[digitallust]

I know I am.. I was lucky enough to go to the launch party in Perth a couple of weeks ago... very impressed..definitely a mini S class.. so many features at $10,000 less than my F30 320d , for the C250 Bluetec and twice as many features. 150kw at 500nm mmmmm nice. Gorgeous.

Then I found out what my F30 was worth............................ THUD!!!

Anyone else been dabbling on the dark side?

[ZUB80]

Thinking about it too... do you know the driveaway price for the C250?

[digitallust]

Speaking to a nice guy at Diesel Motors, RRP on the C250 diesel is around $78K which is a bout $10K less than my optioned 320d Sportline. C300 Hybrid Diesel is going to be around $86K when its released.

[HFW003]

I was the same Matt.

I dropped in to have a serious look at the new C Class and I was very impressed, right up until they told me the trade in on mine, FARK ME!!!!!!!!!

They had the C300 there with AMG pack, lighting pack and some other pack and it was just under $100K.

H

[x328x]

I just bought my F30 328i and had the opportunity to buy the C200.

Now you cant compare a 328i to the C200 but the reason I will is because I was able to get a really great deal on the car for basically the same price as the C200 drive away which I think is 67k.

This was equipped with the M Sport, Xenon, Sun Roof and Innovations Package. The C200 (to me) was beautiful inside and out. The interior by far outclassed the BMW. But the standard C200 could not compare to the M sport kit and the tech of the innovations package does not compare to the standard C200.

Most of all cannot compare the performance of the C200, or even the C250 to that of the 328i.

At one stage negotiations broke down and the sales rep tried to put me into the 320i, that's when I told him I would choose the new C200 over that any day of the week

The way I see it the Benz is a cruiser, it drives you and in absolute comfort and luxury. The BMW, you drive it.

But I guess it comes down to what kind of car you want and how it makes you feel when you drive it. The 328 puts a smile on my face every time I put my foot down and now with those M performance accessories I feel like I am 18 again doing up my car like I use to back in the day

[Aapparition90]

the merc is good except for its powertrain, waiting on some more engine choices before its considered, the c250 is top of the range atm with 155kw correct ? not a fan of their command unit as it feels glued on but its minor thing. http://www.mercedes-benz.com.au/cont...olengines.html

so i cant find the c300 anywhere hfw can you shed any light on the engine/transmission in it, i tried a cla250 with dct and it was nowhere near as good to drive as the 328i so i doubt the c250 with torque converter will be any more engaging.

[HFW003]

The c300 is a hybrid, you will not find it listed under petrol motors and it is top of the range.

[MP423]

I'm considering it in 12 months when the changeover at trade is a bit better, more engine options are available and interest in the C has waned a touch.

Otherwise I'll think about the A45 AMG or I must say having played at the track a few weeks ago in the M235 was eye opening. Spoilt for choice we are!

[digitallust]

Im going to bite the bullet I've decided lol... best mate is wanting to by the F30 from me

[KT_F31_EBII]

Originally Posted by HFW003

I was the same Matt.

I dropped in to have a serious look at the new C Class and I was very impressed, right up until they told me the trade in on mine, FARK ME!!!!!!!!!

They had the C300 there with AMG pack, lighting pack and some other pack and it was just under $100K.

H

i will wait for my 4 year Chattel Mortgage finished for 100k allowance. The residual was $33 on mine, but probably will get more as i didn't drive more than 18k km last year... might make some money haha.

I like the new C interior

[digitallust]

Ok, well its official... I've sold my F30 to my best mate... hrmm I don't think its sunk in yet... I love it.. but I also love new things ...

[plesg]

I agree 100% I drove the new C250, never been a fan of mercs but that car was impressive inside and out, BUT at the end of the day I'm a driver and when I jumped back In the 328 MSport the power difference was very noticeable. Put the demo Merc side by side with my car whe. I finished my drive and I actually realised I like the exterior look of mine over the Merc, but come on BMW make better interiors!

[knightsabers]

Seen quite a few of them around lately. Parked next to one and noticed a lot of chrome ascents, the exterior feels a little too short for the design. Kind of like it was chopped up, I preferred the old design for the exterior. Interior was much better compared to the previous gen.

[chopshop]

looked at the c200 as well before buying the 328i. agree with the cruiser comment, agree with the interior observations. given that the 328i's comparable tier is the c250, I couldn't justify the price differential. the c250 is an amazing car though.

[Drk280]

Digital, the rear leg room on the C class, is it the same as the F30?
Are you going with air suspension?
Does the navigation screen on the merc feel smaller?

Still haven't has a chance to look at it, the reviews look good so far, the F30 still looks more aggressive. Wondering if the air suspension is better or the same as adaptive.

[JamieA]

I am on my 4th BMW and I have a love/hate relationship with my 328i. I love the power and it is definitely a step up in many areas from my E90s, but the suspension is not as tight, steering is accurate but uninvolving, and the Merc craps all over it for standard equipment - BMW are in the back foot here. They need to seriously think about better packaging and having Adaptive Suspension and Sports Steering as standard.

But overall the one thing that I dislike the most is the nasty sounding engine compared to the I6 in my last 3 cars. I drove a 2014 328i the other day when mine was being serviced and the "active sound" makes the whole situation worse in my view.

My E90s connected with me better, and I am starting to see my 328i as more of an appliance. I think they are spread their resources too thinly and have let go of what made them great. I am hopeful that the LCI will fix things, but I am seriously considering testing a Merc for the first time ever.

Having said all this, first world problems I know, but I want to see BMW get their mojo back.

[Drk280]

We'll I took the merc for a test drive but they didn't have an air suspension model there. The gear stick is like a blinker lever on the steering column and it's very easy to throw it into neutral thinking you're using the indicators to turn. Didn't like the command system either not as easy to use as prof nav. The wagon merc looks much better than the sedan and also,has more headroom in the rear. The F30 is more comfortable in my opinion. Adaptive suspension felt better than the standard c class suspension. Also no lights on the door handles.

[JamieA]

Great info Drk280, that is all good to know... perhaps the C Class is more style over substance and doesn't stack up when you scratch the surface a little

[David328M-Sport]

I test drove the diesel C class car a few weeks ago. Felt like a very quiet petrol car. Brilliant. No plans though, as I love my 328i.

[Aapparition90]

I am very keen to try out the c450 amg model.. still waiting on pricing etc though.
also this has got me confused... its only been a few months since the release
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/sc...rcedes-c-class

[Drk280]

Another issue I found was the nav screen is facing straight and not slightly towards the driver, feels like a Mazda 2/3/6 screen. The nav pro widescreen is fantastic, I know it sounds picky, but you get used to how a car feels.

Also just bumped into this photo from the news nearby, sadly the C class driver did not survive.

[Andrew Chunis]

Originally Posted by Drk280

Another issue I found was the nav screen is facing straight and not slightly towards the driver, feels like a Mazda 2/3/6 screen. The nav pro widescreen is fantastic, I know it sounds picky, but you get used to how a car feels.

Also just bumped into this photo from the news nearby, sadly the C class driver did not survive.