C-Class (W204) 2008 - 2014: C180K, C200K, C230, C280, C300, C350, C200CDI, C220CDI, C320CDI

A different "what car do I buy question?"

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 07-27-2009, 03:08 PM
  #1  
CEB
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
 
CEB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 10 Posts
1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
A different "what car do I buy question?"

...Like all of you, I'm usually pretty fed up with the "what car should I buy threads" because who would recommend anything but a MB on the MB board or a BMW on the BMW forum?

Accordingly, I'm going to turn the question around and ask you why I should by the BMW over the C300. Please give me your reasons as well.

Here are the particulars:

Monaco Blue (dk blue) 335ix vs White C300 sport 4Matic. Both cars are pretty well loaded. The car will be the daily driver with 22k+ miles per year. I promised my wife that I'd keep this car at least 100k miles.

Advantages (IMO) of the C300:

Nicer color - I much prefer light colors over dark
Much smaller turning circle (35.4ft vs tugboat sized 38.6ft)
More interior room
Feels more solid (not by much though)
Closer dealer

Cons (IMO) of the C300

More expensive to maintain - but slightly cheaper to buy (not by much)
MB-Taxi (err MB-Tex) interior

Advantages (IMO) of the 335ix

Power - who doesn't want more power with minimal MPG hit (if you keep away from the turbo during normal driving)
Better seats
Included maintenance (you know exactly what the 100k miles are going to cost you)

Cons (again IMO)

Color - IMO, the Monaco blue (especially with the black shadowline trim) looks dark and boring - will I get used to it?
Barge like turning circle

Again, the only question is:

Why should I get the BMW over the MB and why?

Oh - these are literally the only choices out there with the options I want although the MB is available is several other colors as well. The problem is that the BMW is ONLY available in Monaco Blue.

Last edited by CEB; 07-27-2009 at 03:11 PM. Reason: Added the Oh - ....
Old 07-27-2009, 03:19 PM
  #2  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
tanktube67's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SFV CA
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
2008 Black Out C350 Saks Edition / 87 VW GTI
Get what you think is right for you.

MB you pay for services out of pocket.

BMW services are included in the price you pay for the car.

Bottom line there is not much deference; both cars are nice and fun to drive, if I were you I will get the 335 coupe with the Aero Kit.
Good luck!

My $0.02
Old 07-27-2009, 03:59 PM
  #3  
Newbie
 
mtnbkr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Nissan
How come the prices are relatively closer? I thought (knew) 335 was about 8-10K more
Old 07-27-2009, 04:09 PM
  #4  
Super Member
 
Illusive's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Calgary, AB
Posts: 567
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2012 C63 AMG
Yeah the 335xi should be a lot more expensive than the C300. It would be more comparable to a C350 4MATIC. I looked at the 238xi and compared it to a C300 4MATIC when I was looking for a new car this spring.

I actually quite like the Monaco Blue colour, I paired it with the Chestnut leather interior. The BMW does have excellent seats and if you are going for a 335xi, then you'll have a boatload of power on tap which is always nice. Up here in Canada, maintenance is not included, at least not what I was told for either company, and the prices are very similar so that canceled each other out.

If you are looking for an excellent driving experience, would like the extra power on tap, then I would go for the 335xi hands down. The BMW is much better accustomed to spirited driving and handling. Fuel consumption, either one is going to suck, turbo or not!
Old 07-27-2009, 05:29 PM
  #5  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
tanktube67's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SFV CA
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
2008 Black Out C350 Saks Edition / 87 VW GTI
Originally Posted by mtnbkr
How come the prices are relatively closer? I thought (knew) 335 was about 8-10K more
C350 + servises + brake jobs = 6K to 8K
Old 07-27-2009, 05:31 PM
  #6  
CEB
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
 
CEB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 10 Posts
1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
Oddly enough....

Originally Posted by Illusive
Yeah the 335xi should be a lot more expensive than the C300. It would be more comparable to a C350 4MATIC. I looked at the 238xi and compared it to a C300 4MATIC when I was looking for a new car this spring.

I actually quite like the Monaco Blue colour, I paired it with the Chestnut leather interior. The BMW does have excellent seats and if you are going for a 335xi, then you'll have a boatload of power on tap which is always nice. Up here in Canada, maintenance is not included, at least not what I was told for either company, and the prices are very similar so that canceled each other out.

If you are looking for an excellent driving experience, would like the extra power on tap, then I would go for the 335xi hands down. The BMW is much better accustomed to spirited driving and handling. Fuel consumption, either one is going to suck, turbo or not!
...the car I'm looking at has Monaco/Saddle (very close to the chestnut) and is basically fully loaded (comfort access, sport, premium, cold weather, nav, park distance control (the must for me that makes these cars so hard to find) premium hi-fi, iPod, while the MB has P2, Pano, MultiMedia, quickpark.

Adding the maintenance plan and the extended warranty (5/100) to the invoice of the MB makes that car about $4k cheaper than the 335xi with the 5/100 warranty (the BMW extended warranty is far cheaper than the MB one) I found out yesterday that USAA members get an additional $1k off making the difference about $5k.

I just found a 328xi in white with most everything but sport that is about $3k cheaper than the C300...
Old 07-27-2009, 05:37 PM
  #7  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
tanktube67's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SFV CA
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
2008 Black Out C350 Saks Edition / 87 VW GTI
BMW offer 2 different type of extended warranties; Bumper to bumper warranty and maintenance warranty both up to 100K or 2 years whatever comes first and both of them combine run about $4K to $5K
Old 07-27-2009, 05:45 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
CrAZyVeGAsBoY's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Read the name
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
C300 4matic Sport, CBR 954
really depends on u, i guess since the price is about the same its what u want, imo i would say that the merk is a "smother" car, rides softer and u dont feel much on the road vs the bmw is a bit stiffer with its suspension and with added hp ur gonna feel that more, but at the end of the day like everyone is say is which one u better in and which one works best for YOU.
Old 07-27-2009, 05:56 PM
  #9  
Newbie
 
mtnbkr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Nissan
Still little confused about the pricing but no worries... Good for you if you found good prices on both. It's a smart way to look at the cost that way (including the maintenance cost, etc.)...

I say you should get the 335xi over the C300 if you like the extra power and the BMW's "feel" which is really nice. The power difference I think will be significant especially between C300 and 335.

Currently I have neither but have driven 328, 335, C350, G37S, IS350 in the last two weeks as I am looking to get a new car in the next month or two. BMW and MB dealers are next to each other where I live and I drove a C350 right after driving a 335. Other than power/speed/feel, I cannot find any other reason to get the 335.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: A different "what car do I buy question?"



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:13 AM.