seabay

Hello,
I'm choosing between a C300 and a 328i. I'm currently a previous generation 3-series owner. After driving both cars' 2009 editions, I love them both. I'm leaning toward the C300, but there a couple of things that hold me back. One, prior reliability of the MB. I understand these new cars are not problematic. Also, can't say I've seen many men behind the wheel. Even on these sites, I see many posts saying "my wife drives the c300". Shallow, but it has impact.
I'm ok with the fact that it may not attack the twisties like a BMW. Heck, I'm just commuting to work. How did you former BMW owners make the switch and why? What keeps you MB owners from going to the BMW? Thanks.

white46

i switched from e46 to c300 with following reasons.

1. e92 looks good but e90 is not appealing to me in ext/int compare to c300.
2. fully loaded c300 price was alot better than fully loaded 328i. (i think you are not concerning 335i here).
3. c300 comand system is alot better/cooler than e90 i-drive.
3. less c300 on street than e90. lol

but after i've been driving c300 for a while, i personally found that BMW is more driver's car and MB is more commuter's car.

seabay

That's where I run into the question. I mainly do basic dad stuff. Work, golf, tote the family. I'm not jamming into corners often but when I do, it's fun!

white46

i wouldn't worry about it. when you attack corners, c300 will do good enough to make you exciting.

M-bENZ

not in US ...nuh uh lolz

Andy

Sportstick

I chose C over 3 after considering both new 09 models for comfort, design, safety, and if you look at JDPower, you will see the good C Class quality. At the risk of Frank W. piling on me again, one issue is the little publicized fact that the 3 has run flat tires only, which can be replaced, but there is no place to store a spare, except to fill up your trunk, which TO ME BASED ON FACTORY INFORMATION, means if you're more than 50 miles away from a replacement when you have a flat, you also now have a problem.

Paulcl

I was deciding between the c300 4matic and 328xi as well last year. Test drove both cars, bmw handles better but the c300 does just fine in my opinion. Coming from a G35 both seemed slow and not as sporty anyways. The C has a bigger interior which I liked. And I think it looks alot better than the blend 328. Plus everyone and their mom has a 3 series.

len56

lol, don't worry, it's a guys car :P

chicks drive camaro's too... and that's DEFINATLEY a guy's car

paladiumonblack

[quote=seabay;3616456] I see many posts saying "my wife drives the c300". ./quote]

I wish I could get my hands on my wifes C300...

Rick Hunter

I see a ton of chicks in both 328i & C300s. My C is actually the wife's.

FWIW, I've realized and am quite comfortable with each brand's niche. The C is obviously more refined and luxurious with a touch of sportiness while the BM has sportiness with a touch of luxury. Ideal path is to own one of both. Personally, I've had a chance to drive the 328i for an extended amount of time (loaner car) and it was rubbish compared to my C. 335i though... different story.

seabay

[QUOTE=paladiumonblack;3616786]Touché
I know I'm being nuts about this. I just want this to work out. I see the BMW as the safe choice and the MB as the sexy choice. No logic to that. Also, I need to move my dealer to a greater discount. Only $2k off sticker right now.

chokaay

That's an excellent way to put it! Short, to the point, and 100% accurate!

justthinking

What year was your G35?? Interested to hear why you decide to make the switch and how you like the c-class compare to G35...
My brother has a 06 G35..I must admit his car has a lot more kick than my C300 but I just can't stand the noise level inside the car...
IMO, G35 has the w204 beat when it comes to interior luxury & raw power..but does not quite have the same sturdy build feel and drive quality...

Merc_F1

personally I think the e90 BMW 3 series sedan has a feminine shape...whereas the C has a boxy/sharper & aggressive lines thus more masculine



*I also own an e92 BMW so no Merc bias

C-Class_GREEK

not to get anyone angry but personally i think the 3 series is for girls. And I don't care how fast that 335i is. to me its still a B$%#H car with all those curves. the only reason people get attracted to that car is because they want that twin turbo engine, which btw the turbos are as big as my ac knob. sorry if your gonna get a 3 series get the real deal "M3". plus they are way overpriced. got quoted fully loaded 53,500 out the door 59+... sorry but i would have rather have a c63 or cts-v and i didn't need a car like that because i already have a very fast car. I personally driven the 335i and yeah it quick but my srt8 would destroy it even in its stock days. interior is cheap and it looks plasticky. Thats why i got the c350 because it was a nice balance power, handling, sophistication. plus, its a benz.

imboom

I see about at least 15 w204's here in Hawaii almost everyday. I never saw one at all before I bought mine and months after I got mine in 2007.

Batman372

I was driving a BMW 523/2006 full loaded, Then downgrade to my C200 K/2009 full loaded.
After 4 months I can confirm that this W204 is very close to Bmw re handling/stability/engines.
Only the Bmw transmision/gearbox still better/comfort in action.

Will38

I have a E90 330i fully loaded/manual and I have to say it feels great driving it. The handling on the E90 feels superb over the W204, but of course it's also faster but it's not always about the speed. I believe when it was stock I could've felt every bump on the road, and now it's worst after coils. Anyways when it comes to a daily drive, the W204 feels better, the drive is more comfortable and smooth on the road. Still i don't get why they made a 328i...and didn't keep the 330i as the lowest model after the 335i.

SuperDavid

I change my M3 (E36) to Mercedes C350, BMW is more sport car, but the W204 body is looking better and more bigger car. NOT BUY a C300, go to C350, 268 HP, 258 torque, bigger front breaks, P1 is included,

casper

I went trough same decision two weeks ago. I am a BMW fan for more than 30 years, but the wife likes Mercedes mostly because of the prestige, similar to why women prefer a purse over another, brand.

So, i have had a few Mercedes over the years, and they are great cars, different than BMW. Mercedes is for older folks, more comfort, etc.

So, two weeks ago, I looked at 3 series vs C350. based on engine and price, I positioned them as follows in order of preference, from best to good:

1-335i
2-C350
3-328i
4-C300

I started trying to buy a C300, test drove one (base unit, no options) and found it more comfortable than the basic 328i loaners I get , better looking in it's base form, and cheaper. So, I tought I could be happy with one for a couple of years, but needed power seats with memory, that meant I had to add P1, at the same time, there was a $2000 cash to dealer on the C350 which already came with P1, so I figure, I can have a C350 with better engine than a C300 and a 328i and cheaper than the 328i, similar price to a C300.

I chose the C350 for te following :
1-priced lower than a similarly equiped 328i,
2-better engine than C300 and 328
3-better looking than 328, (front, spoilers, wheels, etc)
4-Newer model, will be around for another 5 years minimum without changing style, where the 328i is due for a relpacement in two years.
5-Handling not as good, but OK for commuting or DD

So, I added Multimedia (needed sound, standard sound is extremely bad, but sound comes integrated with MM), added 18" AMG wheels and ipod adapter and ended up with a car that is below the 335i but with enough power and I saved aprox $6000 over a 335, and a lot better than a 328 for about same price if not lower.

If I had to choose between a C300 and a 328, I would have selected the 328i.

C300S 6MT

both great cars IMO. I still have my 330i, it's hard to let go. I bought a C300S 6MT and loving it. There were some moments that I feel like that it handles better than my BMW, then I wake up.... C300 can't beat the sporty handling of the BMW, however, it's between a luxury MB (wife's preference) and sporty BMW (my preference). Its a perfect compromise and I'm starting to get use to it. Its my daily ride but I "let the wife" take it out once in a while.

Paulcl

I had an 05. I get bored easily and like to change cars every 3-4 years. I agree, the G35 has a nicer interior, more power, better handling, more spacious and its cheaper. I felt like it always wanted me to go faster than I am going. Wait why did I switch to the C300 again? haha.

But as you mentioned before, the noise level is pretty high. Especially in long drives or when I am going home to relax after a long day. Where I don't really care for hearing the engine or the road noise. It sounds great when you are stepping on it and having fun, but it just lacks the quite comfort feeling on the days that you want it. And the build quality is not as nice, everything rattled. The shifter shakes and vibrates like theres no tomorrow. It kicks your head back everytime you accelerate, otherwise you have to step on it really lightly. If speed is your thing then I highly recommend the G.

The C300 feels strong and sturdy, the ride is nice and smooth. You can definitely tell the difference, just try closing the door in the G35 and then try it in the C300. Completely different. Transmission is alot better too. I do miss the power and the soft comfortable seats in the G. But I love how the w204 looks and have wanted the C ever since it came out. So I just had to get one.

Besides, now it gives me an excuse to get myself a sports car on the side

NewC180

I've changed my E46 to the W204 about half a year ago. It's a great car, nice to drive and lots of nice features as well. I think it is much superior than the E90 in terms of technology and equipment. Mercs spent many years of R&D in this car.

BTW, I still have my E60 as well, so I'm with both Merc and BMW.

Looking forward to welcome you to the W204 family!

S204HONGKONG

I am also an ex-E46 330i owner who made the switch to a C280 (same as US C300). The biggest difference concerns the engine, which I feel BMW still excels, but in all other areas the W204 is at least a match for the 3 series. The handling balance is even better on the Mercedes

misterng

I have both E90 330i and W204 C350 and 100% agree with you!