bmwrules

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

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

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.



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

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.