Yes, the Lexus engine is pretty loud. Here are some offical interior noise levels of the BMW 335i and Lexus IS350:

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do.../pageId=124138
BMW 335i
Db @ Idle: 45.5
Db @ Full Throttle: 74.7
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 62

Lexus is350
Db @ Idle: 40.9
Db @ Full Throttle: 77.2
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 63.2

The Lexus is quiet during idle but for some reason it is especially noisey at full throttle.

 

I've heard and been in a hybrid Lexus. Had a RX400h as a loaner and was really impressed how quiet it was.

 

Why does this matter???

Why do you think the LS costs twice as much?

Aren't you asking for a bit too much from the entry level Lexus? All you should expect to compare it to are cars in the similar price range and purpose, and for most measures, the IS compares favorably in that range.

You can't compare entry level cars with the top of the line models in the same brand, or else you'd have LS owners complaining that their car is no quieter than the IS.

It's like asking why First Class passengers get better food than coach despite the fact you're both flying on a more luxurious airline (e.g. Singapore, Virgin, etc.)

 

I don't think it has anyhthig to do with cost. What did they use to quieting the LS's V8? I mean if they can do it to a V8 why couldn't they do it, or more to the point why haven't they done to a v6? I'm not asking for it to be hybrid noise-like, just more quiet to help bring out the extra "luxury" feel to the lexus. Can't ever have too much luxury right?

I know and realised it's an entry level Lexus, and that mine is a base model but what about the top Is model, which costs some $AU20K (around US15K??) ? surely with this price it deserve to be more quiet.

 

Also don't forget, the 2IS is a whole new car, compare to the 1IS and the engine as i recall is a new age one too.

 

I think the silence of the IS350 is deafening!

Old Oiler

 

IMO, I wouldn't want a super quiet sport type car. You would want to hear the enigne roar.

 

I bought the IS because it was quiet. It was the quietest of all the cars i was looking at and it is the quietest car i have ever owned. I dont think the engine or exhaust is too loud but i wouldnt mind even less road noise, thats for sure, texas roads suck.

 

LOL the noise of the IS... what noise? My other garage queen is mild *bolt-on* 5.0 mustang... so IS engine noise

 

I want hybrid/electric/Ls-like quiet dammmit!!!!!!!

I don't want my car to be like any other cars........

 

I disagree completely here. Every BMW that I have ever been in, except those with tin can aftermarket mufflers, has a nice rumble from the engine compartment, NOT from the muffler.

I can drive my car and listen to the engine sing all day long. However, the exhaust noise coming from the g35 is intolerable to me. I want to hear pistons pumping (especially when driving stick), not the fart-in-a-can exhaust that some people seem to like. For me, this is just plain rice.

The base IS has a nice subtle tone coming from the engine compartment, though it is far more quiet than its competitors. Not better or worse, just different.

 

What's the point of the nice rumbling noise when it can't perform?

I know what you mean about the engine noise in the bimmer but it's not a performance noise unless it's a ///M car.

 

There is a huge enthusiast following that would disagree with you on that one.

That's like saying that the IS isn't a sport sedan unless its an IS350.

 

only time that the engine noise bugs me is when i am going though a drive through which is quite a bit. I love ice coffee!

 

Then you need to buy a hybrid vehicle. Hybrid vehicles are quiet at idle because the engine is not running. In fact, at a stop, neither the electric nor the gas engine are running - the gas engine only kicks on at full throttle or freeway driving. So please stop comparing Hybrid vehicles to standard gas engines.

The IS is marketed as "Intelligent Sport," not "Intelligent Luxury," hence the emphasis on performance. I for one thought the IS was too quiet... I would dare say that the IS is one of the quietest vehicles in it's peformance and price categories.

Javier