NFRs2000NYC

I know I am getting flamed hard for this, but.....

Ive always lived and thought this way....if you cant afford a real benz or BMW, get something good you can afford.

Cheap benzes (not monetary, class wise) are pieces of sh!t. A C-class is a huge waste of money. Overpriced, problems out the a$$, blah blah blah. Get a lexus, infiniti, or acura for that money.

THe X3 from BMW is a sorry excuse for a car, and so it the C class.

reidconti

Well, I'm a big BMW fan, however this is an interesting question.

The new C350 (well, more like the new 3.5) has gotten really good reviews. Also, Mercedes is finally offering a real transmission in their cars (assuming the C350 can be had in a stick), so that's very compelling. Plus the C class is a very very slick looking car.

I personally don't care why someone thinks I bought a car, I buy them to drive, so who cares how common it is? But personally I vastly prefer the E46 to the new E90 3 series that will be out in 2006. Although, rumor has it that the 335 will have a turbocharged 3 liter 6.... woohoo. not sure on release date though.

I'd go for a 2005 330Ci with performance package... my buddy has one in blue, it's absolutely beautiful... 18's, 6 speed, yummy! Much more of a driver's car than the C350 I imagine, but I can't say the same about the non-performance package E46 330, or the new E90.

BTW the performance package can now be had on the coupe and cabrio as well as the sedan...

reidconti

Oops, forgot to add...

I sorta agree with this sentiment. I told myself I wouldn't buy another German car (after my VW Corrado VR6 problems) until I could afford a GOOD one. But then I bought a 6 year old M3, and it was sure as hell an awesome and rock solid car. I think the C class and 3 series are very good cars, as long as you're not buying the absolute stripped down model and struggling to make payments on that. If you're looking 330 or C350, I think you'll get a fine car. (I'm thinkg a 330 ZHP will be cheaper than a C350?)

Mercedes is seriously, seriously suffering from quality problems of late.. and cutting back their service. I have heard reports of increasing BMW quality problems as well, but I simply haven't seen it from the BMW club folk.

Original poster was comparing the C350 to the 330, not the X3.

I simply wouldn't recommend a Lexus to someone looking at a C class or 3 series, .... although I might consider the G35 (at least the coupe, the sedan is ugly IMO) or the Acura TL.. beautiful car, although FWD is a fatal flaw..

Legal Bill

The "real" BMW was always the small sport sedan or coupe. The 1600 and 2002 are the cars that put BMW on the map. The 2800-3.0CS coupes were the higher end cars, but they were small too. They eventually evolved into the 6 series. The 5 and 7 series are the afterthoughts.

**Jay-V**

Just ended our lease with our E46 325i. No problems in 3 years. Once my lease with my S is over, I will deifinitely be looking into another BMW

pbm317

You willing to wait for the IS350?

hpark

Slamnasty

Being of Italian descent, I can appreciate that one.

Mark_is300

I like the 330i better (except styling), but first model year for Bimmer might have some reliability issues.
I'd wait for the IS350 though. My 01' IS300 was a very solid car and almost trouble free.

AP1ByDesign

Me jaded? Evo remember?