Lexus vs BMW
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 608
Likes: 1
From: SE
Base IS = IS200d (discontinued)
Base 3 series = 316i/d, 318i/d
midrange 3 series = 320i/d, 325i/d, 328i
midrange IS = IS220d, IS250, IS300h
Top range 3 series = 330i/d, 335i/d, M3
Top range IS = IS350, IS-F
Last edited by UpSideDown; Jul 24, 2013 at 02:22 AM.
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: NV
Alright everyone, I'm just going to leave this here for posterity:
I've decided to go with the BMW 335i. I think both the Lexus and the BMW have great styling, inside and out. It's a matter of if you like the Euro or the Japanese styling. I have no strong preference either way so that's a wash for me. I think they both have great handling, with the slight advantage to the Lexus. I think they both have lots of cool tech bling, though the BMW can be optioned to have more than the Lexus. The Lexus should be the more reliable car, but it's the first model year and it's only been out a month so hard to say at this point.
The main differentiator between these two is clearly the engine. The Lexus engine is just not that great and the BMW engine is just spectacular. If they were close to the same (like if I were comparing the IS350 to the 328i), the Lexus would probably have gotten my choice, but it's not close.
Once I realized that I was already looking around to see what I could buy to increase the power on the IS, I knew it wasn't the car for me. The BMW has the power already and needs no mods.
As a bonus, they started making the current BMW in 2012, meaning you can get used ones! I have found several with almost every option available and less than 10k miles for $10-15k under MSRP. They're still under warranty, etc. I can afford a new one, but why bother when I can get an almost new one for less than the IS?
For me right now, the BMW is the better car. Good luck to everyone who finds themselves in the same dilemma. I think you can't go wrong with either car. I said it before and I'll say it again, I actually WANTED to like the Lexus more. It took me a while to realize that I just don't. I wouldn't blame anyone for choosing the Lexus.
EDIT - Oh, and THANK YOU! I appreciate all the great input and feedback I got in this thread and on the forum.
I've decided to go with the BMW 335i. I think both the Lexus and the BMW have great styling, inside and out. It's a matter of if you like the Euro or the Japanese styling. I have no strong preference either way so that's a wash for me. I think they both have great handling, with the slight advantage to the Lexus. I think they both have lots of cool tech bling, though the BMW can be optioned to have more than the Lexus. The Lexus should be the more reliable car, but it's the first model year and it's only been out a month so hard to say at this point.
The main differentiator between these two is clearly the engine. The Lexus engine is just not that great and the BMW engine is just spectacular. If they were close to the same (like if I were comparing the IS350 to the 328i), the Lexus would probably have gotten my choice, but it's not close.
Once I realized that I was already looking around to see what I could buy to increase the power on the IS, I knew it wasn't the car for me. The BMW has the power already and needs no mods.
As a bonus, they started making the current BMW in 2012, meaning you can get used ones! I have found several with almost every option available and less than 10k miles for $10-15k under MSRP. They're still under warranty, etc. I can afford a new one, but why bother when I can get an almost new one for less than the IS?
For me right now, the BMW is the better car. Good luck to everyone who finds themselves in the same dilemma. I think you can't go wrong with either car. I said it before and I'll say it again, I actually WANTED to like the Lexus more. It took me a while to realize that I just don't. I wouldn't blame anyone for choosing the Lexus.
EDIT - Oh, and THANK YOU! I appreciate all the great input and feedback I got in this thread and on the forum.
Last edited by Stillhart; Jul 24, 2013 at 07:57 PM.
Pole Position
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 384
Likes: 2
From: Montreal, QC
The main differentiator between these two is clearly the engine. The Lexus engine is just not that great and the BMW engine is just spectacular. If they were close to the same (like if I were comparing the IS350 to the 328i), the Lexus would probably have gotten my choice, but it's not close.
[...]
For me right now, the BMW is the better car. Good luck to everyone who finds themselves in the same dilemma. I think you can't go wrong with either car. I said it before and I'll say it again, I actually WANTED to like the Lexus more. It took me a while to realize that I just don't. I wouldn't blame anyone for choosing the Lexus.
[...]
For me right now, the BMW is the better car. Good luck to everyone who finds themselves in the same dilemma. I think you can't go wrong with either car. I said it before and I'll say it again, I actually WANTED to like the Lexus more. It took me a while to realize that I just don't. I wouldn't blame anyone for choosing the Lexus.
Engine was the main reason I was drawn to the 335. I too really wanted to like the Lexus more. In fact, I still love the car and hope they change the engine for 2015. But from driving both cars back-to-back on the same day, the 335's engine was just superior in every possible way. I'm definitely getting the 2015 IS if they change the engine (335 is my wife's hehe...).Both cars are good choices, and I wouldn't consider the S4, Q50 or any other car of the category. IS and 335 FTW!
Last edited by Aeromotive; Jul 24, 2013 at 09:04 PM.
Pole Position
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,602
Likes: 89
From: Singapore
Alright everyone, I'm just going to leave this here for posterity:
I've decided to go with the BMW 335i. I think both the Lexus and the BMW have great styling, inside and out. It's a matter of if you like the Euro or the Japanese styling. I have no strong preference either way so that's a wash for me. I think they both have great handling, with the slight advantage to the Lexus. I think they both have lots of cool tech bling, though the BMW can be optioned to have more than the Lexus. The Lexus should be the more reliable car, but it's the first model year and it's only been out a month so hard to say at this point.
The main differentiator between these two is clearly the engine. The Lexus engine is just not that great and the BMW engine is just spectacular. If they were close to the same (like if I were comparing the IS350 to the 328i), the Lexus would probably have gotten my choice, but it's not close.
Once I realized that I was already looking around to see what I could buy to increase the power on the IS, I knew it wasn't the car for me. The BMW has the power already and needs no mods.
As a bonus, they started making the current BMW in 2012, meaning you can get used ones! I have found several with almost every option available and less than 10k miles for $10-15k under MSRP. They're still under warranty, etc. I can afford a new one, but why bother when I can get an almost new one for less than the IS?
For me right now, the BMW is the better car. Good luck to everyone who finds themselves in the same dilemma. I think you can't go wrong with either car. I said it before and I'll say it again, I actually WANTED to like the Lexus more. It took me a while to realize that I just don't. I wouldn't blame anyone for choosing the Lexus.
EDIT - Oh, and THANK YOU! I appreciate all the great input and feedback I got in this thread and on the forum.
I've decided to go with the BMW 335i. I think both the Lexus and the BMW have great styling, inside and out. It's a matter of if you like the Euro or the Japanese styling. I have no strong preference either way so that's a wash for me. I think they both have great handling, with the slight advantage to the Lexus. I think they both have lots of cool tech bling, though the BMW can be optioned to have more than the Lexus. The Lexus should be the more reliable car, but it's the first model year and it's only been out a month so hard to say at this point.
The main differentiator between these two is clearly the engine. The Lexus engine is just not that great and the BMW engine is just spectacular. If they were close to the same (like if I were comparing the IS350 to the 328i), the Lexus would probably have gotten my choice, but it's not close.
Once I realized that I was already looking around to see what I could buy to increase the power on the IS, I knew it wasn't the car for me. The BMW has the power already and needs no mods.
As a bonus, they started making the current BMW in 2012, meaning you can get used ones! I have found several with almost every option available and less than 10k miles for $10-15k under MSRP. They're still under warranty, etc. I can afford a new one, but why bother when I can get an almost new one for less than the IS?
For me right now, the BMW is the better car. Good luck to everyone who finds themselves in the same dilemma. I think you can't go wrong with either car. I said it before and I'll say it again, I actually WANTED to like the Lexus more. It took me a while to realize that I just don't. I wouldn't blame anyone for choosing the Lexus.
EDIT - Oh, and THANK YOU! I appreciate all the great input and feedback I got in this thread and on the forum.
Seems like the reviewers echo your thoughts but their priorities in judging a car are different from yours leading them to make the opposite decision from yours :
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...ml#post8056838
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