BMW M340xi
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,276
Likes: 305
From: ON/NY
Last edited by Toys4RJill; Feb 26, 2025 at 04:47 PM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 1,539
From: FL
about ice... i don't see any cars out there with an extra 'kicker' motor and fuel tank. why is that? how about just refuel during the hundreds of miles of driving range you have! a kicker motor and fuel tank would just be huge dead weight all the time lessening fuel economy of the main ice/tank.
same thing ultimately is true on an ev - just don't run out of charge!
and both ice and ev's typically have at least some 'reserve', so you really have to be 'determined' to become unable to move.
same thing ultimately is true on an ev - just don't run out of charge!
and both ice and ev's typically have at least some 'reserve', so you really have to be 'determined' to become unable to move.
But I'd be lying if I say I don't worry about breaking down in my 21 year old car. Lol 😂
There are newer cars of other less reliable brands that can maybe use a kicker too. Lol
I.like it. Haha 🤪😄
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Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 26
Likes: 8
We have a straight six 5 Series that replaced a straight six 3 Series.
Both are great cars but the 5 Series tends to make me drive like a responsible adult while the 3 Series promotes spirited driving.
Both can blow past most cars on a favorite long uphill mountain climb that has many cars and SUVs wheezing.
I suggest test driving both to see where you land.
Both are great cars but the 5 Series tends to make me drive like a responsible adult while the 3 Series promotes spirited driving.
Both can blow past most cars on a favorite long uphill mountain climb that has many cars and SUVs wheezing.
I suggest test driving both to see where you land.
A new 540i headlamp is about 3500$. The dealer said they’re not doing anything about it. I said okay, I’ll pass.
There’s plenty of 540i certified and non certified. Anyone looked at that car will notice the defect in the headlamp lens. That was the first thing I noticed when I looked at.
Recently looking at 2022-2023 M550i. Lol. That goes against why I got rid of the 15MPG LS460 and wanting a more MPG friendly vehicle.
But the V8 though…and that IS500 looks so good. I’m all over the place. This is what happens when you really don’t need a car and just wanting more cars.
-2021+ LS500 preferably F sport and no air suspension. More of what I’m used to.
-2024+ BMW M340. Great DD with good MPG. A little small.
-2022+ BMW 540i. Great DD with good MPG.
-2022+ BMW M550i.
-2022+ Lexus IS500. Looks sweet. Probably the best looking car on this list. And would match up with my LC500. But also maybe too repetitive.
-2024+ Lexus ES300H. The ultimate DD with great MPG. I actually need to look at this.
There’s plenty of 540i certified and non certified. Anyone looked at that car will notice the defect in the headlamp lens. That was the first thing I noticed when I looked at.
Recently looking at 2022-2023 M550i. Lol. That goes against why I got rid of the 15MPG LS460 and wanting a more MPG friendly vehicle.
But the V8 though…and that IS500 looks so good. I’m all over the place. This is what happens when you really don’t need a car and just wanting more cars.
-2021+ LS500 preferably F sport and no air suspension. More of what I’m used to.
-2024+ BMW M340. Great DD with good MPG. A little small.
-2022+ BMW 540i. Great DD with good MPG.
-2022+ BMW M550i.
-2022+ Lexus IS500. Looks sweet. Probably the best looking car on this list. And would match up with my LC500. But also maybe too repetitive.
-2024+ Lexus ES300H. The ultimate DD with great MPG. I actually need to look at this.
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,155
Likes: 927
From: MA
We have a straight six 5 Series that replaced a straight six 3 Series.
Both are great cars but the 5 Series tends to make me drive like a responsible adult while the 3 Series promotes spirited driving.
Both can blow past most cars on a favorite long uphill mountain climb that has many cars and SUVs wheezing.
I suggest test driving both to see where you land.
Both are great cars but the 5 Series tends to make me drive like a responsible adult while the 3 Series promotes spirited driving.
Both can blow past most cars on a favorite long uphill mountain climb that has many cars and SUVs wheezing.
I suggest test driving both to see where you land.
Now I want to try the V8 TT M550.
We’ll e see what I land on this one. My problem with going V8 is the IS500 especially I can get one in Ultra Sonic Blue. Yes, the bimmer will be faster. But I don’t need to go that fast.
Last edited by NickL; Feb 27, 2025 at 04:29 AM.
haha, careful, there's no turning back. 
5 series a lot bigger than is500. is500 will feel 'old school' but a blast to drive. oh wait, you have an lc500 anyway. i can't see why you'd want an is500 and an lc500.
We’ll e see what I land on this one. My problem with going V8 is the IS500 especially I can get one in Ultra Sonic Blue. Yes, the bimmer will be faster. But I don’t need to go that fast.
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,296
Likes: 501
From: PA
It seems you like the 540i most out of all your options. The B58 + ZF combo is pretty much unbeatable. I'd recommend that. 
The IS 500 is great but you already have an LC so I think there's too much overlap.
The IS 500 is great but you already have an LC so I think there's too much overlap.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 687
Likes: 77
From: Illinois
Pretty sure I have the same setup in my Regal TourX - you can buy a small $12 "eliminator" that plugs into the hood-open harness. Buicks (and most likely other GM vehicles) will disable the start-stop after the car is started and the hood is opened (and closed). The dongle simulates this scenario and disables the start-stop permanently.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,155
Likes: 927
From: MA
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 9,590
Likes: 4,784
From: GA
That would be a good choice. The 5er is a nice-driving sedan, and the B58 is phenomenal.
While the IS 500 might be more fun in some ways, I'd have a hard time saying it's a better daily driver than a 540i.
While the IS 500 might be more fun in some ways, I'd have a hard time saying it's a better daily driver than a 540i.
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Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 26
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Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 410
Likes: 54
From: PA
If the M340 felt too small and not luxurious enough, I don't think the IS500 will be any better. 540 with that wonderful powertrain seems like the play, and most similar to your LS and different from your LC.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,155
Likes: 927
From: MA
Agreed. Just came back from my RX350 service and while I was waiting, I checked out the IS and the ES. Now I remember why I never bought the IS and went through 3 GS. The ES is a good size but I’m not sure about the FWD. Maybe it’s just fine and it’s just me being prejudice about it. I didn’t ask for a test drive as I’m not really serious about it and they also didn’t have the ES300H available.
I think the 340i is actually bigger than the IS. It certainly felt that way when I was in the 340i.
The 540i does seem to be the right vehicle. It’s just hard to find one that is optioned with executive package and ventilated seat and 360 cam. These leased returned that I’ve checked out are very lightly optioned.
I think the 340i is actually bigger than the IS. It certainly felt that way when I was in the 340i.
The 540i does seem to be the right vehicle. It’s just hard to find one that is optioned with executive package and ventilated seat and 360 cam. These leased returned that I’ve checked out are very lightly optioned.