Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2016 Mercedes Benz C-Class VS 2016 BMW 3 Near Phoenix, AZ

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes C-Class Sedan have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision. The BMW 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes C-Class Sedan are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests front crash prevention systems. With a score of 6 points, IIHS rates the Collision Prevention Assist Plus in the C-Class Sedan as “Superior.” The 3 Series Sedan scores at most only 2 points and is rated only “Advanced.”

The C-Class Sedan’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the C-Class Sedan and the 3 Series Sedan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, front parking sensors, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and rearview cameras.

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

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

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2015 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mercedes 7th in reliability, above the industry average. With 27 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 18th.

The C-Class Sedan has more powerful engines than the 3 Series Sedan:

As tested in Motor Trend the C300 Sedan is faster than the 320i (automatics tested):

As tested in Car and Driver the C450 AMG is faster than the 328i (automatics tested):

The C-Class Sedan has 2.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the 3 Series Sedan ActiveHybrid/diesel’s standard fuel tank (17.4 vs. 15 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The C-Class Sedan has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the 3 Series Sedan’s standard fuel tank (17.4 vs. 15.8 gallons).

For better stopping power the C-Class Sedan’s brake rotors are larger than those on the 3 Series Sedan:

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

The C-Class Sedan’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 3 Series Sedan’s standard 55 series tires.

The C-Class Sedan has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The C-Class Sedan’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the C-Class Sedan’s wheelbase is 1.2 inches longer than on the 3 Series Sedan (111.8 inches vs. 110.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the C-Class Sedan is 2.2 inches wider in the front than on the 3 Series Sedan.

The C450 AMG 4MATIC handles at .93 G’s, while the 328i pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the C-Class Sedan’s turning circle is .3 feet tighter than the 3 Series Sedan’s (36.8 feet vs. 37.1 feet). The C-Class Sedan’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the 3 Series Sedan xDrive’s (36.8 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The front grille of the C-Class Sedan uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The C-Class Sedan has a larger trunk than the 3 Series Sedan (12.6 vs. 12 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults or children, the C-Class Sedan offers an optional power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button or just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer a power trunk.

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the 3 Series Sedan, the C-Class Sedan offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The C-Class Sedan’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

Optional air conditioned seats in the C-Class Sedan keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer air conditioned seats.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the C-Class Sedan second among compact premium cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The 3 Series Sedan isn’t in the top three.

The C-Class Sedan was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” in 2015. The 3 Series hasn’t been picked since 2014.