2013 328i vs c300
 

Hello guys, in the process of getting a new car never owned a bmw or MB. Went to test drive both cars today c300 4match sedan and a 328i. Dealer didnt have the xdrive model when I went. I am looking for a car that is comfortable but can be fun when I want it to be. Sedan and AWD is a must have for me.

The MB dealer told me that the c300 sedan does not have the option to order paddle shifters. Is this true? I am asking here because I know some dealers dont know as much as they should. He assured me the trip tronic feel from the drive selector was the same technology.

When driving the car I got on it and tried to upshift with the trip tronic but it didnt upshift. Only upshifted after red lineing a bit.

So my question to you is this. I didnt think of it at the dealer but, was it not responsive because I was not in sport mode? Not even sure it has a sport mode.

You guys probably dont want to hear about my BMW experience but ill tell you anyway.

I am only looking at sedans and right away when my girlfriend sat in the back of the bmw she said wow and that it had alot more room compared to the MB.

I drove the sport series and I was impressed. The downshifts and upshifts were very quick. and the overal feel of the car was comfy and conected.

Now I am not ruling MB out. I love the look of the car but I am not sure I will have much fun in it when the time calls for it.


CHIME IN!!

BMW's are generally sportier than MB, that said though MB is trying to enter that market. But overall, MB is more for comfort and "class". Both in AWD versions will not be much "fun" but having both types I find the Benz 4matic to be less hassle then the BMW version. It comes down to what you really want as priority, can the the Benz be sporty? sure, it can be made to look sporty but out of the box BMW wins that hands down. But the Benz is more comfortable in almost all aspects.

If "sporty" goes beyond looks for you, I think you've answered your own question already! One does not look to MB for fun...BMW has the undisputed lead there. MB delivers comfort, luxury, and quality (reliability...based on owner reported data, but too soon to assess BMW's F30 platform). Design is so subjective that debates are meaningless. I think MB is moving even further away from any pretense at being a "sport sedan", as C Class is now 100% automatic. You may want an automatic, but MB dropping the stick indicates a mindset that enthusiast drivers are not their target...for BMW, that would be close to heresy. If fun is a priority, you're decision is made. Good luck with the Bimmer!

I will say the MB gets more looks ;). However, I will admit the shifts are AWFUL on tiptronic. It's damn near a full second before it shifts. I don't have any clue why they would set it up like that, but it is. BMW will be a sportier drive. But as far as comfort (90% of your driving) the MB will be superior.

I think if you're comparing brands as a whole then I disagree, MB's AMG branch are cranking out some formidable monsters. But yes you're right, C to 3 the BMW is naturally more sporty though I feel Benz is somewhat trying with the 300/350.

I understand and agree with your point, but AMG is a sub-brand with unique marketing and positioning. I was discussing the primary Mercedes-Benz brand. AMG versus the BMW M series is another conversation, but a fun one!:D

I think you may not have a good understanding of how the MB tiptronic works, so let me try. It is not a true manual mode. All you're doing with tiptronic is specifying the max gear that the trans can use. So, if you select "4" for example, it doesn't mean the trans will always stay in 4th gear. All it means is the trans will use gears 1-4. So, if the trans programming thinks that you'll get better acceleration in 3rd, it will not upshift into 4th, even if you set it to "4".

And yes, there is quite a bit of delay even if you manually downshift. It is not a DSG trans afterall.

As far as the 328i, make sure to drive the xdrive as from what I've read, the AWD BMWs handle quite differently from the RWD ones. The AWD ones have different suspension tuning and are more disconnected from the road, hence less fun to drive.

Thanks for the replies. I think I made up my mind!

Dont let us hanging....which did you decide?..:zoom:

[QUOTE=Pete7874;5390043]All you're doing with tiptronic is specifying the max gear that the trans can use.QUOTE]
If I remember right, even with a set gear, say 4th gear, when brain senses redline or over caused by too aggressive driving, it will upshift to higher gear to prevent engine damage.

I don't have manual with me now.

For what it's worth - in 2013 models and newer Mercedes has switched to a true paddle shift system with E/S/M buttons. Or so I've been told by MBUSA. It is different from the previous systems where you could choose what gear the car will automatically shift up to and stay at. Not sure if this applies to the C300 or sedans in general, but I know it is true on the coupes.

Regardless, I wouldn't base your decision on the manual shift mode. It is gimicky in every vehicle I have had it on and laggy (had it on my previous G37 coupe too). You use it for maybe a week and never use it again. Choose the vehicle based on the styling you prefer, ride comfort, handling mechanics and just overall what you like better.

Additionally, the C300 for 2013 got a quiet engine upgrade. It now has a 3.5L engine (I assume the C350 engine - but partially de-tuned, as mercedes has been known to do this). This is most likely because they can build the C350 coupe 4matics on the same line and cut costs, while giving customers a faster C300.

Personally the front end of the 3-series for 2013 is hideous and while the back looks nice - it looks nearly identical to the new 5 series (which is pretty much is). I don't know why BMW is making all of their vehicles look the same... :nix:

I consider myself a car buff and can easily discern various models down to the year from a far distance on the road. But these new BMW's make me double take even up close - or even force me to read the lettering.

I am going to go with the 335xi.

@C300CA

when I gave the car the gas and tried to shift before redline the car did not shift and just went into redline anyway and shifted when it wanted to.

I would like to join the MB world but I am a car enthusiast inside and I dont think my needs would be fulfilled with the c300.

BTW no one told me if they knew if the c300 sedan 4 matic could have paddle shifters.

Roger that

Yes, you can get paddle shifters in a C300 4Matic:

"Optional
Performance-focused cabin styling
The new Sport Package brings racing inspiration to the cockpit of the C-Class Sport Sedan, with exclusive-design sport front seats and a deeply padded flat-bottom performance steering wheel with Silver paddle shifters. The predominantly black cabin motif includes grippy DINAMICA for the seat inserts and the shift knob, while racy red top-stitching highlights the seats, shift knob and door trim. Red borders encircle the black floor mats, while red seat belts remind every occupant that safety is an integral part of the passion for performance.
(Black seat belts are also available at no extra charge.)

Available in Sport Package"

Apparently in the sport package. This porbably also gives you the new E/S/M button for true tiptronic shifting.

However, the MBUSA product info might be incorrect, because here is a 2013 C300 4Matic with the sport package and I don't see paddle shifters on the steering wheel:

I will reach out to my contacts at MBUSA for clarification - perhaps they need to update the website.

Congrats!

Personally, I like the looks of the new 3-series. Well, at least it's better looking than the E90, IMO. I just wish you could still get one with a normally aspirated inline-6.

yes jctevere post back here if you find out, im sure im not the only one who would like to know.

Yes I also like the look of the newer 3 series sedans. Weird how they update the look of the sedans but the 2013 coups still have the same look.

They usually have some lag time needed to retool the factory to start cranking out new body styles. They start with the sedan since that's the biggest seller, then a new body coupe follows usually a year later.

had a 08 335i for a short period of time, to sum it up. more adrenaline rush than my c350, but I cant compare those two cars together IN MY OPINON just because N/A vs TT.

I loved it but then came the problems, bmw did fix all the problems. I love that about both makers, customer service is awesome (at least in my area). It was just coming to a point where it was in the shop too long and I needed to cut my losses. The new bmws look great and the performance is unreal, love that about bmw....there performance. You made a good choice, just toss it before warranty is out.

I have to disagree, in my c200, if I put it in 4th, it stays in 4th.

Are you saying that if you put it in "4" and then come to a stop, then the car will take off in 4th gear?

I've actually never tried that, but if I downshift to 4th while driving it won't change again until I change it. I know 300CA said that the engine will change on its own to save itself but mine doesn't.

Now I have my 2011 operator's manual.

On page 141 towards the bottom, "If the maximum engine speed for the shift range is reached and you continue to accelerate, the automatic transmission shifts up in order to prevent the engine from overrevving, even if the shift range is restricted".

I never tried and never want to try it, just to confirm the feature exists.

Weird, maybe I didn't leave it in the rev range long enough to shift itself.

Good choice with the 335xi. The BMW is a new product at the beginning of it's life cycle vs. the MB which is at it's end. The Nav in the new 3's are light years ahead of the MB navs. It's unfortunate that MB decided not to bring over the C350 4matic. :smash:

Yea i know. I was thinking the same thing.