[BeemdoubleU]

Hi guys, I am new to the forum

And I guess I wanted to start off with my problem here...

I have a Z4 2005, runs great and you know... the usual BMW experience

But...., I don't want a roadster anymore, and don't have the money to up my Z4 into a M Coupe... so I decided to either get a 328i Coupe, 328i Sedan, C280 (w203 - the C class offered by MB), or the coming C Class w204...

Right... so, w204 can't really be compared, the only thing I know about it is it has the same engines as the 2007s, and it has an ugly ass... nonetheless, new

w203 C Class - well onto its last months of its lives. Test drove it, runs great, awesome steering, worse suspension/handling than my Z4 by a "bit" (don't want to degrade the car), looks great, and good mileage. Also comes with almost everything standard since it's into its final minutes of its life.

328i Coupe - heard about some of the problems from this board, although you guys still love it, quite pricey compared to the other vehicles, handles great, suspension great, still I find it inferior compared to Z4...but nonetheless an awesome car... Still trying to get used to the new back, I loved the e46 A LOT, owned 2 in the last 6 years (pre and post facelift versions, great cars indeed). Love the new front for the e92, but the back is meh... so yes...

328i Sedan - similar to the coupe, but it's a sedan, probably more room for the back, not as sporty looking, but awesome driving, great gas mileage. Fun to drive, more options for less price. (funny, haven't got much to say about this car) handles well, suspension is worse than coupe in my opinion...

I think the 328i Sedan and w203 C280 are around the same... more for the buck on the w203...

So what do you guys think? Z4 has got to go, 2 seater isn't sufficient, and if you ask where the hell did my e46 went? the 2001 is sold in replace of the e46 2004, and was given to my sister for her birthday, so it's gone. So I am left with a nice Z4 that won't hold more than one passenger... great...

? or MB?

[Jaws]

I suspect that it will be hard to get unbiased opinions from this site. IMO Mercedes has not been able to duplicate the BMW driving experience in the C Class compared to the 3, although supposedly they have made strides with the new model. Also, Mercedes ranks near the bottom when it comes the reliability.

AFAIK, the suspensions in the E90 and E92 are the same. Maybe the E90 you drove had the sport suspension. I am not aware of any issues with the E92 328.

[maggio]

The C class Merc is a pig, I wouldn't toch it w/ a ten foot pole, go with the 328, a no brainer!!

[Brunotheboxer]

ask this question on an Audi or Infiniti board for a more honest answer.

[ehhhwik]

i've driven a Mercedes E320 for more than 5 years now, and still driven it on a regular basis, and i also have a E92 328 coupe, so my opinion might help you a bit..

i think the merc and the bimmer are both excellent cars and products, but they each are built for very different purpose, one is to provide luxury and comfort while the other provides a sporty driving experience and refinement at the same time, so it really depends on what you want the car for...

if you want luxury and want to "feel at home" go with the merc, but if you want to have fun, drive like a hoot and be surrounded by refined materials, go with the e92 coupe...

[Raider]

I hope you know this forum contain the most biased of all the car owners out there...

I would get an opinion from a third party like someone mentioned.....

[LXG]

Originally Posted by ehhhwik

i've driven a Mercedes E320 for more than 5 years now, and still driven it on a regular basis, and i also have a E92 328 coupe, so my opinion might help you a bit..

i think the merc and the bimmer are both excellent cars and products, but they each are built for very different purpose, one is to provide luxury and comfort while the other provides a sporty driving experience and refinement at the same time, so it really depends on what you want the car for...

if you want luxury and want to "feel at home" go with the merc, but if you want to have fun, drive like a hoot and be surrounded by refined materials, go with the e92 coupe...

Agreed...I test drove both but the steering and handling of the bimmer is what sold me. However, I can easily settle for the merc.

[BeemdoubleU]

well, after owning the z4, I know what the bimmer handling is... and just wanted to put it out to see other's opinions...

I know it is going to be biased, but let's change the question, what do you like about the 328i, and what did you not like about it.

Coupe or sedan?

- getting out from the back isn't a problem, and practicality isn't a problem either

[ehhhwik]

Originally Posted by BeemdoubleU

well, after owning the z4, I know what the bimmer handling is... and just wanted to put it out to see other's opinions...

I know it is going to be biased, but let's change the question, what do you like about the 328i, and what did you not like about it.

Coupe or sedan?

- getting out from the back isn't a problem, and practicality isn't a problem either

E92 328i, please keep in mind that my other car is a Mercedes E320 and my previous ride is a Audi A4 1.8T, so my opinion isnt really that biased compared to many people on this forum...

E92 328 coupe:
Pros:
- supurb handling
- razor, pin-point sharp responses from steering
- very communicative steering feel
- linear feel to brakes (no spoungy feel)
- smooth power delivery w/ straight six engine
- people looking at you in envy (could also be a con)

Cons:
- interior design lacks sophistication and style
- RFTs

[zimbim]

I have a 335i coupe and the wife drives a Mercedes E350 Sport. I'll take my 335 over the Mercedes any day. The sport seats are so much more comfortable, not to mention the handling and performance. Get the 335i!!!!

[xraymd]

I only have two red lights on my 2005 E55's dash now. OK, honestly one's on the dash and the other is the overhead SOS light. The light on the dash is the SRS (again!). One of my partners has the C and he's had several little electrical problems too. Hopefully the next C has better reliability, but I'd be wary of the current model.

[IMJUSS2NASTY]

Go with the Benz man, Bmw has proven to me that they are not reliable. After 3 weeks of waiting I went to pick up the tow hook cover on the rear bumper. They told me it would be done in a week but it took 3 weeks. When I arrived to pick it up, it came in the wrong color. I also took a look at the order form and seen my vin number plus my car description. If they dumb fucks woulda took a look, they would seen that my car is Montego blue and the part came in silver. Wtf is wrong with them!!!!!!!!! BMW of manhattan!!!!!!!!!

[turbocoins]

I had a 2002 MB SL 500 that was traded out for a new one after 1 year (to the day) in lieu of a lemon law claim. I test drove an E 55 about 2 years ago and the compressor was broken on the demo.

From personal experience, I can testify that MB has quality control issues. BMW isn't at the top of the quality control list, but it is better. Also, the BMWs handle better than the MBs.

If you want comfort, ease of use (for lack of a better term), I think that MB is better. In all other categories (performance, handling, value, reliability), I think BMW.

Just my .02.

[dmboone25]

When I was looking to get my E92 I test drove the C280--and while it was a Benz and had a very "classy" feeling about it--I thought it felt rather heavy and unresponsive in comparison to the BMW. There is a "good" heavy feeling with the Bimmer--I just did not get that feeling with the Benz. And while my 328i is much slower than a 335i--it is still a kick-ass car, one that I can't imagine you disliking.

Good luck with the decision....

[BoostedBMW]

All I can say is drive the MB and see just how much of a bimmer fan you are after you feel the difference. For me, the C-class was horrible in comparison to the 3'er. It has no feel to it IMO... I just think that MB are overrated, they aren't geared for real driving enthusiasts or at least for someone like me.

[just4kickz]

If it was 328 vs C Class... i'd get the C Class. Less Sporty in style, but MB is showing more sportiness than ever before, and i like it =)

[wyrm11]

I don't know what some of you are talking about, I'm TOTALLY unbiased.

[Rover]

Look at the reliability ratings....and....the current MB owners' likelihood of purchasing an MB again. Compare to BMW. The data favors the BMW.

You can find this data in Consumer Reports.

[Year's_End]

lol Consumer Reports is a big joke...so biased.

I haven't driven a C and an 3 back-to-back, but I have driven both.
If it's any help, my mom has a CLK55 AMG and my dad has a 645Ci. Both verts. They let me take 'em out from time to time to go joyriding...I love 'em for it...and from personal experience I can easily tell you that, while both are heavy-steering, the CLK just lacks feeling. The throttle response was also a hundred times better in the 6.

In terms of STYLING, I'm a little wishy-washy b/w the two. IMO:
(I know some of these aren't direct competitors...but whatev)
3 Series>C Class
E Class>5 Series
6 Series>CLK Class
S Class>7 Series
Z4>SLK Class
And I guess 6 series=SL Class
Don't forget SLR>ALL

[AGIO_330i]

3series > C-class

E-class > 5series, until 535i comes out.

New SL > 7 series...IMO

AMG is a joke these days. MB has to make every car AMG now, sales are
down.

///M > ALL!

So I quess in this case, You choose 3 series over C-class

[Yvette]

I would go w/ 328i

[rolling18]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Loyalist

lol Consumer Reports is a big joke...so biased.

I haven't driven a C and an 3 back-to-back, but I have driven both.
If it's any help, my mom has a CLK55 AMG and my dad has a 645Ci. Both verts. They let me take 'em out from time to time to go joyriding...I love 'em for it...and from personal experience I can easily tell you that, while both are heavy-steering, the CLK just lacks feeling. The throttle response was also a hundred times better in the 6.

In terms of STYLING, I'm a little wishy-washy b/w the two. IMO:
(I know some of these aren't direct competitors...but whatev)
3 Series>C Class
E Class>5 Series
6 Series>CLK Class
S Class>7 Series
Z4>SLK Class
And I guess 6 series=SL Class
Don't forget SLR>ALL

what makes you think they are biased??
where do you get that info?

they dont rank BMW tops either somewhere in midrange....
as usual its the Toy/ hon/ jap cars
the more expencive the cars, the more people complain about the smaller shit making them look bad in reviews. while the cheaper cars people dont complain as much because lesser quality is expected making them look better on paper