Blackraven

A comparo of two vehicles in the premium auto segment here in the Philippines:

In the blue corner: Lexus IS 300
and
In the red corner: Mercedes Benz C350 Avantgarde with AMG sports package

If you wanna read it on the site itself and view the other pics
http://www.motioncars.com/front/04.20.2009_01/index.htm



Text and Photos By Ulysses Ang
Uploaded 04.20.2009

Editor's Note: in all the photo gallery to the right part of the story, the Leuxs IS 300 is always on top of each two photo panel except when indicated.

The sport sedan is quintessentially associated with German makes. After all, its creation was needed for a country with speed limitless highways and winding mountain roads that go up and down like there is no tomorrow. In that respect, German marques have continued to hone and polish this concept, raising the bar higher and higher with each succeeding new model. But be it a circa 1970’s or modern sports sedan, three main ingredients set a true sport sedan apart from a pretender: a powerful motor, nicely balanced chassis and comfortable at speed. Everything else, be it air conditioned seats, night vision or an integrated multimedia system are all just icing on the cake.

But times are changing, and you have to thank globalization for that. Suddenly, the iron grip of German brands on the sports sedan realm is not as tight as it once was. Now, everyone wants to make a sports sedan, everyone wants to be compared, to be benchmarked next to a known and established brand. And you can’t blame them: after all, if you have the N�rburgring in your backyard, then beating the Germans in their own turf should be one great ego boosting exercise. One such threat is the Lexus IS 300. What was once just a Japanese interpretation of the sports sedan has suddenly turned into a serious competitor. And facing off against it is the most famous and most experienced German brand: Mercedes-Benz and its best-selling C-Class sports sedan.

Exterior

By all accounts, both the Lexus IS 300 and the Mercedes C 350 look stunning. They’re also highly representative of the design direction each marque is taking. On one side is the sleek, arrow-shaped profile of the Lexus and on the other, the angular, cubic-shaped Mercedes. And despite their differences in both execution and country of origin, they have similar foundations: all the wheels are pushed as close as possible to the corners, increasing the wheelbase. Both are equipped with mixed ratio 17-inch alloys, thicker at the back to improve off-the-line grip. Both also have relatively long hoods, to accommodate a variety of engines; in the Lexus anywhere from a V6 to a V8 and in the Mercedes from a supercharged inline-4 to a V8.

Though it’s easy to conclude that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and both are great looking, only one car here makes its owner feel extra special. Only one truly feels like a million bucks (well, four million in this case), and that’s the Mercedes. The Lexus, for all its sleekness, still looks pretty much like your average Corporate Japan design. In fact, on the road, some people have often mistaken the IS 300 as a Toyota Corolla Altis—not exactly the best of compliments. Meanwhile, the Mercedes C 350 still manages to standout out the crowd, despite the number of C 180 and C 200 sedans running around the Metro. And even if you remove the standard AMG body kit, the C 350 still looks mighty impressive and worth the price. If there’s one reason to commend the Lexus is how it has managed to approach Mercedes levels of fit and finish. The paintjob on the IS 300 is truly immaculate and so is the assembly quality. Although the Mercedes’s doors still manage to feel much more solid.

Exterior Winner: Mercedes-Benz C 350
Score: Mercedes-Benz C 350 (1) / Lexus IS 300 (0)

Interior

Though it’s true that cars with prices north of two million pesos need a swanky exterior (you need to show off your pride and joy after all), more importantly, it needs a nicely designed and executed interior since this is the place you’ll see and interact the most. Like its body shells, both the Lexus and the Mercedes share the same core philosophy inside: a driver-centric interior that’s high on sportiness. Both offer interiors which are catered towards the sporty crowd with an all-black scheme and the use of metallic trim instead of wood (though the Mercedes can be ordered with Bird’s Eye Maple). More importantly (at least for this test), both can easily be compared side-by-side with biases against beige trimmings thrown out the window.

Unlike the exterior aspect, where the C 350 routed the IS 300, things have settled to a draw where both of these cars offer their own distinct advantages and disadvantages. But before going to that topic, let’s see where both these cars are similar. First, both are fine examples of automotive fit and finish. The quality on both of these cars is truly first-rate and there’s little, if nothing, to complain about. And now, to the differences. The technophile will gravitate towards the Mercedes primarily because of its COMAND system, a nervous center of sorts that integrate most of the car’s vital functions. The fact that it pops up each time you listen to the radio or pop in a CD gives that extra feel of technology that’s not present in the Lexus. Meanwhile, the IS 300’s cockpit is much more traditional with tons of buttons and switches located everywhere. It certainly leaves the impression that the Lexus has much more stuff loaded inside, where in reality, they have the same amount of stuff loaded as standard. If there’s any reason to complain about the IS 300’s interior, it has to be the poor selection of switchgear. Though they’re tactilely precise and all, the extensive use of generic Toyota switchgear reduces the feeling of being expensive and special. Even their choice of aluminum accents feels like plastic with a metallic sheen, unlike in the Mercedes, which uses real aluminum bits. Plus the cabin lighting isn’t all too consistent (for example, the clock is florescent green while the controls are all in white).

Interior Winner: TIE
Score: Mercedes-Benz C 350 (2) / Lexus IS 300 (1)

Ergonomics

Putting most of the car’s vital functions under one central control irked most traditionalists when it first debuted. And they have every reason to be if it causes confusion and sleepless nights scouring the owner’s manual on how to operate the radio. But if done right, it actually is beneficial especially during a long drive. For instance, there’s less distraction, especially at night. The center console won’t light up like a Christmas tree when all you need to see is what radio station you’re on. In that respect, the Mercedes C 350 is the runaway winner here. The COMAND system and plainer looking dash results in lesser distractions and lets you concentrate instead on the most important thing: driving. It’s often taken for granted, but in the C 350 there’s less eyeball movement. There’s no need to scan left and right, up and down just to look for a particular button or function. It’s been centralized on a colored LCD screen. And you can even close it up if you don’t need to know (or don’t want to know) which radio station you’re currently on. In addition, the Mercedes has firmer, more supportive seats and offer much more variety in seat movement allowing for a more comfortable drive.

Though the Lexus is no less comfortable in terms of driving position, even a week spent with the IS 300 is not even enough to memorize all the important controls. The button-filled cabin is distracting enough, but add to that the haphazardly scattered arrangement, and it makes easy chores like switching audio sources more difficult (notice how the audio controls like the presets and adjustment settings are above the clock while volume and seek/tune are below it). And that’s not all, while the C 350 has its driver-adjustable settings such as traction control, parking sensor control and such located on the steering wheel (redundant buttons are located on the center console as well), on the IS 300’s it is on the center console, the left and right of the steering wheel and on the steering wheel itself. And there’s no central ‘menu’ button available.

Also working against the IS 300 are blind spots located throughout the car. The A-pillars, for example, are too raked causing motorcycles and pedestrians to fall out of view too close to the car. The same is true for the back where the thick pillars and low seating position (even in the highest setting) can making parking even a chore (it’s a good thing the IS 300 comes with front and rear proximity sensors as standard). On the other hand, the high seating position and angular design of the Mercedes makes it easier to drive without the need to memorize the position of nearby traffic and pedestrians.

Ergonomics Winner: Mercedes-Benz C 350
Score: Mercedes-Benz C 350 (3) / Lexus IS 300 (1)

Space and Luggage

Classified as ‘compact sport sedans’ neither the Mercedes nor, surprisingly, the Lexus has a cabin that you’ll define as spacious. That said, it’s still surprising what a few millimeters and good design can do to differentiate a comfortable cabin to a cramped one. With a higher and more formal roofline, higher seat mounts and a raised dash design, the C 350 feels much more spacious and comfortable upfront especially for those with bulging guts. Those with big behinds though may want to know that the C 350’s sport seats may be a bit too snug for comfort. The formal roofline also pays dividends as well as for the rear occupants with a less claustrophobic experience compared to the IS 300. At the same time, there seems to be much more usable knee room at the back too, though squeezing in three adults can still be quite challenging.

Meanwhile, the Lexus seems to have taken the ‘sport’ in ‘sport sedan’ all too seriously. With the author standing at just 170 centimeters (the average for a Filipino male), it’s odd that the IS 300’s seat has to be adjusted to its lowest setting just to avoid brushing the roof each time you enter and exit the car. In addition, the thick center console and overly tall transmission tunnel truly makes even the front seating feel tighter. Like the Mercedes, the Lexus’s motorized steering column also goes up during the driver’s exit, but unlike the Mercedes, there’s no way to override the system. And that’s just as well, since if the steering won’t go up automatically, anyone will have a hard time exiting the IS 300. The same is true for the rear occupants. The rear quarters feel tighter on the Lexus as well. Though it’s important to make cars such as the Lexus feel sporty, the IS 300 feels a bit too sporty. It compromises passenger comfort in the process.

If hauling luggage is a regular occurrence for you, then better stick to the Mercedes as well since the trunk space is much larger, deeper and longer than that of the Lexus. Though the Lexus does offer a pass-thru for long objects (opening it requires a two-step process though), the Mercedes offers a 60/40 split-fold with a convenient flip lever located in the trunk. The Lexus though offers the security of a full-sized spare tire, while the Mercedes makes do with a temporary spare tire though a tire-pressure monitor is standard.

Space and Luggage Winner: Mercedes-Benz C 350
Score: Mercedes-Benz C 350 (4) / Lexus IS 300 (1)

Performance and Fuel Economy

This is the most important part and the reason for this head-to-head battle. Both of these cars represent excellent levels of engineering for their respective makes. Both of these cars promise the same thing as well: a sporty driving experience. About 80 percent of the time, both the Mercedes and Lexus remain inseparable, a true fact given that when dealing with everyday traffic you never exceed 60 km/h. But once you give both of these cars a big enough, long enough stretch of road, the remaining 20 percent is suddenly put into play.

In engine power alone, the Lexus’s 3.0-liter V6 already pleads no contest to the Mercedes’s 3.5-liter V6. With “just” 228 horsepower, the IS 300 is easily outgunned by the 272 horsepower C 350 in just about every situation from a standing start to an overtaking maneuver. What’s more, the C 350’s engine sounds sportier with a nice deep soundtrack accompanying the sudden gush of speed and adrenaline. The IS 300 is more adept at cruising and puttering around the city, because its weaknesses aren’t that apparent if you’re not burying the throttle. There’s still some satisfaction gained from the IS 300’s rapid progress, but the whisper-quiet nature of the engine (even at full throttle) somewhat reduces the fun.

Aside from raw horsepower and pace, sports sedans must handle with impeccable balance. Again, both of these make use the same basic ingredients: a stiff body shell for rigidity, all-around independent suspension for handling prowess and powerful brakes for excellent control at the worse possible circumstances. In fact, both actually use mixed ratio 17-inch tires (225/45, 245/45 for the Lexus and 225/45, 245/40 for the Mercedes). And this isn’t just for appearance’s sake. With their engines transmitting the power fully to the rear set of wheels, more rubber contact at the back is necessary to maintain grip. And again, on most occasions, the IS 300 and the C 350 are inseparable. At city speeds, both offer responsive handling, though the Lexus may seem quicker because of its feather-light steering. However, as speeds climb above the century mark, the handling aspect suddenly swings to the Mercedes’s favor. The C 350’s heavier steering becomes an important ally during long drives, become less strenuous to operate compared to the IS 300. As for the ride, both cars are equally comfortable, but the C 350’s stiffer shell and AMG-tuned suspension makes it less prone to ‘hop’ and jar over road imperfections. The AMG magic continues to the Mercedes’s brakes which are cross-drilled and internally vented. This set-up enables the C 350 to more confidently and produce a better pedal feel than the IS 300.

As an interesting note, it’s weird how the Lexus’s tire fitment doesn’t match the car’s high-speed capability. With a top speed pegged at over 220 km/h, the IS 300’s tire placard requires a tire pressure of 41 psi at the front and 46 psi at the back. But, a closer look at the OEM fitted Bridgestone Potenza RE050 reveals that it cannot be inflated to figures above 40 psi. What gives? Perhaps Lexus should have fitted the Mercedes’s Continental ContiSportContacts which can take up to 50 psi.

The Lexus’s smaller displacement engine gives it a slighter edge in fuel economy, registering 7.81 km/L compared to the Mercedes’s 6.41 km/L and this is despite the latter’s famed 7-speed automatic gearbox. However, in terms of overall range, it evens out because of the IS 300’s smaller fuel tank.

Performance and Fuel Economy Winner: Mercedes-Benz C 350
Score: Mercedes-Benz C 350 (5) / Lexus IS 300 (1)

Value for Money

The question of money shouldn’t concern the potential Lexus or Mercedes buyer that much. After all, superb craftsmanship and impeccable engineering really do cost an arm and a leg. However, that didn’t stop either car maker to cram as much toys they could to improve the value for money equation. Both of these cars are fitted with high-quality leather seating, seats that adjust electronically in every conceivable direction, automatic climate control, a keyless engine start/stop feature, actively swiveling HID headlamps, traction control and more airbags that you can count.

But despite their spec similarities, the C 350 actually costs a cool 1.5 million pesos more than the IS 300. Though Mercedes can argue that their car offers front sport seats, a three-zone climate control (the Lexus makes do with a dual one), a moon roof, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity and a full-featured 6-disc DVD entertainment system with a 12-speaker Harman Kardon system; one and a half million pesos is still a lot of money, enough to get a top-end Japanese compact SUV for the wife or van for the family.

Value for Money Winner: Lexus IS 300
Score: Mercedes-Benz C 350 (6) / Lexus IS 300 (2)

Verdict

Despite having the Lexus rout the Mercedes in terms of purchase price, that’s not reason enough to strongly consider the IS 300 as the winner here. Still, you have to commend the Lexus for closing the performance gap with the long-running C-Class range, but the IS 300 still exhibits a lot of weaknesses especially after a back-to-back drive with the C 350. Though these weaknesses are mostly evident during high-speed driving (something you won’t get to do in the Philippines regularly), it’s still no excuse and no reason to say the Lexus is the better sports sedan. A sports sedan should remain poised and capable at any given speed, and the C 350 does that much better than the IS 300. In addition, by the nature of the Mercedes’s design, its high-speed ability will translate to better response during emergency situations. For instance, its AMG tuned suspension and brakes do react better to sudden maneuvers and emergency stops. And aside from its excellent performance, the C 350 feels more special and more individual than the IS 300. The Lexus still feels too “Toyota”.

Lastly, the Mercedes C-Class has an advantage over the Lexus, and that’s the power of choice. If you find the P 4,480,000 asking price for a C 350 too rich for your taste, there are four other models. You can even spec one to your individual liking! On the other hand, the Lexus is limited to one model. This take it or leave it scenario also limits the appeal for the IS 300.

Winner: Mercedes-Benz C 350

Lexus IS 300 vs Mercedes-Benz C 350 Avantgarde
Lexus IS 300 (as tested): P 2,938,000
Mercedes-Benz C 350 Avantgarde (as tested): P 4,480,000






Some pics





Personal thoughts/insights/opinions/analysis:

Exterior
-both cars are indeed neat and they deliver without a doubt of course.
-In terms of exterior, I guess it's of personal taste but for me, they seem evenly matched.
-The wheels though neat (and both 17 inchers) do what they do. However personally, if given a choice, I'd choose the 10-spoke that Lexus has over the six-spoke wheels of the MB (I guess it's just preference). Either way, these rims are still far from what I really crave.
-In some markets, the 18 inch wheels are available for the IS. However, Lexus Manila has now plans atm to bring this in sadly (hence only the 17 inch ten-spoke wheels shown here are the only available rims). Coincidentally, MB Cats said that you can request for the AMG rims like those in the C 63. Waiting time is four-seven days from their ASEAN parts depot facility in Singapore.
-Obviously, the MB here benefits from the availability of the AMG Sports Package. Lexus Manila though does not have any of that yet here. So in this regard, it's a plus point for MB here. Perhaps in the future, Lexus Manila can release the F-sport package and accessories here ASAP.

Interior
-Having sat in the interior of both cars (more than once), I have no problem with either vehicle.
-Some may not like the rear legroom of the 2IS......but for me, it's just fine. I didn't feel like I was in hell (unlike in the 1-series hatch)
-The germans win on fit-and-finish but I guess that's there forte. Nevertheless, as proven by Lexus IS 300, the Japanese do not fall far behind.
-Both are sports-oriented interior (emphasis on black, shades of aluminum and silver-grey, etc.)

Ergonomics
-Comfort will not be a problem as both vehicles deliver on these (at the very basic level at the very least)
-MB does have an edge though with COMAND as it seems to carry one of my favorite features of a premium car and that is the TV Screen/monitor.....which unfortunately Lexus does not have in this model (too bad)
-Official response from of the Lexus engineers: "In most markets and configurations, the 2nd-gen Lexus IS does have that TV screen/monitor you're talking about. It's touch screen in fact so plus points there.Unfortunately, for Asia-Pacific markets, the Lexus IS does not have this feature if the unit has no GPS Navigation. Now since most, if not all, of the Lexus IS sold in Asia-Pacific have no GPS navigation feature, then you don't get the TV screen. For now, only the LS, GS and LX will have the touch screen/monitor even without GPS navigation.
-So yup, I guess we can't do anything about that though
-Other than that, the Lexus IS does have steering wheel audio controls which I want so I guess that's good enough
-One issue raised in this review is the thicker A-pillars of the IS 300. Personally I have noticed it and for me, it isn't that problematic (though for more sensitive drivers, it may be a chore). Especially with the chaotic streets we have in Metro Manila with squatters walking near the curbs and not on sidewalks as well as jaywalking and a few 'undisciplined' pedestrians, it could be meddlesome.
-Still if you're a cautious driver, this shouldn't be a problem. Plus, the IS comes with four corner SONAR (like in the Previa). Just leave it on, and it will detect any obstacle or anything that it detects and remind you promptly.

Space and Luggage
-as mentioned by the author of this review, both sport-luxury vehicles are geared for sport but may have taken "sporty" too seriously.
-as I mentioned earlier, the rear space may not appeal much too tall people. I guess it's a compromise here. Sport is achieved but comfort may have been compromised for this.
-Boot/trunk space may favor the C350 though Lexus offers a pass-through as mentioned in the review.
-Interestingly, plus point though for Lexus by offering a full size spare tire instead of the temporary one with TPMS. Personally, as much as I like TPMS systems, I'd still want to have a full-size spare tire myself. Some people though may be accustomed to prefer run-flats though as they want more storage space but I guess it all lies on the wants and needs of the buyer(s).

Performance and Fuel Economy
-You can still expect both cars to deliver (on engineering and ride-handling).
-With that said, if you look at it on the perspective of which car provides more raw power, then the C350 outguns the IS 300 hands-down. 30+ extra horses and torque difference of 50 Newton Meters (as well as the torque accessibility of the C350 from just 2400 rpm and spread through a wider rev range) all act in favor of the MB here.
-The 3GR-FE engine of the IS 300 here is more leaning on being more whisper-quiet and focus on reducing NVH.
-With that said, I guess these two cars traverse on different paths: The C350 being the one with grunt, vroom and aggression while the IS 300 leads to being more a silent cruiser or a stealth assassin. It's up to you which character you pick
-Fuel economy: IS 300 hands-down (due to lower displacement)
-Even with the extra gear in that 7GTronic gearbox, it seems that it didn't do much to help improve fuel-economy for the C350 when compared to the IS300 which just uses a 6 speed Super ECT automatic transmission.
-Both cars uses 17 inch tires. However, the reviewer mentioned that the Bridgestone Potenza tires used in the Lexus seemed to struggle a bit on hard and sharp corners unlike the Continental tires fitted on the MB. That and Continental Tires seem to take in more tire/air pressure over Bridgestone ones. Just pointing it out.
-Another advantage in Lexus favor is that the 3GR-FE engine only needs lower octane compared to the engine used in the MB.
-Due to lack of direct injection, the 3GR-FE engine only needs around 93 RON of octane (compared to the 95 octane requirement of MB)

Value For Money
-Lexus HANDS-DOWN
-Even if they are a newcomer here in the Philippine market with only less than year since their debut, the aspect of vehicle pricing, sales, service, parts and labor WILL favor the IS over the C-class.
-Since Japan is closer to us than to Germany, it all speaks for itself (cheaper shipping rates, lesser tax, parts and accessories ship faster, etc. etc.)
-PLUS there is an Economic Agreement between Japan and the Philippines due to go into effect this year. Vehicles with 2000cc-3000cc engines qualify for this. Since the IS 300 qualifies for this, then the 30% vehicle tax imposed on the vehicle will be abolished. This could either mean lower price of the car (from the current 2.9 million peso price) or cheaper parts and labor or whatever. This would really go into the the favor of the Lexus IS.

Verdict
-Well it's really up to you
-Personally, I'd choose the Lexus IS cause..........it's the only one I can afford (if ever)

Other comments:
-Lack of sunroof in the Lexus IS (for Philippine-spec models)
-Yeah it's hot in our country but I mean, for a car of this price and class, it should already have one. Sure you can say you don't need it for Philippine setting with our hot-*** climate.......but it would be great to have this when travelling to windy and cool areas like Tagaytay or Baguio. It would really help IMHO to have a sunroof. Though this is pretty much TMPI's fault but I guess that's just me and I can't do anything about it.
-Another concern, sure you can't bring in the TV screen/monitor in.........but at least bring in Mark Levinson for our IS 300. Heck, even Indonesia has it for theirs AS A STANDARD FEATURE in their IS 300. What about us? Sure it has one more extra speaker than the MB.......BUT the MB has harman/kardon and with DSP signal processing. At least release our version with Mark Levinson package. In this case, TMPI is to blame for this.
-Lexus Manila needs to start releasing more options and accessories. They may release F-sport in the future but I guess they'll only do so once they release F models in the future. Kinda like launching the "F" nameplate altogether I suppose. Anyways, I do hope they launch it ASAP.

That's pretty much it I suppose (for now). Hehe I hope you read the review

P.S.
Now I know this is a Lexus site so yeah I do expect comments that are biased to supporting your favorite brand (I guess it's understandable). Still, I welcome any personal opinions, comments, suggestions, reactions, viewpoints, analysis, rebuttals, etc.......but as much as possible, let's try to be as unbiased as possible (and hope to avoid extremist fanboi comments like "Lexus IS TEH AWESOME!!! All OTHER car brandz are teh SUxorz and I hope they burn in HELL!!!" and "I thinkz Lexus win OMGWTFBBQILUVU").

Hehe let's not go that far

That's all for now

Jetfire

iTrader: (3)

these aren't even on the same ground. the benz is fully loaded with a more powerful engine. the IS doesn't have nav, ML. They should have used the c300. i don't mind if they say benz wins if they at least stand toe to toe. it's like a heavyweight fighter fighting a welterweight.

someone can't count either.
went from 5-1 for benz
lex wins a point
then it's 6-2!?!?

madoka

So they tested a MB that costs almost $34,000 more than the Lexus? Yeah, I guess that sounds fair.

BTW, are those prices right in the Philipines? A C350 runs almost $100K?

Garage7RP

iTrader: (1)

It's a stupid test. And yes, it did not have the same or similar level of options. Another thing is the Filipinos are somewhat automatically attracted to MB because of the Philippine society's upbringing of people. This test is BIASED.

Car prices in the Philippines were always over priced.

rsantiago

I wonder why Lexus PH can't release the 350 version for the local market for both the IS and GS

Blackraven

I think I mentioned this in my first review (along with our conversations with one of the visiting Lexus Japan engineers).

One of the things he mentioned was that the 3.5 liter engine used by Lexus (2GR-FSE) in the GS and IS in other markets uses direct injection. Unfortunately, in the Philippines and in a few other countries, the quality of unleaded fuel is VERY POOR. He mentioned that if we released our direct injection models in those markets, it would lead to fuel injector and engine problems due to incompatibility with said quality of fuel. That and in markets where Lexus is just a newcomer, having these problems and costly repairs and whatnot will really have a negative impact on our image. Hence this is why Lexus Asia-Pacific mentioned that they would not release direct-injection engines for markets with poor fuel quality.

For the GS, only the 300 (DI and non-DI versions; depending on market and their quality of fuel sold) and 460 are sold. Lexus Manila obviously chose the GS 460 cause releasing a GS 300 would make it too close to the IS 300.

As for the IS, Lexus stated that only IS250 and IS300 are available for Asia Pacific. The IS 350 is STRICTLY for Japan and North America (as Mr. engineer said during the opening night of Lexus Manila). And you know what was chosen for us and why.......

@rsantiago
Then why not release a non-DI version of the 3.5 liter engine? I also got a response from both that engineer and the head of Toyota Asia-Pacific product planning and marketing. They both stated that the 2GR-FE is used in TONS of Toyota vehicles and a few Lexus vehicles as well (esp. the ES 350).

They both said: "At the moment, we do not have spare allocations to produce more 2GR-FE engines as we are at full capacity in both our Japan and Mainland engine factories. Aside from that, our allocations for the 2GR-FE engine for 2008 up to 2011 are:
-More than 90% for Toyota vehicles
-Less than 10% for Lexus vehicles (for the RX350 and ES350).

Sorry, better luck next time

So yeah, as much as it can be disappointing, there is no choice.

But hey on the bright side, having the 3GR-FE engine in the IS 300 also brings merits (in that no direct-injection means it can work with our crappy unleaded fuel and it qualifies for tax incentives when JPEPA goes into effect)

It's not that bad IMHO

@anyways to other matters
-Yes, car prices in the Philippines are exorbitant (most locals believe in the formula of US car price x 2 = philippine car price)
-Taxes and whatnot are obviously to blame
-To Jetfire:
You mentioned C300. Unfortunately AFAIK, the car is released here as a C280. If they used that as a comparo, then it would be unfair for the MB vehicle. Nevertheless, I'll check with CATS Motors (local MB distributor) this week or next week regarding this and I should give you a response there after.
-Actually both cars DO NOT HAVE navigation. Remember, only less than 1% of vehicles in Philippines have GPS navigation.
-Jetfire, you are right about lack of ML. Other markets (like Indonesia) have it on their IS300 so yeah. In this case, it's the fault of Lexus Manila for not offering it here in RP.
-I do agree with you though in that the reviewer CAN'T COUNT. I guess he needs to go back to school

LexusChris

iTrader: (1)

The Mercedes won, because it's a Philippine review, I know being Filipino all know Filipinos there love Mercedes-Benz there haha. The prices are crazy high there.

ecr527

Nice, detailed comparo. My question is where in Metro Manila did they do these tests where there are "smooth city streets"? When I lived over there, I never saw any of these!!

RXSF

some points are legit in that, but to be fair, the IS wasnt as well equipped.

Lexus needs to bring that 3.0 back to the US market

pagemaster

Lexus has been criticized for some time now about the lack of a command or iDrive feature in the their cars.....it won't be long until Lexus gets this feature in their cars.


And what is up with this crap engine in the IS300, no wonder it finished poorly.....why can't Lexus put the Camry 3.5 engine in the IS.....that engine can run on poor gas.

LexFather

Thanks for the review from the Philippines!

(Cj)

I would agree with you but the 3.0L get's pretty crappy gas mileage, at least the non-DI version. I'm not sure how the gas mileage is in the DI version, but if it's comparable to the current IS250, Lexus could replace the IS250 for the IS300 in the next gen...

Thats what Remote Touch is gonna be. Expect versions of it, in the next gen GS, then IS, then ES, then LS...

mmarshall

Yes.....definitely a good write-up. Reviews like this are going to put you and me out of buisness.

mmarshall

Don't bet on it. Lexus knows that a number of their customers buy their products simply BECAUSE they don't have to fool around with I-Drive, MMI, or a Controller.....that is a Lexus selling point. The new RX and HS, however, go part-way there with a mouse-like console controller.

Fine, but the IS350, as I see it, could use an AWD option even more.

pagemaster

Excuse me...but if you don't think Lexus will be going the way of a idrive control in their upcoming sedans then you don't know cars very well. Lexus has been FORCED against their will to put the mouse pad in the RX and HS.....

Lexus dropped the ball in 2007 by not offering a idrive like control on the LS and ES models.....now Lexus is the only luxury car maker that does not offer this VERY popular feature.