jsloan01

Hello all,

It has been quite some time since I posted here. Pretty much fell off the board after I sold my 2004.5 c230 when I relocated to NYC.

I am now working abroad for a little while, but will be moving to Cali (bay area) next summer. I need to buy a car, and would love to hear suggestions on the following

1. C350, fully loaded, navi, pano, bix, all premium packages, 18" amg wheels, etc. Car looks good, but it's in the upper $40s by the time it's equipped with all the goodies. Thoughts?

2. How does this compare to the 335i (sedan or coupe)?

I love the look of the coupe, but am 50/50 on the sedan. Beemers are likely a dime a dozen in Cali, but would love to hear some opinions

Money wise, I am willing to go up to $50k, but that's the ceiling.

Your suggestions are appreciated!

Shake

I'd personally get the 335. Much much faster compared to the C350. I also think the e90 sedan and coupe look better but that is relative.

cuoinon07

First, What do you really want?
do you a class and luxury feeling ( may be sporty look) or do you want something fast and sporty?
Money: depend how good can you negotiate and research
For me I would refer to get a c350 over 335 sedan for one reason style.
I would get a 335 coupe if i do get a bmw

Dema

You age and gender can help in better selection, if you are male, young and aggressive, then go with 335, much faster, better handling and braking, more useful features as comfort acceess or memory seat. iDrive was very improved for 09 model, so you get much better electrinics too, 40Gb HD where you can store music, amazing navigation, bluetooth compatible with wider range phones and many other nice features. My personal preferences could go to convertible especially for Cali SFBA.

newtonlaw

sedan to sedan, i'll take C350 regardless of the more powerful engine in the 335. 350 looks wwwwway better than the 335!
coupe to sedan, i personally will take that sedan coz its four doors. I like cars with 4 doors more! i do think the 335 coupe looks a lot better than the 335 sedan.

Untertürkheim

The C350 is better in every way except for the engine, which is pointless in LA anyway. 30 extra hp will not do much for you in the traffic here or even when the roads are empty...

Few people take into account (from a performance standpoint) that the MB automatic is much better than BMW's, which closes the HP gap a bit.

Design, build, ride quality, MB takes them all. BMW does have the more powerful engine, although I would wager the MB 350 is much more reliable in the long run.

FrankW

335 dyno around 280hp on manual cars which puts them at 330hp at least at crank. that's 60hp difference. and you definitely feel the difference in traffic or not. unless you live in downtown LA traffic isn't that much of an issue.

the MB auto shifts smoother, BUT the 6-spd auto in the BMW is much improved. the auto/sport/manual mode changes the throttle and shifting response dramatically.

335i is a great car, but you won't find them giving out much discount compare to the C350 which by the time you opted out with the feature you want on the 335i you will be at around $50-52k OTD. too much money spent for a 3-series IMO.

C350 is a better choice from financial perspective since there's always a dealer willing to sell the car at good discounts. performance wise there's no match for 335i. The C350 with the added options will still be cheaper than the 335i.

looks of the car are subjective. personally I think the 2009 facelifted E90 is one fugly beast. I would take the 2008 current over that any day. The W204 on the other hand all looks pretty good until you look at the rear which looks like it belongs on a much heavier car and doesn't look very sporty.

interior fit and finish W204 is better, but not by much. both feels very plasticky compare to their predecessor.

the choice is yours to make whether you want comfort with a little bit of sport or if you want sport with a little bit of comfort.

phranksmbz

this thread has other peoples thoughts on other cars as well.

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w204/256812-2009-w204-vs-a4-vs-vs-e90-vs-cts.html

khearon

Good luck finding a 335i Coupe similarly equipped close to that under $50K. (Assuming you mean new vehicles) The 335 invoice is about 4 grand over a C350. I don't believe it's even worth a comparison. You'll be well over $50K after you option it the way you want. As a matter of fact, I believe the C350 would still be cheaper than a 328 Coupe.

Happy shopping!

chilledbenz

Depending on your exact time frame you need a car...I would say wait till January and pick up a GLK 350.

Dema

335 has leather as standard, however you need to order it for C350.
BMW dealer will match in price an equal equipped Mercedes. So I'd suggest visit both dealers and drive both cars. It is important to find dealerships close to each other so you can compare feelings more accurately.

jherbias

I own a 335i coupe. The sedan is too ugly. My reasons I chose it over the competition:

1. Looks
2. Performance. BMW's 3-series is usually hailed as king of the entry-luxury car category. I wanted to see if that was true. It's hard to beat a twin-tarzan, 300hp+ engine and 6-speed manual, although the latter needs some work. I also wanted to know what the fuss was about how German cars, esp. BMW, "feel" on the road.
3. 0.9 APR financing.

The W204 had a way better exterior than the E90, but I felt the interior was such a let-down. This is especially because I usually regard MB's to have nice interiors, even more than a BMW, but I felt they skimped on the C-class. The W204 is also underpowered compared to the competition, and they don't offer stick on the C350.

Honestly, I feel the Lexus IS350 is much better built than either. The interior has nicer materials and feels built to a much higher standard.

FrankW

who says? that's a lot of hear-say.

335 standard has Leatherette...it's same vinyl crap as MB-tex.

no BMW dealership will "price match" similar equipped Mercedes. base price of the 3 series is $3000 higher than the C. why would they want to loose those $3000.

I just came back from the Lexus event two wks ago. interior of the IS overall the top dash feels more expensive however the center console looks and feels cheap to touch.

FrankW

the GLK is soo ugly it makes the X3 looks better.

jsloan01

Excellent and informative posts here. Just to add some more context to my purchases:

1. I need the car for July 2009 (when I move back to the States)
2. I am in my mid-20s, so I think it would be cool to have a hard-top convert for Cali (SF / Bay area)
3. Convenience wise, I prefer four-doors, but then again, how often will I be in my mid-20s, Cali, and can afford a nice car

I am really torn here. I am all about MB, had a C class before (did have some problems, however) interned for them for three summers, etc.

I just feel the BMW has some extra features MB skimps out on (the power lumbar seats, for example). Plus, I am not crazy about the dash of the new c-class. It looks so bloated / cheap, even with COMAND.

Then again, for BMW, it's again everything I have stood for! As a car snob, i have a tough time getting behind the wheel of a BMW

Is the 335i uncomfortable to drive? If I go with the C class, won't I need to special order it to get it with all the desired equipment?

Thank you!

Untertürkheim

I am not a fan of the way the 3 series drives even though it does handle very well, the MB feels much more composed.

Even if you do not need to order the C, why not get factory delivery and save the 7% and delivery charge without a negotiation. Then you can be sure to get the required P2, leather, etc....

ismeto

if you get time wait for 2010 model (better if you get money Get now 335 and then switch to C350 for 2010 model)

now 3 series did facelift looks better . C awaiting facelift - as soon as possible- offical explanation 2009's second quarter C350 will be 305 HP. and I hope inside facelift C would be better than 3



Depends on you

jsloan01

Wait, what? There is a facelift coming for a car that was just released? Are you sure?

What about the C350's hp getting a bump? I am looking to take delivery at the end of June or early July. I am a bit premature with asking now, but I am so excited to having a car again.

It has been almost three years!

jsloan01

Factory delivery as in Euro delivery? What's the difference b/n factory delivery and ordering from the dealer?

nychokeyplaya35

Owning both cars but ultimely sticking with the C350 was the smarter choice....C350 is more of a luxury car with a beautifuly body, while the 335i in my personal opinion is ugly (4 door) but the engine has ridicolous potential for that car....and its so much more fun to drive than the C throttle response in the 335i is awesome.

chilledbenz

If your waiting for a big redesign for the C...don't hold your breath. As with all MB products..with the exception of the G and Maybach...they do a mid refresh. So 2010 looks to be about right for the refresh, but only expect some new head light/tail light treatment, new mirrors, new wheel design, and probably the removal of the pop up nav screen for a fixed version thats becoming the MB standard. The new 350 engine should make its debut as well and maybe..just maybe direct injection by then...cross your fingers.

As for your comment on being young..and wanting a hard top convertible why not check out the refreshed SLK 300. Hit it up with the sports package and it looks super slick plus it will come in under your price limit. Upgrade to the SLK 350 and then your going to have to do some wheeling and dealing to get in under $50k, but it does have the new 300hp engine. Palladium Silver, Red Leather, Silver Trim and the Sports Package...looks damn fine. Although your lacking the rear seats...and you can get a Corvette for the same price range lol.

I'm still waiting for the GLK. It looks amazing, has more room, more options and will cost less money than a similarly equipped C (maybe..prices aren't set in stone just yet but a GLK 350 is said to start at the $38k to $40k range). A lot of the C owners are itching to trade theirs in for a GLK.

Bubbles

You can't compare a 335i with a C350.

I drive my 6MT 335i when I want to "Drive" or track. I drive my C350 when I need to drive others or run errands.

C350 is better looking than a 4-door 335i.
The 335i coupe is better looking than a C350.

I hate how the C350 noise-dives under hard braking but I do enjoy its body integrity. My 335i is just fast, my car is pushing close to 390 hp at the flywheel and its brakes (which are replaced for free) are unbelievable. So you really can't compare the two.

As a passenger I would prefer riding in the C350. As a driver --> my 335i.

For full disclosure I have had both turbos replaced on my 335i under warranty and a fuel pump. The C350 no problems other than a broken fog-light.

_MBMW_

To those who mention the price difference between 335i and c350, how about free maintenance for 4 years for 335i? How much is it for oil change and brake service on Merc dealership again? Performance wise c350 is not anywhere close to 335i (especially chipped one). Also, my brother in-law who is about 6'0 tall can never find a comfortable position in his c350 drivers seat, but said he was very comfortable in 335i...go figure.

khearon

I drove them both and I must say that the 335 does handle better...and looks better from some angles also. The BMW interior looks better with the Premium package...then again, you'll be well over your target price (if it matters). During my test drive, you had to get the Premium package in order to get power seats! That is ridiculous for an entry level "luxury" car.

You can find C-Class' sitting on dealer lots fully loaded without ordering. personally, I'd take the 335 Cpe over the Benz, but if you have a budget, the C-Class appears to be the economical choice. But, I'm sure you'll change your mind several times before July 2009.

mb_horseshoe

If getting a coupe: get the 335.

If getting a sedan: get the C350.