328i vs. IS350

[Phiber]

It all comes down to what the OP is looking for. Something smooth which feels like your in a old person car or a kiddish car which is stiff and somewhat uncomfortable in long rides..

1sicklex makes some good points about the leg room in the IS. If he plans to drive people around, the Lexus is a no go. Definitely no room in the back seats.

Other than that, I would go IS350 hands down over a 328i. Regardless if it is a lease or buy out. The extra ~80? hp is a extra plus..

[IS-SV]

When I cross-shopped the IS350 vs. 3-series, I did consider both the coupe and the sedan but only felt the coupe was attractive.

Since I use the car occasionally like a 2+2, I felt the sleek IS350 sedan with 4 doors made entry/exit much easier and the back seat was a bit roomier and higher than the coupe rear seat.

For comparison of back seat space, the new C-class has a roomier backseat than the BMW and much roomier than the IS.

[carLx]

Here's an interesting thread on e90post where a guy in a Ford pickup talks about how the 328i is "useless" to him (underpowered compared to its "class" competitors) and wishes the european 270 hp 330i was offered instead of the 328 (because he doesn't trust twin turbo reliability of the 335i)-

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=274447

LOTS of heated responses. The vast vast majority of angry responses come from the people driving the 328is/325is.

I think it's somewhat telling, if they really didn't care about straight line power as much as they claim, I don't think they would show their frustration as much as they do.

Lots of class condescension d-baggery in general but still entertaining. Maybe you can extract some useful information out of that topic.

[Threxx]

Originally Posted by carLx

Here's an interesting thread on e90post where a guy in a Ford pickup talks about how the 328i is "useless" to him (underpowered compared to its "class" competitors) and wishes the european 270 hp 330i was offered instead of the 328 (because he doesn't trust twin turbo reliability of the 335i)-

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=274447

LOTS of heated responses. The vast vast majority of angry responses come from the people driving the 328is/325is.

I think it's somewhat telling, if they really didn't care about straight line power as much as they claim, I don't think they would show their frustration as much as they do.

Lots of class condescension d-baggery in general but still entertaining. Maybe you can extract some useful information out of that topic.

I can't stand the average person on any of the BMW forums. Completely biased about BMW and about 50% of them are just d-bags in general. Most of them can't admit that there might be a single flaw with any BMW (or German in general) car. If there's a problem with the design of your car, it's not the car's/BMW's fault, it's the fault of your stupid opinion or preference or expectation. If your car broke, there's a 90% chance it was your fault that it broke. LOL

It's a behavior I've seen here and other forums as well with the 'home team' brand, but it's by far the worst on BMW forums it seems. Funny enough some of (but not all of) the BMW fans that frequent THIS forum actually remind me of the people I am avoiding by not going to THOSE forums.

I remember my first post there ever asked if there was an aftermarket cup holder available for my 335i because the stock ones were pretty narrow and would not fit my wife's thermos for her morning breakfast drink. The responses I got largely insinuated that I was a stereotypical fat lazy american who needed to learn the superior habits of the Germans who do not drink big gulp sized sodas or for that matter don't even drink or eat anything while driving. And funny enough these were US citizens telling me this with their nose in the air. I understand Germans don't eat/drink while driving. We do because we tend to have longer commutes with more waiting at stop lights. It's just a cultural different... not right or wrong. And I'm sitting at about 10% BF with a build more ripped than probably 98% of the people in that thread.

FWIW I don't see why anyone that cared much about acceleration/power would buy a 328i or 325i when the 335i and 330i were available, so I'd believe anyone who owned a 32*i who told me they weren't that concerned with power. Those cars have enough power to not feel lethargic and make 95% of drivers out there feel content.

[1SICKLEX]

Originally Posted by carLx

Here's an interesting thread on e90post where a guy in a Ford pickup talks about how the 328i is "useless" to him (underpowered compared to its "class" competitors) and wishes the european 270 hp 330i was offered instead of the 328 (because he doesn't trust twin turbo reliability of the 335i)-

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=274447

LOTS of heated responses. The vast vast majority of angry responses come from the people driving the 328is/325is.

I think it's somewhat telling, if they really didn't care about straight line power as much as they claim, I don't think they would show their frustration as much as they do.

Lots of class condescension d-baggery in general but still entertaining. Maybe you can extract some useful information out of that topic.

Call me biased but CL offers the least biased internet car experience. Tons of people on here that own different cars and/or have experience with it. Also we won't let a flame fest continue or even start most times.

I have read that forum before and it made me dumber. Its amazing how bad so many posts are it and its encouraged. Blame the mods, it starts from the top down.

[DASHOCKER]

Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX

Call me biased but CL offers the least biased internet car experience. Tons of people on here that own different cars and/or have experience with it. Also we won't let a flame fest continue or even start most times.

I have read that forum before and it made me dumber. Its amazing how bad so many posts are it and its encouraged. Blame the mods, it starts from the top down.

Less controlling online experience on the post.. Anywho, Your buddy needs to experience both cars on his own and come to a conclusion..

[KILLERGS4]

finally glad they re-did the rear tail lights on the 3. i think the 3 is more handsome car and better lease value. IS just does not thing for me at all. I think I'll take ES over IS (b/c I'm family man).

[carLx]

Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX

Call me biased but CL offers the least biased internet car experience. Tons of people on here that own different cars and/or have experience with it. Also we won't let a flame fest continue or even start most times.

I have read that forum before and it made me dumber. Its amazing how bad so many posts are it and its encouraged. Blame the mods, it starts from the top down.

I agree. Haha if you think e90post is "rough" you would be awe struck at endoftheinter.net (a private forum of which I am a part of). Total chaos. A single main board, thousands of users simultaneously active at any given time. At least one new post and/or topic per second. No rules.

I think it's rather interesting to be honest. It's interesting to see how people act when they are given free anonymous reign on the internet.

I'll tell you right away it's not pretty.

The funny thing is, there are private meetups all over the united states from users on this board, and things in person are vastly different. Once you meet people in person, your demeanor/attitude towards others changes. They become friends in real life, and then subsequently friends on the boards, forming little "cliques" that stick up for one another.

You start as anonymous enemies, you meet in real life and become friends, and you end as friends (in real life and by virtue of that, online as well).

[I8ABMR]

Originally Posted by carLx

I agree. Haha if you think e90post is "rough" you would be awe struck at endoftheinter.net (a private forum of which I am a part of). Total chaos. A single main board, thousands of users simultaneously active at any given time. At least one new post and/or topic per second. No rules.

I think it's rather interesting to be honest. It's interesting to see how people act when they are given free anonymous reign on the internet.

I'll tell you right away it's not pretty.

The funny thing is, there are private meetups all over the united states from users on this board, and things in person are vastly different. Once you meet people in person, your demeanor/attitude towards others changes. They become friends in real life, and then subsequently friends on the boards, forming little "cliques" that stick up for one another.

You start as anonymous enemies, you meet in real life and become friends, and you end as friends (in real life and by virtue of that, online as well).

well said. You are 100% right

[STIG]

IS350 is miles better than 328i. I just don't get why people choose 328i over IS350. May be posers?

[Och]

Originally Posted by STIG

IS350 is miles better than 328i. I just don't get why people choose 328i over IS350. May be posers?

Not necessarily. While the IS350 sedan is much better than 328 sedan, at least in my opinion, the 328 is also available in coupe, convertible thats not a mess, and it has AWD and manual option though the entire range.

[Threxx]

Originally Posted by Och

Not necessarily. While the IS350 sedan is much better than 328 sedan, at least in my opinion, the 328 is also available in coupe, convertible thats not a mess, and it has AWD and manual option though the entire range.

328i also rides smoother while offering handling arguably on par or better than the IS350 depending on if it has the sport package and what aspects of handling you value more than others (absolute grip vs composure and predictability, etc).

Don't forget about the free maintenance on the BMW... add up how much a Lexus costs to keep running for 4 years and 50k miles at the dealer and it can quickly change the true price difference in the two cars.

After all of the above, if I was buying I'd STILL go with the IS350, but I'm just trying to provide both sides.

[lamar411]

Shouldnt you be comparing the IS250 with 328i they are easier to compare then the IS350. IS350 has almost 75 more horsepower and your saying the guy doesnt really care about straigh line speed. So a IS250 would be a better comparo then the IS350, right?

[4TehNguyen]

Originally Posted by Threxx

328i also rides smoother while offering handling arguably on par or better than the IS350 depending on if it has the sport package and what aspects of handling you value more than others (absolute grip vs composure and predictability, etc).

Don't forget about the free maintenance on the BMW... add up how much a Lexus costs to keep running for 4 years and 50k miles at the dealer and it can quickly change the true price difference in the two cars.

After all of the above, if I was buying I'd STILL go with the IS350, but I'm just trying to provide both sides.

I dont see the BMW "free" maintenance as a big deal when its 4 oil changes, wipers, and brake pads. Especially when you pay much more for a similarly equipped. I got 2 years free oil changes on my new Lexus, and oil changes after that are $50 at the dealer.

[1SICKLEX]

Originally Posted by 4TehNguyen

I dont see the BMW "free" maintenance as a big deal when its 4 oil changes, wipers, and brake pads. Especially when you pay much more for a similarly equipped. I got 2 years free oil changes on my new Lexus, and oil changes after that are $50 at the dealer.

I tend to agree but contrary to internet popular belief, most BMW owners (like most car buyers) are car inept. Free maintenance shows this and helps those people stay on track. We all know he majority of BMWs are leased and with free maintenance during the lease period, its a smart decision for those that are not gear heads but want a nice car. I totally understand the appeal.