Edmunds: 2009 A4 3.2 Quattro vs 2008 MB C350

[SJ_GTI]

Link to article:
A4 vs C350

Some selective quotes:

Although the Mercedes-Benz C350 trailed the BMW 335i in our last comparison test, the C-Class in its current guise represents an exclamation point of goodness in this market segment. Besting the C350 requires a car with enough talents to achieve critical mass.

Weird that they would take the loser from a previous comparo to use as a benchmark. I am guessing they just took what was available.

...Yet this feel of mechanical gravitas doesn't come at the price of sheer weight, as the 3,621-pound Benz is 250 pounds lighter than the Audi A4.

This works to the Benz's advantage in straight-line acceleration, where the baby Benz just plain thrashes the A4. The 60-mph mark comes up in 6.3 seconds (6.0 seconds with 1 foot of rollout like on a drag strip), fully 0.6 second quicker than the A4. Similarly, the Benz sails through the quarter-mile in 14.5 seconds at 96.5 mph, a half-second quicker than the Audi.

The A4 3.2 Quattro seems slow. Slower then the 2007 A4 2.0T Quattro. I am also disappointed in the weight, because Audi originally claimed the new A4 would be lighter then the outgoing model.

Click Dynamic mode and the whole car instantly snaps to attention, providing the A4 with a selection of direct, quick responses that the C350 can't deliver. There's a lot of body control in this mode, plus the new A4's improved weight distribution keeps the outside front tire from being abused as much as before.

On the road, the Audi's tires give up long before the chassis loses its poise, so driving at the limit of adhesion is ridiculously easy. Oversteer remains off the menu, though this new A4's handling balance is more neutral than ever before, so you can toss it into the corners ? a dynamic that contributes to its solid 70 mph in the slalom.

This sounds promising. That is a pretty fast slalom time.

The A4's interior has a much richer appearance than the C350's functionally sound but visually ascetic surroundings. And the Audi offers way more equipment, which is crucial in our scoring. In addition to the aforementioned multimode dampers and all-wheel drive, the A4 offers a back-up camera and parking proximity sensors, shift paddles on the steering wheel, adaptive cruise control and a lane departure warning system. None of these features are offered on the Benz.

Sounds good. I haven't seen it in person but I love the new A4 interior in pictures.

And for those of you too lazy to follow the link, here are some pics:















Overall both sound nice. I have to say I dig the C350 from the outside. It looks very nice. The inside isn't bad, but its all business. The A4 seemed like a nicer package. Great exterior and interior. However, I would only go for the 2.0T w/ 6MT version.

[Vinsanity]

One of my good friends is shopping these two cars at the moment (although it would more likely be a C300 vs. 2.0T). The M-B seems to be more her style, but she's leaning toward the Audi more because she's been told that there were too many corners cut when developing the new C-class. Can anyone corroborate?

Although I do like the Audi's interior better. I checked out the C-class interior at the LA auto show a while back, and it was no better than the one in my CTS

[Cookie Monster]

Why does the Audi weigh close to 3,900 lbs? I thought it'd be a lot lighter than that...

[Lebowski]

The A4 3.2 Quattro seems slow. Slower then the 2007 A4 2.0T Quattro. I am also disappointed in the weight, because Audi originally claimed the new A4 would be lighter then the outgoing model.

Based on acceleration times of past A4 and A3 models, I've never been able to figure out why anyone would pay up for the 3.2 over the 2.0T.

[Raza]

When I drove the B7, the 3.2 didn't seem all that peppy.

[CALL_911]

Based on acceleration times of past A4 and A3 models, I've never been able to figure out why anyone would pay up for the 3.2 over the 2.0T.

Agreed 100%.

[MX793]

Based on acceleration times of past A4 and A3 models, I've never been able to figure out why anyone would pay up for the 3.2 over the 2.0T.

More cylinders, more prestige.  That and, at least with the A3, the only way to get AWD is to pony up for the 3.2.

[CALL_911]

More cylinders, more prestige.  That and, at least with the A3, the only way to get AWD is to pony up for the 3.2.

Oh no, not another prestige battle....

With the A4, you can get AWD with the 2.0T. It's a better powerplant.

[Lebowski]

More cylinders, more prestige.  That and, at least with the A3, the only way to get AWD is to pony up for the 3.2.

That's true in the A3's case ... unfortunately in my case, that would make me just forget about the AWD.  Not worth ponying up for AWD for that car when you gotta pay for the 3.2 on top of it.

[Raza]

That's true in the A3's case ... unfortunately in my case, that would make me just forget about the AWD.  Not worth ponying up for AWD for that car when you gotta pay for the 3.2 on top of it.

That kills the A3 for me completely.  The 2.0T is just a GTI with some fancy clothes.  I even think the GTI looks better.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

I love the new C class and E Class.

IMO mercedes is on the ball with these cars, i've always been more of a BMW fan(and then a Audi fan) but if i were shopping the luxury segment(anywhere from 30k up to 90K) i would most likely end up at a benz dealer. The newer BMW's are akward compared to the previous cars that IMO attained perfection before the bangle designs trickled down. Audi's are looking good but the interiors(the big charm for me) are alittle too busy for me and don't have a classic flow like the audi interiors of the past, the exterior designs are very good though.

[Submariner]

One of my good friends is shopping these two cars at the moment (although it would more likely be a C300 vs. 2.0T). The M-B seems to be more her style, but she's leaning toward the Audi more because she's been told that there were too many corners cut when developing the new C-class. Can anyone corroborate?

Shes been told wrong.  Both examples I drove felt solid, and never missed a step when it came to excited moves on the roads.  Furthermore, I have not read one review commenting on lackluster build or R&D. 

Although I do like the Audi's interior better. I checked out the C-class interior at the LA auto show a while back, and it was no better than the one in my CTS

Oh please.  Even if it's styling was repulsive, the build quality is still eons ahead.  The CTS always had the drive spot on, but not the build. 

[CALL_911]

I don't know what eon you're living in, but the Benz's interior is nothing to write home about.

[CJ]

He's talking about the old CTS.

[Rich]

Shes been told wrong.  Both examples I drove felt solid, and never missed a step when it came to excited moves on the roads.  Furthermore, I have not read one review commenting on lackluster build or R&D. 

About half the reviews I've seen comment on the huge hood gap.  If you can't get a hood right, what can you get right?  

[cawimmer430]

The M-B seems to be more her style, but she's leaning toward the Audi more because she's been told that there were too many corners cut when developing the new C-class. Can anyone corroborate?

Where did she hear that? 

If anything this C-Class is the best built C-Class ever. The W204 was tested for over 3.5 million kilometers to ensure top build quality and reliability standards and I think it paid it off if you look at the latest JD Power ratings. There was no money saved on this car as far as I know. MB really needed to make this C-Class good and it worked.

And the interior is perfectly fine. It's made out of quality materials but it simply looks a bit boring compared to other interiors in its class. There's a difference between "boring" and "cheap". The Audi A4 has literally the same interior materials as that of the W204 C-Class but it has chrome or chrome-imitating plastic adorning certain parts of the interior which provide a more glitzy atmosphere.

[Lebowski]

When I sat at the C-class at the detroit auto show, I was blown away by how lackluster I thought the interior was.

Sorry wimmer, it's more than just boring, it seemed cheap to me for a car in that class.  Not as bad as the last gen CTS, but not good by any stretch and terrible compared to an A4.

[Pommes-T]

In all german reviews I've read so far the A4 won against all competitors. In most cases the C-class was far behind. The c-class even lost against the new Mondeo once or twice.

If I remember correctly, in earlier days when a new Benz came out, no Ford would have been the better choice.

I must say that a red Avantgarde version looks pretty hot, but the ordinary C-class leaves me completely cold. The Audi on the other hand looks absolutely stunning in every perspective. Yesterday I've seen a white one with large rims.... HARRRR!!!! 

IMO the new c-class is a good car, but not a very good one that should have a star on the hood and have the price of a Mercedes. I absolutely can't imagine why anyone would want to buy this car.  (instead his last name is Wimmer...  ) . And the Audi is just damn hot and probably the best car in its class!!!! 

Oh, and don't forget the 3.2 has AWD, too...

[SJ_GTI]

Based on acceleration times of past A4 and A3 models, I've never been able to figure out why anyone would pay up for the 3.2 over the 2.0T.

Slightly faster, but mainly its about refinement.

I like my 2.0T, but its a bit raucous. While I personally like the turbo powerband, a naturally aspirated engine is smoother and less abrupt.

Plus if you want all the equipment on the 3.2, its actually not all that muchy more expensive (maybe a couple grand).

One thing to keep in mind is that most reviews with the 3.2L are automatics, while the 2.0T is often paired with a manual. On the B7 model, audi offerred both engines with both transmissions.

[Vinsanity]

My friend heard it from a guy who works at a Benz dealer Don't know why he would say that, though

But even if I have to concede that the C-class has at least a better interior than my car, it certainly isn't as nice as the ones in the A4, 3-series, and the new CTS. Although that tan color helps a lot.

[hotrodalex]

That Audi looks hot, both in & out. The Benz looks good, but compared to the Audi it's lagging a bit.

Although that tan color helps a lot.

I prefer black interiors. Tan can start looking bad after a few years.

[r0tor]

a) agree that I don't really see the point of the 3.2... heavier, thirstier, and no quicker

b)  wtf happened to the A4 weight??  The last of the smallish entry level lux segment sedans is officially dead.

[CALL_911]

a) agree that I don't really see the point of the 3.2... heavier, thirstier, and no quicker

b)  wtf happened to the A4 weight??  The last of the smallish entry level lux segment sedans is officially dead.

The E90 328i is lighter than the B7 A4 2.0T was. Hell, the E60 535i is the same weight as the A4. IIRC, they're both 3,660 lbs.

[Vinsanity]

b)  wtf happened to the A4 weight??  The last of the smallish entry level lux segment sedans is officially dead.

It was only a matter of time. Unless you're talking about Manhattan apartments, luxury and space have always gone hand-in-hand. However, if you're willing to bend your definition of entry-lux, there's the Acura TSX and Volvo S40...

[nickdrinkwater]

It was only a matter of time. Unless you're talking about Manhattan apartments, luxury and space have always gone hand-in-hand. However, if you're willing to bend your definition of entry-lux, there's the Acura TSX and Volvo S40...

What about the 1-Series?

[sportyaccordy]

What about the 1-Series?

I would call that a stretch. That is like calling an A-Class luxurious.

[Vinsanity]

Actually, I would put the 128i in the same class as the S40 and TSX. All of those cars get owned by the Toyota Avalon and Hyundai Azera in terms of luxury anyways, so it really does just come down to the badge.

[SJ_GTI]

I would call that a stretch. That is like calling an A-Class luxurious.

You have to separate out premium from luxury.

The 3-series isn't any more luxurious then a Honda Accord. In fact a good case can be made that the Accord is more luxurious.

Bu the 3-series, and to a lesser extent the 1-series, are definitely premium products.

[r0tor]

i said entry level lux sedan... the 1er isn't a sedan here

[sportyaccordy]

Ah ok I understand.

Even still the S40, TSX and even the 128i are all over 3300#.

I mean I am sure they are all safer and ride nice but I would go w/a G20 or 1st gen TSX before the offerings now.