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      07-14-2013, 11:24 AM   #1
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Post CAR Compares F31 3 Series Touring vs. A4 Avant and C-Class Estate

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CAR Compares F31 3 Series Touring vs. A4 Avant and C-Class Estate
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CAR Magazine compare the 3-series Touring vs Audi A4 Avant vs Mercedes C-class Estate and asks: Is the new BMW 3-series Touring worthy of its predecessor’s ‘all the car you’ll ever need’ tag? It should be practical, desirable, enjoyable to drive, comfortable and efficient – and better in every discipline than the Audi A4 Avant and Mercedes C-class Estate, if it’s to take the crown.

On this, CAR has the following to say:

Quote:
What does the new BMW 320d Touring bring to the party?

The BMW bounds back onto the battlefield with much to report, sir: an all-new, stiffer chassis with wider front and rear tracks; electro-mechanical steering that saves fuel by eliminating power-steering loads on the engine; an optional eight-speed auto; and standard stop/start tech, which cuts the engine at traffic lights. There’s also Drive Performance Control, which lets/forces you to toggle through four driving modes, from Eco Pro to Sport Plus – it tweaks the steering weighting, throttle response, traction control and optional adaptive suspension – and there are three new trim levels: Modern, Sport and Luxury. Prices go up by around £200 versus the old model.

The new 3-series is 97mm longer than before – there’s 9mm more headroom and 35 extra litres of luggage space – while the wheelbase is stretched by 50mm, unlocking 17mm of extra rear kneeroom. Yet it’s now 40kg lighter.

If you’re going to judge books by their covers, then the 3-series steals an early march on its rivals. Considering it’s become such a ubiquitous choice, the BMW looks ridiculously special and desirable with its flat headlights and aggressively sloping bonnet that evoke the Z4 sports car and set the scene for the athletic, poised stance that continues throughout. The Audi and Merc – special in isolation – only serve as foils while the BMW luxuriates in the limelight.

And their verdict is....

Quote:
Ultimately there isn’t a bad car here, but the BMW stands as the clear winner: on a functional level, rear seat passengers get more space and the boot can either match or surpass everything its rivals can throw at it, save for the Merc’s clever parcel shelf. Then there’s the fact that it looks so much more appealing, both inside and out, and that its rivals can’t beat its performance or mpg and CO2 credentials – though props to them for matching them.

What really seals it, though, is the drive: the Mercedes might feel comfort-focussed, the Audi quite dynamic, but the BMW proves you can have your cake and eat it, because it’s as comfortable as the C220 CDI and more refined than the Audi, but at the same time it’s more rewarding to blast over a favourite road than either of them.

Every car you’ll ever need? That’ll be the 320d Touring.
Read the full review at CAR Magazine

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      07-15-2013, 11:21 AM   #2
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Excellent! Now make an M version!!!
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      07-15-2013, 11:31 AM   #3
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Great, now stop making GT's
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      07-15-2013, 11:47 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bavarian19 View Post
Great, now stop making GT's
Seriously.

It's hideous. And do we really need a 3 series wagon, an X3 AND a GT?
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      07-15-2013, 11:53 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bavarian19 View Post
Great, now stop making GT's
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      07-15-2013, 11:57 AM   #6
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It's all about market segments and selling cars.

The old BMW days are in the past. It's a modern company selling into many vehicle niches.
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      07-15-2013, 12:06 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dwalls90 View Post
Seriously.

It's hideous. And do we really need a 3 series wagon, an X3 AND a GT?
AND next thing you know BAM we are going to have an X3 GT.
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      07-15-2013, 12:07 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bavarian19 View Post
Great, now stop making GT's
This.

Freaking GT's.
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      07-15-2013, 12:09 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JustinGTP View Post
AND next thing you know BAM we are going to have an X3 GT.
too funny!
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      07-15-2013, 12:26 PM   #10
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The annihilation continues.

I saw an F31 msport in EBII, its a nice car, pics don't do it justice.
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      07-15-2013, 12:45 PM   #11
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It's great that the 320d touring is coming to the USA (as the 328d).
Now if only we could get that manual gearbox!
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      07-15-2013, 12:48 PM   #12
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Still on top of their game as always. Thanks BMW.
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      07-15-2013, 01:06 PM   #13
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Exclamation

Quote:
Originally Posted by JustinGTP View Post
AND next thing you know BAM we are going to have an X3 GT.
BAMM the X4 is up next...
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      07-15-2013, 03:12 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JustinGTP View Post
AND next thing you know BAM we are going to have an X3 GT.
Maybe this "active touring" thing will turn into yet another variation.
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      07-15-2013, 04:15 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sparkyg View Post
The old BMW days are in the past. It's a modern company selling into many vehicle niches.
Except for the "wagon with a manual transmission" or "wagon with RWD" or "wagon with a turbo 6cyl" niches in the US. They're happy to compete in the "ugly hunchback with multiple engine choices" niche though.
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      07-15-2013, 05:55 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 300hp View Post
The annihilation continues.

I saw an F31 msport in EBII, its a nice car, pics don't do it justice.
I have one on order....exact same
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      07-15-2013, 06:37 PM   #17
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Since BMW has a 'one spec fits all' mindset about the F31 in the US market, it's a no-go for me. AWD is great for the the northeast, midwest, etc., but what about the other 2/3 of the country that would rather have RWD and save the 200 lbs. of weight, $$$ in cost, and fuel consumption/performance penalties?

I tend to agree with some posters on previous threads who have stated that the 8 speed automatic is better suited for the narrow RPM range of the diesel version, but it would be nice to have a manual/RWD petrol version. On another note, how about making the sunroof optional, or at least a delete option? It robs headroom, adds weight where you don't want it, and will probably leak or stop working sometime in the future.

I applaud BMW for bringing the F31 to the SUV-crazy US market, but due to their tone-deaf marketing types and their decisions outlined above, I think we'll stay with what we've got.
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      07-15-2013, 06:56 PM   #18
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Is there a course at my local community college on how to operate all those buttons on the MB's control panel?
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      07-15-2013, 09:41 PM   #19
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that article was part reason why i ordered a F31
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      07-16-2013, 12:26 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dwalls90
Quote:
Originally Posted by bavarian19 View Post
Great, now stop making GT's
Seriously.

It's hideous. And do we really need a 3 series wagon, an X3 AND a GT?
+1
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      07-16-2013, 12:35 AM   #21
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I have 135,000 miles on my 2006 328 xit, which I bought new. It is still tight and reliable. It is my one-car fleet--sports car, luxury car, snow car, and cargo hauler. For those who don't like the choices that BMW has made in the new F 31, what else are you going to buy? An Acura sports wagon? An SUV? The F 31 provides more utility than the sedan and still retains more sport than any of the other choices out there. I will replace my wagon in the next year or two, and when I do I will look at the X 1, the X 3, the GT, and the 3 series sedan with folding rear seats, but I expect to get another 3-series wagon. It has all of the utility that I need, and none of the other choices have as much of the sport that we all want.
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      07-16-2013, 02:25 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bavarian19 View Post
Great, now stop making GT's

Who buys GTs anyway? The 5 series GT has been on sale since 2009, I've seen only 1 since then!! ONE!!! Who was the genius that came up with that brilliant idea??
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