Any recommendations for a BMW desertor (lol)?

[sanchorb]

Hi everyone. I am new here, and hope to learn a lot. My experience for almost 20 years has been in BMW, which I have appreciated a lot and still like. Given that, I have lusted for the C class (W204) since they appeared, and at the end of last year, I went to see a beautiful 2009 C180K, 26 thousand kilometers, at an excellent price.

My most recent car update was from a 2001 525i (e39) to a 2008 318i (e90). But I feel I lost something on the trade, maybe because of my age I feel I want something more luxurious and comfortable than sporty. Don´t get me wrong, I like it very much, but compared to what I got in the e90, which has far less equipment and feels more scarce and basic, I feel the e90 would be the perfect car for a 30-35 year old person, who wants a sportier ride, and doesn´t care as much for small nuisances, such as the harsh ride and the feeling that, compared to a MB C Class such as the current one, BMW lets you dissapointed in terms of inner appearance.

So I have made up my mind and are in the process of selling my e90. If I had money in tons I would keep it and buy a C Class, but given it is not the case, I am willing to desert BMW ranks and join their northern neighbors. My only previous experience has been with my dad´s 1986 300SE, back then in the middle 90´s, which felt like a huge ship...compared to BMW´s ride it felt kind of wobbly.

The point of all this is these questions:
1) Any advice on the ideal C Classs (W204) for a beginner on this brand?
2) I am kind of weary of the word "Kompressor" back there and in the engine. As I understand, this is a turbocharger, not a supercharged engine as some people say. Do turbo compressors automatically = $$$$ ? What kind of special maintenance should you have for instance with a C180 K or C200K?
3) Any special and palatable differences between the "Sport and non sport" versions, besides the grill and the star on the hood? I assume there are, but not sure which they are...kind of like better the classic appearance, not a great fan of that big star on the grill...
4) If for example a person should want to save some bucks and go instead for a W203, would that be a bad thing to do?

Thank you all in advance for your inputs, it will be a great help for me, and hope to learn as much as I can from these forums, which always are great sources of information. Thank you all!

P.D. This is what I am selling.




This is what I want...if possible...

 

[Zafiro]

A friend of mine went from a E90 to a C-class 180K Wagon and he's satisfied with the car.

Have you looked at Audi A4?

 

[sanchorb]

I have...but Audi´s never apealled to me, although I recognize their technology and amazing performance. Simply there is something I can´t pinpoint that I don´t like about them. It is a great car, but for a strange reason I don´t find them that attractive.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

We've had two w204 C200k's in our family, my mums and mine, and an e90, my aunts. I can absolutely 100% confidently say you should be more than comfortable buying a well taken care of 2009 W204. The interior is bulletproof and the build and quality of the vehicle unbelievable. We both had near faultless ownership experiences. And after 3 years our C's look and feel new inside and drive as well as they did on day one, while my aunt's 3 feels aged. Particularly the interior which just doesn't wear as well. For her next car she want's a C as well.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Before you buy the C though, take a test drive. The steering while perfectly accurate and direct is considerably lighter than the 3's. Which you may not like if you've been with BMW's for so long. That said the chassis is brilliant. While the car is dynamic, the ride is also incredibly smooth and refined. The 200k has considerably more grunt than the 320i here as well. But while the BMW unit lacks power, it is still extremely smooth.

Differences between the avantgarde and elegance:
- Grill
- Interior trim (wood colour and leather colours)
- Wheels
- Exterior chrome highlights (I think)
- Suspension. In some markets I believe the Avantgarde comes with a lower adaptive sports suspension. This was optional here in Australia and neither of our two C's have it.

 

[K-A]

I have...but Audi´s never apealled to me, although I recognize their technology and amazing performance. Simply there is something I can´t pinpoint that I don´t like about them. It is a great car, but for a strange reason I don´t find them that attractive.

Exactly my sentiment toward Audi. Something about their core styling language was never attractive or a turn on to me.