BMW 325i vs Merc C250 CGI vs Audi A4 2.0TFSI Quattro vs Volkswagen Passat CC

[Omega Man]

I'm in the market for a sport saloon and I'm willing to spend up until RM 320k. I have shorlisted these 4 cars and appreciate all the sifus here to shed some light. Thanks !

 

[whiteknight88]

Audi A4 Quattro is the best car amongst the 4 you've listed my 2 cents

 

[Spaceman]

Get a E92 335i. BMW Twin Turbo FTW!

 

[B33mEr]

Yup i would pick Quattro too Unless you can get your hands on a 335i :top:

 

[whiteknight88]

335i is way out of budget la :x

 

[Morganl]

Audi body & Engine + 250 CGI price tag + BMW I-drive... that'll be my perfect combo...

 

[3er]

The VW Passat CC is waayy down on the list. Meanwhile go test drive the rest and determine the "feel" for yourself.

The 325i has a smooth 2.5L straight six. You pay more for roadtax compared to the other 2.
The C250CGI has plenty of torque (now turbo instead of kompressor). But colour selection and delivery dates is a pain.
The Quattro is 4WD - thats something the other 2 doesnt have. Want to be different? Go for this.

 

[Morganl]

I still don't understand how Passat managed to get into your selection though...

Merc C class had alot of build quality issue for their previous Kompressor model when they launched it initially... u'll get to experience air cond blower faulty even on the demo car... not to mention those 1 eye xenon pirates that you'll c ocassionally on the road + some C class that can't start....

even on Sport mode, C250 CGI still feel super light in terms of drive & handling... almost as if you are driving a Honda Civic...

Audi A4 Quattro is a rip off at that price tag though... though you get a fully imported new car...

plenty of forumer to advice u on 325i, so I'll leave this 1 out....

if u can stretch a bit, maybe can go for A5... otherwise, Q5 is not too bad too....

 

[gameover]

I was in the same boat several months ago and I still agree with the sentiments above, the Audi A4/Q5 would be at the top of my list. Since my budget was less though, I ended up with my 320d and haven't regretted the decision. Tried the Merc C-class in the C200k guise, the interior feels nice but the engine and driving experience was just meh.

Note the extremely long waiting times for both Audis though, 6+ months for each I believe. Good luck!

 

[Morganl]

Q5 waiting period was 1 year when I made the enquiry but I believe it's cut short to around 8 months now... price went up by 10k immediately after the queue started building up.

A4 Quattro was a big ripped off at that price tag so I ended up just taking Q5 into my consideration.

320d might be worth checking out too if you don't mind the lack of i-drive + diesel turbo engine... still a fun car to play... especially against Audi A4 Quattro...

C250 interior is much nicer than C200, just a side note... but ride & handling still feel like Civic even on Sport mode.

 

[VKS]

I'm in the market for a sport saloon and I'm willing to spend up until RM 320k. I have shorlisted these 4 cars and appreciate all the sifus here to shed some light. Thanks !

Among these 4 cars i would say go for A4 Quattro for overall satisfaction..But if you have 320k to burn for a super sport saloon get the 335i :top: and theres even 4 door saloon..

By the way pls intro yourself in the newbies section so we can get to know you better...

 

[viewfinder]

the a4 quat being awd, wouldnt the fuel consumption be higher ?

 

[330Ci]

The Merc.

As the BMW is at the tail end of its lifecycle. Avoid buying car which just has a facelift done as manufacturer clearing stock of that model quick

As for Audi - it ages fast ... too fast

 

[Omega Man]

Thanks for your feedback guys. I'm going to test drive C250 cgi this friday. I've driven 325i and love the sweet sound of 6 cylinder. The reason VW Passat CC included in my list because all these cars can accelerate 0 - 100km/h in less than 8 sec and Audi is the faster 6.6, followed by C250 cgi 7.4 sec and then 325i and Passat cc 7.7 sec. All cars have 200 horses but the torque is different. Audi definitely has the most 350 Nm, C250 cgi 310 ( but iwth 5 speed gear box ), Passat 280 Nm and last but definitely not least 325, 250Nm

Eventhough Passat is the cheapest ( Rm 243k ), it is not slower than the bimmer and the design is unique. Just the brand..... and definitely resale value. Q5 is around Rm 325k but it is a SUV. I'm looking for a sport saloon and I have Toyota Estima Aeras ACR50 for my family ride

 

[Montoy]

Audi A4 Quattro :top:

 

[astroboy]

If power is what u want, get the Audi. Driving dynamic is paramount to me, none of the other 3 is even close in satisfying my need. Power is something that's never enough.. what's the use of power without control. What's the use of power when a smaller CC BMW overtakes u at every corner? NA cars are more suitable in powering out of screeching corner due to the smoothness in power deliver. A slight over power in a slippery corner can push the car into a spin.

If AWD is what u want, u should try the X1. Oh! u must take corners till the wheel screech, then only u can separate the men from the boys. Try feeling the torque transfer between the screeching wheels and the non screeching wheels. If straight line sprint is what u want, go test the EVOx or STi, they clock better times then all 4 u mentioned, at a lower price range..

End of the day, your money your choice! If I buy car today, it will be the 320d, 0~100 in 7.6s, 380Nm torque, cheaper roadtax, cheaper fuel and u save RM100k !!

 

[ice pop]

overoll all is the perfect cars but i always standing up for BMW n 6 potter even better .consider 335i as i know those ap importer offering 335i price below 300k,somehow you able to save a couple of ten thousand.

 

[whiteknight88]

335i for

 

[Morganl]

after test drive the Merc C250 CGI, make sure u go scout for few units on-the-road and see if u like the lights at night. check it out and u'll know what I mean. it's harder to see the diff during your regular day time short test drive session.

all these cars has it's pros & cons.... so ultimately it's still a tough choice...

1. Merc C250 CGI -'cheapest' & latest design + new Turbo engine, but drive & handling can't really be classified as Sport Saloon even under Sport mode. LCD screen cheapo look compared to i-drive. Sales man will tell you fancy features like Voice Activated GPS, blah blah blah.

2. Audi A4 Quattro - Msia is probably the few countries where u can find an Audi that is more expensive than Merc. but it's a fully imported unit rather than CKD. Design & Handling wise all fulfill ur requirements as 'Sport saloon'. Don't have to worry bout CKD A4 Quattro in the near future as well.

3. 325i - 3 series is at it's last leg now... and that's applicable across the board including the 320d & 335i. expect alot of gimmick for sales push.

no comment on Passat cause I haven't test drive 1 b4... but the design cue is quite similar to the older version of CLS....

I don't suppose you'll include Volvo in your list of selection, but if u have spare time after the Merc test drive session, might be worth the effort to check out the new S80 Turbo. 340 Nm, 0-100 under 7.5 sec. now raya promotion comes with alot of free gift too. all-in price incuding insurance should be still below 300k.

If u don't mind recon car, Naza had thrown out 7 units of Porsche boxster (2005/2006) at around 270k for raya promotion. all snapped up liao last I check them out. not sure if they'll have more of those stocks coming in soon. they still have some 09 E class selling under 265k, but I don't think E class suits your requirements & definition as Sport saloon even though those few units are Avantgarde version.

happy hunting....

 

[gameover]

Sorry but I have to disagree with morganl on the new Volvo S80 2.5T. I took it on a test drive on my favorite test route (Besraya highway) and it floats and wobbles pretty badly. The engine pulls very nicely true enough. It's extremely comfortable, NVH is among the best I've tried but everything is geared towards a comfortable ride, not a sports sedan.

The Porsche sounds like a good idea if you don't mind recon cars. Boxster or maybe a Cayenne if you need those rear seats.