Lexus wins another major handling comparison (this time with the 3IS IS350 f sport)
04-28-13, 01:52 AM
#1
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Lexus wins another major handling comparison (this time with the 3IS IS350 f sport)
Lexus GS350 F-Sport vs BMW 535i M-Sport
Slalom :
Cornering :
Evasive Action :
This head-to-head comparison was conducted by AMCI Testing.
About the company :
For those who say : " A swallow does not a summer make."
How about TWO swallows?
Car And Driver : 3 Way Shoot-out Between BMW 335i M-Sport, Cadillac ATS 3.6L with Sport Package and Lexus IS350 F-Sport
A few choice quotes from the article:
Incidentally, the new IS350 F-Sport had the fastest slalom speed and won the 3 way shootout. 
So basically, GS > 5 series in handling and IS/ATS > 3 series in handling and driving appeal. That's essentially the core of BMW's line-up being beaten by its competition.
Thoughts?
Slalom :
Cornering :
Evasive Action :
This head-to-head comparison was conducted by AMCI Testing.
About the company :
For 30 years AMCI Testing has been an unbiased, independent vehicle testing company, directly serving automotive manufacturers worldwide. Whenever a balanced and unprejudiced understanding of their own vehicles' comparative performance is needed for product development, market intelligence or claim substantiation, most come to us. The oft proven, undisputed and unrivaled accuracy of AMCI Testing Certified data has fairly and defensibly substantiated hundreds and hundreds of competitive claims in television and print over the years.
How about TWO swallows?
Car And Driver : 3 Way Shoot-out Between BMW 335i M-Sport, Cadillac ATS 3.6L with Sport Package and Lexus IS350 F-Sport
A few choice quotes from the article:
The question on everyone's minds was vocalized by technical editor KC Colwell : " Is it possible that the BMW has the worst steering here?"
This is the first 3 series that feels less thoroughly engineered than its competition. It's competent, it's spacious, it's comfortable ; but in comparison to other cars in its segment, the 3 series is undercooked.
Compared with the other 2 cars here, the 3 series feels immense and slow-witted.
And that is what's most damning : The M Sport is capable, but it's not as engaging as either opponent.
So basically, GS > 5 series in handling and IS/ATS > 3 series in handling and driving appeal. That's essentially the core of BMW's line-up being beaten by its competition.
Thoughts?
Last edited by natnut; 04-28-13 at 07:24 AM.
04-28-13, 04:36 AM
#4
its interesting how these days Lexus win's comparos because of the feel and sorted suspension... before we had very good numbers on the track, that didnt translate well when you are in the car... now we have worse stats but feels a lot better and drives better too.
04-28-13, 06:59 AM
#6
reading over complete article, IS350 is simply a better car... not just steering... better fit and finish, better suspension, better steering, overall simply more refined package.
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04-28-13, 07:37 AM
#8
Pole Position
Thread Starter
You know what's the most worrying thing for BMW?
The 335i has significantly better straightline speed 0-60 and 1/4 mile, is 100lbs lighter than the IS350, YET has a significantly slower slalom speed compared to the IS.
We all know slalom speed measures chassis tuning and responsiveness. DESPITE all its advantages in terms of torque and straight line acceleration, the BMW 335i M-Sport still manages to be a poorer handling car both objectively in terms of measured numbers and subjectively according to the C&D editors' personal feedback.
Does that sound familiar to you?
Right now, it looks like BMW is in danger of becoming a mid-90's Mercedes AMG : fast only in a straight line, using its power as a crude attempt to mask its shortcomings as a precision driving instrument.
The 335i has significantly better straightline speed 0-60 and 1/4 mile, is 100lbs lighter than the IS350, YET has a significantly slower slalom speed compared to the IS.
We all know slalom speed measures chassis tuning and responsiveness. DESPITE all its advantages in terms of torque and straight line acceleration, the BMW 335i M-Sport still manages to be a poorer handling car both objectively in terms of measured numbers and subjectively according to the C&D editors' personal feedback.
Does that sound familiar to you?
Right now, it looks like BMW is in danger of becoming a mid-90's Mercedes AMG : fast only in a straight line, using its power as a crude attempt to mask its shortcomings as a precision driving instrument.
04-28-13, 09:05 AM
#10
:-).
04-28-13, 09:29 AM
#11
shocking, i thought the new F30 chassis is a lot more nimble than the outgoing E90/92. BMW needs to return to its root, spend more time on chassis tuning and weight shaving, rather than spend most of their R&D on that efficient dynamic and Active Hybrid crap. people buy BMW (well most people) for its driving dynamic, not for bragging rights about your 7 series averages 2 more MPG over your neighbor's S class.
04-28-13, 09:37 AM
#13
Lead Lap
C&D: IS350 wins over 335i, ATS 3.6
Congrats to the IS350! 
Not surprised at the conclusion, C&D seems to like both the ATS and 3-series in 328i and ATS 2.0T configurations much better.
http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=833436
Not surprised at the conclusion, C&D seems to like both the ATS and 3-series in 328i and ATS 2.0T configurations much better.http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=833436
04-28-13, 09:44 AM
#14
Guest
Posts: n/a
tell the guys at vwvortex hi and I love our modified GS F-sport Really impressed with the ATS reviews in regards to the drive, think I'll try to rent one out next trip.
04-28-13, 09:49 AM
#15
shocking, i thought the new F30 chassis is a lot more nimble than the outgoing E90/92. BMW needs to return to its root, spend more time on chassis tuning and weight shaving, rather than spend most of their R&D on that efficient dynamic and Active Hybrid crap. people buy BMW (well most people) for its driving dynamic, not for bragging rights about your 7 series averages 2 more MPG over your neighbor's S class.
When I checked F30 and expressed my dissapointment in fit and finish and interior quality, you could barely read that in any paper - journos all called it the best car ever made... now we know that reality is different.
so, without handling, or luxury, what are they spending their money on? I would guess badge.