With the title "Der Südgipfel" ("south summit"), the premier
independent german car magazine "Auto, Motor, Sport"
published a well-founded comparison of the two rivals from south germany: the
BMW 3 Series and the brand new Mercedes C Class (see AMS No. 24, Nov. 2000). The
comparison was done on a type by type basis, confronting 6 different BMW engines
with their challengers from Mercedes. Guess what? The BMW 3 Series is the clear
winner! In detail:
| Comparison |
Points |
Comments (from AMS) |
| 318i - C180 |
89:88 |
"knife-edge victory for the BMW" |
| 320i - C200 Compr. |
81:79 |
"victory thanks to the smoother engine" |
| 325i - C240 |
85:79 |
"Mercedes doesn't win a single discipline!" |
| 330i - C320 |
87:89 |
"Mercedes lucky to have the better automatic transmission" *)
|
| 320d - C220 CDI |
88:88 |
"tie with very similar engines" |
| 330d - C270 CDI |
87:83 |
"BMW wins 5 out of 7 disciplines" |
*) AMS explains: "Mercedes wins thanks to the better automatic transmission. Bad luck for
the BMW: The C320 is only available with automatic transmission, so for reasons of comparability, we
chose the 330i also with automatic transmission. With manual shifting, however, the BMW
clearly offers the better overall package and a more powerful engine."
AMS summarizes: "BMW is the clear winner with respect to performance, engine smoothness,
and low fuel consumption".
In its issue 17, April 2001, the big german car magazine "AutoBild"
added to the impressive performace a comparison of the brand new BMW 3 Compact with its
competitors Audi A3 and the likewise brand new Mercedes C Sports Coupé. The result:
| Comparison |
Points |
| 316ti compact - A3 1.8 - Mercedes C Sports Coupé |
280 : 278 : 269 |
AutoBild summarizes: "The BMW clearly is the most sportive car, has the best handling,
and doesn't show any weaknesses".
|
![[cars]](../images/logos/cars.jpg)
