I don't understand some 2IS buyers?
10-04-07, 04:16 PM
#91
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Speaking of quality, which also for some reason seems to be up for debate in this forum, my boss has a five year old M5, and that car is in the shop at least three times per year, and had to go in for service that cost well over $2,000 just days after the warranty expired. There seems to be a lot more BMWs in the shop than Lexuses which to me speaks to the quality of the car. Ever since my first Toyota I've been hooked on them after dealing with American cars for so many years. I'm trying to be fair to BMW but it's tough when you see firsthand the quality issues, the cheap interiors that are straight out of the 80s, the crappy iDrive system, etc. I always have to ask, besides the badge on the back and the status that comes with driving one, what's so great about them?
For the record, most of the materials in my e90 were not any worse than my IS. The design was a bit on the spartan side, but the quality of the materials and the way it was put together was not lacking in the least. Do a search on this forum for squeaks and gaps in the IS. To me, taking the time and energy to design a car that fits together like it was cast from a single piece of material is what constitutes quality.
For others it may be that they can overlook the small details if their car stays out of the shop. I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.
10-04-07, 04:20 PM
#92
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Former E36 owner here. I obviously chose the IS350 over the 330i when I was window shopping. IF the 335i was out at that time and IF Bmw had a comparable Nav/Audio/backup cam system and IF I could *buy* this mythical bimmer for an acceptable premium (say 5-8%) I prolly would've bought it. But at the end of the day, when you weigh all the pros & cons, the IS was the clear choice. . .
IF you had bought the 335, you probably would be driving a loaner waiting for a new fuel pump to come in.
10-04-07, 06:13 PM
#93
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See, you're talking reliability again. They might be one in the same in your dictionary, but not in mine. If quality = reliability for you then you made a smart choice with the Lexus.
For the record, most of the materials in my e90 were not any worse than my IS. The design was a bit on the spartan side, but the quality of the materials and the way it was put together was not lacking in the least. Do a search on this forum for squeaks and gaps in the IS. To me, taking the time and energy to design a car that fits together like it was cast from a single piece of material is what constitutes quality.
For others it may be that they can overlook the small details if their car stays out of the shop. I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.
For the record, most of the materials in my e90 were not any worse than my IS. The design was a bit on the spartan side, but the quality of the materials and the way it was put together was not lacking in the least. Do a search on this forum for squeaks and gaps in the IS. To me, taking the time and energy to design a car that fits together like it was cast from a single piece of material is what constitutes quality.
For others it may be that they can overlook the small details if their car stays out of the shop. I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.
10-04-07, 06:23 PM
#94
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Regardless, the BMWs are fun cars if you are willing to roll the dice and hope you get a good one. However, if you want a car that is almost as fun and has a much better chance of being reliable, the Lexus is the winner every time.
10-04-07, 09:02 PM
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I think it is the latter, or rather the lack of strict QC controls. As I said before, the Japanese are masters of reproduction and the Germans are kings of engineering. The Lexus is a very very well built car exactly like every one of its siblings. The BMW is a very very well engineered car, built mostly the same as its siblings, though there are some kinks in the assembly line which result in unreliable cars and some lemons. However, there are certainly stories of BMWs that are entirely trouble-free.
Regardless, the BMWs are fun cars if you are willing to roll the dice and hope you get a good one. However, if you want a car that is almost as fun and has a much better chance of being reliable, the Lexus is the winner every time.
Regardless, the BMWs are fun cars if you are willing to roll the dice and hope you get a good one. However, if you want a car that is almost as fun and has a much better chance of being reliable, the Lexus is the winner every time.
As a former Mrs. Bimmer driver and owner, I agree that BMW has a solid design, ut hum, engineering. However, that must be on paper. When it comes time to put the darn car together and actually produce their "engineering masterpiece", they seem to always screw it up one way or another. The lack of "quality" in production is where the German auto makers take a major hit, BMW included. They really should take from Deming's TQM as the Japanese did and produce reliable (quality) cars.
Had BMW produced their "superior engineered" cars with the quality and sound engineering found in Lexus, our driveway and garage would be a BMW family as opposed to a Lexus family. Each to their own.
10-04-07, 09:09 PM
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More like car crazed male (singular). My husband is a car enthusiast (sports cars and trucks). After 17+ years of marriage, it rubbed off. It was a learned interest for me, rather than something that I was drawn to. After joining my husband on a track day where I drove for the first time, I was hooked. BTW, I found that I was a natural driver as I often perform better than many of the guys. For example, in my last toy, the S2000, let's just say that I redefined more than a few "car craze males" egos. It is almost funny to see the look on the 20' something's face when a (not telling my age) mother of two teens, out did them at the track. 
Last edited by DropTopGal; 10-04-07 at 09:14 PM.
10-04-07, 10:29 PM
#97
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I was disappointed with the E90 line. Our initial plan was for me to be in a 335i convertible and my husband for the new M3. After checking out the E90 line, well, I/we expected more. What we found and as proven in the BMW forums was more of the same. More "ultimate driver's machine" with the same "ultimate driver's headache" due to problems.
As a former Mrs. Bimmer driver and owner, I agree that BMW has a solid design, ut hum, engineering. However, that must be on paper. When it comes time to put the darn car together and actually produce their "engineering masterpiece", they seem to always screw it up one way or another. The lack of "quality" in production is where the German auto makers take a major hit, BMW included. They really should take from Deming's TQM as the Japanese did and produce reliable (quality) cars.
Had BMW produced their "superior engineered" cars with the quality and sound engineering found in Lexus, our driveway and garage would be a BMW family as opposed to a Lexus family. Each to their own.
As a former Mrs. Bimmer driver and owner, I agree that BMW has a solid design, ut hum, engineering. However, that must be on paper. When it comes time to put the darn car together and actually produce their "engineering masterpiece", they seem to always screw it up one way or another. The lack of "quality" in production is where the German auto makers take a major hit, BMW included. They really should take from Deming's TQM as the Japanese did and produce reliable (quality) cars.
Had BMW produced their "superior engineered" cars with the quality and sound engineering found in Lexus, our driveway and garage would be a BMW family as opposed to a Lexus family. Each to their own.
10-04-07, 10:30 PM
#98
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Well in all fairness the same can be said of Lexus (if they stole some BMW 'handling' engineers)
10-04-07, 10:34 PM
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10-04-07, 11:11 PM
#100
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It's getting late here... my mind is wondering... Go with me on this notion... Perhaps a true merger, not an acquisition like Mercedes did with Chrysler, between BMW and Toyota/Lexus, Audi and Honda/Acura. Could you imagine the cars they would produce! But wait a minute. Germany and Japan united again? Ut oh...
12-18-09, 04:13 PM
#104
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I bought this car for its styling, not so much as a sports car. It's such a great looking car! It even gets decent gas mileage (my average being 24.5 since new). And, don't forget reliability, which so far has been flawless. By the way, I have a 95 Corvette Convertible for a sports car, but I actually prefer the IS for daily driving due to it being a smaller car. The Vett is for sunny weekends in the summer.
