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

[ZicZachZo]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

I dunno about Canada, but the US-spec C's are lacking major features as compared to the European counterpart. I don't quite understand why MBUSA is being such a stickler but not giving us the memory seats and other key features is kind of ....???!?!

I would go with the Bimmer on this one because even without the sports package it will more than likely outperform the C class and it's really not that bad looking. The only thing I don't like about it are the rear brake lights. My mom has a 325i and it's a great little car. Hard decision though... Good look buddy!

 

[Tarek]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

OT: why the 330i is not offered in NA?

I thought that our 330i was the 328i in NA,now it appears that our 325i is 328i in NA,damn that confusing.

 

[siko]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

OT: why the 330i is not offered in NA?

I thought that our 330i was the 328i in NA,now it appears that our 325i is 328i in NA,damn that confusing.

There are no more 330i is NA...

• 320i became 323i (2.5L; 200hp; only Canada)
• 325i became 328i (3.0L; 230hp)
• 330i became 335i (3.0L TT; 300hp)

 

[siko]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

I dunno about Canada, but the US-spec C's are lacking major features as compared to the European counterpart. I don't quite understand why MBUSA is being such a stickler but not giving us the memory seats and other key features is kind of ....???!?!

Actually it's very well equipped here. The memory seat come with premium packagem but I'm not taking that package to kee payments lower.

I would go with the Bimmer on this one because even without the sports package ...

Both have sports packages.

 

[Tarek]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

So no interest in FL 3er?

 

[far2000]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

Test Drive both again...and let your heart decide.....Either way, you gotta admit, its a lovely dilema 2 be in...



Farouk

 

[siko]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

So no interest in FL 3er?

Won't be availble yet. Lease ends soon.

Either way, you gotta admit, its a lovely dilema 2 be in...

 

[DocM]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

Siko, this is no doubt an exciting time for you, I just can't help but love the anticipation of getting something new, especially when we're talking about a new car!

From my understanding of things it seems that waiting for the 3er FL is not an option for you. Between the current 3er and the C, I would get a C (with an AMG pack of course). But I'm sure that you are more than aware of the risk of buying a car that has just begun its run ie quirks, defaults, longterm reliability...
But again from what I understand you are leasing the car not buying it (correct?) so those things matter less, and the C seems like a solid package from the get go.

Thats why my vote went to the C. Had it been between the C and the FL 3er, your decision would definitely harder.
Let us know what you end up getting!

 

[Tarek]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

Won't be availble yet. Lease ends soon.

Didn't know u were leasing

 

[siko]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

^^ Yeah, otherwise I'd be drving a Pinto, or a Ford (same thing).




On a serious note, as many have suggested, I'll organise a same-day test drive of both cars in the actual configuration I want or at least both manuals) and decide then.


I'm also considering perhaps waiting for the 3er FL and be carless for a Month or so!?

 

[DaSilva]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

I'm also considering perhaps waiting for the 3er FL and be carless for a Month or so!?

That will only make the choice harder... still if you find out that the BMW FL is just soooo much greater you maybe will regret and that just sucks..

I'm just saying take the , Mercedes-Benz C300

 

[Tarek]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

On a serious note, as many have suggested, I'll organise a same-day test drive of both cars in the actual configuration I want or at least both manuals) and decide then.


I'm also considering perhaps waiting for the 3er FL and be carless for a Month or so!?

Yeah i think u should do that,test both cars in the same day and with comparable equipment and transmission then decide

 

[siko]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

I just got a call from the sales rep @ BMW, and the FL 3er will be available as a late october delivery. Meaning I'd be 2 months without a car.

On top of that the lease rates will go up, so the price will be higher.

Not sure that it will be an option for me.

 

[klier]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

Two months without a car and then a facelifted 3er???

Where can I sign?

 

[coolraoul]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

I'd take the C.
I wouldn't take the non-FL 3er, that's for sure, unless you find it 10 times better than the Merc.

Currently, the Merc is the better choice, because if you take the 3er in 2 months you'll have an old car, with an old iDrive and old ugly rear lights compared to the new one.

If you wait 2 months, then you'll be able to really choose the car you prefer. If you can't wait, the Merc is more logical in any case. On the other hand, if you don't care and find the Beemer really better, you can buy it because you're leasing and don't care for the re-sale of the car.

 

[siko]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

Great, I hit another snag... there NOT A SINGLE MB dealer in town that has a manual C-class for test drive! All are on order.

 

[ree]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

Great, I hit another snag... there NOT A SINGLE MB dealer in town that has a manual C-class for test drive! All are on order.

Yep, that's a Mercedes problem. Nearly every car for testdrive is with automatic transmission.
Nevertheless, I have to say, that Mercedes manual transmission got a big improve the last years. The 6 speed manual of our E 280 CDI is smooth and very good to handle. Especially with a petrol engine, it shouldn't be bad!

 

[siko]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

Updates

• Got my isurance quotes and the C is cheaper then the 3er by a significant marging
• I've made up my mind that if I would get the 3er, it would have to be a facelift (unless it's but ugly of course)

So at this point you'd think I'd go for the Benz hands down, but...


Test Drive Results

• C300 Auto
• C350 Sports/Auto
• 328i Sports/Manual

Drove the C350 since the C300 didn't have the sports package (bigger brakes, suspension).

The point of the test drive was driving dynamics and driving pleasure. Both series/classes are amazing cars, but the old MB vs. BMW philosophy is hugely still apparent... meaning MB is more pro-luxugy and BMW is more pro-sport.

Again, there is not that much seperating the C and the 3er in terms of dynamics, but the C remains a relatively tamed car, where the 3er is more of a brute, more raw.

Furthermore, the performance difference between the 328i and the C300 (manual & auto mode) was more pronounced once I drove them (almost) back-to-back. It even felt that the 328i was closer to the C350 in term of power grunt... which makes sense because I checkd the 350's 0-100 times (6.4 s) and they are closer to the 328i (6.7s) then the C300 (7.2s).

Funny thing is that if I wanted to buy my next car with an automatic tranny... I would not hesitate to get the C. MB's 7spd auto is trully amazing. The best auto tranny I've ever driven... too bad I'm a manual tranny guy


Current Status

I wait... my lease ends only in early Sept.

I'm going to wait for the E90 FL pics to surface and/or to see if any of them makes me a deal that I can't refuse.

 

[LaArtist]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

^good call..if you really are going for the 3er..its wise to wait for the FL..
but dont expect to get a great deal on it..as it will be new..and they will charge in full for it..
on the other hand..you could score a pre FL one for a good price when the Fl is out..
but like you siad.. butt ugly

 

[Tarek]

Re: Help Me Choose My Next Car!!

Siko,the C300 u tested had few thousand miles on the clock or just couple hundreds? it does really matter in performance