[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

Turbo 4 Banger Showdown: BMW 328i F30 vs Mercedes C250 [Head 2 Head Video]

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In the latest episode of Head 2 Head (by Motor Trend), Jonny Lieberman compares the BMW 328i with its N20 240 HP 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder engine versus the Mercedes C250, also powered by a turbo 4 cylinder (1.8L turbocharged I-4 with 201 HP).

Which car redefines the segment according to Lieberman? View the video to find out.

[DrivenByE30]

woohoo !! now we need the same video with the C350 and the 335i !

[J Tiberius]

Great video, but he's wrong about there being hydraulic steering assist for the F30 (we all know it's electric assist for this generation). And I think that the e9x steering was far from numb by comparison, as he states in the vid. Other than that he's right on the money!

[SCBimmerKid]

standard outcome

[ATX78703]

Originally Posted by J Tiberius

Great video, but he's wrong about there being hydraulic steering assist for the F30 (we all know it's electric assist for this generation). And I think that the e9x steering was far from numb by comparison, as he states in the vid. Other than that he's right on the money!

+1
This review has no credibility based on that statement alone. not to mention the MSRP - 51K for the bmw and 41K for the benz!!

I don't think these cars really compete. I mean, nobody cross shops this. Performance oriented folks usually pony up for the bimmer, maybe consider the audi or infiniti G (since u can get g37 for 328i price..) Mercedes knows that and hence they introduced this C250 as a cheaper way to get into the brand.

[bcl0328]

Originally Posted by ATX78703

+1
This review has no credibility based on that statement alone. not to mention the MSRP - 51K for the bmw and 41K for the benz!!

I don't think these cars really compete. I mean, nobody cross shops this. Performance oriented folks usually pony up for the bimmer, maybe consider the audi or infiniti G (since u can get g37 for 328i price..) Mercedes knows that and hence they introduced this C250 as a cheaper way to get into the brand.

yea, but all the price added was options like premium package, xenons, tech package, etc. none of that added to the performance and handling. they could have used a base or sport line and it would be way cheaper.

[ric124]

Originally Posted by J Tiberius

Great video, but he's wrong about there being hydraulic steering assist for the F30 (we all know it's electric assist for this generation). And I think that the e9x steering was far from numb by comparison, as he states in the vid. Other than that he's right on the money!

I had to hit rewind on that part and say did he really just say what I think he said!! rewind! He sure did!

Nice review but he should have done his research first.

[TrueBlue12]

Ill be interested to see how the new C stacks up.

[shoptb]

Originally Posted by J Tiberius

Great video, but he's wrong about there being hydraulic steering assist for the F30 (we all know it's electric assist for this generation). And I think that the e9x steering was far from numb by comparison, as he states in the vid. Other than that he's right on the money!

I have to agree this guy really needs to do more research before doing a video review. The E9x steering was numb? LOL

[Bmwphile]

Originally Posted by ric124

I had to hit rewind on that part and say did he really just say what I think he said!! rewind! He sure did!

Nice review but he should have done his research first.

+1

[bimmerjph]

As much as I would like to believe what he is saying the second he said that the BMW had hydraulic assist he lost all credibility.

Originally Posted by J Tiberius

Great video, but he's wrong about there being hydraulic steering assist for the F30 (we all know it's electric assist for this generation). And I think that the e9x steering was far from numb by comparison, as he states in the vid. Other than that he's right on the money!

Personally I find the weight in the E90's steering a little blunt (numb isn't the right word) the weight isn't presented as sharply as it is in earlier 3ers.

[AlpWhite11]

Originally Posted by bimmerjph

As much as I would like to believe what he is saying the second he said that the BMW had hydraulic assist he lost all credibility.

Who cares. How the car felt to him still applies even if he doesn't know all the technical aspects. We often know much more technically than the reviewers for BMWs but we don't have to sit on our high horses about it.

[adamsclubs]

The guy does not need do more research, he needs a different line of work, his comments were embarrassing.

The C250 Sport (which he tested) comes with lowered sport suspension and wheels/tires. I had a loaner for a day, it handled well. What it fell short was power delivery. But the thing is, it does not compete with the new 328i directly. Because the C250 Sport comes with sport package standard, the real world cost is about $150/mo apart from the 328i sport.

I don't think it is fair to compare two cars that have 25% real world cost differential.

[Diver]

There are two thoughts I come away with. The first is the N20 is so good that it is much harder to justify buying a 335i. The second is the long list of pricey options on the 328i spells the potential for the car to be very expensive, especially if it is purchased out of dealer stock. One pretty much has to order their car to keep things under control. I guess BMW is starting to operate more like their Mini line. Do you really want BMW assist for $650 now that everyone has a smartphone?

A well equipped 328i Sportline with premium, xenons, heated front seats and satellite radio runs about 44k. I think that is a fair comparison with the $41k MB.

When I picked up my 135i a month ago, the sales manager said they could not get enough 328i's.

[Cuz5150]

Something that jumped out at me with the Merc, How in the world does Benz use a 4cyl and end up with weight distribution of 53Front 47rear????
The damn A4 quattro that has the engine hanging over the front axle has #'s like that. Oh, wait, Merc still wants to cater to the 50's + crowds im guessing

[johnca]

Nice review can't wait when new C is coming now the game begins!!

[OdomPHD]

I like the looks of both, but there is a clear winner in the exterior department.

[bmwaddict]

Nice review but even me know it's a hydraulic steering assist for the F30. smh

[Blue55]

I have a 1M and a 2012 C250. I'm not much of a fan of the MB to be honest. It's not really much of a sports sedan on balance. Johnny Lieberman pretty much nails my thoughts on the matter. It's nice car, but it's not a great car. I've driven the new 328i and it's a great car. I just didn't want to spend the extra 10 grand to get it.

[sttlondon]

Originally Posted by shoptb

I have to agree this guy really needs to do more research before doing a video review. The E9x steering was numb? LOL

Yeah. Research is a good thing. If any steering is numb is the new electronic steering in the 3. There's no connection from the driver to the road anymore. One can't tell what, if anything, the car is doing or where it's going.
And there is something to be said for the silky smooth inline 6 vs the diesel sounding 4cyl. The 6 will stay smooth and composed all the way to redline...not so much with the 4cyl.

I've owned 2 e9x vehicles and an a4 and for my money...I'd stick with the e9x any day of the week. .

[svache]

I think in the end, as with so many things, it's a personal choice. Some people the Benz better, others the BMW. It's fun to see these comparisons but you shouldn't take it too serious imo, after all, he speaks from his own personal point of view, not from any one else's

Having said that, I have driven the C250 a while ago and to me there was no comparing possible to the 328i. The 328i wins, in my own point of view, on so many points.

In my opinion, the cost shouldn't make much difference between them. If you look at the bare price, then there is only 100 USD difference between these cars. If you option them alike then the difference is still not that great.. even better said, a quick look to both of them makes it look as if (I could be wrong) BMW gives more included options/possibilities than MB.

[Propagator]

I'm sorry, but the guy is a total idiot.

I know auto journalism is as much journalism as bowling is a sport, but listening to him dribbling on about the beauty of hydraulic steering in an F30 is just comical. It's not even a slip of tongue, he makes a whole bit out of how much of an improvement the new "hydraulic" steering is over the "numb" E90 steering.

Motor Trend hasn't had a brand new car from luxury brands that they didn't find to be god-send in a while. I don't normally like to bash magazines but I would say MT is the worst of all the major ones these days. Hiring an idiot like Lieberman and giving him a web segment is certainly representative of their standard.