sklasse

even though its a new design a year after the 3,

I think the 3 has it beat in terms of price, style looks, and handling...


no contest....

Tree

How can you say handling? You haven't driven it yet.

MercedesFTW

Price will be around the same as current C I heard. Which means...the Bimmer has no edge there IMO.

Good job on the handling department assesment.

From the pics so far, I can say I don't like the new C's interior. But I didn't really like the new 3's interior either!

sklasse

just think what you are saying...the 3 is the reigning champ of every comparo for the last 10 years....do you seriously think that the company of old gass guzzing tanks will really give it a run for its money

in fact if I win the lotto, that is the first car I would buy

tee_tz

Generally speaking BMW has better handling than Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Lexus, and Infiniti. That being said, the 3-Series is one of the best and well balanced BMW's and it's hard to imagine the current 3-Series not beating the C-Class again in terms of handling. THAT BEING SAID... Mercedes-Benz has always beaten BMW on prestige (especially on higher models), luxury and sometimes style. Here are my initial thoughts:

Performance - This is pretty much no contest, I thought Mercedes would up the power of the V6, but the new W204 C350 will keep the 268HP engine, which is no match compared to BMW's 300HP Twin-Turbo 335. This is very disappointing and I wish Mercedes would get their act together!

Styling - This is relative (BMW guys will say the 3 series, Benz guys will say the C-Class), but one thing to note is that Mercedes has figured out how to sell the C-Class (an underpowered car), give it an AMG body kit and people will flock! For the first time in history the C-Class outsold the E-Class after Mercedes gave the entry model a free AMG appearance kit (years 2005+). It's no secret that the new W204 C-Class Sport comes with a flat badge and 'CLK-styled grille' (maybe they've been paying attention to our mods! ). However, with the introduction of the BMW M3, BMW will open up the 3-Series to 'M Accessories', so this could be intense. Also, the 335 Coupe is currently the pretty/sexiest/cutest/raunchiest coupe under $50K.

Luxury - Still a little relative, but I expect Mercedes to have the more comfortable seats and two or three more luxurious options, especially for the older crowd who will go for the Non-Sport C-Class. But most of all, the feature that will KILL the 3-Series is the PANO ROOF... MAN, MAN, MAN!! That's another Benz invention that's ahead of BMW once again (BMW finally implemented the SLK-Hard Top Retractable Roof on their 3-Series Coupe).


All in all, it'll come down to the test drive and the experience. Also, the initial reviews for the W204; the 3-Series seems to be stable, not much problems on those first releases, so Benz must prove the same.

Man this was long! And I haven't even driven it yet!

Tee_Tz.

Holson

I love the E92 Coupe, but the E90 sedan is ugly inside and out, good thing it's great to drive (sorry to those E90 owners - just my opinion)

The W204 in black w/ the AMG kit is a real looker. Bummer on the lack of power though (268hp 3.5 V6 .vs. 300hp+ Twin Turbo I6)...

If I decide to get a 4 door it'd be the W204, if not it'd be the E92.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DQ3i...elated&search=

Spoonie

From a value standpoint the BMW does have a big advantage. BMW offers over 30hp more for the same price. What does the C350 offer over the BMW 335 to justify the same price?

The C350 is nice but unless it is cheaper than the 335i, i see no reason to get it over the 335. Can you?

E55 KEV

BMW's are much more tuneable and less to get more performance. Keeping up with the competition... RD Sport has a ECU upgrade that adds 65HP and 80 ft lbs to the new turbo charged 335i & 335Ci:

http://www.vividracing.com/catalog/p...ducts_id/35690

Spoonie

Say goodbye to your warranty.

E55 KEV

Also, say goodbye to the slower W204's!

scottw

My 2 cents:

1. There are lots of reasons people buy cars...almost all of them are subjective when all is said and done.

2. I personally have test driven new 3 Series and new A4 quatro and then gotten in my c230 SS. All three with manual transmissions...All in, there is nothing in my view seperating the three cars, at least in real world driving and pushing each one on the street in circumstances I drive everyday.

3. I saw the new C-Klasse at the NY Auto Show. At least by looking at it on its car show pedistal it looks superb. Funny enough, people who do not know Mercedes where asking the presenter guy if it cost $80,000. They were shocked when I told them it would probably be in the range of $38,000-$40,000 (that one was fully equiped C350).

4. I think it will be an even bigger hit worldwide then the W203.

My 2 cents.

Outland

The BMW 3'er sedan is no looker, but I'd have that over the fugly W204 sedan. Performance wise, its gonna be no contest.

I think the upcoming M1 or 130Csi, which ever name they give it, looks to be a winner. Its about the size of the old 330Ci, better looking and suposedly a stunning performer.

MB is lost at sea.

mig888

now how about the A5/S5? The A5 looks like it'll be competition for the 350 engines.

AR.Shah

Hi Guys,
I have testdriven the new w204 (C220 CDI Aut. with the Avantgarde/Sports-package), its a superb car and very refined in my opnion. The interior is made of good quality and all the small details that Mercedes puts into it, places it far above BMW & Co, which I think has the most boring interior and only looks good when blinged up with 19" alloys and tinted windows

AsianML

W204 looks better. There's my reason.

cntlaw

+1

I have a 2004 C55 and a 2006 330i E90. IMHO, if we want best overall quality meaning: value for money, more interior gardgets and features, better human interface design, more highway crusing use, buy the C. If we drive more twisty, get E90 with Active Steering, the E90 overall quality is better than E46 but still cannot beat W203, not to say the super fine design W204. The only issue for W204 is it does not have a 300hp+ model to beat the 335i E90/E92. C63 460hp may be just too much for a lot of people.

shahedC

sklasse, although we haven't seen you in person, each one of us have you beat in terms of price, style looks and handling.

Yes, it is as ridiculous as it sounds.

My point exactly.

~shahedC

Zerix

Looks?? You've gotta be kidding... the 3 and 5 series must be the ugliest sedans around town! It's as if they purposely designed it like **** because they weren't satisfied with their pay.

As for handling, I HIGHLY DOUBT THAT.

And as for price... who gives a ****, we're talking MERCEDES here.

kc77

As the 3 is the benchmark for this class, it may lose out on handling but the W204 is the better looker than that fugly E90 (especially the rear). Well, for price, MB drivers drive Mercedes because they want to and don't have to worry about value for money.

AR.Shah

Have a look:

AR.Shah

Not difficult to make a decision..

s1mple

IMO
the 335ci has better looks, handling, and more power.
but the w04 will always have the int, smoother ride, and electronics.
bmw's are more of a younger crowds car, get called an old geezer for driving a benz all the time.
but both are nice cars, and to each his own with this topic, i've done argued about this topic numerous times w/ my BMW friends lol.

shahedC

really? i get nothing but compliments for the R171 SLK with the SLR nose.

I'll take it over a BMW any day.

MikeRPA

LOLOLOL ok who havn't seen the w204 in person shouldn't even talk , it looks very very expensive in person , sport package looks very agressive , and regular looks very elegant looks like what a real c should look like , a small car for rich people

cntlaw

+1

You have just said the very true words about the major difference of the C-class and 3er.

I have been looking at my C55 W203 and E90 side by side in my parking lot every day. The Benz always carry that 'grand look', like a piece of precious jewel, so untouchable! And, this is exactly why some people will buy a C-class over a seems to be 'quicker' 3er.

t