Thinking about trading in my 250 for a 335i...
09-01-09, 04:58 PM
#20
I would also think that 335 would be lil nicer than 250... it performs good and it has almost similar features as Lexus... If you get a brandnew one you dont have to worry about maintenance.. thats one of things i liked about my e46 m3... it was good to have free stuff maintenance. because it aint cheap to maintain the car just like many IS-F owners know... (eg. break pads and rotors...)
09-01-09, 05:06 PM
#21
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I crossed-shopped the 335i. I was very impressed with the instant on torque. The interior was not as good and I broke the power seat before starting out. Even BMW owners warn not to keep a BMW past warranty. It breaks often and is extremely expensive to repair. I mean…that’s what they say…BMW owners.
09-01-09, 05:13 PM
#22
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It would be a nice upgrade.
Last year I cross-shopped the 335 sedan and IS350, chose IS350. To address the handling I went with Eibach 350 springs (same as F-Sport) and 19's.
Last year I cross-shopped the 335 sedan and IS350, chose IS350. To address the handling I went with Eibach 350 springs (same as F-Sport) and 19's.
09-01-09, 05:59 PM
#23
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I had a 335i for a few months before my IS 350. Were it not for the fuel pump failures i never would've come to the lexus lineup. The reason I gave up the 335i is because I needed a car that would last me 10+ years, and after the few months of owning the 335i (multiple fuel pump failures among other things) AND reading multiple posts on e90post where owners made it clear that they would rarely buy out a lease on a bmw 3 series and never even think of owning one outside of warranty. the hassle was enough for me to start shopping again.
Now that i have come to the lexus lineup, I will say I was pleasantly surprised at..pretty much everything. For one, the interior of the IS is definitely more plush than the 335i.
Number 2, as far as stock performance goes, I was surprised to realize that the IS 350 is pretty ****ing comparable to the 335i in a line.
Number 3, I somewhat expected mushy or poor feedback from the IS, but the handling in the 09s is actually quite good.
It's not as good as the 335i but it's not bad.
But you wanted a review of the 335i. As a driving machine, the 335i coupe is definitely quite fantastic. The engineering is just bad unfortunately.
Maybe one day when BMW gets their act together I will return to the legendary benchmark 3 series that has set the standard for entry level luxury coupes/sedans for years.
But I will say in the meantime the lexus IS 350 has impressed me a lot. I never really gave lexus enough credit (as driving machines) before reliability actually became an issue for me.
This is my first lexus and I dare say it just may not be my last, I have been pretty impressed.
Now that i have come to the lexus lineup, I will say I was pleasantly surprised at..pretty much everything. For one, the interior of the IS is definitely more plush than the 335i.
Number 2, as far as stock performance goes, I was surprised to realize that the IS 350 is pretty ****ing comparable to the 335i in a line.
Number 3, I somewhat expected mushy or poor feedback from the IS, but the handling in the 09s is actually quite good.
It's not as good as the 335i but it's not bad.
But you wanted a review of the 335i. As a driving machine, the 335i coupe is definitely quite fantastic. The engineering is just bad unfortunately.
Maybe one day when BMW gets their act together I will return to the legendary benchmark 3 series that has set the standard for entry level luxury coupes/sedans for years.
But I will say in the meantime the lexus IS 350 has impressed me a lot. I never really gave lexus enough credit (as driving machines) before reliability actually became an issue for me.
This is my first lexus and I dare say it just may not be my last, I have been pretty impressed.
09-01-09, 06:01 PM
#24
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I don't own them both simultaneously because I don't see the point in owning two of basically the same type of car, but as my previous post indicates I did drive a bmw 3 series for a few months before moving over to the is 350. So I guess take my review for what it's worth.
09-01-09, 06:03 PM
#25
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The only thing I don't like about the IS so far is the stock tires it comes with (bridgestone turanzas). I think these turanzas are pretty mediocre but fortunately it's not that big of a deal and it's an easy fix.
09-01-09, 06:24 PM
#28
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All great comments, guys. I think I will stick with my 250 for a while longer and throw some springs on. I did just get a set of Toyo T1R, so maybe a set of springs will wake things up 
09-01-09, 06:28 PM
#29
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i was considering a bmw, but I decided against it because the nickel and dime you for everything. plus I'm not a fan or run flat tires bmw uses. I like the fact of having a spare in the trunk.
09-01-09, 06:30 PM
#30
How about a CPO ISF? Not sure if those even exist yet, but it would be worth looking at before you drop major coin on 335i. From what I've seen on the forum about CA Lexus dealers, there are deals to be had on an ISF.
That said, if this was strictly a debate between the IS250 and 335i (coupe, hopefully) I would take the 335i, hands down.
That said, if this was strictly a debate between the IS250 and 335i (coupe, hopefully) I would take the 335i, hands down.