[Dan99]

This video explains everything:

 

[SpeedDemon]

I own both a 2003 MB C240 and have owned 3 E46's ranging from MY 2000-2005 and I can tell you that the C-class is without a doubt a better built car. Although the BMW is more fun to drive and it is more fun day to day, it falls apart. I have never had anything break on my C240. MB builds their cars rock solid!

That said, I like BMWs more and MBs don't seem to have any passion behind them really, but they are just genuinely fine built cars.

 

[fmre46fanatic]

that video was awesome

 

[330ciandr6]

I own both a 2003 MB C240 and have owned 3 E46's ranging from MY 2000-2005 and I can tell you that the C-class is without a doubt a better built car. Although the BMW is more fun to drive and it is more fun day to day, it falls apart. I have never had anything break on my C240. MB builds their cars rock solid!

That said, I like BMWs more and MBs don't seem to have any passion behind them really, but they are just genuinely fine built cars.

i disagree... i work on them both everyday

 

[sonspot]

you guys keep going on about sluch box and what not, please show of hands if you track your car at least three to ten times per year (winter states less), i really dont think 30% of track our cars and when we do, i dont think i we drive it to the max, so MB, BMW, Audi are all good driving machine,.

if your not tracking your car MB would be a good choice if not great choice. i drive my car hard but you cannt do that everyday, everytime you get in it. MB is not making track cars, just good performance and comfort on the streets and you have to respect that..

leave the auto guys alone, truth be told some of these auto's can and will beat a manual off the line and just as fun to drive.

thanks

 

[fmre46fanatic]

v8 benz owns m3 and m6........ its an auto... so is it really a slush box?

 

[iftwb]

The C63AMG does not own the M3. Maybe in a straight, but who is to say that the M3 cannot come with a larger engine if BMW wanted to. As for the other 6.2L/6.3L V8s found in other ranges; the same can be applied. Overall, a car is based upon how well it handles on a track and the times it gets - because it basically tests each and every single function and capacity of the car. I know not all of us can base our decision just on mere track times because we don't all take our cars and drive them on race tracks. However, as soon as you bring V8s into the equation and things like ///M and AMG, its obviously pointing out the difference between everyday streetuse against performance, track cars. Hence, track times do give a rough idea.

From viewing most track times set by both brands on Nürburgring and other tracks such as the track Top Gear use to benchmark their cars, the M3 and M5 have produce some considerably exceptional times. However, with the introduction of Mercedes-Benz CLK63AMG Black Series and BMWs new Twin-turbocharged M5; we may see a change in what is to come.

 

[TerraPhantm]

you guys keep going on about sluch box and what not, please show of hands if you track your car at least three to ten times per year (winter states less), i really dont think 30% of track our cars and when we do, i dont think i we drive it to the max, so MB, BMW, Audi are all good driving machine,.

if your not tracking your car MB would be a good choice if not great choice. i drive my car hard but you cannt do that everyday, everytime you get in it. MB is not making track cars, just good performance and comfort on the streets and you have to respect that..

leave the auto guys alone, truth be told some of these auto's can and will beat a manual off the line and just as fun to drive.

thanks

I didn't buy the manual for performance, if I was looking for performance I wouldn't have bought a 330i. I bought manual for the drivers involvement, and even though my shifting skills are subpar I'd still by stick over auto any day. There are some very good automatics out there, just look at the 335i, but there's still nothing like rowing your own gears. My decision to drive stick has very little to do with going to the track or obtaining max performance.

 

[CessnaPilot]

Yes

v8 benz owns m3 and m6........ its an auto... so is it really a slush box?

Slush box
A derogatory colloquial term for an Automatic transmission used by those who prefer a Manual transmission.

 

[TerraPhantm]

My understanding is that the "slush" refers to the really thick fluid used in the torque converter to transfer the power to the wheels.

 

[mpollard]

I have one of each. I would take the BMW every day of the week, for the driving experience.

 

[iftwb]

What do people think about Audi? I really liking their new designs and models lately. Big improvement over the years.

 

[sonspot]

I didn't buy the manual for performance, if I was looking for performance I wouldn't have bought a 330i. I bought manual for the drivers involvement, and even though my shifting skills are subpar I'd still by stick over auto any day. There are some very good automatics out there, just look at the 335i, but there's still nothing like rowing your own gears. My decision to drive stick has very little to do with going to the track or obtaining max performance.

i agree to agree with you and disagree for agreeing with you :hmm:,..
the only auto i drive is the work truck or family car when we're not taking my car, i cannt see myself buying a auto this point in my life but am not etching to be one with my car everyday,.

on the othre side if was looking for a car and the price was right i think i could compromise and get a auto MB (in a few years not now)..


thanks

 

[fmre46fanatic]

The C63AMG does not own the M3. Maybe in a straight, but who is to say that the M3 cannot come with a larger engine if BMW wanted to. As for the other 6.2L/6.3L V8s found in other ranges; the same can be applied. Overall, a car is based upon how well it handles on a track and the times it gets - because it basically tests each and every single function and capacity of the car. I know not all of us can base our decision just on mere track times because we don't all take our cars and drive them on race tracks. However, as soon as you bring V8s into the equation and things like ///M and AMG, its obviously pointing out the difference between everyday streetuse against performance, track cars. Hence, track times do give a rough idea.

From viewing most track times set by both brands on Nürburgring and other tracks such as the track Top Gear use to benchmark their cars, the M3 and M5 have produce some considerably exceptional times. However, with the introduction of Mercedes-Benz CLK63AMG and BMWs new Twin-turbocharged M5; we may see a change in what is to come.

need to watch the vids i posted earlier my little paddowan
black series owns m3 and m6 in EVERY CATEGORY acceleration, tracktime, braking, slalom, top end speed, horsepower

documented facts u NOOB

 

[fmre46fanatic]

I happen to love e46 and will never get rid of mine but the $130,000 clk 63 black series is a far superior car in every category except for the fact that it has the wrong propeller emblem on its bonnet

 

[GoingNuts]

What do people think about Audi? I really liking their new designs and models lately. Big improvement over the years.

Well, the Audi brand is third rate. A good looking third rate car is still third rate. On the up side, third rate is better than the forth rate brands such as Lexus.

 

[zhp pilot]

I happen to love e46 and will never get rid of mine but the $130,000 clk 63 black series is a far superior car in every category except for the fact that it has the wrong propeller emblem on its bonnet

this should be expected since it cost twice as much as an m3.

 

[Rayce185]

Well, the Audi brand is third rate. A good looking third rate car is still third rate. On the up side, third rate is better than the forth rate brands such as Lexus.

Wow, what the hell? Just because Audi doesn't have a history as long and successful as Daimler or BMW doesn't make them third class. Over here these three brands are seen as equal, and Audi has definately stepped up their game in the last years. I would never underestimate or even look down on an Audi.

You can't just bluntly say that BMW or Daimler are better. It doesn't depend on who makes better advertisements or who has a larger fan community. It's all about what you're after, as in superior features on the cars you are comparing. Why would I care that the one car has 10hp more if I need the extra trunk size from the other?
It's all about facts and comparing them. What options do they have? Which of them is interesting to me, which one is better? How is the reliability? What breaks often? What are the maintenance costs?

I hope you're getting my point. It's not about 320i > C200, but what your personal preferences are.

 

[iftwb]

need to watch the vids i posted earlier my little paddowan
black series owns m3 and m6 in EVERY CATEGORY acceleration, tracktime, braking, slalom, top end speed, horsepower

documented facts u NOOB

Childish! Simply childish! There's no need to get angry and use personal attacks such as 'NOOB' against me. We both have our own share of knowledge in our cars!

By the way, if you read over my previous post right after you mentioned 'V8 Benz', I specifically compared the C63 AMG and the M3 - because as YOU would know, you made a generalised statement about V8 Benz owning M3s and M6s and as YOU would also know, the 6.2L/6.3L NA V8 engineered by Mercedes-Benz is a common platform used across much of their range. So I didn't know what you were referring to.
However, later on I did mention the CLK63AMG Black Series! But I mentioned it in conjunction with the new bi-turbo M5. Perhaps you shouldn't attack me, relax a bit and read over my post before you attack me for something I did not state! I never stated that the Black Series doesn't 'own' the M3 or the M5/M6!

By the way, of course... Like someone mentioned before, you would expect the Black Series to 'own' the current M3, M5 and the M6. Its twice as much [greater standards with greater costs] and it is a much newer car with a sole purpose - beat its currently available rivals. You cannot possibly compare the M3 to the Black Series, solely because they're on two different platforms all together. Sure, they're both V8s, but the best comparison for the M3 would be the C63AMG. So rather than vaguely comparing ONE AMG to nearly the entire entourage of ///M cars, be more specific. I'd expect more from someone who regards me as a 'paddawan learner' to make more realistic comparisons. :excited::bow::excited::bow:

Secondly, the Black Series is a fairly new car as I previously mentioned. It has been designed and introduced with performance improvements over its original successor, obviously the CLK63AMG. Keep in mind, the E60 M5 came out in 2004 and the M6 came out in 2005 [I use both of them because they use the same NA V10 engines]. That's an almost staggering 4-5 years ago as soon as we hit 2009 [DUHH!]. Of course you'd expect cars such as Cadillac CTS-V [570+bhp supercharged V8 - and just to add!] and the CLK63 AMG Black Series to outperform these cars. Hence the reason why I brought up the possible introduction of a bi-turbo M5 [predicted by what appears to be an intercooler and air vents located in the front of a new prototype M5], which would be a good rival to the new CLK63AMG Black Series.

Some would say that, Mercedes-Benz do make some really good NA V8 engines, perhaps some of the best in the world; but that doesn't mean BMW can't do the same! They too, with patience, sophisticated engineering, can also throw in large engines [6.2L+] into their cars , and with the expectation to implement their notorious 'handling ability'; I'm sure BMW could come up with the same outstanding results - but they don't need to because even with a standard 5.0 NA V10 in the E60 M5; BMW managed to accomplish faster track times than most of the other 6.2L NA V8s found in cars such as the E63AMG, CLK63AMG and at times, coming close to the almighty CLS-63AMG!

 

[GoingNuts]

Wow, what the hell? Just because Audi doesn't have a history as long and successful as Daimler or BMW doesn't make them third class. Over here these three brands are seen as equal, and Audi has definately stepped up their game in the last years. I would never underestimate or even look down on an Audi.

You can't just bluntly say that BMW or Daimler are better. It doesn't depend on who makes better advertisements or who has a larger fan community. It's all about what you're after, as in superior features on the cars you are comparing. Why would I care that the one car has 10hp more if I need the extra trunk size from the other?
It's all about facts and comparing them. What options do they have? Which of them is interesting to me, which one is better? How is the reliability? What breaks often? What are the maintenance costs?

I hope you're getting my point. It's not about 320i > C200, but what your personal preferences are.

It all depends on the market the car is intened for. Audi aims lower than BMW, Ford aims lower than Audi, etc. The Japanese aims all over the place and never quite get anywhere.

On the scales of commonly seen European brands, Audi comes third. It doesn't mean they are third most reliable. For all I know they could be the most reliable of them all. But that isn't all that relevant for a lot of people who buy BMW's and MB's. For instance, no matter how fast, how cheap, or how reliable the Japanese cars, I'd still buy a BMW because the BMW is aimed at me, the Japanese cars are not. Audi don't quite have the higher aim for a lot of the BMW owners.