2008 BMW 3-Series vs 2008 Mercedes-Benz C Class

2008 BMW 3-Series

2008 Mercedes-Benz C Class

Select style

2-Door Conv 328i

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
3 Series 2-Door Conv 328i	18	28	$40,020	$43,500
3 Series 2-Door Conv 328i SULEV	18	28	$40,020	$43,500
3 Series 2-Door Conv 335i	19	28	$45,540	$49,500
3 Series 2-Door Conv M3	14	19	$59,755	$64,950
3 Series 2-Door Coupe 328i RWD	18	28	$32,750	$35,600
3 Series 2-Door Coupe 328i RWD SULEV	18	28	$32,750	$35,600
3 Series 2-Door Coupe 328xi AWD	19	28	$34,410	$37,400
3 Series 2-Door Coupe 328xi AWD SULEV	19	28	$34,410	$37,400
3 Series 2-Door Coupe 335i RWD	19	29	$37,905	$41,200
3 Series 2-Door Coupe 335xi AWD	19	29	$39,560	$43,000
3 Series 2-Door Coupe M3	14	20	$51,980	$56,500
3 Series 4-Door Sedan 328i RWD	18	28	$30,085	$32,700
3 Series 4-Door Sedan 328i RWD SULEV	18	28	$30,085	$32,700
3 Series 4-Door Sedan 328i RWD SULEV South Africa	18	28	$30,085	$32,700
3 Series 4-Door Sedan 328i RWD South Africa	18	28	$30,085	$32,700
3 Series 4-Door Sedan 328xi AWD	19	28	$31,830	$34,600
3 Series 4-Door Sedan 328xi AWD SULEV	19	28	$31,830	$34,600
3 Series 4-Door Sedan 335i RWD	19	29	$36,155	$39,300
3 Series 4-Door Sedan 335i RWD South Africa	19	29	$36,155	$39,300
3 Series 4-Door Sedan 335xi AWD	19	25	$37,905	$41,200
3 Series 4-Door Sedan M3	14	20	$49,495	$53,800
3 Series 4-Door Sports Wgn 328i RWD	20	30	$31,740	$34,500
3 Series 4-Door Sports Wgn 328xi AWD	19	28	$33,490	$36,400

Select style

4-Door Sedan 3.0L Luxury 4MATIC

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
C-Class 4-Door Sedan 3.0L Luxury 4MATIC	17	25	$32,401	$34,840
C-Class 4-Door Sedan 3.0L Luxury RWD	18	25	$29,388	$31,600
C-Class 4-Door Sedan 3.0L Sport 4MATIC	17	25	$32,401	$34,840
C-Class 4-Door Sedan 3.0L Sport RWD	18	26	$29,388	$31,600
C-Class 4-Door Sedan 3.5L Sport RWD	17	25	$34,317	$36,900
C-Class 4-Door Sedan 6.3L AMG RWD	12	19	$50,034	$53,800

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$40,020

$32,401

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$43,500

$34,840

Monthly Payment Estimate

$725 / month

$581 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

8.6

Read Our Full Review

8.0

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2008 BMW M3 redefines the performance envelope for BMW's 3-Series range--but at a significant weight and price penalty. You might be going too fast to notice, though.

More sport, more luxury, and more features for the money make the new 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class a more attractive possibility.

TCC Likes

Stunning V-8 power
Precise manual transmission
Supercar levels of traction

Choice of two distinct looks
Smooth, responsive V-6 engines
Sport model takes on the BMW 3-Series

TCC Dislikes

Techno overload with adjustable steering and suspension
Hefty, hefty, hefty curb weight
Cool interior -- maybe a little too cool

Lacks backseat legroom
Base instrument panel plastics look drab
Steering isn’t very communicative

Fuel Economy

City

18 mpg

17 mpg

Highway

28 mpg

25 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Sub-Compact

Compact

Interior Dimensions

Front Leg Room (in)

41.8

41.7

Front Hip Room (in)

- TBD -

Second Leg Room (in)

31.9

33.4

Passenger Volume (ft³)

84.2

89.0

Front Head Room (in)

38.0

37.1

Second Hip Room (in)

- TBD -

Front Shoulder Room (in)

55.3

54.7

Second Head Room (in)

36.5

36.9

Passenger Capacity

Second Shoulder Room (in)

49.3

55.1

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Rear (in)

59.6

- TBD -

Wheelbase (in)

108.7

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

70.2

69.7

Track Width, Front (in)

59.1

- TBD -

Min Ground Clearance (in)

- TBD -

Length, Overall (in)

180.6

182.3

Height, Overall (in)

54.5

56.9

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

9.0

12.4

Brakes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.8 x - TBD -

11.8 x 0.86

Brake Type

Pwr-Assisted

Power

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.3 x - TBD -

11.6 x 1.26

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

16.1

17.4

Steering

Steering Type

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Rack & Pinion Steering

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

3.0

2.5

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

16.0

- TBD -

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

36.1

35.6

Tires

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P225/45R17

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P225/45R17

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

- TBD -

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

- TBD -

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3792

3737

Wheels

Rear Wheel Size (in)

17 x 8.0

17 x 7.5

Front Wheel Material

Alloy

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

17 x 8.0

17 x 7.5

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Alloy

Aluminum

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

- TBD -

Electrical

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

180

- TBD -

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

- TBD -

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

200 @ 2750

221 @ 2700 - 5000

Engine Order Code

Displacement

3.0L/183

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

230 @ 6500

228 @ 6000

Engine Type

Gas I6

Gas V6

Fuel System

MPI

- TBD -

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.85

0.82

First Gear Ratio (:1)

4.32

4.38

Clutch Size (in)

- TBD -

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.66

1.92

Trans Type

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

Trans Description Cont. Again

Drivetrain

Rear Wheel Drive

All-Wheel Drive

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.94

3.42 (R2 2.23)

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.46

2.86

Trans Order Code

427

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.38

3.27

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.23

1.37

Trans Description Cont.

Manual

Automatic

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

0.73

Summary

Body Style

2 Door Convertible

4 Door Sedan

Vehicle Name

BMW 3 Series

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Suspension

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

5-Arm Multi-link

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front

Double Pivot

Independent

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

3-Link

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Rear

5-Link

Independent

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