Test drive BMW 3 E90 2005 - 2008 sedan

Each went their own road

Dear, prestigious, a little even arrogant, as befits the very cream of the middle class, both of them look emphasized fit-sports and even outwardly similar to each other. However, each of them interprets the concept of driving in its own way. In amazing accordance with the old song of the time machine.




Interesting offer
A few years ago, the smallest Lexus was already trying to establish itself in our market. However, the price on IS200 was then set so high that the certainly talented car has no chance of success. Now with youthful maximalism is over. The new model, the sales of which began about six months ago, became more and more solid. The row 2-liter six gave way to a more powerful, V-shaped 2.5 liter. And the price remained almost the same. It’s clear that the elite middle class sedan has a very serious competitor.
 

The main opponent, at which the two -inch trunks of the graduation system of Lexus are directed, is the same. One look at the daring head of the headlights of the new AIS, its long hood, bloated wheel arches and sharply tilted front racks, so that it becomes clear: the goal of the Japanese BMW of the 3rd series.
 

The four of Audi and, especially the Mercedes S-class, are not so deliberately sporty. In addition, both of them long -livers and already next year will give their place to the next generation models. That is why we chose BMW to the rivals for the daring newcomer. Of course, with a 2.5-liter six.
 



Do you want sweet oranges?
And the first round of the Bavar car is clearly losing. How luxurious Lexus salon is! The point is not only in design, precision adjustment of panels, exceptional quality of decoration materials. This car takes care of its master, as the most devoted servant. Say, I have not yet met ventilation in the middle class. The steering wheel has electrical adjustments. The curtain on the rear window when the rear gear is turned on automatically drops down. Togo and look, you will open a glove box and see there a silver dish with pineapple included in the basic package ...

 
  
A combination of soft lines and stylish design solutions pay attention to the door handles and tides of the central console gives the interior of Lexus charm of exquisite simplicity
 

The chairs are perfectly satisfied. Moreover, they even have ventilation
 
   
Comfort in every little thing. Cosmetic mirrors with backlighting, not forgotten and a glass
 

Comfortable shelves are also provided in the deep glove.
 

The cup holders are not displayed. One under the lid on the tunnel. Another in a spacious central box


Ergonomics at the highest level. It is not necessary to rack your head about how to control climate control and radio. All buttons are located in the usual places. And in order not to get lost in the menu of the flight comprehension of two remote controls. Using the keys on the steering wheel, you can find out about the fuel consumption. The buttons to the left of the steering wheel are responsible for programmable functions.

 
  
Strict geometry unexpectedly makes the front panel of BMW boring, forcing to recall the 80s. Even the excellent quality of finishing materials does not save the situation
 

The grip of side support of the BMW seats is more tough. For fast driving in turns what the doctor prescribed
 
  
The Germans also remember about individual backlighting. But there is no glass here
 

There are two departments in the glove box. Which is less suitable for documents. Road maps will include without any problems
 

Under the front armrest of a treshka, a jar of soda and a couple of packs of cigarettes will fit. The box is not very roomy


After what I saw in Lexus, the BMW interior seems simple to naivety. The horizontal lines of the torpedo, the red lighting of the devices and the inserts under the tree are absolutely not impressive. No curtains, ventilated seats and steering wheel electroregies. It is immediately obvious that German experts rely only on the excellent quality of the assembly and decoration materials. And in ergonomics there are flaws. I still did not understand why the control key of the flight comprehensive compliance was hung on the steering wheel switch, when the same information can be called from the menu using the button on the central console.


For driver and passengers
But what is the use of the most exquisite interior, if the high driver in the cabin will be inconvenient? Having lowered the seat of Lexus to the lower position, with my height of 186 cm I almost touch the crown of the ceiling upholstery. It is worth a little shook your head to the left, you can easily fit on the handle above the tributary of the door, and if you look directly in front of you, then you see the cut of the roof. On the back sofa, you head against the ceiling with your head, and your feet have to stick under the pillow of the driver's seat. There is nothing to say about the fact to accommodate three adults of the average complexion.
  


For those sitting in the back in both sedans, ventilation air ducts are provided
 

However, only BMW passengers can independently regulate the intensity of blowing
 
  
A large armrest and ledge on the back of Lexus confirm that it will only be comfortable here
 

If the curtain interferes with the review, it can be lowered with one click of the button
 

BMW sofa is not particularly soft, but more spacious


Planting three on the BMW sofa is also not worth it. However, it will be closely in the shoulders. The driver's seat can be lowered very low, almost to the asphalt itself. Very sporting. In this case, of course, you can’t wear a cylinder on your head, but the supply of space under the ceiling is very tangible.
 

 
All sizes are given in centimeters. * The distance from the seat pillow to the ceiling. The space for the legs of the seated rear is indicated provided that the driver’s growth is 185 cm
 





Not a barbell
It is unlikely that the owner of the prestigious sedan will carry TV on him to the cottage. And his mother -in -law has not grown tomato seedlings on the balcony for a long time. In any case, the creators of IS250 were guided by similar theses. The car has a very small trunk by the standards of the class. Two large suitcases can not be put here, and the protective covers of the hinges of the lid eat an already small space. Lexus does not allow itself to descend to the back of the rear sofa. The only way to transport long items to try to stick them into a special hatch behind a leaning armrest.

 
    
 

 
   
BMW trunk (right) noticeably larger. In addition, it is also more functional on the sides in it are convenient trays for different small things
 
 
You can fold the back of the sofa of threeks directly from the trunk, which is very convenient
 

For skiing, the Germans provided a special cover that melting snow will not wet the salon and passengers


Treshka is still not so arrogant. The volume of the trunk, albeit not a record size, but for the middle class 460 liters is not so bad. Did you want to load a long -meter? The back of the sofa can be folded in parts, leaving 12 places.
 





We are a reward for us!
Nevertheless, the power of BMW is far from in its economic abilities. Treshka is only 10 liters. With. It is more powerful than Lexus, but it feels noticeably more dynamic. He pressed the gas, and the car without delay tears forward even in the usual mode of the machine. In the sports box, it allows you to twist the motor to maximum revolutions, and if you release the pedal, for a long time, without dropping the speed, does not pass to the highest level. Moreover, even after 180 km/h of power, enough for confident overtaking remains.
 

Lexus acts more reasonably and not so hastily. Its 6-speed automatic is convinced that the transmission must be changed exclusively smoothly, and this principle is firmly follows. That is why even in sport mode the feeling of violent dynamics. Although acceleration to hundreds in 8.1 seconds still does not seem fiction. But what will surely delight supporters of the active driving style is the ability of the IS250 box in manual mode not to switch to the highest gear when the engine reaches the maximum revolutions. Thus, while maintaining at the right moment the traction of the engine is constant. However, so that you, God forbid, do not twist the motor, the car will courtly warn about this flash of a red ring on a tachometer.

 
  
According to the latest fashion, opponents motors are started with a button. But in BMW, you still have to insert the key into a special connector
 

It is enough to put the Lexus key in the pocket, the machine recognizes it. However, remember that anyone can leave on the starting car and without the key
 
  
Using these keys, you can program the speed and speed, the achievement of which Lexus will warn you
 

Lexus transfers for manual shifts turn along with the steering wheel
 

The steering wheel switch BMW is strongly overloaded. You can accidentally get into a computer menu or turn on a cruise control


Alas, the brakes of Lexus, unlike BMW, are unlikely to be able to support your fighting attitude. No, in regular modes they cope well with their work. But as soon as a couple of bundles of turns with intense brakes in front of them were passed, and the machine was noticeably worse than the pads simply overheated.




Silence is gold
Unbelievable, but it is a fact. On a good asphalt in the Lexus salon, you can guess only by decorations replaced outside the windows. It does not matter what speed is 90, 120 or 160 km/h. Noise insulation is just magnificent. No sound of the motor and howl of wind, only a light rustle of tires. By the way, the Japanese for this not only seriously worked on aerodynamics, but even the rugs made from noise -absorbing materials.
 

And an uneven road surface does not bother the car at all. The suspension is so comfortable that it seems that a thick sheet of foam is laid for each joint or dimple. It is very difficult to make the suspension on a breakdown work.
 

The three -described three -described virtues are not interested. Like an avid debate, carried away by her idea, she tirelessly repeats: I have a wonderful in -line six with a capacity of 218 liters. S., and I do not want to hide it. The noise of the motor is clearly distinguishable in the cabin from the average revolutions. Which, in fact, is quite good for a car with a sports character. But the tires of tires at high speeds could be quieter. And the chassis? The car counts almost every pebble on the road. And it really annoys. In addition, the suspension is so clamped that it breaks down even on a small bump.




We are where we need to lead
Manageability is another lesson that a treshka can teach any applicant to her laurels. And let the steering wheel heavy at low speeds during parking, but how can you perfectly feel the car in corners! The reactive force grows with almost every degree of turn of the steering wheel. To let the car in the skid on dry asphalt, you need to try hard. BMW, minimally rolling, clings to the asphalt to the last. If the speed limit is chosen, the strict collar of the stabilization system will instantly reduce the traction of the motor at the slightest signs of slipping. And the high -speed straight car holds perfectly. The buildup on longitudinal and transverse waves is minimal and does not interfere with management at all.
 

Lexus also rides remarkably with high speed in a straight line, willingly divers in turns and writes turns. But how he does not want you to strain your hands! Whatever angle to turn the steering wheel, the result is almost the same in all cases, a barely perceptible reactive force. As a result, when you were practically isolated from driving, you no longer want to go. And on a slippery road, do not forget that you control the rear -wheel drive car, even despite the stabilization system: electronics allows the driver some liberties. For example, go through a turn with a light skid.




Without compromises
The IS250 that appeared recently had not yet managed to break in either European or American tests. Therefore, we can objectively evaluate the safety of Lexus only by its equipment. And I must say that it is packed with passive and active safety by means of a passive and active safety. Already in the basic configuration there are 8 pillows, including the knee for the driver and the front passenger, which, by the way, do not have any of the classmates, but also the ESP and the anti -wings system. By the way, the previous generation and without knee pillows in the tests of the American Road Safety Association received higher grades. As a result, we put the five more prepared for clashes by his follower.
 

And the Germans do not save on active security means. The traffic stabilization system, the track control is in the database. But the airbags are only six frontal, lateral and curtains. However, the EuroNCAP crash tests showed that the aforementioned weapons are enough. Confirmation of this is the maximum five stars and 35 points.




It's all about the price of a ticket
Lexus never differed in a variety of proposals. And now he has only one motor and four configurations. But in basic comfort for $ 41,600 there is already almost everything: good music, cruise and climate control, cast discs. A leather salon with electric drives and ventilation of the front seats is more expensive for $ 46,200.
 

Sport, which is still more than $ 1,500, is distinguished not only by a tougher suspension, R18 wheels, seats, sheathed with fabric for suede, but also xenon headlights, parking and rain sensors. The most expensive IS250 performed by premium, of course, with a leather salon, with wood and rear curtain inserts costs $ 49,700.

BMW also has only a few fixed sets, but five motors. The base 320i is slightly cheaper than Lexus 31 100 euros. But if its 150-horsepower engine, in principle, is enough for a dynamic driving, then stamped discs, a plastic steering wheel and the absence of an audio system are unlikely to arrange anyone. For the 325-horsepower 218-horsepower, the 325i 218-horsepower will have to pay 39,600 euros already. The steering wheel in this case will be sheathed with leather, cast discs, xenon headlights, rain sensor will appear. For such an amount, frankly, there are not so many. And if you need a leather salon, then you will have to order laxori for 46,200 euros. Having counted into dollars, we get that BMW is more expensive than the most luxurious Lexus by as much as 17%. Impressive difference. True, Treshka has one plus with which the Japanese cannot argue, modifications with all -wheel drive adding reliability in managing slippery roads. But if you want to get the same rich set of equipment as Lexus performed by premium, you will have to buy at least 330, overpaying more than $ 24,000.
    
We decided:

It turns out that sportswear, perhaps, is the only thing that rivals have in common. Each of them bends its own line. BMW will be expected to please excellent controllability and dynamics, giving a driving comfort to the mercy. Meanwhile, the capacity and carrying capacity of the threek consistent with the standards of the class. However, despite the loud name, a well -equipped car is still very expensive, which, of course, reduces the overall assessment. As a result, 4.3 points.

Exactly the same amount was earned by his rival Lexus, 4.3. He is not so dynamic and accurate in corners. But he simply captivates with a rich and stylish decoration of the salon, as well as exceptional comfort. And, perhaps, his most important trump card does not ask for an extra penny for what he proposes. It is unlikely that you will find something more profitable in the market of expensive sedans of the middle class. But you are also unlikely to find a closer car with such a small trunk among them.

 
Andrey Koltun, photo of Maxim Goncharov
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Source: Magazine buy a car [12/2006]