Hi all,
Just finished an extensive test drive of a Mercedes C350 coupe, 435i coupe with M performance package, and a recently driven M3.
I realize this is somewhat generic information on here, but I want to share some feedback for those who have or have not driven these vehicles and why I'm REALLY pleased I'm going with the new M3.
This was part of the Un4gettable test drive event.
MB C350
I'll imagine for a second everyone knows the basic specs of the C350 coupe. Let me start off by saying the interior is a nice place to be. It has alot of plastics, but the plastics are of a good quality - in fact, many are of a higher quality than the current 435i. I don't care for the layout or the infotainment system, but those things are so personalized anyway that's not really a critique.
Now for the drive:
holy crap this thing is a POS. First off, the steering: This is a sporty coupe but the steering is ruinous. The ratio is fine, the steering wheel is decent, but there's just nothing happening between the ground and your hands. There's never any changes. It's light, stays light, doesn't load up, doesn't unload, doesn't vibrate or resist. NOTHING. I wondered if there was an alignment problem because before I pulled out of the dealership I disliked how it left me guessing if it I had turned the steering wheel the right amount for what I wanted.
Second off, the transmission is awful in any sort of sporty driving. In lazy driving it's fine - smooth and well paired to the engine. But step it up to 50% throttle and it just does not know what to do. Literally, it hunts around and zooms for a second then dis-engages the gear you are in and takes a subjective eternity to pick the next gear.
Lest you think I'm being harsh, my 2008 535xit with 101k miles on it is a better transmission at picking and shifting gears.
My 2007 VW Touareg V10 TDI, which is a low-revving torque monster with an indestructible but not very advanced 6-speed auto transmission - better.
In addition, the trans on the Merc does not like letting you pick your own gears. For example, when I hit the upshift selection while going full throttle at 5000rpms, the engine would continue pushing hard until at least 6000-6500rpms before the upshift would be executed. Slowly.
The throttle also seemed to have a mind of it's own with generous throttle over-run WHILE STAYING IN GEAR several times. Seriously? I was once slowing aggressively to a stop sign and the car was still surging ahead.
I don't believe I can effectively comment on the engine because the trans was ruining it for me. All I can say is it's got very nice shove from 2000 rpms for a 3.5 liter v6. It sounds ok. That's it.
Now, putting that aside....the suspension and chassis were excellent and the brakes were superb. The braking was actually better in the Merc (In terms of modulation and feel) than in the 435i. Not worlds different, just better. That being said, the 435i felt like maybe it's brakes were not in the best of shape.
This was a sport packaged equipped MB C350 running about $46k and it sucked.
435i
I'll assume we're all familiar with the basics here. Getting into it from the mercedes shows a few areas that are cheaper (door panels, dash plastic, few others). Seating position for a coupe was better. Better sightlines, more greenhouse, better position for driving yet still comfortable.
The engine and trans is a world above. The N55 has now been out for ~5 years, the 8-speed auto for ~3 years, and I swear BMW did something to both on this model. The trans, when put in sport mode, shifted FAST and FIRM - you felt it. Very gratifying when driving hard. The engine was beastly and loved to wind out. Bit of turbo lag down low, bit softer response there, but really negligible at the end of the day.
The brakes on my model did not feel right. They had a solid inch of soft travel. At first I thought maybe they needed to cool down, but they stayed that way. This was missing BMW's recent 3-series trademark "jerky" brake pedal feel where it bites immediately. Once I dug into them, they operated wonderfully.
Now the steering:
If ever something re-affirmed that the M3 was right for me, it was driving the 435i with the M performance kit on it on this model (and M sport package). The steering also stunk here. I honestly did not remember it feeling like this but it's simply lacking in feedback and overly light. I want to share two things that boggled my mind:
1. My 2006 Civic SI, long gone, was the first Honda Civic SI with electric power steering. It cost $20k in 2006. The EPS and steering on THAT car were vastly superior to the 435i.
2. My 2008 535xit, the family hauler, has less sporty but more fulfilling steering than the 435i. Say what?! Yes, while its' steering wheel is thin and it's effort light, there's more coming through the steering wheel in terms of where the tires are at than in BMW's 2014 435i.
...
Now the 435i is a gran touring car. No doubt about it. It's quiet, smooth, lunges forward, and handles a set of back road corners ably.
In my recent weaker moments I have said to myself, "What if I get a 335i or 335xi instead? It'll fit my highway driving better, a bit better MPG, quieter, and of course a solid $18k cheaper equipped the way I want it"
And this test drive convinced me that would be a mistake.
The m3 is not a souped up 435i. They share exterior architecture and a bit too much interior for my tastes, but they are completely different drives. The M3 makes up it's $18k difference in spend as follows:
- Engine: Worth $5k to me
- Steering: Worth $5k to me
- Chassis: Worth $1,000,000,000,000,000 to me
You get my point: The m3 is taking the 335i/435i and truly stripping out everything to do with driving the car and re-doing it with focus and passion. I sound like an M fanboy; whatever.
Despite sharing 50% of the parts, the m3 is truly not a 3-series after driving the finest F32 BMW has to offer.
Really, really happy with my decision and thankful for BMW for setting up the Un4gettable test drive which showed me mercedes stinks, the 3-series is not the enthusiast car, and my choice to drop ~$65k was smart
