[SCA]

Originally Posted by DCJAX

The current C class isn't impressive at all. Seems like people are buying them just so they can say "I have a mercedes".

Majority of new BMW buyers are badge buyers.

[murellus]

i think all c class owners have it just to say they have a benz. there are plenty of 3 series owners that are the same but there are more car enthusiasts on the bmw side.

the front reminds me of a ford for some reason. hopefully it's better than current pos c

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by GregL

I think however that most drivers are not enthusiasts (the population of this forum and most automotive forums being an exception), it's probably safe to say that there are more badge snobs and horsepower whores in relative terms.

Absolutely true. But I was specifically addressing his statement:

"So if you want to talk about comparisons, thats where I would start."

To that seems like a peculiar suggestion for a discussion taking place in a forum full of enthusiasts.

[GregL]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Absolutely true. But I was specifically addressing his statement:

"So if you want to talk about comparisons, thats where I would start."

To that seems like a peculiar suggestion for a discussion taking place in a forum full of enthusiasts.

Fair enough, comparisons should indeed by evaluated as a whole between these two cars as opposed to heavily weighing one aspect over all the others....of course with driving dynamics having a little priority around here

[325ie90]

Originally Posted by BudTokR

The new C-Class uses 'carry over' engines from the previous generation

like bmw doesnt...

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by rrandyy

I think only a handful of people care about HP. BMW and MB are about luxury. So if you want to talk about comparisons, thats where I would start.

When it comes to the 3-series BMW's are always priced under the comparable MB.

You're correct in that both are luxury. IMO MB is 60-65% about Luxury whereas it's about ~50% w/BMW.

[Gquie]

For luxury that car looks like its got it hands down. Its a smaller version of the S class or so it would seem. Im not really like the styling of it though. Whlie it resembles the S class it kinda looks like the For Fusion. But luxurywise it looks pretty nice. I'm not feeling the steering wheel though. hrm.

[rpiopio]

Looks like a Sebring

[rrandyy]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

I think you'll find that most enthusiasts care as much about power and handling as they do luxury. Hence the large percentage of 335i owners on the forum.

So what you're telling me is that BEFORE the 335, when there were comparable 300hp cars out there, people didnt buy BMWs such as the 330?

I dont think so. I think its a combination of luxury, brand-name and performance. I think the HP is only a small part of the performance equation.

[aspiring335]

I admit it, I'd be interested in the new C. The current model is a sorry excuse for a car in terms of styling and interior quality, but like it or not it rides extremely well, and handles better than pretty much anything in its class except the 3 series. I think the new C looks great with the sports package and if they've fixed the quality issues it will be a contender. I guarantee it will ride better than the BMW, with very little sacrifice in terms of handling ability, perhaps a few seconds around the Nuerburgring.

As much as we all go on about the handling prowess of our E9xs, the reality is we've simply bought into the BMW brand promise, and with a few exceptions our knowledge of the on-limit abilities of our cars is purely theoretical. Even worse, we've started to confuse 0-60 times with dynamic ability. Nothing really wrong with that, but you've got to admit it's kind of funny that we rationalize our choice of car in ways that have no relevance to the way we use them.

[ksfrogman]

Inasmuch as I'm not a big Merc fan, I have seen some nice interior features for the C-class. Some British reviewer had some fairly nice things to say about it. However, the styling is too damn conservative. Looks like an old man's car IMO. I guess this is what luxury is all about? Boring!

[nimamilani]

hey i love 3 series when it comes to looks. but i have to say that the new c class at least has a hard drive!!!

[mesier1111]

Originally Posted by aspiring335

I admit it, I'd be interested in the new C. The current model is a sorry excuse for a car in terms of styling and interior quality, but like it or not it rides extremely well, and handles better than pretty much anything in its class except the 3 series. I think the new C looks great with the sports package and if they've fixed the quality issues it will be a contender. I guarantee it will ride better than the BMW, with very little sacrifice in terms of handling ability, perhaps a few seconds around the Nuerburgring.

As much as we all go on about the handling prowess of our E9xs, the reality is we've simply bought into the BMW brand promise, and with a few exceptions our knowledge of the on-limit abilities of our cars is purely theoretical. Even worse, we've started to confuse 0-60 times with dynamic ability. Nothing really wrong with that, but you've got to admit it's kind of funny that we rationalize our choice of car in ways that have no relevance to the way we use them.

Speak for yourself dude, the way I rationalize my car is DIRECTLY RELEVANT to the way I use mine. Maybe some people drive their 335is like pussies, but I don't. She get driven safely in traffic, but she sees 6500 on the tach at least a few times a day. I am currently starting up my own business with some partners over seas, so I unfortunately I can't commit to any track events, because my schedule changes from week to week. But in about 8 months when things have settled, I will at the track as often as possible. Till then I will drive her like I stole her

I bought my car for performance. Their are cars like the evo and STi that are just as fast, if not faster than 335i coupe, but its close. Where its not close is handling and feel. My buddies evo beats you up and feels like a ricer, boyish racer. Nothing wrong with that, and if it wasn't my every day car I would be fine with that. But even my buddy is looking to get out of his evo for the reasons I just mentioned.

I LOVE the roundel and the engineering prowess that goes behind it. Too me, a MB just feels like an expensive boat.

[ulises 335i]

wait for the c63 amg

[Aija]

Originally Posted by mesier1111

Speak for yourself dude, the way I rationalize my car is DIRECTLY RELEVANT to the way I use mine. Maybe some people drive their 335is like pussies, but I don't. She get driven safely in traffic, but she sees 6500 on the tach at least a few times a day. I am currently starting up my own business with some partners over seas, so I unfortunately I can't commit to any track events, because my schedule changes from week to week. But in about 8 months when things have settled, I will at the track as often as possible. Till then I will drive her like I stole her

I bought my car for performance. Their are cars like the evo and STi that are just as fast, if not faster than 335i coupe, but its close. Where its not close is handling and feel. My buddies evo beats you up and feels like a ricer, boyish racer. Nothing wrong with that, and if it wasn't my every day car I would be fine with that. But even my buddy is looking to get out of his evo for the reasons I just mentioned.

I LOVE the roundel and the engineering prowess that goes behind it. Too me, a MB just feels like an expensive boat.

BMW 335 is not a sports car. Its a "sporty" car. Major Difference.
Want a sports car, get a corvette.

Want Luxury first (65%), performance second (35%), get Mercedes
Want Performance first (60%), luxury second (40%), go BMW
Want pure luxury with a nice price tag, go Lexus
Want pure performance with a nice price tag, go corvette.

People buy cars for different first preferences.

If you bought the 335 for the tracks, you bought the wrong car.

I am 70% sure that i will be placing a order on the 08 E92 335. I will check out C-class open since i like keeping my options open.

[chbrules]

Wow, barely looks like a Mercedes at all. I don't like the new design, reminds me of some cheap asian car.

Here's a good competitor to the luxury/performance class:

Maybach Exelero

[niftyhawk]

Originally Posted by SCA

Majority of new BMW buyers are badge buyers.

This is slowly becoming an inconvenient truth.

[milehigh5000]

if i was in the market for a 4 door sedan i would consider the new c-class while also considering the 3 series..who knows what id go with

[Zeiss]

Originally Posted by chbrules

Wow, barely looks like a Mercedes at all. I don't like the new design, reminds me of some cheap asian car.

Here's a good competitor to the luxury/performance class:

Maybach Exelero

I never gave you permission to post my car here :mad:

[Fredric]

Originally Posted by davidL330i

Many drivers do choose comfort, luxury amentities and car built-quality over performance as long as adequate performance is achieved. This explaines why Lexus is gaining popularity and momentum each year.

Comparing the new C-class(on pix) vs E90, E90 is a definite winner IMO.

I saw the new C-class at the NY Auto Show, and it looked pretty good. Couldn't go inside, so can't say much about the interior. I think that BMW and MB generally appeal to different kinds of people, for different reasons, and take sales from one another at the "fringes". Just my .02c

[wj4]

The main thing I hate is that the design of the steering wheel! I love the Tri spoke look on the BMW's...a lot easier to grip as well.

[Majikthese42]

According to Fred's website, BMW sold 313,603 vehicles (cars and trucks) in the US in 2006. Lexus sold 322,434 and Mercedes sold 247,793. The total sales of all three brands, cars and trucks, was 883,830.

I'll guess that more BMWs were sold with manual transmissions than either Mercedes or Lexus but it's still only a small fraction of sales.

The 3-Series sold 120,180 in 2006. If even 1/4 of 3-series were sold with a manual transmission that's about 30,000 units (I doubt it's that high). With a US population of 302,102,007, that's a very very small percentage. (About 1-in-10,000 Americans would have purchased a 3-series with a manual in 2006).

Ford's F-series, the most popular model sold in the US (and the most popular vehicle purchased by US millionaires!), sold 796,039 units in 2006 and 901,463 in 2005.