Thinking about buying a Mercedes-Benz C350? Compare it to a BMW 335i first!

The BMW 335i Overview
BMW's 3 Series isn't merely the best-selling member of the compact-luxury class, it's the best-selling luxury car in the world. The reason is simple: The 3 Series defines its class like no other vehicle. In fact one could argue that the entire compact sport-luxury class owes its existence to BMW's 3 Series.

And a quick look at the current examples illustrates why. The current range of 328i and 335i Sedans and Sports Wagons, both rear-drive and xDrive all-wheel-drive, seamlessly balance performance, efficiency, handling, luxury and practicality in an uncanny blend, often leaving their competition lacking in most, if not all, of those categories. These BMWs succeed in both expected and unexpected ways, often setting standards at both ends of the design spectrum.

The Mercedes-Benz C350 Overview

Mercedes-Benz has placed renewed emphasis on the its C-Class in recent years. Together with last year's redesign, the effort has produced a notably more competent car. For '09, the lineup includes Luxury and Sport models for the C300 Sedan, plus a C350 Sport Sedan.

As the flagship C-Class, the C350 comes in only one guise - a rear-drive Sport Sedan with 7-speed automatic. Only the C300 offers the optional 4Matic or a 6-speed manual transmission. Standard equipment on the C350 Sport Sedan includes 17-inch staggered-width wheels, sport suspension and sport steering wheel, exterior cladding and minor interior trim changes.

Standard equipment on the $39,875 C350 matches that of its lesser stablemate, and includes dual-zone climate control, rain-sensing wipers, 8-way power seats, moonroof, Bluetooth and a central controller with a 5-inch screen. New this year are pelvic airbags for front passengers. Luxury models add Comfort Suspension with variable-damping shocks. Options include leather upholstery, Panoramic moonroof, bi-Xenon headlights, and a multi-media package that includes a hard-drive-based navigation system with CD-"ripping" capability.

 

What BMW offers…

• BMW's Twin-turbo inline-6 spins out more horsepower - 300 vs. 258 for the Mercedes - and far more torque: 300 lb-ft compared to 258 for the C350.
• The 335i sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds with manual transmission, 5.6 with automatic. The 335i xDrive is even quicker, 5.3 seconds manual, 5.4 automatic.
• Both the 335i and 335i xDrive offer a choice of manual or automatic transmissions, both of them 6-speeds.
• The 335i's Twin-turbo inline-6 is inherently smoother than M-B's V-6, with maximum torque from 1400 to 5000 rpm.
• With BMW's hard-drive based navigation, the 3 Series adds Real Time Traffic Info, 2nd-generation iDrive, CD-ripping capability, MyInfo and BMW Search.
• BMW's 4 year/50,000-mile Full Maintenance Warranty.
• 12 year/unlimited-mile corrosion warranty

What Mercedes-Benz doesn’t…

• Though it produces nearly the same horsepower, Mercedes V-6 lacks the overall character and smooth power delivery of BMW's inline-6.
• Despite the on-paper advantage of a 7-speed automatic, the C350 still takes 6.1 seconds to make 60 mph. This means every version of the 335i is quicker.
• Only the base C300 offers a manual. The upscale C350 is automatic only, and neither offers shift paddles.
• As smooth as it is, Mercedes' large-displacement V-6 can't match the smoothness of BMW's inline-6.
• Mercedes COMAND navigation has nothing like the intuitive access of iDrive, and features only a 7-inch display. It a hard-drive-based system and CD-ripping capability, but none of the other BMW features.
• 4 year/50,000-mile warranty, but no maintenance
• 4 year/50,000 miles corrosion warranty

Don't settle for the ordinary, drive something extraordinary. Expect the ultimate in performance and service by purchasing a BMW.

Visit Irvine BMW today, where we provide premiere customer service, high quality BMW vehicles and products, along with factory-trained technicians.

We look forward to seeing you soon, Irvine BMW of Orange County.

"A 328i possesses handling and driving dynamics that rival, if not best, many sports cars',

but ... the 328i also offers the refinement generally reserved for expensive luxury cars."

- Car and Driver, February 2007

Irvine BMW proudly serves Orange County - including Aliso Viejo, Capistrano Beach, Dana Point, East Irvine, El Toro, Foothill Ranch, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, San Clemente, Lake Elsinore, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Juan Capistrano, Silverado and Trabuco Canyon.