Competitor Showcase: The BMW 3 Series

Considering a BMW 3 Series? Drive These Cars Before You Buy.

That first luxury car is a special thing for a driver. Walking into a dealership in order to pick up a vehicle that balances performance, comfort and cutting edge styling all in a single package is a feeling to be savored. It is only natural that such an important purchase be carefully researched in order to make sure that the perfect automobile ends up parked in the driveway at the end of the day.

The leading entry-level luxury car has for many years been the BMW 3 Series. Priced at $33,600, the 2009 BMW 328i sedan is a versatile automobile. It boasts a traditional rear-wheel drivetrain layout along with the option of all-wheel drive. The powerplant offered in the 328i is a 3.0 liter inline 6-cylinder unit making 230 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque. Performance is quite decent when equipped with the standard 6-speed manual transmission and still acceptable if the 6-speed automatic Steptronic unit is opted for. Fuel mileage for the rear-wheel drive edition of the 328i is rated at 18 miles per gallon in the city and 28 miles per gallon on the highway, with the all-wheel drive 328ix coming in with slightly lower numbers.

Inside, the 2009 BMW 328i offers a blend of understated luxury and modern restraint. The sedan features a good amount of interior room and a reasonably-sized trunk. A simple two-pod dash encompasses the gauges directly in front of the driver as well as the information screen at the top of the center stack. A multitude of buttons and dials grace the entertainment and heating / cooling interface, and BMW’s optional iDrive controller sits to the right of the driver on the console. The base 328i features automatic climate control, leatherette seats, a moonroof and rain-sensing windshield wipers. It is possible to option out the vehicle with a number of different gadgets and comfort items, such as upgraded leather, nicer audio equipment, heated seats, a sport suspension and a wheel upgrade, ratcheting up the price and content to an impressive degree.

It might seem as though the 2009 BMW 328i is the ultimate entry-level luxury car, and for a lot of buyers their search begins and ends at a BMW dealership. However, this is a very competitive segment of the auto market, and as such there are several other excellent vehicles which are worthy of serious consideration at the first rung of the premium car ladder. If you have been considering purchasing 2009 BMW 328i, then here are 4 other vehicles which are worthy of a test drive before you make your final decision.

2009 Audi A4 – MSRP $30,700

Audi’s 3 Series competitor, the Audi A4, has won its own share of accolades over the years thanks to its solid construction, excellent performance and exterior styling that some critics feel leads the market. The base 2009 A4 2.0 TFSI offers a turbocharged 4-cylinder alternative to the BMW’s inline 6. This 2.0 liter engine generates 211 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque which makes it a little more aggressive than the 328i off the line. Like the BMW, 6-speed automatic and manual transmissions are offered. However, the A4 differs significantly when it comes to chassis design and handling. The A4 is at its heart a front-wheel drive car, although Audi’s popular quattro all-wheel drive system is available as an option. In front-puller form, the Audi doesn’t offer nearly the same handling prowess as the 328i, and while quattro adds excellent grip – important for those who live in the snow belt – it also increases the overall weight of the car, which can take some fun out of cornering. As compensation, the 2009 Audi A4 2.0 TFSI provides far better fuel economy than the Bimmer – 23 miles per gallon in the city and 30 on the highway for the front-wheel drive model.

The interior of the Audi A4 also has a bit more to offer the entry-level buyer. Leather is standard equipment as opposed to the leatherette of the BMW 3 Series, and in general seat comfort is quite good, although the rear of the car is best suited to two and not three occupants. That being said, the 2009 A4 stands out amongst others in its class in terms of overall interior room, leading the pack in almost every measure. The Audi MMI system – their version of iDrive – is also generally considered much more intuitive for the first-time users. A moonroof, automatic climate control and power seats are standard equipment, and a host of packages can upgrade the A4 to the same level of opulence as the 328i.

The 2009 Audi A4 2.0 TSFI is an excellent alternative to the 2009 BMW 328i that features head of class all-wheel drive, an attractive interior and less polarizing exterior styling

2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class - MSRP $32,900

Completing the trio of entry-level Teutonic luxury sedans is the 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300 . While Mercedes-Benz has always been a little more about providing high end class than building a driver’s car – witness the lack of manual transmissions across the majority of their product line – the C-Class was radically re-tooled in the previous model year in order to stop the hemorrhage of young car buyers to both Audi and BMW. The result is a stunning sedan that captures the elegance of the automaker’s more expensive vehicles while still offering good value and reasonable performance during sporty driving.

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300 is a real looker, the kind of car that stands out from a crowd and which when parked beside the segment leading BMW 328i simply seems more graceful and classic. The C300 can be ordered in both Luxury and Sport trim, which determines the amount of aero treatment that the outside of the car receives as well as whether interior accents trend towards sleek and modern or traditional and wood-paneled. All C300’s feature leather seating, dual zone climate control, and the option of Mercedes-Benz’s COMAND navigation and multimedia control system. A multi-panel sunroof is also available. The 2009 C300’s interior is more restrained in terms of styling than either the Audi or the BMW, but its dimensions are adequate for transporting four adults around town or on long road trips with no complaints.

In terms of motivation, the C300 features a 3.0 liter V6 that produces 228 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, and can be shifted through either a 6-speed manual or Mercedes-Benz’s very smooth 7-speed automatic transmission. Power delivery is linear and torque is reasonable, but the C300 doesn’t feel as swift as the BMW 328i off the line, nor does it match the BMW’s dynamics when the road starts to get twisty. All-wheel drive is a welcome option for cold-weather climates, but fuel mileage for the rear-wheel drive edition of the car is a middle of the road 18 miles per gallon around town and 26 miles per gallon on the highway.

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300 is a beautiful sedan that does well to represent Mercedes-Benz’s extensive luxury heritage but doesn’t quite quicken the pulse of drivers when the pedal meets the floor.

2009 Infiniti G37 – MSRP $33,250

There was a time when this segment of the luxury field was almost entirely dominated by European cars, but Japanese manufacturers have begun to produce some very credible pretenders to the German throne. The 2009 Infiniti G37 is an excellent example of the effort that Nissan’s luxury arm has devoted to building a vehicle which can compete dynamically with BMW while still offering the type of composed ride that buyers are looking for. Taking the somewhat angular appearance of the original G35 sedan and rounding many of the edges, the G37 looks more organic and distinct than its predecessor.

The interior of the G37 has undergone the greatest overhaul. Criticized in the past for being boring, the 2009 Infiniti G37’s cockpit offers a much more impressive design that features a large multimedia screen, brushed aluminum or wood accents and a dual-level dash that divides the front end of the passenger compartment nicely. The idea was to combine the warmth of a traditional luxury interior with the futuristic undertones inherent in the G37’s high tech components, and the effect has been perfectly balanced. The base G37 features a leather-wrapped steering wheel, satellite radio, Infiniti’s ‘Infiniti Controller’ multimedia and car control system, and an analog clock. Most other upgrades are found in somewhat pricey options packages, although a fair amount of stand-alone features can be added to the car. The G37 is more of a blank slate when initially ordered than its BMW competitor.

In terms of driving dynamics, Infiniti has done an excellent job in tuning the 2009 G37’s suspension and chassis to extract the maximum amount of performance. The sedan is definitely not light on its toes but it does manage to feel smaller than its 3,500 lbs curb weight would suggest. A large part of this can be attributed to Infiniti’s spectacular 3.7 liter V6 engine that produces 328 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque – overwhelmingly the most powerful vehicle in its class. Acceleration is excellent and certainly far more impressive than the BMW 328i, although ride quality is not quite up to the same standards. The base G37 is equipped with a 7-speed automatic with manual shift capability, while higher trim levels see a 6-speed manual become available, along with all-wheel drive. Surprisingly, for such a large engine the fuel economy is identical to that of the much less powerful Mercedes-Benz.

The 2009 Infiniti G37 is an excellent choice for luxury car buyers who want a lot more oomph under their right foot and are willing to trade in a degree of overall vehicle refinement to get it.

2009 Lexus IS 250 – MSRP $31,305

Lexus was the first of the Asian car companies to jump aboard the rear-wheel drive luxury starter car bandwagon with the IS, which hit American shores in 2001. The 2009 Lexis IS 250 represents the second generation of Toyota’s premium compact effort, and the vehicle has undergone some significant changes in terms of broadening its appeal. The styling has shifted from boy-racer to sleek and streamlined, mimicking the look of the larger GS. The interior of the 2009 IS 250 has also seriously ratcheted up its fit and finish, incorporating the same type of built-to-last feel that has made Lexus a class leader in value and long-term customer satisfaction.

The IS 250 is loaded with features, including push-button start, dual automatic climate control, a raft of power equipment, and iPod integration. Leather seats and a leather wrapped steering wheel are par for the course, as are heaters to keep posteriors warm in the winter months. Perforated seats for ventilation, maple wood accents, HID headlights and a sport suspension can all be added through various packages and stand-alone choices. High technology equipment is also available, including radar-guided cruise control, a rear backup camera, navigation and a pre-collision system that prepares drivers and passengers if an impact is imminent.

A 2.5 liter V6 provides the 2009 Lexus IS 250 with 204 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque – not exactly awe-inspiring, but more than sufficient for daily driving. With a weight similar to the much better endowed G37, however, the IS 250 does lag behind in terms of 0 to 60 and highway passing. Buyers can choose to row through the gears with a traditional 6-speed manual or instead flip up and down via steering wheel mounted paddles through the car’s available 6-speed auto. Fuel mileage for the 2009 Lexus IS 250 comes in at 18 miles per gallon in city driving and 26 miles per gallon on the highway, with slightly better around town numbers being reported for the all-wheel drive variant.

The 2009 Lexus IS 250 is a viable option for anyone who values reliability and build quality over screaming performance or aggressive styling.