325i or C230 ?

wishlist · 12th March 2009, 21:16

Hi,
Im contemplating on buying either the 325i or the c230 Avantgarde.
Performance on the road is the only criteria. Finance options, Service deals, package options etc. aren't going to influence. I'm not considering any other models or brands. It's a throw up between these two.
Hope you enthusiasts can help.

ecclipse78 · 12th March 2009, 23:54

Between the two, the BMW 325i is a much more fun car to drive with better performance.

If you can stretch your budget, also check out the Audi A4 - 3.2 FSI.

Akshay1234 · 12th March 2009, 23:59

since you can stretch to the c230 check out the a4 3.2fsi. its just a few lacs more and none of the others come close. why not also check the a4 3.0tdi. a 240bhp diesel will be crazy.

GTO · 13th March 2009, 11:28

Of course the 325i! I drove the C230 last month and it was a big YAWN (relatively speaking); not an enthusiasts machine from any angle. Plus, you get 5 year BSI coverage (and resultant peace of the mind) with the BMW.

As Akshay posted, you might want to check out the A4 3.2. It blows the BMWs and Mercs away.

balenopower · 13th March 2009, 11:48

Performance wise both are pretty equally matched, but as far as the fun factor is concerned, there's no matching the bimmer.

Dippy · 13th March 2009, 12:02

This is a no brainer. You have answered your question yourself when you mentioned the word Performance. The 325i is total driver's car here and very exciting to drive. The C on the other hand is quite boring. Go for the BMW and take their Secure package. Its a great deal.

And if you want to confuse yourself further, head over to the Audi to get a feel of the 3.2 FSI A4

Ramsagar · 13th March 2009, 15:06

To summarize all the three cars

BMW is a driver oriented car.

Merc is chauffeured driven car, people who choose the rear seat comfort and not pleasure to drive.
Audi is both Bemeer+Merc together is Audi.

Hope this will be easy to understand the rest depends on vit-M.

loving_alaap · 16th March 2009, 00:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramsagar

To summarize all the three cars

BMW is a driver oriented car.

Merc is chauffeured driven car, people who choose the rear seat comfort and not pleasure to drive.
Audi is both Bemeer+Merc together is Audi.

Hope this will be easy to understand the rest depends on vit-M.

Totally agreed.

Mostly chauffeured driving: it has to be C.

Mostly self driving: it has to be 3.

but the feeling of a STAR on the bonnet van not be matched by any divided grilled car.

If available go for the discounted E (for the price almost same as C / 3) and shut the competition.

scooby05 · 16th March 2009, 12:54

You are from Guntur, a region which is semi urban. Nearest established service network I guess will be Hyderabad.
I would recommend go for the C-CDI. You said "perfomance on the road" Is this dynamic perfomance or ride comfort? where will you go around with run flats? Have the roads around improved? In your region, the star will also give you a better feeling!

redeff · 16th March 2009, 16:26

The run flats can be changed! Close your eyes and go in for the 325I if your biased against the 3.2fsi quattro. It's a no brainer here.

Try this... as preference:_

1. A4 3.2 fsi
2. 325 i
3. C230

wishlist · 16th March 2009, 21:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooby05

You are from Guntur, a region which is semi urban. Nearest established service network I guess will be Hyderabad.
I would recommend go for the C-CDI. You said "perfomance on the road" Is this dynamic perfomance or ride comfort? where will you go around with run flats? Have the roads around improved? In your region, the star will also give you a better feeling!

The roads have improved leaps and bounds compared when I first held the steering wheel 20yrs ago! Guntur happens to be situated on the Golden Quadrilateral and the road to Madras has to be one of the finest in the country right now. Not considering diesel.

morphin1 · 22nd March 2009, 00:14

325i.
I have driven both and feel 325i has better road command.Also extended warranty make it a no brainer.
One more thing. I would recommend the 320D.I drove the 320D and 325i and the initial pick up in 320D is much better. 325i rules when u have to go above 160.Also FE of 320D is much better at 14km/L as opposed to 5km/L of 325i.
Trust me the diesel 4 cylinder is as powerful as the 6cylinder petrol.In the end TD both to ensure what I am saying.
Cheers

ashish22 · 25th March 2009, 17:29

i see you already have a skoda octavia vRS, so pickup something which will offer considerable performance gain. If you compare the pickup of 325i & vRS they might be quicker or slower by .5 secs approx. Whereas a car like Audi A4 3.2 FSI will make world of difference. Also its not as common as BMW or Merc on roads.
So my preference would be:
1. Audi A4 3.2 FSI
2. BMW 325i
3. Merc

redeff · 25th March 2009, 17:40

I think that's pretty much the Majority opinion!

doctorque · 25th March 2009, 17:56

325i For - Steering feedback, Handling, Engine, Power, Run flat tires, Features & its a BMW
Not For - Steering too hard at low speeds, Harsh ride.

C230 - Not the right person, Sorry.

12th March 2009, 21:16	#1
wishlist Newbie Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Guntur Posts: 6 Thanked: Once	325i or C230 ? Hi, Im contemplating on buying either the 325i or the c230 Avantgarde. Performance on the road is the only criteria. Finance options, Service deals, package options etc. aren't going to influence. I'm not considering any other models or brands. It's a throw up between these two. Hope you enthusiasts can help.
	() Thanks

12th March 2009, 23:54	#2
ecclipse78 BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chennai Posts: 327 Thanked: 55 Times	Between the two, the BMW 325i is a much more fun car to drive with better performance. If you can stretch your budget, also check out the Audi A4 - 3.2 FSI.
	() Thanks

12th March 2009, 23:59	#3
Akshay1234 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 10,265 Thanked: 12,317 Times	since you can stretch to the c230 check out the a4 3.2fsi. its just a few lacs more and none of the others come close. why not also check the a4 3.0tdi. a 240bhp diesel will be crazy.
	() Thanks

13th March 2009, 11:28	#4
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,501 Thanked: 300,625 Times View My Garage	Of course the 325i! I drove the C230 last month and it was a big YAWN (relatively speaking); not an enthusiasts machine from any angle. Plus, you get 5 year BSI coverage (and resultant peace of the mind) with the BMW. As Akshay posted, you might want to check out the A4 3.2. It blows the BMWs and Mercs away.
	() Thanks

13th March 2009, 11:48	#5
balenopower BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Bombay Posts: 957 Thanked: 465 Times View My Garage	Performance wise both are pretty equally matched, but as far as the fun factor is concerned, there's no matching the bimmer.
	() Thanks

13th March 2009, 12:02	#6
Dippy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 7,558 Thanked: 2,462 Times	This is a no brainer. You have answered your question yourself when you mentioned the word Performance. The 325i is total driver's car here and very exciting to drive. The C on the other hand is quite boring. Go for the BMW and take their Secure package. Its a great deal. And if you want to confuse yourself further, head over to the Audi to get a feel of the 3.2 FSI A4
	() Thanks

13th March 2009, 15:06	#7
Ramsagar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: BLR_Nellore(AP) Posts: 1,396 Thanked: 252 Times View My Garage	To summarize all the three cars BMW is a driver oriented car. Merc is chauffeured driven car, people who choose the rear seat comfort and not pleasure to drive. Audi is both Bemeer+Merc together is Audi. Hope this will be easy to understand the rest depends on vit-M.
	() Thanks

16th March 2009, 12:54	#9
scooby05 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,145 Thanked: 192 Times	You are from Guntur, a region which is semi urban. Nearest established service network I guess will be Hyderabad. I would recommend go for the C-CDI. You said "perfomance on the road" Is this dynamic perfomance or ride comfort? where will you go around with run flats? Have the roads around improved? In your region, the star will also give you a better feeling!
	() Thanks

16th March 2009, 16:26	#10
redeff BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 356 Thanked: 272 Times View My Garage	The run flats can be changed! Close your eyes and go in for the 325I if your biased against the 3.2fsi quattro. It's a no brainer here. Try this... as preference:_ 1. A4 3.2 fsi 2. 325 i 3. C230
	() Thanks

22nd March 2009, 00:14	#12
morphin1 BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 182 Thanked: 36 Times View My Garage	325i. I have driven both and feel 325i has better road command.Also extended warranty make it a no brainer. One more thing. I would recommend the 320D.I drove the 320D and 325i and the initial pick up in 320D is much better. 325i rules when u have to go above 160.Also FE of 320D is much better at 14km/L as opposed to 5km/L of 325i. Trust me the diesel 4 cylinder is as powerful as the 6cylinder petrol.In the end TD both to ensure what I am saying. Cheers
	() Thanks

25th March 2009, 17:29	#13
ashish22 BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 598 Thanked: 100 Times View My Garage	i see you already have a skoda octavia vRS, so pickup something which will offer considerable performance gain. If you compare the pickup of 325i & vRS they might be quicker or slower by .5 secs approx. Whereas a car like Audi A4 3.2 FSI will make world of difference. Also its not as common as BMW or Merc on roads. So my preference would be: 1. Audi A4 3.2 FSI 2. BMW 325i 3. Merc
	() Thanks

25th March 2009, 17:40	#14
redeff BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 356 Thanked: 272 Times View My Garage	I think that's pretty much the Majority opinion!
	() Thanks

25th March 2009, 17:56	#15
doctorque BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 565 Thanked: 404 Times	325i For - Steering feedback, Handling, Engine, Power, Run flat tires, Features & its a BMW Not For - Steering too hard at low speeds, Harsh ride. C230 - Not the right person, Sorry.
	() Thanks