lexodude

Hey everyone,
This is my first post in this forum and i need to decide which caar to get. Its either an 01 is300 or a 99-01 BMW 328 i . I have a couple of questions...................Which is faster(automatic in both)? Which is an overall better caar bc its gunna be used w/ 50-60K miles? I personally like the BMWs interior better but ive never been in an is300(just judging pictures) .


Thanks everyone

flipside909

Drive both so you can get a feel for them. The IS300 is a well built car and is pretty solid in terms of long term ownership. Look at the ratings for reliability on the 3 series and the IS300...and they're pretty self explanatory. Good luck.

redkingjoe

i'm changing a car too. from 97LS400 to 2000LS400. during the process, we were loaned a 2001 BMW318i with only 47500km on it. and than the 2nd day we drove, it couldn't be started.
after fixing, we were given the same car again, than after a while it couldn't start again!!!!!

the built of the BMW was pretty solid, the ride is OK.(i feel that the BMW was a bit solider than the Lexus) however, my major complain is the reliability of BMW. most of my friends who own BMW got a lot of major or minor problems(but they still buy their next BMW and bear with the problems with the next BMW!!!!!)

if you like additional activities generated from bring the car to repair, BMW won't disappoint u. besides, BMW has a good image(german engineering).

if you don't like repairing, a Lexus IS300 will be your faithful servant giving u hassle free comfortable ride.

tzu911

it looks like your best bet would be the is300, for several reasons.
as an owner of both gs, and 325i, and having driven an is for a while, i can share with you, interior wise, there's no comparison between an 2004 325i and an 2003 is300. i've had both cars(still got the 325i), and bmer's interior scored much higher points than is300 in my book.

but looks like you are budeting quite wisely on a transportation tool. what that means is reliability, plug-and-drive, no hassel. in that sense, is300 is your weapon of choice.

additionaly, interior wise, 99-01's 3 looks too busy imo. is300 is much more cleaner.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

i agree, drive both and see which one you like more. imho they shoudl be very close comparison, with the is300 probably have a bit better ride

but from the maintenance point of view, i would be scared to own the 328..... warranty is well past, and everything costs a lot of money on that ca

UDel

You need to test drive both first to see what best suites you. You are not guaranteed a bunch of problems with the BMW and trouble free with the Lexus but in most cases the Lexus should be more reliable. The automatic BMW 328 is slightly quicker then the auto IS. The 328 BMW is rated at 225 hp (which some say is a little underated ) and the IS has 215 hp. The manuel BMW is a little faster then the manuel IS too. If you are on a tighter budget and it needs to be a reliable daily driver I would go with IS even though the ride-handling-feedback and interior may not be as nice.

L. L. S.

Disagree. The 325i is comparible to the IS300, but the 328i will just flat outrun it hands down. Interior is better on the 328i also. Exterior styling is a toss up, go by your tastes, reliability on the big I-6 engines is pretty good. I have 225k on mine and still runs great. The bimmer will have a few more "smaller" quirks than the Lexus such as maybe a failed comfort relay or waterpump (which is a 45 minute job to change out, very easy), but you have to decide when you spend the money which you would rather drive for the next 5 years, and that can only be up to you.

mmarshall

My recommendation? Forget "image". Go with the IS. IMO you will be much happier with it in the long run.

lexodude

Thanks for all of the responses so far.......................Still Clueless though !!!!!!!!!


lexodude

Bruinette

I've had numerous problems with the 2000 328ci. Electrical problems, the car stalls at times (it's a freaking automatic okay), moonroof doesn't work, weatherstripping on both doors falling off, car won't start at times...this all started at 50,000 miles. GAY. It's going up for sale. The IS300 has no problems whatsoever. If you really want a BMW, buy mine. I'll give you a discount. haha.

2000 328ci, fully loaded, premium package w/Harmon Kardon sound system, xenon lights, stock navigation, moonroof etc. close to 80,000miles now.

btw, the bmw 328's for those years only have 184 hp..crawling slow even compared to the not-so-fast IS300.

gs400998

You can find 0-60 time here:
http://www.albeedigital.com/supercou...0-60times.html

Go read the current annual auto issue of Consumer Reports if reliability is important to you. Page 80 lists used cars best and worst. IS300 is a CR good bets and not a single BMW is recommended.

01LexIS300

I had the same decision to make when I was looking into a new car. It was down to a IS or a 330i, after driving both, I ended up with the IS. Reasons? Don't really have a very good one, just that the IS seemed to fit my personality alot better, and I liked the styling alot more. Happy with my IS purchase, and the quality/service from Lexus is what will have me purchasing another Lexus here in the next few years.

lexodude

Does the IS driive the same is the 328i because i like the way that the BMW handles and how it feels solid even though its really small?

Too many miles for me....But that really takes a toll on my decision because I really dont want a pain in the butt that i have to fix alot.

curiousg

I would totally agree that the Toyota product is likely to be more reliable, but the BMW 3 series does not have horrible ratings from 2001 on (according to Consumer Reports and Consumer Guide). I think it is a liitle bit of a cop-out sometimes. They are certainly better than current VW/Audi and Mercedes vehicles. I would be interested in the ratings that you are referencing.

I myself am torn between a used 325 and used IS300 (fairly recent though). Yes...I am aware that this topic has been explored many times over.

Bruinette

The bimmer handles a tiny bit better (stock vs. stock) than the is300. Keep in mind, i have the 328ci not the 328i. Anyways, this is very minor though. I threw on some aftermarket sways on the IS300 and it's right up there with the 328ci. If i drop the IS300, I think it'll exceed the handling of a bimmer. IMHO, the IS300 feels very solid as well...solid without all the bimmer problems.