It was true before. But frankly, I think the German’s are getting crazy about bloating the cars.
BMW 3 series was suppose to be the affordable luxury..Fully loaded 3 series can ring up $50k (335), which is just ridiculous.
Audi A4’s are the same way. You can spend $40k on a 2.0T engine…
C300 are nice, but sorry the reliability on a Mercedes are just headaches. Plus servicing these things are $$$$. It use to be all the german cars provided free scheduled maintenance, but not anymore. BMW is the only one doing this (Audi you can buy a package)… This would definitely make me cross of the C300 the list if I was concerned about upkeep cost. I’ve never been able to make it out Mercedes of SD with a maintenance bill less that $100 each time, because for one thing it it will require 6+ quarts of full synthetic, not including the labor.
The other thing I’d be concerned about the latest Audi’s with are the FSI engine….Great engines, but they until recently they haven’t been enough long term “real world” examples of what happens with these engines that squirk fuel directly into the combustion chambers. The feedback for longer term owners is that, there’s a lot of concern about (1) excessive carbon buildup and (2)need for more frequent oil changes because the oil breaksdown quicker..even synthetic..Probably not a concern if you aren’t going to keep the car for a long time. But if you plan on it, just google for “FSI engine problems” or “Audi FSI Engine Carbon Build-up Megathread” and make the appropriate decisions…
I’d stick to the BMW 3 series for the true German balanced machine, at the sacrifice of less power. But G37 would top the A4 and C300 for me.
Regarding A4’s. Just don’t get one that isn’t AWD. Because otherwise they are FWD, and A4’s in general already tend to understeer (though the latest ones are better than before). Unfortunately, you’ll have a heavier car and slightly less gas mileage though. Curb weight of the A4 is 3680…It’s overweight and needs to go on diet.
