2014 Lexus IS350 Beats 2014 BMW 335i...Again
07-25-13, 10:20 AM
#32
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This sounds familiar. Where did I hear this before?
Oh right. That was what Lexus and Infiniti fans used to say in 2006 when the Lexus IS350 and Infiniti G37 crushed the BMW 330i in power, torque and straightline speed but lost to the 330i in overall comparison tests due to the 330i's better driver-engagement and handling.
The BMW partyline then was that there are far more important things to driving pleasure than simple unrefined brute force acceleration.
Funny how the shoe is on the other foot now.
Oh right. That was what Lexus and Infiniti fans used to say in 2006 when the Lexus IS350 and Infiniti G37 crushed the BMW 330i in power, torque and straightline speed but lost to the 330i in overall comparison tests due to the 330i's better driver-engagement and handling.
The BMW partyline then was that there are far more important things to driving pleasure than simple unrefined brute force acceleration.
Funny how the shoe is on the other foot now.
For $1000, I can have a nice modded suspension on the BMW. How much will I have to spend to get the IS going 1 second faster from 0-60? Are there even any mods in existence right now that can do that?
If you want the best of BOTH worlds (handling AND power), you won't get it with either car stock. However, with a little modding, the BMW can get it and the IS (currently) can't. It's not a hard decision, objectively speaking.
07-25-13, 10:21 AM
#33
Advanced
Exactly - your guess and some "feeling" comparisons. Bring the solid track numbers, then you have a convincing point other than just subjective talks...
07-25-13, 10:40 AM
#34
Hopefully some lap time comparisons soon.
However, an educated guess would point to 3IS, because it has the chassis to use its speed.
Whereas the F30 doesn't have the chassis to use its speed, that's why the two test journalists in the Youtube comparison were so damning about the F30.
It is also a bad time to purchase the F30, because sales of F30 across America have fallen by a considerable 30% over the previous generation E46.
The mass public is turning its back against the new BMW F30.
Meanwhile the Cadillac is selling like hot cakes; over the last 12 months, the Cad has been stealing sales from the F30.
The Cad ATS is on track to sell nearly 40,000 units across America this year.
The 3IS remains to be seen, but results will be out in 6 to 12 months...
Last edited by peteharvey; 07-25-13 at 10:44 AM.
07-25-13, 11:00 AM
#36
Why don't you bring some solid track numbers since your the BMW owner stating the BMW is superior? Educate us with the proof!
07-25-13, 11:24 AM
#38
Lexus Fanatic
Not universally at all, there were lots of negative reactions to the styling of the 4GS too.
07-25-13, 11:30 AM
#39
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The 335i did post a better figure 8 track time in the MT test. It's more realistic for a road course (well-because it is one, kind of) than the slalom.
07-25-13, 11:47 AM
#41
Lexus Test Driver
Nice to see IS350 doing good in the comparos.
But in Northeast IS350 RWD Fsport is not sold.
BMW makes horrendous Adjustable Suspensions which include soft/unnatural steering feel.
Comfort mode = soft and floaty
Sport mode = overboosted steering and firm ride
I wish these publications would test a BMW with the standard mechanical Msport Suspension. This is what BMW Excels in.
This is coming from personal experience with my F10.
But in Northeast IS350 RWD Fsport is not sold.
BMW makes horrendous Adjustable Suspensions which include soft/unnatural steering feel.
Comfort mode = soft and floaty
Sport mode = overboosted steering and firm ride
I wish these publications would test a BMW with the standard mechanical Msport Suspension. This is what BMW Excels in.
This is coming from personal experience with my F10.
07-25-13, 12:03 PM
#42
Lexus Test Driver
Do you see any lap time comparisons out there?
Hopefully some lap time comparisons soon.
However, an educated guess would point to 3IS, because it has the chassis to use its speed.
Whereas the F30 doesn't have the chassis to use its speed, that's why the two test journalists in the Youtube comparison were so damning about the F30.
It is also a bad time to purchase the F30, because sales of F30 across America have fallen by a considerable 30% over the previous generation E46.
The mass public is turning its back against the new BMW F30.
Meanwhile the Cadillac is selling like hot cakes; over the last 12 months, the Cad has been stealing sales from the F30.
The Cad ATS is on track to sell nearly 40,000 units across America this year.
The 3IS remains to be seen, but results will be out in 6 to 12 months...
Hopefully some lap time comparisons soon.
However, an educated guess would point to 3IS, because it has the chassis to use its speed.
Whereas the F30 doesn't have the chassis to use its speed, that's why the two test journalists in the Youtube comparison were so damning about the F30.
It is also a bad time to purchase the F30, because sales of F30 across America have fallen by a considerable 30% over the previous generation E46.
The mass public is turning its back against the new BMW F30.
Meanwhile the Cadillac is selling like hot cakes; over the last 12 months, the Cad has been stealing sales from the F30.
The Cad ATS is on track to sell nearly 40,000 units across America this year.
The 3IS remains to be seen, but results will be out in 6 to 12 months...
I have not seen any dip in sales #s, please provide some proof.
Unlike Lexus - BMW has strong demand around the world not just US for the 3 series. If sales were down, it was more of an inventory problem than anything else with the F30 launch.
Im not a big fan of the F30 - i hate the new option lines, and cheaper build quality.
Having said that the 328 and 335 powertrains and tech options (nav / idrive) are the best in class.
So 3 series is still a great choice for certain people.
Last edited by RNM GS3; 07-25-13 at 12:07 PM.
07-25-13, 01:33 PM
#44
07-25-13, 01:46 PM
#45
Lexus Test Driver
Even on those flimsy Turanza tires, an F-sport IS350 RWD will definitely go quicker around the figure-8 than the M-sport 335i when that comparison happens. Just wait and watch.
IS350 RWD better suspension and stiffer chassis are a huge advantage over the 335i m-sport for quick transitions that are the biggest point a slalom test highlights, which is the biggest important thing in a figure-8. It has been well documented that the 335i M-sport understeers substantially more than the IS350 F-sport despite the tire advantage.
p.s. no one talks about the engine sound, but the 3.5 Liter V6 sounds a lot sweeter and melodic at high revs than the 3.0 Liter turbo inline-6 in the 335.
Last edited by 05RollaXRS; 07-25-13 at 02:17 PM.