[noflash]

I just bought the Auto Issue, I couldn't help it.

In the overall score for Sedans $30-40k rank as follows:
Acura TL
Volkswagen Passat 3.6
Toyota Avalon XLS
Honda Accord Hybrid (V6)
Lexus IS250
Lexus ES330
BMW 325i
Audi A4 2.0T
Lincoln Zephyr
Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT (4-cyl.)
Cadillac CTS (2.8)
Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE
Mercedes-Benz C230
Infiniti G35
Jaguar X-Type 3.0
Saab 9-3
Chrysler 300
Dodge Charger
Volvo S60
Buick LaCrosse
Ford Crown Vic
Merc Grand Marq

They gave the 325i 78 out of a 100 (ties with A4).
Highs: Fuel Economy, handling, ride, engine and transmission, fit and finish
Lows: Complicated controls, premium fuel, cupholders

Then in Sedans Over $40k they go straight to the 530i -- which did slight better.

I guess this magazine is for soulless, vanilla sheep. Let the masses drift off into coma in their Camrys and Avalons.

Don't tell them about our little German secret. The 325i/330i are best buys in my book.

[nhhiep]

articles in CR are good. BUT they only measure cost and value. they don't take "pride of ownership" into consideration. I am surprised to see that they put Volvo S60 almost at the end of the list.

and Accord Hydrid in the same class as Acura TL or BMW or Volvo?

Lows: Complicated controls, premium fuel, cupholders??? ok, cupholders maybe the only low about this car, but controls and premium fuel? Don't most cars at this range use premium anyway? I guess they have to put "something" in the lows section, I think they forgot to mention about the look of the back too.

[SRT]

The reasons for lows are ridiculous - fuel economy vs. premium fuel? a 3.6 litre Passat in 2nd place, what does that run on? urine?

Sounds like some manufactures on that list have been slipping money under the table

[xspeedy]

I don't want the BMW to score well in CR. Let all the dolts buy Camrys and Accords.

[Bimmerista]

Aren't all of those cars premium fuel (at least the lux/near lux competition), why would it be singled out as a disadvantage of BMW only ?

[ward]

CR does not and will never understand fun to drive

people looking to CR for auto advice are the same people who spend 4 weeks researching their toasters to make sure they get the reliable one

[deutsch100]

Originally Posted by ward

CR does not and will never understand fun to drive

people looking to CR for auto advice are the same people who spend 4 weeks researching their toasters to make sure they get the reliable one

Ha ha ha. Could not have said that better.

[arcrox]

Bad cupholders?? Someone want to trade for a minivan, I can't hold my 64oz cherry slurpee in my German sports sedan!

[RGRAY]

Highs: Fuel Economy, handling, ride, engine and transmission, fit and finish...

That's good enough for me.

You see all Japanese cars; these people aren't car enthusiasts.

I have driven Honda Accords since 1984 (still have a 1998) and there is NO comparison.

We did real good after the Japanese cars.

Those cars are for the masses.

[Bisoned]

With all due respect, the TL is a good value for the money.

[e90rocks]

Originally Posted by ward

CR does not and will never understand fun to drive
people looking to CR for auto advice are the same people who spend 4 weeks researching their toasters to make sure they get the reliable one

I agree. CR has an annoying habit (unless they changed) of simply weighting various qualities of any article equally...so that for a bottle of diet coke, the labeling and cap diameter would get a score composite which would be averaged with price, taste, calorie content and carbonation. This is where things like cupholders and a small glove box could mathematically neutralize traction and acceleration.

Every time I drive my wife's Camry now, I say...wow. I used to think that was good???

[LEDZEP]

R U serious? Cupholders? They did know it was a CAR right?

[xspeedy]

Yes, it is a good value for the money. But so is a Hyundai. CR doesn't take into account the nuances of handling characteristics. Driven at parking lot speeds, the benefits of 50/50 weight distribution, RWD, and a fine suspension won't be appreciated.

I'm sure a Bud is a better value at $8 / 24 pack compared to Paulaner Weissbier. But do you see me drinking Bud?

[Oz]

How come 330i wasnt rated? They do have better cupholders!

[JB 330ci]

Originally Posted by Oz

How come 330i wasnt rated? They do have better cupholders!

Didn't fit into the price range

[BMW F22]

LOL cupholders. Well I think the reason being that Japanese automakers are putting tons of cup holders in their cars/trucks/and vans nowadays. The freaking siennas have 14 cupholders. WHEN WILL YOU NEED TO USE ALL 14 CUPHOLDERS??? Oh no I think im gonna be driving a bunch of people around all the time so I need at least 6 in my BMW. What a load of crap.

[meruyailir]

Originally Posted by nhhiep

articles in CR are good. BUT they only measure cost and value. they don't take "pride of ownership" into consideration. I am surprised to see that they put Volvo S60 almost at the end of the list.

and Accord Hydrid in the same class as Acura TL or BMW or Volvo?

Lows: Complicated controls, premium fuel, cupholders??? ok, cupholders maybe the only low about this car, but controls and premium fuel? Don't most cars at this range use premium anyway? I guess they have to put "something" in the lows section, I think they forgot to mention about the look of the back too.

I think e90 cupholders are great. Where do you think they should be and how? What cars have great cupholders in your opinion?

[lux.sh]

Complicated controls??????????????? what complicated controls. wtf?
I guess bunch of guys with IQ of 10 are working in CR department.

and the cupholders, GOOD POINT!

[tl_boy]

The TL was good value for the money if you only look at the bells and whistles. The problem with BMW is that if you get the bells and whistles (which the TL comes with anyway), the cost starts to escalate very quickly. But what the TL lacks is raw quality. Its sheetmetal is thin, its solidity is average, it does not drive firmly planted on the road. It does not convey confidence or stability, or power on the road. It feels like a powerful v-6, front wheel drive machine that glides on the road, whereas when I drive the BMW, I feel the car is firmly planted on the road, and enjoy the spirited Inline 6 and rear wheel drive.

The TL was a better value with the model just previous to this one. The 1999-2003 models, which you were able to get right under 30k, which included the bose audio with subwoofer, xenon lights, leather seats, heated seats, all power, moon/sunroof, and fake wood grain. If you paired it with a full OEM bodykit, as I have, it is really nice looking. Besides, I never took a fancy to the latest model's style, and I still don't. Its ugly, and it looks like a pseudo-european Japanese kid with an identity crisis. At least the previous one had lines that were clearly Honda.

Good value? Yes. Better value? Not necessarily. The latest TL will get you all the bells and whistles minus navigation and a bodykit, and you can get it for around 34k out the door. I paid 34k out the door for my 325i (34,240 or so to be exact). What did I get? I didn't get fancy gadgetry, but I got a car that is much more quality than a TL in terms of engine, suspension and sheetmetal.

The TL DOES NOT PROVIDE SPIRITED DRIVING, PERIOD.

Originally Posted by Bisoned

With all due respect, the TL is a good value for the money.

[BMW F22]

The sac...how did we go from talking about cupholders to TL?? anyways, the TL is a bigger car yet its handling is exceptional. I agree that BMW handles better than all other cars in its class, but let's not flush others down the drain.

[xspeedy]

Originally Posted by BMWE90

The sac...how did we go from talking about cupholders to TL?? anyways, the TL is a bigger car yet its handling is exceptional. I agree that BMW handles better than all other cars in its class, but let's not flush others down the drain.

The TL squats, dives, and rolls like a pig.

[BMW F22]

It's a bigger car!! What do you expect?? I actually prefer Honda's handling over every other japanese makers. I think it's ridiculous that people bash everything else just cuss they have something better.