Motor Trend: BMW 330 vs Lexus IS350 vs Mercedes C350

[bmwrules]

I got the issue in the mail today. I haven't read the full article yet but I can add more information.

Which brings us-surprise, surprise-to the BMW. The slowest in a straight line? Check. The least powerful? Check. The winner? Oh, yeah. First, the 330's acceleration times aren't that much slower than the others'-c'mon, it hits 60 in under six seconds-and, while not the most potent, it still produces 255 silky-smooth horses. Second, it has the best transmission of the group, more fluid and precise than the Benz's and, well, more involving and satisfying than the Lexus's paddles. Third, the chassis is to twisty roads as Angelina Jolie is to 1000-thread-count sheets-perfect! In addition to delivering an ideal 50/50 front/rear weight distribution, the 3 boasts near-telepathic steering, the best brake feel (and subsequently the shortest 60-to-0 stopping distance), and a suspension that soaks bumps like benzoyl peroxide, serves up 0.89g on the skidpad, and treasts understeer like a stranger.

As Mortara noted, "An amazing driving machine. You really do become one with the car when cruising through the canyons." Walton added, "Not much changed from the previous 3, but when it's this good, why change?" Not only can you put a price on sport-sedan perfection-$42,390, in this case-but you can put a prize on it. First place. Again.

Come on, BMW, light my fire.

1st place
BMW 330
Benchmark, standard, yardstick, epitome, quintessence-yeah, all of that.
6-speed manual
0-60 - 5.8
0-100 - 15.7
passing 45-65 mph 2.9 sec
quarter mile 14.5 sec @ 96.7 mph
braking, 100 - 0 mph 330 ft
braking, 60 - 0 mph 116 ft
600-ft slamon 67.5 mph avg
lateral acceleration 0.89 g avg
MT figure eight 26.5 sec @ 0.68 avg
base price $37,295
price as tested $42,390

2nd place
Lexus IS350
Look in your rearview mirror, BMW, Lexus is coming fast.
6-speed automatic
0-60 - 5.2
0-100 - 13.0
passing 45-65 mph 2.4 sec
quarter mile 13.8 sec @ 102.9 mph
braking, 100 - 0 mph 335 ft
braking, 60 - 0 mph 121 ft
600-ft slamon 66.1 mph avg
lateral acceleration 0.85 g avg
MT figure eight 27.0 sec @ 0.67 avg
base price $36,030
price as tested $45,508

3rd place
Mercedes
Fast but not so furious - the perfect Benz for the furtive drag racer.
6-speed manual
0-60 - 5.4
0-100 - 14.3
passing 45-65 mph 2.8 sec
quarter mile 14.1 sec @ 99.1 mph
braking, 100 - 0 mph 348 ft
braking, 60 - 0 mph 120 ft
600-ft slamon 64.6 mph avg
lateral acceleration 0.83 g avg
MT figure eight 27.2 sec @ 0.65 avg
base price $38,325
price as tested $40,795

[warot]

Yea that's a little problem with the 330i... it kind of lacks the oomph that the more powerful engines have. That's why they are bringing the 335i. It's awesome to see continuing the E46's legacy

[Merc1]

This result doesn't surprise me. The C350 despite a recent heart transplant is still a senior citizen in this group. Lexus was too dumb to offer their most powerful engine with a proper manual so the juiced up the hp to 306 in hopes of beating BMW. NOT!

The new IS has yet to beat the new 3-Series in any U.S. test.

M

[Just_me]

I hope they someday test 330i with the new sportpackage and C350 with sportpackage. It would be intresting to see how different these packages are compared to 330i and C350 without sportpackage.

[bmwrules]

Originally Posted by Just_me

I hope they someday test 330i with the new sportpackage and C350 with sportpackage. It would be intresting to see how different these packages are compared to 330i and C350 without sportpackage.

The 330 is this test did have the sports package. I can tell by looking at the wheels in the pictures that the 330 had the sports package. I don't know my Mercedes details as well so I can't say by looking at it whether or not it had the sports package. Until I read the entire article I won't know.

[Alx]

With MT price is always an issue, regardless the 3 is a kick ass car, definatley car of the year in my book. But the Lexus is very impressive as well. I have seen a few and it really is prestigious for such a small car.

[siko]

Glad to see the 3er still leading the pack... 335i will only be better.

Originally Posted by AlxAmg

... I have seen a few and it really is prestigious for such a small car.

I hate to say it because I don't like Lexus, but I have to agree with you. After seeing some on the roads, it's a pretty nice looking car.

[warot]

Originally Posted by siko

Glad to see the 3er still leading the pack... 335i will only be better.





I hate to say it because I don't like Lexus, but I have to agree with you. After seeing some on the roads, it's a pretty nice looking car.

I agree that the Lexus is a definite competitor... problem is if you buy one, you sacrifice rear seat space, and to me that's unacceptable.

[Just_me]

Not long ago MT also tested 330i vs Infinti G35 and Audi A4

1st place: BMW 330i
Techno styling and high-tech engineering catapults it to the head of the pack--again.

2nd place: Infiniti G35
Blockbuster performance without a budget-busting window sticker

3rd place: Audi A4 3.2 quattro
The tasteful Teuton might be a winter winner--sadly, it's only August.

[Matt]

The 330i is slow but I was looking up track times and is actually faster than the IS350 and the C350 around the MT track.