GLC Class (X253) Produced 2016-2022

Mercedes vs BMW

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Old Jan 8, 2021 | 05:14 PM
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Mercedes vs BMW

There have been so many comparisons between the GLC and the X3 in this forum. Personally I think the GLC is a way better car than the X3. I have the 2018 GLC300 and 25K, and am very happy so far.
But we have to also account for all the aspects of car ownership, including customer service, dealer, warranty, etc.
I found the Mercedes dealer to be super friendly, respectful, always willing to make a deal, or give you a discount, or price-match, and their customer service is excellent.
In contrast, the BMW dealers are always uncooperative, 'snotty', unwilling, no deals, not honoring warranties, or prepaid maintenance, and slow customer service.
These aspects make a huge difference as a car owner.
I have had both Mercedes and BMW, and I have been very happy with Mercedes overall, while with BMW it always felt like pulling teeth.
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Old Jan 8, 2021 | 10:15 PM
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My wife drove the GLC and X3, and chose the X3. I have had the opposite experience with dealers. The local BMW dealer provides what I consider "average" customer service. The local MB dealer's service department is no fun to visit.
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Old Jan 9, 2021 | 11:32 AM
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I ordered a 2021 X3 M40i on Thursday, August 27th. Two separate dealerships and a broker were unable to get me dealer allocation. Cancelled order.

Personally I felt an utter lack of customer service from BMW - and was treated much better at several Mercedes Benz dealerships.
It was what turned me to looking at/purchasing my 2020 GLC 300 4matic SUV.

Last edited by Wxchaser; Jan 9, 2021 at 02:10 PM.
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Old Jan 9, 2021 | 02:03 PM
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Originally Posted by stath
There have been so many comparisons between the GLC and the X3 in this forum. Personally I think the GLC is a way better car than the X3. I have the 2018 GLC300 and 25K, and am very happy so far.
But we have to also account for all the aspects of car ownership, including customer service, dealer, warranty, etc.
I found the Mercedes dealer to be super friendly, respectful, always willing to make a deal, or give you a discount, or price-match, and their customer service is excellent.
In contrast, the BMW dealers are always uncooperative, 'snotty', unwilling, no deals, not honoring warranties, or prepaid maintenance, and slow customer service.
These aspects make a huge difference as a car owner.
I have had both Mercedes and BMW, and I have been very happy with Mercedes overall, while with BMW it always felt like pulling teeth.
I have owned tons of BMWs, my first being an E46 gen M3, the latest being an M2 Comp. My BMW dealer has been awesome, just like my MB dealer. I bought my first MB in 2019, impressed with experience.
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Old Jan 10, 2021 | 01:30 PM
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Mercedes E S213
I owned several of both cars, and really liked them all, otherwise I would not have chosen them ;-)
But one might like one particular model from say BMW, better than what Mercedes has to offer.
And the if you change to another segment of cars, you might choose Mercedes.
It probably comes down to the particular car and your taste.
I was in between two Mercedes recentlu and had a Ford Mondeo.
The Mondeo is a fine car I guess. But it was no where near as nice to drive at the Benz.
Both BMW & Mercedes makes excellent cars, and are deservedly considered among the best.

Last edited by speedyholm; Jan 10, 2021 at 01:32 PM.
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Old Jan 10, 2021 | 08:03 PM
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Wife and I come from a long line of BMW's, however this time around she decided for a GLC. We liked the X3 very much, but just found a few areas in which it could be improved, such as the quality of interior materials (mainly the plastics), the interior design, as well as rear legroom. Those weren't deal breakers for us, but the seats were. She just didn't find them comfortable, and had a 330i loaner once which had the same seats as well and found them to not be comfortable either.

We looked at the GLC and she loved the upscale styling, gorgeous interior and materials, as well as how comfortable was and the larger back seat space (as big as an X5). Honestly both cars are great, it just depends on what your priorities are. The X3 is sportier and has more cargo space, but my wife wanted a luxurious daily driver that could haul our Sheltie and just preferred the GLC.

As for dealers, both my MB and BMW dealers have been great at taking care of me, but of course every dealer is different and YMMV.
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Old Jan 19, 2021 | 08:17 PM
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Originally Posted by js_cls
Wife and I come from a long line of BMW's, however this time around she decided for a GLC. We liked the X3 very much, but just found a few areas in which it could be improved, such as the quality of interior materials (mainly the plastics), the interior design, as well as rear legroom. Those weren't deal breakers for us, but the seats were. She just didn't find them comfortable, and had a 330i loaner once which had the same seats as well and found them to not be comfortable either.

We looked at the GLC and she loved the upscale styling, gorgeous interior and materials, as well as how comfortable was and the larger back seat space (as big as an X5). Honestly both cars are great, it just depends on what your priorities are. The X3 is sportier and has more cargo space, but my wife wanted a luxurious daily driver that could haul our Sheltie and just preferred the GLC.

As for dealers, both my MB and BMW dealers have been great at taking care of me, but of course every dealer is different and YMMV.
I noticed the seat issue on the X3 when I drove it... believe it's the Vernasca that's stiff as a rock, the Sensatec must be better, and MB-Tex is the king
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Old Jan 19, 2021 | 08:56 PM
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Owned a few of each, and all I can say is "Competition is a Good Thing", and I'm glad that as a car enthusiast I am faced with such difficult choices every few years.

Like anything in life, the best thing to once you made a decision is to maximize your enjoyment and not look back!..
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Old Jan 21, 2021 | 09:07 PM
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Originally Posted by High Technology
Owned a few of each, and all I can say is "Competition is a Good Thing", and I'm glad that as a car enthusiast I am faced with such difficult choices every few years.

Like anything in life, the best thing to once you made a decision is to maximize your enjoyment and not look back!..
Too bad the new BMWs are getting worse
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Old Jan 22, 2021 | 10:17 AM
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How so?
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Old Jan 22, 2021 | 10:40 PM
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Worse to drive, their steerings are garbage, maybe better luxury cars but terrible sports cars.
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Old Jan 23, 2021 | 05:46 PM
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Originally Posted by ParjAS
Worse to drive, their steerings are garbage, maybe better luxury cars but terrible sports cars.
Agree. 25+ years with the brand, not to mention even more from my parents, and have been consistently disappointed with the new cars they are putting out besides the 2-series (coupe, not the awful fwd gran coupe).
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Old Jan 24, 2021 | 07:44 PM
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I like the 2-series coupe, especially the M2 comp I bought sometime 2 years back. MB is on the right track, but the new S-Class seems worse/less luxury to me....
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Old Jan 24, 2021 | 07:54 PM
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Originally Posted by ParjAS
I like the 2-series coupe, especially the M2 comp I bought sometime 2 years back. MB is on the right track, but the new S-Class seems worse/less luxury to me....
Agree, the M2 is the best BMW on sale, wife had one for a while before it was totaled and it was a lot of fun. S-Class is definitely controversial, and I'm still not sure how I feel about the all touch system, but sadly it seems that's where the car industry is going.
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Old Jan 24, 2021 | 07:55 PM
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Can we go back to the E-gen BMWs?
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Old Jan 25, 2021 | 07:24 PM
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coming from an X5 Driver for 10 years, I would say if your out for a real sporty ride with handling and power, then the X1/2/3/4/5 is probably the ride for you. However word to the wise would be if you plan to keep it long, your going to pay a-lot out of your pocket just to keep it running. Mercedes benz, will last you a long time, you wont get a sporty ride out of it unless you have an AMG model or the right packages. If you take good care of your MB, it will take care of you. My proof is my mom bought a 2003 S430 and right now it has 154k miles, but the airmatic system failed and it needs alot of work. Currently she drives a 16 S550.
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Old Jan 26, 2021 | 08:25 PM
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154K is good.
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Old Jan 27, 2021 | 08:44 PM
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Originally Posted by ParjAS
Can we go back to the E-gen BMWs?
I had a 2006 E90 330i manual transmission that I special ordered. Loved that car. Was such a fun car to drive and the inline 6 was smooth as butter all the way to redline.
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Old Jan 30, 2021 | 01:53 PM
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I have an E92 335i (more power!) manual and it is brilliant. I also have a huge collection of BMWs parked in a big garage I have. E39 5 series, E46 325i Manual, E46 M3, E90 325i Manual, E92 335i manual coupe, F87 M2 Comp
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Old Jan 30, 2021 | 03:16 PM
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Originally Posted by ParjAS
I have an E92 335i (more power!) manual and it is brilliant. I also have a huge collection of BMWs parked in a big garage I have. E39 5 series, E46 325i Manual, E46 M3, E90 325i Manual, E92 335i manual coupe, F87 M2 Comp
Nice collection, the wife and I had a few over the years from E36 325i, E46 ZHP, E90 335, E85 Z4M, F87 M2C, and a G30 540i. We loved every one of them except for the G30, drove terribly and was a complete disappointment, so boring. My dad has had Bimmers for decades, owning every generation 5-series up to the E60. Such great cars, new ones beside the M2 sadly lack what made the old Bimmers special.
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Old Jan 31, 2021 | 07:15 PM
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Originally Posted by js_cls
Nice collection, the wife and I had a few over the years from E36 325i, E46 ZHP, E90 335, E85 Z4M, F87 M2C, and a G30 540i. We loved every one of them except for the G30, drove terribly and was a complete disappointment, so boring. My dad has had Bimmers for decades, owning every generation 5-series up to the E60. Such great cars, new ones beside the M2 sadly lack what made the old Bimmers special.
Agree. F90 M5 is decent also though.
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Old Jan 31, 2021 | 08:34 PM
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Originally Posted by ParjAS
Agree. F90 M5 is decent also though.
I have mixed opinions on the F90. On one hand its extremely fast, capable, and comfortable, but on the other it just feels too clinical and numb for my liking. I usually don't like the E63S over the M5, but for this generation the W213 just seems to have more personality.
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Old Feb 5, 2021 | 08:49 PM
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The pre-refresh E63 I have a liking for. The new tech ones get ugly looking steering wheels and all that tech is befuddling to use.
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Old Feb 6, 2021 | 01:21 AM
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Just ordered a 2021 X3. Wife drove both and like the X3 better. More room . I could never decide which one looked the best, either would be fine for me, but got a good deal. 7300 off list and order one. Plus BMW dealer is local. Will See, huh! For one thing for sure, neither one as good as my ML which I keeping. 2015 ML 350, 70,000 plus miles. Still on original brakes!
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Old Feb 6, 2021 | 03:48 PM
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Wow how did you get 70K on original brakes?
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