[dslay04]

Yes, sorry guys...I overlooked it. But now that I've perused it, I thought I'd read there were new interior color/finish options for 2015, but these looked the same to me...at least on the V-sport?

I think those were for the Base level non-vsport

 

[rmcadory]

Very nice VSport vs. 335i review. I popped for a 2014 VSport 2 months ago (the premium version). Like you said, It's a blast to drive. My other choices were the 435i and the A7. Each car has lots of plusses and a few minuses as I'm sure you know. And after operating the VSport now for 2 months, and used for 2 road trips (Detroit to Chicago and back, twice), the biggest minus with that car is CUE. It stinks. All that you read about CUE, is mostly true.

But did I say the VSport is a blast to drive? It's incredible, particularly versus the 435i and the A7. The better driving comparison to the VSport for me was the S6/S7. I'm sure you know what those cars cost, however.

Frankly, my decision ultimately came down to the price of a 2014 VSporty. With GM's lack of ability of selling CTS's and VSports models, I got about a $10K discount off the roughly $71K MSRP, which also included 0% financing through Ally Bank (one of GM's finance partners...formerly GMAC). Without the 0% financing, there would have been an additional $3000 off (ie. if I decided to lease it or not use the 0% financing). Full disclosure: Part of my discount came from the use of a GM executive discount price from a friend who's a GM exec.

Also consider this. You'll spend some time explaining why you purchased a Cadillac. The reasoning is sound. But most of your friends and colleagues won't understand (unless it's an Escalade). The BMW has such positive brand equity that there's no need to really explain.

But did I sat the Caddy is a blast to drive? And frankly, it looks good too.

 

[AudiA4]

Very nice VSport vs. 335i review. I popped for a 2014 VSport 2 months ago (the premium version). Like you said, It's a blast to drive. My other choices were the 435i and the A7. Each car has lots of plusses and a few minuses as I'm sure you know. And after operating the VSport now for 2 months, and used for 2 road trips (Detroit to Chicago and back, twice), the biggest minus with that car is CUE. It stinks. All that you read about CUE, is mostly true.

But did I say the VSport is a blast to drive? It's incredible, particularly versus the 435i and the A7. The better driving comparison to the VSport for me was the S6/S7. I'm sure you know what those cars cost, however.

Frankly, my decision ultimately came down to the price of a 2014 VSporty. With GM's lack of ability of selling CTS's and VSports models, I got about a $10K discount off the roughly $71K MSRP, which also included 0% financing through Ally Bank (one of GM's finance partners...formerly GMAC). Without the 0% financing, there would have been an additional $3000 off (ie. if I decided to lease it or not use the 0% financing). Full disclosure: Part of my discount came from the use of a GM executive discount price from a friend who's a GM exec.

Also consider this. You'll spend some time explaining why you purchased a Cadillac. The reasoning is sound. But most of your friends and colleagues won't understand (unless it's an Escalade). The BMW has such positive brand equity that there's no need to really explain.

But did I sat the Caddy is a blast to drive? And frankly, it looks good too.

I'm glad to see someone else cross-shopping the 3/4 series with the V-sport. I think you make some very valid points. Regarding CUE, while I haven't used it at length of course, I like the concept of it and I'm not opposed to a touch-screen interface if done properly. I guess the one UPSIDE of it is that it's conceivably COMPLETEY upgradable with a software update, correct? So, hopefully that's in the works. I personally think the interface is a bit outdated (I would prefer a brighter, "flatter" look like iOS8 on iPhones/iPads).

But, to your point...when I drove them back-back, it was the 335i that felt lethargic to me and much less "sprightly" than the V-Sport, which just begged to be flogged. Amazing.

I didn't disclose this originally, but my comparison drives last Saturday were an errie flashback to exactly the same thing I did 9.5 years ago when I purchased my E90 330i Sport/6MT. I went to the Cadillac dealer to drive a used CTS-V (first gen), then headed down to the BMW dealer next door and found the E90 330i. I drove the CTS-V, and to put it mildly, huge let-down...terrible interior, unrefined engine note (sounded like a truck), blunt tool. I hated it. I walked down the street, discovered the newly released E90 330i (they hadn't even put them on the lot), and it was like comparing a rusty axe with a laser scalpel. They couldn't have been more different. I bought the BMW 330i and have enjoyed every minute of it.

When I went this last Saturday, I'll admit that I expected a similar outcome...not as extreme (I'd done my research), but thought I'd be let down again by the CTS and impressed with the 335i. Well, my impressions were reversed, and now I find myself looking at them in equal fashion but for different reasons. I guess I could look at it like neither would be a bad choice. If you had to pin me down today, I'd give the slight edge to the CTS on the basis of the fact that they're not as common, it's American, and it's likely the best driving car I've ever had the priviledge of piloting. Exceptional.

 

[Jbawden]

And after operating the VSport now for 2 months, and used for 2 road trips (Detroit to Chicago and back, twice), the biggest minus with that car is CUE. It stinks. All that you read about CUE, is mostly true.

Based on my personal experience I really don't at all relate to this sentiment. I read this all the time but have yet to find a totally disagreeable element to it and rarely does anyone explain what is so bad about it. It's different and requires you to learn the "feel" of it, but just because its different doesn't make it bad.

 

[Nextone]

Based on my personal experience I really don't at all relate to this sentiment. I read this all the time but have yet to find a totally disagreeable element to it and rarely does anyone explain what is so bad about it. It's different and requires you to learn the "feel" of it, but just because its different doesn't make it bad.

After 8,500 miles with my VSport, I agree.

 

[Theroider]

Based on my personal experience I really don't at all relate to this sentiment. I read this all the time but have yet to find a totally disagreeable element to it and rarely does anyone explain what is so bad about it. It's different and requires you to learn the "feel" of it, but just because its different doesn't make it bad.

I had CUE down after about 10 minutes of playing around with it on the dealer lot the day we picked it up. My 11 year old flies thru the screens. At times I can't keep up. I actually find it better than my old Audi's MMI.

 

[Jbawden]

I guess hating on CUE is like hating on U2, its the cool thing to do these days. Maybe its the BMW folks trying to get back at the industry for all the shit BMW took for early iDrive interfaces (which I'm sure is fine too if you just approach it with an open mind).

 

[SFVetteman]

As I'm part of the older demographic, I prefer the MB "command" system...buttons and knobs albeit with the downside of a smaller screen. On the new ones they have a google maps app. I would love it if CUE would make that app available.

Bill

 

[WWK888]

I do wish you could control the AC with voice commands.

 

[Guy.Seminerio]

Who hates u2?!?

 

[Jbawden]

Who hates u2?!?

Ever since the latest U2 album was added automatically to everyone with an iTunes account, hating U2 is what all the cool kids do now.

 

[Guy.Seminerio]

Really?! Wow! I love the album by the way.

----------

Considering the caliber of music the snot nosed little sh*ts listen to these days, I don't think U2 should be concerned.

 

[rmcadory]

I'm a VSport owner and frankly, I hate CUE. It needs a complete rethink. I'm not making a value judgment about which competitive systems are better. I do believe usability of CUE is very poor, however. It's also somewhat sluggish in it's response (although some say it's better now than earlier versions). And I know how to use CUE. For me it's just not very "usable."

 

[rmcadory]

I have the same strange and unappealing buzz/drone exhaust note sound on the first start of the day as well.

 

[andy92782]

I didn't disclose this originally, but my comparison drives last Saturday were an errie flashback to exactly the same thing I did 9.5 years ago when I purchased my E90 330i Sport/6MT. I went to the Cadillac dealer to drive a used CTS-V (first gen), then headed down to the BMW dealer next door and found the E90 330i. I drove the CTS-V, and to put it mildly, huge let-down...terrible interior, unrefined engine note (sounded like a truck), blunt tool. I hated it. I walked down the street, discovered the newly released E90 330i (they hadn't even put them on the lot), and it was like comparing a rusty axe with a laser scalpel. They couldn't have been more different. I bought the BMW 330i and have enjoyed every minute of it.

You and I have similar stories. I'm currently piloting an '07 335i Sport. The car I drove prior to my 335i was an '05 CTS-V (1st gen). It sucked. I eventually got GM to buy it back under the lemon law (long story but I've got old threads on this board posted somewhere...). At the time, despite the power deficit, there was no comparison to the 335i. The E90 is an amazing car and just as you said, the car stands the test of time and after 7+ years it still drives better than just about anything offered for sale today. But nothing lasts forever and like you, at the ripe age of 41, I'm starting to think about what comes next.

I've driven the new BMW offerings. I don't like the F30 3-Series. The interior is cheap compared to the E90 and the steering/chassis feels numb. The F10 5-series, while being a gorgeous car inside and out, drives like a barge. I'd love to take an F80 M3 for a spin but that's not in the cards at the moment. There's no leasing one right now for much less than $1K/mo. Not economically viable.

My impressions from a CTS Vsport test drive, albeit short, were positive. It drives/handles better than any recent BMW I've driven.. by a country mile. I'm currently waiting patiently, monitoring these boards to see how the first batch of cars fare. I got burned by GM before on this model so I'd like to make sure they did their homework this time. So far I haven't seen anything that scares me. MY2014 is coming to a close so perhaps it's time to shop for a smoking lease deal...

 

[Theroider]

You and I have similar stories. I'm currently piloting an '07 335i Sport. The car I drove prior to my 335i was an '05 CTS-V (1st gen). It sucked. I eventually got GM to buy it back under the lemon law (long story but I've got old threads on this board posted somewhere...). At the time, despite the power deficit, there was no comparison to the 335i. The E90 is an amazing car and just as you said, the car stands the test of time and after 7+ years it still drives better than just about anything offered for sale today. But nothing lasts forever and like you, at the ripe age of 41, I'm starting to think about what comes next.

I've driven the new BMW offerings. I don't like the F30 3-Series. The interior is cheap compared to the E90 and the steering/chassis feels numb. The F10 5-series, while being a gorgeous car inside and out, drives like a barge. I'd love to take an F80 M3 for a spin but that's not in the cards at the moment. There's no leasing one right now for much less than $1K/mo. Not economically viable.

My impressions from a CTS Vsport test drive, albeit short, were positive. It drives/handles better than any recent BMW I've driven.. by a country mile. I'm currently waiting patiently, monitoring these boards to see how the first batch of cars fare. I got burned by GM before on this model so I'd like to make sure they did their homework this time. So far I haven't seen anything that scares me. MY2014 is coming to a close so perhaps it's time to shop for a smoking lease deal...

Let me offer you this: my father and I have owned 9 Caddies since 1996. None we're lemons. Hey, you can get a lemon with any make and model. Easy for me to say give it another shot, but Cadillac isn't the same company as it once was. Anyway, that's my 2 cents. Good luck on your request for a new ride. I enjoy my VSport more and more every day.

 

[AudiA4]

You and I have similar stories. I'm currently piloting an '07 335i Sport. The car I drove prior to my 335i was an '05 CTS-V (1st gen). It sucked. I eventually got GM to buy it back under the lemon law (long story but I've got old threads on this board posted somewhere...). At the time, despite the power deficit, there was no comparison to the 335i. The E90 is an amazing car and just as you said, the car stands the test of time and after 7+ years it still drives better than just about anything offered for sale today. But nothing lasts forever and like you, at the ripe age of 41, I'm starting to think about what comes next.

I've driven the new BMW offerings. I don't like the F30 3-Series. The interior is cheap compared to the E90 and the steering/chassis feels numb. The F10 5-series, while being a gorgeous car inside and out, drives like a barge. I'd love to take an F80 M3 for a spin but that's not in the cards at the moment. There's no leasing one right now for much less than $1K/mo. Not economically viable.

My impressions from a CTS Vsport test drive, albeit short, were positive. It drives/handles better than any recent BMW I've driven.. by a country mile. I'm currently waiting patiently, monitoring these boards to see how the first batch of cars fare. I got burned by GM before on this model so I'd like to make sure they did their homework this time. So far I haven't seen anything that scares me. MY2014 is coming to a close so perhaps it's time to shop for a smoking lease deal...

andy92782 - thanks for the great feedback and I'm glad to know someone in nearly the exact same shoes as me is considering the same vehicles...it sounds like we've identified the same pros/cons. Please feel free to keep us posted on this thread with any developments and/or conclusions, and I'll do the same.

 

[Justho]

My buddy is 6'6". He had enough room with the seat all the way back and the seat back angled back. I read the CTS will fit someone up to 6'10". My buddy said 6'8" max.

Agree with your buddy, I am 6'8 and have a Vsport, would probably be pretty tight for anyone taller than me. At 6'8, you can forget about the backseat legroom as there is none.

 

[Cool Rod]

One big problem with the CUE, and it's got lots of problems, is where it's located. You have to look down and to the right to read the screen, which is hairy in traffic. Some info can be read by looking down to the instrument cluster but that still takes your eyes off the road.

First of all the screen should be at eye level or thereabouts, so use a popup panel that rises from the top of the dash so you can still see what's going on ahead with your peripheral vision. And move it closer to the driver, because the passenger can't figure it out anyway. That would be a big help.

 

[AudiA4]

One big problem with the CUE, and it's got lots of problems, is where it's located. You have to look down and to the right to read the screen, which is hairy in traffic. Some info can be read by looking down to the instrument cluster but that still takes your eyes off the road.

First of all the screen should be at eye level or thereabouts, so use a popup panel that rises from the top of the dash so you can still see what's going on ahead with your peripheral vision. And move it closer to the driver, because the passenger can't figure it out anyway. That would be a big help.

In that same vein, after having driven a BMW 3-series for nearly 10 years, and having just bought my wife a new Volvo XC-60 R-Design, the thing that struck me as odd in the CTS (and ATS) is that the center stack doesn't angle AT ALL toward the driver...again, after so much seat time in cars that do, hopping in the CTS felt odd, as if the screen is set up for people in the back of the car to view.