Rivals Slug It Out

Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday May 13, 2006

Bill McKinnon

Despite the misgivings of some critics, including ourselves at Drive, BMW's E90 3 Series has, like its predecessors, drawn buyers to the brand like moths to the flame. Sales are up 64 per cent this year compared with 2005.

It is certainly the most stylish BMW in the current line-up. Chris Bangle's complex curves finally make sense. The new coupe, first shown a couple of weeks ago, looks even better.

The 3 Series recently won the 2006 World Car of the Year award, judged by 43 motoring scribblers from around the world, including, from Australia, this writer and Greg Kable, Drive's European correspondent.

It beat the Mazda MX5 and Porsche Cayman S for the title.

However, in the Australian context the BMW has a real fight on its hands, especially at the entry level price, below $60,000, where the range kicks off with the four-cylinder 320i sedan. It has two impressive rivals in Audi's A4 1.8-litre turbo Quattro and the Lexus IS250.

Audi A4 1.8 turbo Quattro, from $56,400

The all-wheel-drive 1.8-litre turbo has always been the pick of the A4 line-up on a value-for-money basis and as a well-balanced drive.

It's only sold with a six-speed manual gearbox. If you prefer an automatic, you can have Audi's brilliant continuously variable transmission with the 120kW, 1.8-litre turbo engine but power goes to the front wheels only. Unfortunately, the front-drive A4's dynamics are mediocre.

No such problems with Quattro AWD, though. It has amazing grip and control, wet or dry, and though the Audi lacks the BMW's (and, to a slightly lesser extent, the Lexus's) inate balance and responsiveness, it is nevertheless an enjoyable drive on a winding road. You need to work harder in the A4 but it's no less competent.

Standard equipment in the German-built A4 includes 16-inch alloy wheels with 215/65 tyres, eight airbags, leather upholstery, a six-stack CD player, trip computer and automatic air-conditioning.

The ride is fine in standard trim. The seats are comfortable and supportive but rear-seat space can be tight. You get a huge boot, though, and a full-sized spare on an alloy wheel.

BMW 320i, from $50,600

As far as 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engines go, the BMW version is sophisticated, frugal, beautifully refined and works well in town or on the highway. But 110kW for $50,000 is a very low power-to-dollar ratio.

The base model poverty pack has 16-inch steel wheels with 205/55 runflat tyres, cloth seats and the industrial class interior. Cruise control, a single CD player, six airbags and datadot security is included.

Most buyers go for the Executive, priced from $55,400, which adds leather, 16-inch alloy wheels, foglights and some timber or metal tizz in the cabin.

A six-speed manual is standard; a six-speed sequential auto adds $2600.

The South African-built 3 Series is light, tight and graceful. It handles and steers with wonderful poise and precision.

The new model's seats aren't the most comfortable or supportive but the dash layout is simple and efficient and there's reasonable occupant space. Five-star safety and high resale values adds to its appeal.

Lexus IS250, from $53,890

If you buy a German badge without first having driven this you have rocks in your head.

The new IS250 has a 153kW, 2.5-litre direct-injection V6 engine, matched with a six-speed manual gearbox or, for an extra $2600, a six-speed sequential automatic.

It works best in the top half of the rev range, returns fuel economy that's comparable with some four-cylinder engines and is impeccably smooth. However, the IS250 is relatively heavy, so it's not quite as quick as expected.

Rear-wheel-drive and a concerted effort to lower and centralise the car's mass gives the IS250 a similarly responsive, athletic quality to the BMW, with crisp, accurate steering.

The IS250 easily wins the standard equipment, quality and customer service contests. Leather, datadot security, heated and cooled luxury front seats, 16-inch alloy wheels, eight airbags and a reversing camera are included.

Rear-seat space is tight and the spare wheel is a space-saver. You get a four-year warranty on the Lexus; the Germans give you three.

© 2006 Sydney Morning Herald

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