MT's "The big test" of IS350/335i/S4/S60/ATS
07-15-13, 07:03 PM
#1
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MT AWD Luxury Sport Sedan Test (Spoilers)
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...s/viewall.html
As I've gotten older these things don't seem to bug me anymore but I have to say I find it utterly hilarious the BMW is seen as the least sporty car in a sport sedan comparo and wins.
The ATS is sportiest and is 4th.
IS fares well at 3rd, they just didn't seem to like the styling more than anything.
All these years and internet drama was about how the winner was the sportiest, oh soul, that "something" and how sport sport sport meant more than price, features, quality etc Now it seems since BMW is not the sportiest suddenly these other factors are important.
Amazing
If the Caddy is sportiest and is pretty good outside of CUE why is it not winning? This has to be FRUSTRATING to Caddy.
As I've gotten older these things don't seem to bug me anymore but I have to say I find it utterly hilarious the BMW is seen as the least sporty car in a sport sedan comparo and wins.
The ATS is sportiest and is 4th.IS fares well at 3rd, they just didn't seem to like the styling more than anything.
All these years and internet drama was about how the winner was the sportiest, oh soul, that "something" and how sport sport sport meant more than price, features, quality etc Now it seems since BMW is not the sportiest suddenly these other factors are important.
Amazing
If the Caddy is sportiest and is pretty good outside of CUE why is it not winning? This has to be FRUSTRATING to Caddy.
07-15-13, 07:43 PM
#2
Lexus Test Driver
The main thing thats messed up in this comparo was that the BMW had an optional M Perf Package (MPPK) and BigBrake kit. MT mentions none of this in the article.
Out of those cars i feel the F30 is the better choice overall and the one I would get.
I do want to see a IS350RWD Fsport vs 335i RWD Msport comparo.
Out of those cars i feel the F30 is the better choice overall and the one I would get.
I do want to see a IS350RWD Fsport vs 335i RWD Msport comparo.
07-15-13, 07:48 PM
#3
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MT's "The big test" of IS350/335i/S4/S60/ATS
Sorry if this is a repost, but I couldn't find it on here. This just came out:
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...s/viewall.html
Most are AWDs. ATS4 needed summer tires. Thoughts?
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...s/viewall.html
Most are AWDs. ATS4 needed summer tires. Thoughts?
07-15-13, 07:53 PM
#4
Lexus Test Driver
[
All these years and internet drama was about how the winner was the sportiest, oh soul, that "something" and how sport sport sport meant more than price, features, quality etc Now it seems since BMW is not the sportiest suddenly these other factors are important.
Amazing
If the Caddy is sportiest and is pretty good outside of CUE why is it not winning? This has to be FRUSTRATING to Caddy.
All these years and internet drama was about how the winner was the sportiest, oh soul, that "something" and how sport sport sport meant more than price, features, quality etc Now it seems since BMW is not the sportiest suddenly these other factors are important.
Amazing
If the Caddy is sportiest and is pretty good outside of CUE why is it not winning? This has to be FRUSTRATING to Caddy.
]"Normally, all we'd care about is which one of our five candidates will set your hair on fire the fastest as you whip down a canyon road. However, there are a couple of things working against that particular methodology this month................This is our new Big Test, where adult-themed issues such as safety, value, and fuel efficiency are given much more than short shrift. If all you care about is how well the cars drive, read the Ride and Handling section, and you're done."
07-15-13, 08:29 PM
#5
Lexus Fanatic
The opening paragraph does state that Performance/Handling is not what this test is about:
]"Normally, all we'd care about is which one of our five candidates will set your hair on fire the fastest as you whip down a canyon road. However, there are a couple of things working against that particular methodology this month................This is our new Big Test, where adult-themed issues such as safety, value, and fuel efficiency are given much more than short shrift. If all you care about is how well the cars drive, read the Ride and Handling section, and you're done."
]"Normally, all we'd care about is which one of our five candidates will set your hair on fire the fastest as you whip down a canyon road. However, there are a couple of things working against that particular methodology this month................This is our new Big Test, where adult-themed issues such as safety, value, and fuel efficiency are given much more than short shrift. If all you care about is how well the cars drive, read the Ride and Handling section, and you're done."
07-15-13, 08:43 PM
#7
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Originally Posted by MotorTrend
We'd love to see an F Sport with AWD, but Lexus doesn't build it.
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07-16-13, 01:09 AM
#11
Lexus Champion
Looks are subjective. That Audi looks almost exactly like the VW Jetta or Passat, but they say the IS is ugly? Right, thats why I don't subscribe to these goofy magazines and others are following suit.
07-16-13, 02:23 AM
#12
In any case, why would he be retarded for expressing his opinion? What kind of language is that?
07-16-13, 04:42 AM
#13
Pole Position
Reading the comparo carefully, the 3 series had the worst chassis and handling outside of the Volvo and was only saved by it's
1) pretty looks
2) big back seat
3) great interior --arguable, I sat in the 3 series Sport and the interior quality and ergonomics was horrible
4) great engine
5) poor suspension and chassis was given a pass
I'm OK, I can live with this result since the IS' looks ( something MT held against it) is absolutely beautiful to me and I value handling, steering feel and chassis responsiveness over muscle-car straightline speed anyday.
If I had to choose in this segment, I would choose the IS. But right now, I'm holding out for the Lexus RC-F/GS-F.
Sad day for car enthusiasts when the past handling/driving champ the 3 series wins by virtue of being the fastest and prettiest furniture while having the worst handling dynamics.
BMW has truly become the latterday 1990's AMG : good only in a straightline....aka "FAST FURNITURE"
1) pretty looks
2) big back seat
3) great interior --arguable, I sat in the 3 series Sport and the interior quality and ergonomics was horrible
4) great engine
5) poor suspension and chassis was given a pass
I'm OK, I can live with this result since the IS' looks ( something MT held against it) is absolutely beautiful to me and I value handling, steering feel and chassis responsiveness over muscle-car straightline speed anyday.
If I had to choose in this segment, I would choose the IS. But right now, I'm holding out for the Lexus RC-F/GS-F.
Sad day for car enthusiasts when the past handling/driving champ the 3 series wins by virtue of being the fastest and prettiest furniture while having the worst handling dynamics.
BMW has truly become the latterday 1990's AMG : good only in a straightline....aka "FAST FURNITURE"
Last edited by natnut; 07-16-13 at 04:49 AM.
07-16-13, 05:09 AM
#14
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The main thing thats messed up in this comparo was that the BMW had an optional M Perf Package (MPPK) and BigBrake kit. MT mentions none of this in the article.
Out of those cars i feel the F30 is the better choice overall and the one I would get.
I do want to see a IS350RWD Fsport vs 335i RWD Msport comparo.
Out of those cars i feel the F30 is the better choice overall and the one I would get.
I do want to see a IS350RWD Fsport vs 335i RWD Msport comparo.
It's their choice and clearly the batch here are all fine cars. It's just amusing how they have moved the line to their choosing now that BMW is no longer sportiest. Now all those factors that had much less weight in the past are suddenly important. Hilarious.
No denying how good the 3 is overall. Just funny when the line is moved.
07-16-13, 05:38 AM
#15
Lexus Fanatic
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obviously bmw has 'moved the cheese' but i think they're responding to market demographics. with an aging euro and u.s. population and younger people having less disposable income, i think bmw has changed their line to be less hard edged in response.
so cadillac may end up being liked by a mag but being 'too late' in the marketplace.
the lexus is gets praise for interior and handling, but not surprisingly it's dinged for transmission and being slow (relatively), and it's always seemed to me the AWD on all lexus is pretty much an afterthought. the s4 and 335i are crazy underrated and FAST!
so cadillac may end up being liked by a mag but being 'too late' in the marketplace.
the lexus is gets praise for interior and handling, but not surprisingly it's dinged for transmission and being slow (relatively), and it's always seemed to me the AWD on all lexus is pretty much an afterthought. the s4 and 335i are crazy underrated and FAST!