Is Merc (C180/200) more problem free over 320i

[SpeedMerc]

The attractive thing about power of cars is that once you get to drive it, it is hard to look back. The 320i @ 170bhp, but pricing wise on high side...so wait till economy is down than enter mkt.

Wait for the 316 then we can compare with the c180 to see whats the difference. Both 1.6 L category. Saw spec of 316, producing only 136 or 138 hp.

Actually quite interesting, 5 years ago they occupy cat B coe, now occupy cat a. Even the vw passat now enter cat a space.

[Ah Bui]

Wait for the 316 then we can compare with the c180 to see whats the difference. Both 1.6 L category. Saw spec of 316, producing only 136 or 138 hp.

Actually quite interesting, 5 years ago they occupy cat B coe, now occupy cat a. Even the vw passat now enter cat a space.

well let's put it this way... PML service centres are already filled to the brim... with no new facilities in sight for the near future... Next come the 316... and I believe they will sell like hot cakes... what will happen when these cars and those existing one are due for servicing... Are they going to face the same problems as VW where booking for normal servicing is around 2 months??? Or more??? And what happen if major faults.. How long and is PML able to provide courtesy car for all these customers... For I believe 316 will have alot of problems.... just like the 523s...

[daffy]

Maybe that will be the rise of the rising sun again...but ¥ gotto go down first!

[sapporobier]

well let's put it this way... PML service centres are already filled to the brim... with no new facilities in sight for the near future... Next come the 316... and I believe they will sell like hot cakes... what will happen when these cars and those existing one are due for servicing... Are they going to face the same problems as VW where booking for normal servicing is around 2 months??? Or more??? And what happen if major faults.. How long and is PML able to provide courtesy car for all these customers... For I believe 316 will have alot of problems.... just like the 523s...

Have to wait for the new BMW building at Leng Kee to complete, then they will have more capacity. If not cramp for now. All that $ required to build it is remarkable... financed by the population of BMW buyers in Singapore.

Btw, is the 523 made in S.Africa?

[Cklasse]

That building beside MBC is the new one. It was supposed to be a tok kong building that looks like a glass ball but ended a normal looking building.

[Ah Bui]

its a tok kok building... alot of tok... still look like KOK!!!!! :hair:SiI BEH PAI KUA!!!!!

That building beside MBC is the new one. It was supposed to be a tok kong building that looks like a glass ball but ended a normal looking building.

[hatch]

I'm a cheapskate. I'm price sensitive.

Cannot see where the premium for e bm is going to.

It's only recently that there's turbo for bm. Prior to these, the base models across their lineups r just weak.

Dun understand the big deal of having great handling where it can't run.

Anyway, the service at cnc is still acceptable.

[Ah Bui]

although I bought PI for my W212... I hd enough experience with C&C to know that they are at least service orientated... And the service ppl are of easy access... Had KIA... service was fine... service centre at Teban was efficient... Send in my car for air-con problem and got her back in 2 hours... Had Citroen... got to know Matthew and he will do his best to solve all your problem... thus I do believe that if you know who to look for at C&C... you can have peace of mind for your Merc...

[SpeedMerc]

Actually for BMW servicing one can go to PML or Munich Automotive - both are BMW Authorised Workshop and warranty will be maintained if one service there. Tomorrow is COE bid again, my guess is it will go up say about 4K since last round Cat B dropped $8K let’s see ....

well let's put it this way... PML service centres are already filled to the brim... with no new facilities in sight for the near future... Next come the 316... and I believe they will sell like hot cakes... what will happen when these cars and those existing one are due for servicing... Are they going to face the same problems as VW where booking for normal servicing is around 2 months??? Or more??? And what happen if major faults.. How long and is PML able to provide courtesy car for all these customers... For I believe 316 will have alot of problems.... just like the 523s...

[Ah Bui]

Actually for BMW servicing one can go to PML or Munich Automotive - both are BMW Authorised Workshop and warranty will be maintained if one service there. Tomorrow is COE bid again, my guess is it will go up say about 4K since last round Cat B dropped $8K let’s see ....

I know... But wait till ur car got problem... PML will tai chi... My friend got into this hooha... Gearbox faulty.. Sent the car to Munich Auto... Refreshed software.. And problem came back after 2 weeks... Munich Auto then suggest sending it back to PML... There at PML the service manager commented that Munich Auto are not experts in BMW...why we sent the car there and not back to them? We were like WTF??? PML then tried to solve the same problem... No luck... Finally after my pal threatened to sue them that they relented and changed the whole gearbox... Although both are BMW authorised workshop... There will still be difference cos different owners...

[johnphua]

I know... But wait till ur car got problem... PML will tai chi... My friend got into this hooha... Gearbox faulty.. Sent the car to Munich Auto... Refreshed software.. And problem came back after 2 weeks... Munich Auto then suggest sending it back to PML... There at PML the service manager commented that Munich Auto are not experts in BMW...why we sent the car there and not back to them? We were like WTF??? PML then tried to solve the same problem... No luck... Finally after my pal threatened to sue them that they relented and changed the whole gearbox... Although both are BMW authorised workshop... There will still be difference cos different owners...

My last ride BMW 320 fl-lci sent in the 1st time for the rattling sound 3 days, 2nd time driver door tuck sound 1 week unsolved, 3rd time sent to Munich for the same issue 3 weeks unsolved also call me n informed me needed another 4 weeks in order to cut the pillar n fixed with new pillar. New car less that 6 months needed to cut the pillar just for the driver door tuck sound? I insisted they return me my car cos I really can't afford to wait so long. No replacement car n I've rented a car during that period cost me about nearly 3k, so what warranty covered, still have to pay nearly 3k for the rental car. At that time just owning that car for 5 months n 10 days n mileage just over 6k. After getting my car straight heading to mbc to book a merc. Now so happy with my c250 coupe n also happy with pandan loop service centre!

[hatch]

Seems like tis thread has evolved from comparision between makes to that of e distributor.

I see more merc owners buying back the same brand even e same make than beemer owners.

[goose]

My last ride BMW 320 fl-lci sent in the 1st time for the rattling sound 3 days, 2nd time driver door tuck sound 1 week unsolved, 3rd time sent to Munich for the same issue 3 weeks unsolved also call me n informed me needed another 4 weeks in order to cut the pillar n fixed with new pillar. New car less that 6 months needed to cut the pillar just for the driver door tuck sound? I insisted they return me my car cos I really can't afford to wait so long. No replacement car n I've rented a car during that period cost me about nearly 3k, so what warranty covered, still have to pay nearly 3k for the rental car. At that time just owning that car for 5 months n 10 days n mileage just over 6k. After getting my car straight heading to mbc to book a merc. Now so happy with my c250 coupe n also happy with pandan loop service centre!

Ooch... you should have insisted for taxi fare which most AD will compensate you for $50/day and also compensation for your car loan and also other compensation for losing the joy of owning a new car. That was what I did last time. I was given $50/day, compensation for my loan, extended warranty and $1500 worth of car petrol.

[goose]

Oh yeah, I did told my SE that if they pissed me too much I might get my friend to call his contractor to fill up their showroom with site worker over the weekends to view cars.

[johnphua]

Ooch... you should have insisted for taxi fare which most AD will compensate you for $50/day and also compensation for your car loan and also other compensation for losing the joy of owning a new car. That was what I did last time. I was given $50/day, compensation for my loan, extended warranty and $1500 worth of car petrol.

But it is too late now! I think I didn't press hard enough at that time.

[ghyb]

Im currently still driving my 2007 320i. In terms of reliability, it cannot be compared to Japanese cars, as for Mercedes my dad has a C Class, gearbox had to be replaced in 5 yrs time or 130,000km or mileage.

As for mine, my gearbox had to be replaced at the 3rd year mark or 83,000km. 1st 3 years was problem free, the problems started creeping in the 4th year of my ownership. There were oil leaks in many places, repairs to replace all the oil seals not really considered expensive as I did the repairs outside with a BMW specialist. The killer was the leaking valve seals which happened earlier this year, bluish white smoke emitted from my exhuast, topping up of 1 litre of engine oil every week or every 500km travelled. Got really pissed which due to no budget to change car, I sent for repairs for around $3000 to do a top overhaul to replace the valve seals, cylinder head gasket and other miscellaneous stuff.

I would think from both my father's and my experience with both makes, both have their pros and cons, Mercedes having a better resale value and more comfortable. BMW has better handling out of the box, but driving both back to back, I feel both are pretty close in terms of driving feel, etc. I do not feel either car is significantly inferior at all.

As for my Dad's C Class, the 5 years he had it, no oil leaks of any sort, only the gearbox had issues. I would feel Mercedes would be a more reliable car as compared to a BMW based on my very own limited experience.

Buying a car is a big investment for most of us, so it would be best if you test drive both, look at them inside and outside carefully, go home, sit and quietly think over it, which one do you prefer. Then get the one you think of most. And buying a car just like buying electronic appliances, it really depends on luck, sometimes you get a good one which doesnt relli give problems.

Cheers and enjoy your new ride soon!