Hyde

The one i priced out came out to be about 52k

I price it with the following options.  so pretty much fully loaded....
Premium Package
Sport
Navigation
7G-Tronic
Metallic Paint
Leather
Keyless Go

I guess you CAN live without premium package and navigation, but whats the point of driving a benz when u dont even have power seats?  Navigation on the new C is just very nice compare to the tiny screen on the non-navi models.  The screen is motorized and rise up automatically.  

You can go with solid colors like black, white or red and save $890.  out of the 3 colors, i'd say white is the only good looking color and easier to maintain.   Leather would really depend on your own preference.  I would only use real leather becuz leatherette are really uncomfortable and doesn't breath very well.  I would much prefer fabric seats then leatherette.  leatherette gets sticky in hot days.  

7G-Tronic is pretty much a must have option.  

Keyless Go is very optional... but this is 2008....  even corolla comes with keyless go, and your benz doesn't??  For me, Keyless Go has already become a must have option for new cars.

I would get the new G35 insead for the same price.  I think the G35 is more comfortable and its a larger car with better performance.

Hyde

E90 wont change anytime soon, only a very minor facelift next yr

Hyde

u need to get iDrive for the BMW to not look boring, same with the C... without nav its still boring and way too many buttons on the dash..

maintenance for BMW without the free service is about $250 for oil change and around $1000 for large service...

benz isnt much cheaper

Hyde

i wouldn't recommend Audi at all....  our Q7 has nothing but problems....