BMW 3 series 2007 vs Mercedes C class 2011
| Body: | Coupe | Estate car / wagon | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gearbox: | Automatic | Automatic | |
| Engine: | 3.0 Petrol | 3.5 Petrol | |
| Camshaft drive: | Timing chain | Timing chain | |
Performance | |||
| Power: | 306 HP | 306 HP | |
| Torque: | 400 NM | 370 NM | |
| Acceleration 0-100 km/h: | 5.5 seconds | 6.1 seconds | |
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BMW 3 series is more dynamic to drive. BMW 3 series and Mercedes C class have the same engine power, but BMW 3 series torque is 30 NM more than Mercedes C class. BMW 3 series reaches 100 km/h speed 0.6 seconds faster. | |||
Fuel consumption | |||
| Fuel consumption (l/100km): | 9.7 | 7.1 | |
| Real fuel consumption: | 11.5 l/100km | 9.7 l/100km | |
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The Mercedes C class is a better choice when it comes to fuel economy. By specification BMW 3 series consumes 2.6 litres more fuel per 100 km than the Mercedes C class, which means that if you drive 15,000 km in a year, the BMW 3 series could require 390 litres more fuel. By comparing actual fuel consumption based on user reports, BMW 3 series consumes 1.8 litres more fuel per 100 km than the Mercedes C class. | |||
| Fuel tank capacity: | 63 litres | 66 litres | |
| Full fuel tank distance: | 640 km in combined cycle | 920 km in combined cycle | |
| 860 km on highway | 1170 km on highway | ||
| 540 km with real consumption | 680 km with real consumption | ||
| Mercedes C class gets more mileage on one fuel tank. | |||
| Read the article "Fuel Efficiency: How to Reduce Fuel Consumption" to learn more about fuel economy. | |||
Drive type | |||
| Wheel drive type: | 4x4 - AWD (all-wheel-drive) | Rear wheel drive (RWD) | |
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BMW 3 sērija has 4x4: BMW xDrive is a proactive all-wheel drive system without a center differential that engages before the vehicle becomes destabilized, unnoticed by the driver. Torque is distributed between the axles by an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch in the transfer case. The clutch is partially locked most of the time, distributing power to both axles in a 40/60 front/rear ratio, but the system is capable of sending 100% of the torque to either axle. At high speeds or when parking, for example, the clutch is disengaged and all power is sent to the rear wheels. DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) also brakes the wheels individually to regain traction and assist in cornering. | |||
Engines | |||
| Average engine lifespan: | 350'000 km | 420'000 km | |
| Engine resource depends largely on regular maintenance and the quality of the oils and fuels used, but under equal conditions the average life of a Mercedes C class engine could be longer. | |||
| Engine production duration: | 10 years | 15 years | |
| Engine spread: | Installed on at least 3 other car models, including BMW 5 sērija, BMW X6, BMW Z4 | Installed on at least 6 other car models, including Mercedes E klase, Mercedes ML, Mercedes CLS, Mercedes SLK | |
| In general, the longer and for more car models an engine is produced, the better its serviceability and availability of spare parts. Mercedes C class might be a better choice in this respect. | |||
Dimensions | |||
| Length: | 4.58 m | 4.61 m | |
| Width: | 1.78 m | 1.77 m | |
| Height: | 1.38 m | 1.46 m | |
| BMW 3 series is 3 cm shorter than the Mercedes C class, 1 cm wider, while the height of BMW 3 series is 8 cm lower. | |||
| Trunk capacity: | 440 litres | 485 litres | |
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Mercedes C class has more luggage space. BMW 3 series has 45 litres less trunk space than the Mercedes C class. | |||
| Turning diameter: | 11 meters | 10.8 meters | |
| The turning circle of the BMW 3 series is 0.2 metres more than that of the Mercedes C class. | |||
| Gross weight (kg): | 2`130 | 2`210 | |
| Safety: | no data | ||
| Quality: | average | average | |
| Mercedes C class has slightly fewer faults. Deffect rate in annual technical inspection is similar for both cars, it's slightly higher for BMW 3 series, so Mercedes C class quality could be a bit better. | |||
| Average price (€): | 7200 | 5800 | |
| Pros and Cons: |
BMW 3 sērija has
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Mercedes C klase has
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