Cadillac CTS (3.2L engine)
220hp
220ft. lbs. of torque
143mph limit
0-60 in 6.9 seconds
3509 lbs.
$31,345 Base MSRP

BMW 325i
184hp
175ft. lbs. of torque
128mph limit
0-60 in 7.1 (8.1)seconds
3219 (3307) lbs.
$28,100 Base MSRP

BMW 525i
184hp
175ft. lbs. of torque
0-60 in 8.2 seconds
146mph limit
3417 (3450)lbs.
$39,800 Base MSRP

Cadillac CTS (3.6L engine)
255hp
255ft. lbs. of torque
143mph limit
0-60 in 6.4 seconds (automatic only; 6 speed manual to arrive Q3 expected to do 6.2 by rough estimations)
3,568 lbs.
$36,580 Base MSRP

BMW 330i
225hp
214ft. lbs. of torque
128mph limit
3285 (3362) lbs.
0-60 in 6.4 seconds
$35,200 Base MSRP

BMW 530i
225hp
214ft. lbs. of torque
150mph limit
0-60 in 6.6 (6.9)seconds
3461(3483)lbs.
$44,900 Base MSRP

All numbers taken from manufacturer's respective sites. Numbers in parenthesis represent auto. trans. when both are available.

Money no object ill take the BMW over any of the CTS's........no matter how slow a BMW (like our 2001 325cic conv) its still a blast to drive, the noises the engine makes when revving the shifting of the trans (same in CTS) it all just feels so natural compared to other cars.

But is a CTS any less a 'blast' to drive? I've never driven in one so I don't know how they handle in comparison...

I was in the market for a performance sedan and was primarily interested in the CTS, since I am a diehard GM fan. I was very disappointed with the limited option groups and choices. I wanted the full luxury vehicle with the manual tranny but was unable to order it. Also, seemed as if I went from the sport model to the next trim level it was a 6k price jump. It would be nice to see them offer the CTS with a small V8 to get the bene's of the torque and smoother power band. I think the CTS with a V8 would be a dominant vehicle and I fear the re-invent of the HEMI will offer people another place to look (300 series) instead of the CTS.

:annoyed:

You ever hear of the CTS-V? It fears no Hemi...

400hp LS6 V8

I think that whatever dealer you went to mis-informed you or was trying to sell you what they had on the lot.
The lux/sport CTS with the 3.6L V6 255hp gets a 6 speed manual this fall. Not many V8s even match it's broad powerband due to it's variable valve technology. It's quite impressive.
You can also get the 3.2L V6 220hp with a 5 speed manual and the PDX sport package. This has been available since late 2003, which is why I believe you were misinformed. You could get a manual in the 3.2L lux/sport version since the first day of the CTS' production back in early 2002.

Yes, GM has packaged many of the electronic options in groups and there is much complaint(and rightly so) on this.

BMW no question, as I have gotten more acquainted with my 330i, I am slowly finding that BMW seemingly under-rates the numbers on these things, plus it takes to my beatings well, is a hoot to drive, and I have had but one single problem with it so far. Also the base 330 comes with alot of nice options right from the start. The M3 hovers around 55k and is absolute gem,despite only having an I6. I really think that with BMW, the 3 series best defines the whole brand, where with Mercedes, only the top drawer models are most rewarding. Dont get me wrong, they definitely have their downfalls, SIZE being a BIG ONE, but overall they are good cars.

5 series is not worth mentioning, between the CTS-V and M5 FOR THE MONEY the CTS-V is a total blast and MUCH more worth it.

BMW no question, as I have gotten more acquainted with my 330i, I am slowly finding that BMW seemingly under-rates the numbers on these things, plus it takes to my beatings well, is a hoot to drive, and I have had but one single problem with it so far. Also the base 330 comes with alot of nice options right from the start. The M3 hovers around 55k and is absolute gem,despite only having an I6. I really think that with BMW, the 3 series best defines the whole brand, where with Mercedes, only the top drawer models are most rewarding. Dont get me wrong, they definitely have their downfalls, SIZE being a BIG ONE, but overall they are good cars.

5 series is not worth mentioning, between the CTS-V and M5 FOR THE MONEY the CTS-V is a total blast and MUCH more worth it.

I totally agree with you on the base 3 series #'s........in the early 90's the 2.5 was actually rated in the 195hp range I think.....I highly doubt they lowered it........when floored even our 2.5 is very fast.

The numbers quoted above reflect the times that the BMW's have produced in comparisons. If they are under-rated, shouldn't they be posting faster times than the manufacturer numbers?

NO.....what they do is what they do.......but when driven around......including 0-60 but also all the other types of driving....you can tell that this car makes a little more power then they want to tell.....Id imagine the 2.5 really makes closer to 195-200hp...and the 3.0 makes around 245.

You ever hear of the CTS-V? It fears no Hemi...

400hp LS6 V8

I think that whatever dealer you went to mis-informed you or was trying to sell you what they had on the lot.
The lux/sport CTS with the 3.6L V6 255hp gets a 6 speed manual this fall. Not many V8s even match it's broad powerband due to it's variable valve technology. It's quite impressive.
You can also get the 3.2L V6 220hp with a 5 speed manual and the PDX sport package. This has been available since late 2003, which is why I believe you were misinformed. You could get a manual in the 3.2L lux/sport version since the first day of the CTS' production back in early 2002.

Yes, GM has packaged many of the electronic options in groups and there is much complaint(and rightly so) on this.


I was looking to spend less than the 50K pricetag on the V-series. :disappoin

i know playdrv4me is going to say i'm anti-bimmer agian. but i don't think u'll "feel" it if the manufacturer put 15-20 horses less when rating the car, u'll just be making excuses because u paid 10,000 to 15,000 more than u should have. in case of the sport lux CTS (i went to cadillac.com and added all useful extras, came out to $46,930.00) and the 530i sedan (went to bmwusa.com and confuigured with all useful extras similar to the CTS and it came out to $60,740). now u start thinking, just because my car is "german" and costs so much, it must have been underrated....duh of coarse, how could i ever think othewise :rolleyes2

now the HP and Torque numbers according to a different source:
CTS --- 255bhp and 250lb-ft torque
530i --- 225bhp and 215lb-ft torque
that's for 2004 car models with best engine/performance packeges

now lets take this even further, let's face it, the days of the cool looking bimmer are over (for now anyways) and they look deformed (i'm being nice here btw), plus new BMW interiors aren't that great. and if Don Corleone saw u in a CTS he would say "ju got a nice ride there kid, ju really know ur cars" :coolgleam

I was looking to spend less than the 50K pricetag on the V-series. :disappoin

Then get the 3.6L V6 with the 6 speed when it comes out this fall.
Check out the torque spread on it (even very few V8's have better than Caddy's new V6):
http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=3588&stc=1
255hp 252ft. lbs. of torque

By 2000rpm you are producing almost 90% of the peak torque and it stays up there right through 6000. :)

Is a moot point for me, I went retro and bought a 93 Allante. Maybe in a few years I will look into the new STS. I will give them a year or two to work out bugs and add popular options.

Money no object ill take the BMW over any of the CTS's........no matter how slow a BMW (like our 2001 325cic conv) its still a blast to drive, the noises the engine makes when revving the shifting of the trans (same in CTS) it all just feels so natural compared to other cars.


I've never had the privilege to drive a CTS but all the 3-series I've been in, other than an M3, pushed really hard when driven hard into a corner. And they didn't make enough power to step the rear around or even balance well. Besides the fact that the auto tranny was always in the wrong gear.

On paper... the only advantage the 3-series has would be the option of only having 2 doors. I don't need/want 4 doors.

i've palyed around witht he cadillac.com configurator and i found out that the V is just over $5,000 more than the 3.6vvt with a 6speed and all the luxury options. i think the ls6 is woth the extra $5,000 if u ask me. but u don get that cool "silver green" color, i dont know why but i love it, u do get "red line" red though.
http://www.cadillac.com/images/gmbp/12006/vehicle/2005/med/54_816K.jpg http://www.cadillac.com/images/gmbp/12006/vehicle/2005/med/54_964L.jpg

http://www.cadillac.com/images/gmbp/12006/vehicle/2005/med/54_816K.jpg

Every time I have seen that color (never in person though), I always imagine it sitting on an Army base. Like it would be the car a general or recruiter would drive...

:suspense:


But hey, on the plus side, it is going to be a pretty rare option combination to have. May even be worth something 20 or so years down the road...

Well today my bro told me the new STS is slow as F%^&, comparing it to the new M5. I told him they are not competing cars but he just said they are similar in price. Are they? I know how much the STS costs , how much does the new M5 cost and what are its speeds and the STSs?

BMW M5 E39: 0-60 4.9 seconds 394hp 369 ftlbs torque

2k5 STS: 0-60 5.9 seconds 320hp 315 ftlbs torque


You cant compare the NEW E60 V10 powered M5 at all so i didnt.

Roughly 70k for the M5 , 66,905k topped out for the STS.

Thats not a bad price at all for the M5.

I think/thought the STS tops out at 60k.

You really can't compare the STS to the M5. It competes with the 545. The STS-V will be an M5 competitor (that and a 7 series competitor due to it's in-between size).

The CTS-V could also be considered an M5 competitor (they both are almost exactly the same size and share the same purpose despite the almost $20k difference in price) and it compares favorably against it.

I've driven the new CTS-V and my Brother-in-law has a Brand new M3 Conv. for about the same money, i would definitely get the BMW! I was seriously considering the V until i drove the BMW. For now i will keep my99 STS..

u do get "red line" red though.
http://www.cadillac.com/images/gmbp/12006/vehicle/2005/med/54_964L.jpg

Damn Saturn. Every time I hear red line I think Saturn for some reason.

I used to have a 1977 BMW 320i for many years, which was great, but, BMW's styling these days is awful. The present 3 series is ok, but the rest of the range :rolleyes2 I don't care how much power the new M5 is packing I just can't get past those looks. For me it's the CTS-V. :thumbsup: