Has anyone driven the two ? I know the 320 will be as fast as an auto 330i, but what about handling ? I keep reading in other forums that (people who claim they have driven both) the 330i w/ sport package will still out handle a C320 sport. I don't know about that. People seem to just automatically think the BMW will handle better, based on the thinking of the last generation C-class and 3-series (where the 3-series was much more of a sporting car). I have read MB has significantly improved the suspension. It would seem to me that C320 sport is a pretty good match for the 330i sport and can keep up with it in the twisties. Anyone know otherwise from experience ?

I extensively drove the 325i non sport and sport, and the C240 non sport and sport. Also drove the 330i a little.
While I of course bought the C240, I think the BMW overall is the better *driving* car. It is definately quicker, with better throttle response. It also does, I think without a doubt (at least in my mind) handle better. It has a huge advantage in having 17 inch wheels with real performance tires, a much stiffer suspension, and a MUCH lower ride height.
If speed and handling are your primary criteria, I think its hard to beat the 330i 5 speed. It really feels like a rocket. Even the 325i 5 speed feels very quick. Much quicker than my C240 6 speed. Both the BMWs have a "sports car" feel. I think the C is a nice handling car, but I would never confuse it for a sports car.
Of course, there are a lot of other criteria that go into choosing a car, and overall, my wife and I preferred the C. But, I can see how others would choose the BMW.

If only MB offered a more aggressive sport package with 17" rims instead of 16" inchers, and even lower profile tires than they offer now it would make a big difference I think.
Handling is not my primary criteria, but it is very important. But hey I don't want a BMW, I want a Mercedes. Maybe I should just wait a couple of years until the C-class gets a facelift. By then the new direct injection engines will have come out (that will probably eliminate the edge BMW has with better throttle response), MB will probably offer a better sport package with 17" rims and tires and better suspension tuning (like when MB further improved the suspension with the facelift of the SLK last year), and there are rumors of a C320 6-speed. I think I'll wait.

You guys must compare the C320 sport against the 330I. The C320 is a great handeling car, even the magazines that road tested it said so. The Sport Package on the C320 has body works, suspension, and a different high performance wheel tire combo.

__________________
"Damn the torpedos, four bells full speed ahead"
-Admiral Farragut




-1987 300E Smoke Silver
-1997 S320 Black on Black
-Soon To be E55 AMG
-27 foot Grady White Offshore Sportfish.

I hope this isn't taken the wrong way, but I can't help but interject in a Bimmer(Echo?) v MB thing:

Granted the 330i may outperform a comparably matched C320, the BMW is always a BMW and will never have the panache, style, class, or fine subtlties of ownership a Mercedes offers. The new C-class is beatiful and almost a work of art for a 30,000ish car, while the E46 looks bland and unrefined and blah - similar to the way the redisnged 5 was bland looking compared to W210 E-class desing. Seriously, owning a BMW is like owing a "Germanized" more expensive Toyota.

Fortunately, I don't have a problem matching up against Bimmers at least in terms of performance with my heavily modded C280, although its not a new car with GPS, keyless entry, etc (Right now performance means more to me, than four cupholders, Burlwood trim, and Nappa leather, 8 airbags and whatever else new German desingers chock into their cars - I will have a lifetime to own Benzes with those features). Anyways, I love my "well-cared" for old-styled, but timeless looking C280 and enjoy driving it all the time, and can outperform any stock E36 or E46 in a straight line or through through the turns. With 245 (from the modifications) horsepower and .92/.93 of lateral grip no stock (most I see are stock anyways) no e36/346 poses a realy challgenge (except new M3 - dah). Its funny when I encounter an e36 M3 (especially before I made my car real fast) - they always fell the need to pass me or try to overtake me, even if I went by them first - they must have a deflated sense of self-worth among other things. I find most Bimmer drivers (the young ones) to be stuck-up arrogant pricks who define themselves by their car , while I can comfortably cruise (or torch some of them) in my Benz - the finest mass-produced car on the earth. I sometimes I wonder what those new e46 cars will look like when they're five years old, probably not like my five year old benz - they'll be turned into long ago towards another new one. Basically, Bimmers age horribly - 1995 325is look horrible compared to my car and thats no understatement, and the e30 3 series pale in compariosn to similar year 190 series MB.

Anyways, enjoy your Benzes - new or old - stock or modified - AMG or regular. My would love to have a modified AMG one when I get out of college.

Happy driving in your Benz(es) and watch out for those Echoes (err - bimmers, but in the words of my best friend - "I think they look like Toyota Echoes!" - who drives a 1997 Trans Am.

Sincerely,
Troy

SV,

MB does offer it and it will be here soon. It's called the C32.

It's clear that you prefer handling and performance. But, how long do you typically drive the same car? Do you trade every few years and drive it less than 100K miles? If you do trade often, you'll be okay with the BMW. If you drive a car to high mileage, you'll find such things as timing chains instead of belts and other engineering differences to provide you with a longer lived car in an MB.

Good luck,

I'm not one of those people who gets a new car every few years, I plan to keep the C320 if I do get it. As you said performance is very important to me also. I think the C320 sport is a great performer as it is now, but the wise thing to do would be to wait a couple of years so they can give it a facelift, probably improve the suspension a bit, and offer a 6-speed. Then it will perform better than the 330i in just about every category (that's not the whole reason i'm buying the car, its just nice to know that your car is a really good performer).

If they come across with the C320 with a six speed, it should be awesome. The C240 with a six speed is surprisingly peppy. It feels peppier than it's 0-60 time would indicate. The 3.2 litre with the six speed should be incredible.

This V6 is proven and I believe the W203 car is well built. We won't know for sure until a few years pass, but so far everything points toward solidity and longevity.

Have a great day,

Hi..
I just got C320 Capri blue for my mom last tuesday. Comparing with 330xi, the car accelerate better at higher speed(on highway). But from stop, the all wheel drive 330xi is amazing. The response is instant and go. It really pull you to your seat until about 4000 rpm.The all wheel drive 330xi feels kind of slow on a highway. For the C320, well, it still has 760miles on the speedo. I am not going to push the car hard until about 2000 miles. But I am certain the C320 feels stronger at higher rpm. The handling is okay compared to the 330xi. It is far more better than lowered e420 sport. It has technologies similar to S-class. The instant response from the BMW might be from the electronic throttle and the All-wheel drive system. I never tried the standard 2 wheel drive 330i. But, it will be more fair to compare it again 330i rather than xi. Just my experience