Comparison tests Automotorsport: MB C220 Bluetec/ 320d / S60 D4/IS300h F

[Zafiro]

It’s a 17 pages review so I’ll make the test short.


BMW / Lexus / MB / Volvo
0-100km/h: 7.4/8,7/8,9/8,6 sec
0-140km/h: 15,7/15,6/17,2/16,2
Tested fuel consumption: 5,9/6,9/6,0/5,7 lit/100kmh

BMW/Lexus/Mercedes/Volvo
Driving joy: 4.5/4,5/4/4
Steering: 5/4/3,5/4,5
Chassi: 5/5/4/5
Engine & gearbox: 4/5/4/4
Comfort: 3,5/3,5/4/4
Driving comfort front: 4,5/3,5/4,5/4,5
Driving comfort rear: 4/4/4,5/4
Suspension: 3/3,5/4/1

Interior space: 4,5/3,5/4/4
Interior front: 4/4/3,5/3,5
Interior rear: 4,5/2,5/4/3

Luggage space: 4,5/2,5/4/2,5

Ownership costs: 2/1,5/1,5/2,5

Special category subjective:
Design: 3,5/5/4,5/4,5
Quality feeling: 4,5/4/4,5/5
Charisma: 4/4,5/4,5/4,5

Ranking:
4. Lexus
3. Volvo
2. Mercedes
1. BMW

Summary:
BMW remains the champion. Overall it’s a very complete car with not many flaws.
Lexus: Challenge BMW in terms of driving joy but expensive to own as Hybrid.
Mercedes: Sleek and harmonious design. It’s an improvement compare to previous generation but not as complete as the 3-series.
Volvo: Not a very spacious interior but shows the competition it belong together with the best.

 

[Kilcrohane]

It’s a 17 pages review so I’ll make the test short.


BMW / Lexus / MB / Volvo
0-100km/h: 7.4/8,7/8,9/8,6 sec

this is a Swedish mag, right?

something's way off here. Mercedes claim 7.7 s manual and 7.4 s auto for 0-100 km/h. To be off by as much as 1.5 secs from the claim is not just bad, but territory for consumer claims under German law - misrepresentation of the product.

Either the C220 Bluetec in question was so loaded down with options, so as to increase its weight by several hundred kilos, above the around 1,500 kg (DIN) claimed - does the article give the tested weights? - or the tyres fitted were not summer performance ones - but presumably that would go for the competitors too - or the tester didn't launch the car properly. Did the text of the article make reference to the incredibly poor acceleration stats of the Mercedes, and give any explanation?

 

[Rolf]

It’s a 17 pages review so I’ll make the test short.


BMW / Lexus / MB / Volvo
0-100km/h: 7.4/8,7/8,9/8,6 sec
0-140km/h: 15,7/15,6/17,2/16,2
Tested fuel consumption: 5,9/6,9/6,0/5,7 lit/100kmh

BMW/Lexus/Mercedes/Volvo
Driving joy: 4.5/4,5/4/4
Steering: 5/4/3,5/4,5
Chassi: 5/5/4/5
Engine & gearbox: 4/5/4/4
Comfort: 3,5/3,5/4/4
Driving comfort front: 4,5/3,5/4,5/4,5
Driving comfort rear: 4/4/4,5/4
Suspension: 3/3,5/4/1

Interior space: 4,5/3,5/4/4
Interior front: 4/4/3,5/3,5
Interior rear: 4,5/2,5/4/3

Luggage space: 4,5/2,5/4/2,5

Ownership costs: 2/1,5/1,5/2,5

Special category subjective:
Design: 3,5/5/4,5/4,5
Quality feeling: 4,5/4/4,5/5
Charisma: 4/4,5/4,5/4,5

Ranking:
4. Lexus
3. Volvo
2. Mercedes
1. BMW

Summary:
BMW remains the champion. Overall it’s a very complete car with not many flaws.
Lexus: Challenge BMW in terms of driving joy but expensive to own as Hybrid.
Mercedes: Sleek and harmonious design. It’s an improvement compare to previous generation but not as complete as the 3-series.
Volvo: Not a very spacious interior but shows the competition it belong together with the best.

This is not the German AMS cause they give different points grading per catagory. The performance of the Merc is way below par, even slower than previous version, which in tests I have seen did about 8.2sec from 0-100km/h. The points they awarded the Merc for some categories is dubious, for instance quality feeling, they gave the Merc 4.5 and Volvo 5 and BMW also 4.5? Luggage space it gets 4 while BMW gets 4.5 when their boot sizes are identical at 480liters. Interior front, I have sit in the F30/Lexus and W204 C-Class and the Lexus felt the most cramped in the front, as console is too wide and cabin is narrow, so I don't see how the W205 can be smaller up front? Also the Merc gets only 4 for chassis when a front drive volvo gets 5, come on Swedish AMS, that cant be true?

 

[Kilcrohane]

The points they awarded the Merc for some categories is dubious, for instance quality feeling, they gave the Merc 4.5 and Volvo 5 and BMW also 4.5? Luggage space it gets 4 while BMW gets 4.5 when their boot sizes are identical at 480liters. Interior front, I have sit in the F30/Lexus and W204 C-Class and the Lexus felt the most cramped in the front, as console is too wide and cabin is narrow, so I don't see how the W205 can be smaller up front? Also the Merc gets only 4 for chassis when a front drive volvo gets 5, come on Swedish AMS, that cant be true?

Bingo! Swedish AMS have done a hatchet job on the new C-Class, as good if not better than the masters of such things - Autocar.

But why? Because the new C-Class, with its redirected emphasis on safety, luxury and relaxed driving, aims directly at the heart of Swedish values, as embodied by Volvo, and once Saab. Hence the need to cut down the threat to Volvo. The BMW poses less of a threat, as it can be pigeonholed as the 'sporty' option.

We shouldn't be surprised at such naked bias, as ultimately all these mags rely on mainly their country's readers for their livelihoods, even though Automotorsport is a branch publication of the German AMuS. It's the same with Auto Express in the UK, where even though it is owned by Springer's Auto Bild, it panders relentlessly to the British readers' biases.

However, the new Volvo E-Drive engines do look economical.

 

[Zafiro]

MB ranked second place and overall a better car than the rest, except one. Stop the excuses please.

And as a swede and reading Automotorsport for 10 years I can tell you that they have bias towards germancars. The numbers of winning for Volvo can be counted easily. There are no conspiracy theories. We simply cant have the same arguments everytime our favorite car lose. Like I said, this was 17 pages long comparison and I dont have the time to explain their arguments for the result.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Regardless of the overall ranking, some of those individual category scores are highly questionable as rightly pointed out by Kil and Rolf.

 

[Zafiro]

Regardless of the overall ranking, some of those individual category scores are highly questionable as rightly pointed out by Kil and Rolf.

Sure, its always suspicions when we dont agree with certain things. Fanboyism at the finest. They liked this new Volvo and enjoyed the new 8 speed automatic gearbox.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Yeah, well when the Volvo exceeds the new C for 'quality feeling' and the BMW equals it, we know some bulls**t is in the air.

 

[Zafiro]

Yeah, well when the Volvo exceeds the new C for 'quality feeling' and the BMW equals it, we know some bulls**t is in the air.

Quality feeling isn't just about interiour quality and its subjective opinion (hence Special category ) from one person and didnt have anything to do with the overall result.
If it makes you feel better, I'll just delete it.

 

[Sunny]

I got it!! if a Jag does worse in a test than the claimed numbers, Jag is lying, but if a Mercedes does worse in a test than the claimed numbers, the mag is lying. It is all a big conspiracy.

 

[mini_cooper4]

C vs 3
0-3

Damn!

 

[Cashmere]

C vs 3
0-3

Damn!

You're are now officially the resident poet on GCF.

BMW's 2.0 Diesel engine is a real gem, esp with that ZF 8 Speed. Just look at the performance figures, matched with that economy - there's really no contest from Mercedes.

 

[hovabongZA]

Are all 3 reputable magazines that have done these 1st comparison tests between these cars bias towards BMW or is it just that Good?

It seems to me like this is not the best driving 3 series there ever was but its the best 3 series because it does so many thing right ,twice now have I read that it offers the driver more comfort and more interior space than a c class,arguably has the best gearbox and engine combo,while being faster and more frugal.It just seems to tick all the right boxes that I want from a compact executive saloon.

Yes judging a car simply based on reviews would be premature ,I do believe in "bums in seats" hence I'm hoping for a test drive in the next couple days or week,but the fact that its won 3 in row from testers and people who make a living from driving and writing about cars does give an indication of how good the car is ,not that the other cars are bad.

 

[Deckhook]

Bingo! Swedish AMS have done a hatchet job on the new C-Class, as good if not better than the masters of such things - Autocar.

But why? Because the new C-Class, with its redirected emphasis on safety, luxury and relaxed driving, aims directly at the heart of Swedish values, as embodied by Volvo, and once Saab. Hence the need to cut down the threat to Volvo. The BMW poses less of a threat, as it can be pigeonholed as the 'sporty' option.

We shouldn't be surprised at such naked bias, as ultimately all these mags rely on mainly their country's readers for their livelihoods, even though Automotorsport is a branch publication of the German AMuS. It's the same with Auto Express in the UK, where even though it is owned by Springer's Auto Bild, it panders relentlessly to the British readers' biases.

However, the new Volvo E-Drive engines do look economical.

I got it!! if a Jag does worse in a test than the claimed numbers, Jag is lying, but if a Mercedes does worse in a test than the claimed numbers, the mag is lying. It is all a big conspiracy.

Correct Sunny and well noticed, we are seeing Kilcrohane's true colours which is why most of his posts are taken with a pinch of salt.

 

[Deckhook]

Are all 3 reputable magazines that have done these 1st comparison tests between these cars bias towards BMW or is it just that Good?

It seems to me like this is not the best driving 3 series there ever was but its the best 3 series because it does so many thing right ,twice now have I read that it offers the driver more comfort and more interior space than a c class,arguably has the best gearbox and engine combo,while being faster and more frugal.It just seems to tick all the right boxes that I want from a compact executive saloon.

Yes judging a car simply based on reviews would be premature ,I do believe in "bums in seats" hence I'm hoping for a test drive in the next couple days or week,but the fact that its won 3 in row from testers and people who make a living from driving and writing about cars does give an indication of how good the car is ,not that the other cars are bad.

I think the odd thing I see from reviews is how the values of those very same testers change regarding to the category they are testing, take the 3 series vs C/A4 you will find most prefer the 3 series yet move two catorgories up to the 7 series vs S-Class/A8 and the roles are reversed..... why? The core values of the brand remain with Merc offering comfort, BMW the sportiest and Audi somewhere in the middle yet the reviewers seem to shift their requirements..... why, surely what they preferred in one class of car should hold true for another?

Which is why I always say test yourself and come to your own opinions and just enjoy a comparison test as entertaining reading.

 

[Zafiro]

why, surely what they preferred in one class of car should hold true for another?

Absolutely not. Different kind of cars. Some cars cannot be sporty and others cannot be comfortable. But I agree , reviews should be taken gently, your opinion matters the most. But guys like Chris Harris I value his opinion more than anything else.

 

[Deckhook]

Absolutely not. Different kind of cars. Some cars cannot be sporty and others cannot be comfortable. But I agree , reviews should be taken gently, your opinion matters the most.

Can't disagree more strongly here, in who's opinion can't some cars be sporty or comfortable surely such an opinion is up to the individual who'll end up buying the car, someone who'd love an S-Class but afford it will probably prefer the C-Class because it drives more similarly and by the same token the argument might be true for BMW and Audi.

Which leads me back to taking an review with a pinch of salt as it's they preferences which might not be the same as your own.

But guys like Chris Harris I value his opinion more than anything else.

I like the way he writes but I don't always agree with his opinions, you obviously do which is why you value his opinion more as they as similar to your own.

 

[Zafiro]

Can't disagree more strongly here, in who's opinion can't some cars be sporty or comfortable surely such an opinion is up to the individual who'll end up buying the car, someone who'd love an S-Class but afford it will probably prefer the C-Class because it drives more similarly and by the same token the argument might be true for BMW and Audi.

Which leads me back to taking an review with a pinch of salt as it's they preferences which might not be the same as your own.



I like the way he writes but I don't always agree with his opinions, you obviously do which is why you value his opinion more as they as similar to your own.

I just think its idiotic to say that a tester should think the same about every car. I sure don't want a S-class to drive/be sporty like a SLS or 7-series to drive/sporty like a M235i. And a +2000 kg car can never ever feel sporty.

 

[Deckhook]

I just think its idiotic to say that a tester should think the same about every car. I sure don't want a S-class to drive/be sporty like a SLS or 7-series to drive/sporty like a M235i. And a +2000 kg car can never ever feel sporty.

I'm not say those cars should behave like either a supercar or currently the most sporty 2 series but the core values of the brand are present regardless of the model but the same reviewer changes their opinion and preference depending on the model which shows how invalid their opinions can be.

Now if your opinion happen to inline with theirs the good but it is only one person's opinion regardless of how gifted they are behind the wheel.

 

[Zafiro]

I'm not say those cars should behave like either a supercar or currently the most sporty 2 series but the core values of the brand are present regardless of the model but the same reviewer changes their opinion and preference depending on the model which shows how invalid their opinions can be.

Now if your opinion happen to inline with theirs the good but it is only one person's opinion regardless of how gifted they are behind the wheel.

Apparently we can go on and on nagging about it but I perfectly understand if a reviewer doesn't feel the same about every single car. Its not about being invalid. It's same for me. A Ford Galaxy purpose isn't about being sporty like a Fiesta ST. A Ford Galaxy you buy other reasons and when it was developed by Ford this car aim for different buyers. And who are you to decide all cars should be built with comfort in mind.