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.

chassis

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.

Wxchaser

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.

ParjAS

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.

speedyholm

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.

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.

ParjAS

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

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!..

ParjAS

Too bad the new BMWs are getting worse

jpnwdc

How so?

ParjAS

Worse to drive, their steerings are garbage, maybe better luxury cars but terrible sports cars.

js_cls

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).

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....

js_cls

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.

ParjAS

Can we go back to the E-gen BMWs?

drwolf

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.

ParjAS

154K is good.

Roowah

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.

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

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.

ParjAS

Agree. F90 M5 is decent also though.

js_cls

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.

ParjAS

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.

Isawelvis

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!

ParjAS

Wow how did you get 70K on original brakes?