cawimmer430
Piston Pioneer
The review we've all been waiting for (I love my new scanner!). 
1st Place: BMW 320d (484/650)
Fun to drive, good road feel and top handling. Not fun, the hard suspension. The affordable costs ensure first place.
2nd Place: Mercedes C220 CDI (479/650)
Very harmonic (balanced) and comfortable. Also good handling and easy to drive /control. Weaknesses? High fuel consumption and expensive prices.
3rd Place: Audi A4 2.0 TDI (468/650)
A good car, but somewhat outdated already. The comfort and driving dynamics are average. Cheap prices however.
The Audi was the oldest in this comparison but it did quite well. It's outhandled by both the 3-Series and C-Class but the prices are cheaper making it an appealing car to those seeking the premium feel for little money. The Audi's unit-injector diesel engine was the loudest in this comparison at low speeds and in neutral. On the Autobahn or on the Landstrasse, it was quieter. In sporty driving, especially in curves, the Audi tends to understeer quickly. Dynamically, it is outclassed by the other two Germans. The Audi had the most aesthetically pleasing interior.
The BMW 320d has the typical BMW traits. The ideal seating position, the direct steering feel and top handling qualities. The BMW motor was the most fuel efficient in this test. For long distance driving, the BMW 320d was placed last (suspension too hard), the Audi second and the Mercedes in first place. The engine response is excellent, especially with the manual transmission. The interior feels upscale with the optional wood.
They liked the new C-Class except for the high fuel consumption (1 liter more than the Audi and BMW). The days of the old 2.2-l 4-cylinder in the Mercedes are numbered. According to AMS this engine will soon be replaced by a 200-horsepower 2.0-l CDI engine. The handling was excellent and the car was still comfortable. An overall improved balance between sport and comfort. An interesting comment made by AMS was this: "The C-Class is one of those cars that don't impress much during first contact. But with constant use and exposure, one learns to appreciate the qualities this car has to offer." AMS also said the C-Class was the most relaxing to drive and easy to control - even if driven hard. Kudos to MB! The interior was considered clean and dynamically styled, but spartan in appearance.
THE SCANS
http://img518.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ams01tm9.jpg
http://img293.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ams03dm5.jpg
PERFORMANCE DATA
1st Place: BMW 320d (484/650)
Fun to drive, good road feel and top handling. Not fun, the hard suspension. The affordable costs ensure first place.
2nd Place: Mercedes C220 CDI (479/650)
Very harmonic (balanced) and comfortable. Also good handling and easy to drive /control. Weaknesses? High fuel consumption and expensive prices.
3rd Place: Audi A4 2.0 TDI (468/650)
A good car, but somewhat outdated already. The comfort and driving dynamics are average. Cheap prices however.
The Audi was the oldest in this comparison but it did quite well. It's outhandled by both the 3-Series and C-Class but the prices are cheaper making it an appealing car to those seeking the premium feel for little money. The Audi's unit-injector diesel engine was the loudest in this comparison at low speeds and in neutral. On the Autobahn or on the Landstrasse, it was quieter. In sporty driving, especially in curves, the Audi tends to understeer quickly. Dynamically, it is outclassed by the other two Germans. The Audi had the most aesthetically pleasing interior.
The BMW 320d has the typical BMW traits. The ideal seating position, the direct steering feel and top handling qualities. The BMW motor was the most fuel efficient in this test. For long distance driving, the BMW 320d was placed last (suspension too hard), the Audi second and the Mercedes in first place. The engine response is excellent, especially with the manual transmission. The interior feels upscale with the optional wood.
They liked the new C-Class except for the high fuel consumption (1 liter more than the Audi and BMW). The days of the old 2.2-l 4-cylinder in the Mercedes are numbered. According to AMS this engine will soon be replaced by a 200-horsepower 2.0-l CDI engine. The handling was excellent and the car was still comfortable. An overall improved balance between sport and comfort. An interesting comment made by AMS was this: "The C-Class is one of those cars that don't impress much during first contact. But with constant use and exposure, one learns to appreciate the qualities this car has to offer." AMS also said the C-Class was the most relaxing to drive and easy to control - even if driven hard. Kudos to MB! The interior was considered clean and dynamically styled, but spartan in appearance.
THE SCANS
http://img518.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ams01tm9.jpg
http://img293.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ams03dm5.jpgPERFORMANCE DATA
