R&T Test: 328i v C250

Interesting for me, these are the 2 cars I was choosing between:

http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/co...enz-c250-sport

What I don't understand is how all the mags continue to compare the two models that have about $10k difference in real world pricing.

What was interesting to me is that they timed the 328i at 13.9s in the 1/4 mile.

Originally Posted by dtc100

What I don't understand is how all the mags continue to compare the two models that have about $10k difference in real world pricing.

I was down the the 328 and the C250 and the price was almost the same considering all things equal. My base line 328 was about $3,000 higher (after negotiations on both) and the BMW has the free maintenance which is worth $1,500 to $2,500 so actually they are pretty close in price.

0-60 5.4sec 328


SUCK IT!

Originally Posted by micknugget

I was down the the 328 and the C250 and the price was almost the same considering all things equal. My base line 328 was about $3,000 higher (after negotiations on both) and the BMW has the free maintenance which is worth $1,500 to $2,500 so actually they are pretty close in price.

My lease cost for 328i was only slightly more than for the C250, the difference more than made up by the free maintenance. This was a pleasant surprise as based on list prices I thought I wouldn't be able to afford the F30, just went down to dealer to try it out, then...

You guys must not have tried hard to drive the C250 price down at the dealers.

Originally Posted by dtc100

You guys must not have tried hard to drive the C250 price down at the dealers.

I was going to get $3,000 off sticker.

Originally Posted by dtc100

You guys must not have tried hard to drive the C250 price down at the dealers.

I think I did, had two dealers competing with each other until they reached a figure they just wouldn't go under, but who knows?

Originally Posted by dtc100

What I don't understand is how all the mags continue to compare the two models that have about $10k difference in real world pricing.

A C250 Sport with leather, sunroof, leather and premium is about $41,800.00 and a 328i with Sport Line, heated seats and premium is about $44K and you get 40 more HP and much more recent design.

Originally Posted by Michael Schott

A C250 Sport with leather, sunroof, leather and premium is about $41,800.00 and a 328i with Sport Line, heated seats and premium is about $44K and you get 40 more HP and much more recent design.

Also, BMW includes free maintenance for the price of their cars.

Originally Posted by Michael Schott

A C250 Sport with leather, sunroof, leather and premium is about $41,800.00 and a 328i with Sport Line, heated seats and premium is about $44K and you get 40 more HP and much more recent design.

Is it any cheaper if you only want leather, rather than leather and leather?

Here are my subjective 2 cents on this topic.
Went to an event and drove the new 328i sedan and the MB C250 Sport. Later, I test-drove at the same dealership a CPO 2009 328i convertible with sport package.

First, my opinions on the 2013 328i and the MB C250.
No sport package/line on either, but with standard automatic transmission, navigation, and moonroof. With just 5 min. to fidget with the gadgets, the BMW iDrive seemed more refined and provided more useful information (on a wide screen), including gauges for instantaneous engine horsepower and torque. I could not find that kind of information on the C250's COMAND, but there may be. The BMW felt wider and more spacious inside, while MB is cramped. The C250 interior looks more sophisticated/luxurious, albeit the C250 steering wheel features a cheap-looking plastic cover in the middle,. The 328 retains the same fine textured material from the older models. Both cars have very comfortable seats that embrace the driver, nicer than my non-sport 530i.

For the drive test I had to follow a 3 to 4 mile course through town, 50% on mostly empty straight lines, with the remainder in rush hour traffic. Max. speed was 60 mph, only for a short distance. Man, I hate city traffic. From the get-go the BMW steering felt light, balanced, and familiar. Steering on the C250 at low speed was heavy, requiring more force, and thus making it more difficult for fine control. The steering wheel on the C250 seems a bit smaller in diameter, but is thicker and more comfortable to hold.

The suspension on the C250 was more dampened, as expected. The 328i suspension felt lively, connected to the road, and very similar to E90 328i.

I drove only in manual mode, so I can't comment on the auto transmission mode. BMW's manual shifting has a bit faster response time, of 1/4 - 1/3 s. My wife drives automatics, so that's it.

Acceleration in straight line to speeds less than 60 mph is outstanding for the 328i, and unexpected for a 4 cyl. engine. No noticeable turbo lag, no whining. Actually, the turbo is only noticeable by the extra torque. It definitely accelerates better than the older 328i version, and seems faster than my 530i. On the other hand, the C250 has a very annoying turbo lag of 0.5-1 s. When pressed hard, the car shudders when the turbo kicks in. But with turbo on, the C250 beats the 328i hands down. Considering the consistent 'shudder' (more like a choke), I still vote for the 328i turbo.

Both test drives recorded a 14.4 mpg average consumption, with the caveats of a short distance and frequent accelerations in suburban traffic.

Winner in my opinion is the new 328i for steering, suspension, interior, iDrive. The turbo lag on the C250 is annoying, although its straight line acceleration is exuberant.

------

On the same day I test drove a CPO 2009 i328 convertible with the Sport package. I followed the same course and had the salesman with me. Drove with the top down and it was a blast, even with the scorching sun above my head. Overall, the car felt more sluggish and heavier compared to the E90 328i sedan and the new model driven before.
It will be difficult to choose between the new 328i, with its nice turbo, and a fancy 328i CPO convertible in the same price range. TODO: drive the 335i CPO convertible.

John, Nice review. I agree with almost everything you said. I did find the seats in the Mercedes to be flatter, harder and overall less comfortable. I also disagree with the C250 beating the BMW in any acceleration test. The C250 may give you the feeling of more acceleration due to a harsher kick down and much more sound into the cockpit but is realistically slower in every way.

Originally Posted by micknugget

John, Nice review. I agree with almost everything you said. I did find the seats in the Mercedes to be flatter, harder and overall less comfortable. I also disagree with the C250 beating the BMW in any acceleration test. The C250 may give you the feeling of more acceleration due to a harsher kick down and much more sound into the cockpit but is realistically slower in every way.

My road tests were a series of sprints to the next semaphore -- far from an ideal course, and not exceeding 6000 RPMs. I know the 0-60mph acceleration numbers. 5.9 s for 328i is smoking. You guys, who bought the car, definitely did more homework on this.

Originally Posted by Kamdog

Is it any cheaper if you only want leather, rather than leather and leather?

Fixed.

Originally Posted by Michael Schott

A C250 Sport with leather, sunroof, leather and premium is about $41,800.00 and a 328i with Sport Line, heated seats and premium is about $44K and you get 40 more HP and much more recent design.

Notice I said "real world pricing."

Use the X3 v. Glk350 as an example. We could not lease an X3 28xdrive for less than $650/mo. A GLK350 with more options and $3k higher MSRP (with 3-yr maint covered) can be leased for $530/mo., all lease terms being equal.

Granted X3 is more fun to drive, but the GLK isn't that bad, and more comfortable, which is most people look for in a crossover anyway. After trying to convince the other half for nearly a year to get an X3, finally I gave up, we went with a loaded GLK with the AMG package. It is her car, and her call.

Now driving dynamics is definitely more important when considering between a 328i and C300 (or C250 if one insists). Based on the MT comparison, C250 lacked straight line speed but did equally well, if not better on the turns and corners, evident by the g and slalom stats.

As far as the real world deals, similarly MB is more willing to deal on the C than BMW on the 3. When I tested the two two years ago, the E90 328i was a clear winner, but now the new C Sport is lower, with stiffer suspension, and staggered tires, the F30 328i loses a few good things that I really liked about the E90, they should be a little closer in driving dynamics.

Add the differences in the real world deals, my next comparison shopping may have a different end result.

Originally Posted by dtc100

Notice I said "real world pricing."

Use the X3 v. Glk350 as an example. We could not lease an X3 28xdrive for less than $650/mo. A GLK350 with more options and $3k higher MSRP (with 3-yr maint covered) can be leased for $530/mo., all lease terms being equal.

Granted X3 is more fun to drive, but the GLK isn't that bad, and more comfortable, which is most people look for in a crossover anyway. After trying to convince the other half for nearly a year to get an X3, finally I gave up, we went with a loaded GLK with the AMG package. It is her car, and her call.

Now driving dynamics is definitely more important when considering between a 328i and C300 (or C250 if one insists). Based on the MT comparison, C250 lacked straight line speed but did equally well, if not better on the turns and corners, evident by the g and slalom stats.

As far as the real world deals, similarly MB is more willing to deal on the C than BMW on the 3. When I tested the two two years ago, the E90 328i was a clear winner, but now the new C Sport is lower, with stiffer suspension, and staggered tires, the F30 328i loses a few good things that I really liked about the E90, they should be a little closer in driving dynamics.

Add the differences in the real world deals, my next comparison shopping may have a different end result.

Since when do magazine road tests deal with discounted prices?

Originally Posted by Michael Schott

Since when do magazine road tests deal with discounted prices?

In this case, they compared two cars that are $9k apart in list prices, not real world price, in part because the C250 is never designed to compete with the 3, C300 maybe.

Originally Posted by dtc100

In this case, they compared two cars that are $9k apart in list prices, not real world price, in part because the C250 is never designed to compete with the 3, C300 maybe.

Once again you are missing the point. Road & Track chose the C250 because it's the base C series and the 328 is the base 3 series. The base prices which are what's really important when choosing compare cars is $34900.00 for the 328 and $34800.00 for the C250 Sport. Both are the sport models.

Originally Posted by dtc100

. . . . the C250 is never designed to compete with the 3, C300 maybe.

Amusing comment in light of the OP stating he was specifically choosing between the two.

Originally Posted by dtc100

... the C250 is never designed to compete with the 3, C300 maybe.

If the C250 isn't meant to compete with the 3, then BMW had better watch MB carefully because from everything I saw in this magazine comparo there wasn't a whole hell of a lot in it. Bear in mind also that the C is the "last gen" in the sense that the platform has been around a few years whereas the 3 is the F30. That being the case, the next gen C (which pundits put at only being a couple of years away) has the potential to put the 3 to shame.

Obviously, I'm a BMW guy... I drove a C350 way back when and came away less than impressed, then also rented a C300 for a week about 18 months ago and felt still underwhelmed (though as a highway cruiser it was a fantastic car... the seats just weren't as nice as the sport seats in the 3'er). However, I think anyone at BMW would be fools to ignore the current C class. It's a damned fine car and like it not the C250 does compete with the 3, though obviously the bigger engined ones are closer in acceleration. However, the current platform and powertrain are old (the C250's engine has been used for several years over the pond)... put up against a new platform and new engine you'd expect a huge gap in numbers. However, looking at the article the older C gives up very little ground to the 3.

The only place in which the 3'er soundly beat the C was in straight line acceleration. Don't know if you've been paying attention but for many years the noise around here was that straight line performance isn't important; handling is. Especially if you go over to the M forums you'll hear that a lot... and this is absolutely true. Given that, if the Merc had a better steering rack then by my Bimmerfest math that would actually make it a better car than the Bimmer. It just lacks steering feel but performs as well or better in the corners than the Bimmer.

Not that you'll find me behind the wheel of a Merc any time soon... but I have to admit they're producing a very competitive product and the next generation is going to be interesting.

I was very impressed with the C250 and was actually planning on buying it until the F30 came out. The interior is very well done and looks nicer than the F30 but isn't laid out as well. Besides acceleration (where the F30 wins hands down) the C250 lacked behind in several areas. I didn't really care for the steering as there was a dead spot that would cause you to have to correct mid-turn. A few reviews have confirmed this. The seats were rather flat and hard. The parking brake was foot operated which just seems so antiquated to me. I don't like the command system as much and the screens are smallish, VERY small if you don't get nav. Even though it had several more options as standard the car just felt old compared to the F30. Even though the C2 Class is a very nice car, MB will need to due quite a bit to catch up IMO.

I imagine that the C250 is meant to compete directly with the 328i, specifically a 328i set up in a way that I would never consider buying one, myself.

Somebody must be buying all those low-optioned 3-Series that they use as service loaners! If they couldn't sell 'em they wouldn't build 'em! (If these buyers allow BMW to have enough profits that they can offer the fun-er versions, I'm all for it!)

The C-class never rises high enough on my short list to warrant serious consideration. It's just not my kinda car.

Originally Posted by Calvin Kim
Assistant Road Test Editor
Rodent Track

These two cars share many attributes—turbo inline-4 engines, rear drive and a compromise between sport and luxury—but they also have striking differ*ences. Visually, the boxier and more classic C250 appeals to me. But dynamically, I have to go with the BMW. While it may seem like a tossup, in reality, I would get whichever model came with a manual gearbox, and in this case, that would be the BMW.

Originally Posted by Michael Schott

Once again you are missing the point. Road & Track chose the C250 because it's the base C series and the 328 is the base 3 series. The base prices which are what's really important when choosing compare cars is $34900.00 for the 328 and $34800.00 for the C250 Sport. Both are the sport models.

That is exactly why it is not a fair comparison, the "base" C250 Sport trim comes with sport suspension and staggered wheels. For the 3 to have the same package it will have cost a lot more. In fact the MT comparision got a 3 that was listed $9k more than the C250 but still did not have the sport suspension/wheels/tires, which was why the handling tests was equal between the two.

I suppose if MB decides to make a "C200" with 1.6T and $3k less, because it is now the base C, it must be competing with the "base 3", not the C250 anymore. One can insist that the comparison is fair, and the C250 directly competes with the 328i, had equal or better handling results, other than starightline acceleration, but for $9k less. Pick your poison.

BMW decided not to introduce the current 320i to the US market, otherwise it would have been a fair comparison.

BTW, I was told the 2013 C250 will have a manual gearbox available.