Sportstick

On handling and responsiveness, the numerical data is certainly closer than the subjective feel. Also having driven both, there are qualities which are hard to quantify which make these more different experiences than one can find on paper. This phenomenon occurs not infrequently, as many road tests point out.

For those of us who are manual transmission-inclined, we will likely be leaving anyway, as MBUSA no longer wants to sell us a car.

kevink2

I agree, based on test drivng the 3 and the C in 2008. My background is 2 year local autox champ, in my class, and in self-upgraded class, the following year. Also 1000's of miles at HSDE days, instructor qualified.

During test drives (for GF), I told the sales guy in back seat about my background and I intended to push the car .. and with no resistance I then ignored him and mentally put myself on the track, with both cars, using curvey back roads (that I had used before to test out my suspension modifications on tracked cars). I recall getting air on several compound curve/mini-hills.

The BMW (and Audi-A4) was more quick to turn-in and had less roll, but once you compensated for the very slight delay, the "times" for the C were the same.


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MBfinatic

Its sad that Mb doesn't continue the manuals here. Can the C250 be ordered with a 6speed? That would be nice but I think I would rather keep my C350 6spd. We need to make a huge petition showing MBUSA that there are still people here that want a MANUAL!

Sportstick

I have been all over them to the point of seeming fanatic. I am on their owner community website, sending them articles, including the recent one by Jim Healey in USAToday on the manual trans resurgence. I keep getting the same answer that they sell at too low a rate, which they seem to fail to understand is self-inflicted. BMW (3 series), Audi (A4), and upcoming Cadillac (ATS) all appear to have positioned their brand to attract more enthusiastic drivers, while MBUSA has been advertising/marketing to older, more sedate buyers who can't remember how to keep their cars on the road. So, the population of manual trans MB buyers is small and dwindling as they have created the self-fulfilling prophecy. My last holdout hope is to check the new CLA coming next year, which is about the size of a current C Class but swoopier and better looking than even the CLS! Yes, I'd even consider FWD to keep the stick, as Audi has shown it can be done (if they ever improved their quality/reliability, they could be quite a competitor!)

MBfinatic

We need to do something!

cswang

The seats suck in the C. I'm a small guy and the seats in the C seem to offer no side support. Hard to drive with any determination when one is rolling around in the seat. With my 2007 335, the bolsters fit around me nicely and I didn't need the dead pedal to push against as much.

Glyn M Ruck

If you had an AMG you would probably find the seats more to your liking.

kevink2

That 335, if it had twin turbos, 4.8 sec 0-60, is not a good comparo for the C350.

caranddriver-2007-bmw-335i-sedan-road-test

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kevink2

How about a wall street type protest, and we can poop on the cars in the dealers lots.


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MBfinatic

My c55 had nice Side bolsters that supported you when drifting . Ok im down for the protest! The Service detailers are gonna hate us.. we should show them the amount of mb owners that would like to see the manual trans come back! Maybe thread is needed? Everyone with a c55/32 (almost everyone) wish that the car had a manual option. Including me. There is a thread about why the c63 doesnt have a manual option. We need to get a MB to make a drivers car as well as a luxury car. If they spread their items and appeal to more people that sounds like selling more cars to more types of people. Im sure if they bring it back in a sporty way it will be sold hands down. The only reason I considered getting a m3 back than was to get a manual. But the service records made me go with mb anyway. I heard awhile back as well a rumor of a awd I4 turbo Mb car. If that came with a manual that would be a great car!

jj1400

Hi Fung63, the E was a great car. I bought it for my father(66 years old). He is a very very big guy (195 cm). He used to drive a Tahoe. After a month he told me the E was too small for him to drive. So I traded it in for a 2010 GL550, which finally makes him happy.
Initially I wanted to get the C350, as you suggested. But the 350 costs about 10k more, I feel it's better to get an E with that extra amount of money and as I already have a 07 S550, I decide to pick up the C300. For a week, so far so good!

jj1400

I agree. Look at Porche, they even make mannual trans. on their SUV!

Fraggy

Unless you get lucky and find a really good service advisor, the repair shop the BMW can be a really horrible place, trust me I've only several for quite a number of years.

C300CA

http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com...-Midsize-Cars/

I though C-Class is a upscale compact car, now US News calls it midsize car. Rank of C vs 3 series is ...

LILBENZ230

It's hard to take a publication seriously that ranks the Buick Regal above the C-class, A4, and 3-series. Nevermind that they rank the ES350 above the 3 series as well.

StuttgartUSA

Not everybody drinks the BMW koolaid! I have driven a 2007 BMW 328I for the last 2 years. The car is great, but its not the end all of be all of Automotive design. I cant stand Auto mags, driven more by add sells than actual factual info. You know BMW spends the most on advertising than Mercedes and Lexus combined.

LILBENZ230

No one said anything about the 3-series being that. However, the statistic that BMW spent more in advertising than Benz and Lexus combined seems made up. Got proof?

Anyway, BMW cars sell themselves. They are great drivers. That is a compliment to BMW, not a stab at Mercedes or Lexus or anything like that. Only sensitive Benz fanboys see it as such.

ucfbeta92

When I test-drove a 3 series I found it was a more aggressive ride, more fun no doubt. But I find the C Class is far more comfortable - more plush, if you will (although in terms of comfortable seating, Infiniti G took the cake).

Also, without the NAVI upgrade, the 3 series dash looks quite outdated. I think the C Class has a better interior, and frankly isn't that much lower on power.

Glyn M Ruck

+1 The Buick Regal is a real POS.

alphaforcex

I don't autoX and I don't mod my cars any more but I can tell the differences between the 328i and C250. Were you driving the 335 and C350?? It's hard to believe most people can't tell the difference... The 328i definitely feel more nimble and corners better and I am not talking about pushing the limits type of cornering either to feel that. Granted I test drove them on separate days...I signed up the BMW driving event which let me drive both 328i and C250 again one more time. I will pay more attention this time. i just checked and 328i is 100 lbs less than the C. May be having the bigger engine and lighter weight make it a better drive? I agree the 2012 interior is nicer than the
BMW.

alphaforcex

that's what I am afraid too. I just had a feeling that I will come back to MB after that. I always want a BMW ever since I got my driver license and I think it's time I do that. Otherwise, I will be too old to be in one.

abiazis

I have had both makes........both expensive to maintain.....bottom line is...

BMW = younger image = better handling, smooth ride, reliability issues

Mercedes = older image = smooth ride, ok handling, reliability issues

You want a daily reliable smooth riding car with ok handling go to Lexus........

MBfinatic

Mb has good reliability..

Glyn M Ruck

The W204 is extremely reliable & as I've stated before the new 3 Series has moved a lot closer to Benz in feel. It's lost much of that sporty edge it had in older models.

LILBENZ230

Mercedes has certainly came full circle when it comes to reliability. The very early 2000s were a dark period. The early W203s were not good at all and the upper end cars were even worse.

Nice to see them make a full recovery.