BMW 318Ci vs. Merc C180K Sports Coupe [Archive] - Sports Car Forum

crayzayjay

10-27-2005, 11:18 AM

My sister is going to buy a new (used) car, and these are the two she's looking at.

BMW 318Ci

http://www.capitalcarsbmw.ie/usedcars/images/capitalt267.jpg
Power: 143bhp @ ?
Torque: 148 lb ft @?
0-60: 9.3s
Top speed: 135mph
Insurance Group: 13

Merc C180K Sports Coupe

http://www.diskdrive.co.za/road_tests/rt2002/images/MercC21.jpg
Power: 143bhp @ ?
Torque: 162 lb ft @?
0-60: 9.7s
Top speed: 138mph
Insurance Group: 13

She's not a nutter or a car enthusiast like me, and she'll be getting an auto. Knowing this, which one of these two cars would you recommend? She wants to spend about £12k and doesnt want the car to have too many miles on it (20k). Mercs of similar age and mileage to the 3-series seem to be cheaper and better equipped. Im not too sure about the reliability and build quality of the Merc though.

What do you guys think?

RC45

10-27-2005, 11:35 AM

Well - they are both chick cars.. so you can't go wrong with either... ;) :P

Neema702

10-27-2005, 11:58 AM

i would definitely go with the BMW. more reliable, more comfortable, and better equipped for the price.

taygunho

10-27-2005, 12:38 PM

I prefer BMW it is more reliable and safer car. IMO it looks better than merc.

Chaos in 1983!

10-27-2005, 01:47 PM

BMW...much nicer than the merc

Erez

10-27-2005, 01:50 PM

well what is she looking for.. i guess shes more into a soft ride right.. the merc then.. any BMW Coupe is far from soft ride..

crayzayjay

10-27-2005, 02:15 PM

nthfinity

10-27-2005, 02:37 PM

She prefers the looks of the Merc. I couldnt care what she chooses as long as it's reliable and not too expensive to run... which is why im a little concerned over MB reliability. The car bought will be of 2002-2003 vintage...

Keep the comments coming :)
i can assure you that data i have access to shows MB is over its previous issues with reliabity... when compared even to BMW, Mercedes actually has the edge in my 2001-2004 by a significant margin.

i would still get the BMW ;)

Erez

10-27-2005, 03:14 PM

i would still get the BMW ;)

:lol: me too.. for sure.. and as a BMW nutter.. i would take any BMW over a benz.. (well i do like the SL and CL.. but thats not the issue ;) ) but for a girl.. the BMW isn't a compy ride.. and the merc is more of a chick car.. but anyways.. what ever she'll get.. its a good choice.. :wink: just make sure its a good one with all the good options.. and low mileage

martin100

10-27-2005, 03:28 PM

I´m usualy a Merc nut, but in this case i´d take the BMW. It looks much better and the Sport Coupe is one of Mercs ugliest cars :wink: The quality of the BMW should also be better.

crayzayjay

10-27-2005, 05:24 PM

nthfinity

10-27-2005, 10:15 PM

I'm a BMW nut myself but it's her decision and she's leaning towards the Merc.

Does anyone have any actual evidence as to which car is more reliable? Different people are saying different things... :?
specifics, i have seen the data on the R1000's and other specific chassis reliability of BMW, Mercedes, Cadillac, Jaguar, Lincoln, Volvo, Saab, Audi, Lexus,... and Mercedes holds the best in All catagories... chassis, electronics, safety etc.

also, they have been steadily improving upon themselves; particularly in performance automobiles.

edit: id still choose the Beemer :lol:

crayzayjay

10-28-2005, 08:48 AM

Don't know about their reliability - but the Mercs looks damn ugly, and the bimmer, with some nice 17in BBS, would be perfect! :wink: ok, ok, I know that your sister only wants the car to go from A to B - but the question is why these only two options?
Can you think of any other candidates? She doesnt want anything Japanese, and i've ruled out Alfa for reliability (and depreciation) reasons...

ae86_16v

10-29-2005, 03:31 PM

BMW :)

crayzayjay

10-31-2005, 11:46 AM

Golf? A3? 120d?
She currently drives a Golf and wants to buy a coupe and not a hatchback ;)

crayzayjay

11-01-2005, 02:09 PM

Yeah, it is, but it just looks more coupe-ish to her i guess.... The CLK (current version) is far more expensive than either of these two cars.

crayzayjay

01-16-2006, 07:13 AM

Well it was finally decided... Here is my sister's new car:

http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/3231/bmw0033wy.jpg

http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/7171/bmw0057tr.jpg

http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/4717/bmw0070wk.jpg

http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/4863/bmw0014ex.jpg

http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/5292/bmw0090es.jpg

318Ci (143bhp)
Manual
Jet Black
Beige Leather interior
Sunroof
CD
Climate Control
Cruise Control
Multi function steering wheel
and all the usual BMW standard equipment.

It's a 2002 and has only done 24,000 miles, 1 owner from new. Excellent condition inside and out and was bought at a very good price. Needless to say my sis is very happy. Anyway, just wanted to let you guys know how it all worked out in the end...

dingo

01-16-2006, 09:04 AM

Nice car, good colour choice and I like the fact she got a manual. ;)

crayzayjay

01-17-2006, 08:11 AM

Right decision I'd say... and for what you're saying - seems it's in perfect condition! :D The equipment is quite complete, and 24,000 miles for a 2002 is not bad at all :P
It really is in fantastic condition, and the price was a steal :D

The only thing wrong with it is one duff speaker, but that can be changed very easily :)

crayzayjay

01-17-2006, 08:13 AM

Nice car, good colour choice and I like the fact she got a manual. ;)
Yeah, i convinced her to forget about an auto transmission as this is far more enjoyable to drive. And it has a better turn of speed ;)

crayzayjay

01-23-2006, 07:39 AM

Alloy upgrade. Either

http://www.bmworg.ru/img/cars/wheel/bmw_wheel_b044.jpg

or

http://www.bmworg.ru/img/cars/wheel/bmw_wheel_b068.jpg

Both 17". What do you guys reckon?

taygunho

01-23-2006, 09:51 AM

Alloy upgrade.

http://www.bmworg.ru/img/cars/wheel/bmw_wheel_b068.jpg

I prefer this rims.

No.1

01-23-2006, 10:25 AM

TransAm

01-23-2006, 10:34 AM

Nice! 8)

crayzayjay

01-23-2006, 12:41 PM

Nice car!

The BMWs are so well built - we've had a few and they've all been faultless

As for the rims, are the 18" M-Tech multi-spokes massively more expensive?

If they are, then from those two sets, get the 7 spokers - the 5 spokes look too cutesy on the cars that i've seen :wink:
The 18's are a bit pricier and of course replacement tyres would be more expensive. I think 17's will do the job. Keep the opinions coming guys, thanks.

http://www.bmworg.ru/img/cars/wheel/bmw_wheel_b044.jpg or http://www.bmworg.ru/img/cars/wheel/bmw_wheel_b068.jpg

TransAm

01-23-2006, 12:55 PM

I prefer the ones in the right hand pic

Very common on 330i's here, must have been standard fit for USDM 2001 and 2002 models.

I dont like the alloys in the left hand pic. They are very common on 325's and 740's here. I think they look awful on the 7 series.

How about M sport rims?

Like these: http://www.motorworld.net/forum/showthread.php?t=15122&highlight=batmobile

crayzayjay

01-23-2006, 01:14 PM

Those are nice. Werent those put on some E46's as standard? Im not sure which ones they are on this website (http://www.bmworg.ru/repair/wheel/disk_styles.php) which has a comprehensive list of BMW alloys. Is it bolted Style 42? 16 or 17"?

The ones i think look best on the car are the 18" MV's:

http://www.bmworg.ru/img/cars/wheel/bmw_wheel_b072.jpg

but as already mentioned theyre a fair bit more expensive to buy and tyres are also more expensive...

Erez

01-23-2006, 01:36 PM

congrats!! i'm sure she'll be very happy with it! 8)

No.1

01-23-2006, 03:57 PM

The ones i think look best on the car are the 18" MV's:

http://www.bmworg.ru/img/cars/wheel/bmw_wheel_b072.jpg

but as already mentioned theyre a fair bit more expensive to buy and tyres are also more expensive...

Them's the ones :D - couldn't remember the name - they were a toatl bitch to clean on our car, so maybe it is the right decision :wink:

TransAm

01-23-2006, 05:09 PM

^ My mate had those on his 330Ci, they are 18"

The wheels I had on my Z3 were special order. Might have been part of the 'sport' package. I have seen the same wheels on the 01 and 02 530i Sport and other Z3's but not seen them on a E46.