only reason the RS6 was brought up was because the RS4 wasnt doin too hot in the poll above...

 

Voted for the C63 simply because I want to see the M3 knocked off its pedestal and the RS4 just won't win.
I'd buy the RS4 before any of the others simply because of Quattro and I have snow to contend with. I'd say the same with the upcoming RS6 against any other because of Quattro as well.

I think the new M3 is in for a battle either way you look at it.

 

I think thats why most people are voting for the C also. Its like rooting for the underdog.

 

I don't know if I'd call the C63 the underdog.

It just seems in recent tests that no matter what is thrown at a BMW, it wins regardless. The C63 is far more practical than the Bimmer, as is the RS4 and the CTS-V yet I'm almost certain it will win just because it is an M3...

 

[QUOTE=sw05s2k,Aug 21 2007, 12:01 PM] I don't know if I'd call the C63 the underdog.

 

Ha! Didn't realize that, I don't pay attention the numbering of BMW's.

Ooops.

 

I dont either. I'm sure BMW is aware of how crowded this segment got and are addressing the 4door accordingly. It would break my heart to see the Merc take the top spot. I would agree 100% that merc is the better luxury brand though.

 

Any car on this list should be fantastic already, and anyone who's able to own one is lucky.

 

IMHO, the comparisons will likely go mostly to the most expensive or the M3, whichever is a BMW

Most mag comparisons aren't accurate reflections of the real reasons people buy cars. They are reflections of why people buy car magazines. A magazine comparison will focus on 1/4 mile, track behavior, and handling on 2 lane roads. Most people don't buy Mercedes, Lexus, Cadillac, or Audi for those reasons. The sedans are mismatched in this kind of comparison, because honestly, how many times (and how wise is it) do you go blasting down a two lane and around a corner at the limit with a car full of people?

People buy luxury sedans for the rear seat room coupled with passing power and highway manners. Any benefits derived from excellent handling is frosting.

The Cadillac is built to a different pedigree than the M3 or the Audi, and in any comparison designed to showcase the BMW or Audi, the Cadillac will lose. Conversely, if the comparison was designed to showcase the Caddy's excellent highway manners, roomy seating, and flexible powerplant, the M3 and Audi would come in down the list, behind the Mercedes for sure, and magazine sales would not be reinforced. Everybody wants to see the big boys duke it out in an exciting contest, and "highway manners," aren't exciting.

The Lexus is trying to be a BMW/Mercedes for people who only pretend they are buying the car for track days. You are more likely to see an RS4 at a drag strip than any of the other cars. The M3 is going to be like the E46 version, only more powerful, and more kind of foolish features for a "motorsport car."

None of this is to knock any of the cars, just my opinion why the magazine comparisons will favor the M3 over the rest. If a comparson tries to focus on the real reasons people buy these cars, the Cadillac is sure to rank low just because it isn't designed for magazine sales or as a company showcase, and probably will still sell in larger numbers than all the rest.