Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2016 BMW 3 Series VS 2016 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, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, available all wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems and blind spot warning systems.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the BMW 3 Series Sedan is safer than the Mercedes C-Class Sedan:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the BMW 3 Series Sedan is safer than the Mercedes C-Class Sedan:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

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.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without their vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports predicts that the 3 Series Sedan’s reliability will be 88% better than the C-Class Sedan.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2015 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 6th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 12 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 14th.

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 Sedan:

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

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 stops shorter than the C-Class Sedan:

The 3 Series Sedan’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the C-Class Sedan’s (55% to 45%). This gives the 3 Series Sedan more stable handling and braking.

The 320i handles at .92 G’s, while the C300 Sedan 4MATIC pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The 340i 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 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.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The 3 Series Sedan offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer headlight washers.

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.

Insurance will cost less for the 3 Series Sedan owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the 3 Series Sedan will cost $3285 less than the C-Class Sedan over a five-year period.

Intellichoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the BMW 3 Series Sedan will be $5570 to $7767 less than for the Mercedes C-Class Sedan.

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

Strategic Vision rates overall owner satisfaction with vehicle quality. The BMW 3 Series Sedan is ranked above average in the Near-Luxury Car category. The Mercedes C-Class Sedan is ranked below average.

The 3 Series was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 20 of the last 22 years. The C-Class Sedan has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.