meowmix52

Why do I feel that the BMW 3-series door feels much heavier, and sturdier (harder i guess) than the Lexus IS or Japanese cars in general. Almost all German cars feel like they are made out of harder and heavier metal, and I would assume it would be more crash-resistant. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Or am I wrong completely?

KrapWerdna

iTrader: (2)

my step mom 3series doors feel heavy too.
but its just how the hinges are i guess. as far as saftey goes, i have no idea, but i do believe that both the 3seires and the 2IS have similar crash safe ratings.
and i dont know how heavy the 3 sereis is but the i know the isx50 ranges about 4000lbs to 4300lbs about (im quoting this off Forza Motorsport2 . HAHAHAH) correct me if im wrong.
its neither bad nor good. its just how the cars are engineered so theres nothing to worry about.

IS-SV

Not feeling it, and I have 2 comparable models in the garage (C-Class and IS).

It's a non-issue with these cars, both have high safety ratings.

kickin8

iTrader: (1)

heavy not = sturdy .....

IS-SV

Yes and using stiffer springs on the doors to give the illusion of heft is not really a safety plus.

CRB

You're wrong...

IS250 manual Curb Weight (lb / kg) 3,455

IS350 Curb Weight (lb / kg) 3,527 / 1,599

IS250 AWD Curb Weight (lb / kg) 3,651

And now you've been corrected. Forza Motorsport needs to take those bodies out of the trunk before they go to weigh the cars.

llamaboiz

hehe, i never look at cars like 'will it be more safe in a crash', my idea is that i wont get into a crash... afterall if 'crash' survivability was the primary concern we'd all be in volvo's or hummers

sktn77a

iTrader: (2)

Can't comment on the body panels, but there's no question in my mind that the interior materials (leather/plastic/foam) are much better quality in the BMW that Lexus/Toyota. Check out any 5 year old Lexus and the drivers seat bottom will be wrinkled and cracking. Check out any 5 year old BMW and it won't (I've owned and driven both over the last 20 years and can give first hand experience with both).

neova

I just bought a 2001 Audi TT and even the 8 year old door have a more solid "thunking" sound than my 07 IS250. Doesn't mean it's more safe, but sounds sturdier. Don't know why that is, maybe just the way it's constructed.

But the IS250 doors closes a lot more sturdier than my 03 IS300.

slee18

iTrader: (1)

Germans are usually bigger people so that seat needs to support more weight so that it doesnt stretch as easily. JUST KIDDING

BTW the germans use thicker leather is usually cheaper leather. Dont forget the motto of the german automakers "over engineer everything" because we are better than everyone else.

Little E

iTrader: (2)

I fear heavy doors. If parked close to you, they can ding the crap out of the side of your car.

SGMIS3

germans use thicker leather, but lexus' leather is higher quality. you can feel it.

asianfob

You can easily make your door heavier, just use cheaper steels/aluminum, they are weaker and usually heavier=) These days there are many grades steels and aluminum that are lighter and stronger than the lower grades.