The Mother of all 335i vs IS350 threads (please read 1st post in thread!)
09-27-06, 06:40 PM
#271
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I struggled with this decision before deciding to place an order last week on an IS350. I'm getting rid of my '01 Jetta for it. My reason for doing so is because my new wife can't drive stick. The Jetta is otherwise a great car.
Anywho, other cars I considered: G35, 335i, S4, M3, TL, Evo X (apparently it's going to have an automated clutch), CLK500. Without going into detail as to why each car besides the 335 wasn't for me, I will say that my priorities were comfort, reliability, quickness, features.
Drove the 335. Yes, it's quick. Drove the IS350 right after...according to my good friend the butt dyno, it felt just as quick. Since I was limited to the automatic Bimmer, I was forced to compare slushboxes, and the Lexus' felt better. Much better, actually. As previously mentioned, the IS didn't have rev-matching on the manually-initiated downshifts, but I felt the transmission was sophisticated enough that I'd never touch the paddles in any case. Performance aside, the Lexus got better fuel economy (I think, anyway), was cheaper, was cheaper to insure, had far, far better interior features (e.g. touch screen nav, better sound system), and was better looking (IMHO). A no-brainer.
Now, before you write off my amateur review as being too luxury-oriented, I should mention my other car is a Lotus Elise...and for anyone who's had the pleasure, this is one of the most raw driving experiences you can have...no power steering, over 100 db interior noise at WOT (w/ intake/exhaust
), absolutely no luxury features, A/C sucks, uncomfortable, etc. And the one thing I realize after driving it for a year (and a few tickets) is that...honestly, how often do you drive a car at its absolute limit? How often will a 4.9 second 0-60 car do you any better than one that does 5.3? Sure, if this was going to be a track car, I'd feel otherwise. Then again, if I wanted a track-first, street-second car, it'd be an Evo.
In conclusion, sure, the 335 is quicker on paper, and for sure the tuning potential is a good amount better (just ask any B5 S4 owner). But I honestly feel that the primary reasons people think the 335 is a superior car are the perceived performance edge that reading the numbers on the BMW in magazine (keep in mind what it takes to get a good launch with an automatic as opposed to a manual...I'm sure the auto BMW would not be any faster than the IS, if that), and the BMW name. Sure, you can argue marginal differences in stats as R&T posted as opposed to C&D, but in the end, unless I was planning to race tuned WRX's at every stoplight every time I took the car out, I fail to see the advantage that the BMW holds over the Lexus.
Sorry for the long post.
Anywho, other cars I considered: G35, 335i, S4, M3, TL, Evo X (apparently it's going to have an automated clutch), CLK500. Without going into detail as to why each car besides the 335 wasn't for me, I will say that my priorities were comfort, reliability, quickness, features.
Drove the 335. Yes, it's quick. Drove the IS350 right after...according to my good friend the butt dyno, it felt just as quick. Since I was limited to the automatic Bimmer, I was forced to compare slushboxes, and the Lexus' felt better. Much better, actually. As previously mentioned, the IS didn't have rev-matching on the manually-initiated downshifts, but I felt the transmission was sophisticated enough that I'd never touch the paddles in any case. Performance aside, the Lexus got better fuel economy (I think, anyway), was cheaper, was cheaper to insure, had far, far better interior features (e.g. touch screen nav, better sound system), and was better looking (IMHO). A no-brainer.
Now, before you write off my amateur review as being too luxury-oriented, I should mention my other car is a Lotus Elise...and for anyone who's had the pleasure, this is one of the most raw driving experiences you can have...no power steering, over 100 db interior noise at WOT (w/ intake/exhaust
), absolutely no luxury features, A/C sucks, uncomfortable, etc. And the one thing I realize after driving it for a year (and a few tickets) is that...honestly, how often do you drive a car at its absolute limit? How often will a 4.9 second 0-60 car do you any better than one that does 5.3? Sure, if this was going to be a track car, I'd feel otherwise. Then again, if I wanted a track-first, street-second car, it'd be an Evo. In conclusion, sure, the 335 is quicker on paper, and for sure the tuning potential is a good amount better (just ask any B5 S4 owner). But I honestly feel that the primary reasons people think the 335 is a superior car are the perceived performance edge that reading the numbers on the BMW in magazine (keep in mind what it takes to get a good launch with an automatic as opposed to a manual...I'm sure the auto BMW would not be any faster than the IS, if that), and the BMW name. Sure, you can argue marginal differences in stats as R&T posted as opposed to C&D, but in the end, unless I was planning to race tuned WRX's at every stoplight every time I took the car out, I fail to see the advantage that the BMW holds over the Lexus.
Sorry for the long post.
09-27-06, 06:44 PM
#272
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I struggled with this decision before deciding to place an order last week on an IS350. I'm getting rid of my '01 Jetta for it. My reason for doing so is because my new wife can't drive stick. The Jetta is otherwise a great car.
Anywho, other cars I considered: G35, 335i, S4, M3, TL, Evo X (apparently it's going to have an automated clutch), CLK500. Without going into detail as to why each car besides the 335 wasn't for me, I will say that my priorities were comfort, reliability, quickness, features.
Drove the 335. Yes, it's quick. Drove the IS350 right after...according to my good friend the butt dyno, it felt just as quick. Since I was limited to the automatic Bimmer, I was forced to compare slushboxes, and the Lexus' felt better. Much better, actually. As previously mentioned, the IS didn't have rev-matching on the manually-initiated downshifts, but I felt the transmission was sophisticated enough that I'd never touch the paddles in any case. Performance aside, the Lexus got better fuel economy (I think, anyway), was cheaper, was cheaper to insure, had far, far better interior features (e.g. touch screen nav, better sound system), and was better looking (IMHO). A no-brainer.
Now, before you write off my amateur review as being too luxury-oriented, I should mention my other car is a Lotus Elise...and for anyone who's had the pleasure, this is one of the most raw driving experiences you can have...no power steering, over 100 db interior noise at WOT (w/ intake/exhaust ), absolutely no luxury features, A/C sucks, uncomfortable, etc. And the one thing I realize after driving it for a year (and a few tickets) is that...honestly, how often do you drive a car at its absolute limit? How often will a 4.9 second 0-60 car do you any better than one that does 5.3? Sure, if this was going to be a track car, I'd feel otherwise. Then again, if I wanted a track-first, street-second car, it'd be an Evo.
In conclusion, sure, the 335 is quicker on paper, and for sure the tuning potential is a good amount better (just ask any B5 S4 owner). But I honestly feel that the primary reasons people think the 335 is a superior car are the perceived performance edge that reading the numbers on the BMW in magazine (keep in mind what it takes to get a good launch with an automatic as opposed to a manual...I'm sure the auto BMW would not be any faster than the IS, if that), and the BMW name. Sure, you can argue marginal differences in stats as R&T posted as opposed to C&D, but in the end, unless I was planning to race tuned WRX's at every stoplight every time I took the car out, I fail to see the advantage that the BMW holds over the Lexus.
Sorry for the long post.
Anywho, other cars I considered: G35, 335i, S4, M3, TL, Evo X (apparently it's going to have an automated clutch), CLK500. Without going into detail as to why each car besides the 335 wasn't for me, I will say that my priorities were comfort, reliability, quickness, features.
Drove the 335. Yes, it's quick. Drove the IS350 right after...according to my good friend the butt dyno, it felt just as quick. Since I was limited to the automatic Bimmer, I was forced to compare slushboxes, and the Lexus' felt better. Much better, actually. As previously mentioned, the IS didn't have rev-matching on the manually-initiated downshifts, but I felt the transmission was sophisticated enough that I'd never touch the paddles in any case. Performance aside, the Lexus got better fuel economy (I think, anyway), was cheaper, was cheaper to insure, had far, far better interior features (e.g. touch screen nav, better sound system), and was better looking (IMHO). A no-brainer.
Now, before you write off my amateur review as being too luxury-oriented, I should mention my other car is a Lotus Elise...and for anyone who's had the pleasure, this is one of the most raw driving experiences you can have...no power steering, over 100 db interior noise at WOT (w/ intake/exhaust
), absolutely no luxury features, A/C sucks, uncomfortable, etc. And the one thing I realize after driving it for a year (and a few tickets) is that...honestly, how often do you drive a car at its absolute limit? How often will a 4.9 second 0-60 car do you any better than one that does 5.3? Sure, if this was going to be a track car, I'd feel otherwise. Then again, if I wanted a track-first, street-second car, it'd be an Evo. In conclusion, sure, the 335 is quicker on paper, and for sure the tuning potential is a good amount better (just ask any B5 S4 owner). But I honestly feel that the primary reasons people think the 335 is a superior car are the perceived performance edge that reading the numbers on the BMW in magazine (keep in mind what it takes to get a good launch with an automatic as opposed to a manual...I'm sure the auto BMW would not be any faster than the IS, if that), and the BMW name. Sure, you can argue marginal differences in stats as R&T posted as opposed to C&D, but in the end, unless I was planning to race tuned WRX's at every stoplight every time I took the car out, I fail to see the advantage that the BMW holds over the Lexus.
Sorry for the long post.
I am sure you are going to love the IS350.
09-28-06, 02:06 AM
#274
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Track car first/driver second = Evo, that was classic. I feel sorry for those that buy this type of vehicle with track in mind. The IS, nor any car in this field, sold as is from the dealership were intended to be such.
Thank you for portraying, in writing, the sentiments of many an owner on this board. Enjoy the pursuit of Lexus' idea of perfection.
09-29-06, 11:20 PM
#276
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I agree with most of the posts here.
If the BMW retains all the driving ability and feel of the current 3 series with the turbo engine it will be great to drive.
The Lexus will still have better fit and finish as well as options. If you configure the BMW with comparable options to the IS350 your total price will be higher so Lexus win there.
I would rather drive my Lexus everyday in comfort and have good speed and a descent handling car that I know I can keep 4+ years.
Look on this forum, for a 1st year production run the amount of problems (serious or minor) are very low. Compare that to the BMW forums and you'll see a whole seperate world. But I think part of the culture of owning a BMW is dealing with these types of issues in exchange for a "real" sports sedan.
You really can't go wrong with either. They might be both classified as sports sedans but they are on opposite sides of the spectrum for lux daily driver and drivers car.
If the BMW retains all the driving ability and feel of the current 3 series with the turbo engine it will be great to drive.
The Lexus will still have better fit and finish as well as options. If you configure the BMW with comparable options to the IS350 your total price will be higher so Lexus win there.
I would rather drive my Lexus everyday in comfort and have good speed and a descent handling car that I know I can keep 4+ years.
Look on this forum, for a 1st year production run the amount of problems (serious or minor) are very low. Compare that to the BMW forums and you'll see a whole seperate world. But I think part of the culture of owning a BMW is dealing with these types of issues in exchange for a "real" sports sedan.
You really can't go wrong with either. They might be both classified as sports sedans but they are on opposite sides of the spectrum for lux daily driver and drivers car.
Both amazing cars though.
09-30-06, 12:17 AM
#277
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09-30-06, 01:06 AM
#279
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09-30-06, 02:41 AM
#280
Wow, that is hard to believe but if it is true I might have to skip the 335i and think about getting the M3. Even though I hope the lower price is true, I still think you probably wont be walking out the dealer with an M3 for anything under $60K.
09-30-06, 02:47 AM
#281
I don't know what it is. Everytime I buy a new car I say I'll keep this one for a long time. It never turned out that way. I've only owned 11 cars and none made it past the 5 year mark. The 2 Lexus car I have now I'm planning on selling at the end of this year or early next year. That would be about 4 years of ownership on my 04 RX330 (Bought April 2003).
09-30-06, 11:46 AM
#282
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I agree. Well, not that I would want my car in for warranty work all the time, but I haven't keep any of my cars for longer than 5 years so if I buy new I'm not really worried about long term reliability. If I'm in the used car market though I would definately be thinking about it I don't know what it is. Everytime I buy a new car I say I'll keep this one for a long time. It never turned out that way. I've only owned 11 cars and none made it past the 5 year mark. The 2 Lexus car I have now I'm planning on selling at the end of this year or early next year. That would be about 4 years of ownership on my 04 RX330 (Bought April 2003).
I don't know what it is. Everytime I buy a new car I say I'll keep this one for a long time. It never turned out that way. I've only owned 11 cars and none made it past the 5 year mark. The 2 Lexus car I have now I'm planning on selling at the end of this year or early next year. That would be about 4 years of ownership on my 04 RX330 (Bought April 2003). In fact, I'm a little disappointed the IS350 has been so darn reliable
