Motor Trend: BMW 330 vs Lexus IS350 vs Mercedes C350 - Page 2

bmwrules · 01-03-2006, 07:14 PM

I add this information to the 1st post of this thread.

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

Quote:

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

CarGuy · 01-03-2006, 07:26 PM

Yeah well I must say the Lexus is quite impressive and 305 hp and 277 lbs ft of torque is more than enough for most drivers. Tough choice really between the 2.

warot · 01-03-2006, 08:09 PM

So, what happened to Lexus being good on your wallet? it's on par with the Germans... I thought it was supposed to be Japanese price

Audi4Life · 01-03-2006, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warot

So, what happened to Lexus being good on your wallet? it's on par with the Germans... I thought it was supposed to be Japanese price

Well........the base price is lower......must have expensive pkgs. I would go for the german cars......no matter what model and make.....over any japenese car...

Just_me · 01-04-2006, 01:45 AM

Simply the best - 330i.
335i is going to rip a hole in the heart , I feel sorry for the competition

Yannis · 01-04-2006, 02:23 AM

The results are what i expected although i would never pic a Lexus IS over a C class.

Even the worse German car is still 1000 times better than an upscale Toyota.

Imhotep Evil · 01-04-2006, 12:22 PM

Well no suprise, now BMW bring on the 335.
Over 40 years of BMW class domination continues.

Yannis · 01-04-2006, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Imhotep Evil

Over 40 years of BMW class domination continues.

In Europe last year A4 sold more than 3 series so it depends on your definition of "domination".

Just_me · 01-04-2006, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yannis

In Europe last year A4 sold more than 3 series so it depends on your definition of "domination".

Who cares about Europe. its total sales thats counts

Matt · 01-04-2006, 01:49 PM

Whats funny is that the cars destroy the BMW in strait line performance but put the cars around a track and BMW takes the cake. IE look at the MT figure 8 times and slalom times. A car with way less power won.

01-03-2006, 07:26 PM	#12
CarGuy Advocate Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 632 Thanks: 88 Thanked 95 Times in 47 Posts	Re: Motor Trend: BMW 330 vs Lexus IS350 vs Mercedes C350 Yeah well I must say the Lexus is quite impressive and 305 hp and 277 lbs ft of torque is more than enough for most drivers. Tough choice really between the 2.

01-03-2006, 08:09 PM	#13
warot Devotee Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 2,572 Thanks: 53 Thanked 175 Times in 90 Posts	Re: Motor Trend: BMW 330 vs Lexus IS350 vs Mercedes C350 So, what happened to Lexus being good on your wallet? it's on par with the Germans... I thought it was supposed to be Japanese price

01-04-2006, 01:45 AM	#15
Just_me Executive Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Sweden Posts: 15,487 Thanks: 1,062 Thanked 3,722 Times in 1,583 Posts	Re: Motor Trend: BMW 330 vs Lexus IS350 vs Mercedes C350 Simply the best - 330i. 335i is going to rip a hole in the heart , I feel sorry for the competition

01-04-2006, 02:23 AM	#16
Yannis Trendsetter Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Greece Posts: 8,281 Thanks: 1,886 Thanked 1,800 Times in 1,025 Posts	Re: Motor Trend: BMW 330 vs Lexus IS350 vs Mercedes C350 The results are what i expected although i would never pic a Lexus IS over a C class. Even the worse German car is still 1000 times better than an upscale Toyota.

01-04-2006, 12:22 PM	#17
Imhotep Evil Aficionado Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 4,382 Thanks: 402 Thanked 279 Times in 198 Posts	Re: Motor Trend: BMW 330 vs Lexus IS350 vs Mercedes C350 Well no suprise, now BMW bring on the 335. Over 40 years of BMW class domination continues.

01-04-2006, 01:49 PM	#20
Matt Devotee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,957 Thanks: 270 Thanked 128 Times in 90 Posts	Re: Motor Trend: BMW 330 vs Lexus IS350 vs Mercedes C350 Whats funny is that the cars destroy the BMW in strait line performance but put the cars around a track and BMW takes the cake. IE look at the MT figure 8 times and slalom times. A car with way less power won.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
WSJ Article: BMW is on track to supplant Mercedes as the best selling	warot	The BMW Lounge	8	12-18-2005 03:37 AM
Mercedes Simplex Reunited At Mercedes-Benz Museum	Alx	Older MBs, Classics	3	11-19-2005 10:06 AM
3er vs Lexus IS350 - My Verdict	Osnabrueck	The BMW Lounge	21	11-11-2005 09:45 AM
Lexus IS250 Vs. BMW 3er (Mr Mercedes review)	Mr. Mercedes	Internal Combustion	12	11-11-2005 12:01 AM
Mercedes cut German sales target	EnI	The Mercedes-Benz Lounge	36	11-09-2005 01:52 AM