* - BMW 3 or MERC C Diesel - Ben 10

I've read the HJ write ups and looked on Which, but can I seek advice from the BR please from those that HAVE driven both models. I'm after one of these up to 2 years old. Can those that qualify please comment on which to go for in respect of reliability and cost to run etc. So no owners of older models need to comment please. It will be a genuinely expensive purchase, so no off thread banter would be much appreciated.So which diesel, BMW 3 series or Mercedes C class?

* - BMW 3 or MERC C Diesel - ianhad2

Why not buy a front wheel drive "Japanese" equivelent size. Better quality and handling.

* - BMW 3 or MERC C Diesel - barney100
How are the Japanese better? Very efficient but lacking in any character.
* - BMW 3 or MERC C Diesel - dervdave

I've read the HJ write ups and looked on Which, but can I seek advice from the BR please from those that HAVE driven both models. I'm after one of these up to 2 years old. Can those that qualify please comment on which to go for in respect of reliability and cost to run etc. So no owners of older models need to comment please. It will be a genuinely expensive purchase, so no off thread banter would be much appreciated.So which diesel, BMW 3 series or Mercedes C class?

A brand new Skoda Superb 2.0 TDi ?

* - BMW 3 or MERC C Diesel - Collos25

I have just sold CLC petrol which was excellent and have now a W212 220 cdi which is absolutely superb a colleage has just taken delivery of a c class sport although early days he thinks and I agree having had a short drive in it itsbetter than my mine.My son has just traded his BMW 330 (absolutely no problems and he canes it from Dresden to Berlin almost every working day) for a new 5 series as the 3 series is now obselete awaiting a new model which I am told from friends in Munich is a brilliant car, out of the two I am a Merc fan that gun site on the bonnet to me is worth paying for.

A ten year old Merc or BMW is better than anything that ever came out of a Skoda factory the difference between a plastic mac and a burberry both will keep you dry but I know which I would prefer.

Edited by Collos25 on 19/01/2012 at 08:09

* - BMW 3 or MERC C Diesel - dervdave

A ten year old Merc or BMW is better than anything that ever came out of a Skoda factory

Theres many might say a 10 yr old Merc or BMW is betting than anything coming out of the same factories recently haha

* - BMW 3 or MERC C Diesel - tony g
Although ,or perhaps because, I've worked for mercedes I would probably buy a BMW,
Mercedes are not the force they used to be ,their have been far to many problems over the years .The introduction of models like the a class and the vaneo have significantly diluted their image as a premium brand.

In addition the BMW feels more of a drivers car than the merc,the c class feels bloated and unresponsive when compared to the 3 series.

Tony g
* - BMW 3 or MERC C Diesel - Ben 10

Cheers Guys.I've looked at the HJ reports for both, and even though they get full marks, there are problems with both. Within the reports and from owners. Some of the lists of problems/recalls makes me wonder how they score so high. Anyway, I'm looking at an 11 plate series 3 220d.

* - BMW 3 or MERC C Diesel - Collos25

Obselete car massive discount the BMW to have is the 520d .

* - BMW 3 or MERC C Diesel - Roly93
Although ,or perhaps because, I've worked for mercedes I would probably buy a BMW, Mercedes are not the force they used to be ,their have been far to many problems over the years .The introduction of models like the a class and the vaneo have significantly diluted their image as a premium brand.

I've never really been a Merc fan having had many BMW's as company cars over the years. More recently we had a mix of c series and 3 series BM's on the fleet, and it always seemed as though most of the problems were on the Mercedes side of the fence. We also seemed to see that the Mercs were much more 'tired' after their 3 years than the equivalent BMW's. I drive Audi's now but out of the two marques you mention it would be BMW any day, Mercedes was taken over by accountants years ago !

* - BMW 3 or MERC C Diesel - Collos25

With our fleet I would say the opposite is true.