Japanese Car Zone - View Single Post - Auto Express Compact Executives Audi A4 v Alfa Romeo 159 v BMW 320d v Mercedes C220

EnI · 06-17-2007, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atuv

So the C is the better all round dynamic car but loses coz of small details,yeah ok...

On C220 CDI:

"The end result is that the C-Class blends excellent body control and stability in bends with a supple ride. Its composure boosts confidence, and while the steering isn’t quite as sharp as the BMW’s, overall it feels the better package."

"There are other annoyances, too. The foot-operated parking brake is old-fashioned and a pain to use with a manual transmission, since you have to deal with four pedals in the footwell. The manual gearlever is cheap and resonates under acceleration. Combined with a slack shift action, it falls short of the mechanical excellence you’d expect from a sporting saloon. A springy clutch and a throttle pedal with a lazy response also numb the driving experience."

"However, the 2.2-litre diesel redresses the balance – it’s potent, smooth and very hushed, delivering its power in a relaxed yet sporty manner. It pulls well, too. A 60Nm torque advantage means it’s keener than the BMW and was more than 1.5 seconds quicker than any rival from 50-70mph in sixth."

"Nevertheless, while patchy in some areas, the Mercedes has the beating of the BMW in others."

"The final polish is missing from the new C-Class, so it doesn’t feel as well engineered as the BMW. We expect adding an auto would help."

On 320d:

"Lower-spec models are more comfortable and drive better than this M Sport. But the 320d is still an excellent car, and our class favourite."

"Power arrives steadily right through the rev range. The 320d also has a sharp throttle response, plus the strongest and most communicative brakes in this test. These predictable controls make it easier to drive around town than the C220, while on more open country roads the steering is sharper than on any of its rivals. The BMW turns in with an accuracy and level of feedback that its opponents struggle to match. There’s plenty of grip, too, and thanks to the rear-wheel-drive layout, traction is superb."

"On UK roads, the 3-Series isn’t at its best in M Sport trim due to the firmness of the ride, which means that it jumps and fidgets over bumps that don’t trouble the C-Class. The 320d simply doesn’t come across as being that relaxing to drive, and so proves more tiring on long trips."

"Overall, the BMW’s chassis lacks the composure of the Mercedes’, while on the motorway it can’t match its refinement. Nevertheless, if it was our money, we’d opt for the SE spec with its more absorbent suspension – it strikes a better balance between comfort and entertainment than this more aggressive M Sport set-up."