When it comes to luxury cars, German engineering sets the standard for the rest of the world. Among your options, you'll find that Mercedes-Benz and BMW each enjoy distinguished reputations for quality, driving dynamics, and safety. The seductively new 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class and its rival BMW 3 Series are great examples. So, which one will best meet your needs and desires when cruising around the greater Murrieta and Menifee areas? In the details below, we look at some of the more significant specs and features that stand between these two respected luxury sedans. Though, to truly understand why nothing beats a new Mercedes-Benz, we invite you to experience them firsthand at our dealership in Temecula, CA.
Each of these luxury sedans represent their makers well with generous standard and available features to further one's comfort and convenience. However, take a closer look. It doesn't take long to see that the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class provides much more for your investment. That's because you get standard features that include heated seats, power lumbar support, and a large center touchscreen display. It all adds up to a luxury sedan that immerses you in the future of transportation.
The similarly-priced 2021 BMW 3 Series, while certainly a luxury car, holds back features like heated seats and a power-lumbar support from the entry level models so they can charge extra for these features. The same is true of other features like remote engine start and passive entry, which are standard on every new Mercedes-Benz C-Class. These German luxury sedans may start out with nearly the same price tag, but it's clear that you'll get a far better return on your investment in a new C-Class from Mercedes Benz.
It's no secret that today's luxury cars are equipped with some truly impressive technology, connectivity, and multimedia systems. That's certainly the case with the new 2021 Mercedes-Benz and BMW 3 Series. Though once again, it only takes a moment to see that there are some real differences. Take the center control screen, for instance. It's a massive, easy-to-use 10.25-inch touchscreen in the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class compared to the 8.8-inch center screen in the BMW 3 Series. But it's not just the size that separates these two information and entertainment systems. Further advantages for the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class include an intuitive central controller positioned to fall naturally to your hand and touch control buttons on the steering wheel that provide smartphone like controls to easily swipe through menus.
When it comes to the performance of your next new luxury car, there's what the numbers say on paper and then there's what your heart tells you after getting behind the wheel. On paper, the new 2021 Mercedes-Benz and BMW 3 Series enter the market with the same horsepower and both cars reach sixty MPH from a standstill in virtually the same time. It stands to reason that driving each of these cars is about the same, but it's just not.
Part of it is the nine-speed automatic transmission in the C-Class that we find to be a bit smoother and seamless than the eight-speed automatic transmission in the 3 Series, but the more significant difference is found in the suspension. That's because every 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class comes equipped with an advanced selective damping system that reads and reacts to the road by adjusting each individual shock absorber. The result is a luxuriously comfortable ride that sacrifices nothing in response and handling. You can get the BMW version of this suspension, but you'll find it costs significantly more. All told, you'll find a much more engaging drive for the money behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz.
Today's luxury sedans are among the safest vehicles ever made. The latest Mercedes-Benz C-Class and BMW 3 Series models are examples of what's now possible. Though once again, we see some significant advantages from the C-Class in terms of what you're getting for the money. Take the standard ATTENTION ASSIST® technology, for example. Every new Mercedes-Benz C-Class is equipped with this advanced feature that monitors 70 parameters of driving behavior so that it may remind you when it's time to pull over for a cup of coffee. It's an example of safety and technology that's not available on a BMW 3 Series.
Have you ever passed a big truck and noticed a gust of wind unexpectedly push your vehicle to the side? Every new Mercedes-Benz C-Class is also equipped with Crosswind Assist to further enhance your control of the vehicle, and it's another feature that the BMW 3 Series simply lacks. Other advantages for the C-Class include standard Blind Spot Assist and available Parking Damage Detector. Take the short drive from Wildomar, CA to learn more at our friendly dealership.
Sure, it's no secret that we believe Mercedes-Benz models like the new C-Class represent the absolute pinnacle of luxurious automotive performance. It's what the world has come to expect from the longest standing vehicle manufacturer in the world. While the latest 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class enters the market with nearly the same MSRP as the new BMW 3 Series, you simply get more for your money in the new C-Class. And, we're confident that a test drive with us at Mercedes-Benz of Temecula, serving Fallbrook and Deluz, CA, will relieve any doubts that may remain about upgrading your daily driver to a new Mercedes-Benz.
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class |
|
2021 BMW 3 Series |
| $41,600 | Starting MSRP* | $41,250 |
| 255 | Standard Horsepower | 255 |
| 9-Speed Automatic | Transmission | 8-Speed Automatic |
| Standard | Selective Damping Suspension | Available Upgrade |
| Standard | ATTENTION ASSIST® | Not Available |
| Standard | Crosswind Assist | Not Available |
| Standard | Heated Seats | Available Upgrade |
| Standard | Power Lumbar Support | Available |
| 10.25" Touchscreen | Standard Center Display | 8.8" Touchscreen |
| 12.3" Digital | Instrument Cluster | 8.8" Digital |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class |
|
|
| 2021 BMW 3 Series |
| $41,600 |
| Starting MSRP* |
| $41,250 |
| 255 |
| Standard Horsepower |
| 255 |
| 9-Speed Automatic |
| Transmission |
| 8-Speed Automatic |
| Standard |
| Selective Damping Suspension |
| Available Upgrade |
| Standard |
| ATTENTION ASSIST® |
| Not Available |
| Standard |
| Crosswind Assist |
| Not Available |
| Standard |
| Heated Seats |
| Available Upgrade |
| Standard |
| Power Lumbar Support |
| Available |
| 10.25" Touchscreen |
| Standard Center Display |
| 8.8" Touchscreen |
| 12.3" Digital |
| Instrument Cluster |
| 8.8" Digital |
*Base MSRP excludes transportation and handling charges, destination charges, taxes, title, registration, preparation and documentary fees, tags, labor and installation charges, insurance, and optional equipment, products, packages and accessories. Actual vehicle price may vary by Dealer.
