[Rock&Roll Ninja]

When equiped equally (AWD, Harman-Kardon, Xenon HID, leather, etc etc) the 328xi sedan and C300 sport sedan 4Matic both tip the scales at about $42,000.

If you were choosing one for a daily driver, which would it be (remember us in New York have 5 months of winter... thus the AWD)?

 

[krmathis]

BMW all the way...
They simply have a more sporty setup than the Mercedes Benz'. Which suits my taste better.

 

[colonelkernel8]

I think the BMW is much more attractive. It has a subtle beauty. The Mercedes is trying too hard, it almost looks gawdy; that grill is hideous.

 

[GTRacer]

The BMW you posted is the coupe, which looks completely different.

BMW all the way though.

 

[d-cee]

based purely on looks and nothing else

BMW

 

[Homeless]

Beemer...

 

[rb67]

Here's the sedan.

That said, definitely the BMW. The simple lines are more elegant IMO and definitely more sporty. It looks like a real beats whereas most Mercedes always look kind of "dainty" in comparison.

 

[GAD]

BMW hands down.

GAD

 

[penger]

I'd get the BMW too... if you ever get slip and sliding, the handling of the BMW is better. And the Benz is probably a heavier car too (at least traditionally) which may be bad for snow, just guessing as I don't have that much experience with snow other than Lake Tahoe.

 

[BassheadJazz]

I'd go with the Mercedes-- it's not nearly as sporty as the BMW is going to be, but it's definitely no slouch. Furthermore, why be just another guy in a BMW when you can get something that (at least for now) is different and striking? I personally love the styling of the new C-Class (looks better in person than it does in photos) and it offers a lot for the money.

 

[Chrispy]

Get an older M3. BMW messed with the steering with the new ones. Have this weird speed compensation that doesn't respond as well as their old steering (according to Motortrend)

 

[fat pat]

new c-class. you can get either a sport or luxury model to suit your particular taste. i think they look absolutely brilliant, and even better in person. plus, you wont have the stigma of being a ********* bmw 3 series owner

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrispy /img/forum/go_quote.gif Get an older M3.

M3 isn't AWD. A new one is expected to be $60,000+ and what kind of yuppie scum would I be if I bought a used car?!?!

 

[no1likesme]

if I had to chose either I would go with the bmw but I second the used m3. AWD is not necessary to drive in the winter. You can drive any rear wheel dive vehicle safely in the winter as long as you are a competent driver (my first car was an 86 el camino with 12.5" wide drag radials on it and I didn't crash it or end up in a ditch).

but since it seems you have your heart set on a new AWD car go with the bmw.

 

[RYCeT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rock&Roll Ninja /img/forum/go_quote.gif M3 isn't AWD. A new one is expected to be $60,000+ and what kind of yuppie scum would I be if I bought a used car?!?!

A smart one

I prefer the previous gen 3 series than the current one. The current one looks ugly IMHO. Another vote for the 2nd hand M3.
Most people won't care whether you bought it new or used but they do care whether it's M3 or just another 3 series.