I also drove the 330i at the Taste of Lexus and was not impressed with car at all. Interior was to BLAH! It was dated. Not as roomy in the front as the IS, seemed cramped. The outside was nice, but the IS just looked so fresh. I made the right choice in buying the 350.

 

I like the 2IS steering wheel, it has a great feel. I actually prefer it to the Lexus steering wheels that are part wood and part leather.

 

The only thing that looked a bit weird on 1IS wheel was the raised center (I guess for the airbag), but otherwise the wheel felt great (leather and ergonomics)

 

The awful outdated interior of the BMW is one of the main reasons I didn't buy one. The thing I hate most about the IS interior is the cheap ***, non-dimming clock.

 

Funny thing is, i went to test drive the new 330i, and the minute i sat in,
I got right out and didnt even bother test driving it, no matter how good it
drove I couldnt stand to look at that interior one more minute , let alone
sit in it day after day for the next 4+ years

 

Funny I felt the same way after I sat in in my friends 325.I said to myself this car is $38g's.Of course I didnt say that to him.It goes to show you that an interior if a car matters a lot.

 

Exactly, I couldn't look at that interior day in day out.

 

Same here and I also hate the cheap the plastic pieces on the door handles and center console. They rattle and creek on even roads .

 

What I meant to say is that the look of the Yaris is fresh and innovative. The 3-Series, although far superior in quality, is not fresh nor innovative...

Young and innovative:



Conservative and outdated:

 

BMWs have always had out dated looking interiors.

 

and you guys are looking at the bmw pics with the wood trim.
The cars without the wood trim are even plainer, worse yet. I have never been in a bmw that had a decent sound system. I have a plain Jane IS 350, the stereo sounds great except for faulty rear sub. There is no wood in my IS, it doesn't need it. If I want wood, I just stomp on the gas.

 

Fresh and innovative

 

I don't know if I agree with the speedo being in the center of the dash.
I def think it's easier to quick look slightly down than to the right.

 

it IS vinyl unless you order leather.

 

yeah the center dials is very lame. like in the mini and the nissan quest. sometimes you gotta reign the designers in.