Hey 540i, Best interior of any domestic car I've been in still not BMW. Recaros rub on center console making a squeak, if u have the sunroof tons of posts ppl complaining. I drove an ats in the VLAB event, it's light and fwd I think? I'd rather have an e90 335i any day.

 

Some issues are to be expected with every auto maker. Our $60K+ BMW has a very important module located under the spare tire for God's sake, which can and has caused serious damage to our cars! I choose not to nit pick those things. Every car I've owned aside from a Lexus (Acura - Transmission, BMW - Cooling system) always had something wrong with it that I believe should have been a recall. Reason why I mentioned the ATS is because I got an issue for Motortrend the other day and this was the comparison result:

1st: Place: Cadillac ATS 3.6

Nürburgring Nordschleife-developed chassis beats the Germans at their own game. However, the dated transmission and CUE need fixing.

2nd Place: Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport

Surprisingly satisfying-to-drive sport sedan. We all love the red seatbelts. However, it's just not as capable as a certain sedan from Detroit.

3rd Place: BMW 335i Sport

Expensive, though the underrated engine does give you loads of power. Damping rates too soft for a car with so much grunt.

 

I agree that it's actually sensical for Caddy to target the E60. As pointed out, at simple face value it's easy to think "why not compare new to new? What a bunch of loser at Cadillac!" - but think about what kind of goals Caddy's engineers have for the new CTS, and what competitors/class-leading models embody those attributes. I think most will agree the new F10 is softer, bigger, heavier, and less dynamic than the E60. Also there is the point that for probably the first couple of years of new-CTS development, at least during the intial planning phase of the car ... assuming a 5 year model development cycle the F10 wasn't even out yet. So of course they had to go with what was available for comparison and data-gathering.

At any rate, was nice to see the E60 still appreciated for what it is, especially in relation to BMW's current softened line-up.

 

The CTS and ATS are rear drive. Only the STS is FWD.

 

I test drove both- 2013 CTS coupe and sedan in February. Interiors were attractive but appeared a bit more plastic (cheap). I am over 6ft tall and felt cramped in the leg wells. These brand new vehicles both had dash sounds (clicks and snaps) during the test drives that I found bothersome. Bose audio was not as pleasing as the L7, to my ear.

I did not drive the V models, so the stock versions were quick, but did not seem to have the performance rush we enjoy.

Overall, I am super happy I went with an e60. Just my humble opinion.