Compare 2012 BMW 3-Series vs 2012 Lexus IS vs 2012 Mercedes-Benz C Class

2012 BMW 3-Series
X
2012 Lexus IS
X
2012 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 $43,790 $47,600
3 Series 2-Door Conv 328i SULEV 18 28 $43,790 $47,600
3 Series 2-Door Conv 335i 19 28 $49,495 $53,800
3 Series 2-Door Conv 335is 18 26 $55,935 $60,800
3 Series 2-Door Coupe 328i RWD 18 28 $35,605 $38,700
3 Series 2-Door Coupe 328i RWD SULEV 18 28 $35,605 $38,700
3 Series 2-Door Coupe 328i xDrive AWD 17 25 $37,170 $40,400
3 Series 2-Door Coupe 328i xDrive AWD SULEV 17 25 $37,170 $40,400
3 Series 2-Door Coupe 335i RWD 19 28 $41,490 $45,100
3 Series 2-Door Coupe 335i xDrive AWD 19 26 $43,055 $46,800
3 Series 2-Door Coupe 335is RWD 18 26 $47,930 $52,100
3 Series 4-Door Sedan 328i RWD 23 34 $32,110 $34,900
3 Series 4-Door Sedan 328i RWD SULEV 23 34 $32,110 $34,900
3 Series 4-Door Sedan 328i RWD South Africa 23 34 $32,110 $34,900
3 Series 4-Door Sedan 335i RWD 20 30 $39,010 $42,400
3 Series 4-Door Sedan 335i RWD South Africa 20 30 $39,010 $42,400
3 Series 4-Door Sports Wgn 328i RWD 17 26 $34,500 $37,500
3 Series 4-Door Sports Wgn 328i xDrive AWD 17 25 $36,340 $39,500
M3 2-Door Conv 13 20 $63,250 $68,750
M3 2-Door Coupe 14 20 $55,290 $60,100
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 $34,805 $37,425
IS 250 4-Door Sport Sedan Automatic RWD 21 30 $32,518 $34,965
IS 250 4-Door Sport Sedan Manual RWD 19 28 $31,430 $33,795
IS 250C 2-Door Conv Automatic 21 30 $39,396 $42,360
IS 250C 2-Door Conv Manual 19 28 $38,308 $41,190
IS 350 4-Door Sedan AWD 18 26 $39,694 $42,680
IS 350 4-Door Sedan RWD 19 27 $37,403 $40,220
IS 350C 2-Door Conv 19 27 $43,374 $46,640
IS F 4-Door Sedan 16 23 $57,009 $61,300
Select style
2-Door Coupe C 250 RWD
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
C-Class 2-Door Coupe C 250 RWD 21 31 $34,615 $37,220
C-Class 2-Door Coupe C 350 4MATIC 19 28 $41,264 $44,370
C-Class 2-Door Coupe C 350 RWD 19 28 $39,404 $42,370
C-Class 2-Door Coupe C 63 AMG RWD 15 22 $57,130 $61,430
C-Class 4-Door Sedan C 250 Luxury RWD 21 31 $32,755 $35,220
C-Class 4-Door Sedan C 250 Sport RWD 21 31 $32,364 $34,800
C-Class 4-Door Sedan C 300 Luxury 4MATIC 18 25 $35,740 $38,430
C-Class 4-Door Sedan C 300 Sport 4MATIC 18 25 $35,359 $38,020
C-Class 4-Door Sedan C 350 Sport RWD 20 29 $37,735 $40,575
C-Class 4-Door Sedan C 63 AMG RWD 15 22 $54,805 $58,930
Pricing
Invoice Price
$43,790
$34,805
$34,615
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price
$47,600
$37,425
$37,220
Monthly Payment Estimate
$793 / month
$624 / month
$620 / month
The Car Connection's Take
TCC Rating
8.4
7.4
8.2
TCC’s Bottom Line
Despite the weight gain, the BMW M3's still one of the most stunning performance vehicles we've driven. The 2012 Lexus IS 250 and IS 350 aren't as focused and fun to drive as sport sedans from BMW or Infiniti, though especially in F Sport guise they still look great. With a new base four-cylinder engine, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class makes even more sense for value-conscious (yet image-conscious) luxury shoppers.
TCC Likes
TCC Dislikes
Fuel Economy
City
18 mpg 20 mpg 21 mpg
Highway
28 mpg 27 mpg 31 mpg
Vehicle
EPA Classification
Subcompact Cars Sub-Compact Compact
Interior Dimensions
Second Hip Room (in)
- TBD - 53.7 - TBD -
Front Shoulder Room (in)
55.3 54.4 54.0
Passenger Volume (ft³)
84.2 88.3 81.0
Second Head Room (in)
36.5 36.7 35.5
Second Shoulder Room (in)
49.3 52.7 50.3
Front Leg Room (in)
42.0 43.9 - TBD -
Passenger Capacity
4 5 5
Front Hip Room (in)
- TBD - 54.1 - TBD -
Second Leg Room (in)
32.0 30.6 - TBD -
Front Head Room (in)
38.0 37.2 37.0
Exterior Dimensions
Track Width, Front (in)
59.1 60.4 - TBD -
Min Ground Clearance (in)
5.4 5.3 - TBD -
Length, Overall (in)
181.9 180.3 180.7
Height, Overall (in)
54.5 56.7 54.8
Track Width, Rear (in)
59.6 60.4 - TBD -
Wheelbase (in)
108.7 107.5 108.7
Liftover Height (in)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)
71.5 70.9 69.7
Cargo Area Dimensions
Trunk Volume (ft³)
9.0 13.0 11.7
Brakes
Drum - Rear (Yes or )
NA NA NA
Brake ABS System
4-Wheel 4-Wheel 4-Wheel
Disc - Rear (Yes or )
Yes Yes Yes
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
11.8 x - TBD - 11.4 x - TBD - - TBD -
Brake Type
Pwr 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 - - TBD -
Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)
16.1 17.2 17.4
Steering
Steering Ratio (:1), Overall
16.0 14.1 - TBD -
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)
36.1 35.5 35.5
Steering Type
Pwr Rack & Pinion Electric Pwr Rack & Pinion Rack & Pinion
Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)
- TBD - 3.0 2.5
Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Tires
Rear Tire Order Code
NA NA NA
Front Tire Size
225/45R17 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
225/45R17 P225/45VR17 P245/40R17
Trailering
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
NA NA NA
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
NA NA NA
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
NA NA NA
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
NA NA NA
Weight Information
Base Curb Weight (lbs)
3825 3651 3419
Wheels
Front Wheel Size (in)
17 x 8.0 17 x 8.0 17 x 7.5
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 8.5
Front Wheel Material
Alloy Aluminum Aluminum
Spare Wheel Material
NA Steel Steel
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
SAE Net Torque @ RPM
200 @ 2750 185 @ 4800 229 @ 2200 - 4300
Engine Order Code
NA NA NA
Displacement
3.0L/183 2.5L/152 1.8L/110
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
230 @ 6500 204 @ 6400 201 @ 5500
Engine Type
Gas I6 Gas V6 Turbocharged Gas I4
Fuel System
Direct Injection Direct Injection Electronic Fuel Injection
Mileage
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
28 27 31
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
18 20 21
Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
22 22 25
Transmission
Clutch Size (in)
- TBD - NA NA
Third Gear Ratio (:1)
1.70 1.40 1.92
Trans Type
6 6 7
Drivetrain
Rear Wheel Drive All Wheel Drive Rear Wheel Drive
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.00 0.71 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)
3.23 4.10 - TBD -
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.23 1.00 1.37
Trans Description Cont.
Manual Automatic w/manual shift Automatic
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.85 0.58 0.82
First Gear Ratio (:1)
4.32 3.52 4.38
Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)
- - 0.73
Summary
Vehicle Name
BMW 3 Series Lexus IS 250 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Body Style
Convertible Sedan 4 Door Sedan
Suspension
Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)
NA - TBD - - TBD -
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Suspension Type - Rear
5-Link Multi-Link Multi-Link
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
NA w/Coil Springs NA
Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)
NA - TBD - - TBD -
Suspension Type - Front
MacPherson Strut Double Wishbone Independent
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
NA w/Coil Springs NA
Emissions
EPA Greenhouse Gas Score
5 5 6
Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year
9.3 8.3 7.5
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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