2014 Lexus IS350 Beats 2014 BMW 335i...Again
07-26-13, 09:12 PM
#61
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I'm aware of the Edmund's review and I've read the online text version of the comparison as well.
Careful parsing of the comparison will show that the 3 series STILL had the most sloppy handling but came out ahead due to its comfort, space and powertrain.
I guess the take home message is :
If you want a RWD version of the Camry, get the new 3 series.
Careful parsing of the comparison will show that the 3 series STILL had the most sloppy handling but came out ahead due to its comfort, space and powertrain.
I guess the take home message is :
If you want a RWD version of the Camry, get the new 3 series.
07-26-13, 10:37 PM
#62
Natnut,
Looks like it. Mind you, sloppy handling isn't too bad a thing when the relative standards are so high. As for the Camry, well that's no shame as it has evolved to become a really good car; particularly the hybrid powertrain which 'feels' more responsive than the IS300h I drove.
Looks like it. Mind you, sloppy handling isn't too bad a thing when the relative standards are so high. As for the Camry, well that's no shame as it has evolved to become a really good car; particularly the hybrid powertrain which 'feels' more responsive than the IS300h I drove.
07-26-13, 10:39 PM
#63
I am genuinely sad at how low BMW has fallen.
BMW used to win comparisons NOT because it was the fastest accelerating car, NOT because it was the grippiest car, NOT because it was the most spacious car but BECAUSE of its legendary "feel" and driving engagement.
Number crunching and splitting hairs over a few fractions of lap times, skidpad G's, 0-60, 1/4 mile trap speeds was best left to the losers in Lexus/Infiniti/Audi/Mercedes.
BMW drivers KNEW they had the most connected, most fun to drive car in the market. The Proof, as they say, was in the pudding : just get behind the wheel of a BMW and let the driving experience speak for itself.
Now?
Review after review lambast the BMW for abandoning its enthusiast roots in order to chase market share, with the nett result of BMWs losing their famed road-driver-car connectedness. And BMW fans are forced to resort to arguments like 0-60, torque, lap times and skidpad to prop up their increasingly hollow claim of being "drivers' cars".
Worse when they start talking about "curb appeal" and "practicality" as daily-drivers in order to shore up the F30/F10 series of sedans.
Let us all take a moment of silence and mark a watershed point : when BMW died as an enthusiast icon and was reborn as a masterpiece in mass-marketing.
Bavarian Marketing Works indeed.
BMW used to win comparisons NOT because it was the fastest accelerating car, NOT because it was the grippiest car, NOT because it was the most spacious car but BECAUSE of its legendary "feel" and driving engagement.
Number crunching and splitting hairs over a few fractions of lap times, skidpad G's, 0-60, 1/4 mile trap speeds was best left to the losers in Lexus/Infiniti/Audi/Mercedes.
BMW drivers KNEW they had the most connected, most fun to drive car in the market. The Proof, as they say, was in the pudding : just get behind the wheel of a BMW and let the driving experience speak for itself.
Now?
Review after review lambast the BMW for abandoning its enthusiast roots in order to chase market share, with the nett result of BMWs losing their famed road-driver-car connectedness. And BMW fans are forced to resort to arguments like 0-60, torque, lap times and skidpad to prop up their increasingly hollow claim of being "drivers' cars".
Worse when they start talking about "curb appeal" and "practicality" as daily-drivers in order to shore up the F30/F10 series of sedans.
Let us all take a moment of silence and mark a watershed point : when BMW died as an enthusiast icon and was reborn as a masterpiece in mass-marketing.
Bavarian Marketing Works indeed.
07-27-13, 12:56 AM
#64
The two test drivers from Everydaycar.com were genuinely expert car journos.
They gave a more thorough review with lots of details that went for longer than 27 minutes, and you can tell from what they say and how they say it, that they are true car enthusiasts.
The test review from Edmunds is directed at the mass public.
The review only went for 4'59", and you can tell from the language used, that they are the mass public themselves.
Afterall, the 328i is the best selling in this segment to the mass public...
They gave a more thorough review with lots of details that went for longer than 27 minutes, and you can tell from what they say and how they say it, that they are true car enthusiasts.
The test review from Edmunds is directed at the mass public.
The review only went for 4'59", and you can tell from the language used, that they are the mass public themselves.
Afterall, the 328i is the best selling in this segment to the mass public...
07-29-13, 07:36 AM
#65
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I'm not stating anything yet, unlike all the bmw bashers in this thread. I'm just saying that I'm holding my horses to make any conclusions till I see solid proof numbers from the track. Until today BMW proved ON THE TRACK to be the best handler. Lexus has not proved anything on the track yet. That's why I'm saying before unarguably stating that Lexus is now superior in handling - bring the track proof...
11-04-13, 08:54 AM
#66
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11-04-13, 09:08 AM
#67
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11-04-13, 09:46 AM
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The production models do, as it's included in the F-Sport package. However, the one being tested is likely a pre-production model (video was posted in May) given to the press, and I believe those F-Sports came with the HIDs.
11-04-13, 01:25 PM
#70
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3 series rules this segment in terms of sales. Previous generation was the E90/E92.
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.
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.
11-04-13, 01:27 PM
#71
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Thanks for the clarification. BTW, what is the performance (lumen?) difference between the hids and leds? I remember not too long ago when hids were all the hype.
11-04-13, 01:57 PM
#72
What one article says - the other states the opposite. It's an exhausting revolving door. You drive what you think is the best - period. In this case... for myself - IS 350 F Sport.
However, if I wanted something faster, but still staying on the luxury line M3 all of the way.
However, if I wanted something faster, but still staying on the luxury line M3 all of the way.
11-04-13, 04:51 PM
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Whether anyone would notice the visual difference of the projected beam of the HID/LED systems is questionable though. All I know is that my LEDs have been plenty bright enough for me during nighttime driving. It's also nice that the high-beam is fully LED as well, whereas in some HID-equipped vehicles, the high-beam uses an orange-colored halogen bulb.
11-04-13, 05:40 PM
#74
I'm finding the IS250 AWD to be silky smooth and fun to drive while still delivering great road feel and ride comfort. The power delivery is also adequate. I've owned a 2008 335xi that was super fun to drive, but it had run-flat tires and suspension that made the car sound like it was exploding when hitting small bumps in the road. Now, BMW still has the run-flat tires, increased the size of the F30 and adopted electric steering that is anything but engaging. Then you have to deal with throttle and turbo lag and reliability issues.
I still love German cars, but the IS provides leading edge design that provides a good compromise for a sports sedan meant to be a daily driver. The build quality, standard features and expected reliability should secure the IS as a solid market contender.
Consumer Reports panned it IS250, but I give it four plus stars based on ownership experience versus a short test drive.
I still love German cars, but the IS provides leading edge design that provides a good compromise for a sports sedan meant to be a daily driver. The build quality, standard features and expected reliability should secure the IS as a solid market contender.
Consumer Reports panned it IS250, but I give it four plus stars based on ownership experience versus a short test drive.
11-04-13, 06:29 PM
#75
I've read the article then I see the summary specs that the new 335i really improve in speed and to near 4.5 s Vs. IS350 5.5s. Man, this is a full 1 second which is closer to ISF now. The 350 is better in other categories like comfort and little bit of steering feel ....handling.
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