Does Road and Track regret choosing Lexus IS 350 over BMW 3-Series after 8500 miles?
01-23-15, 01:38 PM
#47
BMW, or at least the 3 series, has definitely gone downhill. When e36 and especially e46 were current styles these cars were so great. Old e46 is probably my favorite owned car of all time.
That said the modern day 3 largely disappoints, and for this generation cycle the IS really seems like the superior car. As an overall company currently and historically BMW still wins.
That said the modern day 3 largely disappoints, and for this generation cycle the IS really seems like the superior car. As an overall company currently and historically BMW still wins.
01-23-15, 02:44 PM
#48
Lead Lap
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: California
Posts: 413
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BMW, or at least the 3 series, has definitely gone downhill. When e36 and especially e46 were current styles these cars were so great. Old e46 is probably my favorite owned car of all time.
That said the modern day 3 largely disappoints, and for this generation cycle the IS really seems like the superior car. As an overall company currently and historically BMW still wins.
That said the modern day 3 largely disappoints, and for this generation cycle the IS really seems like the superior car. As an overall company currently and historically BMW still wins.
01-24-15, 11:10 AM
#49
Which issue was that?
01-24-15, 11:41 AM
#50
Lexus Champion
I think F30/31 335i with M-Sport and dynamic handling package is still pretty awesome. I would not downplay bimmer that much. Yes, the regular with luxury package and with M Line they are kinda soft and too much body roll but with M Sport and dynamic handling package as well as that 3.0 sweetheart inline six makes it a fun car to drive. Not saying 3IS is worse but if you properly option a 3 series it becomes a genuinely fun car to drive. The problem is to get to that point 3 series will cost around 55-60K and that is really expensive.
01-24-15, 07:43 PM
#51
01-24-15, 08:21 PM
#52
[QUOTE=electrohou;8881281]BMW, or at least the 3 series, has definitely gone downhill. When e36 and especially e46 were current styles these cars were so great. Old e46 is probably my favorite owned car of all time.
My e46 (2002 330xi with sport package) was my favorite car since I started driving in 1966. I was so dissapointed when I test drove the f30 to replace that car. The 3IS came closest to tthe handiling and overall driving experience of the e46 within class.
My e46 (2002 330xi with sport package) was my favorite car since I started driving in 1966. I was so dissapointed when I test drove the f30 to replace that car. The 3IS came closest to tthe handiling and overall driving experience of the e46 within class.
01-25-15, 07:57 PM
#53
[QUOTE=CtSFox;8882880]
I agree with you both. I am thinking to get the 3IS 350 F sport to replace my E46 330i. Really impressed with this car.
BMW, or at least the 3 series, has definitely gone downhill. When e36 and especially e46 were current styles these cars were so great. Old e46 is probably my favorite owned car of all time.
My e46 (2002 330xi with sport package) was my favorite car since I started driving in 1966. I was so dissapointed when I test drove the f30 to replace that car. The 3IS came closest to tthe handiling and overall driving experience of the e46 within class.
My e46 (2002 330xi with sport package) was my favorite car since I started driving in 1966. I was so dissapointed when I test drove the f30 to replace that car. The 3IS came closest to tthe handiling and overall driving experience of the e46 within class.
01-26-15, 11:34 AM
#54
[QUOTE=Savjam;8883948]I'd also look forward to much lowere long term maintenence costs. MY 2002 330X1 was consting me a few thousand a year in the last several years of its 150,000 mile life. By comparison, not counting routine maintenence, our 199 RX 300 with 205,000 miles has only required an alternator and water pump.
01-26-15, 06:02 PM
#55
[QUOTE=CtSFox;8884752]
I'd also look forward to much lowere long term maintenence costs. MY 2002 330X1 was consting me a few thousand a year in the last several years of its 150,000 mile life. By comparison, not counting routine maintenence, our 199 RX 300 with 205,000 miles has only required an alternator and water pump.
That really puts it into perspective. 
I'd also look forward to much lowere long term maintenence costs. MY 2002 330X1 was consting me a few thousand a year in the last several years of its 150,000 mile life. By comparison, not counting routine maintenence, our 199 RX 300 with 205,000 miles has only required an alternator and water pump.
01-26-15, 10:42 PM
#56
Lead Lap
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: California
Posts: 413
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
what about the cost of ownership during the first 4years/50 miles?
- Lexus only 5K and 10K covered. 15-50K is out of pocket expense. - BMW covers all the way till 50K miles
- Lexus brake job, windshield wipers is out of pocket expense. - BMW covers that as well
- Lexus consumes more gas. - BMW consumes less gas
It is only after 4Y/50K miles it becomes cheaper to own 3IS. Please lets not bash competition without pointing out our own problems. I am sure members at bimmerfest don't even talk about Lexus while we only talk and talk and talk about bimmer. It looks like the reason we talk about 3 series is maybe because it is so damn good or we are so insecure about our own car?
- Lexus only 5K and 10K covered. 15-50K is out of pocket expense. - BMW covers all the way till 50K miles
- Lexus brake job, windshield wipers is out of pocket expense. - BMW covers that as well
- Lexus consumes more gas. - BMW consumes less gas
It is only after 4Y/50K miles it becomes cheaper to own 3IS. Please lets not bash competition without pointing out our own problems. I am sure members at bimmerfest don't even talk about Lexus while we only talk and talk and talk about bimmer. It looks like the reason we talk about 3 series is maybe because it is so damn good or we are so insecure about our own car?
Last edited by salvadorik; 01-27-15 at 08:42 AM.
01-27-15, 02:31 AM
#57
what about the cost of ownership during the first 4years/50 miles?
- Lexus only 5K and 10K covered. 15-50K is out of pocket expense. - BMW covers all the way till 50K miles
- Lexus brake job, windshield wipers is out of pocket expense. - BMW covers that as well
- Lexus consumes more gas. - BMW consumes less gas
It is only after 4Y/50K miles it becomes cheaper to own 3IS. Please lets not bash competition without pointing out our own problems. I am sure members at bimmerfest don't even talk about Lexus while we only talk and talk and talk about bimmer. It looks like the reason we talk about 3 series is maybe because it is do damn good or we are so insecure about our own car?
- Lexus only 5K and 10K covered. 15-50K is out of pocket expense. - BMW covers all the way till 50K miles
- Lexus brake job, windshield wipers is out of pocket expense. - BMW covers that as well
- Lexus consumes more gas. - BMW consumes less gas
It is only after 4Y/50K miles it becomes cheaper to own 3IS. Please lets not bash competition without pointing out our own problems. I am sure members at bimmerfest don't even talk about Lexus while we only talk and talk and talk about bimmer. It looks like the reason we talk about 3 series is maybe because it is do damn good or we are so insecure about our own car?
Don't get me wrong I LOVED my BMW e46. Its just that the f30, for the most part, has lost the BMW mojo last present in the e90. To me, at least, with the generic f30, BMW would no longer be worth the hassle and long term cost of ownership.
Last edited by CtSFox; 01-27-15 at 02:48 AM. Reason: spelling
01-27-15, 05:23 AM
#58
what about the cost of ownership during the first 4years/50 miles?
- Lexus only 5K and 10K covered. 15-50K is out of pocket expense. - BMW covers all the way till 50K miles
- Lexus brake job, windshield wipers is out of pocket expense. - BMW covers that as well
- Lexus consumes more gas. - BMW consumes less gas
It is only after 4Y/50K miles it becomes cheaper to own 3IS. Please lets not bash competition without pointing out our own problems. I am sure members at bimmerfest don't even talk about Lexus while we only talk and talk and talk about bimmer. It looks like the reason we talk about 3 series is maybe because it is do damn good or we are so insecure about our own car?
- Lexus only 5K and 10K covered. 15-50K is out of pocket expense. - BMW covers all the way till 50K miles
- Lexus brake job, windshield wipers is out of pocket expense. - BMW covers that as well
- Lexus consumes more gas. - BMW consumes less gas
It is only after 4Y/50K miles it becomes cheaper to own 3IS. Please lets not bash competition without pointing out our own problems. I am sure members at bimmerfest don't even talk about Lexus while we only talk and talk and talk about bimmer. It looks like the reason we talk about 3 series is maybe because it is do damn good or we are so insecure about our own car?
Honestly cars nowadays you dont have to do squat to them service wise other than the typical oil changes, engine and cabin filters.
01-27-15, 08:37 AM
#59
Lead Lap
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: California
Posts: 413
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
most dealers give you 2 years of oil changes already. BMW shortened their oil change interval because it was causing engine problems especially in the V8TT so now its every 10k miles instead of 15k. So really 2-3 oil changes extra over Lexus. You get some cabin filters, oil filters, brakes, windshield wiper blades (WHOA!). You save some money if you intended to pay the overpriced dealership "inspect" services. Some people change filters themselves. Yet keep in mind that a comparably equipped 335 to my car would've been 56k vs 48k MSRP. Doesnt sound like saving money there.
Honestly cars nowadays you dont have to do squat to them service wise other than the typical oil changes, engine and cabin filters.
Honestly cars nowadays you dont have to do squat to them service wise other than the typical oil changes, engine and cabin filters.
What i want to say is the fact that we keep bringing up conversation about 3 series over and over again, trying to show how 3IS is better than bimmer in every conceivable way. Members on bimmerfest don't even think that 3IS is a serious contender and they laugh citing it is a slightly upgraded Toyota. The more we talk about them the more we show how much insecure we are about our own car. That is my point! Don't forget Lexus benchmarked 3 series when designing 3IS. That pretty much summs up everything.
