AUTO SPIES EXCLUSIVE: Why is the BMW 3-Series the one to beat? Read this!

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Sales do matter for car companies, which is why we are talking about the 3-series. It is BMW's best-selling model.

Stick to screaming civics and stopping commenting on REAL cars.

Please don't ever compare a Corolla to a BMW again, completely different classes. Nobody considering a BMW ends up buying a Corolla instead. I think it (the 3 series) is the car that all other manufacturers are trying to beat. Some come close to comparing, but I don't think anybody is going to topple it.

Sales: First off, their target market is entirely different. Don't make comments that don't pertain to the actual company's real intentions. They aren't going for the sub $30K appeal, but more or less, the young guys/gals who make "just enough" to buy a < $40K car. They want the guys with the Corolla to say, shoot, that's what I'm going to get when I get a little more cash. Exclusiveity is what makes the cars special. Not sales.

Do not compare corolla that's true.
BMW 335 TWIN TURBO 300 HP + 300lb-ft
Lexus IS 350 Natural Aspiration 306HP + 277lb-ft Some body from BMW will say that the Torsion of BMW is better, But if you comapare E55 with 469hp and 516lb-ft or worst E63 with 515hp and 465lb-ft Against the M5 with 500hp and 384lb-ft what they have to say? The Philosophy of those comapanies are diferent but lets talk about engines and then everybody will have to admite, Lexus is no longer a simple "economic" alternative.

Lexus is learnig to beat all european competitors. My favorites cars are eropean but y am not blind. Japanese companies are doing a great job and if you can buy a natural aspiration car with more power than a twin turbo, then most BMW lovers will buy the car by Brand, Dynamics driving or just because the engine is twing turbo, But let's see what happen at the end with confiability of that engine, I do not have to say who will be the winner, even if I like the Bimer more that the Lexus IS350.

Nice, when I first saw the coupe I was not too sure about the style. But seeing this one in blue has made me like it a little more... I love the headlights, such a BMW feature with the halos (coronas as the Bimmer guy calls them). Has anyone seen a coupe with the spoiler accessory on it? I wonder how that looks...

Interesting article.

Very nice read. I think the new 328/335 looks great. I do kind of miss the "C" designation, however, I'll get used to it. With the sports package this thing will look hot. I'll take one in Orient Blue with Dakota leather.

I will be thinking of the BMW owners fondly this winter in the snow and ice while I am sitting in my Audi. Thanks.

Yonder....

Make no mistake about it BMW can build a better N/A engine than Lexus on any day of the week. They have chosen not o insatll a N/A in the 3 because of weight issues. Which, Lexus will find out pretty quick that weight will be an issue. And know what Lexus will do next slap a turbo on their engines to keep pace. BMW knows exactly what that are doing and do it well. Japanese manfactures have not learned anything except copy the eurpeons and hope they can fool the American public.

MDale Sorry for you (you need to dig more) the IS350 is the Stock car and yes it have 306hp NOT TUNED (DID YOU NOW THAT?) lol. Please Go to any Magazine or even to the Lexus website http://www.lexus.com/models/is/350_specifications.html
and Then talk about. BM3w is more acurate and he knows part of the history now compare weights:
BMW 335i = 3571 lb (and I using the lower number)
IS350 = 3527 lb
now that speaks about other thing: Who knows about cars, know that MB and BMW use the best materials and the thickness of the of european cars is more than the japanese and that's why you see more old Mercs or Bimers. So talks about quality of the materials But as you say Weight work against you and when you are looking for dynamic driving machine, you have save all the posible weight. That's why most , "if not all" Bike champions are using japanese Bikes. BMW Bike will bite the dust allways but after a few years all japanese will be in the Recycle bin, sure but they were the winers so eberybody will have to look for a balance.
Durability or performance? Let say for now that the edge is for Merc and Bimers But pay attention in the numbers BMW and Merc have check the six and some times the 12 o'clock dudes and I hope more from both.

RICEMASTER......you obviously drive a Corolla. A 3 series being compared to an F430? Are you high or something? Get a clue, I think your parents are calling your for dinner.

yonder7, don't forget the 335 is only a 3.0, the is 350 a 3.5.
and it isn't a high pressure turbo, it's a low pressure.
and lexus isn't sporty enoguh for the uk (most lexus buyers are men who don't know anything about cars) so the is 350 will not be coming here, only the 250 and 220d.

Ricemaster....

Here are a few reasons why the 3 series (code-name E90)is the one to beat.

The 3 series are almost as much fun to drive as a Porsche 911 Carrera or Corvette Z06. They handle every bit as well, too (OK, almost as well as those barely disguised race cars.) Unlike Porsche or Corvette, a
3 Series will eagerly accommodate four passengers in comfort and luxury, whether kids or colleagues. Add in advanced magnesium/aluminum engines with bountiful horsepower and amazingly good fuel economy, BMW’s legendary "fun to drive" road manners, and BMW buyers need not sacrifice between responsibility, family values, and driving pleasure.

"Toyotas inline 6 cyl destroys any BMW inline 6 cyl, 8cyl or 12cyl" Hahahahahaha. RICEMASTER must be smokin crack while drivin his corolla fart can, lol.


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