2008 Mercedes-Benz C300: Benz or A4 2.0T?

i haven't driven the A4 yet, so i don't know... but i'd certainly take my GTI over the C300, which i have driven. (it was a loaner when the benz was in the shop)

I'd take the A4 for it's better styling (in my opinion), better fuel mileage (look at observed by owners), tunability, and likely resale value.

I've owned an american turbocharged 4-cylinder ('88 t-bird turbo coupe), American inline six cylinder ('97 wrangler 4.0), '95 turbo volvo inline 5 cylinder, 2 japanese turbo flat four cylinder ('05 saab 9-2x aero, 08 subaru legacy gt), american naturally aspirated 4-cylinder ('03 Saturn Ion), and a japanese naturally aspirated 4-cylinder (06 Civic SI).

The best for smoothness, responsiveness, fuel economy, and reliability have been:

1. The '88 t-bird....Ford made a world class turbo 4 cylinder 15 years before it became popular.

2. The 95 volvo 85 turbo....the 5-cylinder didn't sound good, but it was smooth, powerful, responsive, economical, and reliable.

3. The 06 Civic SI....soulless wonder mill. Sounds great too.

So I personally prefer a 20-year old american turbo four cylinder, a swedish turbo 5-cylinder, and a japanese high revving 4-cylinder over the one inline six engine and the two boxer engines I've experienced.

I guess I'm not yet in the group that the 6-cylinder is the way to go over a 4-cylinder.

That being said, I do love me a good BMW I6 or V8 :)

Joe

I just don't like M-B, so my vote is for Audi.

I have a hard time figuring why the engine seems so great in my GTI test drives but mundane in my friend's A4, but it does.

The A4 really does need that sound pipe.

Was your friend's A4 equipped with Quattro? If so, you are losing 10-15% more power to the wheels and adding several hundred pounds to the vehicle weight.

I've driven both and I can say that I hate the MB's driving style. Of course, my senses were probably tainted a bit because I also drove a 335i coupe and a 135i just before it. The Audi seemed to be much more 'solid' and didn't seem to roll as much in turns. Also, I like the Audi's interior much better. Overall, I'd have to go with the Audi.

It is quattro butI don't mean power, just the sound and feel of it in the car.

I would still take the Audi despite the less then luxury refined 4 cylinder. The Audi is more stylish inside and out, and is sportier.

I used to prefer a 6 to a 4, because they were smoother. However, the 4 in my TSX is so smooth I don't need a 6 anymore.

Unfortunately the Avant only comes with a Tiptronic so I'd have to get the sedan to get a proper manual.

Joe, having just returned from a road trip (metro DC to ATL to Tampa to metro DC) in my 325i, I second the motion on a Bimmer I6 -- my God, how I love that motor!
I've driven a C300 manual (before I got the BMW) and it just wasn't as sporty as I thought it would be. I really couldn't hear it either, but the drivetrain was smooth as silk and very refined.
I haven't driven the new A4 yet but have experienced the engine in the GTI and it was wonderful. I know the A4 weighs more, so that might dilute the performance a bit, but generally, I would go with the six before the four unless it was in the GTI.
Or, I'd just stick with the Bimmer.

2.0T is so torque laden, take that. You're the minority here as the same basic engine has won so many awards, I love the coarse snarl my FSI lets off.

I'd go with the A4 if only for the looks and the interior. That Benz interior may be well-built, but I just can't handle all of that black (yeah I know the seats can be had in other colors). It's like driving a coal bin. No thanks.

sabastian: the C300 i drove had the light colored interior and it looked and felt so cheap... believe me, black is the better choice. MB Tex is nasty...

Sorry, but my vote is with Audi. I have driven both cars, and i find the interior of the MB to be too plain. I also think that Audi's MMI is much easier to use than MB's Command.

As far as engines are concerned, I agree that the MB is smoother, but the A4 is torque rich, and capable of better MPG.

Oh, and the A4 looks modern without looking pretentious.

I think both cars have a great look to them, but I would probably take the Audi.

Im torn between the 2 for different reasons.

-I like the C300s (Sport) styling better vs the A4 sedan.

-If I was going to get an A4 it would have to be the Avant as I dont care for the sedan.

-The VW GTI DSG 2.0T I sampled back in early fall was actually a bit course. I was expecting a much more refined/upscale noise from the engine department as this GTI was very gritty. Could have been just that GTI but I dont know. (maybe Im spoiled by Hondas refined 4 bangers?)

-The A4s interior simply blows the C Class interior away in terms of design and execution.

-The 2.0T has proven to be more economical vs the 6 in he C300.

-I can get a 6MT in the C300.

This is about all I can base anything on as of now as I have yet to drive either vehicle. As of now Id have to side with the Merc.

Audi needs an Aluminum block for the 2.0T to help with it's weight. Both are good looking cars but I would give the nod the A4 because the C's interior still looks bad. I've never liked MB's interiors and while the infotainment looks to be world class the rest is still looks to be the same stoic Benz drabness.

A4 looks MUCH better and is larger and gets better mileage and has a much bigger trunk.

I would take the Audi because:

1) The Benz is plain ugly. They tried to incorporate the design of the S-Class in it and it just does not work. The back looks awkward; like ti has an underbite, and the front looks cheap. Not to mention the interior which would leave me impressed if I found it in a Sebring; not a Benz.

2) The Audi is probably one of the best built cars on the road today.

3) The Audi has top-safety ratings.

4) The Audi can look pretty sharp, even if you don't have any options.

5) I don't have to be one of the many driving the far too common BMW or Mercedes.

6) I don't have to deal with reading the word, "DAIMLER" on my car.

I'll take the G35/37 over both and the 328i...

louiswei, I must respectfully disagree with an 'Awww hell no!' :)

I am going to try and get a drive into the G35\37 this spring\summer to see what they are really like. Until then, I'll keep driving my 328i...

Wow, that's a tough call. I love the A4 interior, but the C300 seems like an outstanding cruiser, which is what I want.

I guess the only way for me to know for sure is to conduct my own long-term test. How soon can you get the Benz over here?

Josh,

If you are experiencing vibration in the steering wheel at higher rpms... well, something might not be right.

I've had a bunch of A4's and have an '09 Avant coming. None of the A4's that I've owned have had "bad vibes" in the steering wheel at higher rpm's.

My vote is for the Audi until MB brings this over to the US.

http://blogs.edmunds.com/straightline/2007/02/spy-photos-2008-mercedes-benz-c-class-wagon.html

-Mike

Vibey 4 cylinder engine with turbo lag for $40K? No thanks, I'll take the Benz.

I had a Golf 1.8T and was surprised as to how much nicer the Golf Gti V6 was. So much smoother and more refined. Seeing that the 2.0T in the Audi is a bigger version of my 1.8T, no thanks.
(yeah sure it's more refined blah blah blah but for Edmunds to complain about vibes sez it all).

I had an A4 for the day yesterday, and I liked it a lot. I know that it is slower than a comparably-priced BMW, and some of the electronic interfaces still bug me, but the interior is world class (unlike the Benz or a 3-series) and the car just felt solid, including the ride and handling. The car made me smile every time I drove it, which for me is more important than being able to dust 328's off the line.

This is a great discussion. I've always liked the Audi, but I'm spoiled by my VQ 3.0 maxima engine. Love revving it every day. The 328i I tested bested it for refinement, so I'd hate to step down to a more course engine. I feel I'd have to get a BMW straight 6 and look like a poser, or get a throaty V8, or go crazy and miss my old engine!

Anyone know how refined the CTS DI v6 is?

jederino,

my story is exactly the same. I had a 02 maxima se and loved its engine, but hated the fwd, cloth seats, torque steer, etc. So I got a 06 325i and now I'm power hungry.

As for these cars - both are too small. It's true that audi is better looking inside and outside, more efficient, cheaper to insure, more capable on the road, and a little bit more reliable. So audi gets my vote.

Vibey 4 cylinder engine with turbo lag for $40K? No thanks, I'll take the Benz.

There is no real lag with this engine. Just a wealth low and midrange torque.

I'd take the Benz 3.0 over the Audi 2.0T, but I'd also take a 328, CTS, IS250, or TL over either of them.

"I'd take the Benz 3.0 over the Audi 2.0T, but I'd also take a 328, CTS, IS250, or TL over either of them."

Not for me. My list would go 2.0t/TL/CTS/335. The two cars I would never buy in this class would be the IS and the the C-class. The IS is WAY too small, and the C-class is not the worth the money, especially compared to all the other cars you can get for the same money. Between the Audi, Acura, Cadillac, and Bimmer, I'd have to test drive each one to make a decision. I think I'd be happy with any of them, though.

Tim.

I would take RWD over AWD any time!

There are several slightly used 2008 C300 with 6-speed manual and P1 package around here for around $27k. All under 10k miles. Very tempting!

Did someone just attempt to bring up the VQ in a discussion about engine refinement??? o_o

@compliance,

jederino was talking about the 3.0-liter VQ in older Maximas, which really was a smooth engine, especially in '00-01, 222-hp form. It lost its characteristic smoothness with the displacement bump to 3.5 liters.

However, ctpax says the '02 Maxima engine -- i.e., a VQ35 -- was lovable too. I've never driven an '02-03 Maxima, so I can't comment, but the only VQ35 I've heard that didn't strike me as a bit coarse was in an '09 Murano SL.

-Josh

^ correction, Murano LE -- the high-end model. (Not sure if there's extra sound-deadening material between trims or not.)

If we were talking the previous generation of these cars I would have gone for the A4. I just thought that generation was timeless in looks and great to drive.

With the current generation, because both cars have moved so close to each other in every area, it is tougher. I would probably have to go for the C300, though, because of how I would use the car (I do a ton of highway driving). While the A4 is spry and athletic in corners it is busy and fidgety on the highway. The Benz may not be as fun to drive, but on the highway it is relaxed and stable in a way the Audi is not. It feels like a car twice its size while the A4 feels its size.

Maybe I'm getting old, but I no longer feel the need to suffer with a stiff ride to get performance I will never use.

I can attest that the engine in the MB is not lacking in torque. I can also attest that while not the sportiest combination in the world it is a willfull partner and motivator, and it is easy to pile on speed, especially on the freeways.

Having spent time in a CC, I can say that the 2.0T is torquey and smooth.... but just isn't a smooth as the MB's 6.

Here's a fun test. Go similarily option a C300 against an A4. When spending your own money, those options add up. And that is why we bought a C-Klasse.

That being said, I stand by the addage, "no replacement for displacement". Hence the 6 litre that motivates my daily driver. Smooth too, if you're careful ;)

Gotta agree with Josh. I had the chance to drive Audi A4 with C class 4Matic and etc last year at Audi's driving experience up in Northern California. The thing is the new A4 that they had at the event was all V6.

I had the chance to drive the I4 turbo a month ago at the dealer, and was surprised at how tinny the engine felt and the handling was more than light. I drive an Acura RDX, another I4 turbo, and surely Honda's was far better. My wife and I, both of who were present at the Audi event and had great fun in the 3.2 TFSI Audi A4, was pretty upset at the tinniness of the 2.0 A4 that we pretty much summed that the MB C class looked like a better deal, more so with the C class can be had at the A4 2.0T prices. Personally, I do not think the new A4 2.0 version will fare well in the market.

I think that the new A4 will do well, at least relative to the rather sickly market. I won't disagree about the two liter engine note. Almost sounds like the car has colitis. But OTOH, it's all about the handling for me. With the sports package the new A4, like the previous A4, really does have exemplary handling. And since the two liter engine is a little lighter than the six, the handling is even a touch better.

Edmunds along with some other publications has gotten excellent results in slalom testing. For example Edmunds has the new Avant at 69.3 mph, just 0.5 mph behind the new Nissan Z with the optional sports pack.

But then some folks don't care for the "compromised" ride characteristics that come with the stiffer suspension settings.

Frankly though, if I didn't have to lug a kayak around, I wouldn't have ordered a new Avant. I'd be saving my pennies for a new S4 with that supercharged six.

Honestly if you don't like the 2.0T's coarse greatness, there is a the 3.2 3.1L V6 with your name on it.

+1 for the A4... no you're not alone Josh, just close.

+1 on the Mercedes. I'm not a fan of 4-banger luxury cars.

In fact, I think it's time for the dinky V-6 to make a comeback. What's wrong with a 2.5 liter V-6? I'd take that over a 2.5 liter 4-cylinder any day. Why was Mazda's 1.8 liter V-6 so alone in the market? Imagine something like that today! Sheesh.

Soapbox now available.

I'm not sure the Audi's 90 degree (read: unbalanced) V6 should feel that much more refined than a good I4. Audi and Benz need to dump their current V8 based six cylinder powertrains and create a new family of engines. I cannot believe they still selling V6s spawned off of decades old V8 designs.

roar02ram- doubt you'll ever see new small displacement V6s in the future. Why? because DI 4 cylinders will produce almost as much power in an engine that's much lighter. A six cylinder engine will never be as light as an I4 at the same displacement. Plus, DI technology is being applied to both naturally aspirated and turbocharged I4s that yield good efficiency and excellent power and low end torque that a naturally aspirated six cylinder can't match.

+1 on the C-Class. I test drove both of these cars, and I liked both of them. Unfortunately, the A4 I drove was stock so I couldn't get a good glipse of the MMI system. However, the C-Class COMAND was really easy to use and very clean looking. In terms of the drive, I thought the C-Class had a much better ride - smooth and nice handling. Once optioned the way I wanted, I the prices were the same and I had a hard time justifying a $40k 4-Cylinder engine. Yeah the dash on the Mercedes was average, but the A4 looked way too busy with all the buttons and steps to get to something. Other gripes included the zero on the speedometer being at 6 o'clock, the back looking kinda awkward, and the single-sided exhaust. But you really can't go wrong with either car.

Benz all the way.