I just took my neighbor -- who has a BMW 7-series with the Sport package -- out for a drive. We spent around an hour comparing the two cars. He was blown away by the Lexus, how quiet and refined it is, how well all the tech works and how easily it can be accessed by the driver, and by the overall sense of very high quality. He was blown away by the rear seat, and thought the handling of our LS460L was not that bad. His BMW is one great handling sedan, but the penalties in NVH make the Lexus feel "peaceful and soothing" in comparison. His words. He's also a performance freak (my daily driver is an E55, and he's had a series of AMG and M cars) so I was surprised that his opinions followed my own pretty closely.

He has also spent a great deal of time driving the new S-Class; he can afford just about any car, and said he'd choose the Lexus over the Benz any day.

Interesting thoughts IMHO...

 

What does NVH mean?

Why does he have a 7er right now rather than a S-Class or any other sedan available at the time?

Does he just buy cars and flip them? Or does he have a passion for them (I'm not being mean, just curious)...

Why would he choose the LS over the S-Class?

 

NVH = Noise, Vibration, & Harshness

The guy is very passionate about cars, and just isn't impressed by the new S-Class. He feels the interior is a copy of the BMW, and he liked the LS interior better than either of the German cars. He liked both the design and the materials in the Lexus. He has the 7 because he's a young guy, has always had sporty cars, but has two small kids now.

A lot of this stuff is irrelevant from any objective standpoint, as a lot of people buy cars based on factors which are largely subjective. I merely pass it along because it's interesting -- to me -- to look at the reactions this car elicits.

 

I feel that being subjective is the only way to buy a car, because lets all be rational -- what do we need that a Toyota Camry doesn't offer?

 

^^^
Luxury...

The LS has that in spades!

Good to hear that the BMW owner had a positive impression!

 

Semi-self parking? rofl...

 

Great feedback and yes, "peaceful and soothing" is exactly what Lexus does best. You don't care as much about anything including traffic OUTSIDE the car, when INSIDE the car is so pleasant and library quiet or a concert hall with that audio system uninterrupted by annoying things like engine and road noise.

THAT is Lexus strength.

 

I really think that the environment and luxury is what the LS is all about. Let's face it, if you are really interested in tearing up the road then get a porsche to compliment.

 

***The guy is very passionate about cars, and just isn't impressed by the new S-Class. He feels the interior is a copy of the BMW***

HUH!!!???

The interior of the BMW is an ergonomic nightmare. The interior of the new S550 is positively gorgeous and screams"total class."

Has your friend had his eyes checked recently?

 

What did your friend say about the acceleration and power of the Lexus?

 

Thanks for the positive news. I have been saying this all along. very happy to hear all this. If the mind is not so preconditioned by BMW marketing propaganda, many would agree with Paul Frere and Robert Cumberford that Lexus has beaten BMW even in handling.

 

LOL. I think you're the one that needs his eyes checked.

S550 Interior


7-Series Interior


LS460 Interior


In my opinion, the S550 has a classy interior, but to say that it's not a copy of the 7er is a blatant lie, or you're trying to trick yourself otherwise.
The LS460 still has a little work to do, the layout doesn't seem that friendly nor does it seem 'advanced' and 'futuristic' which is what you want in a car at this level because you're supposed to be buying tomorrows technology today.

Just for giggles
Audi A8 interior

Other than the color combo, that is a beautiful (in a different way) interior!

 

LOL.

I know another poster said luxury That's subjective, because what is luxurious to one person may be trash to another.

I'm sure those Bentley guys with their gazillion dollar leather probably think our S600/LS600/760 interiors are just too 'blase'.

 

IMO, the LS 460's interior is the most futuristic of them all...come on, you can't beat a touchscreen!

 

I think they all have great interiors..lexus places its logo on too many items on the vehicle..as well as the use of overly large text on all of the *****, buttons.etc. I think it takes a little away from that perfect Lexus minimalist feel.