BMW 320i v Mercedes-Benz C 200
The rear-drive sedan genre was once a local manufacturing staple, but once those final Falcons and Commodores are cleared, a couple of prestige players stand to benefit significantly.
Regardless of the bleak local story, the trend towards smaller, usually European sedans has strengthened with time, thanks largely to two bitter Germanic rivals: the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
With competition has come the need for built-in value, to the point where either company can steer you towards an entry-level 320i or C 200 for $60,000; a realistic reach for many salary sacrificers or those on a company car plan.
Upon its release in 2012, the F30 BMW 3 Series has set a dynamic benchmark for the medium sedan segment. But with the elegant W205 Mercedes-Benz C-Class in Australian showrooms this month (August 2014), it faces its toughest challenge yet.
It's official: The BMW 3 Series has overtaken the outgoing Mercedes-Benz C-Class in the battle for sales supremacy. According to VFACTS July 2014 figures, the 3 Series (Sedan only) sold 320 examples for that month, for a year-to-date total of 2533 units.
This overtakes the C-Class, the long-established leader of the Medium (over $60,000) segment, which sold 121 units in July for 2522 sales YTD. It may be a hollow victory – stock of the now-superseded Mercedes-Benz product had all-but dried up by July – but it establishes a target for the new-generation car.
Mercedes-Benz suggests the C 200 will continue being the volume seller, not only for C-Class, but for Mercedes-Benz as a whole.
By now, the specification of the BMW 320i is familiar. Priced from $60,500 (plus on-road costs) the featured example adds metallic paint ($1415), adaptive M suspension ($1692) and BMW's ConnectedDrive Freedom package ($923), which offers regular ConnectedDrive features plus remote and concierge services, along with real-time traffic information. This example is also fitted with the no-cost 'Sport Line' pack, which brings Sports seats trimmed in Dakota leather and 17-inch alloy wheels fitted with 225/50-series rubber, among other cosmetic touches. All up, this particular 320i costs $64,530 (plus ORCs).
Under the bonnet lies a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, producing 135kW at 5000rpm and 270Nm from 1250-4000rpm. It's coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission. On-paper fuel consumption is a frugal 6.0L/100km, with claimed 0-100km/h acceleration of 7.3 seconds.
Moving to Stuttgart, it is clear that the new C-Class has a style which unmistakably links it to its larger siblings. Its lines are immediately more curvaceous than the 320i, especially towards the rear end where the 3 Series shows its age in comparison.
That sleek exterior feel also permeates inside. This C 200's interior is trimmed in ARTICO man-made leather, which is only available with the AVANTGARDE equipment line.
Standard equipment is expansive, and features programmable LED ambient lighting, DAB+ digital radio capability, four-way electrically-adjustable front seats, AGILITY drive modes (allowing Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus and Manual settings for engine, transmission and steering response), passive entry and push-button start and idle stop-start.
Blind Spot assist and collision prevention assist plus, which can independently brake the vehicle where required for safety, are also fitted.
Priced from $60,900 (plus ORCs), this particular C 200 adds metallic paint ($1531), COMAND package ($2300) and Vision package ($3454), bringing the price to $68,185 (plus ORCs).
COMAND introduces a 21.3cm colour screen with integrated satnav and touchpad operation, a single disc CD/DVD player, 10GB hard drive, Bluetooth interface, voice activation system and internet access.
Additionally a 13-speaker Burmester surround sound system not only looks fantastic, but uses a nine-channel amplifier and has an output of 590 watts.
Vision adds a panoramic sunroof, HUD and LED light system with adaptive highbeam, active light function and cornering lights.
Mechanically the Mercedes-Benz is very similar to its Bavarian adversary, though its seven-speed torque converter-equipped automatic transmission drops a cog over the BMW. The C 200 features a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, producing 135kW at 5500rpm and 300Nm from 1200-4000rpm.
Listed fuel consumption is the same at 6.0L/100km (ADR Combined) and the 0-100km/h claim is line-ball at 7.3 seconds. Boot capacity is 480 litres, in both vehicles. Interestingly, road wheels are larger (at 18 inches) on the luxury-biased C 200, and are combined with lower profile 245/40-series tyres.
Both BMW and Mercedes-Benz offer three-year/unlimited-kilometre warranties across the range.
The 320i falls under BMW's Service Inclusive package. Two options are available, with the basic package covering your scheduled servicing needs for five years or 80,000km, whichever comes first. For additional cost, the plus package will also cover brake discs, pads and wiper blades. Complementary roadside assistance for three years is included in the vehicle's purchase price.
Under Mercedes-Benz's Silver Service Plan, customers have the option of fixing their servicing costs from two years / 50,000km up to five years / 125,000km. Upgrading to the Platinum plan also covers the cost of front brake discs, brake pads and wiper inserts. Like the BMW, purchasing a C 200 entitles you to three years of complimentary roadside assist.
First impressions count, and besides the obviously svelte exterior, the C 200 puts its best handle forward immediately; there's a wonderful damped feel to opening the doors. That feeling continues as you slide behind the wheel and take in the outstanding quality of fit and finish throughout the Mercedes' cabin.
The dimpled, chrome switchgear is superbly tactile, the touchpad – though Lexus IS-like on first acquaintance – is in reality much easier to use, and can double as a hand rest when operating the more traditional rotary selector underneath. In fact, about the only interior disappointment is found in the rather thin, pliable and (dare I say) cheap-feeling of the gearshift paddles. If you were being really picky, the relatively hard dashtop plastic is slightly at odds with an otherwise beautifully presented vehicle.
Underway, the combination of torquey turbo and smooth seven-speed auto make for unruffled progress, though the rather bland engine note can become intrusive under load. After a period of head-scratching, I discover you can access manual shifts via the paddles, however, the gearbox quickly reverts back to auto mode. The column-mounted selector has no manual option, and the 'Agility' switch stops at Sport Plus, leaving the display screen's 'setup' option the best bet for manual shifting.
Once settled at a cruise (and in gear), the C 200 is a peaceful place to be, the suspension absorbing the worst of surfaces with serenity.
Despite this compliance, the C 200 also shines in the corners. There's a sense of poise and balance here, though it is blighted by an electrically-assisted steering system. It's adjustable in response, from Comfort through Sport, but the reality is the steering would be better resolved with a fixed assistance, somewhere between the soft-edged response in comfort and the heft of sport.
What's more concerning is its inconsistency. Take two similar corners, and receive varied assistance. Through the day, this proves the biggest bugbear of all in the C-Class. Moving past that issue, the Merc is an assured, composed road companion.
In swapping for the BMW, I am genuinely surprised. The initial impression is that I'm behind the wheel of a previous-generation vehicle. There's a slightly better driving position – the C-Class feels more offset in its wheel-to-pedal relationship – but the sports seats in this Sport Line 320i, though supportive overall, are a little narrow.
In the rear, the BMW offers decent leg, knee and superior foot room to the C 200, however head room is a touch tight in both, for my 185cm frame.
The centre stack looks clumsy next to the Mercedes', with a far busier audio interface, but its gearshift paddles are thicker, longer, more comfortable and a joy to use. Manual mode is also easy to select with the traditional floor-mounted shifter, and with eight speeds there's truly a gear for any occasion. The anticipatory nature of the transmission a delight.
Despite a similarity in objective acceleration, the 320i gives best to the C 200 in the real-world, cut-and-thrust of the mid-range. The Mercedes is also more eager to rev out.
Dynamically, the BMW bests the Mercedes in one area: steering. Though saddled with indirect off-centre response, the 320i's helm is more consistent than the C 200's, despite the usual complaint of limited run-flat tyre feedback through the wheel. That said, it's the Merc which makes hay through our selected switchbacks. It has the knack of delivering superior ride and handling, being more planted yet simultaneously more absorbent.
Braking is also firmer in response in the Mercedes, giving you the confidence to brake harder where required, and the chassis can be adjusted under load, an extra surfeit of grip an additional application of lock away. By contrast the 320i gives up grip earlier, washing away through the front-end where the C 200 continues to grip. This is an ominous sign for BMW, which has traditionally delivered a more driver-centric focus than its Stuttgart rival.
One aspect where neither car lived up to its claims was in the fuel consumption arena. Despite both claiming a combined-cycle figure of 6.0L/100km, the BMW 320i returned 8.8L/100km, while the Mercedes-Benz C 200 swallowed 9.0L/100km.
On paper, of course, there's little to split these protagonists. But in reality, the sheer quality of the latest C-Class has made our job easy: it is your new medium segment benchmark.
Delivering superior ride, handling, engine performance and sheer ambience for only $400 more (entry price for entry price) makes this decision even easier. Look for the new C-Class range to return to the top of the sales charts shortly.
2014 BMW 320i pricing and specification:
Price: $60,500 (MRLP) / $64,530 (as tested, plus ORCs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 135kW/270Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 141g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star Euro NCAP
Performance figures (as tested):
0-60km/h: 3.9sec
0-100km/h: 8.3sec
50-70km/h: 1.8sec
80-100km/h: 2.4sec
60-0km/h: 1.9sec
dBA @ 80km/h: 78
Fuel economy: 8.8L/100km
What we liked: |
Not so much: |
>> Intelligent transmission |
>> Mismatched steering/suspension |
>> Flexible engine |
>> Option pricing |
>> Build quality |
>> Narrow front seats |
2014 Mercedes-Benz C 200 pricing and specification:
Price: $60,900 (MRLP) / $68,185 (as tested, plus ORCs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 135kW/300Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 138g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star Euro NCAP
Performance figures (as tested):
0-60km/h: 3.9sec
0-100km/h: 8.2sec
50-70km/h: 1.7sec
80-100km/h: 2.5sec
60-0km/h: 1.9sec
dBA @ 80km/h: 77
Fuel economy: 9.0L/100km
What we liked: |
Not so much: |
>> Elegant styling |
>> Option pricing |
>> Composed handling |
>> Inconsistent steering weight |
>> Torque-rich mid-range |
>> On-test fuel economy |