Which one would you choose and why?







http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...ps460882d6.jpg

 

The 3-series, because it's the only car out of the three that can still be had with a manual trans, at least in the US market.

 

Agree 100%, unless the 4 series or 2 series Gran Coupe are more desirable. I've tried a few Lexus cars, and they always feel thin/tinny, and reminiscent of a Toyota, although more nicely dressed.

MB no longer makes anything I would consider.....4 doors, 3 pedals.

 

They are all really nice cars, depends on the mood I'm in...

 

There's only one choice. Hint, it's not under engineered and from a country with a national speed limit of 100 KM/H, and it's from the oldest automaker in the world.

 

+1

 

I agree. There is no better choice, it all depends on what you expect from the car.
If you value comfort and class but still with a very decent performance, than I think MB. If you value performance first, than BMW. I don't consider Lexus in the same league. They are nice cars, but nevertheless a Toyota.

 

I wouldn't pick the bmw just because it's a worthless Pre-lci 335i. Talk about unrealiable. The lexus is bland. The mercedes does it right all over.

 

Should post the same poll on Bimmer and Lexus forums, just to be fair !!!!

 

I voted in January with my wallet for the C250 Sport. I tried all out including Cadillac ATS, Audi A4. The MB simply out drove them all (and I've always been partial to Bimmers after owning 3) MB- better ride, superior steering feel and response, tighter body build- amazing car for the money.

 

You are at a mercedes forum of course most of the guys are going to choose benz the most

 

Fully agreed. OP is polling the wrong crowd. :-)

 

lmao when i first started on this forum i posted the same thing, i was debating between a is350 a g35x or a gensis coupe....

as you can tell you already know what everyone said and what i chose.

 

The real point it is not who it will win, that it is obvious, after all this is a MB forum as it was said. The point it is WHY!!!
It is interesting to learn about the different reasons that we decided by MB.

 

I didn't vote since it all depends on price, model and options.

But for me...I chose a custom ordered 2012 C350 for 49k. A VERY close 2nd was a 2013 BMW 328 and a 2012 MB E350 Sport. Coming 3rd place is an Infiniti G37 and a distant 4th is a Mitsubishi EVO X MR or a Hyundai Genesis sedan.

Lexus IS series was not in the running due to too many of my friends already having it, an Audi A4 was simply too small and Acura was no longer in the running simply because I just came from one.

I came from a modified 2002 Acura TL type-S (original owner with 185k miles), and to help narrow my choices, I created a list of prerequisites that narrowed my choices. It was simple...it had to be a progressive improvement than my previous car in EVERY possible way.

#1...It has to have a better transmission. (Must be 7+ gears if auto, or 6+ if DSG)
#2...It has to handle better in stock form. (No more modifying of suspension parts and no more FWD)
#3...It has to be more luxurious. (More technology, quieter cabin, refined ride)
#4...It has to more fuel efficient. (Acura TL-S was 19/29...23 combined)
#5...It has to stay relevant for at least 7 years of ownership. (Good example of fast dating models to stay away from would be a Nissan Maxima)

Mitsubishi EVO X MR fails at #3 and #4.
Infiniti G37 fails at #4 and possibly #5
The wife veto'd the Hyundai outright (even though it satisfied all criteria).
The E350 would of costed too much if I optioned it similar to the C350 (PKG1+PKG2+Pano). Due to financial reasons, I would of been forced to stay with E350 PKG1 only.
So that leaves me with completing the 8-9 month wait for the custom C350 order, or going with the newly redesigned 328.

The Cons of the C350...
-2nd to last year before a redesign...
-1 Less gear to the 328.
-Less MPG due to 6 vs turbo-4.
-No H.U.D.
-Less aftermarket support.

The pros of the C350...
+New engine & interior redesign.
+Staggered wheels (never had them before...and the 328 didnt offer the M-sport package at the time).
+Does NOT require run-flats.
+I am not required to pre-pay for maintenance unlike the BMW (allowing me with freedom of choice).
+More HP & Torque...while the 328 is equal to the C350 0-60 wise (due to better gearing)...on daily freeway driving, the C350 should pull away on higher speeds where I spend most of my time.
+I ordered mine with the dynamic handling package for days I want to be frisky, yet soft when the family is with me.
+I've never had a panoramic moon roof and no other RWD sedan in the price range offered it.
+It would be the 2nd to the last year you can order a "real" C-Class from Stuttgard (future C-Class will be assembled in USA).
+The sound system on the MM package is amazing.
+Interior fit & finish, as well as the color combination I went with to me felt more distinguished.
+For the 328 to have the options I'd want with it (sans panoramic moon roof), it would of been 2k more than my configured C350, and even then I'd still worry about maintaining the turbo in 10 years.

 

if price and reliability isn't a concern, then the BMW

 

@edgalang: excellent, concise answer, sure that everyone says "thanks". Having 4 BMW's in the family, besides the C class, there may soon be shifting to an E and S class, plus a CLA if the FWD is well sorted. Although out of 13 vehicles, everyone steals the Ford to run around town, being nicer, quieter and a better drive than the C300 Sport.

 

This poll would have been great for a Ford forum but here... the result is predictable

Mercedes cars are the the best choice on the market - fuel efficient, top quality, very reliable and beautiful design. Although they have decent performance, it is true that they are not as fast as the BMWs but I do not consider that acceleration is the most important feature of a car.

I see that some people are mentioning Hyundai... how could a Hyundai possibly be in the same league as BMW and Mercedes-Benz?

 

If 21 mpg average is considered fuel efficient, then our C300 4matic certainly qualifies.

 

What do you expect from a 6 cylinder petrol engine? Plus, your car is 4x4! Is your rear-wheel drive 530i doing 21 mpg?

 

Same league in what way? Prestige? I'd like to think myself as open minded, so when cross shopping for cars, I'm open to possibilities as long as they are within the same budget. In this case however, my significant other was not (at least not yet).

 

Lots of Bmw envy around he here. Totally beAts me how you buy a Benz then complain it's not sporty enough

 

Thats too open minded...as far as I know hyundai is just a economy car maker targeting a toally different market than bmw and and Mercedes. In other word average bmw merc buyers will NOT consider them unless of course they cant afford one.

 

Not if you look at their Equus.

But in the C-Class segment, they do not have anything comparable.

 

I had to google equus to know what you were talking about. Never knew they had a luxruy car....