Which Handles better??

Question

My dad believes that the BMW 7 Series handles better than the 3 series and the 5 Series, and the Mercedes-Benz S-class handles better than the C-class and the E-class. What do you think. Also, which one do you think handles better, a Lexus is300 or a Mercedes-Benz C240? We've driven a C240, and at high speed, it feels alittle unstable. But thats sportyness. what do you think compared to the S-class?

Answer 1

Your dad is wrong.

The S-class is a tank, with similar handling. A heavier car will never handle better than a similar light car - that's simple physics.So handling-wise, 3 series > 5 series > 7 series, and C > E > S.

BMW's handling is far superior to M-B. Even the AMG line isn't known for good handling, just straight line performance. Audi would be a closer comparison to BMW, but even they really don't compete.

The IS300 is a good handling car, and is a class above the C240 in terms of sportiness.

Answer 2

Without a doubt, Mercedes-Benz's handling is infinetely better than the BMW's and Lexus's. If you son't think so, go see your doctor or nearest neurologist.

Back to the question. I don't think you can compare the S-class to the E-class or to the C-class, because of the size and weight difference. They would all Handle the same, if you take the size difference into account. The E-class will come out a little better because It's weight would be the balance point of the C and S class.

By the way, all these cars have ABS (duh).

The 2005 C240 Luxury Sedan is 3360 pounds. It's tires are 205/55HR16 All season. It has ESP, Electronic Stability Program, Brake assist, available 4matic all wheel drive (which will defeat the handling of any car), coefficient of drag 0.27cd and it's turning circle is 35.3 feet. Mercedes Benz Brakes, and steering are also usually better,Front suspension: Independent 3-link with antidive geometry. Coil springs over gas-pressurized shock absorbers. Stabilizer bar.

Rear suspension: Independent 5-arm multilink with geometry for antisquat and alignment control. Separate coil springs and gas-pressurized shock absorbers. Stabilizer bar.

Steering: Rack-and-pinion with power assist and integral hydraulic damper.



The 2005 IS300 E-shift has 215/45ZR17 summer tires, is 3285 pounds, has Brake assist, Vehicle Stability control, Electronic Brakeforce distribution, coefficient of drag 0.29 cd.


Now let's compare.
Benz has all season tires. The IS has summer tires. The instability you felt was because the lexus's tires are rated for speeds of ONLY 149 and up. So you only get the best from them at top speed. The Benz's are only up till about 130 mph. But you won't really be traveling that fast, so the most of your traction will be found at the speeds you have fun at.

The Benz has a lower coefficient pf drag, so no matter how you feel, the benz is more stable at high speed.

On the Traction Control, stability control, and Brake assist, They are both the same, but Benz came up with all this technology.

On steering, it is easier to control the Benzes wheel and it outsteers the lexus. this I get from expierience.

The technology of the suspension of Mercedes benz is much more advanced than the Lexus. It will be a lot sportier. and a confident drive because of this.

So the Actuall handling is about the same on both of these cars. The only difference is the performance. THe 0-60 timing for the Benz is 0.8 seconds slower than the Is. It's top speed is 12 mph higher, but that doesn't really matter, because you'll probably never go that fast. The benz is a bit longer, so it is more stable. The torque in the Benz is the most balanced.

Keep in mind that when you talk about these cars, you can not just look at their features, and say "This car has 3 more features, so i'll buy it instead." You have to actually drive them to judge the car for it's value. that is when other things come up, like "Will it still drive the same 5 years from now?" So from experience, Go for the Benz. you'll be thankful

Answer 3

The Lexus is fine if you are 16 and your dad is buying you a car, but if you want a REAL car...

I have a BMW X3 and a Benz 1995 E-Class. The BMW will lose anything on the curves, but won't win a drag race with a Dodge pickup. Very stable in the turns, however. It's the best handling, most stable car I have ever driven, including a Mustang 5.0 GT.

The E-Class will smoke the tires in 1st gear on dry pavement and is useless in 1st on wet pavement. I don't know what the top speed is because it just keeps going faster and faster, always mantaining control, and I chicken out. Feels like I wouldn't want to take it into a corner very fast, though. It's a great car for the highway and feels like it is built very well.

If performance is what you are looking for, you won't beat a BMW 3 or X3 with anything else under $50K. Both of my X3s have been very reliable and everything but tires is free for 4 years/50K miles. The new 3 and X3 have 260 HP so they might even beat a Dodge truck in a drag race, now!

Answer 4

without a doubt the S class is way superior in handling. My friend has an IS300 modified with majot power and upgraded suspension so i've seen the transition. Also my other friend has a SL65, and a S65... the comparison is uncany! for the money the IS300 is great.. an awesome entry level luxury car. However, if you want the creme of the crop u gotta go with the S class... The 7 series handles pretty good as well.. based on the models you've mentioned i'll list them in my opinion from best to worst. I've driven them all

S class - 4 door S class is a little rolly but 2 door models are perfect!
7 series - very satified with its performance handling
IS300 - pretty nible and agile
E class - a little rolly and too heavy
C class - is this really a benz? lol... underpowered and squirelly at higher speeds, also a bit rolly

Answer 5

"All BMWs are built like Porsches and Ferraris in terms of an excellent race-bred manufacturing history. Porsche is the best, Ferrari is the workhorse that you can't kill, and BMW is what you can afford."

First of all, if all BMW's were built like porsches and Ferrari's they would cost significantly more than they are priced at now. Second, since when is a Porsche better than a Ferrari. Third, you mention BMW with race bred manufacturing technology ehh......if BMW are such good racers then how come they aren't doing so hot in F1 or DTM, right cause they suck in F1 and aren't even in DTM (which they should be considering its a German car series). The S-Class is the best car out of all the ones you just mentioned. As for a IS300 vs. a C240, I think the C240 is better but my opinion. The S-class is soooooo slick though with everything, including the handling, just don't drive it like a true sports car because it simply is not that.

Answer 6

The S-Class and 7-Series are tanks. They handle extremely well for their size -- probably the best on the road. For their size.

If you want something that will handle like crazy and go like a missile, check out the C350 Sport Sedan. Sadly they don't do the AMG C-Class any more -- THAT was Tha Bomb! There are some used C36's around, though.

Answer 7

I love how ppl bad mouth mercedes on here. Get off, mercedes has the best line of cars out right now out of any car company. Every single one of there cars awesome in style as well as performance. I think its funny how ppl try to compare german cars with a Lexus. A lexus=glorified honda, with a higher price.

Answer 8

If your looking for good handling get an IS300 on some tein coilovers.... S class cars handle like boats, their polymonunmatic suspensions dont help either... unless you get an AMG model, or Brabus model....

Answer 9

Lexus is the best because it is owned by toyota and toyota will soon be the biggest auto manufacturer in the world. it will take off GM