335i to IS250 AWD
04-20-10, 10:35 AM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: ut
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
335i to IS250 AWD
My '08 335i was coming close to its warranty, so I had a decision to make: keep it, get a new one, or consider another make. Money is not as plentiful today as when I got the 335,so something cheaper was definitely in the equation. Also, even though running snows on the 335 was okay, I get enough snow that i really wanted AWD this time around.
The 335 is a beast, but it has not been very reliable (2 window regulators, high pressure fuel pump, wastgate, fuel injectors) and even bimmerphiles agree that after around 60k, they are expensive to maintain. Audi's have always been appealing but they have the same problem, and then some. So I felt I had to go Japanese.
Value being a part of the mix, I considered a Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart- AWD and a quick 0-60, with a DCT that was fabulous. But the interior was dismal, and at $27k, not cheap enough to justify. Same with the WRX, and since I commute, I didn't want to row the gears in the subie.
I have previously owned a '92 SC400 I drove to 200k without any real problem, and it drove wonderfully until the day I traded it for an '02 IS300. I loved the IS300, and intended to pull the trigger on the '06 IS350, but the car was a letdown dynamically. It ended up that the 335 felt more like the IS300 to me than did the IS350.
Having driven the 335 for the last 2 years, the power intoxication has worn off. It really is overkill for me, with just commuting, even though it is fantastic to know you can pass just about any car on the road at will. So I broke down and got the car I thought was the best mix of reliability, comfort, and AWD- an 06 IS250 AWD.
So far I have to say I am happy with it. I've always liked the cabin better than the 335, the slightly softer ride than the 335 with sports pack is better on the highway, and I really don't miss the power much. Plus, you just stick through turns with AWD in a way that you never can with a powerful RWD. Although you miss the fun of breaking the tail loose, on the 335 you can only really do that if you turn DCT off, and that gets to be a pain over time.
Anyway, glad to be back in the Lexus fold. I hope this car keeps chugging for at least another 100k.
The 335 is a beast, but it has not been very reliable (2 window regulators, high pressure fuel pump, wastgate, fuel injectors) and even bimmerphiles agree that after around 60k, they are expensive to maintain. Audi's have always been appealing but they have the same problem, and then some. So I felt I had to go Japanese.
Value being a part of the mix, I considered a Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart- AWD and a quick 0-60, with a DCT that was fabulous. But the interior was dismal, and at $27k, not cheap enough to justify. Same with the WRX, and since I commute, I didn't want to row the gears in the subie.
I have previously owned a '92 SC400 I drove to 200k without any real problem, and it drove wonderfully until the day I traded it for an '02 IS300. I loved the IS300, and intended to pull the trigger on the '06 IS350, but the car was a letdown dynamically. It ended up that the 335 felt more like the IS300 to me than did the IS350.
Having driven the 335 for the last 2 years, the power intoxication has worn off. It really is overkill for me, with just commuting, even though it is fantastic to know you can pass just about any car on the road at will. So I broke down and got the car I thought was the best mix of reliability, comfort, and AWD- an 06 IS250 AWD.
So far I have to say I am happy with it. I've always liked the cabin better than the 335, the slightly softer ride than the 335 with sports pack is better on the highway, and I really don't miss the power much. Plus, you just stick through turns with AWD in a way that you never can with a powerful RWD. Although you miss the fun of breaking the tail loose, on the 335 you can only really do that if you turn DCT off, and that gets to be a pain over time.
Anyway, glad to be back in the Lexus fold. I hope this car keeps chugging for at least another 100k.
04-20-10, 10:47 AM
#4
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: ut
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I had always planned on the 350 before I got the 335. But I commute so much in the snow that I knew I wanted AWD, even with snow tires. The real agony was accepting 100 less horses to get AWD. I almost pulled the trigger on the G37x, but in the end I just couldn't do it. That car is just not very attractive.
04-20-10, 10:51 AM
#6
Lexus Fanatic
04-20-10, 10:52 AM
#7
Advanced
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Illinois
Posts: 613
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Congrats on the new ride. I am sure you will miss the power of the 335 sometimes but hopefully not too often.
You may still want to consider getting dedicated snow tires even with the AWD. That was my experience in Illinois. I could accelerate fine but braking and turning, not so much with the OEM all seasons. I.e. Bridgestone Potenza's.
Just a thought.
You may still want to consider getting dedicated snow tires even with the AWD. That was my experience in Illinois. I could accelerate fine but braking and turning, not so much with the OEM all seasons. I.e. Bridgestone Potenza's.
Just a thought.
Trending Topics
04-20-10, 10:56 AM
#9
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: ut
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Tell me about it. I drove my in-laws' 03 Nissan Maxima the other day and it felt really fast in comparison to the 250. I'm guessing about 6 seconds 0-60. Its an adjustment to know the Camry next to you could blow your doors off if it wanted to.
04-20-10, 10:59 AM
#10
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: ut
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Congrats on the new ride. I am sure you will miss the power of the 335 sometimes but hopefully not too often.
You may still want to consider getting dedicated snow tires even with the AWD. That was my experience in Illinois. I could accelerate fine but braking and turning, not so much with the OEM all seasons. I.e. Bridgestone Potenza's.
Just a thought.
You may still want to consider getting dedicated snow tires even with the AWD. That was my experience in Illinois. I could accelerate fine but braking and turning, not so much with the OEM all seasons. I.e. Bridgestone Potenza's.
Just a thought.
I was hoping I could get by with Michelin PS AS or Conti Extreme Contacts. We'll find out. The car cam with Kumho ASX which I expect won't be great in the snow.,
04-20-10, 12:17 PM
#12
Lexus Fanatic
Congrats on something different. Sure the power is down, but the luxury factor is up, an upgrade in that department.
Note: In my experience if a car has numerous significant warranty repairs (like OP's 335), it does not well for reliability beyond the warranty period. So I'm not surprised his specific 335 wasn't a keeper.
Note: In my experience if a car has numerous significant warranty repairs (like OP's 335), it does not well for reliability beyond the warranty period. So I'm not surprised his specific 335 wasn't a keeper.
Last edited by IS-SV; 04-20-10 at 12:21 PM.
04-20-10, 01:23 PM
#15
Rookie
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: B.C
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My '08 335i was coming close to its warranty, so I had a decision to make: keep it, get a new one, or consider another make. Money is not as plentiful today as when I got the 335,so something cheaper was definitely in the equation. Also, even though running snows on the 335 was okay, I get enough snow that i really wanted AWD this time around.
The 335 is a beast, but it has not been very reliable (2 window regulators, high pressure fuel pump, wastgate, fuel injectors) and even bimmerphiles agree that after around 60k, they are expensive to maintain. Audi's have always been appealing but they have the same problem, and then some. So I felt I had to go Japanese.
Value being a part of the mix, I considered a Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart- AWD and a quick 0-60, with a DCT that was fabulous. But the interior was dismal, and at $27k, not cheap enough to justify. Same with the WRX, and since I commute, I didn't want to row the gears in the subie.
I have previously owned a '92 SC400 I drove to 200k without any real problem, and it drove wonderfully until the day I traded it for an '02 IS300. I loved the IS300, and intended to pull the trigger on the '06 IS350, but the car was a letdown dynamically. It ended up that the 335 felt more like the IS300 to me than did the IS350.
Having driven the 335 for the last 2 years, the power intoxication has worn off. It really is overkill for me, with just commuting, even though it is fantastic to know you can pass just about any car on the road at will. So I broke down and got the car I thought was the best mix of reliability, comfort, and AWD- an 06 IS250 AWD.
So far I have to say I am happy with it. I've always liked the cabin better than the 335, the slightly softer ride than the 335 with sports pack is better on the highway, and I really don't miss the power much. Plus, you just stick through turns with AWD in a way that you never can with a powerful RWD. Although you miss the fun of breaking the tail loose, on the 335 you can only really do that if you turn DCT off, and that gets to be a pain over time.
Anyway, glad to be back in the Lexus fold. I hope this car keeps chugging for at least another 100k.
The 335 is a beast, but it has not been very reliable (2 window regulators, high pressure fuel pump, wastgate, fuel injectors) and even bimmerphiles agree that after around 60k, they are expensive to maintain. Audi's have always been appealing but they have the same problem, and then some. So I felt I had to go Japanese.
Value being a part of the mix, I considered a Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart- AWD and a quick 0-60, with a DCT that was fabulous. But the interior was dismal, and at $27k, not cheap enough to justify. Same with the WRX, and since I commute, I didn't want to row the gears in the subie.
I have previously owned a '92 SC400 I drove to 200k without any real problem, and it drove wonderfully until the day I traded it for an '02 IS300. I loved the IS300, and intended to pull the trigger on the '06 IS350, but the car was a letdown dynamically. It ended up that the 335 felt more like the IS300 to me than did the IS350.
Having driven the 335 for the last 2 years, the power intoxication has worn off. It really is overkill for me, with just commuting, even though it is fantastic to know you can pass just about any car on the road at will. So I broke down and got the car I thought was the best mix of reliability, comfort, and AWD- an 06 IS250 AWD.
So far I have to say I am happy with it. I've always liked the cabin better than the 335, the slightly softer ride than the 335 with sports pack is better on the highway, and I really don't miss the power much. Plus, you just stick through turns with AWD in a way that you never can with a powerful RWD. Although you miss the fun of breaking the tail loose, on the 335 you can only really do that if you turn DCT off, and that gets to be a pain over time.
Anyway, glad to be back in the Lexus fold. I hope this car keeps chugging for at least another 100k.
Funny how Toyota is the current manufacturer under the media scope in regards to quality issues yet my 335 and previous audi give me the impression as though they were assembled in a 3rd world country somewhere where moisture seeped into every single electronic compartment.
All kidding aside, if reliability is your thing then you wont be disappointed by your IS. Although Im not a fan of the BMW's austere looking interior I must say that the quality of plastic is definately better than that of the Lexus which creaks and craks over time