Twin Test BMW 316i vs Mercedes C180 - Next-Level Entry-Level (Part 3)

There are plenty of reasons why the C-Class is such a stalwart bestseller in Singapore. It’s inoffensive, easy to live with and, unless some apocalyptic turn of events happens to change the situation, it is a very solid choice.

That it costs just $742 in road tax annually and returns nearly 17 kilometers per liter (as claimed) just sweetens an already very sweet deal.

Seventh heaven Mercedes’ 7-speed automatic is buttery smooth as it delivers near imperceptible gear changes

But, as we’ve said earlier, the BMW isn’t exactly an image-free car, for better or worse. That’s where the C180 comes into the picture. Against the BMW, it looks a little dated and lacks the 3 Series’ handling verve, but ironically enough, that might indeed be the biggest draw for some people. Where the 3 Series sometimes begs to have the doors driven off it, the C-Class makes no such demands. It’s happy simply pooling along, and indeed, that’s when it feels at its best.

Choosing between the two rival saloons really comes down to your personality and/or driving style. If you’re a red-blooded driving fanatic, you’ll naturally want to root for the BMW. If you’re the opposite, the Mercedes would definitely be more your thing.

Red ones go faster M Sport package includes racy red upholstery, but you’ll have to pay an extra $7,400 for the privilege

Complicating matters further is how both models are priced within a thousand dollars of each other and have very similar equipment, with key highlights being pared-down infotainment (sans satellite navigation) and a multi-function color display.

It’s a flight almost too close to call, but if we had to choose, we’d go for (whisper it) the BMW.

See class far less flashy than the BMW, but for some executives climbing the career ladder, that’s a Very Good Thing

C for confusion

Mercedes-Benz entered Singapore’s 1.6-litre saloon segment with the C180 Kompressor in 2009. Supercharged like its 1.8-litre C200 sibling but with a $15k price advantage, the Merc sold very well. But it was taken off the local price list for about 10 months from early 2010, with the agent selling another C180 instead essentially a detuned 156bhp version of the 184bhp C200, both 1.8-litres. Then in mid-2011, the original 1.6-litre C180 returned to the C&C showroom as part of the revamped C-Class range, but instead of the latest turbocharged CGI engine with 7-speed automatic, it was stuck with the dated supercharged 5-speed drivetrain. Further confusion ensued with two models badged “C180” - the C180 Kompressor 1.6 and the C180 CGI 1.8. But no buyer was confused about the considerably cheaper COE needed for the “smaller” C-Class. When the 1.6-litre C180 fi nally switched to the CGI configuration in mid-2012, Mercedes continued to sell the 1.8-litre variant, so there were two “C180 CGI” models, both with 156bhp and virtually identical performance. Thankfully, after stocks of the 1.8L C180 were cleared, the 4-cylinder C-Class lineup in Singapore became much less confusing – C180 1.6, C200 1.8 and C250 1.8.

Mercedes-Benz entered Singapore’s 1.6-litre saloon segment with the C180 Kompressor in 2009

A4 to the floor

With all the fuss surrounding our Twin Test… uh… twins from Munich and Stuttgart, it’s almost too easy to overlook another compact executive contender also from the Munich region – Ingolstadt, to be exact. It may be the new kid on the block in the premium segment here, but Audi made waves back in 2009 when it launched the fourth-generation A4, not least because it catapulted LED daytime running lights into the popular consciousness. It underwent a mid-life refresh in the middle of last year, and while it may lack the cachet of the C-Class and the driving chops of the 3 Series, it can boast to having what is arguably the nicer cabin. The entry-level A4 comes with a turbocharged 1.8-litre engine that packs 160bhp, making it the most powerful in its class (albeit marginally). As at press time, it’s priced at just over $200k, making it too close to call on price, although the Audi’s larger engine attracts a higher annual road tax bill of $976.

A4 to the floor