Let's do away with the suspense – the new BMW 3 Series is the best compact executive saloon that money can buy. The old car was our class champ and the new model maintains the status quo by improving on it pretty much across the board.
Second place goes to the revised Audi A4, which is more appealing than ever. Its 2.0-litre diesel throws the BMW’s biggest shortcoming into sharp focus; not only is the engine quieter at low revs than the 320d’s, its stop-start system is smoother – if only the A4’s suspension wasn’t so firm. It still doesn’t match the 3 Series for driver appeal and the BMW is better in all other respects: its strong performance, superb refinement and engaging driving experience all impress.
And the Mercedes C-Class? It’s still a fine executive saloon in its own right, yet it trails behind its rivals in every area, so it finishes third. Make no mistake, these are the three best compact execs on the market. But the BMW gets closest to perfection, so it takes a deserved win.
Winner
BMW 3 Series ★★★★★
It's always difficult to improve on a car that’s already the best in its class, but BMW has done just that with the new 3 Series. If you want the finest all-rounder in the compact executive market, look no further. There’s more cabin space than before, an attractive interior and cleaner engines, yet it’s as good to drive as ever.
2nd
Audi A4 ★★★★
The revised A4 pushes the new 3 Series hard. It’s a hugely desirable saloon, but in S line trim it’s let down by stodgy steering and stiff suspension. We think SE models show the Audi in a far better light, but the appeal of its upmarket interior and smooth engine is obvious in any spec.
3rd
Mercedes C-Class ★★★★
Third place is hard on the Mercedes, but it lags behind its rivals. Its cabin is dated and cramped, it’s not as quick and its gearshift is terrible by modern standards. It’s also not as efficient as the BMW or Audi. That’s a pity as, in Sport trim, the C-Class is arguably the best-looking model here.
For an alternative review of the latest BMW 3 Series Saloon visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk
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Merc should be over the audi.
AE have been too generous with the BMW, five stars doesn't reflect reality, it deserves no more than four. Actually the Alfa Romeo 159ti is a better sporting saloon than the BMW series despite it's age, the Audi and the Merc I think are better all-round saloons than the BMW, certainly better in design terms and better in quality too.
The BMW must be the clear winner. It's got a propeller badge and it's a BMW. This means that it is pre-ordained by the Almighty himself to win this contest - or any other. Quite simply, any pretender to the BMW throne is the work of the devil. If a make other than European, it should be ignored altogether, and if of European origin worthy of a place at best.
AE you say the 3-series has superb refinement, but I've read a few other tests that complain about road noise in the new 3-series, and if that is a fact, then surely this car shouldn't get a proper 5 star rating? An executive car should by quiet by default.
Why is sporting credentials always more important than comfort in reviews? I know that is what catches the eye, but when you are driving a car on a daily basis it is refinement and overall comfort that trumps it for me. Yet each time I read a review it is the sporting credentials that are most important. I for one would never buy an A4 simply because the suspension is rock hard - nothing premium about it.
Simple: The previous car was indeed very quiet. At least in its normal suspension setup and not some sport variants. Which means, that the newer will be even better. Will it be buttery like a good mercedes? Maybe not. But it will be even more so than many other cars and certainly beyond "acceptable". NOW combine that with sport "credentials" etc and you see why a BMW is an accomplished package. Something that the A4 for example (and many other cars) are not really. Too sporty or too numb to be either in so well judged analogy in my oppinion.
I am really sorry for BMW in germany though. I wish it wasn't a german brand but more of a global one. If you even care to read an autobild issue...They are VAG all the way.
giorikas81 - I'm not arguing that I'm correct here, just curious as so many other reviews state that there is a surprising amount of road noise entering the cabin - probably surprising because the previous version was quiet. I recently read another review of these three cars, where the 3-series won, but there were some complaints concerning noise levels, particularly compared to the C-class - quiter than the A4 and its rock hard suspension though. I once thought I broke my back being a passenger in an A4 with sports suspension.
I might have to go and test drive the 3-series - nice looking thing.
I haven't tested the new one (who has extensively really?). Suppose the other noise factors (vibrations, engine and wind noise) are so low that they highlight road noise (especially in harder compound rubber for instance?). Are there any db sheets for these cars comparatively? (vs rivals or its predecessor).
Well, the other testers have pointed out that the engine is a bit gruff and there there is too much road noise. In 50 mph the 3-series showed 68 db, in 60mph 72. The C-class showed 64 and 70 respectively. That is quite noticable.
So yeah, I might have to test drive it as road noise is a very filthy thing that gets tiresome after a little while. An executive model can't have 5 stars if there is too much noise in my opinion.