Compare 2008 BMW 3-Series vs 2009 Mercedes-Benz C Class

2008 BMW 3-Series
2009 Mercedes-Benz C Class
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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 $33,899 $36,450
C-Class 4-Door Sedan 3.0L Luxury RWD 18 25 $32,225 $34,650
C-Class 4-Door Sedan 3.0L Sport 4MATIC 17 25 $33,666 $36,200
C-Class 4-Door Sedan 3.0L Sport RWD 18 26 $30,597 $32,900
C-Class 4-Door Sedan 3.5L Sport RWD 17 25 $36,270 $39,000
C-Class 4-Door Sedan 6.3L AMG RWD 12 19 $52,359 $56,300
Pricing
Invoice Price
$40,020
$33,899
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price
$43,500
$36,450
Monthly Payment Estimate
$725 / month
$608 / month
The Car Connection's Take
TCC Rating
8.6
8.0
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. For the price, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class offers sportiness, luxury, safety, and creature comforts in an attractive package.
TCC Likes
TCC Dislikes
Fuel Economy
City
18 mpg 17 mpg
Highway
28 mpg 25 mpg
Vehicle
EPA Classification
Sub-Compact Compact
Interior Dimensions
Second Leg Room (in)
31.9 33.4
Front Head Room (in)
38.0 37.1
Passenger Volume (ft³)
84.2 88.2
Second Hip Room (in)
- TBD - 54.9
Front Shoulder Room (in)
55.3 54.7
Second Head Room (in)
36.5 36.9
Passenger Capacity
4 5
Second Shoulder Room (in)
49.3 55.0
Front Leg Room (in)
41.8 41.7
Front Hip Room (in)
- TBD - 52.3
Exterior Dimensions
Liftover Height (in)
- TBD - - TBD -
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)
70.2 69.7
Track Width, Front (in)
59.1 60.7
Min Ground Clearance (in)
- TBD - 4.5
Length, Overall (in)
180.6 182.3
Height, Overall (in)
54.5 56.9
Track Width, Rear (in)
59.6 60.8
Wheelbase (in)
108.7 108.7
Cargo Area Dimensions
Trunk Volume (ft³)
9.0 12.4
Brakes
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
12.3 x - TBD - 11.6 x 1.26
Drum - Rear (Yes or )
NA NA
Brake ABS System
4-Wheel 4-Wheel
Disc - Rear (Yes or )
Yes Yes
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
11.8 x - TBD - 11.8 x 0.86
Brake Type
Pwr-Assisted Pwr
Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)
NA NA
Disc - Front (Yes or )
Yes Yes
Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)
16.1 17.4
Steering
Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)
- TBD - - TBD -
Steering Ratio (:1), Overall
16.0 - TBD -
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)
36.1 35.6
Steering Type
Pwr Rack & Pinion Rack & Pinion
Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)
3.0 2.5
Tires
Rear Tire Size
P225/45R17 P225/45R17
Rear Tire Order Code
NA NA
Front Tire Size
P225/45R17 P225/45R17
Spare Tire Size
NA - TBD -
Front Tire Order Code
NA NA
Spare Tire Order Code
NA NA
Trailering
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
- TBD - NA
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
NA NA
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
- TBD - NA
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
NA NA
Weight Information
Base Curb Weight (lbs)
3792 3737
Wheels
Front Wheel Material
Alloy Aluminum
Spare Wheel Material
NA - TBD -
Front Wheel Size (in)
17 x 8.0 17 x 7.5
Spare Wheel Size (in)
NA - TBD -
Rear Wheel Material
Alloy Aluminum
Rear Wheel Size (in)
17 x 8.0 17 x 7.5
Cooling System
Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)
- TBD - - TBD -
Electrical
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
- TBD - - TBD -
Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
180 - TBD -
Engine
Displacement
3.0L/183 3.0L/183
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
230 @ 6500 228 @ 6000
Engine Type
Gas I6 Gas V6
Fuel System
MPI - TBD -
SAE Net Torque @ RPM
200 @ 2750 221 @ 2700 - 5000
Engine Order Code
NA NA
Mileage
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
18 17
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
28 25
Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
- 20
Transmission
Trans Type
6 7
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.00 1.00
Trans Description Cont. Again
NA NA
Drivetrain
Rear Wheel Drive All-Wheel Drive
Reverse Ratio (:1)
3.94 3.42/2.23
Second Gear Ratio (:1)
2.46 2.86
Trans Order Code
NA 427
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
3.38 3.27
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.23 1.37
Trans Description Cont.
Manual Automatic
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.85 0.82
First Gear Ratio (:1)
4.32 4.38
Clutch Size (in)
- TBD - NA
Third Gear Ratio (:1)
1.66 1.92
Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)
- 0.73
Summary
Vehicle Name
BMW 3 Series Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Body Style
2 Door Convertible 4 Door Sedan
Suspension
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)
- TBD - - TBD -
Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
NA 3-Link
Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)
- TBD - - TBD -
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)
- TBD - - TBD -
Suspension Type - Rear
5-Link Independent
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
NA Multi-link
Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)
- TBD - - TBD -
Suspension Type - Front
Double Pivot Independent
Emissions
EPA Greenhouse Gas Score
- 5

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