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Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans

16251 messages,  Last post on Jun 18, 2013 at 7:02 AM

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What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G37, Acura TL, Lexus IS 350, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Cadillac CTS, Volvo S60, Audi A4, Acura TSX, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 556 of 1626

#5542 of 16251 Re: BMW 3 Series Downfall [louiswei] by blueguydotcom

Jun 04, 2006 (12:46 am)

Replying to: louiswei (Jun 03, 2006 11:59 pm)

Uh...NO. The 335i will only come in one version: coupe. BMW has decided to drop the coupe's 'c' designation so there won't be a sedan version of the 335i.
 
That you know of. Those of us frequenting bimmer boards have read otherwise. It's in BMW's best interest not to publicize the sedans with the bigger engines.
 
Also, the 300 HP 3-series comes with a twin turbo I6. Although I have nothing against a turbo-charged engine but if I have a choice I'll go with a naturally aspirated 6 banger. That's just me though.
 
Yes, just you. I'll take a TT thanks. A dinan chip (which won't hurt the warranty) will easily boost the hp to 350 and torque to 400 ft-lbs. 400 ft-lbs from 1400 rpm on...that's stump pulling out of corners. The TT in the sedan (coupes have weak chassis) will address one problem with the e90. hopefully they'll give it a more gutteral engine sound too as all the cars in this class are snooze-inducing under WOT.
 
Hopefully the 335i will have a different interior design. The current 3-series' interior is average at best.
 
Couldn't find a better one in the market - save for the dearly departed e46. Sad actually, that nobody in the entry lux market can beat the ergonomics of vehicle released in 1998. Everything falls to hande perfectly in the old e46. The e90's got a bunch of ergonomic problems - top of my list is the placement of the window switches on the left armrest (it makes me so angry every time I need to lower a window). I could write a book about how lousy the e90's interior is compared to my now departed e46. But the competition, as usual, lags behind.
 
Why manufacturers have moved away from driver-centric dash layouts is beyond my ken. The stereo, hvac and everything else should be directed at the only person in the car who matters: the driver. Don't even get me started on the dual-climate control garbage...argh. Or stereo controls that passengers can touch...god no!

#5543 of 16251 Re: BMW 3 Series Downfall [blueguydotcom] by louiswei

Jun 04, 2006 (8:44 am)

Replying to: blueguydotcom (Jun 04, 2006 12:46 am)
That you know of. Those of us frequenting bimmer boards have read otherwise. It's in BMW's best interest not to publicize the sedans with the bigger engines.
 
Well, I was going by the official words from BMW. I guess we'll find out really soon if the new engine is going to make it into a 4-door version or not.
 
I could write a book about how lousy the e90's interior is compared to my now departed e46. But the competition, as usual, lags behind.
 
If we are only talking about the interior here then NO, the competition doesn't lag behind (okay I'll put in IMO if you insist). For example, both the Acura TL and IS350 have superior interiors comparing to the 3-series.

#5544 of 16251 Re: BMW 3 Series Downfall [louiswei] by blueguydotcom

Jun 04, 2006 (10:30 am)

Replying to: louiswei (Jun 04, 2006 8:44 am)
If we are only talking about the interior here then NO, the competition doesn't lag behind (okay I'll put in IMO if you insist). For example, both the Acura TL and IS350 have superior interiors comparing to the 3-series.
 
To each his own. I like spartan, clean lines. I also like multiple options for colors and trim (4 colors of leather, 3 types of wood/aluminum) - something that doesn't exist with Lexus, Acura or Infiniti. I customized my car from the factory - again, not an option with lexus.
 
Additionally we can get into the steering wheels, the placement of the shifter, the pedals, etc. The seating position plays into this too. to each his own. Only audi's interior comes close.

#5545 of 16251 Re: BMW 3 Series Downfall [blueguydotcom] by louiswei

Jun 04, 2006 (11:40 am)

Replying to: blueguydotcom (Jun 04, 2006 10:30 am)
I customized my car from the factory - again, not an option with lexus.
 
Yes, that is an option with Lexus. The downside is that you need to wait about 4 months. I don't know how long you need to wait for a customized Bimmer but 4 months is about how long you'll need to wait for a customized-build Lexus.
 
I also like multiple options for colors and trim
 
I agree with you on this that lexus/Acura/Infiniti doesn't offer as much interior color options as BMW but at least for me 3 colors of leather and 2 types of wood/metallic is enough to choose from.
 
Only audi's interior comes close.
 
I personally am not a big fan of Audi's interior, too plain for my taste (also, I don't like red electronic displays).

#5546 of 16251 Re: BMW 3 Series Downfall [blueguydotcom] by kdshapiro

Jun 04, 2006 (1:23 pm)

Replying to: blueguydotcom (Jun 04, 2006 10:30 am)
"To each his own. I like spartan, clean lines"
 
I'm with you on this. Maybe a better way of saying it is IMO the BMW interior is more focused from a drivers perspective, but I wouldn't say the competition doesn't have nice interiors. BMW interiors always make me feel at home.

#5547 of 16251 Finally, by pupap

Jun 04, 2006 (4:28 pm)

After 2 months of debating and researching I finnaly bought a car. My search included 2 automibiles. The IBMW 330I and The IS 350. My brother owns a 330I and has owned BMW for the last 10 years. I have read at least 50 reviews on both these cars and after test driving both cars I have to tell you the majority of reviews are bologny! I initially was sold on the BMW until I saw the interior and recognized the car had absolutely no giddie up. Afterwards I checked out the IS 350. My favorite features on this car is the backup camera, tight handling, acceleration, luxury refinements, sporty but smooth ride. When you open up the ashtray or the sunvisor everything just moves so smoothly. Very impressive!!!!!!!Eventually I decided o get the IS 350 since IMO it provided the best combination of sport/luxury/looks. Handling feel definitely goes to BMW, but the handling on the IS 350 is just as tight also great just with not much feedback. After driving my car a few times and experiencing the driving amenities and overall package of the IS 350 my brother now has buyer remorse and seriously contemplating trading in his BMW 330I for and IS. Friends just don't believe every reviewer and takes anyone opinions as facts after all its all just an opinion. Make sure you test drive numerous cars in what ever segment your looking at Had I not done that I would have settled for the 330I and my brother would not be experiencing buyers remorse right now.
 
Black/Black IS 350
NAVI, BAck up camera,Bluetooth, spoiler.

#5548 of 16251 Re: BMW 3 Series Downfall [blueguydotcom] by ggesq

Jun 05, 2006 (5:41 am)

Replying to: blueguydotcom (Jun 04, 2006 10:30 am)
"To each his own. I like spartan, clean lines."
 
According to Webster's dictionary, spartan means- marked by simplicity, frugality, or avoidance of luxury and comfort.
 
That's exactly the way I would describe the interior of the 3 series.

#5549 of 16251 Re: BMW 3 Series Downfall [ggesq] by kdshapiro

Jun 05, 2006 (5:49 am)

Replying to: ggesq (Jun 05, 2006 5:41 am)
"That's exactly the way I would describe the interior of the 3 series"
 
It might be IMO, but your opinion is in the minority. BMW has a much more functional interior than the IS, which makes it nicer. It's not devoid of luxury, it's devoid of clutter.
 
blueguy better get his dictionary out before posting.

#5550 of 16251 Re: BMW 3 Series Downfall [louiswei] by blueguydotcom

Jun 05, 2006 (8:33 am)

Replying to: louiswei (Jun 04, 2006 11:40 am)
Yes, that is an option with Lexus. The downside is that you need to wait about 4 months. I don't know how long you need to wait for a customized Bimmer but 4 months is about how long you'll need to wait for a customized-build Lexus.
 
Actually it's not an option. talk to a lexus dealer. They, if they're honest, will explain they can only "order" cars Lexus is building. They must take what Lexus builds - nothing is built to order by Lexus.
 
I also like multiple options for colors and trim
 
Not 4 colors of leather (beige, black, grey, terra) and 3 wood/aluminum trims. Sorry Lexus doesn't offer than kind of customizing. You also must get items within packages - so picking things you do and don't want is nigh impossible. Heck, I'm not even including the lemon leather interior option for BMW.

#5551 of 16251 Re: BMW 3 Series Downfall [ggesq] by blueguydotcom

Jun 05, 2006 (8:41 am)

Replying to: ggesq (Jun 05, 2006 5:41 am)
I know exactly what spartan means. I wrote what I meant. Within that segment the BMW has the spartan interior styling I lean toward. If anything, the e90 is actually too soft for me - the leather is not nearly as hard and nice as in the e46, the seats seem wider, the whole damn interior's too big and the thing has junk like duel-zone-HVAC and a flat center console that the passenger can see/touch.
 
I want a purposeful interior that's got the gauges I need, hard, tight leather seats, an ergonomics focused on the driver. The 46 had it, the e90 is a step away but not nearly as bad as the competition. Give me the hard edged teutonic designs over anything buicky-soft (Infiniti, Lexus, Acura, Caddy).

Messages Page 556 of 1626

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