BMW 3-Series Still Top Dog despite Strong Competition

[fortuner]

For me a owner off teh W204 C class i think this is the best C class ever made by mercedes and i really think its better then the 3er..yes many will say fanboy but in past the 3er were better and i alwasy felt this but this time not..

As for K-A i think he critisese Mercedes even more then some BMW fanboys so i wouldnt call hime a Mercedes Fanboy...Yes i am biast to Mercedes but here i honestly feel the C is king especailly the likes off the C220cdi,C250cdi and the 4 cylinder petrols are just brilliant...

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Lol...Yes folks, I understand that I am hating, which is why I put HGH by my comment.

When it comes to the 3 series, I have an Authorized Haters Card.

I CAN'T understand how you can choose C or A4 when there is a BMW 3 for sale in all BMW dealerships

Really? What does the 3 series have over the C-class?

Turning corners faster? Or the maintence program?

Especially the 4 door 3 series. At least the coupe is slightly more elegant.

The C-class IMO looks ten times better and actually looks like a luxury sedan.

The 5 series...yes that should be top seller...but the 3 series..

BTW...Just_me had a great point.

In Sweden and Germany the best selling 3-series are 318d and 320d. Good balance between economy and ownership costs are the main reasons why 3-series are selling well.

......

lol at all the BMW haters on this forum. They are becoming increasingly strong. Oh well, hating on the best is only logical. Can't blame some sorry fanboys here.

I don't hate BMW, I just don't care for the arrogance that BMW seems to attract. I love the 5,6, X5, X6, X1 and 7. Matter of fact companies like BMW, Lexus, Audi and Infiniti are the reason Benz has increased their focus on building higher quality cars in recent years. So no I don't hate them.

 

[Merc1]

Lol...Yes folks, I understand that I am hating, which is why I put HGH by my comment.

When it comes to the 3 series, I have an Authorized Haters Card.



Really? What does the 3 series have over the C-class?

Turning corners faster? Or the maintence program?

Especially the 4 door 3 series. At least the coupe is slightly more elegant.

The C-class IMO looks ten times better and actually looks like a luxury sedan.

The 5 series...yes that should be top seller...but the 3 series..

Don't bother, if he's salesman you're going to get a load of bs. When a person states that they can't see why you would buy this over that then they're mind is made up. You're wasting your time HoH.


M

 

[Zafiro]

Not all car sales are based on looks alone. 3-series is selling well because of engine choices, balance between sport and comfort, design and brand. Its the combination of these factors that makes 3-series selling so strong.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Not all car sales are based on looks alone. 3-series is selling well because of engine choices, balance between sport and comfort and design and brand. Its the combination of these factors that makes 3-series selling so strong.

Yes, I did see your early post. You do have a good point.

 

[Merc1]

Whether or not anyone wants to admit it, the 3er is the default car on most people's shopping list in this segment. That is an envious position, one that every other car maker would like to have. Just like the S-Class is in its segment. Other cars just don't get as much consideration. Who looks for a Saab in this segment? Very few. Just like in the S-Class segment, in the U.S. very few even consider an A8 or XJ.


M

 

[LaArtist]

Artist: don't know what you're talking about, since the F01 is basically better than W221 on all accounts.

No its not

 

[bmwownage]

The C-class is still, gives a feeling of a "budget" Mercedes. The A4 is great but you really can't challenge BMW's long heritage by making (up till now) one generation of a beautiful A4. The 3series, even not looking perfect in the form of E90, is still (imo) the best balance of sportiness and comfort. With a small car like this, people desire that additional bit of sportiness that BMW is able to offer... With the C-class, i mean everything is great, but in all accounts the E is better, so what's the reason to get it? To me, the reason is "i dont' want to PAY more for an E", while at BMW, i actually want a 3series over the 5... when we bought our E46 some 9years back, a 530i costed just ever so marginally more than a 330i but the choice was still the 3, i guess that's the difference. Hope this 3series magic will last...

 

[Merc1]

With the C-class, i mean everything is great, but in all accounts the E is better, so what's the reason to get it? To me, the reason is "i dont' want to PAY more for an E", while at BMW, i actually want a 3series over the 5... when we bought our E46 some 9years back, a 530i costed just ever so marginally more than a 330i but the choice was still the 3, i guess that's the difference.

That argument can be made about any brand's small vs larger cars. A C-Class w/sport pack is a much, much sportier car than any non-AMG E-Class. That is another reason why someone would buy a C instead of an E, not to mention they may not want a car the size of the E-Class. If the E is not better than the C on "all accounts" either. A C350 Sport is far sportier than any E350 will ever be. As a sport sedan, the E isn't even close.


M

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Artist: don't know what you're talking about, since the F01 is basically better than W221 on all accounts.

 

[Beemer B773ER]

That argument can be made about any brand's small vs larger cars. A C-Class w/sport pack is a much, much sportier car than any non-AMG E-Class. That is another reason why someone would buy a C instead of an E, not to mention they may not want a car the size of the E-Class. If the E is not better than the C on "all accounts" either. A C350 Sport is far sportier than any E350 will ever be. As a sport sedan, the E isn't even close.


M

Both are valid points.

I think what bmwownage was really trying to hit at relates more to their respective brand images.

Mercedes is seen as luxury and prestige. You think of a luxury car, you think of something big and shiny and comfy. In other words, you think S-class. It's as if with Mercedes-Benz, you start with the S-class as your focal-point of the brand, and then you work your way out to whatever your needs/desires are...whether it be something a tad smaller (E), something a bit more sporty (CLS or SL), something a lot more affordable (C), or something with greater utility (M/GL), etc.

With BMW, their brand is built more on that sporty image. We all know that BMW's are not The Ultimate Driving Machine in a literal sense, but in relation to its peers, its brand carries that slogan 100%. So when you think BMW, you think 3 series, and then you work your way out... something bigger (5), something more luxuries but still sporty (7er)...etc.

So for the C-class, the brand image that Mercedes-Benz has (especially in the US) is actually somewhat of a disadvantage when compared to BMW's brand image since the target market for the 3er/C/A4/G/IS segment of vehicles prefers something with a sporty edge (naturally since they are younger buyers). Of course Mercedes is doing well in offering attractive AMG sports packages, but it's brand image, something that can't be changed by a sports package, or simply a new more aggressive looking C-class model.

If anything, the 3er itself has its own brand identity/heritage to the point where even if BMW produced the 7er or 5er to be as vanilla and comfy as ..say the S-class, it may tarnish BMW's brand image, but not the 3er's.....simply because the 3er is the focal point of the BMW range, and the more you branch out from the 3er's attributes, the more you are compromising.

 

[Merc1]

That sounds better than this nonsense about what people don't wanna pay for or that an E is better on all counts, cause it isn't depending on what your criteria is.

What you describe above is the reason why BMW has never been anywhere near as successful at larger, more expensive cars as Mercedes-Benz and vice versa.


M

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

The 3-er is no longer the default choice here in Australia. The w204 C-class has consistently outsold it since launch. For the first time in history you see more C-class's rolling down the roads then you see 3-series.

To call the 3-er the best balance of comfort and sportiness is preposterous. Certainly it may be the sportiest, but it’s not very comfortable. But in terms of image, looks etc. it's easy to see why it appeals to this 'younger' demographic in most markets.

The A4 feels like the cheapest of the 3 and anyone who says otherwise has been fooled by Audis long standing perception of superior feel and tactility. It may have been true before, but the current A4 is poor in this respect. The A1 feels better for heavens sake.

I'd be very interested to see global figures for:
3, A4, C
5, A6, E
7, A8, S

It's a shame these are so hard to come by, and every maker just harps on about the markets they do lead in.

 

[K-A]

As for K-A i think he critisese Mercedes even more then some BMW fanboys so i wouldnt call hime a Mercedes Fanboy...Yes i am biast to Mercedes but here i honestly feel the C is king especailly the likes off the C220cdi,C250cdi and the 4 cylinder petrols are just brilliant...

Lol, ain't that the truth. For a "Fanboy", I certainly trash M-B pretty fierce when they do something that I don't like.

 

[SpiritofEcstasy]

I don't understand why A has to be better or even much better than B for it to prove that it is good. I love the 3-series and still think it is class-leading, but that doesn't mean that Audi and Merc don't offer good products. At the end of the day, what it boils down to is the consumer and which they like better. For me, if you want a sporty, more youthful vehicle, the 3-series is perfect. If luxury, comfort and safety are what you want, then Mercedes reigns supreme. I have never officially owned an Audi, so I am in no position to judge them, but I find they have very nice interiors.

The 3-series just happens to be right for its market. It's fun to drive and has some very nice, aggressive styling. It's perfect for who they are selling to.

The S-Class, on the other hand, is one of the most iconic and luxurious cars in the world. Say what you will, but when I think comfort, I think S-Class.

People will buy a BMW for a BMW and a Merc for a Merc.

 

[martinbo]

If the sales trends are consistent with each of the occasions I did manage to look at vehicle sales stats in South Africa, the C-Class also outsells the 3er month-on-month here in South Africa.

Furthermore, sporting drivers shouldn't be so quick to dismiss the C-Class as not being a rewarding car to drive. Go for an Avantgarde spec, put on the big wheels and low-profile tyres and you have a very sweetly balanced RWD saloon that still manages to ride better than a 3er.

I have to say, I like many of Mercedes Benz's cars more and more these days - and that's coming from a big BMW fan.

 

[Zafiro]

In Sweden both 3-series and A4 outsells C-class. Months sales changes between A4 and 3-series.

PS recently my parents did a 5 hours trip to Germany with their E90 and the ride is far from uncomfortable. Sure it migth not be up to C-class standards in terms of ride comfort but E90 isnt bad either.

 

[martinbo]

On European roads with 17" wheels and standard suspension a BMW 3 Series is quite comfortable - yes. But then also... less sporting.

Now, a BMW 335i Sport with 19" wheels and little slivers of run-flat tyres - the ride here in SA is borderline intolerable.

 

[Zafiro]

That's why most 3-series have standard suspension and 17/18" wheels. Not everyone want to show off with unnecessary large wheels

Like I said before the best selling models are x18d/x20d and x20i and then comes 325i and down on the list 335i. 3-series still selling well should not come as surprise to anyone.

BTW both me and my father doesnt have runflats, only my mum's new 118d still uses RF.

 

[Beemer B773ER]

What you describe above is the reason why BMW has never been anywhere near as successful at larger, more expensive cars as Mercedes-Benz and vice versa.

Agree with you there when comparing 7er & S, but its rather interesting where they meet in the middle: 5er vs. E.

Go for an Avantgarde spec, put on the big wheels and low-profile tyres and you have a very sweetly balanced RWD saloon that still manages to ride better than a 3er.

Or conversely, opt for the 335i instead of the iS, and you have a very sweet riding RWD saloon that still manages to deliver better balance & handling than a C-class.

Or, or... Go for the 335iS, put on smaller wheels and make sure they're NOT run-flats, and you have a very sweet riding RWD saloon that still manages to deliver better balance & handling than a C-class.

Now, a BMW 335i Sport with 19" wheels and little slivers of run-flat tyres - the ride here in SA is borderline intolerable.

Is that more a reflection of the 335iS, or of the condition of roads in SA?
We hear a similar sentiment from our Aussie members about their roads. ...and not surprisingly, as we can read in this thread alone, they're pointing out that the more 'comfy' C-class is outselling the 3er in these two markets.
Level the playing field roads by making them better, and I'm guessing things might be different.