Why do other drivers feel inferior to a BMW driver?

I went to look at a 120d today.

It made my Alfa 75 look like a luxury barge.

So, it's back to the A3, then.

Did you drive it?

No. I'm trying to narrow down the options before booking full weekend tests with the lease company.

Sitting in one and playing with stuff for 5 minutes was enough to convince me that I couldn't live with one for the next 3 years / 100k miles.

Looks like there's not much reason for the 1 to be "faster and better handling" than the 3.

Let me guess. You picked the best FWD and pitted it against the worst BMW?

Who says that it does?

But for those of us who like open air motoring, the 128i cabrio is 294 lbs. lighter than the 328i "retractable" - a significant difference!

Tom K.

A 320 is the BMW that almost every twerp who rants about their BMW actually owns.

Anyone who has ever driven both of them.

Take it up with Car & Driver, not me.

-- Larry

While feel inferior?

My car is as good as the equivalent 5 series, and has more internal room, doesn't get any snotty attitude which drivers of BMWs and Audis get, and scares some drivers!!!!

I'm sticking with my cheaper RWDs thanks

I used to have a small hatch with RWD - great fun!

Drive it like you are rallying it!

If I was in the market for a new smaller car a 1 series would be in the running - well it is RWD!!

Arghh! the Shoveit

All engine ancilaries on the same side on noddy version - difficult to work on, and only one decent engine.

I prefered the Chrysler equivalent, easier to work on and two fun engines.

I have driven 5 wrong wheel drive cars in last 18 years three hire (one was dire, another swapped after a couple of miles as it was too small for the third), a courtesy car with half an engine (3 cylinder Corsa - well it is half isn't it?), and a car my boss owned. In the same period I have owned 6 RWD.

They are huge, a Maxi Mini.

Stuff that try the Mondeo Sanitory Towel against the M3.

I would not have the 2.0 if I was buying a 3 I'd have either if the 3.0 engines.

Stupid car - two cylinders missing.

I wouldn't bother.

Seriously under-specced, unless you splash out the extra £2k for an SE version, with materials and built quality that would make Citroen blush.

That would be silly, the two as far apart in price and performance as to make the comparison pointless. The only M3 I've ever driven left me underwhelmed. Yes it was fast, pointy and squirty and one could have fun on a track letting the arse hang out. But on the road it was a pointless bit of over-priced undercomfortable tat. IMO it was about in the same league as the Audi S8, but not in a good way. In a "f*ck me did someone pay that much to have a car made that's uncomfortable with a really cheap interior feel" sort of way.

I'm probably getting old, strike probably I am getting old. But I preferred my XJR to any Beemer I've ever driven. I prefer my 4xFord to any Beemer I've ever driven. I've had to give up expensive toys in order to fund my wife's attempts to start a new business, but when it's over/up and running I'll be heading back to Jags because the few things about them that disappoint don't disappoint as much as the competition.

I'd have had an NSX if erindoors had approved it.

The BMW 6's are gems of engines, I really like them. I just wish that the rest of car was up to the promise of the steering, handling and engine/transmission. Having interior trim and seats that wouldn't have been out of place in a Sierra is a real disappointment. Even the M3 "leather" feels like vinyl. And the hardboard in the boot is pure Austin-Rover.