F23A4

FastAcura was not too far off the mark. A 6MT 325i did post a 14.7 sec ET in C/D. LINK.

While I will agree with the assertion that BMW tends to be "overpriced", I can also state (from experience) that the 330i is more rewarding to drive than the IS350 and G35S (and I am a Nissan guy---note sig).

But make no mistake, BMW is NOT feeling ANY substantive pressure from Lexus. BMW has a tremendous following that shows NO signs of ebbing.

Pointing to Infiniti's successful G35 sales (as well as Acura TL sales) is only part of picture. IMHO, their success has more to do with people ugrading from downmarket models (i.e.: Maxima, Accord, Altima, Camry, etc,...) rather than any exodous from BMW showrooms.

tommyguy2

as far as the numbers go, I'm sorry, but I'm going to call both the current 330, and 325 woefully underpowered, based on the asking price. I am not the one making the claim of being the ultimate driving machine here. 14.2(Nitrous?) in the cold weather, is not impressive, when you consider the fact that you will still get embarrased by a stock srt4(13.8), in your german enginered perfection. And yes, I am very right in attaching the power of the 3 series. BMW knows that the car is no longer competitive, power wise, and that is why they are slapping a pair of garrets, to the motor.

tommyguy2

car and driver times are not sae corrected, and are obtained using electronic devices, that estimate the ET(gtech pro). Now thats all I'm going to say about that. If you really wanted to use their times though, then consider the last comparo they did, where car and bimmer picked the 3 series. The manual got SMOKED righteous (14.5 to 13.7) by an auto lexus. now this is a shame when you consider the price difference between both cars, when equally equiped.

well, I was at the taste of lexus, and drove the piss out of both. The bmw was the better handling car, but the lexus's speed, and handling made it equal to or better than the 3 series IMHO. props to the bimmer for being a thug car to drive around the circuit that day, but It wasn't MORE rewarding to drive than the lexus. I wish a 6mt g35 sedan had been there for comparison, that day, but I've driven one, and its closer to the bmw in terms of handling than the lexus. The bmw is more rewarding to drive than the g35 sedan, but not by enough to justify the price difference.


a while back at www.bmwusa.com, they were offering some really incredible lease deals, to try and move inventory(325's, 525's, X3, X5). This can only be due to increased competition from other brands here in the states.

bmw showrooms did experience an exodus. Look at the lease deals on the 7 series, a couple years back, when they released it.

1. it had an unattractive design(this has now been fixed).
2. I-drive complexity, drove away many customers.

now many people ended up owning 7 series, cars, but you have to look at the discounts and great lease deals that bmw gave in order to achieve those sales numbers. their profit has been hurt by the bengalization of their designs here in north america, make no mistake about it. The 7 series got a new backend, the 3 series, was spared the bastardization, the new 3 series coupe isn't taking any risks in the style department, and the car is getting a substacial power boost. all responses to increased competition.

cob3683

You do realize that the Lexus is a staggering $1200 less than the 330i when similiarly equipped. $1200 on a $45000 car is nothing

Now I will grant the $8000ish price difference between the G35 and the other two. The two things that work against the G (in my opinion) is that it has the worst interior of the group and is the oldest design. It will be interesting to see if Infiniti can price this new model under the IS and 3.

Crazy Bimmer

I dont feel like reading all of the lame posts by tommy2.

But here. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...highlight=14.7

14.7 Stock 325i 6-speed on 18s
Timeslip on page 2

Sorry but i would still pick a slower manual car that handles better than a auto lexus.

To each their own of course.

He reminds me of Sicklex actually. IP check anyone?

Newplay1

I got respect for bmw they are coming out with that monster awd-3 series coupe next year...

F23A4

phile

CLpower

feeling the pressure from who? That add is great and is exactly one of the things they should be pointing out

vishnus11

Who the hell is Tommy2 anyway - lexus fanboy sent over by Clublex?

The BMW is the more rewarding car to drive. Period. As far as the ad goes - well its pretty neat and like someone else said, it's showing off what they do best - RWD.

I'm sure Acura will start promoting SH-AWD heavily once its migrates to the TL and TSX and so forth. Maybe something like 4 legged creatures (cheetah?) are faster than 2 legged ones (ducks?) - arrghhh, work with me here!

TSX69

I was thinking this same thing -- if Acura goes all AWD, perhaps a cheetah w/ 4 short stubby legs? Or an elephant w/ 2 normal back legs & two short front legs that is about to tip forward ...

CUNextTuesday

Wouldn't it be appropriate to incorporate handling when talking about these BMWs? They handle oh so welll

Russdaddy

Such hatred!