The Mercedes Benz CLA200 vs BMW 316i – Luxury adversaries

.

There is a certain order in which life should be experienced. Much like reading a book series in sequence or visiting a foreign destination, what’s important is not just about the experience but how the experience is imprinted into our mind. Experience teaches, allows us to draw contrast on what we have and don’t have as well as providing insightful materials that help steer us in the future. I doubt many would dispute the fact that there is a vast difference when comparing one who has worked up to a position of high authority in a company from rank and file against another whose position is accorded based on birth, connection or text book qualification. Those coming from the bottom has a deeper sense of value on the finer, less empirical things such as loyalty and hardship.

.

As to why it’s important on how the experience is registered in our psyche, consider the book example again; your perception of the characters changes by how you read (experience) the story. Think about it; everyone I’ve known have watched Star Wars episode IV, V and VI before going to episode I, II and III because that was the sequence the movies was released since 1977. Someone once said to me, how different our experience would be if the sequence was IV (who introduced the players in the show), V (who developed the character of Darth Vader), I, II, III (who explained how Darth became who he was) then finally VI where all the players come together again. Such a sequence of experience would colour our perception of the movie.

.

And perception, like the metaphor of “glass half-full or half-empty” affects appreciation, our method of putting a value onto things.

.

The same goes for cars, I believe. A person who’s had the chance to experience vehicle ownership from segment to segment, national to luxury marques would have had the privilege of enjoying the joys of owning and driving cars from Proton Sagas to Mercedes Benz. Take another person who’s just graduated and gets enrolled into the company business, given a director position and a spanking new BMW 5 series to drive around. Now, imagine both entrepreneurs being given a C segment Asian sedan to drive; one would probably be recalling the times when he struggled to attain the success he has today whereas the other would be contrasting how poorly the car he’s driving now is against what he regularly drives.

.

Which leads us to the topic at hand; if you subscribe to the reasoning above, then your introduction to the luxury compact sedan would definitely include these 2 models; the all new elegant Mercedes Benz CLA 200 and the most affordable 3-series BMW, the 316i. Now, strictly speaking it’s not an apple to apple comparison since the traditional adversary of the 3-series is the C-class but if you’re looking at these sedans from the perspective of price, engine displacement, performance and style, they are both more than worthy of being put into the same ring fighting for parking space in your front lawn.

.

.

Design

.

.

To say that the CLA winning over the 316i in this aspect is as obvious as needing to say something about it. Wherever you go, whether it’s the petrol station, 5-star hotel lobby, mamak or your local dobi, the CLA makes every human not bereft of eyesight perform spectacular acrobatic movements with their neck and head as they attempt to follow the movement of the car. Even when static, most would find it hard pressed to resist admiring the strong bold front with a huge tri-star logo hanging in the center of the large diamond grille with black pins, black louvre and silver chrome inlays, LED Daytime Running Lights and bonnet featuring 2 crease lines running on top that distinguishes it from the A-class that everyone says the CLA is based on. The platform and the bits found inside, yes but externally, you can’t fit A-class panels on the CLA; a case of look like me, feels like me but it ain’t me.

.

The side mirrors in the CLA are painted black and auto folds and unfolds when locking/unlocking. The 316i’s, meanwhile can be remotely folded by holding on to the lock button for a few seconds. Both cars allow the driver to remotely wind down and up the windows and both sadly does not feature keyless entry which is quite a shame since you’ll find that feature in quite a number of non-luxury vehicles these days.

.

.

The BMW 316i on the other hand isn’t exactly a crow standing next to the peacock but unlike the CLA which has a new face, the 3-series is a tad too many on the roads, desensitising Malaysians to the point where the only excitement most will ever feel about a 3-series is when its yours to drive around with. The F30 (code name for the current 3-series) is different in more areas than one compared to its predecessor, the E90; you get a headlamp design that extends to the center chromed grille complete with white LED DRLs and a stretched lower intake grille of the front bumper that makes the car look lowered and planted. The 316i is the type of car that resonates quiet confidence and ability without needing to shout about what it can do. Which, can be a little monotonous to some people. It’s a BMW, nuff said.

.

.

Placed side by side, both the 316i and CLA has almost identical dimensions. The 316i has 4,628mm length, 1,811mm width and 1,429mm height whereas the CLA comes in at  4,630mm length, 1,777mm width and 1,432mm height. The wheelbase of the 316i is better than the CLA though at 2,810mm vs 2,699mm and this advantage shows in better rear legroom of the 316i.

.

.

In both rear seats, my 175cm frame knees does not scrape the back of the front seats but you can still place a briefcase in front of legs in the 316i. A Yellow Pages directory is probably the only thing that goes in the CLA.

.

.

Touted as the world’s most ‘slippery car’ on the road with a cd value of 0.24, the CLA has done very well in designing a car that expresses form through the beauty of function. But such emphasis of aesthetics does not come without ergonomic flaws. The 4-door coupé’s sloping rear roof of the CLA compromised headroom. Tall passengers like me would not be able to sit straight comfortably.

.

.

Also, rearward visibility is poor due to the huge C-pillar. It’s a good thing between the two, the CLA is the one that comes with reverse camera but don’t take it for granted as the view angle isn’t as wide as to be able to cover the blind spots caused by the C pillar and moving traffic such motorcycles are worrisome.

.

.

Both cars come with run flat tires with the CLA offering one rim size larger. Chance or design had both cars sporting 5 spoke rims but they’re exact opposites in appearances with the CLA’s 18″ rims twin spoke light alloy wheels featuring a hollow design in contrast with the solid 5-spoke 17″ alloy wheels in the 316i

.

.

At the back, the 316i looks pretty much like any 3-series on the road; horizontal lines of the rear lamps creates a widened stance and the high boot line underscores the athletic design of the entire car. The CLA meanwhile goes the other way; the rear boot is sloped downwards and butterfly-like LED tail lights create a rear profile that’s so beautiful, you’d never get bored staring at it. Twin trapezoidal tail the bottom of the rear bumper, blending well with the overall organic theme

.

.

.

Performance

.

The CLA200 isn’t a car that’s all looks and no play; underneath the hood, you’ll find a 1.6litre 4 in-line turbocharged petrol engine producing 156hp @ 5,300rpm and 250Nm worth of torque from 1,250 – 4,000rpm. Top speed is rated at 230kph and 0-100kph is dispatched in 8.5 seconds. Rated fuel consumption is 5.2 – 5.5litres per 100km in a combined driving cycle.

.

.

The entry level 3-series also has a 1.6litre turbocharged petrol but this unit (code named N13), in contrast provides 20hp less than the CLA with 136hp @ 4,350rpm and torque 220Nm  from 1,350rpm. Top speed is 210kph whereas the stopwatch counts 9.2 seconds in a 0 – 100kph sprint. Fuel consumption is slightly higher than the Merc at 5.9litres per 100km.

.

Both cars are equipped with Auto Stop where the engine is turned off when coming to a full stop and is turned on again automatically when the brake pedal is depressed. This function can be turned off manually if you don’t want to experience the brief judder when the engine restarts.

.

.

On paper at least, the CLA appears to have all the advantage to pulverise the 316i in a drag race and it does. Both models display a burst of torque when flooring the pedal and to be honest, the 316i doesn’t feel like it has ‘only’ 136 horses under its hood. While acceleration isn’t as great as its more powerful 2.0litre siblings, you won’t be complaining it lacks power on a daily commute or even on highways. Sure, it may not propel the car from 110kph to 200kph in the blink of an eye but it’s quick enough to leave most Asian made cars behind.

.

The CLA on the other hand exhibits a lot more grunt on the go but that’s only apparent when you put the gear mode in Sport. The default Economy mode makes it behave like a wussy, with emphasis on fuel economy and comfort instead of outright power. But it’ll never move like a sports car and the CLA never pretends it is one anyway. Heck, I believe my 1.4litre TSI Golf can outrun both the CLA and 316i on a straight but that’s besides the point. This is the entry level mark and like any entry level, what (performance) you get is proportional to the money you pay (in relation to other alternatives in the same product line-up).

.

.

Ride and Handling

.

Where the CLA scores maximum points in looks, this is where the 316i is the undisputed winner. The CLA has McPherson suspension with spring strut and wishbone coil springs, gas pressure shock absorbers and a stabilizer bar for the front and four-link rear axle with coil springs, gas pressure shock absorber and stabilizer bar for the rear suspension. The BMW on the other hand has a double-joint trailing arm front axle paired with a multi-link suspension for its front and rear set-up.

.

.

While the CLA isn’t the first Mercedes Benz front-wheel drive vehicle sold here, it remains as the only sedan adopting that drive train. In most cases, the handling is good; the large 18″ wheels shod with 225/40 tires gives ample grip that’s communicated well enough through the Nappa wrapped steering. The biggest issue anyone would have with the CLA is that the suspension is one of the hardest you can find on a non-performance tuned (ie AMG) model. It’s great at keeping body roll around corners in check but at a great expense of comfort. And with the springs set so harsh, the slightest road imperfection can easily upset the car’s balance and making it all very jittery and nervous when doing high speed tight corners, more often than not, you’ll encounter 2 things in those situations; The heavy front coupled with a front wheel drive layout has a tendency to understeer and ESP can cut power at times when you least expect it. Combined, it’s not an experience you’d want to repeat in the CLA.

.

.

The 316i on the other hand is an absolute joy to drive around and carries the hallmark of BMW’s famed ultimate driving machine impressions. It may have smaller 17″ rims compared to the CLA but  it tolerates a fair amount of hooligantry at B roads. Where the CLA felt heavy, the 316i’s weight shifts are predictable and you’re constantly in touch with what the wheels are doing. It’s ironic to note that the positions of comfort/performance has switched between Mercedes and BMW in this shootout. I could fairly work on a laptop while sitting in the 316i but try doing that on a CLA, I’d be lucky if I was hitting the right keys.

.

.

Both cars are automatics with manual overrides but one offers a dual clutch system whereas another gives you an advance torque converter gearbox. For the CLA, you’ll find the 7G-DCT 7-speed dual clutch controller to be in a form of a stalk mounted behind the front steering. Those unfamiliar with Mercedes Benz may find it a little daunting at first but the unit surprising much easier to master compared to the 316i.

.

.

As is with all BMW models, the 316i features the gun-like gear shift lever and is simple enough to operate. Press the unlock button with your thumb then move the selector up or down to reverse or drive. The unlock button also needs to be depressed when moving to sport or manual mode.

.

.

It’s debatable on which is the better system to use but personally, even though the design and function of the 316i’s lever is similar to most automatic gearsticks, the CLA scores a little better IMHO because to switch between Park and Drive is as intuitive as flicking a signal (or wiper switch); something we do a lot more often than shifting gears in an automatic. Also, access to Sport mode in the CLA is separated by a button found below the air audio controls (see the E-S-M button next to the hazard light) whereas in the 316i, you’d have to press the unlock, shift the lever to the left before Sport mode is engaged. Two-steps vs one in the CLA. It should also be noted that the 316i does not come with paddle shifters at the steering where the CLA has so manual control is easier with the Merc.

.

Having said that, the driving experience between the 2 makes is as clear as night and day. After a day of driving around in the CLA, the harshness, vibration and noise intrusion caused by the low profile run-flat tires makes the 316i stand out more as the better car in this aspect. The 316i also features the Driving Experience Control which changes the chassis, steering, engine and transmission. A choice of Eco Pro, Comfort and Sport can be selected by the driver by pressing on the button next to the gear lever and for a more spirited drive, choose Sport mode + Sport control.

.

But then, all the aches and discomforts I experienced with the CLA would instantly disappear the moment I see everyone around me admiring the ride that I have. On the BMW, the attention is less flattering.

.

.

Cabin Convenience

.

.

The elegant lines of the CLA’s exterior is carried over into the cabin which is no different from the A-class. From the aircraft inspired air conditioning vents to the chrome bits found at various parts of the cabin, stepping into the CLA is always an occasion, something that makes you feel like you’re worth a million bucks.

.

.

The 316i on the other hand …. well, it’s a BMW. To a BWM owner, he doesn’t need external designs to feel like he’s worth something; he knows his worth and the car compliments his internal ego.

.

.

The tilt and telescopic Nappa wrapped multi function steering wheel in the CLA is definitely one of the best you can every lay your hands on. What’s not apparent is the paddle shifters behind the steering. In case you’re wondering, since the wiper controls are replaced with the transmission lever, how then do you activate the wipers? There’s a button on top of the signal stalk for that.

.

I ador the design of the meters which are beautiful to look at yet ensuring the information displayed remains crisp and clear.

.

.

One of two chief complaints I have of the 316i; the steering , though leather wrapped is bone thin, unimaginative and strictly functional. Come on, I know it’s entry level but couldn’t you add just a bit of curves to it? Unlike the more expensive 3-series, the 316i doesn’t have different trim levels. No Sport or Modern or Luxury marks so what-you-see-is-what-you-get.

.

And the meters are – well, functional and looking rather bare considering the competition it is being pitted against here.

.

While both cars does not come with Keyless entry, the 316i does feature engine Start/Stop button so the key can be kept in the pocket or bag once the doors are opened. No such luck with the CLA as you’d still need the key to be twisted in the slot to breath life to the engine.

.

.

The other complaint I have against the BMW is the seats. The bucket seats wrapped in ARTICO leather found in the CLA is amazing. You can sit in it for hours and yet you won’t be bothered by the heat. The side bolsters of the seat does a great job at arresting you in your seating position. The 316i’s seats on the other hand doesn’t allow thigh support to be raised (it’s either the whole seat goes up or down) and there is inadequate ventilation in the leather used. So after a while, your back gets hot while your front is chilled by the air conditioning. I’ve driven the 316i down to JB and it didn’t bothered me much. But if you jump from this to the CLA’s beautifully sculptured seats, there is little doubt which seat you’d rather find yourself in.

.

.

For multimedia display, both features a non-touch display with the CLA’s being smaller at 5.78″ vs the 316i’s 6.5″ screen. All manners of functions to the vehicle’s on board computers are displayed here. As modern cars, both CLA and 316i allows smartphones to be connected to it and allow audio streaming and between them, I find the Bluetooth connectivity process of the BMW to be better than the CLA. Telephony BT is easy on both but for the CLA, it requires more effort in finding the right icons to activate the function. Sound reproduction on both cars are good but not among the best I’ve heard in stock audio system.

.

.

Climate control systems are mandatory in our hot weather and utilizing the controls for both makes are intuitive. The 316i is better here in the sense it has a dual-zone system.

.

.

By moving the transmission control to the stalk and offering an electric parking brake, the CLA frees up a lot of space in the center. The cup holders cannot be closed unlike the BMW which has a lid that’s kept in the glove compartment when not in used but I love the way the divider can be tilted forward or back to accommodate different cup/bottle sizes.

.

.

.

There is little doubt that if it’s nooks and compartments, the CLA is the one with more space. The center compartment of the 316i is shallow and coupled with the USB and AUX port found here, it limits the amount of small items to be placed here.

.

.

But the glove compartment of the 316i is definitely bigger than the CLA’s.

.

.

Frameless doors – how can one not like this? The only thing is for some who has a habit of closing the door by pushing the window area, you’ll see a lot more smudges there.

.

.

In the 316i, the side bins are large but doesn’t hold a 800ml bottle as well as the CLA.

.

.

.

As mentioned earlier, the 316i has better rear legroom and headroom space and the backrest recline is better than the CLA which is more upright.

.

.

Surprisingly, the CLA does not have rear air conditioning vents whereas the 316i does and both have a 12V point.

.

.

.

Boot space for the CLA isn’t very good as you can see in the pictures above. Not only does the hinge covers intrude, the aperture of the CLA is narrow and small, making it difficult for large boxes and luggages to enter. The 316i on the other hand is the size and shape we would typically expect from a sedan.

.

As both cars run on run-flat tires, there are no spares below the boot floor.

.

.

Safety

.

From a safety perspective, neither vehicle disappoints.

.

CLA 200

• Collision Prevention Assist
• Front airbags
• Front Side airbags (optional rear side airbags)
• Curtain airbags from front to rear
• Kneebag (total 7 airbags)
• Tyre pressure loss warning system
• Anti-theft alarm
• PRE-SAFE system
• Interior motion sensor
• Attention Assist
• ABS
• ASR
• Brake Assist System
• ESP
• Adaptive brake lights, flashing
• Active Engine Bonnet
• ISOFIX
• Hill start assist
• Reverse camera
• Active parking assist

.

.

Specifications

.

CLA 200

Exterior 

• Bi-xenon headlamps
• Tires, 225/40 R18, run-flat
• 18″ 5-twin spoke light alloy wheels
• Diamond grille with black pins, black lourve and silver chrome inlay
• Black exterior mirrors, electrically folded and adjustable, auto dimming
• Window weatherstrip and beltline trim strip in high-gloss black
• Two-pipe exhaust system with rectangular tailpipes in polished stainless steel

Interior

• Audio 20 CD with 6-disc CD changer with AUX-in, Bluetooth connectivity for telephony and audio streaming
• Upholstery – ARTICO leather
• Steering wheel gearshift paddles
• 3-spoke steering wheel in Nappa leather with top stitching in grip area
• Sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirrors
• Anthracite wave-look trim
• Velour floor mats
• THERMATIC Automatic Climate Control
• Driver’s seat & Front passenger sports seats, electrically adjustable with memory function, lumdar support
• Automatically dimming interior rear view mirror
• 12V socket at load area
• Luggage nets on driver’s and front passenger backrests
• Storage compartment under front passenger and driver’s seats
• Cruise control with SPEEDTRONIC speed limiter
• Rain sensor
• Single color ambient lighting
• Footwell lighting in front and rear
• Illuminated door entry panels
• Illuminated vanity mirrors
• Rear view mirror with lighting
• Illuminated stowage compartment in centre console
• Reading light in rear headlining
• Courtesy lights in front door
• Warning and ambient lights in bootlid

.

BMW 316i

Exterior

• 17″ light alloy wheels Star spoke style 393, 7 1/2J x 17
• Tires 225/50 R17 run-flat
• Decorative moulding side frame black matt
• Exhaust tailpipe, single, ground with chrome finisher
• Front ornamental grille, kidney grille with chrome surround
• Xenon headlights for high and low beams including LED DRL light rings
• Fog lights

Interior

• Dakota leather upholstery
• Door sill finishers, with ‘BMW’ designation
• Interior trim finishers Satin Silver matt
• Cruise control with braking function
• Rear view mirror with automatic anti-dazzle function
• Light package including reading lights, vanity mirror lights, ambience lights front and rear, lights at footwell, exit and luggage compartment
• Rain sensor, automatic activation control for windscreen wipers and driving lights
• Automatic air conditioning, two-zone with extended contents, including rear air vents
• Heat-insulated glass, green, all around
• Multifunction buttons for steering wheel
• Leather steering wheel
• Seat adjustment, electric, with memory function for driver
• Armrest at the front, with integrated storage compartment
• Center armrest, rear, including 2 cupholders
• Personal profile, personalisation of important operating functions
• Start/Stop button, including Auto Start/Stop OFF button
• Storage compartment package
• AUX-IN connection, in the center console
• BMW Life
• BMW Teleservices
• Connectivity, Bluetooth and USB devices, with extended functionality
• Radio BMW Professional with MP3-compatible CD drive, including 6.5″ monitor operation by iDrive Controller
• 6 stereo speaker system
• On-board computer including Check Control

.

.

Ownership and Maintenance

.

The BMW 316i is retailed for RM209,800 whereas the CLA 200 is selling for RM235,888, both OTR without insurance. In terms of warranty, BMW offers 3 years (2 years BMW Service and Repair Inclusive which is free scheduled maintenance including engine oil, brake pads, wipers, etc + 1 year extended warranty covering covers all eletrical and expensive mechanical parts such as gearbox and engine) whereas Mercedes has 4 years covered for the CLA. Service interval for the CLA is every 12,000km or 1 year whichever comes first while you need to bring the 316i to the service centre whenever the on-board computer tells you to which is usually between 10,000 – 15,000 km. There is no periodic timetable for you to bring the BMW in so ignore the computer at your own peril.

.

So which is the car to buy?

.

Quite a number of people would have concluded the CLA200 would be the clear winner in a shootout like this. Not only does it have the looks, it has a much higher performance output compared to the 316i which some say has as power as a Proton Preve and almost the same torque. Some has also remarked that the CLA’s fit and finish isn’t as great as some of the other Mercedes Benz models sold here. The quality of the buttons and knobs lack the finesse commonly associated with the marque. However, if you’re going to compared it against the 316i, I feel they’re similarly and acceptable.

.

Though the power output of the 316i on paper is poor, the 316i is the better car to drive on the road in practice. Not only is it more comfortable, it’s stability and agility proves to be more than a match for the CLA. I honestly can find little not to like about the 316i. In a trip down Johor Bahru, the best fuel consumption score I did was 5.6litres/100km. That roughly translates to only 12.5cents per kilometer which is approaching hybrid FC levels. It’s got the size for a family to grow, it’s got the badge to make the neighbor’s tongue start wagging; the only issue with it is the badge. Some might construe the 316i owner as someone who just can’t afford the higher level model. Debadging the 316i has never made more sense than now.

.

Such an issue wouldn’t be applicable on the CLA200 since the only other variant you could buy is the mental CLA 45 AMG which costs almost twice as much. We still see more A-class on the road because the A has been on sale for a longer period of time and since it’s a hatchback, it’s easier to move around and park. But for families who needs a little bit more space, the CLA is a viable alterative to the A.

.

Ultimately, it’s a conclusion we all already know. If you want looks, go with the CLA. For driving experience, get the 316i. What’s not apparent before this shootout is the limitations of the CLA in driving and overall quality and the strengths of the 316i which isn’t as bad as we’d imagine it to be based on the catalog.

.

And so coming back to the opening of this article, if you’re a person who’ve been exposed to the higher spec variant in the 3-series family or the C-class and above, you might find more bones than meat in the CLA200 and 316i. But if you’re the kind of person who wants to maximize what life experiences can bring and is looking at your first step towards the luxury automotive world, either model would be a great introduction to how much better life can be and more to look forward to in the future with the companies that made them.

.

.

.

.

.