ManiacGT

So I keep thinking have I done the right thing with the S205 and should I have gone 3 series instead.

On that topic I thought I'd spec up a UK 3 series with the same spec of my S205 (or as near as). Its at least two grand more and without the seven grand discount I got on the S205 (Best I can find on the BMW is five grand off) which all in all represents four grand less for the Merc.

Its simply not worth the difference and shows how good the value of the S205 really is. So, perhaps I should tone down my moaning about the niggles on the car( I still want them sorted though ) as it appears something of a bargain for what it is. You seemingly can't even get some of the tech I have on the BMW, LED adaptive headlights for example.

CorradoJr

Are you talking about leasing or purchasing? Huge difference.

In the US, most luxury cars are leased and BMW is know for its very attractive lease rates.

I really enjoy BMW's options and flexibility, something very few manufacturers do nowadays (again, in the US). Unlike MB, I can choose:

4 different types of engines (3 gas and 1 diesel)
3 trim levels (standard, luxury, M-sport)
Various interior combinations (want aluminum or black trim with your luxury package? No problem) I don't like wood trim.
Manual transmission vs. automatic.
RWD or AWD
etc.

All of the options are totally independent of each other. Try doing that with a C300/C400/C450. I can get a luxury trim, AWD, diesel engine, manual transmission, and aluminum trim if I want.

Unfortunately, my wife prefers the interior styling the W/S205.

ManiacGT

In the UK we have what is called PCP, a lease/hire purchase arrangement with options to buy or hand back at the end. BMW in the UK, other than the high end cars like the 6'er rarely offer major contributions (well certainly not the 7 grand I got off the S205).

nvestr

Can't speak for other countries, but in Canada, BMW's are priced with higher MSRP and have a lower residual value on leases when compared to the direct MB competitor. MB's tend to lease better in Canada... by a hefty margin...

Yeti575

It's been a long process for me, before ultimately taking the plunge from owning various BMW's over the past 20 years, and going for Mercedes.

In the end I felt the current BMW 3-series is outdated, the unique driving experience no longer so unique, and the interior just simply feels old and boring. Also, BMW have made it really hard to replace my 6-cylinder with a new 6-cylinder. The price jump is just insane. At best I'd be looking at a 320 - a 4 cylinder boat engine.

Oh and now that there is a 1-series, 2-series, 3-series, 4-series, 5-series, 6-series, etc, etc ... well they are common as muck. They don't have that exclusiveness about them any longer, in my humble opinion.

laz81

Yea this is correct. I was very close to getting a 328i 2015 With sport and executive package. But Mercedes just gave me a better deal and for a shorter term. Also i find W205 much more modern and attractive then the current 3 series.

radarguy

It's been a long process for me also. I’m looking to downsize from my BMW F10 535iX. I compared the 435iX M-Sport with the C-450. Both fully equipped since I didn’t want to lose any of the luxury that the F10 offers. Prices are comparable here in the U.S. In the New York metro area it’s relatively easy to get an 8-9% discount on the BMW and only 3% or so on the MB. I was ready to buy the 435 until I drove a C400.

The C400 is fully the equivalent of the 435 M-Sport when it comes to handling and engine responsiveness. Actually, I think handling of the C400 is more like one would expect from earlier model BMWs. This is good news and was a big surprise to me based on my experience with earlier MB C-and E models. I expect the C450 to be even better.

External looks of the 435 wins easily IMO. Internally there is no comparison. The C400 has superior seats, more cockpit room and looks a lot more appealing to me than the 435. Ergonomics of the C400 are also slightly better.

BTW, the 4 cylinder 428 has a much better engine than the C300. If I wanted a 4 cylinder, it would be a much harder decision. As it is, I’ll go for the C450 unless the pricing is out of the ball park.

laz81

Hey Radar,
The 428 and 328 have the same 4L engine correct?

radarguy

Yes, at least in the U.S. Very responsive, sounds better than the C300 and no feeling of lugging. The 8-speed BMW tranny may have something to do with that. I found the C300 engine is adequate and will certainly do the job, but not to my liking for a $60K+ car.

laz81

I agree. The 328 has a great engine. If i was buying for engine alone it would have been my car now. Im sure the tranny has something to do with it. Both fantastic cars. Honestly i don;t think you can go wrong with either. For me the C300 was a little less and a shorter term lease. Also the interior is what sold me.

MASSC450

It was a tough decision for me as well between the 2015 BMW 328i xDrive and the 2015 MB C300 4Matic...I went back n' forth several times before finally making up my mind.

I ended up going with the C300 because:

1) Equipped about the same...overall my deal on the C300 was $2,500 less expensive than the BMW, and the MB dealership gave me $3,000 more for my trade. Plus there's a brand new MB dealership next town over from me.

2) IMO the interior & exterior of the C300 beats the dated looking BMW


What kept the BMW 328i in the running for me was:

1) Handles slightly better at speed, and it slightly quicker than the C300

2) Heated steering wheel & heated rear seats

3) 8 speed transmission vs. the 7 speed the C300 has

4) Free maintenance for 4 yrs/50,000 miles

Lego

I'm pretty sure the residual for MB is in the low 60% after 39 months, don't think you get that in a BMW. Mine is 64% after 39 months but I'm in Canada. It's a huge difference compared to the BMW.

Also the wife wanted the MB, I didn't even get a chance to look at 328. She had the 128i 6-speed before and loved it.

CorradoJr

BMW 3 series residual for 36 month leases is near 50%. 335i xDrive is currently about 48%, one of the worst. BMW usually puts support the 36 month leases.

CorradoJr

The ZF 8HP transmission is used in many BMW and Audi models, among other makes. It is very, very good.

Mercedes chooses to develop their own auto transmissions, to varying degrees of success.

ddeliber

Huh? Not sure where you are getting your information but those numbers are waaaaaaaay off. BMW wouldn't sell too many at that rate. They don't discount purchases as much as Mercedes does, but they subsidize their leases more than anyone (I think).

The 328i xdrive and 335i xdrive residuals are at 66% each! Published right there on bmwusa.com. I didn't check all flavors of 3 and 4 series but I believe they are all the same (not counting the hybrid). This is really why they sold 12,868 of them here in the states last month.

Like most of us here, I am a Mercedes fan and I love the w205, but BMW makes a great car as well. Sharing opinions on cars is great, I love doing it as well as the next guy, but accuracy is important when comparing numbers.

hans007

i wouldn't say the combinations are much different.

get m-sport, and you basically lose a ton of the combinations. you can't get the m-sport wheel on sport or base or luxury trim (and its the only wheel on the 3 that is as good as the mb wheel i'd say).

you can't buy say a plain black m-sport, or an estoril blue sport line, or luxury line. granted bmw has more exciting colors, but on benz you can have any color on either luxury or sport or base. no hexagon aluminum on non m-sports, etc.

and until 2016 models are out, theres no LED tail or headlights.


I like my f30, though its over 2.5 years old, so its getting to the , i'm not really babying it and driving it through deserts and doing a lot of roadtrips and will be bored in a year point.

stil haven't driven a W205, but i'd say the bmw has realistically about 25hp more. the ZF8 speed transmission is amazingly good (maybe the 9g tronic will be too, its starting to come out). the interior is well probably at this point worst in class (i had a b8 audi a4, and i'll admit its a slightly nicer interior). the driving is fine, i don't complain about the steering much (nicer than the audi). and at least my F30 has been super reliable (actually probably the most reliable car i've owned, even including japanese makes)


the benz has more features, roughly the same cost (in america). the interior is basically another level of luxury higher, and has a nicer sound system, available pano roof (or well its the only sunroof you can get in the US). plus honestly it looks nicer if you want a less in your face look (i have an estoril blue m-sport 328i. maybe i'm growing up a bit or just bored of it, but i think ill go a little less in your face next car). both cars have their merits, personally for me it hink the W205 is slightly better if you aren't super concerned about say a .4 second slower 0-60 and the initial bad build quality mecercedes had (bmw had a few issues too... like rusting seat frames)

Jinzen

3 series? Definitely not worth considering.

4 series, yes, definitely a good option from Gran Coupe to M4.

omg516

IMHO for the money, the C-Class wins. The powertrain isn't as good, but overall it is a more luxurious car with more features for roughly the same cost. Strictly from a performance standpoint, then the 328 wins (even with its horrendous steering) over the C300. But if you only valued performance then you probably wouldn't be getting a 328 either. As much as we've all been complaining on the board in regards to first year issues, at the end of the day the C is still the car to beat in it's class.

my1997golf

I have to agree. Owned a 2014 328i M-Sport for 1-year, and recently had a C300 rental for 4 days. The C300 is just a better car overall. Yes, the 328i is a little sharper, and quicker, but the interior, the comfort, and the quality of the C300 are just in another league. And I haven't said anything about the steering.

l3it3r

I drove the new 3 and 4 series on a track shortly after getting the C400. I REALLY enjoyed the driving dynamics of the bimmers, but they're nowhere NEAR as nice of a place to be in, and they're a little bland looking IMO until you get to the upper echelon vehicles. That said, the 4 Gran Coupe is pretty cool. Wouldn't win out vs my W205, but still one of my favorites.

True101

Each time, I have been in the market for a new, I have considered a BMW, but just could not like one after a test drive - perhaps since my preference has been for a car with no driver fatigue (a luxuriously cushy ride). For that reason, only cars I have owned are: Mercedes, Cadillac and Lexus.

my1997golf

I have to agree, the interior is where the F30 really falls short. It's more the quality of materials that is the issue, the sheer number of different textures. Smacks of cost cutting. Likewise, basic things like xenon headlights cost more.

The W205 feels special inside. It's perhaps a little overdone in places, but overall it's a nice place to spend your day.

MASSC450

I agree. For instance, the back seat in my wife's 2014 BMW 328i is hard as a rock compared to the more comfortable rear seat of my C300. Overall my W205 is smoother & quieter (inside and out) than her 3 series.

A big thing is the "diesel" sounds my wife's BMW makes...the engine/exhaust, especially on a cold start, sounds like a damn diesel motor! Even she complains about it. My Mercedes engine/exhaust is SO much quieter than her tank of a BMW!

bzliteyear

huh? C300 4matic very well loaded had $43k MSRP and bot for about $34k...a far cry from $60k.
bottom line, it may be the best $34k NEW CAR that one can buy on the market today, imho
PL