GS350 vs 535i
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 138
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From: IL
GS350 vs 535i
I'm trying to decide between the two.
This purchase will take place at the end of october.
So hopefully the 08 GS350 will be out by then.
Whats the 0-60 on the GS 350?
535i:
Pro's:
Awsome Handling
I like the looks better than GS
New Interior and Gear Shift **** looks cool
Euro Delivery
More torque than GS(thanks to Turbos)
Cons:
Already have a 06 3 series, Want to diversify the garage, dont really want 2 Bimmers.
Can get Pricey with options, $1,000 for Comfort Access!
GS350
Pros:
Comfortable
Quiet and soft ride
Cheaper than 535i
Standard Comfort Access.
Cons:
Interior feels subpar compared to BMW.
This purchase will take place at the end of october.
So hopefully the 08 GS350 will be out by then.
Whats the 0-60 on the GS 350?
535i:
Pro's:
Awsome Handling
I like the looks better than GS
New Interior and Gear Shift **** looks cool
Euro Delivery
More torque than GS(thanks to Turbos)
Cons:
Already have a 06 3 series, Want to diversify the garage, dont really want 2 Bimmers.
Can get Pricey with options, $1,000 for Comfort Access!
GS350
Pros:
Comfortable
Quiet and soft ride
Cheaper than 535i
Standard Comfort Access.
Cons:
Interior feels subpar compared to BMW.
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 555
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From: East Bay, CA
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 138
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From: IL
5.3 secs IIRC. http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....rticle_id=4851
I dont understand why the GS350 has more hp than the V8 GS450.
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 555
Likes: 12
From: East Bay, CA
the 430 you mean??? The 430 has more torque but will probably be replaced with the 380HP GS460. Maybe the GS-F???
I personally would get the GS over the BMW. Yeah the Bimmer probably handles better but I dont carve canyons up that much since having kids etc. But Lexus has better reliability than the germans. My friend has a 525....slow. I think the 530's are not much faster. IIRC 0-60 in like 6.7-6.9secs.The GS has better mileage though. Its nice but i dont like the styling and idrive: fughedaboutit!!! Hapy shopping though.
EDIT: I just read that the 535 has turbo.... i gotta look into this more BRB.
I personally would get the GS over the BMW. Yeah the Bimmer probably handles better but I dont carve canyons up that much since having kids etc. But Lexus has better reliability than the germans. My friend has a 525....slow. I think the 530's are not much faster. IIRC 0-60 in like 6.7-6.9secs.The GS has better mileage though. Its nice but i dont like the styling and idrive: fughedaboutit!!! Hapy shopping though.
EDIT: I just read that the 535 has turbo.... i gotta look into this more BRB.
Last edited by Joelseff; Mar 7, 2007 at 06:43 PM.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 18
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From: New York
I'll definitely be looking to drive the new 535i. People are dynoing the 335i with the same engine at 270-275hp at the rear wheels so the official ratings of 300/300 look very conservative. I've seen reports of auto equipped 335s turning sub 5sec 0-60 and mid-13sec 1/4 miles. I believe the 5-series only weighs a couple of hundred pounds more than the 3, so performance should be pretty good. And peak torque at 1400rpm is incredible. It should drive like a V-8. I agree with you on the reliability factor, but recent reports of problems with the GS are starting to make me wonder.
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CL Community Team
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 30,272
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From: Canada
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: ca
I just bought my GS350 after owning 2 bimmers. You definately don't feel the road like you do in the Bimmers, but the interior of the GS is awesome when compared to the new generation BMW's. I also test drove the 335 and it was much sportier, but didn't feel faster than the GS.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,854
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From: IL
I really wanted to buy a BMW but eliminated the 335 twin turbo from my short list for the following reasons:
- BMW never made a twin turbo before.
- BMW hadn't sold a gasoline turbo car in this country since like 1978. They are going to have a steep learning curve and I dont want to know the service people on a first name basis.
- I have a $20,000 BMW motorcycle but wanted Lexus reliability and ease of service for my car. Service for the bike is "Bring My Wallet" time.
- I looked under the hood of a 335 and couldn't even see the turbos, let alone imagine how they would stay cool under there. It's nice to just shut down an engine without having to "turbo idle".
- The naturally aspirated Lexus has the same horsepower so why even bother with turbo heat and lag!
- No AWD option on the BMW 3 or 5 series with 300 horsepower.
- I-Drive.
- Lexus was cheaper, the dealer took $4,700 off the $47,511 sticker, and I had a $750 off coupon from Lexus for a total of 11.5% off MSRP sticker. BMW dealers aren't giving deals on 335's or 535's that just came out.
- Some of the interior colors BMW offers are downright ugly.
- BMW has unresolved alignment issues with tire wear problems on the 5 series. And the speed-sensitive steering needs an expensive alignment.
Even more reasons if I sit down and think about it.
.
- BMW never made a twin turbo before.
- BMW hadn't sold a gasoline turbo car in this country since like 1978. They are going to have a steep learning curve and I dont want to know the service people on a first name basis.
- I have a $20,000 BMW motorcycle but wanted Lexus reliability and ease of service for my car. Service for the bike is "Bring My Wallet" time.
- I looked under the hood of a 335 and couldn't even see the turbos, let alone imagine how they would stay cool under there. It's nice to just shut down an engine without having to "turbo idle".
- The naturally aspirated Lexus has the same horsepower so why even bother with turbo heat and lag!
- No AWD option on the BMW 3 or 5 series with 300 horsepower.
- I-Drive.
- Lexus was cheaper, the dealer took $4,700 off the $47,511 sticker, and I had a $750 off coupon from Lexus for a total of 11.5% off MSRP sticker. BMW dealers aren't giving deals on 335's or 535's that just came out.
- Some of the interior colors BMW offers are downright ugly.
- BMW has unresolved alignment issues with tire wear problems on the 5 series. And the speed-sensitive steering needs an expensive alignment.
Even more reasons if I sit down and think about it.
.
BMW has plenty of experience with turbos - Search the net... Their "twin turbo" is one per 3 cylinders, not an in-line setup. No special magic here.
BMW service is included for 4 years/50K- it is Lexus service that is the bring your wallet type. You never know what the dealer is going to try and tell you regarding scheduled maint except that it will NEVER match what the manual says.
Just because "you" can't see the turbos, does not imply that they don't have sufficient cooling.
The Lexus may have the same HP, but it does not have the torque.
The BMW twin turbo setup has virtually no lag
AWD is available in both the 3 series and 5 series twin turbo as of the end of this month.
Lexus cars are less expensive to purchase, BMW cars are cheaper to lease (much higher residuals - up to 10% more over 36 months).
Interior colors on the 08 5-series are completely new
Unresolved alignment issues? Expensive alignments? No - neither are true. The Dunlop runflats have an issue - they wear and get noisy.
Now that we have that cleared up....
Agni88 - nothing will help you decide like a back to back drive. The 535 is going to be hard to come by for a couple of months, but you are not purchasing till Sept. Go drive them both and let us know which you like better - you can't really go wrong with either although both have very different missions in life.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,854
Likes: 0
From: IL
Much of the technical points I made went right over your head. Please don’t post about things you have no expertise in, and stop making things up!
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=103652
"Active Steering does indeed require a special setup when aligning."
"I have a 05-545i with 18k. AT 8k the road noise & vibration that caused my handsfree phone conversations to become a shoutfest started. After a 4 wheel align at my cost $280.00 my SA said the tires were recalled & were chaged at 9k. The problem began again at 16K and is now worse than before. I currently have the 7/2005 TSB and am waiting for a Thursday appt to show the SA that he has to replace them since being denied to replace the second set. "
"people with 2006 and 2007 530's still experiencing excessive tire noise? I am waiting for a 530xi to be delivered and am concerned based on the complaints and negative experiences that some of you have mentioned concerning the 5 series car set up"
"this problem also happens on e39's. Verry common on sport models with non runflat Dunlops. Mine sound and feel like snow tires..."
http://www.bmwtis.com/tsb/bulletins/...p/B360205g.htm
.
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=103652
"Active Steering does indeed require a special setup when aligning."
"I have a 05-545i with 18k. AT 8k the road noise & vibration that caused my handsfree phone conversations to become a shoutfest started. After a 4 wheel align at my cost $280.00 my SA said the tires were recalled & were chaged at 9k. The problem began again at 16K and is now worse than before. I currently have the 7/2005 TSB and am waiting for a Thursday appt to show the SA that he has to replace them since being denied to replace the second set. "
"people with 2006 and 2007 530's still experiencing excessive tire noise? I am waiting for a 530xi to be delivered and am concerned based on the complaints and negative experiences that some of you have mentioned concerning the 5 series car set up"
"this problem also happens on e39's. Verry common on sport models with non runflat Dunlops. Mine sound and feel like snow tires..."
http://www.bmwtis.com/tsb/bulletins/...p/B360205g.htm
.
I also don't think anything of what you said went over my head, you were just wrong on many points and I corrected you on it. I'm sorry if this upset you.
Alas, I can point to any site and find lots of threads with specific issues and TSBs (rattles in the GS anyone?) - these issues do not affect the majority of the cars and are in fact a very small percentage of owners. To use one of these as a reason to not buy a car is just silly.
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: IL
I really wanted to buy a BMW but eliminated the 335 twin turbo from my short list for the following reasons:
- BMW never made a twin turbo before.
- BMW hadn't sold a gasoline turbo car in this country since like 1978. They are going to have a steep learning curve and I dont want to know the service people on a first name basis.
- I have a $20,000 BMW motorcycle but wanted Lexus reliability and ease of service for my car. Service for the bike is "Bring My Wallet" time.
- I looked under the hood of a 335 and couldn't even see the turbos, let alone imagine how they would stay cool under there. It's nice to just shut down an engine without having to "turbo idle".
- The naturally aspirated Lexus has the same horsepower so why even bother with turbo heat and lag!
- No AWD option on the BMW 3 or 5 series with 300 horsepower.
- I-Drive.
- Lexus was cheaper, the dealer took $4,700 off the $47,511 sticker, and I had a $750 off coupon from Lexus for a total of 11.5% off MSRP sticker. BMW dealers aren't giving deals on 335's or 535's that just came out.
- Some of the interior colors BMW offers are downright ugly.
- BMW has unresolved alignment issues with tire wear problems on the 5 series. And the speed-sensitive steering needs an expensive alignment.
Even more reasons if I sit down and think about it.
.
- BMW never made a twin turbo before.
- BMW hadn't sold a gasoline turbo car in this country since like 1978. They are going to have a steep learning curve and I dont want to know the service people on a first name basis.
- I have a $20,000 BMW motorcycle but wanted Lexus reliability and ease of service for my car. Service for the bike is "Bring My Wallet" time.
- I looked under the hood of a 335 and couldn't even see the turbos, let alone imagine how they would stay cool under there. It's nice to just shut down an engine without having to "turbo idle".
- The naturally aspirated Lexus has the same horsepower so why even bother with turbo heat and lag!
- No AWD option on the BMW 3 or 5 series with 300 horsepower.
- I-Drive.
- Lexus was cheaper, the dealer took $4,700 off the $47,511 sticker, and I had a $750 off coupon from Lexus for a total of 11.5% off MSRP sticker. BMW dealers aren't giving deals on 335's or 535's that just came out.
- Some of the interior colors BMW offers are downright ugly.
- BMW has unresolved alignment issues with tire wear problems on the 5 series. And the speed-sensitive steering needs an expensive alignment.
Even more reasons if I sit down and think about it.
.
few things:
-there is AWD for 5er with the 2008 MY.
-You can get a ton of $$ off MSRP by doing EuroDelivery like( 3.3-3.5k) on top of about another 2k+ from negotiation.
-I-Drive>touch screen. Its less distracting, nav is @ eye level, no smudges from fingers. Becomes 2nd natured after you get used to it.
-There is no turbo lag, you should test drive a 335i its getting praises because the car has virtually no turbo lag. Thats why BMW used 2 SMALL turbos. Full power at a very LOW RPM.
I strongly suggest you test drive the new 335i. So you can get some of those misconceptions out of the way.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,929
Likes: 203
From: Florida
You are correct cause I tested the 335i coupe and there is no turbo lag and the sales guy had me really pushing the car from 0-60, what I didn't like...it was a bit noisy inside the cabin with the turbo engine, of course I'm not crazy about the dash or whole layout inside the cabin and think it's a step down from the E46 cabin.