[Shebs]

Hi all,
This is my first post in this respectable forum, and I hope you accept me as a new memebr.

I have a big, huge, terrible, confusing problem facing me

I live in Egypt, where both BMW and Mercedes manufacture cars locally. These cars are very cheap compared to imported cars (because of a very tough customs system), so I will have to buy either a BMW or a Mercedes.

I currently own an E60 520i Auto, a nice car, but since I am only 25 years old, I am really not enjoying the experience at all. I am not able to park the car, I always feel llike I am driving a "Titanic" due to the large size and soft suspension setup, since I come from an Alfa 156 ownership (the best and most sporty and most unreliable car in the world).

I am left with a choice of one of two, either a 320i AUTO, or a C230 (2.5 V6) AUTO (I am putting AUTO in CAPS because this is the only choice available in the locally assembled cars, I wish there was a manual).

What do you think? Again THERE ARE NO OTHER CHOICES.

I am a very very enthusiastic driver, and yes I know that a Merc is the not the sportiest brand in the world, but I test drove it yesterday, and with the 7G tronic gearbox and revised handling since the 2004 facelift, I was impressed by its handling, and I know that the 320i handles better, but I am afraid it would be very underpowered.

Please try to help me.

[Broken1]

The 320i would have similar power to your 520i AND the 3 is lighter- so I wouldn't worry about it being underpowered (if you are happy with the power of the 520i).

The 320i is not really in the same legue at the C230 - the 323i or 325i would be better competition. Perhaps you should see if those models are available and fit into your budget.

[homerfromathens]

get the 325i.

[Shebs]

Thanks for your replies,

Again, I repeat: THERE ARE NO OTHER CHOICES.

The locally manufactured 3-sereies are 316i Manual, and 320i Auto.

The locally manufactured C-Class are C180K, C200K, and C230 all auto.

Therefore I am left with 320i Auto and C230i Auto. Which is better do you think?

AGAIN DO NOT MENTION THE 325i or 330i, they are available at 3 times the price of a 320i because they are imported not locally manufactured.

Broken1,
The 520i engine is a 2.2 inline 6 (170 hp), the 320i engine is a 2.0 inline 4 (150 hp). There is a huge difference in performance above 100 km/h, I have tried it with a friend.

Thanks

[volinder]

Since you asked so nicely, we will accept you as a member ;-)

Seriously though, still sounds like you have two great cars to choose from. I would probably still go with the E90, largely cause your more likely to enjoy it being younger. Merc's are great cars, but it seems they are more for older folks.

[volinder]

BTW,

I luv how dumb people here on the forums are. He specifically said he can only choose between the 320 and the C230, yet everyone keeps telling him, buy the 325i.

I really can't believe the intelligence of the posters on this forum

[homerfromathens]

Originally Posted by volinder

BTW,

I luv how dumb people here on the forums are. He specifically said he can only choose between the 320 and the C230, yet everyone keeps telling him, buy the 325i.

I really can't believe the intelligence of the posters on this forum

who told you that you should try to do so....
... by the way, if you so much luv "dumb people here on the forums" and you believe that i belong to this category, shoudnt you be a bit more thankful?


anyway, to the point:
sure you can get the 325i in egypt. you will have to pay import taxl.

it you are not willing to pay the import tax, then...

...the 320i is no option. compared to the mercedes it's far too slow and much less fun to drive (of course it's an unfair comparison: bmw 150 HP versus mercedes 204 HP).

...the mercedes 2.5 V6 is of course more fun to drive than the 320i. but hey, it's a mercedes. do you really want one?

thus, stick to your 520i... learn to park and change the suspension.

[Hula-Hula]

I think the C-class will be boring within a year since there is a new one coming out soon! Go for the BMW even though it's a little slower, it's alot more fun to drive!

[Shebs]

Originally Posted by homerfromathens

...the 320i is no option. compared to the mercedes it's far too slow and much less fun to drive (of course it's an unfair comparison: bmw 150 HP versus mercedes 204 HP).

...the mercedes 2.5 V6 is of course more fun to drive than the 320i. but hey, it's a mercedes. do you really want one?

thus, stick to your 520i... learn to park and change the suspension.

LOL . I did not mean that I can't park it, what I meant is that I can't find any place to park it (the 3-series and C-Cleass are 40 cm shorter). It is not an easy car to live with in a crowded city like Cairo. And changing the suspension is a huge cost, so I though of giving my 520i to my dad and getting myself a smaller car.

The C230 is of course more expensive, around 57,000 euros, while the 320i is around 50,000 euros. But the C-class has much more options.

But again you are right, and I know that you are right! It is a Mercedes . I always hated them, but you know, when I test drove the facelifted C-Class, I found that the suspension was much more improved. Of course the 3-series is still better, but at least the C-Class is better than my 520i, or so I felt.

[Oz]

Could you be able to tell us what options you can get on the 320 and the C320 so we can compare? I am not familiar with what options are avalaible at Egypt..


I would still get the 320 because I think the design fresh and elegant AND it does suit the young crowd

[vleivo]

The C class is dated. The e46 was a better car than the current C class, buy the Bmw you wont regret it. I used to own a e46 320ci with 2.2l 170hp, the diffrence between the one i have now and the old one is basically nothing, the e90 is lighter, has a 6 speed tranny and better low down torq.

[wheeler]

My wife drives a C230, and I have a 330i. Her car is great for 99% of the driving you'd ever want to do. Nice ride, solid feel, etc. There are even some small details that are better (gasp) than on my bimmer, e.g., telescoping steering wheel.

Hers is a C230 "Sport" edition, so it has wider tires, and maybe tighter suspension (not sure about that).

An underpowered bimmer would still be lots of fun, but if it were me, I'd go with the C230 and put on a set of aftermarket springs to get at least a little closer to bimmer handling. But be advised, you will never get the bimmer steering feel no matter how you modify the Merc.

As far as the body style, I think the Merc is beautiful, despite being a 'dated' style.

Its indeed a tough life to be faced with such problems!

[canucklion]

if you can provide us a breakdown of the options/equipments on both cars, their specs, prices...etc so we can compare and give you a better informed opinion.

Welcome to the forum!

[volinder]

Originally Posted by homerfromathens

who told you that you should try to do so....
... by the way, if you so much luv "dumb people here on the forums" and you believe that i belong to this category, shoudnt you be a bit more thankful?

I have no clue what your trying to say. Maybe take a little time to think before you type.

[cntlaw]

320i is significantly under power comparing with C230 V6 (200hp). If money is not issue , get 325i E90. Else, get the C230 with sport suspension. The 7G tronic is very fast.

[canucklion]

people, please read the original poster's message carefully, NO 325's or 330's as they're imported into his country, hence are out of his price range. He is strictly asking for your opinions on either BMW 320i AUTO, or a C230 (2.5 V6) AUTO.

[RGB]

We forum people tend to be too dogmatic about "our" make.

If you can pay the 7000€ plus, buy the MB!

[cntlaw]

Originally Posted by canucklion

people, please read the original poster's message carefully, NO 325's or 330's as they're imported into his country, hence are out of his price range. He is strictly asking for your opinions on either BMW 320i AUTO, or a C230 (2.5 V6) AUTO.

yes, some countries dont have higher displacement for certain cars e.g. Thailand, Singapore. In this case, I will recommend the 200hp C230 V6 W203 with 7G-Tronic gearbox and 17" rims Sports suspension. Or to wait for the W204 to be launched in 2007. 320i would not be driven as a sporty car as the engine power is smaller than a Civic. Or would he consider a Audi A4 2.0 FSI Turbo ?

[BMW F22]

I believe you will see a lot of bias in people's posts here. haha I mean it's a BMW forums. I would def. go with the 320. It's roomier and handles better. Not to mention looks better too.

[cntlaw]

Originally Posted by BMWE90

I believe you will see a lot of bias in people's posts here. haha I mean it's a BMW forums. I would def. go with the 320. It's roomier and handles better. Not to mention looks better too.

1. A E90 is not more rommier than a W203.
2. "handles better"? 165hp to lift up a 1500kg E90, not sure how?
BTW, have you driven a 320i ?
My ex-Z3 is a 2.2 , has same engine as the 320i , and the engine is merely just enough to make the car move , that's all. Why pay a fortune for a E90 shell?

[firstkill]

If the c230 wasnt going to be replaced in 07...id get that...

but since u want the car this year then get the e90.

Points i like in bnz
1. 7speed auto tranny > bmw step
2. more quiet than e90 with SP
3. i like their climate control better


the bmw steering and handling is better but in day to day traffic the C is just as good.
~fk

[Shebs]

Thanks you all for your replies,

Originally Posted by Oz

Could you be able to tell us what options you can get on the 320 and the C320 so we can compare? I am not familiar with what options are avalaible at Egypt.

I have attached the standard equipment link for both cars

BMW 320i Auto

Mercedes C230 Auto

For the Merc, choose Skip Intro, then Pure Charisma, the C230 Avantgarde, then Equipment.

Prices are in L.E. (Livre Egyptian), which is the Egyptian pound. 1 euro = 6.8 L.E.

Please take a look at the options of both cars and tell me what do you think