The Mother of all 335i vs IS350 threads (please read 1st post in thread!)
04-22-11, 04:54 AM
#1351
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I've went from and IS 250 AWD in 2007 to a BMW 335xi coupe in 2008, to now the IS 350 AWD 2011
here's my quick take.
(by the way I have both front and rear F-sport sway bars, as well as the F-sport Chassis brace. The AWD comes with the steering wheel damper too I believe.. I was trying to tighten up the 350 as much as I could..)
1. The IS 350 is really really fun to drive. It's faster, and tighter than the 250 (obviously), but I do notice it's not quite as perky or as tight as the BMW (which was stock, and had the sport package..). I haven't really pushed my 350 yet as I've just broken her in, but interested in seeing just how fast she is WOT.
2. The IS 350 exhaust is much quieter/refined. Some would say this is bad, some say it's good. My cabin now is also very quiet compared to the BMW. I don't feel every rock, bump in the road. Driver fatigue is much less in the Lexus on longer trips.
3. Even with sways,brace, damper I still notice the IS 350 is not as responsive as the BMW which felt glued to the road for me. Then again, my ride is so much more comfortable now in the Lexus and I really love it. If you really want to be engaged by your car, the BMW has the edge. For me, it's nice to relax and the Lexus definitely has less driver fatigue.
4. BRAKING - this is where I think BMW has a big edge. For me at least, I notice a big difference in brake performance. The BMW had some of the best brakes I've ever had. Super responsive without being too sticky. Very high performance. Brembo I believe. Lexus brakes, though adequate, feel a more sluggish to me. Then again it may just be that it's taking me longer to get used to them.
5. styling - apples to oranges. I think the current 3-coupe is sweet looking. I think the 2IS is also sweet. win win here. I personally like the 4 doors I have now. the regular 3 -sedan just isn't sporty enough.
6. cabin - hands down Lexus. The leather, the arrangement of the interior, the trunk space, the glove compartments and overall luxury feel is so much nicer. The BMW (which had leather too..) was very bare/spartan. Again some would prefer this. I didn't mind, but sometimes it didn't feel like I was driving a luxury car in the BMW
7. Lexus Nav vs i"can't stand"Drive. To be fair, the idrive from bmw did get me out of some sticky navigation situations when I was lost, and being able to use the idrive selector wheel when you're driving is nice (if you're careful obviously!), but overall the BMW is light years behind most other NAVs in almost every other way. It was very difficult to search for destination by names and there were a LOT of frustrating times. In the end we ended up getting along (like a married couple that had just resigned to each other because they had no choice..) and once I got used to it, it eventually served its purpose. The Lexus Nav is so much sweeter. Touch screen is just the way to go. I haven't used the new BMW iDrive so I can't say what that's like
8. FINALLY - reliability. I leased my BMW because of all the 4-year horror stories (that's - " DON"T OWN A BMW OVER 4 YEARS or you'll get raped by service.."). I had a couple electrical issues, but no major engine issues. No overheated oil. no transmission problems. Then again, it was a brand new BMW. I had a sneaky feeling if I kept it beyond 3 - 4 years I was going to be at the dealer a lot, and be paying a LOT. Even when I turned in my BMW, the BMW procurement specialist said it was a good idea to end the lease now. I found him brutally honest but appreciated it. The 2007 IS 250 AWD (which my brother took over and drives) has been great (even with a recall or two..).
Summary - IS 350 AWD = awesome. Fast, handles great and is luxurious with great cabin,nav (I don't have ML), styling and reliability. Brakes could be better. Doesn't feel as fast or nimble as the BMW, but not at all far behind in either department. BMW 335 xi coupe - great car. One of the best I've owned, but the again I only dared to own it for 3 years. Great styling, superior (class leading) handling and ride responsiveness. Best brakes I've even had. Disappointing interior, Disappointing (but serviceable) Nav. No backup camera. and BMW service dept is way below the Lexus dept in terms of basically everything
overall, since I decided to OWN and not lease my newest car, I went with Lexus and am extremely happy. I do miss the tighter steering and overall quicker feeling from the 335, but now I really love getting into my car (Lexus) and I have a hunch, that when I do decide to open her up for real, I won't be disappointed at just HOW fast she is.
Thanks
Rich
here's my quick take.
(by the way I have both front and rear F-sport sway bars, as well as the F-sport Chassis brace. The AWD comes with the steering wheel damper too I believe.. I was trying to tighten up the 350 as much as I could..)
1. The IS 350 is really really fun to drive. It's faster, and tighter than the 250 (obviously), but I do notice it's not quite as perky or as tight as the BMW (which was stock, and had the sport package..). I haven't really pushed my 350 yet as I've just broken her in, but interested in seeing just how fast she is WOT.
2. The IS 350 exhaust is much quieter/refined. Some would say this is bad, some say it's good. My cabin now is also very quiet compared to the BMW. I don't feel every rock, bump in the road. Driver fatigue is much less in the Lexus on longer trips.
3. Even with sways,brace, damper I still notice the IS 350 is not as responsive as the BMW which felt glued to the road for me. Then again, my ride is so much more comfortable now in the Lexus and I really love it. If you really want to be engaged by your car, the BMW has the edge. For me, it's nice to relax and the Lexus definitely has less driver fatigue.
4. BRAKING - this is where I think BMW has a big edge. For me at least, I notice a big difference in brake performance. The BMW had some of the best brakes I've ever had. Super responsive without being too sticky. Very high performance. Brembo I believe. Lexus brakes, though adequate, feel a more sluggish to me. Then again it may just be that it's taking me longer to get used to them.
5. styling - apples to oranges. I think the current 3-coupe is sweet looking. I think the 2IS is also sweet. win win here. I personally like the 4 doors I have now. the regular 3 -sedan just isn't sporty enough.
6. cabin - hands down Lexus. The leather, the arrangement of the interior, the trunk space, the glove compartments and overall luxury feel is so much nicer. The BMW (which had leather too..) was very bare/spartan. Again some would prefer this. I didn't mind, but sometimes it didn't feel like I was driving a luxury car in the BMW
7. Lexus Nav vs i"can't stand"Drive. To be fair, the idrive from bmw did get me out of some sticky navigation situations when I was lost, and being able to use the idrive selector wheel when you're driving is nice (if you're careful obviously!), but overall the BMW is light years behind most other NAVs in almost every other way. It was very difficult to search for destination by names and there were a LOT of frustrating times. In the end we ended up getting along (like a married couple that had just resigned to each other because they had no choice..) and once I got used to it, it eventually served its purpose. The Lexus Nav is so much sweeter. Touch screen is just the way to go. I haven't used the new BMW iDrive so I can't say what that's like
8. FINALLY - reliability. I leased my BMW because of all the 4-year horror stories (that's - " DON"T OWN A BMW OVER 4 YEARS or you'll get raped by service.."). I had a couple electrical issues, but no major engine issues. No overheated oil. no transmission problems. Then again, it was a brand new BMW. I had a sneaky feeling if I kept it beyond 3 - 4 years I was going to be at the dealer a lot, and be paying a LOT. Even when I turned in my BMW, the BMW procurement specialist said it was a good idea to end the lease now. I found him brutally honest but appreciated it. The 2007 IS 250 AWD (which my brother took over and drives) has been great (even with a recall or two..).
Summary - IS 350 AWD = awesome. Fast, handles great and is luxurious with great cabin,nav (I don't have ML), styling and reliability. Brakes could be better. Doesn't feel as fast or nimble as the BMW, but not at all far behind in either department. BMW 335 xi coupe - great car. One of the best I've owned, but the again I only dared to own it for 3 years. Great styling, superior (class leading) handling and ride responsiveness. Best brakes I've even had. Disappointing interior, Disappointing (but serviceable) Nav. No backup camera. and BMW service dept is way below the Lexus dept in terms of basically everything
overall, since I decided to OWN and not lease my newest car, I went with Lexus and am extremely happy. I do miss the tighter steering and overall quicker feeling from the 335, but now I really love getting into my car (Lexus) and I have a hunch, that when I do decide to open her up for real, I won't be disappointed at just HOW fast she is.
Thanks
Rich
04-22-11, 06:45 AM
#1352
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04-22-11, 07:29 AM
#1353
4. BRAKING - this is where I think BMW has a big edge. For me at least, I notice a big difference in brake performance. The BMW had some of the best brakes I've ever had. Super responsive without being too sticky. Very high performance. Brembo I believe. Lexus brakes, though adequate, feel a more sluggish to me. Then again it may just be that it's taking me longer to get used to them.
FYI-
http://www.insideline.com/bmw/3-seri...us-is-350.html
the IS350 stopped 2 feet shorter than the 335i did.
Granted those are RWD models, but I doubt there's a huge reversal of this for AWD (I'm not having much luck finding braking #s for the AWD models at the moment)
There could certainly be a huge difference in the feel of the brake systems, but performance wise the Lexus is slightly better than BMW here.
(as always though the tires are probably a larger factor in actual stopping distances, since that's what actually stops the car... maybe your Lexus has crap tires and your BMW had great ones)
04-22-11, 07:44 AM
#1354
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Yes I admit I'm not one to rate performance objectively, I should've been more specific..
The feel is quite different, with the BMW brakes delivering more feel (again this is a personal observation..)
I have the standard tires on my Lexus now, I had the not so friendly run flats on the BMW..
The feel is quite different, with the BMW brakes delivering more feel (again this is a personal observation..)
I have the standard tires on my Lexus now, I had the not so friendly run flats on the BMW..
04-22-11, 08:18 AM
#1355
I have had a 2007 IS350 since new. Recently, I did many test drives of 335i with sport/premium package (that was a requirement). So the following is based on those inputs:
1. Lexus interior is 10x better. Nav is better. Cooled seats are offered. There are cup holders in the divider area. With Nav, you don't have (the somewhat cheezy in my mind) red led readout for the a/c etc. The look and feel is more upscale and felt to me to have better materials. The SmartKey is standard on the Lexus, so you will get it. BMW does win on a few fronts, (a) the option for folding rear seats that Lexus doesn't offer. (b) Also I believe the cold-weather package on the BMW offers heated steering wheel, which is not available on the Lexus. (c) Bluetooth offered on non-Nav systems (lexus you only get BT with Nav).
2. As everyone will tell you, BMW handling is much tighter. I have upgraded the suspension of Lexus with BC Racing coilovers (with custom firmer spring rates) and front/rear F sport bars, and while the car handles significantly better than stock, the ride is much firmer than either car in stock form (my choice, but a tradeoff), and the steering is still not as planted as the BMW. Lexus ride will be very removed from the road, for better or worse.
3. Dealer experience. I have never serviced a BMW, but can tell you Lexus takes its dealer satisfaction very seriously, and you will be treated very well during any service. Also, like others, my is350 has been remarkably reliable, even though I don't pamper it.
1. Lexus interior is 10x better. Nav is better. Cooled seats are offered. There are cup holders in the divider area. With Nav, you don't have (the somewhat cheezy in my mind) red led readout for the a/c etc. The look and feel is more upscale and felt to me to have better materials. The SmartKey is standard on the Lexus, so you will get it. BMW does win on a few fronts, (a) the option for folding rear seats that Lexus doesn't offer. (b) Also I believe the cold-weather package on the BMW offers heated steering wheel, which is not available on the Lexus. (c) Bluetooth offered on non-Nav systems (lexus you only get BT with Nav).
2. As everyone will tell you, BMW handling is much tighter. I have upgraded the suspension of Lexus with BC Racing coilovers (with custom firmer spring rates) and front/rear F sport bars, and while the car handles significantly better than stock, the ride is much firmer than either car in stock form (my choice, but a tradeoff), and the steering is still not as planted as the BMW. Lexus ride will be very removed from the road, for better or worse.
3. Dealer experience. I have never serviced a BMW, but can tell you Lexus takes its dealer satisfaction very seriously, and you will be treated very well during any service. Also, like others, my is350 has been remarkably reliable, even though I don't pamper it.
04-22-11, 08:21 AM
#1356
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04-22-11, 08:36 AM
#1358
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At the end of the day, no matter what car you have, a working reliable car is what you want. Lexus is known for that and I think you already have experienced the BMWs potential problems. My girlfriend has a 3 Series sedan and that thing has problem after problem. As everyone said, the car is less "sporty" but more luxurious. I dont think you will look back after getting into a Lexus.
04-22-11, 08:38 AM
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i heart my IS350. Its an amazing piece of machine.
I sat in my friends M3 and that thing is beastly. The engine roars and growls when riding in that thing. I found it entertaining, but the drawback is the cabin is always loud. I still prefer the IS350 interior compared to the BMW.
Lexus has put out a few recalls. Its good to see Lexus stepping up and getting issues addressed on the car in a timely manner.
Good luck and take pics when you pick up your car!!!
I sat in my friends M3 and that thing is beastly. The engine roars and growls when riding in that thing. I found it entertaining, but the drawback is the cabin is always loud. I still prefer the IS350 interior compared to the BMW.
Lexus has put out a few recalls. Its good to see Lexus stepping up and getting issues addressed on the car in a timely manner.
Good luck and take pics when you pick up your car!!!
04-22-11, 08:41 AM
#1360
I've OWNED both base stereo and ML, and I'm going to be called crazy I know it, but I think the base stereo sounds better. Currently, in my 350, I have the ML. My stock sub blew 4 times. I admit, I like my music loud, but in my 250(w/ base stereo) I could blare my music constantly and not worry about the bass crapping out on me. With my 350, if I put it 75% of what my 350 could handle it would sound distorted and sooner then later it would blow.
After the last time it blew and got it replaced under warranty, I had an aftermarket sub installed and my stock ML disconnected so it doesn't blow, again.
After the last time it blew and got it replaced under warranty, I had an aftermarket sub installed and my stock ML disconnected so it doesn't blow, again.
The problem with most high end systems are that they are very neutral and balanced, with no tonal discoloration. This often time leads to an uninvolved and boring listening experience. I have not heard the ML, but I suspect that is what might be turning you off.
04-22-11, 08:43 AM
#1361
Heh, you should go get a land rover defender. 26 mpg, runs on biodiesel. if i had to buy any one car right now id get one of those. www.eastcoastrover.com
completely different cars i know, just daydreaming here..
completely different cars i know, just daydreaming here..
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-9899048-48.html
04-22-11, 05:26 PM
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Haven't owned a bimmer but have spent lots of time with friends' e92's. To me the biggest advantage the bimmers have is the fold down back seats. I snowboard and would rather not spring for a roof rack. However it wasn't enough to keep me from getting an IS350.
04-22-11, 05:30 PM
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Thanks for the replies. I talked to my BMW CA today to find me a used IS (they're apart of a large network of nice car dealerships). They've got a '07 with 46k miles right now for $26k but of course, it's not CPO and I'm leery about not having the warranty. I'm taking it for an extended test drive next week. 
Can't wait.
Can't wait.
