OneOfOne

that steering wheel feels great and looks appropriate.

CHIS350

Remember though, people don't buy Bimmers for their interiors, they buy them because they are the "ultimate driving machine." (Although most people buy them just so they can see that blue and white propellar!)

They really do need to find a way to modernize their interior and still nod to their rich heritage.

yaro1

I agree. When I sat in the 2IS and felt the steering wheel, it was an amazing feel (soft leather and just the right grip). I just would have maybe liked to see wood on the steering wheel.

2006 GS with wood Steering Wheel


2006 GX with wood Steering Wheel


2006 IS without wood Steering Wheel


Or would some people find that the wood is slippery or bad for performance driving?

CHIS350

Has anyone else found the IS wheel to be really slippery if your hands are a little dry?

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

I like the look of the wood, but wouldn't like the feel of it with enthusiastic driving. The soft leather touch has a nice supple texture on it.

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

man i dont like wood in the IS, theres much less colors when there isnt wood, just the dark plastic, black, some silver and youre set

CHIS350

I generally don't like fake wood but in the IS I think it's done very tastefully and looks very nice. Not tacky looking at all as in some other luxury interiors.

Bichon

Ditto. Just drove an RX330 service loaner yesterday, and while I admired how nice the wood trimmed wheel looked, it didn't feel nearly as nice as the one in the IS.

Bichon

Why do people keep saying that the wood in the IS is fake? It may be a thin laminate, and it may be polished to a plastic like sheen, but it's real wood.

FrankyJ

on the BMW interior, it is definately inferior to the Lexus. My cousin has an 05 X5 4.4, and even tho the exterior is a nice looking vehicle, i couldnt believe a 50Gs+ vehicles interior and center console would be so bland

and on the wood on the steering wheel, my fathers 06 LX470 has it, and i like the feel, and look of it. The current IS no wood steering wheel is slippery if your hands are dry, like in the cold weather, which can be pretty dangerous, so hey... too bad lol small price to pay for the beauty of the 2IS

chuckb

Lexus vehicles don't have fake wood.


and I love teh wood wheel on my car.

knihc2008

iTrader: (1)

That's an e46 interior, not an e90 interior. The e46 interior was absolutely amazing; awesome materials, perfect ergonomics, a total step UP from the current e90 interior.

The Lexus had better have the better interior compared to the BMW. Lexus is known for amazing, coddling interiors. BMW is known for sporty handling, not interiors. A Lexus with a mediocre interior is just, well, a Mercedes-Benz.

S54toIS350

The interior of the new BMW 3 series resembles that of the 80's model. My friend has one for a loaner until his new car comes in, and let be the first to say its discusting to say the least.

S54toIS350

No, people buy BMW because its a...

Beeee Emmmmmm Double YOU!!!!

Trust me, its more of a status thing than anything.

When someone asks, "What do you drive?" You reply, " Baby, I drive Beee Emmmm Double You!" right off the bat, no one would guess whether you have a 1975 POS or a 2006 M5; they hear the name and that is pretty much all that crosses their mind.

EBMCS03

I'm a 100% BMW fan but I already have a 545 so I wasnt going to get another BMW and I have driven a ton of E90 3 series... no NAV, basically non iDrive versions and the interior is a dissappoitment. the 5 series interior is much better but I think the IS still has the edge on that. I'm impressed with the IS interior. Two things I dont like is the foot brake and the squiggly shifter... why cant it just go straight down? Otherwise its great.