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Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans

11073 messages,  Last post on Jul 16, 2009 at 1:47 PM

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What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G35, Acura TL, Lexus IS 350, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Cadillac CTS, Lexus IS 250, Audi A4, Acura TSX, Car Comparisons, Sedan

#11007 of 11073 Re: 3 Series BMW is quiet [jaxs1] by blueguydotcom May 27, 2008 (11:04 pm)
Replying to: jaxs1 (May 27, 2008 7:21 pm) Yep, it's a German Buick.
#11008 of 11073 Re: 3 Series BMW is quiet [jaxs1] by tayl0rd May 28, 2008 (4:01 am)
Replying to: jaxs1 (May 27, 2008 7:21 pm) You must've bought one without the Sport package. I had a 328i loaner last week (non-Sport), and I was also surprised at how quite the ride is. And yes, the turn signal is a little obnoxious. I've driven a 335i Sport and it wasn't very quiet at all. I'd still buy one, though! Amazing how much of a difference tires can make. Replies to this message: blueguydotcom (May 28, 2008 8:32 am) tayl0rd (May 28, 2008 8:43 am)
#11009 of 11073 Re: 3 Series BMW is quiet [tayl0rd] by blueguydotcom May 28, 2008 (8:32 am)
Replying to: tayl0rd (May 28, 2008 4:01 am) no, the sport package still feels like a Buick. Replies to this message: tayl0rd (May 28, 2008 8:43 am)
#11010 of 11073 Re: 3 Series BMW is quiet [blueguydotcom] by tayl0rd May 28, 2008 (8:43 am)
Replying to: blueguydotcom (May 28, 2008 8:32 am) I don't know if I'd go that far. Even the non-Sport doesn't feel like a Buick. That was my first extended time with a 3-series and I put it through some paces. It handles really well, though it will understeer on you when you start pushing the limit. And the steering's not quite as quick as I like. The Sport package is much better as far as handling's concerned. I haven't driven a 3-series Sport long enough to really test the steering.   Here's a strange one for you. I test drove an M3 sedan and it's suspension actually felt softer than my 550i Sport! (It didn't have the adjustable suspension.) Go figure! But boy was it precise in direction. And getting back in my 550i after the M3, I could really feel the heft of the 5-series over the 3-series. (Or 550i Sport over the M3, that is.)
#11011 of 11073 3 Series is sound deadening by plekto May 28, 2008 (10:37 am)
Check out the weight of one. Close to 2 tons. The reason it's quiet is because they have added several hundred pounds of materials to dampen it like a Buick or a Mercedes.   Handling is nowhere as good as the 3 series a decade ago as a result of being 700lbs or so heavier. Replies to this message: tayl0rd (May 28, 2008 11:09 am) sls002 (May 29, 2008 7:20 am) plekto (May 29, 2008 2:56 pm) sls002 (May 30, 2008 7:31 am)
#11012 of 11073 Re: 3 Series is sound deadening [plekto] by tayl0rd May 28, 2008 (11:09 am)
Replying to: plekto (May 28, 2008 10:37 am) There aren't "several hundred pounds" of sound dampening material. The vast majority of the weight comes from safety equipment, amenties, and chassis stiffening/bracing.
#11013 of 11073 Re: 3 Series is sound deadening [plekto] by sls002 May 29, 2008 (7:20 am)
Replying to: plekto (May 28, 2008 10:37 am) The increase in weight is due to the body's larger size (#1) and stiffer structure (#2). The new 1-series is a return to a smaller body, but they are using the 3 series platform so it has the same weight problem. Replies to this message: plekto (May 29, 2008 2:56 pm) sls002 (May 30, 2008 7:31 am)
#11014 of 11073 Re: 3 Series is sound deadening [sls002] by plekto May 29, 2008 (2:56 pm)
Replying to: sls002 (May 29, 2008 7:20 am) "stiffer structure" means more metal and dampening materials. The safety equipment between 1998 and 2008 isn't actually that different. Maybe 100lbs more, if that, since the older models came pretty much with everything that was available at the time. Replies to this message: sls002 (May 30, 2008 7:31 am)
#11015 of 11073 Re: 3 Series is sound deadening [plekto] by sls002 May 30, 2008 (7:31 am)
Replying to: plekto (May 29, 2008 2:56 pm) dampening materials do not make the structure stiffer, but do reduce noise and vibrations.
#11016 of 11073 Re: Audi A3 or IS 250? [berad] by berad Jun 06, 2008 (5:06 am)
Replying to: berad (Mar 11, 2008 7:14 am) "If you are between an A3 and an IS 250 and scratching your head then look at consumer reports.... Only 53% of owners would buy the A3 again - this is the bottom of the barrel. The IS 250 RWD is 78% -- this is near the very top of the list. All in all the odds are that you will be happier with the IS 250."   For what its worth... CR's data has change - the IS250 RWD & IS350 have a CSAT of 78% the IS250 AWD is 72% and the A3 is now 78% Replies to this message: blueguydotcom (Jun 06, 2008 6:15 am) jzalkin (Jun 06, 2008 1:08 pm) carnaught (Jun 06, 2008 1:50 pm) blueguydotcom (Jun 06, 2008 10:45 pm) and 7 more...

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