If so, could you guys chime in? How does the ride compare to the IS350 F-Sport? I'm looking at a 2010 335i right now w/ sport premium and cold weather package and I like it alot. I know most magazines and reviews prefer this car over the current 3 series but i want to know about the previous one.

I was planning to wait a year or 2 for a used IS350 Fsport to show up but if i can get the dealer to drop the price by a few grand i might change my mind.

 

ienjoyed my e92 335i 6sp manual....with a JB4 G5 ISO File with an E50 Ethanol blend, dual cone intakes, and methanol injection, I ran 12.6x@114.xx mph..autos are quicker in ET (can run lower 12's) since they can do 2nd gear starts and hold boost between shifts.

that being said, the N54 is high maintenance, especially high mileage ones. If tuned, plan on spark plugs every 10k miles, plan on having spare coil packs. Common issues include failing turbo seals, VANOS cam ledgers, VANOS solenoids, wastegate rattles, front suspension bushing (oem) leaks every 30-40k miles.

Lets just say I ended up with an is350 and its as enjoyable, more reliable, despite being slower.

 

I just traded my 2009 BWW 335i (E90 w/ sport package, 6MT, all the goodies), last week and picked up a 2015 IS350 F-Sport. Lots of differences...

Styling
My E90 was still an attractive car, but looking quite dated and a bit "plain Jane" compared to the new IS350, which is very striking. Especially the interior. My E90 was really showing it's age compared to the IS350's futuristic cockpit. When it comes to tech, the IS350 wins hands down.

Engine
My N54 was a beast of a motor and it was bone stock, so it had even more potential. The I6 has a lot more torque down low and pulls from any RPM. The I6 sounds better too. Although the IS350 feels sluggish down low, but does make decent power at higher RPMs. Winner, 335i.

Ride and Handling
My 335i didn't have adaptive suspension, so it was essentially in sport mode all the time. I live in the city and there's potholes, manhole covers and lumpy patch jobs practically every 10 feet. Stock, the E90 ride quality was very harsh, to the point it was almost unbearable. Non-stop crash boom bang. I got rid of the run flat tires and that helped. I installed Koni FSD shocks and that helped some more. The ride was no longer as harsh, but it was still quite loud. The suspension was always rumbling over bumps and you feel every little road imperfection in the steering wheel. This is the downside of great steering feel. All good for track days and back country roads. Not so good for city commuting. In contrast, the Lexus ride is sublime, even in Sport+ mode. In Sport+, the car feels as firm and responsive as the BMW, but all of the bumps are so quiet - nothing more than soft thuds passing under the car. With the Lexus, it literally feels as though the city repaved all the road, even the the roads are the exact same condition I've been driving on for years. Winner, IS350, hands down.

Steering
The IS350 steering is nice. I actually like that it's a little down on "feel" for the reasons stated above. Because it's electric, it's super light in parking lots, but really firms up nicely at speed, helping to make the car feel planted. The E90 steering is highly regarded, but for me, there was actually too much road feel, to the point it was annoying. I don't want or need to feel every little crack in the road. IF you do most of your driving on smooth, windy roads, the E90 steering is better. But if you spend time commuting around city streets with crappy pavement, the IS350 steering is better.

Fun Factor
I think the E90 was more fun when I wanted to be a hooligan. Partially because of the stronger engine, but mostly because mine was an MT. Stangely, the main reasons I got rid of it, however, were due to the poor ride quality and the MT. Fact is, I spend most of my time driving from stop light to stop light or sitting in traffic. My fantasies about taking the car out for joy rides on back country roads never seem to materialize as I'm just too busy to get out and enjoy the car. So yes, the IS350 is a step down on fun factor, but a much better daily driver given my circumstances.

Hope my brief review and comparison helps!!

 

I've never owned one, but I worked for BMW for 2 years, and I find that the ride quality is a lot better in the IS 350. I find the ride to be a lot smoother in the IS, even when I am in the Sport/Sport+ modes, I find the ride to be superior. I'm also not a big fan of the run flats that the BMW's come with.

In terms of messing around, I think the 335 would offer more of a fun factor when you want to drive the car hard, but I don't think the IS is too far behind.

I was never a big fan of the interior of the 3-series, or even the 5-series. My Honda Accord Coupe had better leather/interior IMO than the 3-series. The leather was softer and seemed to be better quality. I was always amazed at the poor interior build of the 3-series (although the newer models are a lot better). I don't believe you can compare the interiors of the 3-series to the IS. The IS completely outshines the BMW in terms of comfort within the interior of the car IMO.

Although I've only had the vehicle for 5 1/2 months now, from what I've read, the reliability of the Lexus is a lot better. Working at BMW, I'd see all the problems that would constant reoccur, we'd see the same customers time and time again coming in. It's great if you're under warranty, but as soon as the warranty ends you're screwed. My mom had a '94 ES 300, she had 374,000km before she sold it. She never had any major issues. Lexus has always been known for their reliability, which is another reason I picked the IS. If you talk to any tow-truck drivers or AMA drivers, they will most likely tell you the #1 car they pick up are BMW's, or at least that's the common trend I've noticed.

I'd pick the IS over the 335 any day of the week personally.

 

I recently traded my 2012 BMW 335IS in for a 2014 IS350 FSport. I couldn't be happier, but it is a different driving experience.

Steering feels tighter and cleaner in the Lexus. It's also great having the ability to change up your suspension in S+ mode. The Lexus suspension is very comfortable and refined in other modes. Gentleman's car during the week, beast mode on the weekends.

The BMW ride was rough and you can feel the weight of the car in faster turns, kind of sloppy. Granted I had 19" M wheels with run flats, feels even worse for a passenger.

The BMW had a twin turbo inline 6 N54 engine.. This is where a major difference is felt in the driving. The Lexus is a little slower, the BMW peaks max output at just over 2K RPMs and is chalk full of torque with the turbos, and you can feel how quick the car is to accelerate. Mine had the DCT so shifting was also quicker than the Lexus.

I also think aesthetically, the Japanese did an amazing job with clean lines on the Lexus and you get a bulletproof car with a very reliable engine. The BMW was close to out of warranty and the maintenance costs I was about to face was a little much. Spark plugs were also an issue on the BMW. Much more to look out for and many people had issues with the N54 engine going into limp mode with a failing high pressure fuel pump.

Anyways, given that decision again, I would still take the Lexus over the BMW. They've gotten complacent in their game, even the newer F30 body style is not impressive to me. That's besides the point, to answer your question.. I have been happier with the Lexus over the short several months I've had it.

You may find an opposite opinion on a BMW forum though. Mine was the 335is.. Not just a 335i.. But they are similar enough for me to compare to the Lexus.