Help Me Choose My Next Car (The Verdict Is In!!)

[siko]

Alright folks! I'm still undecided as to what I should lease next, so I want your help.

The candidates:

• BMW 328i (manual/black/black)
• Mercedes-Benz C300 (manual/black/grey)

The price and equipment are virtually the same… the differences are pointed out below.

NOTE... BETTER implies IMO of course!!!

328i Pros

• Better interior ergonomics
• Better driving dynamics (not by much though)
• Better acceleration (6.7s vs. 7.2s)
• Electronic limited slip differential (not sure about the C)
• Free maintenance program (MB will cost me 800~1200$ over lease period)
• Electric seats w/memory (C300 only has electric seats)

C300 Pros

• Better interior finish
• Better exterior looks (not by much though)
• AMG sports kit
• Adaptive headlights
• Headlights washer system (not even option on 328i ?? )
• LCD screen for computer (even w/o Command nav. system)

Please post any contructive comments!





P.S. Please don’t turn this into a BMW vs. MB thread!

 

[ateekt]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

My vote goes to the king-of-the-hill, best compact-sports sedan since her debute, the 3-series ...!

 

[ree]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

I would choose the BMW here. It is more a drives car and I'm still not a fan of the C-Class design. I also love the engine of the BMW and the interior looks great.

 

[Centurion]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

The C-class is newer and does look more fresh, unless you are planning on getting the facelifted 3er. As always the bimmer offer better acceleration which is a great bonus, especially when it's half a second faster. Both cars are just as great and in the end it coems down to driving both and discovering which one gives you the biggest smile.

 

[Yperion]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

The C-class is newer and does look more fresh

Ι agree with that.

Why don't you consider the new A4 as well. IMO it's the new class leader.

 

[Centurion]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

Ι agree with that.

Why don't you consider the new A4 as well. IMO it's the new class leader.

Although the new A4 does look quite dull the reviews have been highly positive.

 

[siko]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

Why don't you consider the new A4 as well. IMO it's the new class leader.

To be honest, in terms of looks the B8 is the nicest of all 3 (I saw a few in the metal in Europe), but...

Here are the main reasons against an A4:

1. no RWD; even quattro is the same dull 50/50 torque split (I'd only get an Audi with rear bias quattro)
2. the new B8 A4 is not yet available here
3. the end-of-life B7 edition of the old A4 is 89$/month more then the 2 candidates above (Note it's a quattro vs. others cheaper RWD, but I'd never buy a FWD sport sedan); Audi have horrible lease options in Canada, so imagine the payments when the new one comes in
4. a bit higher insurance premium

 

[DaSilva]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

M E R C E D E S

Be a STAR

 

[LaArtist]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

Go on and get the benz..
As it looks so much more upmarket than the competition..especially with AMG package..
But i would advise you to go for the AT tranny..
Other than that i cant see much going on for the bimmer..
Its a great car..but its in for a FL.. and its starting to look its age..

 

[siko]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

^^ Why auto tranny?

 

[LaArtist]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

^imo the 7G tronic is one hell of a gearbox..
and traditionally MB makes better AT than MT..
plus bmw makes kick ass MT´s..
But on the other hand..there is this myth that the MB MT´s are worthless..
Wich isnt entierly true.. i had W203 FL C class with MT..
The gearbox was really nice and smooth.. not as sporty and rigid as a BMW though

 

[Mr. M]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

I'd get the Benz. I don't know about you, but if I get a 328i I'll always be thinking of the 330i or the 335i. At least for the C, you don't care much for performance as much as the luxury, so a C300 would do just fine. It's not as if the C350 is that good an engine over the C300 anyway... But between a 328i and a 335i, there's a hell lot of a difference.

 

[Centurion]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

^^ Why auto tranny?

Because MB's manual transmissions are very good at all, just ask Wimmer. Mercedes' have superb automatic transmissions though, so if you are to get the Benz it has to be an automatic.

 

[siko]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

^^ Now you got me worried... an auto tranny for me means total boredom, so it's not an option.

 

[Tarek]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

C for sure

-Better looking inside out and looks so new,fresh and more premium than the 3er.
-I know u won't get the AT but it's like 1 sec faster than the manual according to MB.
-BTW u can get the powered seats with memory don't know why it's not available in Canada.
-The 3er is about to be FL so u definitely don't want to spend ur hard earned money on a car that will be out-classed in a month or two.
-The C just looks sublime with AMG package
-It's a Mercedes

 

[Centurion]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

^^ Now you got me worried... an auto tranny for me means total boredom, so it's not an option.

Then I guess the BMW is the default choice. Have you have a test drive of both cars?

 

[siko]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

C for sure
-I know u won't get the AT but it's like 1 sec faster than the manual according to MB.

Brochure says that manual is 0.1s faster (but probably not when I'm driving )

But it's more of a question of driving pleasure.

-BTW u can get the powered seats with memory don't know why it's not available in Canada.

You can, but it's on the premium package, which I didnt' take in order to fit my budget.

 

[siko]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

Then I guess the BMW is the default choice. Have you have a test drive of both cars?

I have, but the C was an auto. So I'm thinking I'll have to go back for a test drive with the manual.

 

[Mr. Chigga_Chan]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

I blasphemously picked the 328i for you Siko mainly because of its driving dynamics advantage over the C300. Personally if I were shopping in this segment I would go for a C-Class or an A4, but we are shopping for YOU good sir

The manual option is a big thing for you, and despite the improvements of the MB manuals, I doubt it would match a BMW manual. That is something you will have to personally determine by test-driving them, but I'm going to assume the BMW is better. Its also faster and has marginally better driving characteristics, which seem to be important factors to you. Looks are great but you can only look at a car so much, you will have to drive it...and the BMW will probably make you smile more while you are driving it.

 

[Tarek]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

Brochure says that manual is 0.1s faster (but probably not when I'm driving )

But it's more of a question of driving pleasure.




You can, but it's on the premium package, which I didnt' take in order to fit my budget.

That's strange since all MB cars equipped with AT is usually faster than the MT ones,anyway looks like u almost got it figured out but is there an option of waiting till the 3er FL? i hate to see u pay premium then a new car just pops out