29 Votes

Comparison Test: 2009 Audi A4 vs. 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350

Agent009 submitted on 12/26/2008 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 12:26:51 PM

47 user comments | Category: Misc News | Source: | SOURCE: www.edmunds.com

We're en route to our photo shoot of the 2009 Audi A4 and 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport and this loon is standing by the traffic signal, flapping his arms.

We tune him out. How many times have we heard that refrain in one week?

He won't be ignored that easily. Grinning, he tries again, motioning toward our two, shiny German sedans idling at the light, each an eye-popping shade of crimson. "I see you drivin' sports car, ain't hittin' the throttle!" he exclaims.

Blank stares. He gives it one last effort. "It's getting hot in here?"

Kudos to 1uberaudi for the tip off

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Comparison Test: 2009 Audi A4 vs. 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350

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"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough."
— Agent009 (View Profile)

User Comments

that has to be a misprint in the accelartion times. The A4 0 to 60 in 6.9 seconds and the C350 is 6.6 seconds. if that is the case, then that is light years slower than the BMW 335. wtf?
— BMW4me4ever (View Profile)

Posted on 12/26/2008 12:38:06 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

Inside Line is not a good source for acceleration figures.
— chewy (View Profile)

Posted on 12/26/2008 4:03:56 PM | | Votes: -3

You can 1. take the turbo out of 335, or, 2. put a twin turbo onto A4 and C350.

Then let's talk.
— dlin (View Profile)

Posted on 12/26/2008 5:41:56 PM | | Votes: 0

dlin

Retarded thing to say, since we are talking about factory vehicles.
— M53R (View Profile)

Posted on 12/26/2008 7:21:02 PM | | Votes: 1

when the heck is that force fed c-class coming, anyhow? i remember everyone chattering about it as soon the c350 hp figures were revealed.
— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2008 10:36:55 AM | | Votes: 0

bmw4- the A4 3.2 is only sold to old women and to Car and Driver. 95% of the A4's are 2.0T and Audi does not have a good V6 model in the USA.

The V6 supercharged will be a better match to the 335 that we get in the summer.
— IamEvilHomer (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2008 4:17:57 PM | | Votes: 1

Wonder when Mercedes is going to bring the Euro-spec 3.5 V6, with direct injection and 300 hp, to the U.S. market....
— 204E60 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/26/2008 12:51:33 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Didn't they add it it to the U.S. SLK 350 only for some reason?

Seems like MB and Audi should just drop the mid-leel engine (265ish hp) and just go straight base engine plus some 300-ish hp model. Is there some reason they have this for Euro specs? Seems like BMW has it right with just the "28" and "35" models from a business/profit standpoint.
— DogLb (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2008 12:13:14 AM | | Votes: 1

sorry, should have read further on other posts
— DogLb (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2008 12:14:49 AM | | Votes: 1

In Europe there is also a 272hp BMW 330i offered, which competes with these 2.
— Heyhuub (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2008 9:44:12 AM | | Votes: 1

the states should still get the 330i. its a reasonable compromise in price and performance between the 335i and the 328i.
— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2008 10:35:02 AM | | Votes: 1

about 2 seconds behind... that is pretty sad
— JCH335i (View Profile)

Posted on 12/26/2008 12:56:42 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

2 seconds behind the 335? The 335 is a better match to the 2010 S4 or S5 (V6 supercharged 333 hp vs bi turbo 300hp)
— IamEvilHomer (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2008 4:14:15 PM | | Votes: 2

I second that 204E60. Mercedes-Benz needs to drop their 3.5 litre 300-hp engine in all their models that have 6-cylinder variants not just new MY09 SLK-Class or upcoming 2010 E-Class. A 300hp C350 sounds great and should keep it up to pace with 335i and the G37.
— Tonee (View Profile)

Posted on 12/26/2008 1:57:08 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

The 300 hp 3.5 V6 already exists in the Mercedes Benz lineup. It's currently sold only in Europe.
— 204E60 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/26/2008 3:27:59 PM | | Votes: 3

its also in the SLK
— bmwdrvr (View Profile)

Posted on 12/26/2008 5:29:04 PM | | Votes: 3

no the us Slk has it also, its not a europe only engine
— bmwdrvr (View Profile)

Posted on 12/26/2008 6:56:56 PM | | Votes: 2

Chuck...dude...just stop. If the C350 doesn't do it for you, jsut go all the way to C63. It may help you grow some chest hair
— DogLb (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2008 12:28:44 AM | | Votes: 3

Am I the only one to notice this article was from June? Edmunds has been rehashing old articles the last few days.
— Redwood (View Profile)

Posted on 12/26/2008 2:20:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Why would they compare these two cars? One is a 4 cyl and the other is a 6cyl. I hate these comparisons. Compare the 6 cyl S4 to this and then it will be fair.
— 1dott8 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/26/2008 4:22:35 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

Exactly,
it's a pointless review without the B8 S4, coming this fall. The C350 was not meant to compete with the A4, even the 3.2. The 3.2 is an engine option for those who want the smoother ride not associated with the 2.0T. If they compared the A4 2.0T to the C300, the A4 would be faster (as well as more fuel efficient). With the B8 S4, the S4 would come out on top as well.
— AudiNewEngland (View Profile)

Posted on 12/26/2008 4:28:54 PM | | Votes: 2

They are comparing an A4 3.2 which happens to be a 6 cylinder.
— 1uberaudi (View Profile)

Posted on 12/26/2008 4:31:38 PM | | Votes: 5

^^^^Yes, but to a C350, which is set to compete against the B8 S4 with the 3.0T (Supercharged) V6 rather then the A4 3.2.

Why couldn't they have done C300 to A4 3.2 and C350 to the new S4.
— AudiNewEngland (View Profile)

Posted on 12/26/2008 6:38:23 PM | | Votes: 0

why do you think the c350 is supposed to compete with the s4 rather than the 3.2 v6 a4?
— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2008 10:40:28 AM | | Votes: -1

I wouldn't say light years. BMW's website has the 335xi, the comparable car, at 5.4 seconds 0-60MPH. Audi's website has the A4 3.2 at 6.3 seconds 0-60MPH. I don't think .9 seconds is light years. I'll take the Quattro and 4 more inches of car anyday over .9 seconds.

Now, if you want to talk light years, we can get into the 107 feet of stopping power from 60MPH on the A4 vs 119 feet in the 335i(non-AWD) *Road and Track.
— 1uberaudi (View Profile)

Posted on 12/26/2008 4:29:29 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -5

.9 seconds is a big difference in distance on a track to 60, difference between a base model, and a more powerful engine, not a big difference........huh...are you serious
— bmwdrvr (View Profile)

Posted on 12/26/2008 5:27:56 PM | | Votes: 1

not to mention the Audi is more than .9 seconds slower to 60 than the 335i more like 2 SECONDS SLOWER, it would take 2 more cylinders and 45 more horses, and 13 mpg for an Audi to get to 60 as fast as the 335i lol.
— bmwdrvr (View Profile)

Posted on 12/26/2008 5:31:04 PM | | Votes: -1

1uber - BMW 335i from Car & Driver - 0 to 60 4.8 seconds and braking from 70mph in 157ft
- BMW 335xi from Motor Trend - 0 to 60 5.0 seconds and braking from 70 mph in 161ft
- BMW 335i sedan from Edmunds inside line - 0 to 60 in 5.0 seconds and braking from 60 mph in 111 ft

Which would I rather have? the better performance. over 1 second acceleration is a huge gap in a small car, especially when having to merge into traffic or accelerating to pass someone slow. 3ft a braking distance is very close .
— BMW4me4ever (View Profile)

Posted on 12/26/2008 5:49:41 PM | | Votes: 1

1 uber - actually the BMW 335 according to this test is 1.9 seconds. that is huge. wouldnt you agree?

That is a very large performance gap from one car to another. For the difference< i would rather save some money and get the 2.0T vs the 3.2. It is not worth the money, since it can't compete with the 335 nor the 328 for that matter
— BMW4me4ever (View Profile)

Posted on 12/26/2008 5:52:39 PM | | Votes: 1

Welcome home
— EnvyofyouRS5 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/26/2008 6:51:31 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Inside Line's aceleration figures always seem way off than all the published magazines.

The MB lost a huge chunk of points here in features and amenities, which is equally equipped, the value differential would probably not have been quite as skewed as the features and amenities score differential.
— senorgato (View Profile)

Posted on 12/26/2008 9:26:09 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

That's dissapointing numbers from Audi and Benz. 265isshh BHP, even cars like Altima and Camry make more power than that. 335i and IS350 are much faster. I think A4 V6, C350 and also CTS 3.6 V6 are more towards luxury and space where as 335i, IS350 and G37 leans more towards power and handling. Second group of cars IMO are better as they outshine Benz and Audi in performance and almost equal in luxury too.

JUGNU
— JUGNU (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2008 5:42:35 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

honestly if that were the case i imagine they would have just bought the es
— bmwdrvr (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2008 12:11:25 PM | | Votes: 1

chuck has never driven an IS350 and the avg. age of the IS350 driver is 29 btw. Once again he uses any opportunity to talk about his leased G37.
— StarSearch (View Profile)

Posted on 12/29/2008 12:20:21 PM | | Votes: 1

The G37 blows the doors off these 2 cars, handles better and has more features for the same price. Anyone who buys these two instead of the G37 knows nothing about cars or doesn't care about performance.
— goojman (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2008 11:49:00 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

or believes that a "luxury" performance sedan shouldnt just fill the performance part of the equation, what about quality, and refinement.
— bmwdrvr (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2008 12:12:23 PM | | Votes: 1

The G37 is refined and has extremely high quality. It's resale value and reliability ranking are also tops in class. Again, anyone who buys these two instead of the G37 knows nothing about cars or doesn't care about performance
— goojman (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2008 12:23:59 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3

"Again, anyone who buys these two instead of the G37 knows nothing about cars or doesn't care about performance"

What an incredibly stupid comment. How about the people that are not looking at pure performance? Do you honestly think they will consider the G37 with its harsh ride? I don't think so.
— Bill (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2008 3:18:01 PM | | Votes: 4

If looks have anything to do with this, the A4 wins hands down, of course. Its definitley the better engineered vehicle, too.
— Obliv (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2008 12:48:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

Please explain to me how the Audi A4 is the "better engineered" vehicle? Such comments can only come from fanboys such as yourself. Design is a subjective matter, but blatantly stating a ridiculous comment about vehicle A being better engineered than vehicle B without any evidence is pretty weak and childish.

And for your information, my wife drives an '08 C350 Sport and we've been very happy with our choice. A well-engineered, well-built, smooth and spirited luxury car is how I would describe the new C-Class.
— Bill (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2008 3:20:14 PM | | Votes: 1

This is what I wrote:
"Again, anyone who buys these two instead of the G37 knows nothing about cars or doesn't care about performance"
I stated that anyone who doesn't care about performance will buy the A4 of C class. And then this Bill idiot writes:
"How about the people that are not looking at pure performance?" where he argues that those not interested in pure performance won't buy the G37. THAT'S WHAT I JUST WROTE YOU STUPID ASS!
I just stated that those not looking for performance will choose the A4 and C and this Bill moron makes the same point I made and then states that I am stupid for making the same point he agrees with. Bill, you dimwit, you just called yourself stupid but are too dumb to realize it. Dumbass.
— goojman (View Profile)

Posted on 12/28/2008 7:47:16 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

The sound of one hand clapping....

no one cares what you think, especially when you feel the need to create another post just to quote yourself.
— StarSearch (View Profile)

Posted on 12/29/2008 12:25:46 PM | | Votes: 2

Edmunds is notorious for slow acceleration figures. Both of these cars have clocked in at under six seconds in other tests. Not a LOT under 6, but quite a bit quicker than these figures. IIRC the quickest for the A4 is 5.7.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 12/31/2008 2:41:32 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

BMW fans: We all know the BMW will beat the Audi at the drag strip. We also know that you BMW owners will be waiting in line at the dragstrip to time your cars, while us Audi owners will be driving some cool canyon roads or taking a road-trip that includes roads that aren't perfect, and even some dirt or (heaven forbid) snow!
And if we wanted to drag race, we wouldn't show up in a 335, we'd show up in an LS7 Chevelle with an M22, 4.11 12-bolt posi and traction bars!
— DieselRules (View Profile)

Posted on 1/1/2009 2:20:25 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

But the Audi on all-seasons out-brakes the Benz on performance summer tires? What's up with that?
— DieselRules (View Profile)

Posted on 1/1/2009 2:20:48 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

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Comparison Test: 2009 Audi A4 vs. 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350

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