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Sedans BMW 3-Series Article Comments - Comparison Test: 2007-2008 Sport Sedans
475 messages, Last post on Jul 25, 2008 at 5:41 PM
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Comparison Test: 2007-2008 Sport Sedans - This is exactly why we gathered this group of sport sedans. That is, to find out if the 2008 Cadillac CTS, 2007 Infiniti G35 Sport, 2008 Lexus IS 350 or 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport can topple the Bavarian champ — the 2007 BMW 335i. In the spirit of the segment, each car in the test is outfitted with sport package hardware — usually a stiffer suspension and bigger wheels and tires — and an automatic transmission. (more)
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Replying to: drewsrx (Nov 04, 2007 7:47 am) Probably? One would have to pay 27% more in price for the 335i for just 2% more in performance over the G35. Very interesting indeed! Not dissing the G35, but the last I looked the 3 series sold about 106K ytd while the G series sold about 60K ytd. Now BMW has a zillion models while the G series has a few variants and not every car BMW sold was a 335. However the difference in sales numbers is interesting considering Nissan could swallow BMW. To repeat, I don't understand how the 335 trumps the G37 but not the G35, unless this concept called value weighs in heavily. In addition the 335 has the fastest shifting transmission in the group and better gas mileage.
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Replying to: kdshapiro (Nov 04, 2007 9:40 am) I always find it humorous that people like to throw out sales numbers as a defense. The 3-Series has 12 different variants compared to the G which has 3. Plus, the 3-Series has a 32 year history in the US, and BMW has more cachet. Of course BMW is going to sell twice as many cars as Infiniti, anyone can see that. Infiniti was basically an anonymous company until people noticed them in 2002. Nissan doesn't have the ability or the cash to take on BMW overnight. A G37x is in the works along with a drop-top version, but that still won't be enough to take over 3-Series sales. They have a lot of other issues to deal with, like going global and starting sales of their cars in Europe in 2008. They are also lacking a true flagship and they are busy with the new EX and the redesigned FX is coming in 2009. They have a lot of things on the table right now. The 3-Series is going to be the sales leader in this segment for a long time to come for various reasons, but the fact remains, the G35 won this comparison test.
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Replying to: drewsrx (Nov 04, 2007 11:22 am) I find it interesting when sales numbers are totally ignored. but the fact remains, the G35 won this comparison test. Yeah, on value. :confuse Like it won some other comparos.
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Replying to: kdshapiro (Nov 04, 2007 11:31 am) Like they said, the G35 won because it was the best combination performance, luxury, and value.
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Replying to: drewsrx (Nov 04, 2007 3:49 pm) So while the G35 may have the best combination of performance, luxury and value, the 3 series, the benchmark, is selling twice as many ytd as the G. The reality check is the buying American public. Somewhere the opinions of these reviews are not translating into sales. Maybe because of the stiff competition. I don't know.
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Replying to: kdshapiro (Nov 04, 2007 9:40 am) The cars tested in this new comparison had automatic transmissions. The G35 with manual transmission that I drove suffered from horrible artificial rev-hanging, overly touchy throttle tip in, and an on-off clutch that took most of the joy out of driving an otherwise very nice sporty sedan. Hardly competitive with the 335i in my opinion. I suspected back then that the automatic transmission version would be a much closer competitor to the BMW 3-series. If I were shopping AT's in this segment, I too would be hard-pressed to pay extra for the BMW. fedlawman, "Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans" #7262, 26 Dec 2006 11:01 am |
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Replying to: kdshapiro (Nov 04, 2007 6:28 pm) You're correct, it is a reality check. Here is the reality: 12 3-Series Variants vs. 3 Infiniti-G Variants 340 BMW Dealers vs. 180 Infiniti Dealers 32 Year 3-Series History vs. 5 Year Infiniti-G History 95 Year BMW History vs. 18 Year Infiniti History BMW recognition 2X more than Infiniti BMW cachet 2X more than Infiniti Better car or not, based on these realities, in no way can the G compete with 3-Series sales numbers. Using the Camry as an example and randomly talking about sales number is oversimplifying the situation. Positive reviews are never going to overcome all of these factors. You have to look at the big picture. |
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Replying to: drewsrx (Nov 03, 2007 5:39 pm) Why the HELL are you wasting your time, my time and any semi-serious enthusiasts time comparing SPORTS sedans with SPORTS packages and AUTOMATIC transmissions. Did the Editors forget to take their Prozac or what? Why don't you just forget the road tests and see which car has the best sound system for listening to ESPN radio? That's just as "sporty" as driving a sport sedan with a SLUSHBOX. I'm pretty sure this post will get deleted, but if it doesn't, please have the guts to get one of those Edmunds editors to explain what "spirit of the segment" he/she was referring to with an automatic transmission? If that's what the Edmunds forums demographic has become, I suggest you just shut down Edmunds completely and open up a new site to debate which restaurant has the best chefs, McDonalds or Burger King. Dumb, dumb, dumb. And I really don't want any talkback from some clutch challenged wannabe "sports" sedan driver, thank you. You have about 97% of the forums here where you can debate the brilliant slushbox or think your car is just like Schumacher's Ferrari becasue it has paddle shifters attached to that torque converting mess. But for now, I would have hoped we could agree that sport and slushbox in a 335i or G35 are contradictory terms. |
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Replying to: habitat1 (Nov 05, 2007 4:21 am) However, not all are quite as enthusiastic as you and others. Even I love cars but am "challenged" as you say, with the slush and training wheels. Can I row like you? Not now but was great in the day! I just hate the traffic thing with the three pedals and the wife never war trained with a stick... So I compare on my perspective for a daily driver and I am still mulling up my weekend ride with the sport gear. I don't need another luxo-sedan for sure, just a replacement at lease-end time in 2008. I'm not sticking up for ANY "professional reviews" although some are better than others. I guess most of those reviews depend on the cars that are lined up before press deadlines and we see the other side after editing!! My review is the only what counts for me along with the insight of enthusiasts such as you who have much more knowledge and experience to guide me. I love the unbiased feedback. Relax and enjoy! Regards, OW |
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Replying to: habitat1 (Nov 05, 2007 4:21 am) I believe we will have a discussion for comments on the article created sometime today. We'll provide the link. |
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