When it comes to compact luxury vehicles, Lynchburg drivers have plenty of options. Both the BMW 328i and the Mercedes-Benz C300 are popular options for their premium features, excellent styling, and top performance. To figure out which one you want to drive around Virginia, take a closer look at how they compare to each other.
Performance
Both the BMW 328i and the Mercedes-Benz C300 deliver more than enough power for daily drives with enough extra to give your drive some oomph. The BMW runs on a 2-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that generates 240 horsepower and a torque of 255 pound-feet. Going with the automatic transmission delivers 27 mpg combined. You can get 26 mpg with all-wheel drive or the manual transmission.
The Mercedes-Benz C300 also has a turbocharged 2-liter 4-cylinder with nearly identical power, 241 horses and 273 pound-feet. While the 328i has truly impressive fuel economy for the class, the C300 does slightly better, giving you 28 mpg* combined in the base configuration and 27 mpg* combined with all-wheel drive. Since the differences between the models aren’t great, comparing performance is essentially a tossup.
Safety
When you look at the safety ratings of the 328i and C300, you will see even more similarities. Both models received a 5-Star Overall Rating from the NHTSA with 5 stars for side crashes and 4 for front crashes. The only difference from the NHTSA ratings is for rollover ratings, where the Mercedes-Benz earned 4 stars and the BMW earned 5. Emergency communications are standard on the BMW but optional on the Mercedes-Benz. The Mercedes makes up for it with standard Collision Prevention Assist Plus while BMW offers its version of the system as an option.
Dimensions
Put the 328i and C300 side by side, and you will notice that they have the same width and the C300 is only 0.3 inches taller. The differences are greater inside, with the BMW 328i offering an extra 2.7 inches of headroom and 0.3 inches of legroom in front and an extra 1.2 inches of rear headroom. The C300 does have 0.2 inches more of rear legroom. Since the 328i is a wagon, it has much more cargo space than the C300. The C300 has 12.6 cubes in its trunk while the BMW has between 17.5 and 53 cubic feet.
For help comparing the BMW 328i to other models in Lynchburg, Virginia, or getting behind the wheel of your ideal vehicle, visit Berglund BMW.
*Based on EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions and other factors.
Disclaimer: The stock image is being used for illustrative purposes only, and it is not a direct representation of the business, recipe, or activity listed. Any person depicted in the stock image is a model.