I will be in a market for a new car soon. I will be replacing a 2005 TSX, 6-speed.
I wanted a little more luxury and the following are the choices I've narrowed my search down to:
2008-09 MB C300 sport (6-speed)
2009 Audi A4, S-line (6-speed)
2009 BMW 335, (6-speed)
I've thought about Infinity, Acura and Lexus, but this time around I would like to experience the German brands. I want to import one of those from US, to save some money. I understand that warranty is still valid for all three.
My question is what is your experience with each vehicle in terms of reliability and maintenance cost.
What would your choice by and why?

Well, we own a VW GLI 6 Speed (Same as Audi A4 2.0L Turbo) and it's a blast to drive. The advantage with the Audi is the AWD. They are comfortable, and well trimmed out.

JMHO.

I am recently bias. Get the Audi no questions asked!!!!!

Go with the Audi

If this car made your list, I could sell it to you for a good price because I sell Acura's in Ottawa.

http://www.insideline.com/acura/tl/2012/2012-acura-tl-sh-awd-first-drive.html

6 speed, AWD and 305hp..plus it's comfy as hell to cruise in.

Acura is also offering 2 years free maintenance for all 2012 models sold between sept 1st - feb 29th.

I've driven the audi a4, two thumbs down. Feels like a jetta to me, looks like a box on wheels. One of my friends has the s-line and is always going on about it... meh. Even my car's better imho.

The 335i bimmer is in a completely different league - twin turbo, luxury and performance, hands down one of the quickest cars I've driven recently... loved it.

How about the saab turbo X? AWD, turbo 6cyl, 300horse, lotsa torque... what with their low residual value you could probably get one for a steal! However, out of your list I'd pick the 335i.

speaking of lease, you're already an Acura owner so you qualify for loyalty incentives, rate reductions and discounts.

Out of those three the 335I hands down. As Mark mentioned luxury, Twin turbo, smooth power and fast. A very nice driving experience. I would also consider the Benz, even better in the AMG package.

Thanks for the suggestion on the Acura, but I don't want to buy brand new (can't afford it in other words).
I like the BMW mainly for the power, but I've heard that these turbo engines have a lot of problems. In addition, it's the smallest interior out of the three.
I've read a bit about the A4, and I am aware that it's underpowered, and it's nose heavy.
I was actually leaning towards the MB, although it's a bit underpowered (around 226hp out of a 3.0 v6 is not a lot).
I just accidently came accross Volvo S60 R, turbo 5 cyl, over 300hp AWD, 6-speed. The last year they made it I think was 2007.
The Saab looks pretty sexy as well. They both seem like a good option.

How are they for reliability?

comeon dont settle on a Saab or Volvo after looking at a Beemer and Benz If you need room I would just go with the Benz.

Okay, I'm completely biased. I drive an 07 saab 9-3 aero and I have nothing but good things to say. It's an amazing car, power is immediately available, luxury is comparable to mb and bmw, all the bells and whistles and next to volvo, some of the best seats in their class - not to mention fanatical safety consciousness... I've got 10 frickin air bags for the two front seats alone. I can only imagine what awd and 50 more hp add to the turbo x. Just buy from one of the few remaining reputable saab dealers and you'll be okay. Aside from a mechanic's error when I first bought the car, I have had zero problems and I've put 20k on it so far. This is just my $0.02.

Instead of the 335i, you could always check out the 135i. Entry level series but still twin turbo etc. I happen to really like the smaller look but it's not for everyone and perhaps everything would be shrunk down too much for your liking.

BMW 335 hands down.

From riding in an Audi A4, and my dad is looking at buying one. The sound quality of the stereo is absolutely amazing, runs so smooth, the interior and the exterior is so clean.

The 335 is a nice car as well. Great power, great style.

http://www.camcoacura.com/used/BMW/2008-BMW-328-498c7e07404638d5014d3b519c646788.htm

Came in on trade a couple of days ago, thought I would share it with you.

I know there's no pics on our website, but I can snap some from my phone if you like.

Mike

Ok, I found a 2008 Saab Turbo X Sport Combi, 6-speed with 60k.
I test drove it, and fell in love. The 2.8l Turbo v6, pumps out a cool 280hp and 300ft/lb of tq. Stage 0 ECU upgrade gets the power up to 320hp. It handles amazing due to the XWD and lowered suspension, and 18 inch wheels from factory. It also stops pretty well due to larger brakes. The 6-speed tranny is a bit sloppy. The car was only produced in 2008, and is a special edition, only 600 units were shipped to NA. And I mean what other cool looking AWD wagon options are out there?
Given that the car is pretty rare, I am seriously considering this car. It's from Quebec, off lease. It runs fine, holds boost fine, but the body is a little rough. The hood/bumper has lots of rock chips, the rear bumper is scratched and the roof has some marks from a roof rack. I will try to get the dealer to fix the body.

A wagon, really?

other cool awd wagon options? How about Subaru?

I snaged a volvo s40 t5, it's been pretty good so far, little turbo pep and nice styling, the seats are amazing.
But I really wanted the Saab Turbo X. The thing is so slick looking! and the near 300hp with awd I bet is an awesome experience.

I say do it!

I am not a big fan of Subaru, the WRX is too small. The only thing that comes close to 300HP is the STI, it's not really a family car.
You need to keep in mind that I have two small kids, and a wife that would chop man manhood off if I brought home an STI.

I will continue on negotiating with the dealer, and hopefully I can pull the trigger on this.
It's still under the warranty, 5 years/120k.

Im actually looking for a new car to and the ones u mentioned i looked into i decided to go with the mercedes c300 its nice outside and in.

Hey Jakub, nice find on the saab! Awesome that it's still under warranty for a while longer.. give you a chance to drive it like it's meant to be driven without having to overly worry about repairs. Are you dealing with a Saab dealer? Have you compared the price they're asking to the prices offered here? http://www.vmrcanada.com/canada_makes.htm Driving a sportcombi's not so bad and it's definitely got enough get-up-and-go to provoke some looks of surprises when you're leaving people in the rearview

Whatever happens, good luck.

Thanks for the hint. They want $23800, the retail vaue listed is $26250.
In anycase, I really wanted a sportcombi, not the sedan.
The exhaust sounds pretty amazing when you punch it, and there is virtually no turbo lag.
We'll see what happens...

Check canadianblackbook.com to give yourself an idea of the profit margin. This is an "idea"..not saying it IS.

The store will want to account for what may be needed to pass the safety inspection, etest. And other reconditioning charges they or you stipulate prior to making the deal.

Good luck with the purchase! Hope you give it a good home

Mike

If you're going to mod it, 335i.

If you're going to leave it basically stock, A4.

Sorry Grant,
I've already decided it's going to be the Saab Turbo X, as long as I can negotiate what I want from the dealer.
I am going there on Saturday for a second look and to make a laundry list of things that I want done.
I can't wait to get in it.

My advice is dont buy new. I just bought a new(ish) car but i went with a 2010. They dropped their pants for me. With a new car there are so many added costs that its just stupid. If you were to write off the car 6 months after buying (like a coworker of mine) they will only pay you the black book value of a used one. He lost 10k on a 6 month old car! I went to trade im my car early and i owed about 10k more then it was worth. The value drops i believe 20% the second you drive it off the lot.

Now with a used car you have a little more negotiation. My car only had 50k on it and I had them extend the full coverage till 150k free of charge. I also got like 4k off the asking price and free roadside for a year.

Just my 2 cents. I will never buy new again.

New is good if you're leasing.

Tim - 20% differs from brands. Domestic's are MUCH worse.

Ok, I just pulled the trigger on the Turbo X, sportcombi, 6-speed.
[img]http://ps1.cdnmedia.autotrader.ca/8...918232311169420-orig.jpg?w=800&h=600[/img]
I'll be picking it up next weekend.
I am excited and kind of nervous at the same time....

Great choice! Looks awesome

So I picked it up this weekend...very happy to be back in the turbo world. This beast pulls pretty hard, with quite a bit of turbo lag. I am curious what sized turbo it's packing, since it's a v6 spooling it and it's still got quite a bit of lag.

Can't wait for the tune, 320hp and 400ft/tq .. I've read that someone with a tune only, pumped the new S4 (blown v6?).

Totally agree with you. I would not buy new, a year or two old and you save tons of money. But yeah domestics drop alot harder in value than any other cars. But all cars drop a good amount compared to new.

Nice car, Jakub! I find it kinda laggy in the city too but on the highway the thing's a beast. Faster 3rd gear than a porsche 911 Just sayin...

Anyway, who're you getting the tune through? Vtuners? I'm still waiting to get the 285hp upgrade for mine.

Mark, I can't thank you ehough for recommanding the Turbo X. I have never heard of this model before you mentioned it.
It's a blast to drive, once you hit full boost and the VTEC (can't remember the exact term) this thing screams. It's a little scary on the highway.
The suspension is pretty stiff, which I like.
I tried to fishtail in the wet, but there is no way. Now, how do I disable the traction control? ;o)
The XWD launches just as hard in the wet and dry.
There are many little gadgets that I am yet to figure out what they do. For example, there are what looks like two fog light switches, one turns the fog lights on, the second turns on the fog light icon to amber on the dash, but nothing seems to happen.
Short of S4 wagon, this has got to be the coolest wagon out there!

Oh, I think I will travel to get the V-tune...I kind of like the fact that this guy does it on each car individually, and tests it for sometime.

Hey Jakub, no worries! I think it's really cool that you actually went through with it, it's an awesome car and yours looks really cool for a wagon!

You can disable traction control with the press of a button on the dash next to the radio BUT it comes back on automatically after you hit... 60km/hr I think?

The second fog light switch is for the rear fogs... they light up red in the back, makes it easier for people to see you when they're coming up from behind you in bad weather.

Does your car have the little button under the side mirror switch that tilts the passenger mirror down to the curb for parallel parking? That's pretty cool. Or seat memory? Love that feature. Or the cooled area in the glove box? Can't live without that on long trips. Or the Nightpanel feature that turns off all interior lights except the speedometer!? Must have!

Enjoy it, man. And update when you get the Vtuners!! I like the fact that he can tune for lower octane gas, as I mostly use 91 AND that he tunes every car individually which is awesome!! Doesn't he just do it remotely though? I don't think you need to travel there to have it done...