[insanecoder]

This is a tough one..
I really think you slap a tune on the 340i to close the power gap and then I'd take the 340i.
Inner-cabin eye-candy is no substitute for sheer driving pleasure
Who looks at the cabin when they drive anyway

lol I also get boy racers tailgating my 40 during commutes.. very few can keep up
and audis.. wannabes

[JDMAF]

would look if MB made a sporty car with a manual transmission. They don't. So I wont

[ishowerinjager]

Originally Posted by insanecoder

This is a tough one..
I really think you slap a tune on the 340i to close the power gap and then I'd take the 340i.
Inner-cabin eye-candy is no substitute for sheer driving pleasure
Who looks at the cabin when they drive anyway

lol I also get boy racers tailgating my 40 during commutes.. very few can keep up
and audis.. wannabes

Pretty sure a stock 340i would be neck and neck with a c43.

My mppsk pulls on him every time

[soultraveler00]

Originally Posted by ishowerinjager

Pretty sure a stock 340i would be neck and neck with a c43.

My mppsk pulls on him every time

Yup people see the hp numbers rated by the factory and assume these 2 cars are in 2 different categories as far as power goes but that is far from the truth. I've driven both 340i MPPSK and c43 and I think it's a close one but I think the auto in the 340i is faster.

[TheBingoBalls]

All I can say is you have to really love how the 340i drives because everything else, the C-Class/C43 is heads/shoulders above the 3/4-Series IMO. I like the way the 3/4-Series drives better than the C-Class (though not as much as previous generations) but if someone were to give me a choice between a 3/4 or a C-Class, I'm picking the C-Class.

[Eriphill]

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

All I can say is you have to really love how the 340i drives because everything else, the C-Class/C43 is heads/shoulders above the 3/4-Series IMO. I like the way the 3/4-Series drives better than the C-Class (though not as much as previous generations) but if someone were to give me a choice between a 3/4 or a C-Class, I'm picking the C-Class.

It's a car so 'how it drives' is pretty important lol

[ishowerinjager]

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

All I can say is you have to really love how the 340i drives because everything else, the C-Class/C43 is heads/shoulders above the 3/4-Series IMO. I like the way the 3/4-Series drives better than the C-Class (though not as much as previous generations) but if someone were to give me a choice between a 3/4 or a C-Class, I'm picking the C-Class.

I'd love to see a list of stuff outlining where it's head and shoulders better.

I've spent lot of time in both and I don't see it at all. A well optioned 340i lci is in the same league for sure. And is a league above on the road.

A base 340i won't compete but then again a base 340i is way cheaper than a c43

[jpolonista]

440i gran coupe msport plus mppsk with some nice individual int / ext combo is the king of the segment. I mean: segment below m3 / upcoming rs5 sportback / c63 sedan. I've extensively tested c450 sedan, c43 sedan, new s5 sportback and q50s red sport. Nothing comes close in terms of overall driving experience, although all these cars are great.

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by Eriphill

It's a car so 'how it drives' is pretty important lol

Of course it's important but I only said that because even though a 340i with the optional M Adaptive Suspension is still not that great of a drive. Is is still more engaging than a C-Class? Sure, but not as good to which I would overlook everything else.

Originally Posted by ishowerinjager

I'd love to see a list of stuff outlining where it's head and shoulders better.

I've spent lot of time in both and I don't see it at all. A well optioned 340i lci is in the same league for sure. And is a league above on the road.

A base 340i won't compete but then again a base 340i is way cheaper than a c43

I don't know what is bundled in the States but the C43 is only $550 more than a base 340i (4Matic vs. xDrive) in Canada and I'm pretty sure the C43 comes with more standard kit.

While the C-Class is more GT cruiser than driver's car, all other aspects of the C-Class are far more intriguing to me than the 3-Series. But that's just my opinion. Some people don't like the C-Class interior, but I think it's best in the class and it's not even close. You can try spruce up the 3er's interior but you'd have to go the Individual route but that's a very expensive route to take.

[ishowerinjager]

Bmw and Mercedes websites don't show the true difference.

A base 340 is 62,000 in Canada and a base c43 is 67,000

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by ishowerinjager

Bmw and Mercedes websites don't show the true difference.

A base 340 is 62,000 in Canada and a base c43 is 67,000

How are you calculating those figures? I am pretty confident that what the website lists is exactly or very close to what the dealer lists before any price adjustments from program credits, PDI and of course taxes and miscellaneous charges like A/C and tire stewardship. A base 340i xDrive, as-is without any options, is $55,540.

[ishowerinjager]

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

They might not represent the true cost but how did you calculate your figures because those are a lot more than what the websites lists.

Looked on auto trader for the cheapest c43 and 340i I can find across all of Canada.

You could probably take 5-7% off those if you grind for a good deal.

I doubt a dealer would even order anything more base than those models I found.

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by ishowerinjager

Looked on auto trader for the cheapest c43 and 340i I can find across all of Canada.

You could probably take 5-7% off those if you grind for a good deal.

I doubt a dealer would even order anything more base than those models I found.

They're rare because dealerships buy customers want and what they can sell - usually with just Premium Package Essential and maybe smartphone connectivity but stock models do exist and a couple of dealerships in the GTA have 340's with just metallic paint, so pretty much stock.

As for ordering, they will do it but they would rather take a hit on their gross for you to buy a car in- stock and I'm sure that goes for both BMW and Mercedes. With that said, while the difference between a C43 and 340i isn't as simple as comparing prices on a website ($550), I can guarantee you that the difference is a lot closer than the $62k vs. $67k.

And with that said, I don't even remember what we were discussing. Hahaha

[ishowerinjager]

Haha neither do i.

Can't go wrong with either in my opinion

[skw]

I've had MB suv's for the past 5yrs (my wife loves them) so we get w205 c-class loaners often. The round vents and flow of the dash don't do anything for me but many seem to like it. I have a 340i w/ MPPSK and a friend of mine just bought a c43. On paper I have 355hp while he has 362hp, bragging rights. However, there's dyno sheets showing a c43 putting down ~313hp to the wheels while the MPPSK is putting down ~368hp. The 9AT and 4matic would tip the launch in his favor vs my 6MT and rwd. There is also ~330lb weight difference. Would be interesting to see how things play out if we can get both cars on a dyno and to a drag strip

[jbounnoi]

had a c400 before they switched it to the c450 / c43

it's a great looking car, but the 340i pulls harder and drives overall better.. depends on the person though.. so far im enjoying my 340

[Matteo88]

Originally Posted by skw

I've had MB suv's for the past 5yrs (my wife loves them) so we get w205 c-class loaners often. The round vents and flow of the dash don't do anything for me but many seem to like it. I have a 340i w/ MPPSK and a friend of mine just bought a c43. On paper I have 355hp while he has 362hp, bragging rights. However, there's dyno sheets showing a c43 putting down ~313hp to the wheels while the MPPSK is putting down ~368hp. The 9AT and 4matic would tip the launch in his favor vs my 6MT and rwd. There is also ~330lb weight difference.. Would be interesting to see how things play out if we can get both cars on a dyno and to a drag strip

yeah i found the interior to be way more impressive in photos than in person. i thought the switches on the centre console felt kinda shitty actually. i know i am in the minority but prefer the interior of the 340i over the c43 hands down. the adjustable bolsters are awesome. plus unless you get the upgraded AMG wheel and leather seats, the C43 has a very cheap look/feel inside for a $60K car. the stock wheel is about as nice as my wife's 2013 honda fit sport. also was hugely disappointed with the stock stereo in the C43 but in fairness i've only heard the HK in the 3 series. overall i was really turned off by the C43's overall perceived value, low standard options and options packages. that said i think the sedan looks awesome--best c-class styling ever and a huge jump over the older gen which was also nice imo.

[jmg]

C43 no. Not impressed. C63, yes.

[goj]

Three reasons I wouldn't purchase one:
The droopy rear end design is ugly to me
The car is a couple hundred pounds too heavy
And the Column shifter

[rak299]

No MT is a deal-breaker

[Jay757]

Originally Posted by soultraveler00

Yup people see the hp numbers rated by the factory and assume these 2 cars are in 2 different categories as far as power goes but that is far from the truth. I've driven both 340i MPPSK and c43 and I think it's a close one but I think the auto in the 340i is faster.

Yup... I believe MB rates their engines at crank power and not at the wheels, while BMW underrates their engines to what actually goes down to the wheels. Hence why they're pretty much neck to neck from a dig.

[Jay757]

Originally Posted by jmg

C43 no. Not impressed. C63, yes.

This ^^^ took the words right out of my mouth!