BMW 328is VS Lexus IS 250
#1
Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: SC
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BMW 328is VS Lexus IS 250
Has anyone compared these two during your car purchasing experience? I'm looking more for the comfort of the ride.
I do quite a bit of highway driving and my current car really take a lot out of me to the point when I reach my destination I feel sore and exhausted. I like the look of both cars and the BMW seems to have more of a back seat. The fuel mileage and features seem similar.
If you have any insight on the maintenance cost and reliability please include this as well.
Thanks,
I do quite a bit of highway driving and my current car really take a lot out of me to the point when I reach my destination I feel sore and exhausted. I like the look of both cars and the BMW seems to have more of a back seat. The fuel mileage and features seem similar.
If you have any insight on the maintenance cost and reliability please include this as well.
Thanks,
#3
Racer
iTrader: (2)
Has anyone compared these two during your car purchasing experience? I'm looking more for the comfort of the ride.
I do quite a bit of highway driving and my current car really take a lot out of me to the point when I reach my destination I feel sore and exhausted. I like the look of both cars and the BMW seems to have more of a back seat. The fuel mileage and features seem similar.
If you have any insight on the maintenance cost and reliability please include this as well.
Thanks,
I do quite a bit of highway driving and my current car really take a lot out of me to the point when I reach my destination I feel sore and exhausted. I like the look of both cars and the BMW seems to have more of a back seat. The fuel mileage and features seem similar.
If you have any insight on the maintenance cost and reliability please include this as well.
Thanks,
I was in a similar position as you, comparing various 3-Series models to the IS250 and 350. I first looked at the 328 and the 250, but they were both far too slow for me, so I moved up to looking at the 350 and the 330 and 335.
Here are things I can say for sure:
1) Lexus ride will be much, much better than the BMW if you're looking for comfort. The BMW is a sporty ride with a tighter suspension.
2) Lexus maintenance and repairs are less costly than BMW.
3) Lexus reliability is better than BMW. There's a reason 60-70% of BMW sales are leases; people don't want to own BMWs past the warranty period, because they're not reliable and repairs are extremely expensive.
4) I have an IS350 and have never been uncomfortable on long drives/road trips. The Lexus interior was much nicer than the BMW and the seats and leather were far more comfortable.
What you should do is:
1) Go test drive both.
2) Do some research and find a 328 and a 250 that are optioned exactly similar and in the way you want them. I think you'll find the BMW is more expensive once you get them optioned the same way. In my experience, I found the base BMW price was similar to the base IS price, but once you option them the same way the BMW was more expensive by a few thousand.
#7
helped my buddy detail his wife's 328i that's one year old and the thing just feels cheap for what it is. They used a tonne of black plastic trim around the doors that fades to matte in no time (Lexus uses chrome and painted metal/plastic). Her car is garaged and it faded in about a year! Plus the interior feels very basic with the black piano trim. Even the leather is hard and uncomfortable.
I haven't driven one but my wife has ridden in the car with her and made the same comments about the interior.
I haven't driven one but my wife has ridden in the car with her and made the same comments about the interior.
Trending Topics
#9
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: GA
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#12
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
Also, in terms of luxury, I really think the IS has the 3-series beat. The nav/UI is better, the leather is better, and the seats are more cradling. As for which suspension rides more comfortably, that's tougher to say... but I still give the edge to the IS.
And no, I'm not biased. I picked the IS over the 3-series for a reason. (Several reasons, actually).
Then there's this, too.
Last edited by RocketGuy3; 07-19-11 at 10:49 AM.
#13
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (2)
I was at a dealer shopping for a basic, entry luxury sport sedan. I checked out 328i for a base model and they told me the cheapest was 40K and they had to special order it "gutted" which will take a month.
If you want the same option as a base IS250, then prepare to pay up the ****. My base IS250 (Premium Package) comes with wood interior, bluetooth audio, perf. leatherseats, heated/cooled seats, sun roof, smart rear view mirror, ... most of these are add-ons for BMW which will cost $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$