328i vs 528i vs CTS vs C350 Which is the best deal in America?

Question

I am moving to America next year from Germany and I want to buy a cool car when I live there. The prices of cars in Germany are expensive! In America it is almost half price for same car! I looked upon the internet and found a 328i with everything for $49 230 USD a 528i basic model with not so many options for $55 399 USD a Cadillac CTS with everything for $45 110 USD and Benz C350 with everything for $51, 890 USD. Now let me say the same BMW 328 here costs $68 000 USD so I am very happy when I see it for almost $20 000 USD less in America! I know the 328 already and it is good and I know the C350 also and it is ok but I can not drive the CTS here yet because it is far away from where I live. Does it drive like the 328?

Answer 1

I find it interesting that you include the CTS in your list. I am interested in how popular Cadillac is in Europe as it is considered American.

However, I agree with a previous poster: The prices you have been quoted seem to be a bit high (no doubt internet MSRP prices). After checking around, a local BMW dealership has a fully loaded 328i loaded to the gills with Navigation (unfortunately the horrid iDrive can not be avoided when nav is ordered) and sport package for $45,777 and since sales for this model have been slow, you may be able to make an offer for $42,000 even if you absolutely need to have a this one. No need to worry though; $14,000 in options still is enough mark-up for that model.

In my professional opinion however, the Cadillac CTS with the 3.6L DI engine offers a far better value for your money and for about the same price you get a MUCH larger vehicle with far better interior space, especially in the rear seat area and trunk capacity plus a vehicle that looks absolutely stunning compared to the more sedated and boring 3 series. Additionally, the BMW iDrive is an absolute disastor; menu upon menu just to change the radio station.

Also the 328i has 230HP and 200 ft lbs/t compared to the CTS's 304 HP and 273 ft lbs/t and offers very similar driving dynamics. I had to chance to drive both (actually a 335i, including others) side by side and found the CTS to drive smaller than it is yet offer almost identical driving dynamics to the much smaller 335i- the CTS had a bit more understeer and slightly longer braking distances but for the most part nearly indistinguishable. For the same money as the 328i which would I pick? The CTS hands down.

The Mercedes C350 is a boring machine and not as well matched for the sporty crowd. It seems to have driving dynamics crafted for those of the AARP age yet their target audience was much younger (therefore justified the cost cutting measures). It also looks dated as if it was crafted in the late 1980's and looks aged already.

The 528i is nothing special (in a sense like the aged Cadillac DeVille or Lincoln Towncar). The 5 series is overpriced, small on the inside yet large on the outside. The back seat has no leg room. The best driving BMW is the 3 series, no doubt and so the 528 feels bulky and heavy and just old compared to the 3 series. Not only does it depreciate faster it has a horrid reliability record, worse even than the 3 series. I would not recommend the 5 series.

I would however suggest to also test drive the Infiniti G35 and Lexus IS350 side by side with the BMW 328 and Cadillac CTS. The results my surprise you when considering price. Value is key. How far does your dollar go? The 328i may be the best driver there but not by much to justify the price (a recent automotive journal declared the BMW 3 series no longer is the king) And since you said you arrive next year, why not go all the way and spend a few extra thousand and get the CTS-V- a vehicle that will shame the M5 both in price and performance and looks by far. A rumored 7.0L 550+ HP engine is said to be the starting point and as Bob Lutz said 'is the most incredible vehicle' he has ever driven (interestingly an M5 was on hand during the test). So do your own DD and see for yourself which is the better value in America. Good Luck and welcome to the land of opportunity!

Answer 2

extrapolate some data I find Sun Yao Lin could be right that Cadillac is the best, but so many bogus remarks in her speech that are easily proven wrong or highly questionable. The prices she quoted are way off the mark for the models she choose. For $43K you can get a nicely equipped 335i with 300HP, real leather and EPA of 17/26 mpg. So, since she mentions V8 version of the CTS, just check www.fueleconomy.gov and you'll see it gets an anemic 14/22 mpg, no wonder they dropped the V8 model for 2008 which btw had a base price of $51,425! The V6 CTS (15/24 mpg) that you can buy has 255 HP and cost about $5K less then the other 2 cars, which other then its larger interior is the biggest advantage. The Audi is the most expensive, least sporty and least reliable brand among these at $44K and same as CTS with 255 HP, but FWD will make it better in the snow then the other 2. Do we really need to discuss her comments that BMW/Audi engines routinely go bad at 50,000 miles? If that were true even in 1% of the owners there would be a huge uproar about it. Unless you are a big guy, have growing kids or can't afford the extra $5K, I'd definitely go with the 335i. BMW does build quality cars and that car is the best of these 3.

Answer 3

Phillip,

I agree with most of what Sun L said, but a few considerations..
All of this depends on how you drive or shall I say how "spirited" your driving is.
The BMW is by far the best driver here for the enthusiast. while the G35 has been called the Beamer Beater (back in the 328 days at least) it does NOT give "road feedback" anywhere near the BMW. the G35 is fast and fully computer assisted steering etc. so again, if you like that sorta thing go for it, if you want "true" road feedback then go with the BMW - not to mention the resale value will be higher.
The Lexus 350 has been said to be faster than the BMW, but (and I quote European Car Magazine) "only if you are driving in a straight line. If you ever want to turn, go with the BMW."
So that's my two cents.
Final thoughts? Go with a 2004 or 2005 M3 and blow everything away that you've listed without buyer's remorse

Answer 4

Dude, don't know where you got those prices, but a 328XI is less then $40,000, you can get a 335XI with some options for $45,000 and that is the one I'd get if I were you. The 3-series cars hold their value much better then 5 and especially 7 series, plus turbo cars always maintain a premium. I would never buy a 528/525, shows you are too poor to afford the car...besides for $55K you quoted you could be driving a nicely equiped 535. Certainly take the CTS for a test drive, I've only heard good things about them, though Cadillac tends to depreciate faster. I wouldn't buy a Mercedes and BMW in the USA comes with free maintainence for the 1st 4 years of ownership which is a huge plus!!

Answer 5

The CTS id not as nice as the BMW's or the Mercedes when it comes to build quality if you are used to German Sedans you will be disappointed they are still as nice as many of the Japanese luxuries though when it comes to build quality but if you are going to give up the build quality you are better off with one of the japanese luxuries where you gain reliability. rather than looking at the CTS i would look at the Audi A6 or S4. depending on where you live it would be between the BMW (south where there is not as much or no snow ) and Audi ( north Wear there is allot of Snow) you can get a BMW X drive car but i don't think it is as good in snow and ice i have driven both in bad conditions and i drive an A6 and live in NY along the lake where we get allot of snow. BMW is the best for driving dynamics and road feel and i think Audi is best for interior although the newer Mercedes are very nice too. If you live in the south i look at a BMW 335i ($40K) or 535 ($49K) if you live in the north i would look at the A6 4.2 ($46K) or S4 ($50K) or S5 ($50K) if you can do a coupe.

Answer 6

nothing is going to drive like a bmw. they are one in its own. me personally I would go with the beamer but its all up to you. a million people could give their opinion on the matter and their answers would all be different.