Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Motor Trend declares victor in epic BMW 3 Series versus Cadillac ATS battle

Although many cars have tried, few have come even close to the capabilities exhibited by the BMW 3 Series. But the Caddilac ATS is a promising small sedan that could very well play spoiler to the most successful sports sedan on the globe. We've sampled both the ATS and the newest 3 Series, but Motor Trend had the chance to get both sport sedans together to test them out in its latest "Head 2 Head" video.

Right off the bat, M/T points out just how close these cars are in just about every category from size to weight to performance when comparing the 328i and ATS 2.0T variants. All of the dimensions are within just inches of each other and Cadillac's weight-conscious construction of the ATS makes it just 24 pounds heavier than the 328i. Both cars use turbocharged 2.0-liter I4 engine, and while on paper the ATS delivers more horsepower and torque, M/T points out that BMW is known for underrating its engines and estimates true output to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 270+ horsepower.

On the track, the BMW barely edges out the Cadillac in 0-60 and 1/4-mile times, but for a true comparison of how the ATS stacks up, M/T's Jonny Lieberman puts both cars through their paces along some of California's best back roads. Surprisingly, with "sharper and crisper" steering and Magnetic Ride Control, the ATS seemed to be more impressive along the twisty roads than the BMW, but both cars' biggest downfall was their manual transmissions. The shifter of the ATS exhibited a couple of issues that could seriously hamper performance, including a "ghost detent" when shifting into second gear and the need to double shift into gears, and Jonny really had nothing nice to say about the BMW's shifter or throttle response, either.

We're not going to play spoiler here, because regardless of which car is victorious in this head-to-head comparison, it's clear that driving enthusiasts are the true winners. No spoiler here, folks. Check out the video below to see if BMW retains its dominance in this segment or if Cadillac has managed to dethrone the king.


http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/26/m...series-versus/

Aron9000

Big suprise that their #1 beef was the shift quality in the ATS. GM just does not know how to make a smooth shifthing manual, this coming from somebody who owned a 98 Z28 Camaro and can bang through the gears quicker in his 93 Toyota truck.

adamls2

Still love the car though. Really appreciate another fun car to drive in this segment. Can't wait to see th V model

natnut

What if both cars were auto (vast majority of the market). Who would win?

That would be the more interesting question.

I8ABMR

I drove a 2013 328 3 weeks ago and it was really amazing. I was blown away at the the power, handling and fuel economy. It would take a pretty damn good car to knock the 3 series off its benchmark position

Och

iTrader: (3)

I though BMW uses transmissions made by GM?

bagwell

right! pretty dumb IMO to compare manual tranny luxury cars (.01% of Cadillacs sold?)

GM doesn't build the tranny anyway...
http://www.tremec.com/oem/press.php

LexBob2

These comparos are never ideal. I would rather have seen automatics compared (BMW 8 spd/Caddy 6 spd) but then you could argue why not compare manuals when dealing with sport sedans.

MPLexus301

iTrader: (3)

I would personally choose the ATS. BMW did a great job with the F30 328i but I am not a fan of the design inside or out. There are some bits and pieces on the interior that look and feel quite cheap, IMO.

The ATS has really caught my eye

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

good video review (loved the edits with one care fading into the other!) - and amazing how similar the cars are.

the gm active shocks on the ats are, as always, a huge win. the crap stick shift is disappointing but i bet almost none will be sold with a stick anyway (even if it was great).

great job gm... and great job bmw!!

natnut

One thing I do know (haven't driven the ATS yet), the 3 series interior is disappointingly downmarket and a step down from the previous gen 3 series' interior in terms of fit and finish.

Almost seems like BMW is deliberately sandbagging the 3 series in order to prevent it cannibalizing 5 series sales.

TwiBlueG35

Wow finally a sports sedan being able to go neck and neck with 3-series, and it is from Cadillac! Can't wait until the 3rd gens of Lexus IS and Infiniti G to arrive.

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

I'd go 3 Series.

84Cressida

It's not like the old one was very good either. Cheap, black 90s era radio area, and plastics were the film to match the color with the rest of the interior peels like it has on my mom's BMW.

Aron9000

The problem, from my experience with GM manual trannies isn't the tranny itself. Its the linkage and shifter that sucks. Put a B&M shifter in that Z28 I was talking about earlier, night and day difference vs the stock one. 3rd gear was much easier to find, the stock one it was hard to tell 1st from 3rd, very bad if you're trying to win a race and have to granny shift to 3rd to make sure you don't get first and blow the motor up.