Used Mercedes C250 or BMW 330d Touring?

[rudebhoy]

Looking for a little bit of comfort for my next car but still something with bit of grunt. (Currently have 350Z). Kind of narrowed it down to the two above mostly from comments on internet about ride , creature comforts and performance. Need a decent boot for golf clubs and want leather interior. Any comments on which is best above both can be had aprroved 2nd hand for 18 - 20 kish ?

[Grey Ghost]

I had a C250 AMG estate on loan for a few weeks a little while back and it was great. Also drove a C350 AMG estate shortly afterwards and was even more impressed and would seriously consider one if I ever needed to go back to owning an estate.

Your budget should get you a good one of either spec from a Mercedes dealer if you went down that route.

[Calza]

Is the C250 comparable to the 330d?

I always thought it was smaller / less powerful?

[rudebhoy]

Calza said:

Is the C250 comparable to the 330d?

I always thought it was smaller / less powerful?

Yeah i think your right, though not too much in it ? BMW prices seem similar though. Maybe that answers the question.. More bang for the buck

[Mr Tidy]

Yes, I think the C250D is a four-pot 2.2 litre whereas a 330d is a six-pot 3 litre so probably much more refined, as well as more powerful if you can live with a bit less economy.

[rudebhoy]

Mr Tidy said:

Yes, I think the C250D is a four-pot 2.2 litre whereas a 330d is a six-pot 3 litre so probably much more refined, as well as more powerful if you can live with a bit less economy.

Economy is not an issue, best ride is probably top of my list though if there was a big difference.

[moffat]

The MB 2.2 engine is very agricultural, noisy rattly beast.

Go for the BMW much better engine and probably just as economical.

[TheInternet]

rudebhoy said:

Economy is not an issue.

Get a petrol C250 then.

[AlmostUseful]

Not been in a 350cdi merc but the 250 I drove not too long ago (61 plate I think) isn't a patch on the 06 330D I have as my daily driver (actually, daily driver suggests I have a more interesting weekend cat and I'm not sure the wife's qashqai counts!)

Anyway, it is, in my opinion a rattly dag dag diesel, so I would either get a 350cdi which I presume is nice and smooth or a 330D which I know is nice and smooth.

I'd also say that in my opinion the interior of the merc is much nicer than the bmw, but that's probably subjective!

[rudebhoy]

AlmostUseful said:

Not been in a 350cdi merc but the 250 I drove not too long ago (61 plate I think) isn't a patch on the 06 330D I have as my daily driver (actually, daily driver suggests I have a more interesting weekend cat and I'm not sure the wife's qashqai counts!)

Anyway, it is, in my opinion a rattly dag dag diesel, so I would either get a 350cdi which I presume is nice and smooth or a 330D which I know is nice and smooth.

I'd also say that in my opinion the interior of the merc is much nicer than the bmw, but that's probably subjective!

I also think the interior of merc is nicer , in fact that and the ride Is the main reason I've got a decision as BMW seems to be to be more refined in performance. Had my 350z out today and really thrashed it along some b roads , was great fun. Maybe I should put 330i in equation.

[AlmostUseful]

When my 330D goes it'll be replaced with something petrol I think, but I'd need to drive one as a lot of people I've spoken too think the performance of the diesel is more suited to every day driving with the 330i having the power at the top end and needing to be revved. Again, not driven one but just going from a few friends comments.

Have you looked at Audi's? I'd probably prefer a newer A4 saloon than either of the other two estates, the folding rear seats make them pretty practical and the 3.0tdi Quattro was a real nice drive (had one for a few days) seemed a bit more spacious than the bmw too.

[AlmostUseful]

Also if you would consider an Audi you could have an S4, and that 3 litre turbo is a beauty!

[Zedboy1200]

Have driven 50k+ in rattly c250d and similarly powerful silky smooth 325d..... Beemer wins hands down for me on torque, smoothness, power and reliability.

[AlmostUseful]

Presumably,ably that's down to the 4cy v 6cyl setups though. The 325d is basically the same engine as the 330d I believe. Presumably much less stressed given the more powerful and larger capacity engine to start with in order to get the same overall power.

[Zedboy1200]

Spot on AU.... But I did also find Merc mechanically very fragile. It was a nicer place to sit tho, as others have said.

[Limpet]

I had a C250 CDi on loan from work in August. It goes really quite well, but refined it is not.

[rudebhoy]

AlmostUseful said:

Also if you would consider an Audi you could have an S4, and that 3 litre turbo is a beauty!

No not considered them will take a look at them also. If they are in same price bracket second hand

[AlmostUseful]

Autotrader says about £16k upwards for about 80k miles.

[Easternlight]

Another vote for S4 or S5 the supercharged engine is very good.



(But I am a bit biased)

[MoelyCrio]

There are some decent lease deals on the C class at the moment as they are clearing stocks with the old engine. The 2.1 diesel as others have said is pretty rough.