08 C350 vs 135i

[NJKSC27]

2008 MB C350 Sport sedan vs. 2008 BMW 135i

what do you guys think? i know they are kinda in two different classes and i know we are bias around here but seriously.... i might consider the C350. saw it on the road and actually loved the stying. Loved it so much i went to test drive it. And of course it was great. the 268 hp feels more powerful then that. Interior was great. I know the performance probably wont stack up against the 135 but in either case the new styling is a major improvement...

MB has be in the gutter recently with realiabilty and overall quality. But this car really impressed me.

so around 37,000 for the 135 and about 42,000 for the MB the way i configured it...i cant tell if thats worth it. But ill say this....i would take the MB over the 328i any day and maybe over the 335i sedan.



discuss.....

[bimmer_fan]

up to you. if you want speed then get the bimmer. if you want room then get the benz. remember bmw has 4 yrs / 50k miles free maintenance

[krassanova]

I haven't driven the C350 yet, but I agree that it looks way cooler than I expected. What was your take on the interior materials? I heard that they had a cheap feel to them. I really like the AMG wheels, and thought that the interior looked pretty cool in the pix.

Mercs are not typically "driver's cars" but are very comfortable cruisers. I expect the 1 to be a blast to drive with all that power on tap, and I'm sure it will hold its own very well on the track (power and suspension-wise). I can't really see that being true for the C350.

If your priorities are focused on good power, a comfortable ride in a beautiful car, the C fits the bill. I think the 1er is gonna be a bit edgier, so if performance isn't at the top of your list, you will probably really enjoy the C350. Also it is a sedan, so it will be easier to cruise with the family and/or clients.

[ducati]

The big, huge, elephant in the room is the fact Mercedes doesn't offer a manual transmission. BOO.

You have to step down to the ~230hp C300 to get a manual tranny.

I will say, though, it looks fabulous. My wife will undoubtedly drive one in comparison to a 3er when she goes shopping.

[Robert]

I am gald if you liked it. I went to the C drive event for MBUSA this year and this car did not impress me at all. My friends and I thought the best products at the event were the cookies and Fiji water. Everyone has their own taste. I would pull the trigger on it right now if I do like it and end the wait.

[NJKSC27]

oh dont get me wrong i am a HUGE 1er fan but the MB attracted my attention. And i love the edginess of the 1-series. The C-class is aliitle "dated" but the new styling, engine feel, interior, and overall class of the c-class impressed me. I most likely will still go for the the 135 though. but i am a young business professional so the C attracts me alittle more then the 1 in that aspect.

I WANT TO DRIVE THE 135i NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :mad::mad:

[NJKSC27]

Originally Posted by krassanova

I haven't driven the C350 yet, but I agree that it looks way cooler than I expected. What was your take on the interior materials?

Actually impressed. My uncle has an SLK350 and my aunt an E-class and i think the C looks much better. I just like how MB is changing their styling recently.....especially the the new CL :eyebulge:

[dsm9]

Originally Posted by NJKSC27

Actually impressed. My uncle has an SLK350 and my aunt an E-class and i think the C looks much better. I just like how MB is changing their styling recently.....especially the the new CL :eyebulge:

Now that is straight sexy!:thumbup:

I love this car and the S65 AMG that is featured in Entourage.

[NJKSC27]

Originally Posted by dsm9

Now that is straight sexy!:thumbup:

I love this car and the S65 AMG that is featured in Entourage.

yea any of the 6.3 BiTurbos are outrageous.

and that C63 AMG that is floating around these boards is badass as well

[darknightohio]

No doubt about it the new C-class is a great looking car.

Here is a review from Fifth Gear:

[Spoonie]

The C needs more power and a nicer interior. I sat in one and the interior looked and felt really cheap IMO.

[ice13water]

the new CL is deffinatly one of the sexiest thing on the road and the c will probably be one of the sexist sedans on the street

[godless]

drove the new c class with the smaller engine last month. heavy and slow as expected. nice exterior and interior. vague steering compared to a 3. good brakes

[mateo]

You may end up w/some



parts if you get the c-class.

:roundel:

[MrRoboto]

Originally Posted by mateo

You may end up w/some



parts if you get the c-class.

:roundel:

Daimler sold Chrysler.

[ducati]

Originally Posted by MrRoboto

Daimler sold Chrysler.

And it was mostly the other way 'round. Chrysler used many sweet Mercedes parts. IIRC the 300 was a last-gen E class chassis.

[imported_MPower]

Originally Posted by Spoonie

The C needs more power and a nicer interior. I sat in one and the interior looked and felt really cheap IMO.

Yep, agree. I went to a dealer and took a look at one. I was impressed with the exterior looks and the price is reasonable given the right options. But the power is too low and the fuel economy is really poor in comparison to the 328i/335i. Also, they managed to make the interior cheaper than the one it replaced. There are some things that I like but, overall, trim pieces that were leather are now plastic (and hard plastic at that) and I get the overall impression of cheapness. It might have been the black interior that was influencing things slightly but there is no question that previous gen had a nicer interior.

[Vornado]

I stopped reading after the word "sedan." The reason I'm interested in the 135i to begin with is I'm tired of sedans, and the 335i coupe is ginormous.

[Spoonie]

Originally Posted by MPower

It might have been the black interior that was influencing things

The Vehicle I sat in had the beige colored interior. The exterior is nice but other than that, there really isn't anything special about the standard C-class. Now the C63? That's something different altogether.
:smile:

[dna550]

Acutely aware of both the C-Class and the BMW. If you like style, the C-Class is stylish, if you like to drive, there is no touching the BMW.

[Spoonie]

Originally Posted by ducati

And it was mostly the other way 'round. Chrysler used many sweet Mercedes parts. IIRC the 300 was a last-gen E class chassis.

Mercedes didn't sell Chrysler. They paid to have someone take Chrysler off of their hands. It cost MB around $200,000 million for the deal to go through and MB didn't make a cent from the deal. In fact MB lost $37 billion when all is done and said with Chrysler.

[BMWeber]

Originally Posted by ducati

And it was mostly the other way 'round. Chrysler used many sweet Mercedes parts. IIRC the 300 was a last-gen E class chassis.

so that's why the 300 feels so numb and lifeless it all makes so much sense now :biggrin: the only Mercedes I ever enjoyed driving was an SL 65 and that's just because I felt cool