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For three years now I have been traveling to VW Passat. The car, in principle, is satisfied. But at the same time I feel that the machine no longer corresponds to my image and aspirations. The soul asks for something more! I definitely want a city German, but more dynamic and with a glorious sports history
Igor Krivitsky, 44 years old, commercial director, travels to Volkswagen Passat
Image
It definitely matters! The car must fully comply with the image and age of the owner.
Style
Not only appearance is important to me. There are many other defining factors. Acoustics, for example. Music is an integral part of my life and my style.
Shodal qualities
Due to the fact that I mainly drive around the city, and outside the city I spend a minimum amount of time, running qualities should provide comfort at the wheel. Wherein
a powerful engine is needed so that I can feel the dynamics of acceleration and in critical situations to use the gas pedal correctly.
Economy
If you buy a car of such a price category, fuel consumption no longer plays a decisive role.
Interior
The interior should not distract attention, but it is desirable that it fully corresponds to the character of the car and give pleasure to both the driver and passengers.
Equipment
Climate installation, all options related to my safety and passenger safety, a good audio system.
Unlike the people's brand, there are more than enough victorious traditions in the Mercedes in Formula 1, the BMW in the body of the world, and Audi at 24 hours of Le-Man at the Mercedes in Mercedes. Yes, and the dynamic qualities of cars cannot be occupied with a large three. But which of them to choose? Yes, and what to bet: on a turbo or atmospheric engine, on a complete, front or classic drive?
Questions darkness, and the search for answers to them is a very individual case, I would even say intimate. A car as a woman: you can get married to a person of the first beauties of the planet, but where is the guarantee that among them there will be the only one that he will call his?! So with the car. You can leaf through automobile magazines and catalogs of international exhibitions for months, and meet your only and unique at your own entrance, although this is still not about me. Love, of course, is submissive to all ages, but love at first glance the lot of the young. Older and more saturated to choose a car, as well as the choice of a life partner, fit more thoroughly: they look closely, check their feelings. Yes, and not only feelings, but what if a new passion does not suit you in bed?! Do not get divorced later! Therefore, the first test drive of a new car is like the first sex with a young bride. And the main thing here is that the mind does not drown in a sea of \u200b\u200bfeelings and emotions. After all, the first delight and novelty will pass over time, feelings will dull, and you will have to live with the new chosen one for more than a year.
I admit honestly, I put my eyes on the updated Mercedes C-Class for a long time. But still I decided to wait until a new Audi A4 needle appears in Russia in order to compare potential brides. And at the same time decide for yourself which drive, motor and kP are more suitable for me. As for BMW, then, in comparison with two other beauties, the young, frankly, is far from young. And although I have nothing against mature women, in this case I took a third more to clean the conscience and intentionally in a fairly cheap configuration. In the end, if the car is one and a half times cheaper to compete on equal terms with class leaders, why not compromise with your own desires. But the idea did not materialize. Young beauties from Stuttgart and Ingolstadt quickly ousted mature bavarka from my heart. Now about everything in order.
 
BMW 318i
Unlike the brand new Audi and Mercedes, BMW survived the last restyling for a long time. Therefore, I have not discovered anything new for myself. And the idea of \u200b\u200bminimizing costs and a deal with oneself completely failed. I understand that I myself asked the car in an inexpensive configuration. But still, I wanted the interior to be more interesting and rich. In the dark, numerous buttons at the central console are highlighted. But during the day they merge with the background and with each other.
The analog dashboard is quite informative. But on the other hand, the constantly jumping arrow of the sensor of the moment fuel consumption only distracts attention. The lever of the KP in appearance is incredible, but it has the perfect move: not long and not short. What you need! It is impossible to find fault with the work of synchronizers. In general, the BMW gearbox is close to the ideal. The best mechanical KP I drove!
But in terms of dynamics, a 2-liter car was somewhat disappointed. Not in comparison with more powerful competitors, but in itself. But even less uninformative brakes liked it. Maybe we did not dry them to the end. Although all three cars were tested in the same weather conditions. The sightseeing is not bad, but the mirrors are small. Although, thanks to their two -tone gamut, they are ideally combined simultaneously with both the interior decoration and the car body.
Style
What can I say, a beautiful, bright, recognizable car. He cannot be confused with others on the street. But it is more suitable for youth under 25 years old.
Shodal qualities
The management is not enough, but a two -liter engine is clearly not enough. The suspension is harsh: all the irregularities of the road are felt much more clearly than that of competitors.
Interior
For a car worth more than a million rubles, the salon is overly ascetic and non -ergonomic.
Economy
In accordance with the technical documentation, in a mixed cycle consumes only 7.4 liters per 100 km. You can’t dream of smaller.
Equipment in the standard
If we take into account the status of the brand, the basic equipment could be richer. First of all, there is not enough electric drive of the front seats and a good standard audio system.
Specifications
Mark and model - BMW 318i
Dimensions - 4520/1817/1421 mm
Engine - gasoline, 1995 cm3, 136 hp/5750 min -1
Transmission - mechanical, 6 -speed
Dynamics - 210 km/h; 9.8 s to 100 km/h
Advantages and disadvantages
+ Expressive appearance, spaciousness of the rear of the cabin.
- The front is too crowded, boring interior, a weak standard audio system.
 
  Audi A4 1.8T
A car that gives pleasure. It’s convenient for me to sit in this machine and control it. A wonderful view forward and on the sides. Due to the narrow rear window, the view back is slightly worse, but thanks to large mirrors I don’t feel any discomfort. A 1.8-liter turbo engine makes a car acceptable enough: by clicking on gas, you get true pleasure. For the first time I saw a hand brake in the form of a key next to the automatic transmission lever. Outwardly, this decision really liked and, probably, followed by the future. The absence of a lever made it possible to fully use the space between the seats.
The design of the salon is designed in a single style. At the same time, it is even surprising how organically the inserts under the tree are combined with elements of high -tech. A unique combination of comfort and modern design! The niche of the dashboard is pure high -tech, but does not cause any rejection. I liked the instrument panel itself. There is nothing here excess: tachometer, speedometer, gasoline consumption and fuel sensor. The joystick of control of the multimedia system on the central console is much more convenient than on Mercedes, where it is located almost under the armrest. It is always more convenient to stretch out your hand to the central console than to lean down.
Unlike Mercedes, steering wheel switches are traditionally located on both sides of the steering wheel. All controls in the cabin are extremely informative. Even if you get into the car for the first time, there are no problems with adaptation. A large number of airbags are pleasing, but the protection of the legs could be better. The panel in the left knee area, of course, is soft, but still, if you get into a knee in the rib, it will be hard. I had a similar injury, and now I pay special attention to this.
Style
Moderately academic, but closer to the youth. At 45, a person can still drive this car and say that this is its design. And for older people, something more conservative is still needed.
Shodal qualities
Enviable dynamics and handling, excellent brakes, a complete absence of vibrations characteristic of cars with turbocharged engines.
Interior
Modern and quite individual. Complete completeness and laconicism of design.
Economy
8.2 liters per hundred for the turbo engine, I think, is quite acceptable.
Equipment in the standard
It is quite solid, but for myself I would still add an electric drive of the seats, a suspension settings selector and, of course, a steering wheel with an audio control buttons.
Specifications
Mark and model - Audi A4 1.8T Multitronic
Dimensions - 4703/1826/1427 mm
Engine - gasoline, 1798 cm3, 160 hp/45006200 min -1
Transmission - automatic, unavailable
Dynamics - 225 km/h; 8.6 s to 100 km/h
Advantages and disadvantages
+ Magnificent standard acoustics, in this configuration of the audio system adjusted to the steering wheel.
- There is little space for the rear passengers, the steering wheel is thin.
 
Mercedes-Benz C280 4Matic
The appearance is conservative, but personally he warms my soul. The new grille with a large three-beam star returns me in the 70s. In my opinion, a magnificent design move. Perhaps this is my age, but on the other hand, it is always nice to return to your youth. At the same time, the body itself is clearly the 21st century. Salon, handling and dynamics are also on top.
Conservative, but understandable and readable front dashboard. It looks like an absolutely finished element and at the same time fits perfectly into the general decoration of the car. But double -sewage switches on the left are somewhat unusual, but I think this is an adaptation. In everything you feel a strict classic style. In the back seat, there are much more places for passengers than in the previous two cars. In general, this is the only car in which I felt comfortable from the very beginning. The standard audio system pleasantly caresses the hearing: maybe not better, but no worse than in A4. Spacious salon. The seat settings are very convenient, although lateral support could be better. In general, I feel very confident at the wheel. The steering wheel covered with leather is a little thicker than that of Audi, the capture is perfect for me. The dynamics are amazing. I was very afraid that with all -wheel drive the management would be less sharp, but nothing like that. Absolutely amazing brakes and an ideal gearbox. It seems that I switch the programs by the power of thought. In a word, with this car we live one life and think the same way!
Style
This car is no longer for young people, but for an older generation: from 35 years. Mature people, of course, enjoy this car and, importantly, will look good in it.
Shodal qualities
A powerful engine, amazing brakes, moderately acute steering, comfortable suspension and ingenious automatic transmission.
Interior
Strict classic style. The only car where I am really comfortable.
Economy
In a mixed cycle, it consumes about 9.6 liters per 100 km of path. For an all -wheel drive car with a 3 -liter engine, this is very little.
sambage in the standard
Mercedes traditionally does not offer naked cars. But I will probably take this car in the configuration in which we experienced it.
Specifications
Mark and Model - MB C 280 4MATIC
Dimensions - 4581/1770/1445 mm
Engine - gasoline, 2996 cm3, 231 hp/6000 min -1
Transmission - automatic, 7 -speed
Dynamics - 250 km/h; 7.3 s to 100 km/h

Advantages and disadvantages
+ I like almost everything.
- Not too spacious trunk, uncomfortable location of the joystick of the multimedia system.
My choice
Being a great connoisseur of music, I tried to determine for myself what musical areas the nature of each of the tested cars is corresponded. And this is what happened. S-Class, in my opinion, personifies the classical music of the 20th century with some intriguing of a very expensive blues. BMW with a more powerful rock and roll engine, closer to hard rock. Audi jazz! I love all these directions, but at this stage of life, I am still closer to the Mercedes classic. Although, if I chose a car for my daughter, I would definitely choose a jazz Audi A4. Helen would fit into him by 99.9%. This is her car!
Our verdict
We dealt with three classic cars, which are a continuation of many years of traditions of brands. BMW was originally not in the most advantageous position. The client’s desire to get acquainted with one of the most budget versions obviously put Bavarz in the ranking of the rating. As for the other two applicants, in many respects Audi and Mercedes there are a nostril in the nostril. The new A4 is a thoroughbred machine that will not be lost in the general stream. And if Igor were heels younger, he might have stopped his choice on him. But Mercedes is still more universal. And the price of A4, in our opinion, is somewhat overstated. Audi still does not have an image of a luxury brand in the same extent as Mercedes-Benz.

Author: Vladimir Makkaveev
Photo: Sergey Krestov
 

Source: Magazine 5 wheel [April 2008]