Car and Driver tries to find a sport sedan better than the 3er:
#4 - 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 Sport
Highs: Supple ride, subdued mechanicals, superb navigation and stereo systems.
Lows: Low-grip tires, light and fast steering, intrusive stability control, floppy shifter, flat seats, unimpressive interior materials.
The Verdict: A convincing sports sedan at a sedate pace, but pushing hard reveals a luxury car impersonating a sports sedan.
#3 - 2008 Cadillac CTS DI
Highs: Impeccable chassis tuning, Cadillac style inside and out, the interior GM refused for so long to build, a relatively big back seat, requires only 87 octane.
Lows: Loutish shifter, odd clutch feel, engine groans, leaden feel, excessive weight.
The Verdict: America’s sports sedan is let down by an uncouth transmission and a slight weight problem.
#2 - 2008 Infiniti G35 Sport
Highs: Rocket-sled acceleration, lots of features for the price, thinks it is a Nissan 350Z.
Lows: Gritty shifter, the coarse hum of the big V-6, lacks the finesse of the Bavarian.
The Verdict:It’s all good, but the BMW is all great.
#1 - 2007 BMW 328i
Highs: Better to drive than most sports cars, hushed refinement of a luxury car, relative light weight, best fuel economy.
Lows: Smallish back seat, radio display disappears with polarized shades.
The Verdict: BMW still makes the best sports sedan for $38,000.
#4 - 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 Sport
Highs: Supple ride, subdued mechanicals, superb navigation and stereo systems.
Lows: Low-grip tires, light and fast steering, intrusive stability control, floppy shifter, flat seats, unimpressive interior materials.
The Verdict: A convincing sports sedan at a sedate pace, but pushing hard reveals a luxury car impersonating a sports sedan.
#3 - 2008 Cadillac CTS DI
Highs: Impeccable chassis tuning, Cadillac style inside and out, the interior GM refused for so long to build, a relatively big back seat, requires only 87 octane.
Lows: Loutish shifter, odd clutch feel, engine groans, leaden feel, excessive weight.
The Verdict: America’s sports sedan is let down by an uncouth transmission and a slight weight problem.
#2 - 2008 Infiniti G35 Sport
Highs: Rocket-sled acceleration, lots of features for the price, thinks it is a Nissan 350Z.
Lows: Gritty shifter, the coarse hum of the big V-6, lacks the finesse of the Bavarian.
The Verdict:It’s all good, but the BMW is all great.
#1 - 2007 BMW 328i
Highs: Better to drive than most sports cars, hushed refinement of a luxury car, relative light weight, best fuel economy.
Lows: Smallish back seat, radio display disappears with polarized shades.
The Verdict: BMW still makes the best sports sedan for $38,000.
