Car and Driver article
01-31-2002, 10:43 AM
#1
New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car and Driver article
BMW wins yet another drive-off... again. Whens AUDI gonna start building a car that can compete with BMW?<ul><li><a href="http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/comparisontests/2002/february/200202_comparo_36.xml?&page=1">http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/comparisontests/2002/february/200202_comparo_36.xml?&page=1</a</li></ul>
01-31-2002, 10:52 AM
#3
New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There MUST be a reason...no?
" Here we go again. Yet another paean to BMW in the pages of this magazine that might have been written
by the editors of Roundel, the BMW Club's monthly magazine tribute to itself. But what are our options?
The 330i is only the latest of a long line of dazzling high-performance sedans from the Bavarian Motor
Works. Look at the numbers. The 330i either dominates or contends in all categories.
It is a pussycat on four-laners and a cougar in the tight stuff. It is driver-friendly to a fault and seems
capable of performing in every form of motorsport--except perhaps the Baja 1000--with only minor
modifications, and it will haul groceries without complaint.
We wish it were cheaper. At $38,972, the Bimmer is the third
costliest of the seven after $1450 worth of leather, a $1200
Sport package, $475 fold-down rear seats, $500 xenon
headlights, a $200 sound system, and custom paint at $475 are
added to the base price along with lux tax of $37. We wish the
steering effort were a bit higher, although the factory promises
that will be corrected on 2002 models. We sense a slight
downgrading in the striking gray and red interior quality,
although that could be entirely subjective. But none of these
complaints, however niggling, can blur the fact that the 330i is
the undisputed champion of this group.
One of our ace testers wrote the following after a lusty drive in
the mountains: "The chassis calibration is simply superb. It is
unflappable over all road surfaces, maintaining traction and
stability. As usual, the engine and the gearbox are top drawer,
and the brakes are powerful and linear." Another, reaching for Zenlike hyperbole, put it this way: "At
speed, the car shrinks around you."
So BMW scores another win, adding to its long tradition of victories at this
magazine. We found the other cars in this test to be quite appealing: the
Saab for its zany personality and power; the Caddy, the Lincoln, and the
Jaguar for their surprising manners; the Lexus for its untapped potential;
and the Audi for its overall quality and packaging. But when the driving
stopped and the brakes cooled, there was one clear choice.<b> Live with it.</b>
by the editors of Roundel, the BMW Club's monthly magazine tribute to itself. But what are our options?
The 330i is only the latest of a long line of dazzling high-performance sedans from the Bavarian Motor
Works. Look at the numbers. The 330i either dominates or contends in all categories.
It is a pussycat on four-laners and a cougar in the tight stuff. It is driver-friendly to a fault and seems
capable of performing in every form of motorsport--except perhaps the Baja 1000--with only minor
modifications, and it will haul groceries without complaint.
We wish it were cheaper. At $38,972, the Bimmer is the third
costliest of the seven after $1450 worth of leather, a $1200
Sport package, $475 fold-down rear seats, $500 xenon
headlights, a $200 sound system, and custom paint at $475 are
added to the base price along with lux tax of $37. We wish the
steering effort were a bit higher, although the factory promises
that will be corrected on 2002 models. We sense a slight
downgrading in the striking gray and red interior quality,
although that could be entirely subjective. But none of these
complaints, however niggling, can blur the fact that the 330i is
the undisputed champion of this group.
One of our ace testers wrote the following after a lusty drive in
the mountains: "The chassis calibration is simply superb. It is
unflappable over all road surfaces, maintaining traction and
stability. As usual, the engine and the gearbox are top drawer,
and the brakes are powerful and linear." Another, reaching for Zenlike hyperbole, put it this way: "At
speed, the car shrinks around you."
So BMW scores another win, adding to its long tradition of victories at this
magazine. We found the other cars in this test to be quite appealing: the
Saab for its zany personality and power; the Caddy, the Lincoln, and the
Jaguar for their surprising manners; the Lexus for its untapped potential;
and the Audi for its overall quality and packaging. But when the driving
stopped and the brakes cooled, there was one clear choice.<b> Live with it.</b>
01-31-2002, 11:14 AM
#5
AudiWorld Super User
Join Date: Apr 2000
Posts: 4,533
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Compare the 330i vs. 3.0 CVT and compare the 330xi vs. the 3.0Q. Then come talk to me.
If I am in the market for a non AWD drive car then I would look at the 330i and the 3.0 CVT. If I was in the market for an AWD car then I would look at the 330xi and the 3.0Q. Apples to apples.
01-31-2002, 11:14 AM
#6
New Member
Join Date: Nov 2001
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
...And for a slightly different perspective on things...
...go here:
http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/comparisontests/2001/october/200110_comparisontest_unfairfight.xml?keywords=wrx
Must be a reason, no?
http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/comparisontests/2001/october/200110_comparisontest_unfairfight.xml?keywords=wrx
Must be a reason, no?
01-31-2002, 11:16 AM
#7
AudiWorld Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 713
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That article was kind of rigged
Tne online article was missing the points, but the A4 barely lost to the bimmer. I think the weight of it was their biggest complaint
Plus-
IS300 had all-season tires and 16" rims instead of the 17" with the sport tires. Dumb figuring the article was performance based.
Also Bimmer was not the latest and had the overboosted steering and softer suspension that they changed in 2002
Plus-
IS300 had all-season tires and 16" rims instead of the 17" with the sport tires. Dumb figuring the article was performance based.
Also Bimmer was not the latest and had the overboosted steering and softer suspension that they changed in 2002
Trending Topics
01-31-2002, 11:19 AM
#9
New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: ...And for a slightly different perspective on things...
<b>Clearly, this BMW wasn't loaded to compete with the two others. </b>Its 225-hp six-cylinder engine is the
least powerful of the group, and it's pushing around the second-heaviest weight. At the drag strip, it lost
the sprint to 60 and through the quarter-mile.
There's YOUR reason.
least powerful of the group, and it's pushing around the second-heaviest weight. At the drag strip, it lost
the sprint to 60 and through the quarter-mile.
There's YOUR reason.
01-31-2002, 11:21 AM
#10
AudiWorld Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 713
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
not sure if that is apples to apple
First of all you can get the 330i with a manual while the 3.0 FWD can only be had with CVT. Comparing bimmer slush box to CVT then audi should win but this article was more preformance based.
The bimmer perfomance model would be manual 330i, Audi would be manual 3.0 quattro. 330xi Awd is not marketed as performance but more as for snow, rain, and light offroad. Just looked at how high the suspension is and the sport package does not lower it.
The bimmer perfomance model would be manual 330i, Audi would be manual 3.0 quattro. 330xi Awd is not marketed as performance but more as for snow, rain, and light offroad. Just looked at how high the suspension is and the sport package does not lower it.