dleex84

Hey fam. Just a lurker non luxury owner about to be a new owner. Need help deciding between 2017 is 350 f sport with vrgs, ml, extras (purchase) vs 2016 340i bmw (less than 5k-6k miles) with red int, m sport package, tech pkg 19" (3yr lease).
If i go the bmw route i can get a new car to purchase then. Probably a lexus? Unless i fall in love with a bmw with no maintenance probs. Some people say purchase a lexus or . I like reliability since fewest maintenance but i like the new 340i engine if i purchase would it break down?

Or

Should i keep my deposit for the tesla m3 and wait for it? I wqs early in queue.

39RN

Here is another potential owner asking the same question. This may help you find some answers to help in your decision. Good luck!

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...eeds-help.html

KhoiBoa

You should do your research and test drive and take your time to buy or lease car. Why would you ask someone else what car they like. That's them. Buy what you like. Here a tip. Make a list. Write down all pros and cons of both cars and see which you prefer.

E46CT

Is the 350 power good enough for you? If so get it if you are wanting a low cost ownership experience. The BMW will be pretty reliable but if things do go wrong, they will go really wrong.

If you are leasing, get the BMW.

If you have a lead foot, the BMW will get you into trouble.

dleex84

Thanks for the replies. By any chance would you guys do this offer?

" I can sell a 2016 IS350 with an MSRP of $49389.00 for $43,389.00 plus all fees, there is also Lexus rebates that will be taken off the total after tax."
The lexus rebates is 2500. Bad side is i have to apply from my credit union because dealer said if i take the 2500 cash i dont qualify for lexus finance 0.9%. Penfed offers 1.99 for 4/5 years. I guess i can do that.

Would you guys wait for 2017 refresh or stick with this? This model does not come with vrgs...none of the 16s have vrgs.

EZZ

Thats a pretty good deal. Is the 10 inch screen and new face worth a couple thousand to you? If not, i'd take the deal (if it was the color combo / package I wanted).

Dpb128

You may have done the math already but provided you can get a 1.9% interest rate through a credit union (not an unrealistic rate in todays market), the difference between a 1.9 and a 0.9 for a 5 year loan on 40K is only $1000. So you are $1500 to the good by taking the $2500 and sourcing financing from your credit union.

dleex84

i havent done the math for that...thank you for the numbers..the dealer was making it sound like to take the finance 0.9 over 2.5k incentive. Thanks for that i will give you guys the heads up and most likely get this over the bmw.

goldengame

I have an IS350 AWD and I've driven the 340i. I think it depends on what you want. Here's my opinion of what's better than the 340i in the IS, the same, and worse. I'd say if the 350 is fast enough car for you, it's more fun to drive in the canyons/backroads because of how it feels when you drive it.

Better than 340i:
- steering feel (the 340i felt extremely numb to me, while the IS has a nice balance of feel and refinement)
- interior (IS interior design is much nicer)
- styling
- price
- reliability (maybe?)

Same:
- handling (both seemed to understeer the same way in my handling tests)

Worse:
- fuel consumption
- power (big difference here, the B58 engine loves to keep pulling)
- transmission (Lexus should really use that ZF 8 speed, it's so good)
- very little mod support
- less possible options (you can option the BMW to have more things along with the sport options; in the IS there are a bunch of luxury options not available with the sport package)

TSJeff

Hey! Just thought i'd chime in here seeing as we're both in the same situation. I have a slight bias against returning to a BMW because my 2009 335xi was a lemon towards the end of warranty and afterwards. I should have heeded the warning signs and dumped the car earlier but I didn't want to put myself into another monthly payment on top of a mortgage and bills etc at the time. My BMW's N54 turbo was very notoriously unreliable (well documented issue with hundreds of other owners) and also had a HPFP issue as well. As usual, these issues happened out of warranty and ended up costing me a ton of money.

I test drove the 340i and yes, it's a fun car with lots of power BUT it just doesn't feel special to me. Almost everyone in the Tri-State area is driving a 3 series of some sort and for all the performance it puts down I didn't leave the test drive feeling wowed in the same way I did the IS350 or Audi S3. The best thing about the Lexus is that it feels special, and it's so damn comfortable inside. No it's not on the same level as the 340i in terms of performance but i'd happily take it over the 340i any day of the week because it has more than enough power for a daily driver. You'll also have the added benefit of not needing to worry about reliability in the Lexus.

I have a refundable deposit put down on an IS350 AWD but will have to see if they can come down in price or give me more on my trade in for me to sign.

Mrg02d

How about this:

This time next year, im going for a 981 Boxster S. Rather than trade in the is350, I've decided to pay it off and keep it. The Porsche will, hands down, out perform the Lexus, yet I like the is350 so much that I'm keeping it long term. I'll bet both the Lexus and the Porsche go the distance, but the Lexus is so comfortable! I won't be going on a lot of road trips in the Porsche nor will I be taking it out when I have to go to a Substation (engineer at a utility).

The is350 is perfect for the working man that needs power and comfort. My job doesn't want excuses for missing work because my car is in the shop again, especially when I'm on call and am needed after hours. I drive ALOT of interstate miles and go to a lot of conferences.

This is car has to be about the best compromise between performance and comfort/reliability. Also, pretty easy to maintain!

Not to mention, seeing another 3rd gen is350 is almost as rare as seeing a Porsche or tesla in my town. Nice to be unique!

dleex84

Thanks for the input fam. Unfortunately I went ahead and got confirmed for a loan from my credit union. Just several hours ago I kind of decided to maybe wait for the 17s and just buy that if i can get the same msrp 6k off and hopefully comes with vrgs. I might have to sacrifice the 2.5k lexus cash incentive for the 2016 models. I love the front headlights and lift and rectangular exhausts. I was set on a NGP/Red 2016. But Im so curious of the caviar color with red interior..looks like a darker NGP? I see a first payment of the loan i havent used yet due on december when i log in...so i guess i have to use the money no matter what. Hopefully the 17s come soon...like before black friday soon. Does anyone know when the 16s came out in 2015?

bbloch1114

Having driven a Model S P90D -- you might want to wait : )