I’m not sure what to get, I know this 3 series is all new but I also checked out IS350 Lexus and I liked it, 233Kw, more standard features, more comfortable..
I hope this new 3 is better than previous model..
Grammar Nazi
I checked out the IS as it seemed great on paper, then I tried sitting in the back seat. I’m not hugely tall (6ft), but it was ridiculously cramped.
Guest2
The Lexus IS series is not meant to be a back seat limo. I know people that used to own BMWs and now the IS series. They all said the build quality of the IS is much better and overall higher quality than the BMW 3 series.
Gordy
Well I know people that have owned Lexus IS series & then BMW & they say the Lexus is crap.
Bingolee
Had a Lexus which I traded in for a BMW. In less than a year, I was back in a Lexus. BMW is just shoddy workmanship. The drive in my current IS350 while not as good as the 335i, is made up by more superior/higher quality built.
Sumpguard
I’ve heard the same as Guest2. A restaurant owner I know in the Whitsundays aspired to own a Beemer since he was a kid and will never own another. His 3 series was plagued with issues. I’ve heard similar stories over the years from other BMW owners.
Meanwhile Lexus enjoy one of the highest owner satisfaction ratings world wide. They usually fight for first place with Mercedes.
I was once a BMW fan myself but wouldn’t bother now and I can certainly afford one.
Oneill3
I own a BMW and never had an issue, been more reliable than my merc.
Guest2
I am all for the Lexus IS series. But the current IS was released in 2005. That’s 7 years ago. But that’s not the problem. It’s just that a totally new IS is just around the corner and when Lexus work out the pricing for the coming new IS, it could be lower than the current IS given the high A$.
K20A
If you are after comfort, get C-Class. If you’re after driving experience, get the new 3er. If you are after standard features and reliability, IS.
I’ve driven all three cars and can say that the Lexus (for me personally) is the least memorable.
All are good cars but as someone said below, you’d be crazy to buy the current IS.. at least wait until the new one comes out or just pull the trigger on the 328i (my suggestion)
Mike
That’s one bangled butt.
AppleFanBoi
I am getting a Great Wall. That’s for sure.
Jag
Well prepare yourself for the least reliable car you have ever owned.
Marcuspetraska
its not a propeller badge…
Anonymous
It’s still a nickname
Thrillhouse
Yes, it is.
Matthew Werner
No its not. Its a nod to the Bavarian flag
Zaki M
why can’t they make em good looking again?
Robj
I see no manual cars used in the review. I thought this was the ultimate drivers car?
Phil
Every single 3 series variation is avaliable in manual (unlike Lexus!). It’s not BMWs fault that Australians keep choosing the autos.
Flame Surfacer
BMW would trounce Benz in sales if they went in hard to reduce complexity, radically improve reliability and service and repair costs. To me this is more of the same thinking from the Germans… Nice car but I would only buy it new with a warranty.
Sydlocal
Repair costs maybe, but you have to remember that whilst a single BMW service is expensive compared to many others, don’t forget you don’t have to service them as often. Over 3 years/60,000km (average kms) something like a BMW 1/3 series is actually cheaper to service over that entire period than a Commodore Berlina for example. Having said that reliability is another thing, even though my old E36 was very reliable over the period of ownership, however that wasn’t as complex as the current crop!
Guest
You must be living in la la land to think that service is cheap albeit less frequently.
Jinnzhang
Good Point re complexity. “Driver Experience Control allows the driver to change the
characteristics of the engine mapping, steering assistance, gearshift
timing, throttle response and stability control threshold.” What do we need these for?
Anonymous
Do you buy a TV and only plan on watching one channel?
(I sometimes wonder how many of my euphemisms actually backfire, especially when taken in context…)
Jinnzhang
Well, the difference between a CAR and TV is…………………………………..
Jinnzhang
Well, the difference between a CAR and TV is…………………………………..
Phil
Mercedes and BMW service costs are basically the same – except BMWs have “on demand” service intervals which can stretch further apart than Mercedes.
For complexity, I’d say Mercedes were worse.
For reliability – in the last decade, BMW have typically fared slightly better in the surveys than Mercedes and both generally finish in amongst the top listings, unlike Alfa Romeo.
KaleSplit
Just had a second service of my BMW – $275 (about 12 months between the services). Is that expensive Flame Surfacer?
Bruzzer
the writer thinks its better looking… i disagree and most people think the same from the responses. my inlaws have the superseeded one 2011 model and i think that is far better looking. in terms of engines..i cant comment i havent driven the new one…but the sound that comes from my inlaws 6 cylinder is addictive.
Sydlocal
I agree, the noise from BMW’s straight six as it snarls past 4,000rpm up to the red line is fantastic. I haven’t heard a single 4cyl engine that comes close to a noise that nice, especially with a turbo and the usual “hoover” sound many (not all) of them make…
Sydlocal
Shame Chris Bangle left BMW long before the design of this car and the current “design language”… (TIC)
Altezza
It is unusual for me to see almost entirely white steering wheel with black buttons on BMW. The 328i represents good value for money with decent performance and good pricing. Of course, that’s before pricey optional items added as usual.
Anonymous
I’m sure it’s going to sell like hotcakes, but they really stuffed up the design. Looks like something from the 80′s. Oh well, better than the last 3 series. That one just looked like a… car…totally forgettable
Anonymous
Am seiously considering one of these (328i) and the the thought of a manual version is very tempting. Is this a dumb thought given the quality of the 8 speed Auto? Also will manual seem odd and effect future resale value. I welcome all thoughts.
Anonymous
It really depends, if you’re not doing massive km’s and look after your cars then an enthusiast will definately pay more for your manual car. If you’re doing a lot of Km’s it’s probably more advisable to go with the auto as it will be easier to sell cause your market is larger. It’s a bit of a 50/50 call really, if you’re going to spend that much on a car make sure you’re happy with it.
K20A
I’m not sure if manual will be offered at all. At least not initially. Even on E90 it was getting really hard to get a manual.. you have to either go for very early cars (2005), or a Coupe or Sports version.
To get a manual these days, you have to ‘downgrade’ to a 1-Series.
Anonymous
You can still factory order a manual as a no cost option from the factory, just take quite a while to get one.
Homer
The 335i is $16k less than the old model and seems better equipped. I think I’ll wait a about 6 months and get the old 335i second hand. Pity the poor guys who shelled out $120K plus options on one.
Peter N GLENN
Go the 135i and save even more for a real fun car
gt86.com.au
lovely interior, except for the modern line, that is just odd. why could they not modernise the old 6 cylinder and do cylinder de-activation and camless valve tech or something class leading… You just get the feeling like they are making uglier Audi A4s.. Better handling sure, but ouch on not having a dual clutch auto in this day and age..
Thrillhouse
8 speed auto is far better than the crummy VAG group DSG. And, unlike the A4, at least they’re not expensive FWD VW’s.
Phil
No cars yet that offer cylinder de-activation have had decent economy. In fact so far, cars like the Honda Accord and Chysler 300C actually use more fuel than competitors without it.
Also BMW have offered dual clutch gearboxs in some of their cars like the Z4 and are now replacing them with the traditional style automatic.
Anonymous
I actually really like the modern line interior, wouldnt buy one though, just to expensive knowing how ripped off I’m getting
jay
where is this one made
Styrenic
Redbook says South Africa
Chaitanya Samardhi
So a C Class is more Original that a 3 Series?? So what you end up buying is German engineering made in South Africa.
Bokke
C Class is made in South Africa sunshine
Bigunit
All W204 Australian C Class sedans are made in Germany not South Africa.
Tom
Hope it fares better than the last series Golf that were made in RSA and were shockers.
Bokke
South Africa the best
MM
RIP the smaller sized 6cyl – its exhaust note was brilliant. I just can not see how the 4cyl can compare – recently test drove the RR Evoque Petrol – certainly did not sound like a $100k plus vehicle. If the smaller engine is the future – I will long remember the past.
Anonymous
ahhh, the reflector headlights look terrible, too much to ask for xenons in a 60k car?
Vic
Headlights look great.
DVK81
I’m thinkin to get C250 OR BMW 328 OR Lex is350…
I’m not driving harshly but want some driving dynamics, wants some comfort, basic equipment level and mind running cost aswell (insurance, service cost etc…)
Can anyone tell me recommendation regard this?
Oz
I’m thinking the same. I think the Lexus is close to the end of it’s model cycle so won’t get that for now. I’m concerned about the quality and reliability of the BMW but like the look of it the best. The Benz is probably the best all round to purchase but I personally can’t get into the styling of it. It just doesn’t appeal to me that much. I thnk I’ll chance my hand on a 328i sport and keep my fingers crossed.
Beemer fan
Invited by Sydney BMW recently to test drive the new 3 series. The car is definitely roomier and a nice place to be in although I did get the feeling that it was a little “cheaper” in quality. Hard to put my finger on why though. The gadgets are great, the usual sharp BMW handling is there. The 335i and 328i are both good value compared to the cars they replace. Overall I like. But there are other great cars out there to look at for similar money.
Danny-cargeek
if you are looking for comfort by the c class or the audi a4 if you are looking for both comfort and sport it is the 3 series but as always you must wait for the m sport package it is a diffrent car it looks soo much better than any car in this segment trust mee
Eddie-siu
BMW will always be my first choice. No matter what!!!!
Anthony
I’m surprised no one commented on the lack of LED brake lights and turn signals.
