Thinking about buying a Mercedes-Benz C300? Compare it to a BMW 328i first!


The BMW 328i 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 C300 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. M-B's 4Matic AWD is available only on the C300.

The base C300 (Luxury and Sport) includes a 3.0-liter, 228-hp V-6 driving through a 7-speed automatic; only the C300 Sport offers the option of a 6-speed manual. Despite the name differences the C-Class models correspond to 3 Series cars with or without a Sport Package. The $33,775 C300 Sport, for instance, includes 17-inch staggered-width wheels, sport suspension and sport steering wheel, exterior cladding and minor interior trim changes.

Standard equipment for both Sport and Luxury versions 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.



BMW vs. Mercedes-Benz C300


What BMW offers…

  • BMW's inline-6 makes significantly more power - 230 hp with 200 lb-ft of torque. This results in much quicker, more tractable 3 Series.
  • The 328i sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds with manual transmission, 6.9 with automatic. With the 328i xDrive, those figures are 6.9 manual, 7.1 automatic.
  • Both the 328i and 328i xDrive offer a choice of manual or automatic transmissions, both of them 6-speeds. And BMW's automatic offers steering wheel shift-paddles.
  • The 328i's 3.0-liter inline-6 is inherently smoother than the Mercedes V-6.
  • The 328i's sporting credentials include larger front brakes and lighter weight.
  • BMW's 2nd-generation iDrive offers a completely revised, highly intuitive interface, 8.2-inch color monitor, programmable memory keys and quick-access buttons.
  • 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 miles 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.
  • With 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic, the C300 needs 7.1 seconds to make 60 mph. This is despite the M-B's 225 lb-ft of torque and 7-speed automatic.
  • Only the C300 Sport offers a 6-speed manual. The Luxury and 4Matic models are automatic only, and none offer shift paddles.
  • As smooth as it is, Mercedes' V-6 can't match the smoothness of BMW's inline-6.
  • Mercedes C300 luxury weighs in at 3560 lbs, nearly 130 lbs more than the automatic 328i. Comparing manual transmission models, the Mercedes is 165 lbs heavier.
  • Mercedes COMAND navigation has nothing like the intuitive access of iDrive, and features only a 7-inch display.
  • The C-Class includes a hard-drive-based system and CD-ripping capability, but none of the other BMW features.
  • 4 year/50,000-mile, but no maintenance included
  • 4 year/50,000 miles corrosion warranty


"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

Shelly BMW proudly serves Orange County - including Anaheim, Atwood, Brea, Buena Park, Cypress, Diamond Bar, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, La Palma, La Habra, Lakewood, Midway, Placentia, Pomona, Rowland Heights, Stanton, Whittier, Westminster and Yorba Linda.

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Posted vehicle images and descriptions on our website is representative to what is provided by our suppliers. Please note that the actual vehicle may slightly differ from its specifications and/or images. The Dealership is not responsible for any typographical, pricing, product specifications, advertising or shipping errors. Advertised prices and availability are subject to change without notice.

In the event a vehicle is posted at an incorrect price due to these errors, or if an error in pricing was received from our suppliers, the Dealership reserves the right to refuse and/or cancel these orders.

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We will make our best efforts that posted prices are always accurate however, we are not responsible for any typographical or other errors that may appear on the site. If the posted price for a vehicle or service is incorrect due to a typographical or other error, such as data transmission, etc., this Dealership or Pixel Motion, Inc. are only responsible for the correct price, which will be provided as soon as we are made aware of such error(s). Ultimately, it is your responsibility to ensure that the information is 100% accurate with the Dealer.

Posted vehicle images and descriptions on our website is representative to what is provided by our suppliers. Please note that the actual vehicle may slightly differ from its specifications and/or images. The Dealership is not responsible for any typographical, pricing, product specifications, advertising or shipping errors. Advertised prices and availability are subject to change without notice.

In the event a vehicle is posted at an incorrect price due to these errors, or if an error in pricing was received from our suppliers, the Dealership reserves the right to refuse and/or cancel these orders.