Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2015 BMW 3 Series VS 2015 Mercedes C-Class Near Phoenix, AZ

The 3 Series Sedan (except 320i) offers an optional Side and Top View Cameras to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The C-Class Sedan only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the 3 Series Sedan and the C-Class Sedan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding and available all wheel drive.

The 3 Series Sedan’s corrosion warranty is 8 years and unlimited miles longer than the C-Class Sedan’s (12/unlimited vs. 4/50,000).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 3 Series Sedan for 4 years and 50,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the C-Class Sedan.

There are over 12 percent more BMW dealers than there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the 3 Series Sedan’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2014 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 8th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 7 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 13th.

The ActiveHybrid 3’s 3.0 turbo 6 cyl. hybrid produces 6 more horsepower (335 vs. 329) than the C400 Sedan’s optional 3.0 turbo V6.

The 3 Series Sedan’s 2.0 turbo diesel produces 7 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 273) than the C300 Sedan’s standard 2.0 turbo 4 cyl.

As tested in Motor Trend the 328i is faster than the C300 Sedan (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the 328d gets better fuel mileage than the C300:

On the EPA test cycle the 3 Series Sedan gets better fuel mileage than the C-Class:

Regenerative brakes improve the 3 Series Sedan’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The 3 Series Sedan’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the C-Class Sedan are solid, not vented.

The 3 Series Sedan stops shorter than the C-Class Sedan:

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the 3 Series Sedan can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. Run-flat tires aren’t available on some tire packages on the C-Class Sedan.

The 320i handles at .92 G’s, while the C400 Sedan 4MATIC pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The 335i xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the C300 Sedan 4MATIC (25.6 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 26.3 seconds @ .7 average G’s).

The BMW 3 Series Sedan may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 300 pounds less than the Mercedes C-Class Sedan.

The 3 Series Sedan has 3.2 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom and .6 inches more rear headroom than the C-Class Sedan.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the 3 Series Sedan to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Both the 3 Series Sedan and the C-Class Sedan offer optional heated front seats. The 3 Series Sedan also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the C-Class Sedan.

On extremely cold Winter days, the 3 Series Sedan’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The BMW 3 Series Sedan has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

The 3 Series was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 20 of the last 21 years. The C-Class Sedan has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

The 3 Series was selected by Automobile Magazine as their 2006 Car of the Year. The C-Class Sedan has never been chosen.

The BMW 3 and 4 Series outsold the Mercedes C-Class by 89% during the 2014 model year.