[Paul-Bracq-BMW]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

A lot of us wanted to see how the LCI 3-series would fare against the newer competition...

Very interesting comparo from Caradvice (Australia).

Note that prices in AUS are much higher due to Luxury Tax, equipment levels etc...

And the winner is...

http://www.caradvice.com.au/400693/b...arison-review/

Cheers!

C

[Billfitz]

No surprises there.

[613Bimmer]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

No surprises there.

+1

As always, the C Class is best for overall comfort and the 3 Series is best for an overall driver-oriented car. Still, that XE looks absolutely stunning in black with those wheels .

[ji99lypuff]

I think BMW still has the best interior out of those cars. The Mercedes benz looks tacky for some reason, even if people do rave about it. The jaguar's interior is seriously so sad looking and the lexus interior reminds me of my toyota interior which just doesnt do it for me. The article also states that it had the adaptive M suspension standard on the 330i. I wish the USA market would get that also.

[tuned2ride]

Interesting to see the 1st F30 330i test drive that I know of.

[hollandog]

I always go ??? when I see comparos with base trim F30s against those F Sport/R Sport, etc.

[TroyMcClure]

Nice review!

I have 3500km down on my 330i now. A great engine in my opinion.
Let me know if you have any questions

[rolltidef32]

Very nice comparo. I agree that the Jag looks almost like hard sex on wheels from the exterior. However, the interior looks like 12 year old German. They need to incorporate more color throughout the cabin.

[ZilberGrau ZHP]

I dont care what anyone sez- the Nav system in the BMW is simply not that great- that roller knob is NOT the preferred interface IMO- however I am not sure any of the others are any better - wish BMW had a better upgraded sound system- HK is SOOOO average --- the Nav panel on the Mercedes looks like someone tacked on an Amazon "Android deal of the day" tablet -- the ass end of the C series is plain boring (Merc has a trouble with asses- back in the day I read an interview with Merc design boss who said the "rear end of the Mercedes has to look as good as a pretty woman's and that will attract the men" Well those days are gone in a lot of ways- both in societal norms and Merc design... ANd if I were buying in this range, I wouldn't even consider the Toyota and the Jag...Meh.

[JunkStory]

The XE's tail lights are so ugly... way too big and American-looking (Lincoln/Buick). Otherwise the front looks the best out of all 4 cars.

Yes no surprises there.. BMW for driving and Benz for comfort.

[Ray knight]

i had a C450 AMG as a rental while my wife's GL was in service. its really an amazing car. i may get one when my X5 lease is up as a daily driver. my F80 does not work in the snow around here! i really liked that C450. The interior is stunning in person. super comfortable, smooth, sounds really good and lots of space. i would not pick it over my F80 but as a second car its really awesome.

[SYT_Shadow]

all that is needed to make a car work in winter is
A) winter tires
B) knowing how to drive

As long as the snow isn't high enough to pile in front of the car or you live at the end of a steep ramp, the F80 or any other car is completely, 100% capable in winter.
More capable than the miriad of AWD/4WD vehicles that run all season rubber

[Eddien123]

Originally Posted by hollandog

I always go ??? when I see comparos with base trim F30s against those F Sport/R Sport, etc.

That's the only way it's fair

[the_phew]

Originally Posted by hollandog

I always go ??? when I see comparos with base trim F30s against those F Sport/R Sport, etc.

They test whatever the manufacturers send them. BMW must have thought a car equipped as such would give them the best chance to win the comparison, and it looks like they were right.

It wouldn't surprise me to find out that all the media relations people at these manufacturers have dossiers on the writing staff at each of the major auto publications that cover their preferences. These types of articles can have a big impact on sales (unless you are Cadillac, which still can't sell the ATS or CTS despite glowing reviews).

[jondaman]

A perfect car would be:
BMW Engine + Transmission + Suspension
Mercedes Interior + quietness
Jag exterior styling
Lexus Infotainment system, standard options, and price tag

I am surprise how much they complained about that cheap feeling steering wheel, should have gotten a M-package with the M-wheels. Those are awesome

[Bucki14]

Man for whatever its worth I just can't get hip to the front fascia of the non m sport model

[Ray knight]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

all that is needed to make a car work in winter is
A) winter tires
B) knowing how to drive

As long as the snow isn't high enough to pile in front of the car or you live at the end of a steep ramp, the F80 or any other car is completely, 100% capable in winter.
More capable than the miriad of AWD/4WD vehicles that run all season rubber

Cars get TRASHED here in the winter. Tons of salt. And my driveway is 1/4 mile long and uphill to get out. Need 4wd/AWD. I've had plenty of FWD and RWD cars with snow tires and they don't cut it here. Need AWD or 4WD with at least all seasons but snow tires ideally. No way my F80 would ever touch snow. Even if it drove ok it would be pointless. Thats my nice weather only car. I have a Raptor for the really bad snow days. C450 would make a great daily driver for rainy and snowy days or family trips. The X5 works great but we already have a '15 GL in the house so no need for 2 SUVs. (Although i like the X5 better). And i DO know how to drive.

[bunker]

that Jag is a real looker. I've seen a couple comparos where it has bested the 3er. going to be a really interesting entry into the market for sure. I'm looking forward to driving one.

[Ray knight]

Originally Posted by jondaman

A perfect car would be:
BMW Engine + Transmission + Suspension
Mercedes Interior + quietness
Jag exterior styling
Lexus Infotainment system, standard options, and price tag

I am surprise how much they complained about that cheap feeling steering wheel, should have gotten a M-package with the M-wheels. Those are awesome

I agree on everything but i love the BMW iDrive. Its the most simple to use. Touch screens really suck while you are driving.

[e92miami]

Huge problem with this comparison, why are they not testing apples to apples. They didn't used the 2.0 C300 with the same HP as the BMW. Or why didn't they use the the 320i to compare with the C250....seems to me MB won this battle because that 8 for performance should be higher. They are taking us for fools.

Edit: seeing MB.AU website they don't offer the C300 there so they should have compared it to the 320i.

[FriskyDingo]

Well I guess there goes the idea that the new 3 is soft and no longer a driver's car as all the haters love to claim.

[X3paul]

Steering again! Its pretty numb and artificial as usual. If porsche ever comes up with a 3ser rival its the death of bmw for me.