New 2022 C Class vs Audi A4 vs BMW 3 Series
Discussion
I'm stuck on which one to buy between the three of them. Test driven all of them, and obviously all are nice to drive.
Pretty much same specs/engines etc. The only difference is cost.
A4 and 3 series costing around 33-35k and 2022 C Class 38k.
C Class felt the most special, but not sure whether its worth 3-5K more than others.
Can you help me decide?
Pretty much same specs/engines etc. The only difference is cost.
A4 and 3 series costing around 33-35k and 2022 C Class 38k.
C Class felt the most special, but not sure whether its worth 3-5K more than others.
Can you help me decide?
I have owned the new A4 and new 3 series, both in saloons and I currently have the previous C Class.
The 3 series is a country mile ahead of the A4 in terms of comfort (if you’re tall due to normal vs organ type pedals) and the BMW is a much better steer.
I didn’t appreciate how bad the A4 was to drive until I got the 3 series.
I now have the C Class, albeit previous version (2017) and it’s totally dull, unrefined and thirsty. Maybe the new one solves these issues.
For me, it’s the 3 series all day long.
The 3 series is a country mile ahead of the A4 in terms of comfort (if you’re tall due to normal vs organ type pedals) and the BMW is a much better steer.
I didn’t appreciate how bad the A4 was to drive until I got the 3 series.
I now have the C Class, albeit previous version (2017) and it’s totally dull, unrefined and thirsty. Maybe the new one solves these issues.
For me, it’s the 3 series all day long.
Trailhead said:
I have owned the new A4 and new 3 series, both in saloons and I currently have the previous C Class.
The 3 series is a country mile ahead of the A4 in terms of comfort (if you’re tall due to normal vs organ type pedals) and the BMW is a much better steer.
I didn’t appreciate how bad the A4 was to drive until I got the 3 series.
I now have the C Class, albeit previous version (2017) and it’s totally dull, unrefined and thirsty. Maybe the new one solves these issues.
For me, it’s the 3 series all day long.
Interesting insights. I found the A4 was a smoother drive with a better engine than the 3 series (40 TFSI / 320i).The 3 series is a country mile ahead of the A4 in terms of comfort (if you’re tall due to normal vs organ type pedals) and the BMW is a much better steer.
I didn’t appreciate how bad the A4 was to drive until I got the 3 series.
I now have the C Class, albeit previous version (2017) and it’s totally dull, unrefined and thirsty. Maybe the new one solves these issues.
For me, it’s the 3 series all day long.
I did find the C Class the slowest drive out of the 3 (engine made a noise when pushed) - but it felt the most special to sit in.
Just no idea how I will make the choice...lol
I think it depends which make you prefer, I have always been a merc man having owned 4 new ones, so would always choose one, so choose the make you prefer as they are all pretty good.
I have driven the others too.
Merc, nice interior feels solid and comforting, just find it very relaxing and insulating from the outside world.
BMW basic feeling inside, just felt it was missing something. Drove well enough, felt lighter on the road, didnt feel any quicker than the merc, timing them it was though, also a lot more economical than the merc by 5 mpg.
Audi better interior than the BMW , felt more modern. drove fine, could have lived with it.
I have driven the others too.
Merc, nice interior feels solid and comforting, just find it very relaxing and insulating from the outside world.
BMW basic feeling inside, just felt it was missing something. Drove well enough, felt lighter on the road, didnt feel any quicker than the merc, timing them it was though, also a lot more economical than the merc by 5 mpg.
Audi better interior than the BMW , felt more modern. drove fine, could have lived with it.
Export56 said:
I think it depends which make you prefer, I have always been a merc man having owned 4 new ones, so would always choose one, so choose the make you prefer as they are all pretty good.
I have driven the others too.
Merc, nice interior feels solid and comforting, just find it very relaxing and insulating from the outside world.
BMW basic feeling inside, just felt it was missing something. Drove well enough, felt lighter on the road, didnt feel any quicker than the merc, timing them it was though, also a lot more economical than the merc by 5 mpg.
Audi better interior than the BMW , felt more modern. drove fine, could have lived with it.
My family definitely view Merc as the ultimate luxury car (probably has to do with the community we belong to).I have driven the others too.
Merc, nice interior feels solid and comforting, just find it very relaxing and insulating from the outside world.
BMW basic feeling inside, just felt it was missing something. Drove well enough, felt lighter on the road, didnt feel any quicker than the merc, timing them it was though, also a lot more economical than the merc by 5 mpg.
Audi better interior than the BMW , felt more modern. drove fine, could have lived with it.
Would you say the interior build quality of the new C Class is good? I've heard lots of bad stories about the build quality being atrocious.
lookingforanewcar said:
My family definitely view Merc as the ultimate luxury car (probably has to do with the community we belong to).
Would you say the interior build quality of the new C Class is good? I've heard lots of bad stories about the build quality being atrocious.
You've driven it, what did you think? These kind of questions are all subjective really. Neither of the options are bad cars, it all depends on what you value. It's alright listening to journalists waxing lyrical about lift-off oversteer, but if it's spending 90% of its life on the motorway in rush hour traffic, it has little relevance. Comfy seats and a decent sound system might be way more important to you.Would you say the interior build quality of the new C Class is good? I've heard lots of bad stories about the build quality being atrocious.
Fusion777 said:
You've driven it, what did you think? These kind of questions are all subjective really. Neither of the options are bad cars, it all depends on what you value. It's alright listening to journalists waxing lyrical about lift-off oversteer, but if it's spending 90% of its life on the motorway in rush hour traffic, it has little relevance. Comfy seats and a decent sound system might be way more important to you.
Was just a bit worried about the build quality as past Mercs have been horrible build quality. It seemed ok from the brief test drive, a bit plasticky compared to Audi/BMW, but still looked 20 years more modern than Audi/BMW.
Should I go just go with gut instead of what popular opinion is?
lookingforanewcar said:
Was just a bit worried about the build quality as past Mercs have been horrible build quality.
It seemed ok from the brief test drive, a bit plasticky compared to Audi/BMW, but still looked 20 years more modern than Audi/BMW.
Should I go just go with gut instead of what popular opinion is?
By all means read the reviews and see if a consensus is reached, but your view is more important than anyones- you'll be buying it and living with it. Try and get some longer test drives to help form your opinion. The materials in the Merc don't look fantastic, but I'm only going on photos.It seemed ok from the brief test drive, a bit plasticky compared to Audi/BMW, but still looked 20 years more modern than Audi/BMW.
Should I go just go with gut instead of what popular opinion is?
They are all good cars. It's very subjective.
Depends what you are looking for really. I had cars from all those 3 brands and the one brand that I had more was BMW, had 5 of them. Had one merc and one Audi.
The Audi was fine but I just don't seem to gel with VAG cars, any of them. Not sure what it is.
The Mercedes was a C Class 250d and it looked good and was a good car but wasn't as comfortable as the BMWs (it's all spec dependend, I know) and didn't seem as solidly built.
Saying this I am know looking at the new C class and may be tempted to go that way, just waiting to see if ore engine options will be available.
They are all good and reliable if you are buying new. Buy the one you like to live in the most and you are fine.
Depends what you are looking for really. I had cars from all those 3 brands and the one brand that I had more was BMW, had 5 of them. Had one merc and one Audi.
The Audi was fine but I just don't seem to gel with VAG cars, any of them. Not sure what it is.
The Mercedes was a C Class 250d and it looked good and was a good car but wasn't as comfortable as the BMWs (it's all spec dependend, I know) and didn't seem as solidly built.
Saying this I am know looking at the new C class and may be tempted to go that way, just waiting to see if ore engine options will be available.
They are all good and reliable if you are buying new. Buy the one you like to live in the most and you are fine.
Appreciate your responses everyone.
I did check the volvo and alfa romeo but the infotainment isnt up to scratch. They also seem to cost the same as a new C Class on carwow....so yeah not for me.
On reflection, I am leaning heavily towards a new 3 series and save myself on a lot of money compared to new C Class.
I prefer the SE Pro suspension but worried the 17 inch wheels might not offer a great drive (only test driven the M Sport and found it a bit too planted to the ground). Does size of wheels matter when it comes to drive-ability, for instance on twisty roads?
I did check the volvo and alfa romeo but the infotainment isnt up to scratch. They also seem to cost the same as a new C Class on carwow....so yeah not for me.
On reflection, I am leaning heavily towards a new 3 series and save myself on a lot of money compared to new C Class.
I prefer the SE Pro suspension but worried the 17 inch wheels might not offer a great drive (only test driven the M Sport and found it a bit too planted to the ground). Does size of wheels matter when it comes to drive-ability, for instance on twisty roads?
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