[matthewcassity]

I'm in the market and will be buying very soon. I currently have an older MB, a 2004 c230 kompressor-coupe and I absolutely love the way it drives.

I had my mind set on a c300 or possibly a c400 just because the love I have for my current MB, but recently I have come to really like what I have seen and read on the 2013/2014 335i M-Sport..

I have not driven a 2015 c300/400 yet but I did drive a 2014, and yes I know they are completely different, but the 2014 didn't even really feel like I was driving a mercedes, that solid feel that I have in my 2004 just wasn't there.

I have driven a few BMW's and my only personal con against them is the touchy nature of the breaks.

Can anyone just give me a few reasons why I should take the leap and just get into a 335i?

[goj]

C400 - don't! They discontinued it after 1 MY. Could be a resale value nightmare.

C300 is a luxury sedan even when optioned "sporty" so if that's your gig go for it.

335i get the Dynamic Handling package and you will have a more sporty ride with one of the smoothest engines.

Up to your core values

[canukgtp]

Yeah slightly different focus Benz went back to a more luxury focus as opposed to trying to compete with BMW on the sporty side, not that Mercedes isn't a fun car to drive too...

[tturedraider]

BMWs are more dynamic than Mercs pretty much across the board. You're going to have to do test drives to decide. BMW interiors are more Teutonic and driving business oriented. If you prefer more frou frou you'll prefer the Merc.

[matthewcassity]

Thank you!

That's exactly what I was thinking. I do have a 70 mile commute per day to work and back, so the luxury part is something I still want. Would you say I will still find enough of that in a 335i?

I'm really looking for the best balance of both sport and luxury, if that's possible between these two!

Thanks!!

Originally Posted by goj

C400 - don't! They discontinued it after 1 MY. Could be a resale value nightmare.

C300 is a luxury sedan even when optioned "sporty" so if that's your gig go for it.

335i get the Dynamic Handling package and you will have a more sporty ride with one of the smoothest engines.

Up to your core values

[Minkia]

simple: because you're currently driving a merc. change it up. variety is the spice of life.

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by matthewcassity

Thank you!

That's exactly what I was thinking. I do have a 70 mile commute per day to work and back, so the luxury part is something I still want. Would you say I will still find enough of that in a 335i?

I'm really looking for the best balance of both sport and luxury, if that's possible between these two!

Thanks!!

If your commute is 70 miles per day, you might want to think 328d, not 335i.

[matthewcassity]

Thank you!

If I was looking at both of them and wanted the best balance of both the driver and luxury would you say the BMW would take that?

Originally Posted by __

BMWs are more dynamic than Mercs pretty much across the board. You're going to have to do test drives to decide. BMW interiors are more Teutonic and driving business oriented. If you prefer more frou frou you'll prefer the Merc.

[matthewcassity]

I do agree, and has been a factor in why I am thinking about switching it up!

Originally Posted by Minkia

simple: because you're currently driving a merc. change it up. variety is the spice of life.

[Versipellis]

Touchy brakes are better than brakes with a ton of give, imo. You don't want to have to floor your brake paddle and nothing happen for the first half a second when you need it most - which is around 40 feet of travel if you're going at 60mph.

[jgoens]

Switching it up is good advice..the way they drive is quite different. MY wife has a 2013 c250 and I have the 13 335. Before when I had an e90 for sure the interior on the Benz was superior, but I think the F30 is equal and the tech is better. While the 250 is not a comparison power wise to the others, I just prefer how the BMW drives. Another thing in case you do any modding or coding is that there are very few options as far as doing that for Benz.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by matthewcassity

Thank you!

If I was looking at both of them and wanted the best balance of both the driver and luxury would you say the BMW would take that?

I would indeed say that. Even when Merc tries to sport up the C they don't really quite get there as far as actual dynamics go. They are very good at the visual part, though.

Originally Posted by canukgtp

Yeah slightly different focus Benz went back to a more luxury focus as opposed to trying to compete with BMW on the sporty side, not that Mercedes isn't a fun car to drive too...

Good point. When I first looked at the new W205 C the first thing I said was that the C was no longer competing with the 3er. The W205 is really a mini S Class now. In fact, I posted a thread about my thoughts.



OP, if I was making a 70 mile commute each day I would want something dynamic. But then feeling coddled in a car isn't something I'm very interested in.

Good luck with your search. Happy shopping. You can't really go wrong.

[matthewcassity]

Thank you!

Since you mentioned something about the technology. Would you say the Harmon & Kadon is superior to the Burmester sound?

Originally Posted by jgoens

Switching it up is good advice..the way they drive is quite different. MY wife has a 2013 c250 and I have the 13 335. Before when I had an e90 for sure the interior on the Benz was superior, but I think the F30 is equal and the tech is better. While the 250 is not a comparison power wise to the others, I just prefer how the BMW drives. Another thing in case you do any modding or coding is that there are very few options as far as doing that for Benz.

[matthewcassity]

Thank you again for your thoughts!

I agree it's exactly a mini S. Which is why I also looked at a 2014 CLA45 AMG to get something sporty and still Mercedes. My budget is around 35k though and it's difficult to get in one for under 40k

Would you say for the 35k budget, and looking for both sport and luxury the 335i stands out above the rest?

Originally Posted by __

I would indeed say that. Even when Merc tries to sport up the C they don't really quite get there as far as actual dynamics go. They are very good at the visual part, though.




Good point. When I first looked at the new W205 C the first thing I said was that the C was no longer competing with the 3er. The W205 is really a mini S Class now. In fact, I posted a thread about my thoughts.



OP, if I was making a 70 mile commute each day I would want something dynamic. But then feeling coddled in a car isn't something I'm very interested in.

Good luck with your search. Happy shopping. You can't really go wrong.

[jgoens]

Originally Posted by matthewcassity

Thank you!

Since you mentioned something about the technology. Would you say the Harmon & Kadon is superior to the Burmester sound?

Actually, after I posted I was just thinking about the sound system. Comparing the two model years I am referring to, the mercedes is better. I have Hk, but the Benz just seems to have better quality especially from the front tweeters and mids. As for tech, my car has all the cameras, sensors and HUD. I find the parking sensors to be a huge advantage. I'm not sure if newer MB come with those.

[hollandog]

You will get biased opinion here. So go test drive both. I love my 340i. Never been a MB guy, the only Benz I will consider is the C63 AMG.

[matthewcassity]

If I go with the BMW, what are some of the MUST have options and packages?

I know for sure I will be looking for one with M-Sport, and the upgraded sound system.

Originally Posted by jgoens

Actually, after I posted I was just thinking about the sound system. Comparing the two model years I am referring to, the mercedes is better. I have Hk, but the Benz just seems to have better quality especially from the front tweeters and mids. As for tech, my car has all the cameras, sensors and HUD. I find the parking sensors to be a huge advantage. I'm not sure if newer MB come with those.

[matthewcassity]

I would love a c63 AMG lol.

If I would have guessed, I thought I would have gotten more biased reply's, but everyone has really given me thoughtful answers.

I'm obviously new to the forum, but I really appreciate all the information I have gathered from threads and other users!

Originally Posted by hollandog

You will get biased opinion here. So go test drive both. I love my 340i. Never been a MB guy, the only Benz I will consider is the C63 AMG.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by matthewcassity

Thank you again for your thoughts!

I agree it's exactly a mini S. Which is why I also looked at a 2014 CLA45 AMG to get something sporty and still Mercedes. My budget is around 35k though and it's difficult to get in one for under 40k

Would you say for the 35k budget, and looking for both sport and luxury the 335i stands out above the rest?

I would!

I do not like the CLA. First, it's FWD (or FWD biased) with a sideways motor. It's so cramped inside and I think the interior trim looks and feels very cheap. I was just thinking the other day I think BMW made a better decision by bringing the 320i over as their entry level 3er rather than spending money designing a whole different sedan like Merc did with the CLA. If you get anything other than a CLA 250 stripper the money adds up really fast.

I do wish BMW would get busy and give us a 2er Gran Coupe. I'd be all over that!!


edit:IF awd was important to you I'd say you might consider the C more, because xDrive F3x's don't get a sport suspension unless they have the adaptive suspension.

[goj]

Originally Posted by matthewcassity

Thank you!

That's exactly what I was thinking. I do have a 70 mile commute per day to work and back, so the luxury part is something I still want. Would you say I will still find enough of that in a 335i?

I'm really looking for the best balance of both sport and luxury, if that's possible between these two!

Thanks!!

I would say they each have their own styles of luxury. BMW's ergonomics are second to none IMO and the infotainment is best in class, navigation and heads up display together is simply awesome.

MB Is more contemporary and trendy.

One thing though: the absolute worst design flaw of the MB is the column shifter. Nothing says boring like the gear selectors that originated on enormous SUVs and minivans.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by goj

I would say they each have their own styles of luxury. BMW's ergonomics are second to none IMO and the infotainment is best in class, navigation and heads up display together is simply awesome.

MB Is more contemporary and trendy.

One thing though: the absolute worst design flaw of the MB is the column shifter. Nothing says boring like the gear selectors that originated on enormous SUVs and minivans.

AMEN!!! ....although to be accurate column shifters go WAY further back than SUVs and minivans. You must be pretty young. Us old farts remember when even manual transmissions could have column shifters, Three on the Tree. btw, I'm really not that old of a fart, but I am a tail-end baby boomer.

[jgoens]

Originally Posted by matthewcassity

I would love a c63 AMG lol.

If I would have guessed, I thought I would have gotten more biased reply's, but everyone has really given me thoughtful answers.

I'm obviously new to the forum, but I really appreciate all the information I have gathered from threads and other users!

I get every option..if I'm getting a nice car I want all the bells and whistles. Other than msport, for me most important has been: backup camera and sensors, nav, premium and CA...shoot almost all, I guess. For me the least important would be the HUD. Oh, I forgot to list a couple advantages of MB..at least for the 13--oil dipstick and spare tire.