[Blue328xi]

Its all subjective... but IMHO I think the 3 series looks much better then the new C.

The profile view of the 3 compared to the C is all I need to see to make my decision.

I recently drove the new C's at a MB event and they didnt knock my sock off or anything. They are nice cars, but I think BMW makes a much cleaner interior than MB. I'm also not a fan of the big grill look.

[flipmde786]

I was impressed with the new C when I drove it at the event. Yeah, it's not a 3 series, but it's not really far away (like it used to be). It's quite an improvement for the car.

[Kev]

It would be fun to see the 'ring time of the C63 vs M3 sedan now that both cars are V8 and the C63 has the upper edge on HP as well as TQ

[EmPower]

Originally Posted by Kev

It would be fun to see the 'ring time of the C63 vs M3 sedan now that both cars are V8 and the C63 has the upper edge on HP as well as TQ

AMG engineers claim that the 6.3 V8 in the C63 is on the lower end of the power, and with minimal effort, can be modded to produce close to 580hp and 600+ lb-ft? of torque. I think if they fall in the same price range, this could be a serious threat to the new M3.

They have also been developing a new gear box for this monster to allow for better and smoother shifts.

This is the first AMG (except the balck series and the one off DTMs) that AMG has actually redisgned from the ground up. Journalists claim that this is the best AMG in 20 years. Should be interesting to see if the M3 can still hold its crown

[stressdoc]

They are different beasts. The AMGs are brutes, more like a Viper. The M is more like a Porsche or Lotus. The standard C class clearly caters more to the prestige luxury image; the E9x to freude am fahren.

[s420merc]

I am a current E46 owner 330Ci and a MB ML350 owner. MY lease is up in 1 month and i went to check out the 335i E92 and the C350 Sport. I ended up buying the C350 Sport I ordered it with Mettalic paint and P2 And Multi Media and 18' AMG wheels. I live in NYC where u cant really run crazy with a 335 cause the roads are terrible and we have a ton of trafic. The C350 Runs 0-60 in 5.8 and thats fine for me. IT has more of a luxury ride which is a plus with NYC roads. Also i saved about $7k over the 335i. I think a better comparison would be between a 330i and a C350 cause they are more in the same price range. THE E92 335i i wanted would sticker for over $50k with the options i want and i would still have to add aftermarket rims and a M Tech front end. TO get it to look the way i want. ALL I have to do to the C350 is just add tint. It looks nice from the factory with the AMG body kit and AMG wheels. And the MSRP was $43,285 and i got $1500.00 off sticker. I shopped the E92 and no one would move off MSRP on an ordered car. IF the E92 came with the MTech body kit from the factory for about 1k i would have prob gone with the E92 and lived without the NAVI and Multi media that the C350 has.
I only have 2 cars and a C350 is a better compromise for me in NYC.
and saves me about 7-10k .

[lauer87]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

They are different beasts. The AMGs are brutes, more like a Viper. The M is more like a Porsche or Lotus. The standard C class clearly caters more to the prestige luxury image; the E9x to freude am fahren.

I would agree with you up until last year. The new 63 cars are much more like M cars. The 55 AMGs were more brutes, the 63 AMGs are still fast, but handle and drive much different.

[duk]

Originally Posted by s420merc

I am a current E46 owner 330Ci and a MB ML350 owner. MY lease is up in 1 month and i went to check out the 335i E92 and the C350 Sport. I ended up buying the C350 Sport I ordered it with Mettalic paint and P2 And Multi Media and 18' AMG wheels. I live in NYC where u cant really run crazy with a 335 cause the roads are terrible and we have a ton of trafic. The C350 Runs 0-60 in 5.8 and thats fine for me. IT has more of a luxury ride which is a plus with NYC roads. Also i saved about $7k over the 335i. I think a better comparison would be between a 330i and a C350 cause they are more in the same price range. THE E92 335i i wanted would sticker for over $50k with the options i want and i would still have to add aftermarket rims and a M Tech front end. TO get it to look the way i want. ALL I have to do to the C350 is just add tint. It looks nice from the factory with the AMG body kit and AMG wheels. And the MSRP was $43,285 and i got $1500.00 off sticker. I shopped the E92 and no one would move off MSRP on an ordered car. IF the E92 came with the MTech body kit from the factory for about 1k i would have prob gone with the E92 and lived without the NAVI and Multi media that the C350 has.
I only have 2 cars and a C350 is a better compromise for me in NYC.
and saves me about 7-10k .

in your position, i'd done the same, congrats the 350 sport is a GREAT car

[beauderek]

Originally Posted by Blue328xi

Its all subjective... but IMHO I think the 3 series looks much better then the new C. The profile view of the 3 compared to the C is all I need to see to make my decision.

I agree with you. Although, I still haven't seen the W204 in person yet. From what I can tell, the C-Class is a really nice car, with great looks and great value. However, the e90's styling is simply beautiful.

I'll take one of each, please.

[Kiemyster]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

They are different beasts. The AMGs are brutes, more like a Viper. The M is more like a Porsche or Lotus. The standard C class clearly caters more to the prestige luxury image; the E9x to freude am fahren.

i definitely see where your coming from, and i must agree. but im gonna go ahead and take the bmw because joy in driving is much more appealing than "lets see who can go faster in a straight line" kind of thing lol.

[alexckma]

Everyone have their own opinions about cars that they like.

If you ask me, I think nothing beats the 911 Turbo 997 in terms of handling, I personally love that car. I had it for a year and decided that it was not good for a family nor is it good for luggage. It grips very well, is fast and has lots of goodies. It is great value for price, but now this is a true blue sports car.

Moving on, as on my "I drive" I have a 328i not a 335i, why you may ask? What's the point? For 1, it gives you the kicks on the highway, but not enough to be even comparable to the 911, it uses similar amount of gas and produces way less power, then why don't I step down to the 328i? When it has virtually everything I need.

Now in comparison to the C Class, I actually own a 2007 C280, for the same reasons why I got the 328i. It compares well with the 328i, sure it looks older, but I personally like the looks of it. It produces 238 hp and it is very economical if you ask me. Uses 11.9L/100km (stated by the card, but it's more like 12.5 in the Vancouver and 15.5 in Downtown). Nonetheless, it is perfect for a small family, have comfy back seats, big enough trunk and delivers power when I need it.

All in all - Porsche for performance, MB for economical satisfaction, and BMW is somewhere in between. Do note however, the 328i isn't that much more impressive in terms of power when compared to the C280, so I guess I just wanted a coupe which is not offered by MB (CLK too heavy, and impractical, SLK only got 2 seats, and SL is beaten by the beloved 911)

As to the New C, I tested it, great fun to drive, the engine remained the same this year, so I am not even thinking of giving it a shot. Maybe in 2 years time?

Anyway, a big plus for getting a BMW is still the warranty, otherwise, everything else is up for grabs, Rx-8/Audi TT 3.2/. Really it's your choice, people respect yours, you should respect theirs.