Lexus GS - $60K fully loaded
Mercedes E-class / BMW 5 Series - $70K fully loaded

What's the complaint again? Even the E or 5 Series basic features are pretty damn basic for a base car. Lexus has had LED taillights and folding mirrors when locked/unlocked starting in the '14 models. Best bang for the bucks and reliability, I'd choose Lexus GS over the E and 5 Series.

 

my former M3 didn't have LED tail lights

$80k for some builds...

 

I completely feel like my GS has plenty for what it is. LED tails, HID headlights with LED DRL, Mark Levinson, adaptive suspension and mirrors that fold in upon lock and unlock (I know, not a big deal but I like it!). My 14 F Sport was $59,xxx. So under $60. They don't charge some outrageous amount for F Sport rims like several other automakers do for sport line rims. Try finding an even slightly comparable sedan with an adaptive suspension for under $60k. Hell, even the Audi A4 is nearly the same price lol

I do wish I had remote start. When I come out of work at night in the winter, my windshield has frost on it. The majority of my coworkers have remote start so it's almost embarrassing.

 

Didn't bother to check whether the GS has a fold down rear seat.

Assumed the car did.

Can't carry a dog crate in the car, if the rear seats don't fold down.

Kind of a hassle-need to take the pup to boarding in one car, then return home to pick up the GS for the road trip.

 

Just noticed on my cousin's $60K BMW 435i coupe, heated seats were optional, ventilated seats aren't available, the quality of the optional leather is terrible (rough and hard), parking sensors and camera were optional, brake lights aren't LED even with the optional lighting package, no remote start, no leather or stitching on the dash, etc...so I don't see the "standard features and details" that OP mentioned that's supposedly present in German cars but not Lexus...

 

No fold down rear seat.

 

my headlights move.. do the Benz headlights move?

 

Mine don't but my VW CC's did. They also had a corner light so when you turned it lit up the sides a bit. I'm sure Merc has it, but it's part of some light package. I know my 09 BMW 335i sedan had moving headlights. But no corner light like the VW.

 

But u do have auto leveling like mine.

 

That I do. We are twinning still

 

That's what I said.

BTW, cute baby!

 

My Range Rover Sport headlights moved.

meh.

don't feel the need for them, at all...

 

Thank you! He's one half of boy girl twins. They turn one next week.

 

Main difference between Mercedes and Lexus is design goals.

Mercedes builds pretty much any model that can be stripped for taxi duties. Germany and neighboring countries have a lot of Mercedes cabs, been doing it for probably 30 years now, at least. If you want better-than-a-taxi, you have to start ticking a LOT of boxes. That adds up fast. So you can start with an E class with cloth interior, air conditioning, manual transmission, no radio, a 1.8l engine, and have a cheap one, or start climbing the ladder and choosing from a whole lot more options at significant cost.

Lexus builds a high standard base model and lets you add a few things. Not nearly as modular in nature as the Mercedes are, but they don't need to be.

Take a look at some Unicorn base model prices for a midsize sedan from Mercedes, maybe even their fleet stuff. You won't find anything in Lexus' range that matches them for price or lack of options. You also won't see "strippers" like those Mercedes in the US unless someone has special ordered it.

 

I wish power folding me mirrors were a standard