[abreitner]

I just read the 5/06 Consumer Reports article on Sports Sedans comparing the IS250, 325I, Audi A4, Cadillac CTS, MB C230 and Saab 9-3. The IS 250 was rated #1 with the 325 rated #2. The article states that the I250 ride is "stiff and feels jittery" while the ride in the BMW is "more fun to drive than the IS250".
If you are reviewing the merits of "Sport Sedans", I would think that ride and handling would be the number one criteria.
The article also states that the BMW controls are complex compared to the IS250. I guess that CR expects that all controls in a car should be related to a knob or a button. We live in the world of computers and the controls in the BMW are easily mastered if you have any experience working on a computer. Finally, if you took the individual writeups for both vehicles and asked someone read both, they would come to the conclusion that the BMW should be rated higher. I guess CR will always favor the Asain cars.

[Bimmerista]

Agreed. Especially since apparently the 250 is not particularly fast nor does it feel particularly comfortable inside from other reviews.

Is perhaps the fact that it is cheaper make a diff for CR; they are cheap skates....

[noflash]

Am I correct in assuming the 325i had an AT and no SP?

[abreitner]

THE 325i had AT with no sp.

[noflash]

What a lame comparo.

[stressdoc]

Who would ever consult CR when deciding among cars like BMW and Audi? Except maybe the reliability data.

[lux.sh]

wait... IS250 won over 325?? and 330 never lost against IS350?

I thought bmw owners always claimed 325 is the top king and 330 is a shame.

j/k guys. just trying to provoke you all.

[Oz]

Good for us. People that beleive all these ratings buy their cars based on it shouldn't drive a E90.

[Chuck_IV]

Originally Posted by Ethirtynine

325i AT non-sport. wtf

I don't know how CR does it, but sometimes these review sites have much control over their test cars, unless they go out and buy them, themselves. Most request cars in a certain class and are at the mercy of the company, as to which options the car has on it.

[Brunotheboxer]

i would never listen to a magazine's review of cars when that magazine also rates refrigerators and ovens.

[Punamo]

CR buys the cars for review (AFAIK no free car from manufacturers) and don't do advertising (revenue mainly come from subscriptions). I'd say they're more objective in their reviews than most other magazines because their review process includes the buying part, which is significant, and supposedly not influenced by who pays the most on their ads. Their recommendation is mainly focused on the reliability rating (no recommendation for models that haven't had historical data to support the reliability rating).

They did recommend M3 for their "fun to drive" category, however.

[wheeler]

Originally Posted by Brunotheboxer

i would never listen to a magazine's review of cars when that magazine also rates refrigerators and ovens.

Not even if the IS looks like a refrigerator?

[badassfajita]

CR judges heavily on reliability--most everyday joe blows will prefer the reliability of the is vs the performance of the bimmer.

There are a bunch of desk jockeys over at CR,the Mercury Grand Marquis was CRRECOMMENDED so was the lexus IS 250 and the Audi A4,those last 2 cars lost almost every comparison(not jst in the US but all over the world) to the 3 but yet the 3 wasn't recommended. Also a universal fact, the 3 has a higher resale value.They don't know much about cars at CR and should stick with reviewing vacuum cleaners and such.

Originally Posted by badassfajita

CR judges heavily on reliability--most everyday joe blows will prefer the reliability of the is vs the performance of the bimmer.

How do you explain then that the X3 and Mercury Grand Marquis being recommended?

[AComp]

Originally Posted by Ethirtynine

325i AT non-sport. wtf

I agree, but I think CR was looking at the "mainstream" consumer. Most people - like 80%? - purchase AT w/non-SP.

From their point of view, that would be the right comparison.

[F32Fleet]

Don't forget guys..Reliability is a big deal with CR. BMW does not have a history of CONSISTANTLY producing reliable vehicles.

[shragon]

funny how people seem to get so pissed off over a review. it's a just a review and should only be used as a guide. i agree with some other statements, they're judging the cars for the average consumer.

and i don't agree on the statement they only favor asian cars. the e39 530i took top honors in 2001, 2002, and 2003. "The 530i sports sedan achieved the highest overall score of any vehicle CONSUMER REPORTS has tested."

[poldim]

Originally Posted by shragon

funny how people seem to get so pissed off over a review. it's a just a review and should only be used as a guide. i agree with some other statements, they're judging the cars for the average consumer.

and i don't agree on the statement they only favor asian cars. the e39 530i took top honors in 2001, 2002, and 2003. "The 530i sports sedan achieved the highest overall score of any vehicle CONSUMER REPORTS has tested."

Well said. If you are here, that probably means that you have already purchased an E90 or one of its derivatives or are very close to doing it. You have done your research and have picked the better car for you. Who cares about what the papers write now.

[cosmosblau]

I have both a e90 325i and an is250, and I can see why a mainstream mag like CR would like it better. The car glides down the road so nicely. It drives so effortlessly. That's why my wife likes it, too. If I had to pick up my mom from the airport, the Lexus is the car I'd take.

Lexus doesn't make cars for driving enthusiasts. When I test drove the old IS 3 years ago, the salesman made me pull over because he felt I was abusing it. He said this is a luxury car, not a sports car. I was merely driving it like I do a BMW.
I love driving for driving's sake; I expect my car to thrill me. Don't expect to be thrilled by a Lexus. Ever.

[noflash]

M35 is now their "Highest rated car" ever.

[shragon]

Originally Posted by Ethirtynine

Is there a link to the comparison? Did they test a manual IS250?

i have the issue at home, but only skimmed through it. i'm pretty sure all the cars were autos.