So I decided to not buy a 1er...

[gocal73]

Originally Posted by BimmerKid87

It's a stick so it's in the high 6 second range. After driving a C300 manual and a 128i back to back, the difference isn't significant. I wouldn't say the 128 would "run away." The Mercedes has more torque so it may even be slightly peppier off the line. Either way, the cars are pretty well matched, with the edge going to the 128i in the 0-60.

C300 with manual 6 speed does 0-60 in 7.1 seconds. BMW says 6.1 for he 128i. That's a significant difference. However, if you go to MB's car comparison page which features independent analysis by Polk, the C300 manual does 0-60 in 8.0 seconds, while the 128i does it in 6.2 seconds. That's a big difference. Once we get through the straight and into twisties we feel the REAL difference between the cars. This is where the 128 disappears from your sight.

Not trying to dump on your new car, and I've given it a thorough test drive, but comparing it to the 1-series is like comparing apples and oranges. The C300 and 128i are different classes of cars. One is a family sports sedan and the other is a compact sports coupe. The C300 compares better with the 328i. But, even then the 328i is still significantly quicker than the C300 as it loses only .1 second to the 128i. And like the 128i, the 328i chassis is superior to the C300. MB builds an excellent product overall, but their standard offerings will not hang nose-to-nose with BMW's standard cars. The two companies just have different values when it comes to performance specs for their standard offerings. In fact, it takes stepping up to the C350 to find MB C-class performance comparable to the 328i/128i. MB has nothing comparable to the 135i without going AMG.

I must also admit that my view of MB dropped during their partnership with Chrysler. Unfortunately, the C-class was developed in full partnership with Chrysler. I value the fact that BMW has remained independent in a world of global cars with interchangable parts. Like Porsche, BMW does it's own thing and has never wavered. The Mini is a great example of BMW's values of performance and quality. For the money, is there a better built, better performing car than the Mini?

Anyway, hope you enjoy your C300. My wife loves the car in red.

[lannypoffo]

Magazine racing at its finest.

[Quick1 TO BE]

dont let them bust ur balls, the C300 is a great all around car.

i was gonna get the C350 then changed my mind and got the 135i.

i honestly think that the new C class with the sports AMG "like" package is a sick looking car specially in black or white. cant wait to see pics

Ash

[Dave]

Originally Posted by lannypoffo

Magazine racing at its finest.

couldnt agree more

[BimmerKid87]

Originally Posted by gocal73

C300 with manual 6 speed does 0-60 in 7.1 seconds. BMW says 6.1 for he 128i. That's a significant difference. However, if you go to MB's car comparison page which features independent analysis by Polk, the C300 manual does 0-60 in 8.0 seconds, while the 128i does it in 6.2 seconds. That's a big difference. Once we get through the straight and into twisties we feel the REAL difference between the cars. This is where the 128 disappears from your sight.

Not trying to dump on your new car, and I've given it a thorough test drive, but comparing it to the 1-series is like comparing apples and oranges. The C300 and 128i are different classes of cars. One is a family sports sedan and the other is a compact sports coupe. The C300 compares better with the 328i. But, even then the 328i is still significantly quicker than the C300 as it loses only .1 second to the 128i. And like the 128i, the 328i chassis is superior to the C300. MB builds an excellent product overall, but their standard offerings will not hang nose-to-nose with BMW's standard cars. The two companies just have different values when it comes to performance specs for their standard offerings. In fact, it takes stepping up to the C350 to find MB C-class performance comparable to the 328i/128i. MB has nothing comparable to the 135i without going AMG.

I must also admit that my view of MB dropped during their partnership with Chrysler. Unfortunately, the C-class was developed in full partnership with Chrysler. I value the fact that BMW has remained independent in a world of global cars with interchangable parts. Like Porsche, BMW does it's own thing and has never wavered. The Mini is a great example of BMW's values of performance and quality. For the money, is there a better built, better performing car than the Mini?

Anyway, hope you enjoy your C300. My wife loves the car in red.

I agree somewhat. BMW is, and will always remain, my favorite. Never will MB replace BMW for me. My next car will almost certainly be a BMW again...hopefully an M3, when I graduate and can afford it. Having said that, I drove the 328i, 128i, and C300 each multiples times and the overall difference in"feel" is not as drastic as you make it seem. This is just my opinion, of course.

Also, there is no way your specs are correct. The C300 with the 7 speed automatic is listed at 7.1 seconds, according to Mercedes. They have never officially published a 0-60 time for the manual, but Car and Driver did a comparison test for the C300 Sport w/ 6spd manual. The results were a 6.5sec. 0-60 and a 14.9 1/4mile @ 95mph. This seems fairly accurate as the C300 is noticeably quicker than the Cooper S, which does 0-60 somewhere in the low 7 second range.

I have no idea where they got the 8 second estimate but that's the only place I've ever seen a number that high...and considering Polk doesnt actually drive the cars themselves, I'd be inclined to believe other sources.

And since I had a MINI for 2 years, I feel I'm qualified to say that yes, there are better performing, better built cars for the price. A nicely equipped Cooper S runs you $30k, and you will pay sticker. For $30k you could probably get an STi or an Evo X with some shopping around. You could even get a 128i.

The MINI does a lot of things great, and I LOVED mine, but value isn't really its strong point unless you get a stripper.

[My135]

My wife like the C350 but I like BMW 135i, so I picked what I wanted. However, I have to admit the C350 does look nice and has the prestige of a luxory car image. Congratulations on your new C300.

[BimmerKid87]

Originally Posted by My135

My wife like the C350 but I like BMW 135i, so I picked what I wanted. However, I have to admit the C350 does look nice and has the prestige of a luxory car image. Congratulations on your new C300.

Thanks!

The 135i is a different beast. I would have taken a 135i over the Benz easily, but the 328i/128i didn't win me over.

[adrean8j]

^^^HEY!!!! WHERE ARE THE PICS! LOL...you have responded a few times Kyle so I know you have had time...I mean even cell phone pics would be acceptable. BTW I chose the 135i and my best friend chose the C300. Both are good cars and there are not many cars in that price range that are THAT much better. I do love the look of the C-class sport package though!

[gocal73]

"Also, there is no way your specs are correct. The C300 with the 7 speed automatic is listed at 7.1 seconds, according to Mercedes. They have never officially published a 0-60 time for the manual, but Car and Driver did a comparison test for the C300 Sport w/ 6spd manual. The results were a 6.5sec. 0-60 and a 14.9 1/4mile @ 95mph. This seems fairly accurate as the C300 is noticeably quicker than the Cooper S, which does 0-60 somewhere in the low 7 second range."

All M-B numbers are from the official M-B website. Take a good look and you'll find official factory 0-60 numbers for both the 6-speed manual and the 7 speed auto. In addition, the Polk numbers are found when you use M-B's car comparison tool. It was M-B who chose to use Polk's numbers, not me. C&D and other car magazines present best case scenarios. That's why I'm more interested in M-B and BMW's published numbers. When I drove the C300 (white one) with 6 speed manual, I drove it hard. I was hoping to be impressed because my wife really wanted one. A couple of her girlfriends bought new M-B's so she wanted one too. I wasn't impressed. I'm glad you were since this economy needs all the help it can get.

[mrgoochio]

nice deal, i was considering the C300 but I personally didn't like it as much as the 135i. Not to take away from the benz but the 1er was just more suited for my taste. post pics!

[adrean8j]

^^^Same here....and if I did want a sedan in the 30k price range...I probably would have gotten a G8 GT....cannot believe I just said that...but I did...I still like the C300 though, so no bashing from me....

[MOCKBA]

I always value MB over BMW. However BMW poses better in cheap car segment. New C class is completely joke, underpowered with very stripped luxury features for US market. Anyway, MB solved the problem putting much lover price, so people sacrifice good car qualities just to carry 3 points star.

Congratulations with your selection, welcome to MB world.

[BimmerKid87]

Originally Posted by gocal73

All M-B numbers are from the official M-B website. Take a good look and you'll find official factory 0-60 numbers for both the 6-speed manual and the 7 speed auto. In addition, the Polk numbers are found when you use M-B's car comparison tool. It was M-B who chose to use Polk's numbers, not me. C&D and other car magazines present best case scenarios. That's why I'm more interested in M-B and BMW's published numbers. When I drove the C300 (white one) with 6 speed manual, I drove it hard. I was hoping to be impressed because my wife really wanted one. A couple of her girlfriends bought new M-B's so she wanted one too. I wasn't impressed. I'm glad you were since this economy needs all the help it can get.

MBs official website and all published MB material lists the C300 Automatic at 7.1 seconds. That Polk data is the ONLY place I've seen 8-8.5sec 0-60 times listed. It's obviously a mistake. It's prob supposed to be 7 and 7.5.

The C300 and 328i are roughly the same size and weight, both have 230 hp, and the C300 has 21 more lb/ft of torque than the Bimmer. A 2 second difference is unlikely.

Either way its cool, I didn't buy it to race it. It's faster than my Cooper S and I'm happy.

[BimmerKid87]

Originally Posted by MOCKBA

I always value MB over BMW. However BMW poses better in cheap car segment. New C class is completely joke, underpowered with very stripped luxury features for US market. Anyway, MB solved the problem putting much lover price, so people sacrifice good car qualities just to carry 3 points star.

Congratulations with your selection, welcome to MB world.

How so? It comes much better equipped than a base 328i, those don't even come with power seats, never mind "luxury features." I can't think of one standard feature the BMW has that the MB does not.

Also, the new C-Class went UP in price, not down. Whats the point of posting made up information? :iono:

I don't give a crap about the 3-pointed star, I've never been into MB...I bought the car because it was better equipped and looked better than the competition.

[MOCKBA]

My 135 has all features I can even imagine. I doubt that C has seats with power lumbar support. Still no memory seats and keyless go. MB Bluetooth is also very lousy; it can’t manage address books from many popular phones. Yes, official price is going up, however MB offers amazing lease deals and supports dealers, so actual price you pay is lower. So currently C lass tops sales charts replacing 3 series.

[BimmerKid87]

Originally Posted by MOCKBA

My 135 has all features I can even imagine. I doubt that C has seats with power lumbar support. Still no memory seats and keyless go. MB Bluetooth is also very lousy; it can’t manage address books from many popular phones. Yes, official price is going up, however MB offers amazing lease deals and supports dealers, so actual price you pay is lower. So currently C lass tops sales charts replacing 3 series.

-A stripped 128i/328i has power lumbar? I don't think so. I do have fully power driver and passenger seats though, standard. The BMWs I know dont come with those.

-Keyless go and memory seats are not standard on the 3 either, and aren't that common. I wouldn't use either if I did have them anyway. I'm pretty sure the memory seats are available for '09 though.

-The bluetooth works great for me with my iPhone, and it was standard. How much extra does BMW charge for this feature?

-I found that the BMW dealers had the better deals right now. Thousands off msrp and 0% apr for five years. The MB lease deals are kinda shitty right now...its like $500 a month with $4k down.

I could have had a 328i for less money. I cross-shopped both extensively, trust me.

[BimmerKid87]

Originally Posted by adrean8j

^^^Same here....and if I did want a sedan in the 30k price range...I probably would have gotten a G8 GT....cannot believe I just said that...but I did...I still like the C300 though, so no bashing from me....

The G8 GT is a great car. I'm one of the few GM fans left.

[BimmerKid87]

Originally Posted by adrean8j

^^^HEY!!!! WHERE ARE THE PICS! LOL...you have responded a few times Kyle so I know you have had time...I mean even cell phone pics would be acceptable. BTW I chose the 135i and my best friend chose the C300. Both are good cars and there are not many cars in that price range that are THAT much better. I do love the look of the C-class sport package though!

I KNOW I KNOW. I havent taken any yet. It looks like crap without tint...as soon as I get that done I'll post pics.

[adrean8j]

There is a great article about the 328i and the C300 in the Bimmer Magazine (DEC2008)

[BimmerKid87]

Thanks, I'll have to check it out.

[topvega]

Originally Posted by BimmerKid87

-A stripped 128i/328i has power lumbar? I don't think so.

I have a stripper 135 with manual seats but it has power lumbar... I wld think the manual seats in the 128 wld also...

[lannypoffo]

Originally Posted by M3_Dust

www.mbworld.org

As I am a CAR lover long before i am a "BMW" or "VW" enthusiast, I'm gonna go hang on that forum for a bit and learn about Mercedes. The standout feature I always love on the 3 Mercedes I've driven is the way the variable cam timing feels.