bmaez

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,

SPNinjA

iTrader: (12)

I would really like to know this as well. I was almost tempted to trade my 250 for the 328xi coupe.

calvin2376

iTrader: (2)

What is your current car?

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.

gtbreeze

I agree with above: If I had to buy, I'd pick the Lexus, if I had to lease, I'd pick the BMW.

alexusis35

I went from a 328 to my is350, bimmer cannot compare, luxury, gadgets, drive, look u name it. By far happier with my lexus buy over the bmw

Kurtz

iTrader: (1)

last time I looked at pricing if you option them similarly the 328 is more expensive than a 350... let alone a 250... I'd literally never even consider a 328 for what BMW gets for one.

embolism

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.

cloo7

i think 3 series are due for new generation. if u are planning to buy one soon, you will take a heavy depreciation on the current model, or u will end up with 1 yr model.

gtbreeze

To be fair, the ISX50 is also due for a new generation too.

kumquatism

iTrader: (10)

The new generation of 3 series is due by the end of the year (2012 model year). The IS is most likely not going to be out til end of NEXT year, making it a 2013 model. That's an extra year, not that it really matters that much.

two2tone

iTrader: (10)

I was thinking the same thing... Infiniti already have G37... when are we going to see the IS*70 AWD 500hp?

RocketGuy3

iTrader: (1)

In that case, just forget the Bimmer, unless you're planning on dropping it once the 50K factory warranty period is over. I will give you a 90% guarantee you'll have a LOT more problems with the BMW than the Lexus. The 10% chance is the combined group of people who get either lucky with their BMW, or very unlucky with their Lexus.

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.

shadowman

iTrader: (2)

Second that...

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 $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

cloo7

lol ^^^ that's un-lexus like.

two2tone

iTrader: (10)

It would be nice to have an IS that can compete with BMW: M5 & Cadillac CTS-V tho (power-wise)