what do you think of the C300?

[rh71]

Mom is sick of her Talon with recurring problems and she no longer trusts it. It's a '97 anyway so it's getting up there in age and she's ready to move up in class after all these years. Back then I decided on the Talon for her... but I feel it could've been a lot more dependable over the years.

We know nothing of Mercedes but she loves the style, though still undecided between sport or luxury version. What do you guys hear / know of the base C class? Is it equivalent to your typical 328i in performance? Are Mercedes usually more comfortable than BMW without being as sporty? The C300's interior looks a lot better than a 328's, that's for sure. I know Honda-reliability is not to be expected for German cars, that much you don't have to state.

One other thing - I'm trying to read on MB forums but if there's anything coming soon like a new COMMAND system or anything else that we should wait on, please say so.

 

[KIAman]

My co-worker has one and we car pool and I own a E90 330i so I can give a direct comparison.

Edit: Sport comes standard with better wheels and the MB symbol is flat like a BMW roundel. The Luxury has the BM symbol sticking out like their previous cars. The W204 is a relatively new generation C class and won't get updates for several more years.

E90 vs W204
Exterior: C300 - The C class is beautiful except from the back. The 3 series is beautiful except from the direct front, LOL. People look more at the front than the back. C300 wins.

Interior: C300 - The 3 series have 3 tone. Top, trim and interior color. The C class has only 2 tone and it makes the interior look cleaner. The C class has a better placement for the joystick (idrive). The 3 series sport seats are more comfortable. Overall, C300 wins by a little.

Engine: BMW - The inline 6 is smooth as silk and power delivery is flat across the RPM range. The 328 has 230/200 (330 has 255/220 but no longer available in the US) while the C300 has 228/221. The BMW also gets much better real-world mileage. My 330i avg 25 mpg on our commute (including several WOT) and co-workers c300 gets 20.5. The BMW's engine wins hands down.

Comfort: Driver - BMW, passenger - C300 - It's all about the driver in the 3 series, the sports seats are supple and hold you in like a glove. As a passenger, the c300 is more accommodating. Believe it or not, the BMW is more quiet on the road, except for spirited driving when the engine sings its glorious song. The ride is slightly more comfortable in favor of the C300 because of OEM RFT on the BMW.

Drivability: BMW - Active steering + perfectly balanced 50/50 weight distribution and BMW tuned suspension = win. Both of us agree on this point.

Cost: C300 - Similarly optioned BMW cost 5-7 grand more MSRP. C300 is priced very competetively.

Reliability BMW - I've only done normal maintenance and a computer program update to fix slow I-drive and NAV. C300 had to get new interior rubber parts, exterior door trim re-alignment, squeaky door fix, and recently alignment issues.

Overall: BMW - Only if money wasn't an issue. It costs more but gives you 5/50,000 of free maintenance (although the computer must tell you to go). If money is an issue, the C300 wins considering you get almost as much CAR for less MONEY.

 

[Arkaign]

Honestly, the G37 is a lot more car for the $ than the 328 or C300. If you forced me to choose, it'd be the Bavarian, although the E90 doesn't get fun until you are in a 335 or M3.

 

[KIAman]

Originally posted by: Arkaign
Honestly, the G37 is a lot more car for the $ than the 328 or C300. If you forced me to choose, it'd be the Bavarian, although the E90 doesn't get fun until you are in a 335 or M3.

The G37 is priced right around the C300 price point. IMO, I don't like the exterior styling at all (for the sedan) nor the suspension set up. The engine is loud even with no WOT but I think that is by design. It does have more interior room than either 3 or c-class. Gas mileage (automatic) was horrible. 16-18 mpg combined.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: KIAman

Originally posted by: Arkaign
Honestly, the G37 is a lot more car for the $ than the 328 or C300. If you forced me to choose, it'd be the Bavarian, although the E90 doesn't get fun until you are in a 335 or M3.

The G37 is priced right around the C300 price point. IMO, I don't like the exterior styling at all (for the sedan) nor the suspension set up. The engine is loud even with no WOT but I think that is by design. It does have more interior room than either 3 or c-class. Gas mileage (automatic) was horrible. 16-18 mpg combined.

? - This is for the G37 Coupe w/AUTO trans :

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/26298.shtml

MPG (city)
18

MPG (highway)
26

MPG (combined)
21

The handling is definitely better than the C300, but not up to BMW Sport levels, even with the 'S' package.

It does have a lot of power, definitely a step up from C300 / 328i.

EDIT :

C300 Fuel Economy is worse : http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/25098.shtml
328i Fuel Economy is slightly better : http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/23518.shtml

 

[KIAman]

I can only speak from direct experience.
About MPG, on paper, you are absolutely correct.

I wouldn't say handling of G37 is automatically better than C300. I had the same assumption until I was driving around in one. The C300 steering is VERY numb but surprisingly the handling is very good, with minimal body roll. The G37 had lots of front/back body roll and feels very front weight biased.

G37 has lots of power and very responsive to the gas pedal.

As for overall feel, the BMW and MB feel like heavy cars although they are lighter than the G37. But they feel heavy in a good way, where it feels solid as a rock and planted to the ground while the G37 felt very light but a little sprightly. It did not impart a feeling of confidence.

 

[TimeKeeper]

"mom", let her decide what she like.
I don't think she can even differentiate C63 vs C300 other than one being louder in exhuast.

You can always find a faster, more this or more that car... but it could be as simple as the fact that she loves the 3-point star on the hood.

 

[sdifox]

brand new or used? If used, I would skip C and go with E since the new E is out so the older ones are cheaper.


Never buy entry level car of any brand.

 

[mparr1708]

I didn't read all of the posts in this thread but i can speak from experience. I own a 2008 c300 sport with p1 and navi. I drove everything in the same class around the same price range and I liked the c300 best overall. This includes a direct comparison with the 328i. I drove each about 4 times before the purchase. I've also driven a 328i a number of times since as a loaner vehicle while my wife's BMW x3 is in for service. I still think I picked the better vehicle between the two. Now all that said I really wish I would have splurged a bit more and purchased a 335i. I've had the chance to drive a number of 335is and to me it is night and day compared to the 328i (and I'm not just talking about the engine. Actually driving the 335 is better to me.).

Cliff's notes:

If comparison is 328i vs. c300 I say c300 all day long.

If comparison is c350 vs. 335i I say 335i all day long.

 

[dirtboy]

I was recently shopping for a new car and compared the 3 series BMW to the 3 series Benz.

Overall the Benz interior felt cheaper, despite the fact that it looked nicer. While the C350 Sport was quick, it wasn't all that fast, especially considering it had a 7 speed transmission. I didn't drive the C300, but I wouldn't even consider something even more underpowered. In terms of ownership, the cost do maintain the Benz will make up for its lower MSRP. Every 10k miles you'll have to reach into your pocket for a few hundred bucks.

In the end I picked up a 335i. Much nicer car. I enjoy driving it, whereas the Benz was just transportation to me. There are a few things about the 335i that aren't as nice as the Benz, but the drive is so much more enjoyable that I can't even remember what those few things are. I'd probably opt for the 328 over the C350 just for the driving experience.

Either way I wouldn't buy a base model Benz. Mercedes is not well known for the quality in their lower end cars. Drive it and you can feel it. The badge isn't worth the price.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: KIAman
I can only speak from direct experience.
About MPG, on paper, you are absolutely correct.

I wouldn't say handling of G37 is automatically better than C300. I had the same assumption until I was driving around in one. The C300 steering is VERY numb but surprisingly the handling is very good, with minimal body roll. The G37 had lots of front/back body roll and feels very front weight biased.

G37 has lots of power and very responsive to the gas pedal.

As for overall feel, the BMW and MB feel like heavy cars although they are lighter than the G37. But they feel heavy in a good way, where it feels solid as a rock and planted to the ground while the G37 felt very light but a little sprightly. It did not impart a feeling of confidence.

What year C300 did you try? Apparently it went from somewhat competent to just a luxo-mushbox :

http://www.roadandtrack.com/ar..._id=5721&page_number=2

"However, slalom, skidpad and braking performance suggested that our new C350 Sport is a bit softer than its predecessor (skidpad: 0.81g now, 0.85g then; slalom: 63.8 mph now, 66.4 mph then; braking, 60 mph to a standstill: 135 ft. now, 124 ft. then). Nothing embarrassing, but as one staff member said, "It feels like a larger, softer car; it doesn't feel like a C-Class."

Bleh. And that was an as-tested ~$45k C350 with the optional sport pack. Acceleration was poor for the cost as well, well behind the G37 and 335i, and about on-par with 328i. I think it's no contest that the G37 puts down immensely superior handling numbers to even the Sport-packaged C300/C350 models.

The G37, meanwhile, competes well with the 335i (if given either for free, I'd take the 335 of course).

http://www.roadandtrack.com/as.../0807_335i_vs_G37S.pdf

67.1mph slalom vs. 63.8 .. The Benz puts down handling numbers that are below-par for many econoboxes. The base Focus sedan (a little heavier than the coupe) on 15" steelies puts down 65mph in the same test.

The main point is that the G37S gives you more car for the $ than the C300 or 328i, in terms of performance. Intangibles such as how it feels to you, the styling, and so on are of course in the eyes of the beholder.

 

[RichieZ]

Originally posted by: KIAman
My co-worker has one and we car pool and I own a E90 330i so I can give a direct comparison.

Edit: Sport comes standard with better wheels and the MB symbol is flat like a BMW roundel. The Luxury has the BM symbol sticking out like their previous cars. The W204 is a relatively new generation C class and won't get updates for several more years.

E90 vs W204
Exterior: C300 - The C class is beautiful except from the back. The 3 series is beautiful except from the direct front, LOL. People look more at the front than the back. C300 wins.

Interior: C300 - The 3 series have 3 tone. Top, trim and interior color. The C class has only 2 tone and it makes the interior look cleaner. The C class has a better placement for the joystick (idrive). The 3 series sport seats are more comfortable. Overall, C300 wins by a little.

Engine: BMW - The inline 6 is smooth as silk and power delivery is flat across the RPM range. The 328 has 230/200 (330 has 255/220 but no longer available in the US) while the C300 has 228/221. The BMW also gets much better real-world mileage. My 330i avg 25 mpg on our commute (including several WOT) and co-workers c300 gets 20.5. The BMW's engine wins hands down.

Comfort: Driver - BMW, passenger - C300 - It's all about the driver in the 3 series, the sports seats are supple and hold you in like a glove. As a passenger, the c300 is more accommodating. Believe it or not, the BMW is more quiet on the road, except for spirited driving when the engine sings its glorious song. The ride is slightly more comfortable in favor of the C300 because of OEM RFT on the BMW.

Drivability: BMW - Active steering + perfectly balanced 50/50 weight distribution and BMW tuned suspension = win. Both of us agree on this point.

Cost: C300 - Similarly optioned BMW cost 5-7 grand more MSRP. C300 is priced very competetively.

Reliability BMW - I've only done normal maintenance and a computer program update to fix slow I-drive and NAV. C300 had to get new interior rubber parts, exterior door trim re-alignment, squeaky door fix, and recently alignment issues.

Overall: BMW - Only if money wasn't an issue. It costs more but gives you 5/50,000 of free maintenance (although the computer must tell you to go). If money is an issue, the C300 wins considering you get almost as much CAR for less MONEY.

why anybody would want active steering in a sports sedan is beyond me

but i digress, look into european delivery for the BMW. 3-4 thousand under US MSRP.

Go for ED invoice + $1,000

 

[rh71]

thx for the opinions, test drove it tonight... not quite as responsive and solid-feeling on the road as a BMW but it was enough go and just luxurious enough for the $30-something range. Brakes could've been more responsive though, no xenons and mediocre wheels. The styling is pretty nice, better than a 3-series for this size car. We're probably going to wait a couple more weeks till the 2010s become available and custom order it... we wanted a white with gray/black two tone interior, sport, multimedia (nav, music) pkg, no premium (parents don't need bluetooth/homelink/dimming mirrors) and that was probably not going to be available on lots. Certainly no more 09's like that when he looked in the system.

One thing that they don't do is the 4-yr maintenance which BMW does. Not even the 1st year is free.

Just found the YT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQxz5yqAhcs&fmt=18

 

[KIAman]

Oh yeah, I forgot about the brakes. The brakes on the C class have a huge amount of travel. They work well, just doesn't feel like they are working because how much you have to press down. You probably don't want the upgraded wheels, they are chrome, blaaahhhhh. I like the angel eyes on the BMW than the non xenons on the C class but still, C class exterior wins.

 

[mparr1708]

Just want to correct a few things:

The upgraded wheels I have are the AMG ones and are not chrome. They are however staggered so be prepared to spend more on tires (No rotation so you burn through tires faster). In hindsight I wouldn't have purchased the upgraded wheels just for the sake of tire costs. This car happened to have them along with the other options and color combination I wanted so I took it. They do look tons better then the stock wheels though. It's sort of a joke that they put staggered wheels on a c300. As I'll mention in a sec the c300 has plenty of power for the type of car it is but it certainly doesn't need a staggered wheel setup.

The service is not every 10k it is every 13,300. It goes in a rotation of service a, service b, service a, and so on. I've had service A done and it was $250. Seeing as I only had to have my car serviced once for the whole year I was ok with that.

The interior of the C class isn't cheap (granted it?s an opinion and opinions are subjective). This is my daily driver and I put it through some abuse. BMW does have really nice leather though. Probably not a fair comparison as I got MBTex in mine (paying what they wanted for leather seemed foolish given the price point of the car.) but I still think the leather in my wife's BMW is better (2008 x3 with m sport package.). I actually like where the C class interior sits: Not flashy but enough detail to be interesting. BMW interiors are really plain to me. Also, and some people may actually like this, my wife's console is in red. Drives me nuts to drive her suv at night. The color scheme is a lot more soothing to the eye in the MB. I'm getting nit picky now but its things like this that you really notice after you own a vehicle for a while.

Also, someone mentioned the c300 being on the slow side. Its 0-60 is like 6.5 secs. That isn't fast but it certainly isn't slow. It has around 230hp which is more than enough for normal driving. Plenty of punch to get you in and out of traffic quickly. If I remember correctly the 328i does 0-60 in pretty much the same amount of time and also has pretty close to the same amount of power. Handling is good in either sedan but I did think the 328i handled slightly better.

As for brakes mine have no travel at all. They are as responsive as they should be. Not sure why your tester would have that issue.

EDIT:

Forgot to mention service.

BMW does have a big win when it comes to service as they pick up the costs for the first few years. Our x3 falls into this program. They do not cover everything though... tires for instance. Make sure you check out everything they do and do not cover.

The other thing I would mention is that MB has a concierge service. When my car needs service I call them and a porter brings a loaner to my office. He then takes my car and gets it serviced at the dealer. When it?s finished he meets me and we swap cars back. I never have to go to the dealer. That is a huge win if you have a busy schedule.

With BMW (and this could just be our dealer) our rental comes from the onsite enterprise rental car office that manages the BMW loaner fleet. We have to go in and drop off our vehicle and then deal with enterprise for the loaner. Enterprise is a stickler for fuel in the tank and charging you where MB could care less. Those two things make it a pain.

YMMV...could be different at your competing dealers.

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: mparr1708
Just want to correct a few things:

The upgraded wheels I have are the AMG ones and are not chrome. They are however staggered so be prepared to spend more on tires (No rotation so you burn through tires faster). In hindsight I wouldn't have purchased the upgraded wheels just for the sake of tire costs. This car happened to have them along with the other options and color combination I wanted so I took it. They do look tons better then the stock wheels though. It's sort of a joke that they put staggered wheels on a c300. As I'll mention in a sec the c300 has plenty of power for the type of car it is but it certainly doesn't need a staggered wheel setup.

The service is not every 10k it is every 13,300. It goes in a rotation of service a, service b, service a, and so on. I've had service A done and it was $250. Seeing as I only had to have my car serviced once for the whole year I was ok with that.

The interior of the C class isn't cheap (granted it?s an opinion and opinions are subjective). This is my daily driver and I put it through some abuse. BMW does have really nice leather though. Probably not a fair comparison as I got MBTex in mine (paying what they wanted for leather seemed foolish given the price point of the car.) but I still think the leather in my wife's BMW is better (2008 x3 with m sport package.). I actually like where the C class interior sits: Not flashy but enough detail to be interesting. BMW interiors are really plain to me. Also, and some people may actually like this, my wife's console is in red. Drives me nuts to drive her suv at night. The color scheme is a lot more soothing to the eye in the MB. I'm getting nit picky now but its things like this that you really notice after you own a vehicle for a while.

Also, someone mentioned the c300 being on the slow side. Its 0-60 is like 6.5 secs. That isn't fast but it certainly isn't slow. It has around 230hp which is more than enough for normal driving. Plenty of punch to get you in and out of traffic quickly. If I remember correctly the 328i does 0-60 in pretty much the same amount of time and also has pretty close to the same amount of power. Handling is good in either sedan but I did think the 328i handled slightly better.

As for brakes mine have no travel at all. They are as responsive as they should be. Not sure why your tester would have that issue.

EDIT:

Forgot to mention service.

BMW does have a big win when it comes to service as they pick up the costs for the first few years. Our x3 falls into this program. They do not cover everything though... tires for instance. Make sure you check out everything they do and do not cover.

The other thing I would mention is that MB has a concierge service. When my car needs service I call them and a porter brings a loaner to my office. He then takes my car and gets it serviced at the dealer. When it?s finished he meets me and we swap cars back. I never have to go to the dealer. That is a huge win if you have a busy schedule.

With BMW (and this could just be our dealer) our rental comes from the onsite enterprise rental car office that manages the BMW loaner fleet. We have to go in and drop off our vehicle and then deal with enterprise for the loaner. Enterprise is a stickler for fuel in the tank and charging you where MB could care less. Those two things make it a pain.

YMMV...could be different at your competing dealers.

You'r all yanks, 6.5secs is NOT ENOUGH for you guys...

Koing

 

[ballmode]

I've been debating on either the IS350 or a E92 330 sedan from 2006....

 

[mparr1708]

Originally posted by: mparr1708
Just want to correct a few things:

The upgraded wheels I have are the AMG ones and are not chrome. They are however staggered so be prepared to spend more on tires (No rotation so you burn through tires faster). In hindsight I wouldn't have purchased the upgraded wheels just for the sake of tire costs. This car happened to have them along with the other options and color combination I wanted so I took it. They do look tons better then the stock wheels though. It's sort of a joke that they put staggered wheels on a c300. As I'll mention in a sec the c300 has plenty of power for the type of car it is but it certainly doesn't need a staggered wheel setup.

The service is not every 10k it is every 13,300. It goes in a rotation of service a, service b, service a, and so on. I've had service A done and it was $250. Seeing as I only had to have my car serviced once for the whole year I was ok with that.

The interior of the C class isn't cheap (granted it?s an opinion and opinions are subjective). This is my daily driver and I put it through some abuse. BMW does have really nice leather though. Probably not a fair comparison as I got MBTex in mine (paying what they wanted for leather seemed foolish given the price point of the car.) but I still think the leather in my wife's BMW is better (2008 x3 with m sport package.). I actually like where the C class interior sits: Not flashy but enough detail to be interesting. BMW interiors are really plain to me. Also, and some people may actually like this, my wife's console is in red. Drives me nuts to drive her suv at night. The color scheme is a lot more soothing to the eye in the MB. I'm getting nit picky now but its things like this that you really notice after you own a vehicle for a while.

Also, someone mentioned the c300 being on the slow side. Its 0-60 is like 6.5 secs. That isn't fast but it certainly isn't slow. It has around 230hp which is more than enough for normal driving. Plenty of punch to get you in and out of traffic quickly. If I remember correctly the 328i does 0-60 in pretty much the same amount of time and also has pretty close to the same amount of power. Handling is good in either sedan but I did think the 328i handled slightly better.

As for brakes mine have no travel at all. They are as responsive as they should be. Not sure why your tester would have that issue.

EDIT:

Forgot to mention service.

BMW does have a big win when it comes to service as they pick up the costs for the first few years. Our x3 falls into this program. They do not cover everything though... tires for instance. Make sure you check out everything they do and do not cover.

The other thing I would mention is that MB has a concierge service. When my car needs service I call them and a porter brings a loaner to my office. He then takes my car and gets it serviced at the dealer. When it?s finished he meets me and we swap cars back. I never have to go to the dealer. That is a huge win if you have a busy schedule.

With BMW (and this could just be our dealer) our rental comes from the onsite enterprise rental car office that manages the BMW loaner fleet. We have to go in and drop off our vehicle and then deal with enterprise for the loaner. Enterprise is a stickler for fuel in the tank and charging you where MB could care less. Those two things make it a pain.

YMMV...could be different at your competing dealers.

Don't get me wrong....I still like faster cars (making me a typical yank I assume ). The 335i to me is reasonably quick and about right for my taste. This doesn't mean the c300 is slow though. It has plenty of power for most people.

 

[sdifox]

Or your mom can pick up one of those low mileage 2006 6L Bi-Turbo V12 S55 AMG no one wants for about 50k Originally about 150k