Which would you rather?

"AM3R shamefully returns " (am3rshamefullyreturns)
06/28/2015 at 01:04 • Filed to: Germans

Ever since I picked up the C300 I’ve been hearing strong opinions going either way. I’ll probably end up writing a comparison if you guys would be interested. Anyways, which would you pick and why?

The Mercedes isn’t going to be with me too long, maybe another year at the most. The BMW might be leaving me.. For another 328i if I can find a nice E92 with 3 pedals. It’s that good as a daily.

Excuse the blurred plates, a buddy jailbroke my phone for me and got me an app that'll automatically do that.

DISCUSSION (30)

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > AM3R shamefully returns
06/28/2015 at 01:14

What about an ATS?

AM3R shamefully returns > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
06/28/2015 at 01:16

Those aren't under $20k yet are they?

Snooder87 > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
06/28/2015 at 01:17

This. Especially once the 2016s come out with CarPlay and Android Auto.

Herr Quattro - Has a 4-Motion > AM3R shamefully returns
06/28/2015 at 01:23

The Benz.

I hate BMWs. (Well, I like pre-E92. post-E92 everything became ugly as sin)

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > AM3R shamefully returns
06/28/2015 at 03:36

Of those two I say Mercedes. More reliable, and in my opinion better looking with a slightly nice interior. BMW’s just don’t do it for me unless it’s an E39, E46, E38 or the right E28. Even then, I’m not a fan of their interiors. Still, the C300 is on the boring, A to B appliance side of things as far as German sport/luxury sedans go.

AM3R shamefully returns > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
06/28/2015 at 04:02

Pretty much hit the nail on the head. I think it looks better interior/exterior wise and being a nicely optioned car it has more toys. But it is far less fun to drive. It’s nice taking this out on the highway getting 32 mpg in great comfort but I can’t enjoy this on back roads. Way better interior.

The BMW hasn't given me any trouble so hopefully the Mercedes is the same, it has nearly 20k less miles. I still need to find someone who can run the vin and check the service history though..

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > AM3R shamefully returns
06/28/2015 at 04:07

I don’t you will much trouble with either. Don’t know much about E9x’s specific problems but I’ve heard that the non-turbo versions are surprisingly reliable. 204’s in general are very good, mostly just normal service items and cam plugs which take about 5 minutes and cost hardly anything.

Any dealer can get you dealer service history for the life of the car, just ask for the VMI. It’s very detailed.

AM3R shamefully returns > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
06/28/2015 at 04:12

Yeah, naturally aspirated E90’s are pretty reliable. Good reason to stick to the 328i.

I’ll head to my Benz dealer to get a VMI soon, should I expect to have to pay for it? I was at the dealer last week actually, wanted to get a quote for installation of the lower mesh grill that’s behind the front bumper.. They want $500 for the fucking 30 minute job. It’s crazy, why does that need 3 hours of labor? I can do it in less than 45 minutes myself.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > AM3R shamefully returns
06/28/2015 at 04:26

Don’t pay for, if they want you to pay for it shoot me the VIN. They can email it or fax (easiest) it. It literally takes them two minutes to pull it and they should already be doing it every time a car comes in the shop (not that customers should be getting them unless requested, it’s meant for internal use like determining warranty status and checking history, etc.).

As for the grill, bumper has to come off and be partially disassembled. Book says it takes a couple hours. I’m not saying it’s right or wrong but that’s how quotes work in this stupid industry, book times. Though, I don’t know what the book says off the top of my head but 3 sounds a bit high, I would’ve guessed between 2 and 2.5 hours. It is what it is.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > AM3R shamefully returns
06/28/2015 at 07:18

Not yet.The lowest I’ve seen used was ~$25k. They just haven’t been out long enough to have those older, higher mileage versions out There. And it hasn’t been long enough to complete the first lease cycle yet.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Snooder87
06/28/2015 at 07:19

I’m pretty excited about that.

Alex B > AM3R shamefully returns
06/28/2015 at 08:06

Probably the C300 for too reasons: I think that generation looks really good and it’s a pre-LCI E9X 3 series.

Brian Silvestro > AM3R shamefully returns
06/28/2015 at 08:55

why do you keep buying the same/similar cars

don’t you want to experience different things

AM3R shamefully returns > Brian Silvestro
06/28/2015 at 13:52

The Mercedes is going to my sister in about a year, I got it for a steal because it needs some minor cosmetic things. Only bought it because she loves them and the price was right. Last year I bought an M3 for my dad as a birthday present so I’ve been holding off on buying myself something. The time is soon coming but I’ve been trying to get a Datsun 280z for a while now. I want something a little older so I can start working on it. The problem is I live in a house without a garage, so I can’t go too old. Might end up with an E36 or something.. Idk.

What do you suggest I try out next?

AM3R shamefully returns > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
06/28/2015 at 13:57

Thanks, I’ll ask for it next time I’m down there. If they can’t help me out I’ll be sure to let you know. I’m talking to an Indy shop to see how much they’ll charge for the job if I have the part. I’d do it myself but I don’t have the space to drop the bumper. HOA gets mad if I do any “serious” jobs in front of my house because I don’t have a garage.

AM3R shamefully returns > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
06/28/2015 at 13:58

I like the ATS coupe a lot, I'll check those out once the first lease cycle comes back. What's Cadillacs CPO program like?

Brian Silvestro > AM3R shamefully returns
06/28/2015 at 16:25

AE86!

Find a stock one, you’ll be idolized by all, and it’s also a great car.

Or a Miata. Sunburst yellow or Mariner Blue.

Or a Defender, because, you know, Defender.

Why not a Skyline???

So many options!

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > AM3R shamefully returns
06/28/2015 at 17:05

It adds an extra 2 years/20k miles to the warranty, which already surpasses all the other lux brands to begin with.

What if I told you I had a manual 2015 Coupe with 50k miles that you could get for $32k?

AM3R shamefully returns > Brian Silvestro
06/28/2015 at 19:01

I would rock the hell out of a defender, I see them every once in a while outside DC and I always loved them. If I could find one I would totally use it as a winter daily/weekend cruiser. The problem is I don’t have a garage, so rust and stuff like that plays a huge role in stopping me from getting something too old.

Skyline: I’ve been looking at R34’s not very seriously. It would be fun as hell but not having a garage (and them not yet being legal) is a problem. It would probably get stolen, and I don't even in a terribly bad neighborhood. I've thought about buying one and just storing it in Canada until they become legal down here, that way I can avoid the price surge that is likely to happen when they do become legal.

Brian Silvestro > AM3R shamefully returns
06/28/2015 at 19:03

Why not an R32??

AM3R shamefully returns > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
06/28/2015 at 19:04

I like the sound of that, might have to just check it out. I have rarely seen any of them out on the road.

AM3R shamefully returns > Brian Silvestro
06/28/2015 at 19:05

I dunno, I'm more of an R33 guy but if I found a nice one my mind would easily be changed.

Brian Silvestro > AM3R shamefully returns
06/28/2015 at 19:07

Aren’t you like pretty close to Japanese classics??

AM3R shamefully returns > Brian Silvestro
06/28/2015 at 19:11

I was gonna mention that next haha, I’m about half an hour outside DC which is a few hours from Richmond, which I’m pretty sure is where Japanese classics is. Later this summer I’m trying to make a visit down there to see what they have, I was actually emailing one of the salesmen about an E36 I found for sale in Japan a few months back. I still have his email so I'm gonna see if I can schedule a visit.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > AM3R shamefully returns
06/28/2015 at 19:16

http://www.moorecadillac.com/VehicleDetails…

AM3R shamefully returns > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
06/28/2015 at 20:33

I'll try to stop by if I'm ever in the area. Who should I ask for?

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > AM3R shamefully returns
06/28/2015 at 21:52

Ask for Shawn :)

AM3R shamefully returns > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
06/28/2015 at 21:59

Will do, either myself or my younger brother will eventually swing by to check it out. We’ll probably end up looking at an SRX as well, took my parents to the auto show last year and my mom really liked them. Escalades are a little too big for her.

pjhusa > AM3R shamefully returns
11/05/2015 at 16:55

LOL that 328 brings back nostalgic memories for me...

AM3R shamefully returns > pjhusa
11/05/2015 at 16:57

No nostalgia for me.. I still have it! Great daily driver.