to the car but when I first test drove mine, the first thing I noticed was the increased steering response yet harsher ride of the 18" Contis my car came with. They do pick up the bumps and let you know you are driving on more sport oriented tires and wheels.
My biggest compliant might be that the steering, though super fast, feels too light or "easy" to turn.
#39
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C180K 2011 COMAND, AMG, Dynamic Xenon, Business Pack, H&K Audio and +
BMW is way to common here. plus i drove BMW 3 series as well for almost a year on some what regular basis as my bro had it. 318 to be more precise.
now i drive 180K
BMW 318 engine was slower than 180K
BMW was rough ride
BMW had a very firm steering and more road feedback
MB on the other hand is smooth
MB feels more luxurious from inside and out
MB steering is soft. and i got the extra para-steering which actually is more smother only at slow speeds.
MB fuel average is better
Please note I am comparing 2006 3 serires with 2008 MB C-class
Still for my bro BMW is better and hes now again getting the new 3 series in march 2008
for me MB is better
My bro drives like a maniac
I drive sober
I will never buy BMW
My bro will never buy a MB
We both are different drivers.
we both like different attributes
These reviews you read are pointless unless they point out a real defect in the car.
Have fun driving MB
now i drive 180K
BMW 318 engine was slower than 180K
BMW was rough ride
BMW had a very firm steering and more road feedback
MB on the other hand is smooth
MB feels more luxurious from inside and out
MB steering is soft. and i got the extra para-steering which actually is more smother only at slow speeds.
MB fuel average is better
Please note I am comparing 2006 3 serires with 2008 MB C-class
Still for my bro BMW is better and hes now again getting the new 3 series in march 2008
for me MB is better
My bro drives like a maniac
I drive sober
I will never buy BMW
My bro will never buy a MB
We both are different drivers.
we both like different attributes
These reviews you read are pointless unless they point out a real defect in the car.
Have fun driving MB
Last edited by lx Raven xl; 12-07-2007 at 06:32 AM.
#40
Member
I think Jeremy Clarkson put it the best.
"In Mercedes, your heart beat drops."
As far as leather is concerned, I actually like the rubber seat. It looks like leather, and I rarely get to seat in my car butt naked, so my bum won't feel the difference between MB rubber and Napa Leather. I do agree with the cheap feel of Stereo control area tho.
"In Mercedes, your heart beat drops."
As far as leather is concerned, I actually like the rubber seat. It looks like leather, and I rarely get to seat in my car butt naked, so my bum won't feel the difference between MB rubber and Napa Leather. I do agree with the cheap feel of Stereo control area tho.
#41
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2008 Black Out C350 Saks Edition / 87 VW GTI
I just got the new C&D in the mail as well and not to much surprise the C didnt do well again
key thing for us to remember is that its his opinion ?? one's subjective opinion is different from everyone else's so i dont usually take these articles too seriously. yes the handling can be better however its perfect for me , yes interior room in a civic may be a tad more but if i wanted that then i wouldve purchased a civic ?? all in all i love the new styling .... yes even with the camry like rear
and the handling, gas mileage and the interior plastic doesnt bother me that much so thats why i purchased the new C ![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![Confused](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/confused.gif)
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
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#43
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2008 R350 & 2008 C300
![crazy](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/crazy.gif)
#44
Super Member
Car mags always rate the BMW better. I subscribe to three different magazines and there was only one time that the BMW lost in a match up. That came when the introduction of the Infiniti G35 came out and they blamed it on a bad BMW test car if I remember right. It was shortly after the launch of the new 330i engine and they had all sorts of problems, in the end a faulty oil pump sent the Bimmer to the garage. ![crazy](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/crazy.gif)
![crazy](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/crazy.gif)
That being said, I did have an opportunity to drive a lexus, merc, audi and bmw side by side at a lexus event. I came out there a bmw believer (handleing and fun to drive) and drive one now. However, as I read most of the mag. review and its all praises to bmw, that's unrealistic. BMW by far has the ugliest and cheapest interior out of all four. Their iDRIVE should be call iNSANE... Today's driving experience isn't all about the road and how much the car can hug it.... it is unrealistic view of their subscribers... c'mon, how many times are you going to salom through orange cones and do 0-60 in fastest time possible??
Last edited by webada; 12-07-2007 at 05:14 PM.
#45
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c300
BMW gets 1 point for rebates/extras
![nix](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/nixweiss.gif)
I know I bought an e90 this same time of year right after they got introduced in July-ish. And even then, I got it for $1500 over invoice, which was right around $1800 off msrp.
MB dealers around here wouldn't give me $1 off msrp. I'm sure it's more a sales philosphy though. BMW wants as many of theirs cars on the road as possible.
#46
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2008 R350 & 2008 C300
Maybe it's because the BMWFS lease rates are fantastic? ![nix](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/nixweiss.gif)
I know I bought an e90 this same time of year right after they got introduced in July-ish. And even then, I got it for $1500 over invoice, which was right around $1800 off msrp.
MB dealers around here wouldn't give me $1 off msrp. I'm sure it's more a sales philosphy though. BMW wants as many of theirs cars on the road as possible.
![nix](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/nixweiss.gif)
I know I bought an e90 this same time of year right after they got introduced in July-ish. And even then, I got it for $1500 over invoice, which was right around $1800 off msrp.
MB dealers around here wouldn't give me $1 off msrp. I'm sure it's more a sales philosphy though. BMW wants as many of theirs cars on the road as possible.
Like to also add that I read the magazines for entertainment purposes only. I like to see the cars and drive them myself in person to make up my own mind. Although I will admit that I can see Lambos and Ferraris, but they aren't going to let me drive them, so I have to trust the guys in the mags on that occasion ha ha.
#47
Super Member
Like to also add that I read the magazines for entertainment purposes only. I like to see the cars and drive them myself in person to make up my own mind. Although I will admit that I can see Lambos and Ferraris, but they aren't going to let me drive them, so I have to trust the guys in the mags on that occasion ha ha.
I read those mag just like I read comics when I was little.... wishing I would have that power, just like wishing I could be driving a ferraris or porsche gts...
I recently stopped subscriptions to those mags. To me, internet gives me the latest news in auto industry and more general public view of the vehicles. I don't trust those so call "experts" Test driving is the only way you can see how the car feels to YOU.
#48
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2008 R350 & 2008 C300
+1
I read those mag just like I read comics when I was little.... wishing I would have that power, just like wishing I could be driving a ferraris or porsche gts...
I recently stopped subscriptions to those mags. To me, internet gives me the latest news in auto industry and more general public view of the vehicles. I don't trust those so call "experts" Test driving is the only way you can see how the car feels to YOU.
I read those mag just like I read comics when I was little.... wishing I would have that power, just like wishing I could be driving a ferraris or porsche gts...
I recently stopped subscriptions to those mags. To me, internet gives me the latest news in auto industry and more general public view of the vehicles. I don't trust those so call "experts" Test driving is the only way you can see how the car feels to YOU.
![naughty](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/naughty.gif)
#49
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C200 AMG W204
When all comes to an end.
What made me go for the c.
1.Audi is out of the picture for me just beacause of the front wheel drive.
2.Bmw (i owned one in the past) is a really great car but had some disantvantages against the c.
The suspension and the chassi is made having in mind the sport driving aspect,but when it comes in comfort riding the merc is an absolut winner.
(The roads where i leave (Greece) are like Grand Canyon)
The looks of the 4door bmw in comparison with the c looks less sportier and a little bit boring.(This tail lights in the bmw are looking ...... bad to me)
If i went for the coupe bmw witch i like i must say i would loose carrying 1person since is a straight 4 seater.
Also in the 320 series the c200k performs also in numbers a little bit better than the bmw.
So the c is a better all round solution than the 320 for me but again is a matter of choise and what somebody wants from his car during the period of time his is buying the car.
What made me go for the c.
1.Audi is out of the picture for me just beacause of the front wheel drive.
2.Bmw (i owned one in the past) is a really great car but had some disantvantages against the c.
The suspension and the chassi is made having in mind the sport driving aspect,but when it comes in comfort riding the merc is an absolut winner.
(The roads where i leave (Greece) are like Grand Canyon)
The looks of the 4door bmw in comparison with the c looks less sportier and a little bit boring.(This tail lights in the bmw are looking ...... bad to me)
If i went for the coupe bmw witch i like i must say i would loose carrying 1person since is a straight 4 seater.
Also in the 320 series the c200k performs also in numbers a little bit better than the bmw.
So the c is a better all round solution than the 320 for me but again is a matter of choise and what somebody wants from his car during the period of time his is buying the car.