C&D family sedan test.

[CALL_911]

Yeah that's probably it. The BMW 3er offers what they like and for them its the benchmark I guess.

Yeah. IMO, it's the most well-rounded in the class.

[cawimmer430]

Yeah. IMO, it's the most well-rounded in the class.

A subjective opinion. I don't think the 3-Series is the most well rounded car at all here. It's clearly biased towards driving dynamics at the expense of comfort. From all the reviews I've read about the new A4, this car seems to be the most well rounded package here. Great driving dynamics and great comfort. 

Want to hear what I think about the Lexus IS? 

[CALL_911]

A subjective opinion. I don't think the 3-Series is the most well rounded car at all here. It's clearly biased towards driving dynamics at the expense of comfort. From all the reviews I've read about the new A4, this car seems to be the most well rounded package here. Great driving dynamics and great comfort. 

Want to hear what I think about the Lexus IS? 

I think the IS is hawt.

The A4 worked out for us better than an AWD 3er did. It was cheaper too. Really, we took the A4 over the 3er because it was cheaper. That, and I don't love the idea of AWD BMW's (even if they still are fantastic. I tried to talk my dad out of the 535xi and into a 535i, but I didn't get much out of that.)

[JYODER240]

3 series was beaten by the 2.7T S4 and the bugeye WRX a few years back.

I believe the G35 as well.

[CALL_911]

I believe the G35 as well.

Yeah, the last comparo the E46 was in. C&D said that the E46 325i came in 2nd because of a lack in power. 

[JYODER240]

Yeah, the last comparo the E46 was in. C&D said that the E46 325i came in 2nd because of a lack in power. 

So? The G35 is a very good car, and the 3er was considerably down on power.

[cawimmer430]

I think the IS is hawt.

The A4 worked out for us better than an AWD 3er did. It was cheaper too. Really, we took the A4 over the 3er because it was cheaper. That, and I don't love the idea of AWD BMW's (even if they still are fantastic. I tried to talk my dad out of the 535xi and into a 535i, but I didn't get much out of that.)

It's funny but I recently read something that said that BMW sells more AWD cars in some market than Audi. 

[CALL_911]

So? The G35 is a very good car, and the 3er was considerably down on power.

It is, but I remember reading some feedback letters about how they should have just tested a 330i.

And I'm not saying that the G35 isn't a good car. It's an excellent car.

[JYODER240]

It is, but I remember reading some feedback letters about how they should have just tested a 330i.

And I'm not saying that the G35 isn't a good car. It's an excellent car.

IIRC it was a $35K limit and the 330i was too expensive.

I still have the article somewhere.

[CALL_911]

IIRC it was a $35K limit and the 330i was too expensive.

I still have the article somewhere.

So do I, but it's been a while since I've seen it.

[565]

So do I, but it's been a while since I've seen it.

Here it is.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/performance_files_tested_by_c_d/manual_dexterity_comparison_test

[the Teuton]

If we're gonna get this far off-topic, I just want to say that the new CTS, while significantly heavier than the 3er, is basically a glorified 4 seater.  And while it is bigger and heavier (and a wonderfully cool car for the money), I'm beginning to think it is pretty much in the same class as the smaller lux cars.

[TBR]

It's funny.  When i say that about other cars, I get shot down for it.

Not by me.

[TBR]

But in the things that C/D is looking for, BMW often does the best. It's not bias, it's preference.

Never said it was.

[ifcar]

Never said it was.

I wasn't disagreeing, I was elaborating.

[Atomic]

honda rocks.

[CALL_911]

honda rocks.

I rock.

[93JC]

[CALL_911]

I saw that coming.

[omicron]

If we're gonna get this far off-topic, I just want to say that the new CTS, while significantly heavier than the 3er, is basically a glorified 4 seater.  And while it is bigger and heavier (and a wonderfully cool car for the money), I'm beginning to think it is pretty much in the same class as the smaller lux cars.

And that is even more surprising when you consider how close in size the CTS is to the Pontiac G8.