so_so_fresh_kiddo

Which one do you guys think is an overall better car?

Nodoze2004

What forum are you on???

Take a wild guess!

Tripp11

Acura TL......unless you give some more parameters which need to be taken into consideration with your question.

Plus, define "better".....does better entail styling, features, handling, performance, etc...?

so_so_fresh_kiddo

well in terms of interior style, features, and performance...i test drove both cars this weekend and the Benz seemed to have a smoother acceleration where as the TL jerks and starts to scream (test drove the autos)...since i've been reading what people have been posting on the board it seems that the TL has a lot of problems...but dont get me wrong i think the car is beautiful...but i just wanted ur guys opinions on the two...thats all

Teh Jatt

Ofcourse C320





























































NOT

Tripp11

Interior style - personal preference but I prefer the TL.

Performance - hands down, the TL wins....from the specs alone:

270HP vs. 215
238 ft. lb vs. 221

Relatively same weight.

I've not driven the MB, but I like the driving dynamics of the TL.

was-up

lol.....hahahahaahaha....the benz c320 is not worth the money or anything...my friend used to have that car until he traded it in for a acura TL....he said that the car was lacking in power and response...also if you look at the benz, its a V-6 3.2L and it only creates 215 HP...thats very little horsepower for a V-6...if you compare that to a second generation CL...the benz is just not worth the money at all...all your paying for in the benz is the name...not the HP the engine creates

04tlnbppar

MB 320 if you could and willing to pay that extra money. I used to have a MB SLK, very solid and less trouble than my TL (sent back to dealer 3 times within just 26xx miles, it's in the dealer now again for 2nd time A/C repair). MB service is outstanding but you pay what you get.

rets

That smooth ride comes from its weak power. Newer VINs TLs should have less problems than what you've seen over this forum. If you put all features 04TL has into that C320, check out if the price and all the interior look is what you prefer to have.

Have you checked on MB site and see what issues C320 has...??




My friend's friend in CA got C320 5AT Lighting package CD a few months ago with $32k-33k... I don't know if this is way low...

rescueswimmer

I have driven both cars. They both have there ups and downs. I am going to purchase the TL. The benz is RWD it handles a little better than the TL. No big winner there. If you want the c320 equipped like a TL then get ready to toss some coinage. I think the TL is a way better value. The car will definitly be more dependable than any MB product. I think the C320 looks better than the TL but thats my opion. Not that the TL isnt a good looking car. I think the overall winner would be the TL just because of its reliabiltiy and what you get for what you pay.

04tlnbppar

C320 5AT Lighting package CD with just $32k-33k? it is impossible unless it's a used car. 2005 C class has a face lift (especially the front bumper and interior), it looks alot better now.

Jss1

Here's a c320 problem site if interested. Note there isn't an Acura section.

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/autom...edes_c320.html

so_so_fresh_kiddo

most of the problems are from the older MB C320s

boltjames

Never buy a C Class. To Mercedes owners they're considered the 'budget' Mercedes, so no points for status. Unlike the BMW 3 which is also affordable, the C has no special characteristic that makes it special. BMW owners can respect a 3 driver because of it's world-class handling and fun appeal.

The C is just a stripped, poor-man's E made to capture a fraction of the entry level luxury market that others dominate. Clever marketing; nothing more.

BJ

rets

We're shocked by this phone call weeks ago. Not only were we surprised he got the new car, but also he got MB instead of other brands. He mentioned this is 04 model with big discount. How big? I thought it's like 5k discount?





You seem to make a decision already... buy 04 or 05?

neuronbob

Hey kiddo:

I drove the C320 at the Auto Show in Motion last weekend. I think it's a more handsome car than the new E-series. The interior is pretty adequate, though as I state in my ASIM review, it suffers from "buttonitis"--too many buttons. It also looks a bit cheaper to me than the TL, but that is just personal preference. The TL's ergonomics are better. The handling is better than I though it would be--it did well in steep turns, but nowhere near as well as the BMW 325i or the TL I test drove.

I believe that with the TL, you get better performance (engine and suspension/handling), toys, and interior for the money than you would with the C320. OTOH, the 320 looks great and you get your Mercedes panache. I don't you can go wrong with either.

The TL doesn't have many problems--I am speaking for the silent majority who like the car and are having no substantive problems with it.

I hope this helps a little.

SpecialFX

I looked at the C230 Sport Sedan as a back up. Looks like a nice car for th $$. My wife always drives the TL so I need another new car for me. I figured the MB would be a nice addition and they have a decen lease offer. I figure I'd rather lease it than be tied to it for a long time, unlike the TL, which I bought since it's a keeper. I didn't even drive it. The interior is the cheapest, crappiest I've seen in a long time and there's no room inside. Maybe I'll just get another TL. Maybe with the 6MT this time :jump2:

God help MB if that's the best they can do in this price class.

kosh2258

The way to look at is that DCX is feeling the pressure from Lexus and Acura in this segment. They're currently in a very nasty labor hassle with plants that build the C320 and E-Class cars. They want concessions from their workers to reduce production costs and the unions are bucking it.

So expect that there are going to be some very disgruntled employees building those cars. And MB has been having their share of quality glitches the last several years to the point that even in their home country MB is preceived to be at the bottom of the quality heap right now.

I don't dislike the C320, or MB for that matter, (Chrysler, however, sucks big time as far as I'm concerned) those cars have their merits. But IMHO the TL is by far and away a better value for the dollar.

NightRider

I had a 97 C280 and have test driven 2003 C320. These cars make you FEEL great driving them, but I don't know how great they really are. Handling is about the same as the TL, being the C is a little smaller and RWD. Acceleration is not as quick as our car, but definitely a little smoother. This is not because of the "weak V6", but rather the inline 6's on BMW and MB are just so smooth, for more of a "luxury" feel. The C320 I drove was great and had everything the TL has except Nav/BT/5.1, thing was even without these it was damn near 40K! Also, the Daimer-Chrysler/MB merge was great for Chrysler as it brought luxury of Chrysler cars up (300C, Crossfire), but did nothing for Mercedes as their quality of cars drops daily. If you can afford both cars, that would be great, but if you can only have one and can live without the nameplate then get the TL.

Saintor

The C class probably does a better business card for you. But it feels heavy and I would hate to deal with their stealerships. Not very reliable.

Now the C320 is avaialbe in 6-speed manual.

EggrollXpress61

A LOT of kids in my school drive brand new C class benzes. What I honestly think is that when your buying a C Class Benz, your just buying it for the name. These kids always brag that they drive benzes or Bimmers. I think Only when you get up into atleast E class do I think the intentions are looking for an upper class superior quality luxury car.

DaCeptak0n

I think this guy is from the MBworld.org website too. There was a similar discussion on it and they bashed the hell out of the Acura TL. Comparing the C230Kompressor,C320 versus the TL...

I am fightin this battle by myself guys..help meeh out..haha

http://forums.mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=75011

rets

He seems to behave well now. Without bashing us, he's ok...

elbodude

German cars are crap, period. :sqntfawk:

BarryH

Now that's what I like to see - a reasoned, thoughtful post that looks objectively at the pros and cons of the issue at hand.

so_so_fresh_kiddo

well...i got the TL im picking it up in a week...and my dad got a MB E500...so now i get to drive both cars

rets

Remember to get new VIN if you intend to buy the brand new one.

elbodude

If the MB even starts up.

so_so_fresh_kiddo

dont hate...i got nuttin but love for yall

Eduardo

Very funny!!!

TLOBLLC

Hate to say it, but 5 years from now when you go to the stealership to trade your car, the MB will have higher value.

Eduardo

...that what I sometimes think when I have my 2005 TL vs. 2004 330 xi debate. The BMW will most likely have a higher resell value.

Azuki

I don't like MB...unless I have lots of money to buy top of the line MB. To me, TL is the best for what I pay I love my TL

kosh2258

Given the perception problems MB is having regarding quality and reliability recently, that may not be true in the future.

To paraphrase: Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

MB's problems are just beginning now that they're starting to mess with German labor unions sacred cows of working hours, breaks, and vacation time. It's gonna get real ugly.

TLism

Buying a low end MB is like going a expensive restaurant and only order water for dinner and nothing else... however, TL is supposedly to be the best value, but value is nothing without quality... I think consumer report or some other source gave TL a 2 star out of 5 for quality after 3-month use... And this is what people call a "near" luxury sedan... how funny

TLPAPii

Juss Buy a BMW 760i and get it over with .... :fingerfawk: