Nothing wrong with a C230 benz.
It delivers decent power, while getting decent miles per gallon. Not everyone wants a C63 draining their wallets on fuel. The C230 provides great luxury, safe ride, smooth ride, with better mileage than it's big brother engines.
The 128 BMW is sensational. The power to weight, makes it a really fun drive. I would know, because my lady has a 120i and that already moves for it's size, the 128, with extra power is even better.
It seems you're too concerned with the numbers on the back, instead of the driving experience.
There's a reason why car companies make different engine sizes etc.
lol
What driving experience? Stop and go city traffic? 65 mph down the highway in a straight line?
You do realize that "driving experience" is a marketing ploy. That's all it is.
What percentage of thbe popualtion tracks their cars? What percentage utilitze even 75% of their cars potential ? This goes for all types of cars.
Carmakers crank out engines for everyday sedans in the realm of 200+ horsepower not because cars need it. It's because it sells cars.
Your girl needs the 200+ horses in the 128i like I need a Hayabusa.
People can buy whatever they want but pretending like "driving experience" or horsepower matter is irrational.
It's the name and social status.
My aunt recently purchased a BMW X3 even though she was also looking at a RAV4 w/ the 3.5L engine. She went with the X3 because of status. Dollar for the dollar the RAV4 blows the x3 out and that holds true for many non luxury v luxury brands, car v car comparisons. You're paying for the name.
Do you have a car? Have you had multiple cars? I can tell you since I'm about to transition to my 4th car. Driving experience is more than the track. It's more than just putting your foot down. The reality is, I'm stuck in traffic sometimes, the level of comfort is important to me. It's just as important as the comfort when driving down the highway at 120km/h. Safety is important, as I've totalled a car before and luckily walked out with 1 small scratch on me. The luxury features that one has in their car is all part of the driving experience. You do realise that "Driving Experience" does mean, the actual feeling you experience while driving the car right? It's not necessarily the feeling of how the car performs on the track. In fact every car I've ever had, is not a track vehicle. I don't even know why the track was even brought up.
More so, the chasis and handling is very important to me. I live in a city with lots of mountain roads, which means twists and turns every time I go to the beach, certain neighbourhoods or restaurants. I'm not saying the car needs to be drift ready, but it needs to be able to handle the corners comfortably and smoothly. This is all part of the driving experience. Best believe, that a 320d BMW/Lexus IS250/Benz C230 will handle those curves better than many Toyotas.
Horsepower does matter, it's just not the be all and end all to buying a car. Currently I've looked at the Lexus IS, The IS250 is a great engine, but for me the extra ponies in a IS350 doesn't make sense on my gas bill. With your logic it has to be the IS350F. Which is not what I need. I don't need those extra ponies. The 250 provides all of the luxury, comfort, security and ENOUGH horsepower for me to be happy.
Just because your aunt bought an X3 just for the name, doesn't mean all of us buy our cars for the name. Some of us buy our cars because it fits all of the aspects we look for in a car.
But, I only speak from experience 
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