MB or BMW?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
Likes: 57
From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
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.
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,331
Likes: 9
From: Delaware
2004 Mazda6, 1993 RX7
really how much better handling? So you took the cars to the autocross? That's the only place will the real behavior differences of both the C and 3 will come out .... I have had the privledge of driving both of these cars in Germany where there are a lot more driving Dynamics at play that allow more aggresive driving and I can honestly say that for the average driver which 99% of people are there is no diffrence at all.
Yes in my opion the BMW was a slightly better performance wise but not enough to make me say damm this is truly the better car. The Merecedes did excell at two things that made the BMW had no chance at, comfort and interior.
Yes in my opion the BMW was a slightly better performance wise but not enough to make me say damm this is truly the better car. The Merecedes did excell at two things that made the BMW had no chance at, comfort and interior.
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.
.
Last edited by kevink2; May 13, 2012 at 11:49 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,391
Likes: 2
From: VA
e36 318i, 2004 sti
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!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
Likes: 57
From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
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!)
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
2012 C350 Palladium Sport Sedan
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,331
Likes: 9
From: Delaware
2004 Mazda6, 1993 RX7
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
.
caranddriver-2007-bmw-335i-sedan-road-test
.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,391
Likes: 2
From: VA
e36 318i, 2004 sti
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!
. 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!
Last edited by MBfinatic; May 14, 2012 at 10:12 AM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: STATE COLLEGE
350
jj1400 is there a reason you got rid of your 2010 e class? or was lease up? What i am getting at is if you got rid of the previous E for a negative reason.. you might as well pass on it now. You going for the C class is a good idea as you havent had one yet... go try something new! a c350 is min for what you should get... as your previous cars are all more powerful.
However, also from your list of previous cars, you seem to chose larger vehicles... so maybe that should be in consideration. the C class will be by far the smallest ride you have.
either way, you said you are picking up the C... grats on it!
However, also from your list of previous cars, you seem to chose larger vehicles... so maybe that should be in consideration. the C class will be by far the smallest ride you have.
either way, you said you are picking up the C... grats on it!
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!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: STATE COLLEGE
350
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
BMW 335i
I am in the same boat and looking fwd to my first BMW purchase in Sep. We have a GL now and I used to have a C sport sedan too. That car was fun and had no problems the 7 years that I owned it. Was looking for '11 C300 but I found it a little too boring and the interior was not attractive either. Waited and tried the '12 C250 and it was ok. The interior is better but that's about it. I then test drove the 328i and the drive was really day and night. The 3 drove and handled much better. However, the service department really concerns me. Their reviews on the internet are really bad most of the time and I am not talking about 1-2 dealerships as there are several in the area.
So I am going to try it for a few years (going to lease it) and see how it goes.
So I am going to try it for a few years (going to lease it) and see how it goes.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 803
Likes: 37
From: Bay Area, CA
2011 C300 Sport, P1, MM, Wood, Heated FS, DIY rearview camera.
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 ...
I though C-Class is a upscale compact car, now US News calls it midsize car. Rank of C vs 3 series is ...
Last edited by C300CA; May 14, 2012 at 04:22 PM. Reason: correction
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,384
Likes: 800
2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
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.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Stuttgart, Germany
2012 C250 Sports Sedan, 2006 AMG E55
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,384
Likes: 800
2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
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.
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.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 283
Likes: 1
From: Central Florida
2009 C300 Sport, ex 2007 C230 Sport
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.
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.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC
'11 GL450
really how much better handling? So you took the cars to the autocross? That's the only place will the real behavior differences of both the C and 3 will come out. And I am telling you as a guy who has tons of track time the differences are very suddle. Stop reading road and track theses guys are automotive morons. They test these cars in ways that do not even replicate what would be illegal aggresive driving on legal roads. I have had the privledge of driving both of these cars in Germany where there are a lot more driving Dynamics at play that allow more aggresive driving and I can honestly say that for the average driver which 99% of people are there is no diffrence at all.
Yes in my opion the BMW was a slightly better performance wise but not enough to make me say damm this is truly the better car. The Merecedes did excell at two things that made the BMW had no chance at, comfort and interior.
Yes in my opion the BMW was a slightly better performance wise but not enough to make me say damm this is truly the better car. The Merecedes did excell at two things that made the BMW had no chance at, comfort and interior.
BMW.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC
'11 GL450
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.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 603
Likes: 2
From: Asheville, Atlanta
SL 65 AMG, Porsche 911 (993), 2014 Cayenne GTS, 2013 Toyota Highlander Limited
mb versus bmw
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........
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........
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,384
Likes: 800
2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
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.
Nice to see them make a full recovery.
