Need your expert advice - BMW or Mercedes?

[SportSedan]

Hello all,

I am new to this forum and need the advice of you German car experts! I am finally ready to purchase my first ever German car (long time American car driver) and I can't be more excited. I am torn between a BMW 3 Series (2011 or 2012) and a Mercedes Benz C-Class (2011 or 2012). I was wondering if you guys couple help me answer the following few questions to help me decide:

- Which car tends to require more maintenance?
- Which car costs less to maintain?
- Which car is better in the snow (I live in Canada and NEED a 4 wheel drive car)
- Overall, what are the pros and cons of each car?

Any other feedback and input would be appreciated!

Thanks

 

[peterleo]

Being a 3 series owner for many years (2003 330xi), I'm leaning a bit towards the BMW.
I can't tell you specific maintanance figures for a 2011/2012 car, but I can tell you that my 12 year old car runs like a charm, and I never had any major issues with it. I'm really very happy with it.
I think that both the BMW and MB are great cars, and it will ultimately come down to your preference.
Basically the BMW will be a bit more sporty and MB a bit more comfortable.
Reliability will probably be equal between the two.
Also, you probably already know this, but you'll need the 4wd versions for the driving in snowy conditions - BMW call it X-Drive, and MB call it 4matic.

 

[SportSedan]

Being a 3 series owner for many years (2003 330xi), I'm leaning a bit towards the BMW.
I can't tell you specific maintanance figures for a 2011/2012 car, but I can tell you that my 12 year old car runs like a charm, and I never had any major issues with it. I'm really very happy with it.
I think that both the BMW and MB are great cars, and it will ultimately come down to your preference.
Basically the BMW will be a bit more sporty and MB a bit more comfortable.
Reliability will probably be equal between the two.
Also, you probably already know this, but you'll need the 4wd versions for the driving in snowy conditions - BMW call it X-Drive, and MB call it 4matic.

Thank you very much for your response peterleo. It seems some people say the maintenance costs and reliability on German cars are terrible and others say it is great. It is really hard to make a judgement call when people are always on different sides.

Any other feedback would be greatly appreciated!

 

[mini_cooper4]

Thank you very much for your response peterleo. It seems some people say the maintenance costs and reliability on German cars are terrible and others say it is great. It is really hard to make a judgement call when people are always on different sides.

Any other feedback would be greatly appreciated!

With a 2012 3-Series you re looking at the F30 which is the latest 3-Series model.
A 2012 W204 means the previous generation of MB's C-Class.
F30 will have a better resale value if that matters to you.
On the other hand 2011 E90 3-Series are brilliant cars too.
The C-Class is to say the least a very successful Benz.
We have a company C-Class T Model that proved to be reliable too.
The small diesels aren't up to standards. I'd go for a high capacity engine with the C-Class.
I can't suggest any engines for the 3-Series as 2011-2012 could mean two different models.
Are you looking at the E90 or F30 3-Series?
X-drive is a brilliant 4x4 system. I have little experience with 4-Matics.

 

[Kowalski]

Thank you very much for your response peterleo. It seems some people say the maintenance costs and reliability on German cars are terrible and others say it is great. It is really hard to make a judgement call when people are always on different sides.

Any other feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Don't be put off by the insecure Honda and Toyota fanboys and the ignorant internet brigade.