328i vs. IS350 - Page 3

1SICKLEX · 08-06-09, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmax2k1

I can't believe people are willing to drop 42K on an entry level BMW.
If you want an auto transmission then IS 350 > 328i
If you want a manual transmission then G37 > 328i

If you still pick the 328i, then you're a badge w h o r e.

What? There is more to a car than just outright HP and Speed. That is for magazine ricers/racers.

If he is going to lease I suggest the 328. I also will ask what is the cars purpose for. If speed is not an issue, the 335 or IS 350 would be wasted. The 328 has PLENTY of pep and STRONG horses.

As for the G37 it is the best "value" but the question is between 328 and IS 350.

bagwell · 08-06-09, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmax2k1

I can't believe people are willing to drop 42K on an entry level BMW.
If you want an auto transmission then IS 350 > 328i
If you want a manual transmission then G37 > 328i

If you still pick the 328i, then you're a badge w h o r e.

hahhahaha

328i is a plain blah looking 3 series....I would never get one.

madmax2k1 · 08-06-09, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX

What? There is more to a car than just outright HP and Speed. That is for magazine ricers/racers.

If he is going to lease I suggest the 328. I also will ask what is the cars purpose for. If speed is not an issue, the 335 or IS 350 would be wasted. The 328 has PLENTY of pep and STRONG horses.

As for the G37 it is the best "value" but the question is between 328 and IS 350.

This has nothing to do with magazine racing; the only small advantage the 328i has is handling/feedback. It's totally outclassed in all the other areas.

Now for 5K more, the 335i is a different animal that I would pick over the IS350.

primecut · 08-06-09, 01:44 PM

I'd have to agree that for leasing, especially if the monthly payments are similar, then free maintenance is a big draw. It's still a bit insane IMO that BMW can set their base MSRP as the competition, but then the car lacks basic features that you'd expect (Like folding rear seats, electronic seat adjustment, auto-dim mirrors, etc.).

Quote:

Originally Posted by rominl

if he can wait, give it another month or two. when the 2010 start to flood the dealership, there should be good deals on the 09. that's how i got my 08

Yea I told him to wait too. But the dealers are saying that the 2010s are not coming out until Oct/Nov. Is that true? Cuz he wants a car by the end of summer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by carLx

Does he really have a hard limit on price? The reason I ask is - most people I know who can truly afford a $40k car can also easily afford a $50k car. Using everything you have (after normal living expenses) to make car payments is probably not a great idea.

Actually the 335 is just above his price range, unless he gets the base model. But you're right, the G is def. a better bargain esp. the sedan, and I did tell him to look into that one. The styling doesn't seem to appeal to him though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX

If he is going to lease I suggest the 328. I also will ask what is the cars purpose for. If speed is not an issue, the 335 or IS 350 would be wasted. The 328 has PLENTY of pep and STRONG horses.

Yea he's not an enthusiast, so the 328 has plenty of power for him. But if he can get a bigger engine for the same price in the IS, it's like a bonus for him.

rominl · 08-06-09, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by primecut

I'd have to agree that for leasing, especially if the monthly payments are similar, then free maintenance is a big draw. It's still a bit insane IMO that BMW can set their base MSRP as the competition, but then the car lacks basic features that you'd expect (Like folding rear seats, electronic seat adjustment, auto-dim mirrors, etc.).

Yea I told him to wait too. But the dealers are saying that the 2010s are not coming out until Oct/Nov. Is that true? Cuz he wants a car by the end of summer.

Actually the 335 is just above his price range, unless he gets the base model. But you're right, the G is def. a better bargain esp. the sedan, and I did tell him to look into that one. The styling doesn't seem to appeal to him though.

Yea he's not an enthusiast, so the 328 has plenty of power for him. But if he can get a bigger engine for the same price in the IS, it's like a bonus for him.

it's really hard to say, all cars are different. but i believe for 09, they arrived at dealerships around sept time frame last year. i'd imagine about the same time line this year too.

Threxx · 08-06-09, 02:31 PM

Man... prices must have really gone up. I have an 07 335i with all of the options that car has (well some of them were standard, but still) except comfort access, plus I have several other options like the 13-speaker HK stereo (was standard on my car), sport package, backup sensors, cold weather package (headlight washers, ski pass through, heated seats). My xenon lights swivel with the steering too... I can't remember if that was an option or not. Anyhow... sticker was 47,xxx which seems like a bargain for only 5 grand more for everything it came with extra (especially that extra hundred or so horsepower

)

The best value presented for most BMW models is the base model with no options added. Get a base 335i or base 328i but just be happy without the options because they're overpriced.

With both cars going for 42k I say it's a no brainer to go with the IS350. Far quicker, nicer interior, better reliability, etc. The only point I'd consider the 328i vs the IS350 in that configuration is if you're talking about leasing because despite the similar sticker prices you'll find BMW has excellent lease rates and Lexus is average at best if not worse than average compared to other lux car companies. Plus at that point who cares about reliability anyway.

RX300-BV · 08-06-09, 02:45 PM

I'll provide my perspective, being that I picked up a 328i.

I like both the 3 series and the IS. The IS has a much nicer interior and the power of the IS350 does make it a pleasure to drive but I much prefer the ride and handling of the 328i. The 328i also has a much more usable back seat. For me, the IS back seat just wasn't doable. I also got a killer deal on a 1 yr old, only 12k on the odo, CPO 328i. It cost me probably $9k less than buying a new 328i with the exact same specs, and about $4-6k less than buying a 1 year old CPO IS350.

If cost were equal, and the IS had a slightly larger back seat, I would take the IS350 over a 328i.

lexmenow · 08-06-09, 02:46 PM

IS350 no contest

carLx · 08-06-09, 04:05 PM

yea i'll second the G37 suggestion if he wants manual. g37 or IS 350 over 328. 335 if he leases. g37 or IS 350 if he plans to buy outright.

1SICKLEX · 08-06-09, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmax2k1

This has nothing to do with magazine racing; the only small advantage the 328i has is handling/feedback. It's totally outclassed in all the other areas.

Now for 5K more, the 335i is a different animal that I would pick over the IS350.

There is more to it than that. When people dump some coin on a luxury car most times people want to be associated with a successful luxury brand that is easily recognized by others. Its not just with luxury cars, but any high end good. A BMW can provide a feeling of "worth" that a better car on "paper" cannot provide. Call it a badge *****, call it what you want but its true. Otherwise the top selling cars in each class would be the best "Value" cars. That is rarely ever the case.

The buyer isn't a car guy and isn't into racing. As Primecut said Speed is a "bonus" but not a must have. He also might not want a larger car as the 3/IS are the same size but the G37 is much larger.

If both cars are 42k and he is buying I say go with the IS. If he is leasing the 328 makes a lot of sense with its "free" maintenance and cheap lease deals.

I am not suggesting any other car b/c he didn't ask about any other car.

Why do you have a red "S" in your signature btw?