Cadillac ATS v 328i--C/D Test

[JST]

I'm sure many or all of you have seen this by now, but it's finally up on the web.

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...omparison-test

The headline result--BMW beats Cadillac--is not interesting or surprising. The subhead--Cadillac builds car nearly as good as a BMW, finally serious about tackling the Germans, etc--is also neither interesting nor surprising. We've been reading that same thing every time Cadillac (or Lincoln, or Pontiac) introduces a new import fighter.

What is surprising and very noteworthy are the places where the Cadillac is better. To whit, the suspension and the handling. C/D is pretty unequivocal that the ATS is just a better handling car than the BMW. And the steering is better, too.

The 328 wins because the N20 is a better engine than the GM 2.0, and various other bits are better, too. Interior quality, shifter feel, etc.

Also note that party of the story here is not just the Cadillac getting better, but the BMW getting worse. Perhaps the most telling line in the article? "We're convinced that the E90 would handily win a comparison test against the F30." Ouch.

[RMR]

Originally Posted by JST

I'm sure many or all of you have seen this by now, but it's finally up on the web.

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...omparison-test

The headline result--BMW beats Cadillac--is not interesting or surprising. The subhead--Cadillac builds car nearly as good as a BMW, finally serious about tackling the Germans, etc--is also neither interesting nor surprising. We've been reading that same thing every time Cadillac (or Lincoln, or Pontiac) introduces a new import fighter.

What is surprising and very noteworthy are the places where the Cadillac is better. To whit, the suspension and the handling. C/D is pretty unequivocal that the ATS is just a better handling car than the BMW. And the steering is better, too.

The 328 wins because the N20 is a better engine than the GM 2.0, and various other bits are better, too. Interior quality, shifter feel, etc.

Also note that party of the story here is not just the Cadillac getting better, but the BMW getting worse. Perhaps the most telling line in the article? "We're convinced that the E90 would handily win a comparison test against the F30." Ouch.

What really got me was the Price As Tested on the 328i. Over $45,000 for a entry level 3 series with not a lot of options.

[ZBB]

I spent some time with Motoman last weekend. He was raving about how good the ATS is...

[wdc330i]

This is why we snagged one of the last e90s. It wasn't so cheap. $44k, but that was fully loaded. Everything but 18 inch wheels. I can see keeping this for the long haul. It's the perfect blend of fun and practical.

[lemming]

Cadillac is not cheap, either, but it is decently well built.

the engine is a work in progress (for GM) as I am guessing they have held back plenty (as does BMW) for easy mid-cycle "upgrades".

suffice it to say, I love the new ATS having seen it in person at the dealer, but i've learned my lesson well enough to know not to buy a new GM vehicle until product year 3 at a minimum.

[ZBB]

Originally Posted by lemming

Cadillac is not cheap, either, but it is decently well built.

the engine is a work in progress (for GM) as I am guessing they have held back plenty (as does BMW) for easy mid-cycle "upgrades".

suffice it to say, I love the new ATS having seen it in person at the dealer, but i've learned my lesson well enough to know not to buy a new GM vehicle until product year 3 at a minimum.

I had an 08 CTS -- first year product. It was rock solid with one exception -- the nav screen would flicker occasionally. They worked on it a couple times, and it would go away for a few weeks then come back -- the next time it was going in I was going to have them just replace the unit (but I sold it before that...)

[SARAFIL]

I think we'd all agree chassis dynamics appear to be good on the Caddy. One thing I have read lots a mixed reviews on is the CUE system. A few mags like it, a few are so-so and a few said it was the worst system they'd ever used. After seeing what has happened to others (BMW with iDrive in 02 and Ford with MyTouch a few years back), I'd give GM a couple of years to figure that system out.

[JST]

Yeah, and while I generally would like to say something like that shouldn't matter, my experience with the Countryman makes me cautious. A terrible nav/UI can really spoil your daily experience with a car.

[lemming]

Originally Posted by SARAFIL

I think we'd all agree chassis dynamics appear to be good on the Caddy. One thing I have read lots a mixed reviews on is the CUE system. A few mags like it, a few are so-so and a few said it was the worst system they'd ever used. After seeing what has happened to others (BMW with iDrive in 02 and Ford with MyTouch a few years back), I'd give GM a couple of years to figure that system out.

I'd prefer they shelve CUE and just sync to an iPad mini or something.

[clyde]

Originally Posted by JST

Yeah, and while I generally would like to say something like that shouldn't matter, my experience with the Countryman makes me cautious. A terrible nav/UI can really spoil your daily experience with a car.

What I keep reading about the Ford MyTouch system seriously tempers my enthusiasm for the ST. To get the rest of the car the way I want it, there's no choice.