Help Me Choose!
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 114
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From: Tennessee
Help Me Choose!
Ok guys, Im now deciding on a new car but cant seem to find the right one. My top two are the Lexus IS350 or the BMW 328i. (I know that the 335i is the IS350's main competitor but the 335i is too much when optioned with what I want). I have test driven both and love both but the IS350 has more luxury and tech for the same price as a loaded 328i without tech but has a better ride. I dont know if I should go for (lux/tech) or smooth (sporty ride/base). I know this a Lexus forum but I want honest opinions. Thanxs
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,223
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
The BMW 3-series is a drivers' delight, especially in the steering gear, but I have never been impressed with the I-Drive. Reliability has been spotty, but according to Consumer Reports is generally better than larger BMW's. The IS is better-finished outside and inside, is likely to be more reliable, and has more user-friendly controls and displays (except for the superb BMW primary gauges).
Unless you place a very high priority on telepathic steering feel and response, I'd go with the IS350.....and if you have to drive in bad weather, consider an IS250 AWD, though there will be a big performance drop from the RWD IS350.
The BMW 330xi also has AWD but is quite expensive.....probably outside your price range.
Unless you place a very high priority on telepathic steering feel and response, I'd go with the IS350.....and if you have to drive in bad weather, consider an IS250 AWD, though there will be a big performance drop from the RWD IS350.
The BMW 330xi also has AWD but is quite expensive.....probably outside your price range.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,378
Likes: 1
From: CA
Do you prefer, interior build, overall quality, and creatures of comfort? Lexus.
or Do you prefer a telepathic steering feedback and overall sportiness? 3 series.
Do you need a folding backseat? 3 series.
Does it matter if you cannot change your destination while driving with the Lexus Nav? This can be bypassed but requires cutting wires in your brand new car, not sure if you are comfortable with this. There is a DYI on the IS sub-forum.
Leasing or Financing? Leasing, BMW has a big edge.
How long do you plan on keeping the car for? Lexus, over 5 years.
Are you okay with the IS' headroom/room in the backseat? (or lack of)
Are you a big ipod fan? BMW's new 6FL factory installed IPod accessory is absolutely great. Integrated IPod on your Navi screen/I-Drive controls.
Do you need the car now, or can you do Euorpean Delivery? I'm not sure how much you can bargain in your area, but around here, you can get a 335i Sedan for not much over invoice, I'm not sure you can do the same with an IS350. If you do European Delivery on the 335i Sedan, it might end up even less than the IS350, if not, then it would be very close.
Have you test driven both cars?
What options did you want on both cars? I'm not sure a similarly loaded IS350 is less.
or Do you prefer a telepathic steering feedback and overall sportiness? 3 series.
Do you need a folding backseat? 3 series.
Does it matter if you cannot change your destination while driving with the Lexus Nav? This can be bypassed but requires cutting wires in your brand new car, not sure if you are comfortable with this. There is a DYI on the IS sub-forum.
Leasing or Financing? Leasing, BMW has a big edge.
How long do you plan on keeping the car for? Lexus, over 5 years.
Are you okay with the IS' headroom/room in the backseat? (or lack of)
Are you a big ipod fan? BMW's new 6FL factory installed IPod accessory is absolutely great. Integrated IPod on your Navi screen/I-Drive controls.
Do you need the car now, or can you do Euorpean Delivery? I'm not sure how much you can bargain in your area, but around here, you can get a 335i Sedan for not much over invoice, I'm not sure you can do the same with an IS350. If you do European Delivery on the 335i Sedan, it might end up even less than the IS350, if not, then it would be very close.
Have you test driven both cars?
What options did you want on both cars? I'm not sure a similarly loaded IS350 is less.
Last edited by OC 335d; Jul 2, 2007 at 02:10 PM.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,378
Likes: 1
From: CA
328i Sedan - Invoice $28,910
MSRP prices on options
Training Service Fee - $180
Steptronic $1,275
Comfort Access $500
Xenon Lights $800
Navigation $2,100
Cold Weather Package $1,000
Premium Package $3,150
Destination Charge $775
= $38,690
Dealer Mark-up - $500-$1,000 should be reasonable.
I'm not sure you can find a simiarly equipped IS350 for the same price. If you want ML Sound, the Logic 7 costs $1,200. Sport Package is $1,600.
European Delivery knocks off $2,090 on a 328i, $2,495 off a 335i. Plus all your options are at invoice (about 10-15% off each option) (Factor in plane ticket/dealer markup, but you do not pay the destination charge and training fee). If you need more details on ED, we can go into that later.
MSRP prices on options
Training Service Fee - $180
Steptronic $1,275
Comfort Access $500
Xenon Lights $800
Navigation $2,100
Cold Weather Package $1,000
Premium Package $3,150
Destination Charge $775
= $38,690
Dealer Mark-up - $500-$1,000 should be reasonable.
I'm not sure you can find a simiarly equipped IS350 for the same price. If you want ML Sound, the Logic 7 costs $1,200. Sport Package is $1,600.
European Delivery knocks off $2,090 on a 328i, $2,495 off a 335i. Plus all your options are at invoice (about 10-15% off each option) (Factor in plane ticket/dealer markup, but you do not pay the destination charge and training fee). If you need more details on ED, we can go into that later.
Last edited by OC 335d; Jul 2, 2007 at 02:22 PM.
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
Do you prefer, interior build, overall quality, and creatures of comfort? Lexus.
or Do you prefer a telepathic steering feedback and overall sportiness? 3 series.
Do you need a folding backseat? 3 series.
Does it matter if you cannot change your destination while driving with the Lexus Nav? This can be bypassed but requires cutting wires in your brand new car, not sure if you are comfortable with this. There is a DYI on the IS sub-forum.
Leasing or Financing? Leasing, BMW has a big edge.
How long do you plan on keeping the car for? Lexus, over 5 years.
Are you okay with the IS' headroom/room in the backseat? (or lack of)
Are you a big ipod fan? BMW's new 6FL factory installed IPod accessory is absolutely great. Integrated IPod on your Navi screen/I-Drive controls.
Do you need the car now, or can you do Euorpean Delivery? I'm not sure how much you can bargain in your area, but around here, you can get a 335i Sedan for not much over invoice, I'm not sure you can do the same with an IS350. If you do European Delivery on the 335i Sedan, it might end up even less than the IS350, if not, then it would be very close.
Have you test driven both cars?
What options did you want on both cars? I'm not sure a similarly loaded IS350 is less.
or Do you prefer a telepathic steering feedback and overall sportiness? 3 series.
Do you need a folding backseat? 3 series.
Does it matter if you cannot change your destination while driving with the Lexus Nav? This can be bypassed but requires cutting wires in your brand new car, not sure if you are comfortable with this. There is a DYI on the IS sub-forum.
Leasing or Financing? Leasing, BMW has a big edge.
How long do you plan on keeping the car for? Lexus, over 5 years.
Are you okay with the IS' headroom/room in the backseat? (or lack of)
Are you a big ipod fan? BMW's new 6FL factory installed IPod accessory is absolutely great. Integrated IPod on your Navi screen/I-Drive controls.
Do you need the car now, or can you do Euorpean Delivery? I'm not sure how much you can bargain in your area, but around here, you can get a 335i Sedan for not much over invoice, I'm not sure you can do the same with an IS350. If you do European Delivery on the 335i Sedan, it might end up even less than the IS350, if not, then it would be very close.
Have you test driven both cars?
What options did you want on both cars? I'm not sure a similarly loaded IS350 is less.
Here are the prices of the three cars that I have looked at
-BMW 335i Alpine White/Terra Leather/Light Poplar Trim
Premium Package
Sports Package
Automatic/Paddle Shifters
MSRP=$45,300 Invoice=$41,730
-BMW 328i Alpine White/Beige Leather
Premium Package
Sports Package
Automatic
Xenon Headlights
MSRP=$40,100 Invoice=$36,940
-Lexus IS350 Black Sapphire/Gray Leather
Sports Package
Xenon Headlights
Navigation System
MSRP=$43,540 Invoice=$37,959
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,378
Likes: 1
From: CA
The question is, how close can you get to invoice over there where you live? From what I've been reading, people are only paying $1,500-$2,000 off MSRP on IS350s. That should bridge the gap between the more expensive BMWs a little bit.
Lease or Finance? Payments will be cheaper on a BMW on the lease despite the higher price.
335i Comes with Logic 7 standard btw, so a comparable IS350 would have ML Sound. Regarding seats, the Lexus seats are wider and softer but BMW seats hold you much better and have better lumbar support IMO. (again, Sport vs. Luxury)
I noticed the two BMWs are white, do you prefer white and not like the whites offered by Lexus? Lastly, I do agree on quality, but I'm not sure the Lexus has more technology other than the touchscreen. I have stated this in the past, but the BMWs do offer options, you just have to pay for it.
I'm not sure you can find this package at a dealer:
Lexus IS350 Black Sapphire/Gray Leather
Sports Package
Xenon Headlights
Navigation System
Most likely the car will include the premium package (every single IS350 I have seen in Southern California comes with Premium package). Sport packages from what I've noticed, are very hard to come by. If you are looking for a specific color combo/sport package, you may have to special order. Other CL members might be able to confirm this, but typically on a Lexus special order, you are looking at 4 months. On a BMW special order, you are looking at 2 months if the dealer hasn't used all their allocations for the month.
Lease or Finance? Payments will be cheaper on a BMW on the lease despite the higher price.
335i Comes with Logic 7 standard btw, so a comparable IS350 would have ML Sound. Regarding seats, the Lexus seats are wider and softer but BMW seats hold you much better and have better lumbar support IMO. (again, Sport vs. Luxury)
I noticed the two BMWs are white, do you prefer white and not like the whites offered by Lexus? Lastly, I do agree on quality, but I'm not sure the Lexus has more technology other than the touchscreen. I have stated this in the past, but the BMWs do offer options, you just have to pay for it.
I'm not sure you can find this package at a dealer:
Lexus IS350 Black Sapphire/Gray Leather
Sports Package
Xenon Headlights
Navigation System
Most likely the car will include the premium package (every single IS350 I have seen in Southern California comes with Premium package). Sport packages from what I've noticed, are very hard to come by. If you are looking for a specific color combo/sport package, you may have to special order. Other CL members might be able to confirm this, but typically on a Lexus special order, you are looking at 4 months. On a BMW special order, you are looking at 2 months if the dealer hasn't used all their allocations for the month.
Last edited by OC 335d; Jul 2, 2007 at 03:09 PM.
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Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
The guy at my Lexus dealer has told me that he has located a Black/Gray IS350 with those options and they "can" do a dealer trade. He wants $39,000 for it and far as the BMW goes, Ill see them tomorrow.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,854
Likes: 0
From: IL
The IS350 is a rocket and I believe there are some decent lease deals going on right now.
You should compare it to the 335i however and make your decision. If the $2-$3K extra is totally out of your range, then go with the IS.
You should compare it to the 335i however and make your decision. If the $2-$3K extra is totally out of your range, then go with the IS.
You should be able to pay close to invoice on a non-335i coupe at the moment.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,223
Likes: 220
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
You may have intended this as a joke, but it is actually a rip-off, IMO, to charge extra for certain colors. For the most part, only the Germans....and Chrysler, which until recently was German-controlled, do that nonsense.