IB Adrian

Hello all,

They're almost the same car, from the same country, in the same class. You might be okay choosing one over the other via "eenie, meenie, mynie, mo". The difference is in the driver. So which do you prefer? Why?


If you haven't seen it yet, here is the article:
https://mbworld.org/comparison/merce...w_328.php#more

e1000

There's a typo in the second paragraph regarding overall length

dawgenstein

Until last summer, I was the owner of a BWM 528i for 9 years. When it came time to replace that car, I wanted a smaller and sportier car so I made the head to head comparison between the BMW 3-series and the Mercedes C-Class. I test drove the 328i, C300, and C350. I went with the C350 because

--the C class has more headroom for me than the 328i. In getting in and out of the vehicle this was a noticable difference
--the 328i came with runflat tires. This was a huge non-starter for me. Give me a real spare tire.
--the COMAND controller in the C class is superior to whatever that toggle device is they have in the 328i.
--the electronics and multimedia package in the C-class is much nicer than the 328i
--I was able to get a C350 with even much larger engine for cheaper than the 328i

Azn_C300

"Then there is the issue of showiness. If you want a car that announces your arrival wherever you drive, the BMW 328 is simply flashier."

subject to personal taste. Should have kept that article fact based and leave it to the forum members to decide.

delirium

I also think that the MB is flashier... so which one is longer, the article was confusing.

german-anger

I'd argue that the 328i is way drab looking compared to the w204, especially the ones with the sport package on them AMG really did their magic, when I first saw the sport package for the C-class I totally thought this is what their AMG model would look like (but obviously they went beserk on the c63), but if they didn't and stuck to the subtleness of the C55 and C32... would have looked like the standard sports package on w204s right now. You know what I mean?

hemptation88

Check out this video of the bmw 3 series, almost makes me want to switch or just get that steering wheel for my c300 http://www.************/car-videos-09...ce-package.htm

akbro93704

I test drove a 328 before I got my C300. They drive VERY nicely. The only thing that really turned me off was how boring a basic 328 looked and how expensive they got once the sport package etc was added. To me the W204's are a much better value, and look so much sportier. They may not drive "like a BMW", but I'm very happy with my choice.

german-anger

What do those fancy red lights do on that steering wheel? Display how many Gs you are corning at? I suppose the middle is for speed display so you dont have to look all the way down to the speedometer?

cdye12

I would have to agree; I test drove both the 335i and I was amazed and how quick the price jumped once you started adding packages.

C300Sport

+ 1

TB5...

basically... and it seems like with BMW the don't care to negotiate prices... the guy i delt with at least was sayin some **** about supply and demand is the reason the 328 xi was so much... lease rates were ridiculous too.

i did love tha bmw coupe tho... red interior looked beautiful... and it sat on the ground better than the benz... but i do agree tha benz is flashier the front of the benz is too nice.

cdye12

I'll be the 1st one to tell you that I love the look of the 3-Coupe, overall it's shape is much more pleasing to the eye that the 3-Sedan and it's odd butt. That being said, every time I went to the BMW dealership I felt 2 things: 1) The interior quality of the BMW was sub-par compared to the competition (C, A4, CTS, IS350), and 2) They treated me like I "owed" them something. I realize that the C and the 3 series are not the top of the line models for each respective automaker, but don't treat me like I'm a low life because I'm "only" spending 42-48 grand. When I went to the Mercedes dealership, they were friendly and were willing to talk on price. That cemented my decision (In addition to all the wonderful things about the C).

TB5...

lol @ "only" 48 grand...

your speaking the damn truth tho man... i got that same attitude from bmw... i mean... imo...they have been doing better than the competition (past 4 years) with their new designs... maybe they're just gettin greedy with their success.

_MBMW_

Wait, are you telling me that your C350 came with full spare? Strange. I couldn't get it here in CA, only runflats...

akitchell

we keep going back and forth between mercedes and bmw as well. i would suggest that any potential buyer drive both cars. bmw has steering feel and suspension settings down pat. i love driving my wifes 3 coupe for its steering. she traded her clk for it. she'll take my cls55 anyday over her car. i go back and forth due to that damn steering. it almost made me buy a 6 series over my cls. but in the end , i believe mercedes has a nicer ride , while bmw's as a whole are more of a drivers car.

hemptation88

would be nice if the lights displayed the rpms and when to shift

ejsheltra

Anybody have any maintenance history on either car? When I lived in Atlanta in the 90s in my apartment complex a girl drove a new 335 and was constantly seen driving their BMW loaner car. It seemd like at least once a month that loaner would be in her parking space and hers would be at the shop. Her husband drove a Ford 150.
My uncle was a top executive at BMW in Europe for many years and he was the only BMW exec that drove a Mercedes to work.

C300Kid

The 335i didn't exist in the 90s. I think they're pretty reliable.

dawgenstein

Yep. The 2008 model of the C350 came with a spare tire in the trunk under the trunk floor.

dawgenstein

Just to clarify here---my C350 came with a regular donut-spare in the trunk.

FraKctured

Agreed. Strange to see that level of subjectivity in a review like this.

whiteongrey

+1

asiafish

Just had a very difficult time making the same choice. 328i felt faster (actual performance about the same) and steering feel was better. C300 is (imo) better looking and has better standard seats, though BMW comfort or sport seats are better still.

In the end, I went with the C300 sport and do not regret my choice. Made a similar decision back in February for my wife's small SUV and chose the X3 over the GLK. I don't think either company makes a mediocre car in their entire lineup.

After 2.5 months and 7500 miles I'm still in love with my 09 C300.

F456 V12

Well I happen to own and drive both.

I am personally driving a C300 2008 sport model, 6 speed - pretty basic model, that I bought for my 21 year old almost 2 years back. 9 months of the year she is at UPenn, so I decided to turn in my company car and drive the C300...BTW, I have owned a couple of c-class, e-class and s-class cars...currently a c-class and e-63 (wife's car).

In any event, bought (2) 328i demo cars for my younger daughters, 6K and 9K mile respectively...very loaded 45K cars, but paid about the same cost as I paid for the C300 sport new, sports package, paddles, leather, navigation, i-pod etc...overall the 3 series is much sportier, BUT difference is about 12K in options and the biggest is a real sports package vs. a badged C300 as sport. My kids 328i's are much tighter, firmer and lots more fun to drive. Just being objective,

MB