I think we’re missing each other. The quality of the S60 is what I’m using as a comp. Its definitely smaller inside than the 300C but not by much. The quality — despite being old — is far superior to what Chrysler offers at a similar price point.

S60 — and not by much.

Interior is from an S60. Old at this point. S80/90 is way more money and nicer.

I get what you're saying but the Volvo starts at $33,500 with the T5 (no slouch) and goes up past $50k for the R-Design/Polestar. Pretty similar prices here.

Uh not quite. The 300C isn’t a “$20k” car — especially not the one ViperFan posted.

Also — everything in this (Volvo) interior that looks like metal is metal. Way better place to spend time and a more fuel-efficient car to boot. FCA is just, as usual, lagging the times. And this is an older Volvo platform!

It’s not the amenities that are lacking — it’s the the general fit and finish and quality. The grain on the plastics was pronounced, you could see moulding lines everywhere, the switchgear plastic was flimsy. It was a looker, but when you started touching things or looking closer it was a letdown — at least to me.…

Maybe strafed or bombed or hurled off the deck of a ship at sea.

I was in a 300 the other day. The gaps in trim were laughable. It was a shitty interior for a “luxury” or even “luxury-ish” car. It would be embarrassed by a base Volvo.

Now they should just line up a PT Cruiser and Chevy HHR behind it and finish off a threesome of insipid pieces of shit at once!

Wow! I'm im love with this for so many irrational reasons!! But I don't care!! Gaaaahhhh! So damn cool.

Holy hell. This is an executive express. They finally nailed it.

Meh. I've never had one. I've had several BMWs and all were German-made. I'm nervous about Mexico though because of the issues VW has had there.

I actually didn't buy a Mk7 GTI because of the same reason. A buddy who did has had constant quality problems that he didn't have on his Mk6. It's not badge snobbery — it's giving a shit about quality.

They make the SUVs and convertibles (Z4) here if I recall. All the performance cars and sedans are still made in Germany. Final assembly and quality control are terrible when most manufacturers make this change — robots aside.

Good point. I guess it’s just the principle here. More cost-cutting from BMW.

I’ve heard way too much about quality issues with VW’s Mexican operations. Assembly can also be tough for quality.

Maybe a quality snob. VW has had bad luck with this. They're not doing it to make a better 3 series — they're doing it to save pennies on labor. I'd rather have a car assembled by an experienced and well-paid employee.

Why is that ironic? Where it was made matters a lot. Look at the quality issues VW has had with their move to Mexico let alone Westmoreland years ago. The reality is that there’s better and more experienced labor and quality control in Germany — mostly because they're fairly-paid. This is just more cost-cutting.

I am a BMW fanatic. A dyed-in-the wool loyalist. I have an M235i and a 325i Wagon now. I will NEVER buy a 3 series made in Mexico. Full stop. The badge snobs still will for a $25 discount on their $299/mo 320i lease though. Further evidence of the continued dilution of one of the car world’s most storied brands.