benzlvr2500

Hey guys, well i decided that once the lease is up on my IS250, im going to upgrade to one of the cars mentioned above, but i have a few concerns:

1) How much faster is the C300 than an IS250? or a 328i? I hear a lot of people saying C300 is slow...probably never drove IS250 which is slow as F*!K

2) From a price to value ratio, which car is better if i ONLY WANT P1 on the C classes? on the website i built both, and C300 w/ auto and P1 comes out to 37k...and the 350 is 39k, and already includes P1...300 overpriced?

3) How much bigger is the C class than an IS? backseat actually useful or worthless like my IS's? what about compared to a 3 series?

mikelin7

1) How much faster is the C300 than an IS250? or a 328i? I hear a lot of people saying C300 is slow...probably never drove IS250 which is slow as F*!K

driven C300, 328i and IS250, all automatic.. C300 is a better car compares to IS250.. more HP 228 vs 204.. more torque 221 vs 185 and little bit more roomier... 328i is a more agile car.. but its stiffer on the any road surface than C300 plus its a lot more expensive if equip with compairable options..

2) From a price to value ratio, which car is better if i ONLY WANT P1 on the C classes? on the website i built both, and C300 w/ auto and P1 comes out to 37k...and the 350 is 39k, and already includes P1...300 overpriced?

If I were you.. I would bite the bullet and get a bigger engine.. But that just me.. i think in the long run.. bigger engine equals more fun.. but that also accounts for more gas station visit...

3) How much bigger is the C class than an IS? backseat actually useful or worthless like my IS's? what about compared to a 3 series?

After trying IS in the backseat.. that is what really turns me off. C has more usable backseat but not by a big margin.. if Backseat is really important.. than G37 sedan might be a better choice.. 3 Series is about the same as C class but the rear seat is more inclined but softer.. not really know if they are good for long trips..

Hope this helps...

C300Sport

For a bigger car, the rear seat in the G37 is not that accomodating.
The IS has the least room and the 3 Series and C Class are pretty close. I am 6' 1" and I have had a guy 5' 8" sit behind me....granted I was up a little close to the wheel/pedals, it worked to get across town.
As far as acceleration, the C300 is much more powerful down low so really steps away from a stop much better than the IS250 and continues on stronger from there. As far as 300 vs. 350, you will have to drive them booth and see if a bit more power is worth $2,000 to you.

amdeutsch

Go to MBUSA and run the campare vehicle between 300 and 350. Then you see what you get extra for your additional money.

Sportstick

I noticed your sidebar says you drive to get from point A to point B, so I assume you're not overly enthusiastic about driving. So, don't just look at 0-60 times...check where the peak torque is. "Feel" is usually better for vehicles which deliver fairly flat/linear torque or at least deliver max torque somewhat lower in the rpm range. That's what gives you the "off the line" feeling, regardless of actual time to speed. A characteristic which many folks like about the 300 is how well it "pulls" across the rev range, which means you don't have to wait for high engine speed to find torque. Bottom line, don't just compare specs....drive them and see what feels good to get you to Point B.

Also, we routinely carry 2 adults in the back of the C. No complaints so far.

benzlvr2500

HAHAHA well the reason why my sig says that is because im sick and tired of driving slow boring cars. But honestly guys, is there a HUGE difference b/w the 300 and the 350? i know for a fact that with a 350, i wont lose to a rav 4 on the freeway on ramp. And i just checked the mbusa website and was shocked at the EPA mpg ratings...18/25 for the C300 and 17/25 for the C350? so, basically with a .5 liter bigger engine and 40 extra hp/tq, you only lose 1 mpg in the city ? Then a C300 is a gas hog for the power numbers...328i gets 19/28 with similar numbers...now that i bring gas prices into focus, the C class really doesnt look too promising

benzlvr2500

The G37 is niceee, but only in coupe form. Sedan looks boring, not much different than an altima

jturkel

test drive them both at a dealership or something. you will see the difference.

the 328i will handle a little better, but i prefer the looks of the MB and the interior. never have been a fan of the BMW dash

and i test drove an IS250 as well.....i punched it with the salesman in the car and i said....."is that it?" i maintain that is one of THE slowest accelerating new cars out there. i was shocked, especially after having test driven an IS350 (i know, different motor, by far)

benzlvr2500

hahah tell me about it, ive been suffering with it for 2 years now...matter of fact i was overtaken by a rav 4 on the freeway ramp. Well, how big of a difference in acceleration is there from IS250 to C300? Huge, noticeable, or just a little bit faster? Im tired of losing to rav 4's

Sportstick

Sorry I misunderstood! Some more info by the way....my real world mpg, although I drive a stick....about 21-22 city, although higher in some city situations...28-30 highway. BUT...this will all come down to driving....go put your butt in seats!

benzlvr2500

WHAT? 28-30 on highway??? overall, your getting about 4mpg more than the EPA ratings??...i find this really hard to believe...if this is true, this must be the best car in its class

Sportstick

Just so you know I'm not kidding...here's what happened one morning when I decided to take it easy a bit in my surburban streets commute. Only about the last 2 miles are highway. Note the average speed, time, and distance. This was my best ever commute, so I snapped it with my cell phone. Pure highway does better.

jturkel

i wouldnt say its much much faster, but you will certainly notice the difference. it wont blow you away though. the lexus has a bit of a detached feel, and for some reason to me, the MB is more of a raw feel when compared with the lexus.

now the C350 is a huge difference i think. you'd really like that.

dealerships are all about people coming to test drive cars right now b/c some of the highend places cant move cars. test them both out and find out for yourself!

and as far as epa ratings, you can definitely beat them. for my car (c32) its 15 city, 21 highway, for combined 17. depending on how you drive your car, acceleration style, and at what speeds you go, you can drastically alter your fuel efficiency. i've seen 26 on the highway when going 65 but 21 at 75. and when i drive conservatively on the streets, i see 17, but when i drive aggressively, well, thats well below 15 lol.

benzlvr2500

Hmm i like the sound of huge difference...how much do you think i could get a 08 C350 these days?

Reed19x

335i /thread

jturkel

not exactly in the same price range as a C300 or IS250 or 328i. not exactly /thread

benzlvr2500

335i if only i was getting a coupe. the sedan is FUGLY

HBC350

A year ago I got a bare bones 350 (MSRP $37,700) for just a hair over $30K, brand new. Best bang for the buck of any car I've ever purchased with the exception of a Mini Cooper S I had for a few years. That car was big time fun and I stole it from the prior owner, hence the bang/buck.

jturkel

well if thats in your price range, IMO, go for it. i'd trade my 32 for one. and those things are so mod friendly

chokaay

IMHO, if you only drive a vehicle to get from point "A" to "B", and you NEVER have the desire to accelerate fast or do performance driving, and you are on a VERY STRICT budget, then the C300 should be enough for you.

But if you like to have "fun" while you drive your vehicle, and from time-to-time you have a desire to accelerate fast or do performance driving, and can spare and extra $2,000, I HIGHLY SUGGEST you get the C350. Honestly, you will be surprised how much difference there is between the two cars performance-wise.

Reed19x

Here's the whole BMW/Mercedes argument summed up nice and easy...

BMW for driving experience, Mercedes for the ride. I can't comment on the C350, but the C300 offers a better ride and more space than the 328i. If you're into the "go fast" or "punch it every chance you get" stage in your life, then the 328i might be the better car for you. But if you're just looking for a comfortable cruiser to get around town and such in...then go with the C Class. Bottom line: 328i for fun (335i is more exhilarating), C Class for a good ride.

I know people say the C300 doesn't have passing power on the interstate etc. etc. but quite frankly, as long as you aren't trying to pass someone going 100 then you'll be fine. Definitely enough power for "get up and go" situations, but you won't be winning any stoplight to stoplight drags anytime soon.

Side note: Don't know why people bought the C300 expecting to turn it into a race car...take the 35-40K and spend it on several of the other cars out there that will outrun/outperform the C every day of the week.

C300Sport

Or just get the manual...

mikelin7

here.. let me summarize for you...

C300 .. get the manual, at least P1 package and Multimedia package...

328i .. get the coupe and manual... get the sports package and NAVI package.

C350 .. get the P2 Package..and Multimidia package

335i .. get the NAVI package and performance package...

you can also try Audi A4 or S4 they are pretty nice car...

stay away from Lexus..

If you really want to get the bang for your buck.. get the G7.. just kidding ..

it all depends how deep is your pocket and your own personal preference.

jturkel

edit: make sure 335i has oil cooler too (not necessarily included in PP). check in passenger side fender well for it.

JoeVal

I have the European C350 and comes limited to 155 mph (250 kmh), but it is easy to deprogram and then the limit is 175 (281). From there it takes extra money to raise it to your budget's limit.

Whichever you choose look at the idiosyncracies before, afterwards gets from costly to not available to add them or change them.

Cheers, JV