(by 3 people)
Why I Created This Lens
Lens last updated April 14, 2007
So you are thinking of buying a BMW 3 Series sport sedan but you want to find out how it compares to its competitors? Well, you've come to the right place! I've assembled the best comparison test and shoot-outs I could locate. I've also added links to assist in starting your research as well as a few sites that sell BMW parts and upgrades. I will update this lens as new comparisons are made available.
Why buy a poser sport sedan when you can drive the car from the company that invented the genre?
"The chassis is to twisty roads as Angelina Jolie is to 1000-thread-count sheets--perfect" (Motor Trend on the 2006 BMW 330i)
Edmunds video review of BMW 335i vs. Infinity G37
Does the Infinity have game?
The 2007 BMW 335i and 2008 Infiniti G37 coupes make you see the idea of a four-passenger, rear-drive luxury coupe in a new way. It still needs to be attractive, elegant and graceful. Handling still ought to be sharp, balanced and involving. But raw speed has become an important measure of worth. A snarky exhaust is now a sign of virtue.
Link to Video Review.
Link to Video Review.
40 Something - Five Luxury Convertibles Tested
From Car & Driver 2007
"Not surprisingly, BMW's first hardtop convertible cruised easily to victory over its front-drive rivals, hard- and softtop alike"Read the full article here.
BMW 3 Series Basics
The facts, the figures, the history: Everything you should know
BMW 3 Series - Wikipedia
1 point
BMW Car Club of America
1 point
BMW North America
1 point
Where Should I Start?
Look no further!
The list below provides some of the most popular sites to kick start your research.
Edmunds Car Buying Guide
Edmunds car buying guide lists new car prices, use more...1 point
InsideLine - Car Buying for the Enthusiast
Part of the Edmunds Network, launched in 2005 and more...1 point
Forbest Auto - High End Car Shopping Advice
Find luxury car reviews, decision guides, photo ga more...1 point
Car and Driver Reviews
Car and Driver Online provides the most comprehens more...0 points
MSN Auto Research
Get car information and expert advice from MSN Aut more...0 points
J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Ratings
Established in 1968, J.D. Power and Associates is more...0 points
Kelley Blue Book - New & Used Car Values
New car prices and used car values from Kelley Blu more...0 points
About Cars Research and Test Drives
Each month more than 29 million people visit About more...0 points
AutoWeb Car Research
Free Price Quotes on new and used cars, trucks, an more...0 points
CarSmart Buying Guide
Car Buying information. Get free quotes on new car more...0 points
New Car Test Drive Reviews
New Car Test Drive (NCTD) Automotive, Cars and Tru more...0 points
TraderOnline.com Classified Ads
TraderOnline is the leader in online classifieds f more...0 points
AutobyTel Car Quotes and Reviews
Free no-obligation new car price quotes. View thou more...0 points
AutoNetUsa Car Finder Service
Used cars for sale and new car prices from AutoNet more...0 points
AOL Auto Research
Find car buying tips and advice before you buy a c more...0 points
Automobile Magazine Car Reviews
The official Automobile Magazine Website features more...0 points
CarsDirect Car Pricing & Research
CarsDirect offers no-haggle, upfront new car prici more...0 points
Consumer Guide Automotive Reviews
Consumer Guideand Mobil Travel Guide are partnerin more...0 points
PriceQuotes.com
This site is dedicated to helping consumers educat more...0 points
Howstuffworks - "How Cars Work"
A car contains dozens of different technologies. E more...0 points
Yahoo! Autos Research
Find cars, new car prices, kelley blue book prices more...0 points
Motor Trend Car Reviews
Official Motor Trend magazine web site features us more...0 points
AutoSite Reviews and Quotes
Looking for a New Car? Get New Car Prices, Car Quo more...0 points
BMW on YouTube
The Best of BMW on the Tube
2007 Infiniti G35 Sport vs. 2007 BMW 328i
From Car & Driver 2007
"Last October in our G35 road test, we wrote that "if you don't need BMW cachet, this ride has everything else." Let us now amend that statement, because there is one item in shortfall on the G35 that the Bimmer has in abundance: refinement"Read the full article here.
Audi A4 Vs. BMW 3 Series (Sales Comparison)
From Forbes Autos
"We knew the 3 Series is considered the gold standard in its class but were surprised to find how convincingly it trounces the excellent A4 in sales performance, even though the Audi has a lower MSRP. Other brands compare favorably with BMW and Audi, but no automaker could say it knows more about building great sedans than those two"Read the full article here.
2006 BMW 330i vs. 2006 Lexus IS 350 vs. 2006 Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport
From Motor Trend
"Which brings us--surprise, surprise--to the BMW. The slowest in a straight line? Check. The least powerful? Check. The winner? Oh, yeah. First, the 330's acceleration times aren't that much slower than the others'--c'mon, it hits 60 in under six seconds--and, while not the most potent, it still produces 255 silky-smooth horses. Second, it has the best transmission of the group, more fluid and precise than the Benz's and, well, more involving and satisfying than the Lexus's paddles"Read the full article here.
2006 BMW 330i vs 2007 Infinity G35 Sport
From Motor Trend 2006
"Tallying the rounds brings us to a tie, which our judges broke in favor of the BMW's sublime and vice-free chassis dynamics. The Infiniti may be the better package and the better value, but for now the BMW is the better car. Call it another TKO, but BMW retains the sport-sedan title"Read the full article here.
Head-to-Head Showdown: 2006 BMW 330i vs. 2006 Lexus IS 350
From Autobytel 2006
"There is simply no disputing that the 330i is an engaging ride, one that makes the casual commute fun and the twisty back road thrilling. If this was a comparison based solely on the sport aspect of sport/luxury, the BMW would be our winner. However, when luxury is considered, the BMW's relative lack of interior comfort, stiff leather, and questionable ergonomics relegate the 2006 BMW 330i to second place"Read the full article here.
The Best $35,000 Sports Sedans
From Car & Driver 2005
"BMWs win many of our comparison tests for the same reason marathoners prefer running shoes to mukluks. They just work better for the task at hand"Read the full article here
Where to Purchase Parts and Upgrades for your BMW
Steer clear of local dealers high prices and order online
- Bavarian Autosport
- Bavarian Autosport has been in the BMW parts business since 1974. The company began by repairing and modifying BMW automobiles. This is my favorite place to purchase parts for my 2002 BMW 325i.
- Bavarian Soundworks
- Bavarian Soundwerks is the leading and only supplier for audio upgrades exclusively for BMWs: BMW speaker packages, unique sub systems for BMWs, iPod integration in BMWs, and so much more.
- Bimmian
- Personalize your BMW.
- Autowerks
- AutoWerks Inc. is a leading supplier of high performance BMW parts and accessories. AutoWerks specializes in tuning, performance, and styling upgrades for all BMWs.
- Auto Parts Warehouse
- Whether you need to replace your BMW 318i oxygen sensors or complete 528i exhaust, stock or performance cross-drilled brake discs, or BMW 740il water pump we have the BMW parts you need.
- BimmerWorld - Race Proven BMW Performance Parts and OEM Parts
- BMW stock, performance, and race parts catalog.
- All OEM BMW Parts
- We are the source for original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and BMW aftermarket parts. Our discount pricing, free technical advice, and original equipment quality BMW parts will keep your BMW performing like new.
- The Tire Rack
- My favorite place to purchase tires. You'll find many options here for BMW at prices that nearly always beat the dealer. I've purchased tires from them several times and have been thrilled with their service.
- Discount Tire
- I've been very happy with my experience with Discount Tire. Not a bad place to put a set of Pirelli P-Zero M+S on your 3 Series either.
BMW 330i take on Cadillac CTS and Infinity G35
From Autombile Magazine 2005
"There are some tests in which the outcome is surprising--and then there's this one. The Americans have come late to the party, but they're catching up fast. The Japanese offer the best bargain, the winner by the numbers. The Germans deliver the best driving experience. The 3-series is the finest iteration of the sport sedan, and although the historically strong resale value and the free scheduled maintenance lessen the pain, it's definitely the most expensive. You get what you pay for"Read the full article here.
The Best Service Manuals for your 3 Series
Bentley manuals are not cheap, but they are the very best.
BMW 3 Series (E30) Service Manual: 1984-1990 (BMW)
Amazon Price: $37.77 (as of 07/26/2008)
BMW 3 Series (E36) Service Manual: 1992-1998 (BMW)
Amazon Price: $50.37 (as of 07/26/2008)
BMW 3 Series (E46) Service Manual: 1999-2005
Amazon Price: $81.87 (as of 07/26/2008)
BMW Related Books on Amazon
The Complete Book of BMW: Every Model In the World Since 1950
Amazon Price: $34.65 (as of 07/26/2008)
Driven: Inside BMW, the Most Admired Car Company in the World
Amazon Price: $23.07 (as of 07/26/2008)
101 Performance Projects for Your BMW 3 Series 1982-2000 (Motorbooks Workshop)
Amazon Price: $23.07 (as of 07/26/2008)
Bmw Enthusiast's Companion: Owner Insights on Driving, Performance and Service (BMW)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/26/2008)
2005 Audi A4 3.2 Quattro vs. 2006 BMW 330i vs. 2005 Infiniti G35
From Motor Trend 2005
"More than anything, what the 330i holds above the A4 and G35... is the intense integration of the car. Underline that word: integration. Every nut and bolt of the 330i seems purpose-made for a 3 Series and nothing else"Read the full article here.
BMW 330Ci vs. Infiniti G35 Coupe
From Automobile Magazine 2003
"What we know for sure is that the Infiniti is an absolute blast, and it offers a more visceral and aggressive driving experience than the BMW. Overall, the 330Ci is more practical and still a great car, but the G35 is fresh and hot; it grabs you by the seat of the pants and begs you to drive the hell out of it"Read the full article here.
The Best BMW Apparel at Amazon
BMW Ultimate Driving Machine Tee Shirt
100% Cotton
Officially licensed BMW Merchandise
Screenprinted
Amazon Price: (as of 07/26/2008)
BMW Sun Visor
100% Cotton. Adjustable. One size fits most. Embroidered BMW Logo.
Amazon Price: $19.00 (as of 07/26/2008)
BMW Logo Hat
100% Cotton
Official BMW Merchandise
Adjustable - One Size Fits Most
Amazon Price: (as of 07/26/2008)
BMW 330i vs. Lexus IS 350
From Edmunds 2006
"Once again, BMW's 3 Series proves that a winning personality counts for a lot. On paper, it looks like the clear winner here should've been the Lexus. It's faster (in a straight line, which is what most American drivers hold dearest). It's more luxurious. And it's less money.Read the full article here.
BMW 330i vs. Audi A4 Shootout
From Edmunds 2006
"Audi has given its excellent A4 some meaningful improvements, most notably a new 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that pulls like crazy. Too bad the new 3 Series arrived at the same time, to trump all comers in the sport sedan derby"Read the full article here.
The Best BMW Forums
Get your BMW questions answered at these forums
- Bimmerforums - The Ultimate BMW Forum
- Bimmerforums is the preferred online community for BMW owners. At Bimmerforums, you will find technical how-to information maintenance specifics audio advice wheel and tire combinations and model specific details not found anywhere else.
- BMWCCA Pugetsound Chapter
- BMWCCA Puget Sound Region Forums
- E46Fanatics - Powered by vBulletin
- E46Fanatics is the premiere website for BMW 3-series owners around the world with interactive forums, geographical enthusiast directory, photo galleries, technical information and an invaluable resource into the minds of true BMW enthusiasts.
- M3Forum BMW M3 Enthusiast Community
- M3 Forum.com is an enthusiast site for BMW M3 and M power owners! Discuss and chat about BMW M3, M5, M coupe, and other BMW M cars including E46 M3
- BimmerBoard Free Message Board Communities for BMW Enthusiasts
- BimmerBoard.com is a message board community for BMW enthusiasts, a valuable source of information for learning about your BMW, sharing experiences, asking and answering questions, researching cars, and buying and selling current and classic model BMW's.
- BMW Car Club of America
- The BMW Car Club of America has a number of related forums.
All-Wheel-Drive Sport Sedans
From Road & Track 2006
"A majority of the editors picked the Audi as their winner, and that says a lot about what it's like to drive. And that manner is complete and utter confidence"Read the full article here.
Waiting for a Bimmer Beater
From Car & Driver 2002
"No car earned a perfect 10 in any single category. Except the BMW. It earned five such kudos - for its engine, transmission, brakes, handling, and fun-to-drive quotient. The 330i wins because it doesn't understeer like the Acura, has a stronger engine than the Audi, doesn't oversteer like the Infiniti, doesn't float like the Benz, and isn't overpriced like the VW"Read the full article here.
BMW Merchandise on Ebay
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
36 on the Floor - Six Manual Gearbox Sport Sedans Compared
From Car & Driver 2002
"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"Read the full article here.
Entry-Level Sport Sedan Comparison
From Edmunds 2002
"Go, turn, stop. Sounds simple, right? But of the five cars in this test, not one beat the BMW in any of these key performance areas. Let's jump right into the heart of the matter. We don't know how BMW does it, but the 330i gets more out of its 225 horses than it has a right to, running a quick 6.3-second sprint to 60 mph and burning through the quarter-mile in 14.9 seconds"Read the full article here.
Luxury Convertible under $55,000 Comparison
From Edmunds 2002
"In the end, the BMW was the near-perfect blend of sport and luxury. We knew we had a winner before we finished crunching the numbers; adding up the tally only confirmed our suspicions. Succinctly put, this is the best car in its class. The measure of a desirable car, the one that you want instead of need, the one that you drool after, is the one that makes you want to take the long way home. If you opt for the BMW 330Ci, make sure you have a cell phone to tell the boss that you'll be in a little late"Read the full article here.
Entry Level Luxury Sport Sedan Comparison
From Edmunds 2001
"After a grueling two-week test, we learned that the best luxury sedans combine all of the above elements into one desirable package. All of the cars had some combination of the above, but two stood out over the rest as the best, most complete amalgamation: the BMW 330i and the Acura TL Type-S"Read the full article here.
Luxury Coupe Comparison
From Edmunds 2001
"So what is it about BMWs that always leaves us drooling all over our notebooks? Does that silly little badge on the hood blind us to their faults, or is there really something to these Bavarian beauties that earns them their near universal praise?Its almost 20-point margin of victory just about says it all. In the personal picks category, the one that asks which car would we buy given the choice of any of the four, the BMW won hands down. Then consider this: There's a completely subjective category of our evaluation listed as "fun to drive." No reasoning necessary. Just a seat-of-the-pants observation that asks, "Does this car make you feel good when you're driving it?"
The BMW? Perfect "10s" across the board"
Read the full article here.
Near Entry-Level Luxury Sedans
From Edmunds 2000
"It is interesting that the top three finishers had the least useable rear seats. But the truth is that price and overall quality played a bigger part in this contest than did the ultimate luxury or performance aspects. The BMW 328i wins because it offers top-notch build quality, functional ergonomics, and state-of-the-art safety in addition to world-class driving pleasure. With its competitive price and cutting-edge style, the 328i is simply the best entry-luxury sedan available"Read the full article here.
My Favorite Upgrades
Performed on a jet black 2002 325i Sport sedan
- Pirelli P-Zero Nero M+S
- I suggest Discount Tire if you need them today. If you can wait a few days, take a look at Tirerack.com. These are very sporty, excellent grip without being annoyingly loud. The look sweet too.
- Leather and Chrome Gear Shift Knob
- This is the chrome shifter from BMW that you'll find in the newer 330i models. Goes well with chrome trim and black leather.
- BIMMIAN Interior Xenon light kit
- Replace your dull yellow interior lights with these high quality Xenon bulbs. These make a huge difference in interior light quality.
- Bimmian Solaris Invisi-Bulbs
- These are the bulbs you want. These replace the ugly amber lights up front or turn signal.
- Autowerks Chrome Gauge Rings
- Like the chrome shifter, these give your 325 the same look of the newer 330 models. I love these.
- Wheelskins Steering Wheel Cover
- This is the best leather cover you can buy. I bought the black on black EuroPerf model. It takes about an hour to install, but it's well worth it.
- Euro Clear Lens Kit Side Marker
- Get rid of those ugly orange side markers. These look especially sweet on black cars. Make sure you add the Solaris Invisi-Bulbs to these for an even nicer look.
- M-Technic Tailpipe Trim
- This chrome tailpipe trim really stands out. Pictures don't do it justice as it really looks nice in person.
- Roundel Logo Valve Stem Caps
- Yes, I know, it's overkill, but they look great on BMW rims and a set of P-Zeros.
- BMW Marque Plates
- I went with the black logo up front and simple black in the back.
Interview with Norbert Reithofer, BMW CEO
From Autoweek
Norbert Reithofer, BMW's new CEO, took the reins of one of the world's most successful auto companies Sept. 1 after Helmut Panke retired.Despite BMW's track record, Reithofer must deal with difficult issues such as the weak dollar, which eats into profits. And he must bring to market two new crossover vehicles for BMW, as well as a compact 1 series for North America.
Reithofer, 50, joined BMW in 1987 as head of maintenance planning. He was president of BMW Manufacturing Corp. in South Carolina, where the X5 SUV is produced. Most recently, Reithofer was the board member responsible for production.
Link to Interview.
Interview with Chris Bangle, BMW Director of Design
From 4Car Online
Chris Bangle, director of design for the BMW group, is probably the most controversial car designer currently working in the industry.The first American to head up BMW's design team, he angered many car enthusiasts - and, in particular, Beemer devotees - when BMW introduced revolutionary new designs for its previously conservative cars.
Link to Interview.
Interview with Martin Birkmann, BMW M Brand Manager
From Bimmer Magazine 2007
Bimmer caught up with Birkmann just after the race, meeting him at BMW NA headquarters in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey where he's working for the second time, having served as product manager for the X5 and 5 Series from 2000 to 2005.Link to Interview.
The Best 3 Series Reviews
- 2007 BMW 335i Review - CNet News
- The 2007 BMW 335i combines grace and guts to deliver a whirlwind driving experience.
- 2007 BMW 335i Coupe - Bimmer Magazine
- Subtly sensational. BMW's new 335i Coupe may not deliver the wild ride normally associated with twin turbochargers, but it makes up for it with delicious subtlety and serious performance.
- 2008 BMW 335i Convertible - Autoweek
- Topless Two-Timer
- 2007 BMW 335i Coupe - Car & Driver
- Teddy Roosevelt, your BMW just pulled up.
- 2007 BMW 335i Sedan - Car & Driver
- What's Better Than Outstanding? We hit 60 mph in 4.8 seconds with the latest 3-series.
- 2007 BMW 335i Review - Autobytel
- Maybe not a capital "M", but definitely a lower case one.
- 2007 BMW 335i - Road & Track
- A perfect fit between the solid, reasonably quick 328i and the hell-for-leather M3.
- 2007 BMW 335i Coupe - Edmunds
- The case for M-power just got a lot weaker
- 2007 3 Series - MSN Autos
- New-generation coupe adds luster to BMW's top-selling 3-Series line.
- 2007 BMW 328i - Washington Post
- Ride, acceleration and handling: Superior compact sports sedan in all three categories.
- 2006 BMW 330i - Road & Track
- Moving in the right direction.
- 2006 BMW 330i - Car & Driver
- BMW's goose lays an egg that is still golden.
- 2006 BMW 325i - Automobile Magazine
- With a base price of just over $30K, the 325i is a great deal.
