[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

G20 3 Serie vs C-Class Visual Comparison

61
COMMENTS

Tweet

Here's how the G20 3 Series looks visually against the 2019 C-Class sedan.

Also see:
G20 3 Series vs F30 3 Series Comparison
G20 3 Series vs 2019 A4 S Line
G20 3 Series vs Lexus IS Comparison

Dimensions:
G20 length: 185.7 in
G20 width: 71.9 in
G20 height: 56.8 in
G20 wheelbase: 112.2 in
G20 front track: 62.3 in
G20 rear track: 62.9 in

C Class length: 184.5 in
C Class width: 71.3 in
C Class height: 56.3 in
C Class wheelbase: 111.8 in
C Class front track: 61.5 in
C Class rear track: 60.9

G20 3 Series vs C Class

[goj]

Man people think the C class looks so nice but I see googly eye headlights bloated proportions and and a rear end that looks smashed. You can tell the 3 doesn't look near as round as the C

[Germanauto]

C-class is a nice looking car inside and out but it's definitely a tad awkward in some ways. BMW (as always) is a more cohesive and timeless car.

[eltoshan]

G20 exterior proportions look much better, but the C class interior makes the g20 look like an econobox. I know that bmw has traditionally had spartan interior in the 3 series, but I can’t help but be disappointed looking at this. I mean, most Mazdas have better interiors nowadays

[praxis218]

Originally Posted by eltoshan

G20 exterior proportions look much better, but the C class interior makes the g20 look like an econobox. I know that bmw has traditionally had spartan interior in the 3 series, but I can’t help but be disappointed looking at this. I mean, most Mazdas have better interiors nowadays

Mazdas don't have a nicer interior. I had a reboot (current interior) Mazda for a few months -- while it looks nice in photos it's cheap materials, the gauges are a mess, and the infotainment system reminded me of a cheap Garmin from the 2000s. Plus it constantly locked up and rebooted itself multiple times per month. Not even on the same level as BMW.

Modern entry-level Merc interiors: same thing as Mazda, and in addition excessively gaudy. Hideous.

BMW: best mix of form and function. The F30 is my favorite in this segment, G20 will be even better.

[wanofakind01]

Not a fair comparison of the rear. The tailpipes shown aren't the same as what some photos are showing of the m340i. Having two bmws and a c300, was pretty disappointed to see the same wide tailpipes on the m340.

I get what bmw is doing but a lot of the classics are gone with this design. I'll need to see in person before making a final judgment, overall I can appreciate the g20.

[ADEe92]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

C-class is a nice looking car inside and out but it's definitely a tad awkward in some ways. BMW (as always) is a more cohesive and timeless car.

Agreed - although I think the W204 was actually a much more cohesive design for Mercedes after the 2011 facelift. The coupe in particular is a good looking car. Not so much the current one.

[thatf30]

The comparison needs to be redone with the M340i (it has a diamond grill, and no fogs)

[3PedalMINI]

This is the first reveal that I can think about that people blurt out "looks like" xxxx car before they say what they think of the actual car. To me this has to be a huge upset for BMW and the designers. During the F30 launch I can remember just the opposite reactions.

Even the fact that bimmerpost has to make these comparisons is just sad.

I'll withhold full judgement until I see it in person/drive it but this is not a great time to be a BMW enthusiast :/ it will be very interesting to see what ///M does with it. For right now I couldn't be any happier that I ordered an EOP F80

[M3GymNut]

Never liked Mercedes. Their interiors always have this disco look...

[BMWKLR]

They both are identical, Bland and uninspiring(as opposed to innovative and dynamic,lol). Never thought I would give up on the BMW brand......as a whole.

[bimmer456]

The bmw is the biggest car in almost every comparison. Not necessarily a good thing bigger not always better.

[norberts]

IMO the Merc has one of the best backend designs ever. I love it.

I'm not sure why BMW had to make the 3 so big. I want it to be my next M but it's just so large. Not exactly what I want in an M car.

[goj]

Originally Posted by apanizo

The comparison needs to be redone with the M340i (it has a diamond grill, and no fogs)

Why? Then it would be apples to oranges. 330i shown with comparable c300

[goj]

Originally Posted by norberts

IMO the Merc has one of the best backend designs ever. I love it.

I'm not sure why BMW had to make the 3 so big. I want it to be my next M but it's just so large. Not exactly what I want in an M car.

It looks like a 300 lb person sat down on it. The design translates well on the bigger cars but looks awkward here

[rjd598]

Originally Posted by eltoshan

G20 exterior proportions look much better, but the C class interior makes the g20 look like an econobox. I know that bmw has traditionally had spartan interior in the 3 series, but I can’t help but be disappointed looking at this. I mean, most Mazdas have better interiors nowadays

Then go drive a Mazda? You’re regurgitating stuff you hear online, not giving out facts.

Based on the pics alone it does look like the merc has the higher quality interior, but thanks to their stupid ass iPad screen this seems like a clear winner. I think a lot of people associate lots of buttons with high quality or not enough buttons with low quality. I’ve never understood the hate on bmw interiors. Maybe I actually set my expectations right.

[kooper]

Shameless praising: When it comes to this segment, I think BMW and to a lesser extent Merc are head and shoulders above the competition. The Alfa cuts it close looks-wise, but from what I've read and heard, it suffers when it comes to reliability (which I hope they improve on quickly, to be completely honest). Yes, Audi's a strong-seller in this segment, but if a RWD premium exec is what you want, to me it really boils down to only either the BMW, or the Merc.

After checking the comparo pics in detail, I think the BMW's design is quite impressive. I get that people see shades of Lexus in the rear-light clusters, but it could just as easily be a hat-tip to the i8 and i3. Besides, if you pay attention to the details, the design is really not that much alike at all between the BMW and any Lexus. L-shaped rear-light clusters has been a BMW hallmark for quite some time as well, so really, I guess the argument can go either way if people really want to concentrate on only that facet of the design.

The same goes for some internet commentators accusing the 3 Series of aping the C Class. I just do not see that anywhere, at all. Yes, they're both RWD and both feature dimensions that go along with that layout, but to me that's where the similarities start and end.

I had my reservations about the kidney grilles being connected, but so far I think it turned out surprisingly fine. I do still have to get used to the non-slatted grille to be completely honest, but other than that and the manual seemingly going the way of the dodo, I really like the looks of the new 3 Series overall.

It has my stamp of approval.

[Spydert]

Originally Posted by 3PedalMINI

This is the first reveal that I can think about that people blurt out "looks like" xxxx car before they say what they think of the actual car. To me this has to be a huge upset for BMW and the designers. During the F30 launch I can remember just the opposite reactions.

Even the fact that bimmerpost has to make these comparisons is just sad.

I'll withhold full judgement until I see it in person/drive it but this is not a great time to be a BMW enthusiast :/ it will be very interesting to see what ///M does with it. For right now I couldn't be any happier that I ordered an EOP F80

But I think this particular comparison shows BMW didn't copy Mercedes at least. Jury's still out on Audi and Lexus.

[Spydert]

Originally Posted by kooper

Shameless praising: When it comes to this segment, I think BMW and to a lesser extent Merc are head and shoulders above the competition. The Alfa cuts it close looks-wise, but from what I've read and heard, it suffers when it comes to reliability (which I hope they improve on quickly, to be completely honest). Yes, Audi's a strong-seller in this segment, but if a RWD premium exec is what you want, to me it really boils down to only either the BMW, or the Merc.

After checking the comparo pics in detail, I think the BMW's design is quite impressive. I get that people see shades of Lexus in the rear-light clusters, but it could just as easily be a hat-tip to the i8 and i3. Besides, if you pay attention to the details, the design is really not that much alike at all between the BMW and any Lexus. L-shaped rear-light clusters has been a BMW hallmark for quite some time as well, so really, I guess the argument can go either way if people really want to concentrate on only that facet of the design.

The same goes for some internet commentators accusing the 3 Series of aping the C Class. I just do not see that anywhere, at all. Yes, they're both RWD and both feature dimensions that go along with that layout, but to me that's where the similarities start and end.

I had my reservations about the kidney grilles being connected, but so far I think it turned out surprisingly fine. I do still have to get used to the non-slatted grille to be completely honest, but other than that and the manual seemingly going the way of the dodo, I really like the looks of the new 3 Series overall.

It has my stamp of approval.

+1.

Except for the Lexus part. Have to see that comparison before I can say for sure they didn't copy the rear.
But it's def more a BMW than a Merc. I could see myself getting one - if 6MT ever becomes an option in the States.

[tuffode]

A G20 vs G30 comparison would be nice!

[M2audioman]

Do a M340i comparison with the new C43. That'll be telling. I think the C43 looks stellar.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by kooper

Shameless praising: When it comes to this segment, I think BMW and to a lesser extent Merc are head and shoulders above the competition. The Alfa cuts it close looks-wise, but from what I've read and heard, it suffers when it comes to reliability (which I hope they improve on quickly, to be completely honest). Yes, Audi's a strong-seller in this segment, but if a RWD premium exec is what you want, to me it really boils down to only either the BMW, or the Merc.

After checking the comparo pics in detail, I think the BMW's design is quite impressive. I get that people see shades of Lexus in the rear-light clusters, but it could just as easily be a hat-tip to the i8 and i3. Besides, if you pay attention to the details, the design is really not that much alike at all between the BMW and any Lexus. L-shaped rear-light clusters has been a BMW hallmark for quite some time as well, so really, I guess the argument can go either way if people really want to concentrate on only that facet of the design.

The same goes for some internet commentators accusing the 3 Series of aping the C Class. I just do not see that anywhere, at all. Yes, they're both RWD and both feature dimensions that go along with that layout, but to me that's where the similarities start and end.

I had my reservations about the kidney grilles being connected, but so far I think it turned out surprisingly fine. I do still have to get used to the non-slatted grille to be completely honest, but other than that and the manual seemingly going the way of the dodo, I really like the looks of the new 3 Series overall.

It has my stamp of approval.

One of the most objective assessments here.

This new 3er really hits the mark in all areas we know so far. Exterior, interior, tech, and of course BMW's stellar build quality. The driving experience has to be at least within the Alfa's realm for it to be a winner. Overall BMW really did their homework when designing the G20 after how lazy they were with the F30.

I will add that the Audi is also an excellent entry in this segment. But I think this 3-series beats it out in all areas by a notch. Plus all Audis drive the same...competent but boring.

Alfa has looks and driving experience going for it that's all. The interior wouldn't even stand a chance next to the E90. I would still consider it as I value driving dynamics above all. If this new 3/4er doesn't encourage me to drive like a douchebag then I'll be looking in Alfa's direction.