Compare 2011 BMW 3-Series vs 2011 Lexus IS vs 2011 Mercedes-Benz C Class

2011 BMW 3-Series
X
2011 Lexus IS
X
2011 Mercedes-Benz C Class
X
Select style
2-Door Conv 328i
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
3 Series 2-Door Conv 328i 18 28 $42,735 $46,450
3 Series 2-Door Conv 328i SULEV 18 28 $42,735 $46,450
3 Series 2-Door Conv 335i 19 28 $48,440 $52,650
3 Series 2-Door Conv 335is 18 26 $54,880 $59,650
3 Series 2-Door Coupe 328i RWD 18 28 $34,640 $37,650
3 Series 2-Door Coupe 328i RWD SULEV 18 28 $34,640 $37,650
3 Series 2-Door Coupe 328i xDrive AWD 17 25 $36,385 $39,550
3 Series 2-Door Coupe 328i xDrive AWD SULEV 17 25 $36,385 $39,550
3 Series 2-Door Coupe 335i RWD 19 28 $40,570 $44,100
3 Series 2-Door Coupe 335i xDrive AWD 19 26 $42,320 $46,000
3 Series 2-Door Coupe 335is RWD 18 26 $47,010 $51,100
3 Series 4-Door Sedan 328i RWD 18 28 $31,830 $34,600
3 Series 4-Door Sedan 328i RWD SULEV 18 28 $31,830 $34,600
3 Series 4-Door Sedan 328i RWD SULEV South Africa 18 28 $31,830 $34,600
3 Series 4-Door Sedan 328i RWD South Africa 18 28 $31,830 $34,600
3 Series 4-Door Sedan 328i xDrive AWD 17 25 $33,670 $36,600
3 Series 4-Door Sedan 328i xDrive AWD SULEV 17 25 $33,670 $36,600
3 Series 4-Door Sedan 328i xDrive AWD SULEV South Africa 17 25 $33,670 $36,600
3 Series 4-Door Sedan 328i xDrive AWD South Africa 17 25 $33,670 $36,600
3 Series 4-Door Sedan 335d RWD 23 36 $40,620 $44,150
3 Series 4-Door Sedan 335i RWD 19 28 $38,685 $42,050
3 Series 4-Door Sedan 335i RWD South Africa 19 28 $38,685 $42,050
3 Series 4-Door Sedan 335i xDrive AWD 19 26 $40,525 $44,050
3 Series 4-Door Sedan 335i xDrive AWD South Africa 19 26 $40,525 $44,050
3 Series 4-Door Sports Wgn 328i RWD 17 26 $34,180 $37,150
3 Series 4-Door Sports Wgn 328i xDrive AWD 17 25 $36,020 $39,150
M3 2-Door Conv 13 20 $62,145 $67,550
M3 2-Door Coupe 14 20 $54,190 $58,900
M3 4-Door Sedan 14 20 $51,430 $55,900
Select style
4-Door Sport Sedan Automatic AWD
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
IS 250 4-Door Sport Sedan Automatic AWD 20 27 $33,233 $36,925
IS 250 4-Door Sport Sedan Automatic RWD 21 30 $31,019 $34,465
IS 250 4-Door Sport Sedan Manual RWD 19 27 $29,966 $33,295
IS 250C 2-Door Conv Automatic 21 29 $38,124 $42,360
IS 250C 2-Door Conv Manual 18 26 $37,072 $41,190
IS 350 4-Door Sedan AWD 18 25 $37,962 $42,180
IS 350 4-Door Sedan RWD 20 27 $35,748 $39,720
IS 350C 2-Door Conv 20 27 $41,976 $46,640
IS F 4-Door Sedan 16 23 $54,594 $60,660
Select style
4-Door Sedan C 300 Luxury 4MATIC
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
C-Class 4-Door Sedan C 300 Luxury 4MATIC 18 25 $35,247 $37,900
C-Class 4-Door Sedan C 300 Luxury RWD 18 26 $33,387 $35,900
C-Class 4-Door Sedan C 300 Sport 4MATIC 18 25 $34,866 $37,490
C-Class 4-Door Sedan C 300 Sport RWD 18 26 $31,611 $33,990
C-Class 4-Door Sedan C 350 Sport RWD 17 25 $37,191 $39,990
C-Class 4-Door Sedan C 63 AMG RWD 12 19 $54,126 $58,200
Pricing
Invoice Price
$42,735
$33,233
$35,247
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price
$46,450
$36,925
$37,900
Monthly Payment Estimate
$774 / month
$615 / month
$632 / month
The Car Connection's Take
TCC Rating
8.4
7.4
7.8
TCC’s Bottom Line
Stunning performance is still the calling card for the 2011 BMW M3; the weight it's gained may just be a sign of its success. The 2011 Lexus IS 250 and IS 350 look and drive like sport sedans, but they're not as performance-oriented as sport sedans from BMW or Infiniti. The 2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedans aren't that spacious for back-seat riders, but they offer top-notch luxury along with a sporty flavor that takes aim at BMW.
TCC Likes
TCC Dislikes
Fuel Economy
City
18 mpg 20 mpg 18 mpg
Highway
28 mpg 27 mpg 25 mpg
Vehicle
EPA Classification
Sub-Compact Sub-Compact Compact
Interior Dimensions
Second Head Room (in)
36.5 36.7 36.9
Second Shoulder Room (in)
49.3 52.7 55.0
Front Leg Room (in)
41.8 43.9 41.7
Passenger Capacity
4 5 5
Front Hip Room (in)
- TBD - 54.1 52.3
Second Leg Room (in)
31.9 30.6 33.4
Front Head Room (in)
38.0 37.2 37.1
Second Hip Room (in)
- TBD - 53.7 54.9
Front Shoulder Room (in)
55.3 54.4 54.7
Passenger Volume (ft³)
84.2 88.3 88.2
Exterior Dimensions
Min Ground Clearance (in)
- TBD - 5.3 4.5
Length, Overall (in)
181.9 180.3 182.3
Height, Overall (in)
54.5 56.7 56.9
Track Width, Rear (in)
59.6 60.4 60.8
Wheelbase (in)
108.7 107.4 108.7
Liftover Height (in)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)
70.2 70.9 69.7
Track Width, Front (in)
59.1 60.4 60.7
Cargo Area Dimensions
Trunk Volume (ft³)
9.0 13.3 12.4
Brakes
Disc - Rear (Yes or )
Yes Yes Yes
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
11.8 x - TBD - 11.4 x - TBD - 11.8 x 0.86
Brake Type
Pwr-Assisted Pwr Pwr
Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)
NA NA NA
Disc - Front (Yes or )
Yes Yes Yes
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
12.3 x - TBD - 11.6 x - TBD - 11.6 x 1.26
Drum - Rear (Yes or )
NA NA NA
Brake ABS System
4-Wheel 4-Wheel 4-Wheel
Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)
16.1 17.1 17.4
Steering
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)
36.1 34.8 35.5
Steering Type
Pwr Rack & Pinion Electric Pwr Rack & Pinion
Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)
- TBD - 2.90 2.5
Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Steering Ratio (:1), Overall
16.0 14.1 - TBD -
Tires
Front Tire Size
P225/45R17 P225/45VR17 P225/45R17
Spare Tire Size
NA Compact Compact
Front Tire Order Code
NA NA NA
Spare Tire Order Code
NA NA NA
Rear Tire Size
P225/45R17 P225/45VR17 P225/45R17
Rear Tire Order Code
NA NA NA
Trailering
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
- TBD - NA NA
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
NA NA NA
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
- TBD - NA NA
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
NA NA NA
Weight Information
Base Curb Weight (lbs)
3825 3651 3737
Wheels
Spare Wheel Size (in)
NA Compact Compact
Rear Wheel Material
Alloy Aluminum Aluminum
Rear Wheel Size (in)
17 x 8.0 17 x 8.0 17 x 7.5
Front Wheel Material
Alloy Aluminum Aluminum
Spare Wheel Material
NA Steel Steel
Front Wheel Size (in)
17 x 8.0 17 x 8.0 17 x 7.5
Cooling System
Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Electrical
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
- TBD - 100 - TBD -
Engine
Displacement
3.0L/183 2.5L/152 3.0L/183
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
230 @ 6500 204 @ 6400 228 @ 6000
Engine Type
Gas I6 Gas V6 Gas V6
Fuel System
MPI Direct Injection SMPI
SAE Net Torque @ RPM
200 @ 2750 185 @ 4800 221 @ 2700 - 5000
Engine Order Code
NA NA NA
Mileage
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
18 20 18
Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
22 22 20
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
28 27 25
Transmission
Trans Type
6 6 7
Drivetrain
Rear Wheel Drive All Wheel Drive All-Wheel Drive
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.00 0.72 1.00
Trans Description Cont. Again
NA NA NA
Reverse Ratio (:1)
3.94 3.22 3.42/2.23
Second Gear Ratio (:1)
2.46 2.04 2.86
Trans Order Code
NA NA 427
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
3.38 4.10 3.27
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.23 1.00 1.37
Trans Description Cont.
Manual Automatic Automatic
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.85 0.59 0.82
First Gear Ratio (:1)
4.32 3.52 4.38
Clutch Size (in)
- TBD - NA NA
Third Gear Ratio (:1)
1.66 1.40 1.92
Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)
- - 0.73
Summary
Body Style
2 Door Convertible 4 Door Sedan 4 Door Sedan
Vehicle Name
BMW 3 Series Lexus IS 250 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Suspension
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Suspension Type - Rear
5-Link Multi-Link Independent
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
NA w/Coil Springs Multi-link
Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Suspension Type - Front
Double Pivot Double Wishbone Independent
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
NA w/Coil Springs 3-Link
Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Emissions
EPA Greenhouse Gas Score
5 5 5
Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year
9.3 8.5 9.3
Crash Test Ratings
Overall Rating
-- --
Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
-- --
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver
-- --
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger
-- --
Overall Side Crash Rating
-- --
Side Barrier Rating
-- --
Side Barrier Rating Driver
-- --
Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat
-- --
Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat
-- --
Combined Side Rating Front Seat
-- --
Combined Side Rating Rear Seat
-- --
Rollover Rating

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