One of the oldest car battles. It includes two of the world’s leading car manufacturers
BMW revealed the updated 3 Series this week, and it’s probably one of the most successful facelifts we’ve seen in recent years. Although the darkest choice of colors for car photographs in the media and the press, the new three colors look more mature and elegant than ever before.
Given the comments we’ve noted, most BMW enthusiasts will be glad not to see the suspicious front grille glued to the front. The 3 Series will now face an even tougher challenge from the court of public opinion, as it was revealed just days after the landing of the new generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Given the timing and the old rivalry between these two brands and models, this is the perfect time for an updated comparison of what might be The oldest and most controversial shootout between two cars.
Here’s the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs. BMW 3 -Series .
Exterior design: In front of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the BMW 3 Series stands alone
Traditionally, both these cars were miniature versions of the luxury cars available within the respective brands’ lineup. Mercedes-Benz continues to use this proven method, making the C-Class look like a small S-Class available to everyone. It’s great if you’re a potential C-Class owner, but less important if you’re going to pay over $100,000 for an S-Class, which is supposed to be an exclusive.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a great evolution of the W205’s design language as it looks better under natural light than it does in studio and website photos.
However, they need the right color, style pack, and wheels to help them stand out.
The three-box sedan, with a four-cylinder engine only, features a long hood and rear cab parking, the grille is lowered and features intricate details such as the new design of the diamond grille featuring dozens of small three-headed stars.
The design lines are streamlined, elegant and organic, with a short trunk grooved with A-series-derived taillights. It doesn’t rewrite the rules, but it’s beautifully crafted in its own way.
BMW differed in its approach.
At the recent launch of the controversial 7 Series, BMW made it clear that its controversial design represented a turning point for the brand.
Whereas, top-tier models like the Series 7 and X7 will look very different from their smaller siblings.
Like the C-Class, the 2023 BMW 3 Series is an evolution, although this is to be expected from a facelift rather than from a completely new generation.
Other design elements have been improved and improved.
The slit in the headlights has disappeared and is influenced by the signature DRL of the 5 Series.
Features are made smoother and more straightforward at the same time, while signature elements remain, including the Hofmeister kink grille.
The 3 Series LCI was not unattractive, but BMW managed to beautify it even more and created a futuristic design that feels like its futuristic design will live on and age.
While both cars look attractive, the BMW is the most attractive to us and is instantly recognizable as the
BMW 3 Series .
Interior design of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and BMW 3-Series
While we’re fans of the minimalist interior trend, we don’t like the idea of ”putting a screen everywhere.”
The C-Class relies entirely on a balanced center console display to interact with the infotainment and driving settings.
You can get the shortcut buttons below, which make it easy to change drive modes and mute the audio system, and redundant controls, as well as voice controls, can be found on the steering wheel.
The MBUX infotainment system ensures that the audio controls are responsive in most conditions.
Other than that, the center console is a clean surface that’s nice to see but potentially infuriating in reality.
Keeping the center console clear of dirt would be a futile daily task, and sunlight on the screen would have to be a problem.
Likewise, using a touch screen while driving can be distracting and dangerous.
The digital transformation continues in front of the driver as the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is located virtually without a frame.
The rest of the cabin design is relatively new, with square air vents along the dashboard and a new five-spoke steering wheel design.
In plush MB-Tex leather, the five-person seating is upholstered front and rear with 37.5 inches of rear legroom and 36 inches of rear legroom.
BMW gets it right.
The updated 3er now has the iDrive 8 system, which has the same features as Mercedes’ MBUX such as voice control, wireless connectivity, many connected features using cloud-based software etc., and of course the voice controls.
The Series 3 is also guilty of having a giant touchscreen, but the curved screen that houses both the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and the 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system looks much better.
Shortcut buttons on the left of the screen give you quick access to your most frequently used features, and are closer to your natural line of sight while driving.
It also frees up the center console for practical storage and physical controls, the latter of which is present for both the climate controls and many infotainment controls via the classic iDrive rotary console.
And there’s no need to take your eyes off the road once you instinctively know where the main buttons are.
Like Mercedes, premium materials abound, albeit in a less cluttered and more focused way here.
Based on the CLAR platform, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and BMW 3 Series LCI will likely retain the interior measurements prior to the facelift, which means a generous 37.6-inches of headroom and 35.2-inches of legroom in the rear seats, marginally less than a Mercedes-Benz.
Engines for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and BMW 3-Series
At first glance, Mercedes seems to have given up on performance entirely because the AMG C-Classes will have four-cylinder power, while the BMW 3 Series LCI will keep the inline-six engine in the form of an engine bearing the M340i badge.
Basically, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and BMW 3-Series are remarkably similar, both are powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, both feature rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and both use eight-speed Bimmer automatic gearboxes and a nine-speed automatic transmission. velocities for mercedes mercedes.
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class C300 produces 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque but uses a small electric motor to boost outputs up to 20 hp and 148 lb-ft in torque rather than higher output.
Whether equipped with rear-wheel drive RWD or 4Matic AWD, the brand claims it sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds, and has a top speed of 130 mph, of course, which is limited speed.
BMW has been shy about the output of the BMW 3 Series LCI, with the statement stating only engine displacement.
But a little digging will reveal why the brand is lowering production compared to 2021. The turbocharged 330i’s 2.0-liter engine produces 241 horsepower and 295 pound-feet, down 14 horsepower compared to the 2021 model but hitting 500 rpm before that.
Acceleration numbers were not provided, but before the facelift procedure, it takes 5.6 and 5.3 seconds to reach a speed of 60 mph, with rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, respectively.
At the upper end of the spectrum, the BMW 3 Series retains the services of its B58 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder engine, aided by a 48V mild-hybrid system.
It also loses power compared to its predecessor, down from 382 hp to 369 hp in 2023. Torque remained the same at 368 lb-ft, and the previous M340i could reach 60 mph in 4.4 seconds with rear-wheel drive. and 4.1 with all-wheel drive.
But the numbers for 2023 have not yet been published.
Mercedes curiously counters this with a four-cylinder, 2.0-liter engine that uses turbocharging and hybridization to put out 402 horsepower and 369 pound-feet without the additional 13 horsepower from the hybrid system.
An exclusive paired four-wheel drive version hits 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, surprisingly slow.
What the Mercedes-Benz C-Class can’t stand up to so far is the plug-in hybrid BMW 330e with 288 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.
It’s also faster than the C300 whether it’s front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and it can achieve 75 mpg when driven carefully.
In power alone, Mercedes has the advantage, but BMW has a racy V6 and faster acceleration.
How these competitors behave in the real world remains to be seen in the future.
Pricing and verdict: BMW wins it
Prices for the BMW 3 Series Enhanced are not yet available.
However, expect nominal increases across the lineup, with 2022 pricing currently running from $41,450 for a rear-wheel drive 330i to $54,700.
While the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C300 is currently selling for $43,550 in rear-wheel drive, the all-wheel drive system adds $2,000 to the price.
Mercedes hasn’t given us prices for the C43, but we expect it to maintain a similar price gap, so expect to pay around $56,000.
The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a great car.
Now, more than ever, it is a miniature S-Class sedan, perfect for anyone looking for an upscale luxury sedan.
If you want to glide in complete comfort, look no further.
But what has yet to be proven is whether it can dynamically challenge the BMW 3 Series, which was already fun to try before the facelift.
And while it boasts less power, acceleration claims suggest that BMW really does have an edge, not to mention an aural advantage over the four-cylinder AMG C43 model from the Mercedes-Benz C-Class lineup.
On paper, the battle is closer than ever, but we suspect BMW has pulled a rabbit out of the hat on this car to re-establish its dominance in the segment.
And sit on the throne of the eternal historical battle with the C-Class.
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