drove the new 3 series
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 9,992
Likes: 246
From: California
Well I went and test drove a new 2018 M3 competition package and the 340ix M-sport back to back and for daily driving duties I liked the 340 better. I was finally able to find a dealer willing to give a good discount to make the lease more in line with what I am looking to pay so I will be ordering a new 340 this weekend. The 340 I test drove this time had 19" wheels and it rode a little rougher than the 18" wheels I drove last time but not much more. I also paid attention to the road noise and exhaust noise and can say that the car was quieter than my IS350. I also noted that the exhaust we pretty quiet on the inside but when you put it in sport mode it was louder with pops on deceleration. A little cheesy but still sounded nice. I can't wait to turn in my IS350 and try out the BMW. I have had Lexus' for 15 years now and I'm just disappointed in their offerings so hopefully this will be a good change. I should've tried a Tesla Model 3 but oh well, maybe next time.
This pattern has been going since the beginning of time and will continue.
Hopefully you enjoy the trade-offs. Poorer reliability for the German brand, but perhaps more flair and fun. Best of luck.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 13,243
Likes: 1,874
From: WA
Well I went and test drove a new 2018 M3 competition package and the 340ix M-sport back to back and for daily driving duties I liked the 340 better. I was finally able to find a dealer willing to give a good discount to make the lease more in line with what I am looking to pay so I will be ordering a new 340 this weekend. The 340 I test drove this time had 19" wheels and it rode a little rougher than the 18" wheels I drove last time but not much more. I also paid attention to the road noise and exhaust noise and can say that the car was quieter than my IS350. I also noted that the exhaust we pretty quiet on the inside but when you put it in sport mode it was louder with pops on deceleration. A little cheesy but still sounded nice. I can't wait to turn in my IS350 and try out the BMW. I have had Lexus' for 15 years now and I'm just disappointed in their offerings so hopefully this will be a good change. I should've tried a Tesla Model 3 but oh well, maybe next time.
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8,574
Likes: 390
From: PA
Well I went and test drove a new 2018 M3 competition package and the 340ix M-sport back to back and for daily driving duties I liked the 340 better. I was finally able to find a dealer willing to give a good discount to make the lease more in line with what I am looking to pay so I will be ordering a new 340 this weekend. The 340 I test drove this time had 19" wheels and it rode a little rougher than the 18" wheels I drove last time but not much more. I also paid attention to the road noise and exhaust noise and can say that the car was quieter than my IS350. I also noted that the exhaust we pretty quiet on the inside but when you put it in sport mode it was louder with pops on deceleration. A little cheesy but still sounded nice. I can't wait to turn in my IS350 and try out the BMW. I have had Lexus' for 15 years now and I'm just disappointed in their offerings so hopefully this will be a good change. I should've tried a Tesla Model 3 but oh well, maybe next time.
p.s. what rims on the M3 or does the comp only come with one type? I have always found the frozen ones to look pretty sick!
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8,574
Likes: 390
From: PA
(the G is a new car and already deemed to be less reliable, based on what)
Well I went and test drove a new 2018 M3 competition package and the 340ix M-sport back to back and for daily driving duties I liked the 340 better. I was finally able to find a dealer willing to give a good discount to make the lease more in line with what I am looking to pay so I will be ordering a new 340 this weekend. The 340 I test drove this time had 19" wheels and it rode a little rougher than the 18" wheels I drove last time but not much more. I also paid attention to the road noise and exhaust noise and can say that the car was quieter than my IS350. I also noted that the exhaust we pretty quiet on the inside but when you put it in sport mode it was louder with pops on deceleration. A little cheesy but still sounded nice. I can't wait to turn in my IS350 and try out the BMW. I have had Lexus' for 15 years now and I'm just disappointed in their offerings so hopefully this will be a good change. I should've tried a Tesla Model 3 but oh well, maybe next time.
Lead Lap
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,892
Likes: 14
From: Virginia
Well I went and test drove a new 2018 M3 competition package and the 340ix M-sport back to back and for daily driving duties I liked the 340 better. I was finally able to find a dealer willing to give a good discount to make the lease more in line with what I am looking to pay so I will be ordering a new 340 this weekend. The 340 I test drove this time had 19" wheels and it rode a little rougher than the 18" wheels I drove last time but not much more. I also paid attention to the road noise and exhaust noise and can say that the car was quieter than my IS350. I also noted that the exhaust we pretty quiet on the inside but when you put it in sport mode it was louder with pops on deceleration. A little cheesy but still sounded nice. I can't wait to turn in my IS350 and try out the BMW. I have had Lexus' for 15 years now and I'm just disappointed in their offerings so hopefully this will be a good change. I should've tried a Tesla Model 3 but oh well, maybe next time.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,991
Likes: 519
From: Maryland
The brand which has the latest offering is usually liked the most, and it sounds like you fall into this grove. The new 3 is the freshest and hot product of today. When the next IS comes out, it will be the hot product.
This pattern has been going since the beginning of time and will continue.
Hopefully you enjoy the trade-offs. Poorer reliability for the German brand, but perhaps more flair and fun. Best of luck.
This pattern has been going since the beginning of time and will continue.
Hopefully you enjoy the trade-offs. Poorer reliability for the German brand, but perhaps more flair and fun. Best of luck.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,991
Likes: 519
From: Maryland
I am ordering it from Passport BMW in Suitland, MD. Not the best area but the only ones around willing to provide a substantial discount.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers
Joe Kucinski
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation
Joe Kucinski
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?
Brett Foote
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler
Michael S. Palmer
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!
Brett Foote
Lead Lap
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,892
Likes: 14
From: Virginia
Nice! I liked the guys at Passport a lot, almost got our X5 through them but Alexandria had a unit equipped closer to our ideal spec and was able to essentially beat the Passport offer. Got through all the paperwork on the unit at Passport and then somehow they realized it was a custom ordered/sold vehicle. But nonetheless, other than that hiccup they were straightforward and good to deal with.
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8,574
Likes: 390
From: PA
Of course I will, I think Car Chat is the best for an all around, almost unbiased, opinion of cars. This will be the first time in 15 years without a Lexus.
The rims on the comp had the 20" mesh rims that all of them come with. It was a little rough and would have been tough to daily with RWD and summer tires with the change in seasons here even though it hasn't been too bad the last couple years.
I am ordering it from Passport BMW in Suitland, MD. Not the best area but the only ones around willing to provide a substantial discount.
The rims on the comp had the 20" mesh rims that all of them come with. It was a little rough and would have been tough to daily with RWD and summer tires with the change in seasons here even though it hasn't been too bad the last couple years.
I am ordering it from Passport BMW in Suitland, MD. Not the best area but the only ones around willing to provide a substantial discount.
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 9,597
Likes: 4,787
From: GA
Nice! I liked the guys at Passport a lot, almost got our X5 through them but Alexandria had a unit equipped closer to our ideal spec and was able to essentially beat the Passport offer. Got through all the paperwork on the unit at Passport and then somehow they realized it was a custom ordered/sold vehicle. But nonetheless, other than that hiccup they were straightforward and good to deal with.
) from them. He said it was the nicest dealership experience he's had, ever. Apparently it's one of the top-reviewed BMW dealers in the US.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 300
Likes: 2
From: Bay Area
Since I was on a test drive I didn’t get a chance to take it on any backroads, mainly some highway runs and a couple exit turns. That said I feel like the car felt a little bigger and heavier than my IS. It also had 18” rims with somewhat large profile tires which I’m sure contributed to the smoothness of it so I don’t think it felt as good as my IS in the handling department but to be honest I didn’t get to push it too much so not really a fair comparison. Since I put on new continental tires on my IS I feel really comfortable with it and it handles great tossing it around on backroads.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,991
Likes: 519
From: Maryland
Strange that this dealership is in such a crappy area. Anyway, it was a really good experience, discussed the price of the car over the phone, went in and ordered it today although it still took 2 hours to put the order in the system, look at some options and colors just to be sure. Amazing that a car at this price doesn’t have power tilt/telescoping steering. Plus all of the interior trim options were pretty bad, 2 matte wood options, one gloss wood option and 2 pretty bad aluminum looking options. They should have had a carbon fiber option like MB and Audi.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post