Deutsch

Describing your situation. Thanks for being honest w/ us! I'm kidding, not that that was really funny, but I get where you're coming from. The automotive media, at least autobild, much like entertainment news, is always another ten steps ahead of actuality.

Snake Vargas

From those choices.. (and taking the E90 and the just-released IS as the competition), well, I'm not that keen on the E90 and only about equally as keen on the IS, for different reasons. I'm looking forward to the next A4 and C.

By the pictures, I like the C-class' front, and the A4's rear. The A4's front looks a little contrived, and the C-class' rear looks just plain badly proportioned. The A4's chop is better overall.

That said, why bother basing opinions on a chop? I'll take a pass on voting for now. When the real cars come out, I'll make up my mind. Brand won't play a big part in it; the better car (for me of course) will win out. Hey, if they turn out that badly, the 3er or IS could even get a look in.

Deutsch

That was some funny insight Vargas. See, it may be easy for someone to draw the conclusion that I voted for the 3 based off of the fact that I've not only obviously told you so, but also that i'm a BMW nut. That was the last thing on my mind when choosing this car actually. I was thinking in terms of the driving experience, and I have to say, after having driven all 3(all different forms mind you) that the 3 was by far the most memorable because it was the most enjoyable experience.

Yannis

For me right now E90 is the best you can get in the segment but i would bet that next A4 will be one strong opponent that will surely beat the E90 in spaces, quality, safety and
perhaps design/appearance.
IS is not even close to any of those cars as far as i am concerned and anemic Lexus sales in Europe prove that i am right.

Deutsch

Very much agreed. As much as I love the 3, I hope it gets licked by one of its' newer competitors.

Merc1

Well since the big threat from Lexus has come and proven to be nothing more than a mere "competitor" the next ones with a chance at bat are the new C-Class and the 2007 Infiniti G35.

M

Deutsch

The G35!?!?!?!?!!? I wish we had a stink face pooping smiley for that one!

Centurion

3er: Good looking car with great driving characteristics, very hard to beat.

IS: Offers good styling, nice interior and is a very competitive car.

Next C-class: MB has probably noticed that their C-class have lacked what the competitors have with is good quality interior, exiciting handling and an attractive pricetag. I'm sure that they have listened to the critisism and will offer a very improved C-class. On the design side MB has latetly been very inconsistent and a bit bland in the design department(B, A, R and GL-class).

Next Audi A4: Audi has progressed alot the latest years and with their new A6 they have proven that they can build greater cars than BMW and MB. Not to mention the A8 which offers great luxury for a buck lower than the S and 7er. Designwise Audi is flawless and my eyes have nothing to complain about when I look at the R8, A6, A4 och even the current A4. Not only that but Audi also offers the best quality interiors with a futuristic exterior.
Witht he A6 being this hot and competent one can only imagine how great the A4 will be. Therefor if I was to lay down a deposit for one of these cars it would be the new A4 hands down.

Imhotep Evil

First Lexus was never more than BS. Than didn't have the capacity to build
550 000 to 600 000 units nor the dealers to sell them in the first place. The also managed to acomplish the incredible task of being beaten by BMW both when it comes to space and driving dynamics.
Now back on topic, these cars are not here, and it was a tradition that even the older bimmer would outsell and outclass its newer competitors. The A4 and C were/are another class, the as good as it gets unless you buy the real thing. So we'll see.
As for USA, the Acura TS+TSX are the closest to BMW 3 series in therms of sales, the rest sell considerably lower.

Merc1

Well I wasn't really talking about sales, I'm talking about the next car that has a chance to unseat BMW as the king of sports sedans from a driving standpoint. Lexus still won't be able to catch BMW in sales. The 3-Series does over 100K sales here in the U.S. every year.

M