Vs Swedish AMS: BMW 330i vs Mercedes C280

[Zafiro]

Just Me, how am I 'dissing' the magazine? I am simply questioning the methodology and some of the criteria (styling) used. The use of styling as an objective and measurable criteria by any magazine (AMS, Car & Driver et al.) is poorly thought out in my oppinion. This is not an isolated incident.

Nowhere in my posts have I questioned the result of the test. Clearly Mercedes is on the back foot at the moment when it comes to engine performance which many "MB Fans", myself included, have aknowledged. No sour grapes over the test result here.

(I'm postwhoring, sorry)

 

[bmer]

is the C280 a 3.0l or a 2.8l?

C280 (aka. C300 in North American market) is a 3.0-liter V6 engine.

 

[cawimmer430]

Natural competitor for the C350 is 335i and not 330i. In Europe is this logical competition between C-class and 3-series:

320i vs C180
325i vs C200
330i vs C280
335i vs C350

And from September 2007, the 3-series sedan and touring gets the new DI engine with 272hp

Sorry, you're wrong.

320i vs C180 Kompressor / C200 Kompressor

325i vs C230 (2.5-l V6, 205-hp) / C280 (3.0-l V6, 231-hp)

330i vs C350 (3.5-l V6, 272-hp)

335i vs Nothing here from Mercedes

So, in essence this is an unfair comparison from a power perspective. The C280 has 231-horsepower and doesn't compete at all with the more powerful 330i. The C350 competes with the 330i and Mercedes has nothing currently to push against the 335i.

 

[cawimmer430]

is the C280 a 3.0l or a 2.8l?

3.0-l V6

 

[Zafiro]

Sorry, you're wrong.

320i vs C180 Kompressor / C200 Kompressor

325i vs C230 (2.5-l V6, 205-hp) / C280 (3.0-l V6, 231-hp)

330i vs C350 (3.5-l V6, 272-hp)

335i vs Nothing here from Mercedes

So, in essence this is an unfair comparison from a power perspective. The C280 has 231-horsepower and doesn't compete at all with the more powerful 330i. The C350 competes with the 330i and Mercedes has nothing currently to push against the 335i.

Nothing wrong with comparing 330i to C280. Like I said its cost more than 330i in Sweden and not everyone is prepared to pay a lot more just to get a C350. C350 isnt that good compared to the competition. In sweden if you want a C350 then its more expensive to 335i as well. Thats ridicolous.
Nothing unfair here, natural competitiors since these two are similar pricerange, therefore this swedish carmag compared to a C280, its understandable.


Carmags have compared IS350 (306hp) to 330i and C350, than thats an unfair comparison too for bmw and MB.

 

[cawimmer430]

Nothing wrong with comparing 330i to C280. Like I said its cost more than 330i in Sweden and not everyone is prepared to pay a lot more just to get a C350. C350 isnt that good compared to the competition. In sweden if you want a C350 then its more expensive to 335i as well. Thats ridicolous.
Nothing unfair here, natural competitiors since these two are similar pricerange, therefore this swedish carmag compared to a C280, its understandable.


Carmags have compared IS350 (306hp) to 330i and C350, than thats an unfair comparison too for bmw and MB.

They should have specified that they compared the C280 to the 330i because of PRICE. That's fine.

But comparing a C280 to a 330i from a PERFORMANCE point of view is completely unfair. Naturally the more powerful car will win. So, the C280 produces 231-horsepower and the 330i produces 272-horsepower. If you ask me, that's incredible unfair power advantage for the BMW.

The natural competitor to the 330i is the Mercedes C350. They both produce 272-horsepower. How much is a 330i is Sweden and how much is a C350?

 

[Zafiro]

They should have specified that they compared the C280 to the 330i because of PRICE. That's fine.

Christian did you read the test? I
have and they start the article by saying that price is a reason why they did this comparison. So they specified it So calm down Christian

PS 330i produce 258hp, NOT 272hp.

PS2 Like I said 335i and C350 has the same pricerange


Caw, did you get schocked

 

[cawimmer430]

Christian did you read the test? I
have and they start the article by saying that price is a reason why they did this comparison. So they specified it So calm down Christian

PS 330i produce 258hp, NOT 272hp.

PS2 Like I said 335i and C350 has the same pricerange


Caw, did you get schocked

I can't read Swedish.

I am not shocked about the outcome. I expected the "sportier" car to win, like in most reviews. And of course the C280 was handicapped by less power. And this is not the 272-hp 330i? I thought BMW was producing the 3er with the new engine already?

 

[Zafiro]

I thought BMW was producing the 3er with the new engine already?

Nope, probably waiting for the facelift in sept/okt....

BTW here are the prices

swedish prices of course

330i E90 - 364.000 kr
335i E90 - 388.000 kr

C280 - 384.900 kr
C350 - 441.900 kr

Source: their webpages

As you can see , even a C280 cost almost like a 335i Thats just scary!
Christian you have to see this comparison from a swedish POV

 

[cawimmer430]

Christian you have to see this comparison from a swedish POV

In that case, where is AUDI (Quattro)?

I am not pissed, and I can see that they compared the cars because of price, but still. Is there a heavy income tax on foreign cars in Sweden? I can't understand why Mercedes is overpricing the C280 by so much in your country.

 

[wltsm]

I can't find the prices for the new model yet, but found them for the W203, the C350 and that's more expensive than the 335i, but £2000. MBs always are more expensive though, I mean look at the S500 compared to the competition, it's way more expensive, but at the same time it's the best selling car in the class!

Here are links to the prices of the 3er and W203 C class!

E90 3er

W203 Class

 

[Zafiro]

In that case, where is AUDI (Quattro)?

I am not pissed, and I can see that they compared the cars because of price, but still. Is there a heavy income tax on foreign cars in Sweden? I can't understand why Mercedes is overpricing the C280 by so much in your country.

you saw what they took for a C280 and 335i. You should be happy they didnt choose 335i instead, that would be pure humiliation

 

[cawimmer430]

you saw what they took for a C280 and 335i. You should be happy they didnt choose 335i instead, that would be pure humiliation

And comparing a 335i to a C280 is pure stupidity.

 

[Zafiro]

And comparing a 335i to a C280 is pure stupidity.

only stupid thing is MB prices

 

[cawimmer430]

only stupid thing is MB prices

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[Benzboi_inoz]

Hmm

Well of course the BMW will win if the main weighting or considerations are performance, as in speed, acceleration, dynamics etc. That is where BMW's traditionally excel, and if that is your main priority in buying a car, then that is what you should get. Assuming of course that you are actually going to buy one, and not just indulging in a self pleasuring brand love fest.

And we do not know if the Mercedes was equipped with Advanced Agility control system either.

I also note that the Mercedes was scored higher on other issues that are important in assesing a car such as comfort, quality, costs, safety, trunk space, ergonomics, and environment.

Quite a list.

Still, if sportiness or performance as it relates to speed, acceleration, etc, is of prime performance to a potential buyer at the cost of other qualities, then the BMW is clearly the better of the two cars.

For me, I want a balance of qualities or performance attributes in a vehicle when I am paying for it, and owning it, not just having a day dream about driving one around, which is why not withstanding the advantages of the BMW, I'd probably go for the Benz - not because I think it is the better car, so much as just different, and a difference that personally appeals to my tastes and requirements in a car, more.

If you REALLY want sportiness in a car, you buy maybe an M series BMW, or something else instead. Like Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lotus, Caterham, etc. The standard 3 series BMW is a sporty saloon, and a damn good one, but a proper sports car it aint. Nor is it designed to be.

With all due respect, all this grandstanding and hand clapping that the BMW is 'better' or 'Kills' the Mercedes because it is more sporty etc, is just a bit of a short sighted and overly narrow viewpoint IMHO. They are both truly excellent vehicles, and will appeal to different buyers for different reasons - not a better or worse scenario IMV & Experience.

Best Regards

John...

 

[PanterroR]

They are both truly excellent vehicles, and will appeal to different buyers for different reasons.

Right and we all have the right to prefer one car over another. You choose the C, i choose the 3er.

 

[Zafiro]

Since we are entitled with own opinions, I choose 3er becuase of good balance between sport and comfort.

 

[vedjo01]

Well,I would take 3-er in a hart beat over C-class mainly because it handles better,looks nicer IMO(ok,to some older men maybe is opposite) and it has six cylinders in line(tryed V-6 MB models,didn´t like it at all).I think that says it all..

 

[Tarek]

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