Reliable Work horse

[Cruiser]

Well now. All this talk has just about spoken me out of the lovely 330d Auto I was about to buy. I want auto, so maybe my option is for a C270 CDI. It seems they have much better gearboxes than the E46, and the engine is quit good as well.

 

[P1000]

Give them an offer on the 330d that will make you happy. Tell them about the gearbox issues and cut 10k + from the pricetag. That car has very little mileage on, so it should be fine.

 

[zaleonardz]

Cruiser,

Depends what you are after, I have owned a C270 CDI and with a chip on that thing makes the same torque as my M5, its insane.

However the merc is not a drivers car, it is a comfortable, well built (better then the BMW imo) highway cruiser, its an epic car, it really is, if you want a long distance cruiser. Merc has dulled the feedback on it, a 330d is going to be a far more exciting drive of this I garentee.

That said, if it really is a cruiser you are after, buy the merc, the are lovely, if you want to drive, buy the BMW

 

[Cruiser]

Cruiser,

Depends what you are after, I have owned a C270 CDI and with a chip on that thing makes the same torque as my M5, its insane.

However the merc is not a drivers car, it is a comfortable, well built (better then the BMW imo) highway cruiser, its an epic car, it really is, if you want a long distance cruiser. Merc has dulled the feedback on it, a 330d is going to be a far more exciting drive of this I garentee.

That said, if it really is a cruiser you are after, buy the merc, the are lovely, if you want to drive, buy the BMW

Well now as a man of experience, which vehicle do you think will cost less to run over another 150k, with no MP. I love the BM, and know its a drivers car, but the gearbox problem is real. Most of my driving is long distance. I'm sure you won't be lynched for an honest opinion.:=):

 

[Sankekur]

When looking at it like that, I would say go for the merc, as it should be more reliable and less expensive to maintain.

 

[zaleonardz]

Hard question,

If you are comparing a W203 and an E46, I recon motor wise they are probably the same.

Gearbox I am also going to say the same, as its driving style that kills these boxes, not the gearbox itself, altough i think merc will have a stronger box the the GM box your going to be putting in.

Interior and trim wise, I recon the merc is going to hold out better in the long run then the BMW,

Parts on the merc will be cheaper as well actually, Rick540 proved this.

However, all of this said, I would still buy the BMW. Remember, that turbo's and injectors are maintance items on these cars, some last the life of the car, but they can go in any vehicle at any time.

True there were bad batches of turbo's on certian 320's when they just came out, and somebody like VW has much more experiance with turbo charged vehicles then BMW did at the time, but issue has been sorted.

the 330d or M57N2 is probably the nicest diesel motor in existance.... imo of course.

 

[Cruiser]

Cruiser,

Depends what you are after, I have owned a C270 CDI and with a chip on that thing makes the same torque as my M5, its insane.

However the merc is not a drivers car, it is a comfortable, well built (better then the BMW imo) highway cruiser, its an epic car, it really is, if you want a long distance cruiser. Merc has dulled the feedback on it, a 330d is going to be a far more exciting drive of this I garentee.

That said, if it really is a cruiser you are after, buy the merc, the are lovely, if you want to drive, buy the BMW

Well now as a man of experience, which vehicle do you think will cost less to run over another 150k, with no MP. I love the BM, and know its a drivers car, but the gearbox problem is real. Most of my driving is long distance. I'm sure you won't be lynched for an honest opinion.:=): I want to through something else into the mix, C320 Auto - Not the diesel.

 

[msm]

C320 Auto - Not the diesel.

From what I've heard, these are very heavy on fuel compared to the BMW equivalent (i.e. 330i)

 

[zaleonardz]

Ok, differant kettle of fish

In terms of a E46 330i and a C320, thats a no brainer, BMW FTW all the way.....

The C240's were good value for money although a bit heavy on juice, but the C320 just feels like... erm... lumpy..... I have not owned one, but did test drive them

The C320 just never did it for me... I dont know why, the C32 AMG and the C 320 CDI, differant story....

 

[Cruiser]

Thank you all for your feedback. Very informative. Bye Bye E46 330D Auto.
Hello C270CDI. Dont shoot me please. I am still am a BMW supporter 320d E90 Auto. Just need to buy as per my head, not my heart.