Schomp BMW

Safety

 

Both the 3 Series Sedan and the C-Class have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding and available all-wheel drive.

 

Warranty

 

The 3 Series Sedan's corrosion warranty is 8 years and unlimited miles longer than the C-Class' (12/unlimited vs. 4/50,000).

 

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 3 Series Sedan for 4 years and 50,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, tire rotation, lubrication and any other scheduled maintenance. Mercedes doesn't pay scheduled maintenance for the C-Class.

 

There are over 12 percent more BMW dealers than there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it easier to get service under the 3 Series Sedan's warranty.

 

Reliability

 

The battery on the 3 Series Sedan is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures which can degrade battery life. By keeping the 3 Series Sedan's battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The C-Class' battery is in the hot engine compartment.

 

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without their vehicle while it's being repaired. Consumer Reports predicts that the BMW 3 Series Sedan 2WD 328i's reliability will be 12% better than the C-Class with the best reliability rating.

 

Engine

 

The 335i Sedan's standard 3.0 turbo 6 cyl. produces 32 more horsepower (300 vs. 268) and 42 lbs.-ft. more torque (300 vs. 258) than the C350's standard 3.5 DOHC V6.

 

The 3 Series Sedan's 3.0 turbo diesel produces 37 more horsepower (265 vs. 228) and 204 lbs.-ft. more torque (425 vs. 221) than the C300's standard 3.0 DOHC V6. The 3 Series Sedan's 3.0 turbo diesel produces 167 lbs.-ft. more torque (425 vs. 258) than the C350's standard 3.5 DOHC V6.

 

As tested in Car and Driver the 328i Sedan is faster than the C300 (manual transmissions tested):

	3 Series Sedan	C-Class
Zero to 60 MPH	5.9 sec	6.5 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	16.1 sec	16.8 sec
Quarter Mile	14.6 sec	14.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	96 MPH	95 MPH
Top Speed	148 MPH	130 MPH

 

Fuel Economy and Range

 

On the EPA test cycle the 335d Sedan gets better fuel mileage than the C300 Auto RWD (23 city/36 hwy vs. 18 city/26 hwy).

 

On the EPA test cycle the 3 Series Sedan gets better fuel mileage than the C-Class:

		3 Series Sedan	C-Class
RWD	3.0 6 cyl./Manual	18 city/28 hwy	18 city/26 hwy	3.0 V6
	3.0 turbo 6 cyl./Manual	19 city/28 hwy	n/a
	3.0 6 cyl./Auto	18 city/28 hwy	18 city/26 hwy	3.0 V6
	3.0 turbo 6 cyl./Auto	19 city/28 hwy	17 city/25 hwy	3.5 V6/Auto
AWD	3.0 turbo 6 cyl./Auto	18 city/27 hwy	n/a

 

Environmental Friendliness

 

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW 3 Series Sedan higher (6 to 9.5 out of 10) than the Mercedes C-Class (3 to 9). This means the 3 Series Sedan produces up to 36.3 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the C-Class every 15,000 miles.

 

Brakes and Stopping

 

For better stopping power the 3 Series Sedan's brake rotors are larger than those on the C-Class:

	328i Sedan	335	C300	C350
Front Rotors	12.3 inches	13.7 inches	11.6 inches	12.7 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	13.2 inches	11.8 inches	11.8 inches

 

The 3 Series Sedan stops much shorter than the C-Class:

	3 Series Sedan	C-Class
80 to 0 MPH	208 feet	241 feet	Road & Track
70 to 0 MPH	160 feet	174 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	116 feet	135 feet	Road & Track

 

Tires and Wheels

 

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the 3 Series Sedan can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The C-Class doesn't offer run-flat tires.

 

Suspension and Handling

 

The 335i Sedan handles at .95 G's, while the C350 pulls only .82 G's of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

 

The 335d Sedan goes through Road & Track's slalom 6.7 MPH faster than the C350 (70.5 vs. 63.8 MPH).

 

Chassis

 

The 3 Series Sedan is 4.1 inches shorter than the C-Class, making the 3 Series Sedan easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

 

As tested by Road & Track, the interior of the 335d Sedan is quieter than the C350:

	3 Series Sedan	C-Class
At idle	45 dB	45 dB
Full-Throttle	71 dB	74 dB
50 MPH Cruising	62 dB	67 dB
70 MPH Cruising	67 dB	69 dB

 

Passenger Space

 

The 3 Series Sedan has 4.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the C-Class (93 vs. 88.2).

 

The 3 Series Sedan has 1.4 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear headroom and 1.2 inches more rear legroom than the C-Class.

 

Ergonomics

 

The 3 Series Sedan has a lever hand brake in the console, easy to use while keeping both feet free and not impeding entry and exit. The C-Class' foot pedal parking brake is not handy to use as a hill holding device with a manual transmission.

 

The 3 Series Sedan's rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The C-Class' standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

 

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the 3 Series Sedan to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The C-Class doesn't offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

 

While driving with high-beams on, sensitive light sensors available for the 3 Series Sedan detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low-beams. The C-Class doesn't offer automatic dimming high-beams.

 

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the 3 Series Sedan offers an optional Active Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The C-Class doesn't offer an adaptive cruise control.

 

Model Availability

 

The BMW 3 Series comes in coupe, convertible, sedan and station wagon bodystyles; the Mercedes C-Class isn't available as a coupe, convertible or station wagon.

 

Economic Advantages

 

The 3 Series Sedan will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. Kiplinger's estimates that the 3 Series Sedan will retain 38% to 41% of its original price after four years, while the C-Class only retains 35% to 37%.

 

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the 3 Series Sedan is less expensive to operate than the C-Class because it costs $894 less to do the manufacturer's suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the 3 Series Sedan than the C-Class, including $18 less for an alternator, $277 less for a starter and $15 less for fuel injection.

 

Recommendations

 

Consumer Reports recommends the BMW 3 Series Sedan, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Mercedes C-Class isn't recommended.

 

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its January 2008 issue and they ranked the BMW 328i Sedan first. They ranked the Mercedes C300 fourth.

 

Strategic Vision rated the 3 Series Sedan first among near-luxury cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner's expectations. The C-Class is below the category average or not rated in its category.

 

The 3 Series was chosen as one of Car and Driver's "Top Ten" for 16 of the last 16 years. The C-Class has never been a Car and Driver "Top Ten" pick.

 

The 3 Series Sedan was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine's "All Stars" for 12 of the last 14 years. The C-Class hasn't been picked since 1996.

 

The 3 Series Sedan was selected by Automobile Magazine as their 2006 Car of the Year. The C-Class has never been chosen.

 

The BMW 3 Series outsold the Mercedes C-Class by 64% during the 2010 model year.