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Price for the RC350 is 6K more than the 435i. The RC has 22K miles versus 37K on the 435i. The RC is a base and the 435i has the M-Sport package. Really leaning towards the 435i. Basically the same HP and torque except the 435i develops its 300fp at only 1200 rpm! But, for only $6K more and 15K miles less the RC is hard to pass up.
i miss my ES350 and not interested in the GS350 but want a little fun in my life. I think the 435i will give me that but I know the RC gives me the better value. Looking for recommendations
That's easy. If you plan on keeping a car for the long term, get the undisputed king or reliability: Lexus. For short term ownership or lease commitments, it's really just a personal preference and IMO, you can't go wrong with either the RC or the 435i. In the end, regardless on what anyone says, it's what YOU like.
That's easy. If you plan on keeping a car for the long term, get the undisputed king or reliability: Lexus. For short term ownership or lease commitments, it's really just a personal preference and IMO, you can't go wrong with either the RC or the 435i. In the end, regardless on what anyone says, it's what YOU like.
Ditto this. The RC will last you forever, and imo the RC has superior styling, as well as remarkable reliability. But if its just a lease, either car will more than suit your need for fun!
Reliability is a big deal for my family. Everyone is different. We have been on Toy/Lex for decades. No concerns owning a car for 10-15 years.
I honestly don't know about BMW Reliability. 5 year old model would make me nervous. Co-workers tell me there are better, and less great models. I'd see where that model history is like. If its a statistically good model I'd worry less. If on the lower side, I'd avoid personally. BMW site could help with that.
I don't want to trash BMW (or other mfg) I hear a few horror stories occasionally and lower reliability metrics, but honestly on a person by person basis I don't really know what it means. I've thought about giving them a try at some point.
Co-workers tend to be on short-ish lease cycles so reliability isn't an issue for them.
At some point it comes down to what makes you smile every day. Reliability helps me smile, but not if I just don't like the car.
These were the types of comments I expected from a Lexus board. I got just the opposite from the BMW board! Go figure. But, your comments and theirs did help me make my decision. While I loved my ES350 I really like the styling of the BMW. Finally got the car delivered yesterday. Having it checked out by a mechanic on Monday. Thanks for your input.
It'd be interesting to see the reliability of the 8AR-FTS motors vs. the 2.0T BMW motors, after some serious mileage. Although that only one piece of the puzzle, of long term ownership costs.
The RC350 looks cool, but the performance is absolutely laughable: it's not appreciably faster than even an ES350 while compounded with the fairly cheap interior, poor gas mileage for the 3.5 version, and lack of any sort of practicality. The only RC worth getting is the RC-F, because it's the only one that backs up its looks. Otherwise, you could have a GS350 with a nicer interior, four doors, better gas mileage, and just as fast..
100% True: For yourself, and likely many others.
Not true for everyone. Different people value different things. The RC350 is great for me. The F and the 4 doors would not have been.
BMW is going to be more fun of a car, and those engines are actually very solid with lots of aftermarket support. The RC350 looks cool, but the performance is absolutely laughable: it's not appreciably faster than even an ES350 while compounded with the fairly cheap interior, poor gas mileage for the 3.5 version, and lack of any sort of practicality. The only RC worth getting is the RC-F, because it's the only one that backs up its looks. Otherwise, you could have a GS350 with a nicer interior, four doors, better gas mileage, and just as fast.
Overall, you'll definitely enjoy the BMW more. Especially if you decide you want to venture into a higher horsepower range: I have seen some very nasty 335i and 435is. The RC350? It'll never get close, because the 2GR can't hold the power before you end up with cracked pistons or bent rods. And there's no real support for high horsepower.
Well if the RC350 performance is laughable the joke of the day has got to be a 435i right? These are both in the 5sec range to 60.
The RC350 is a sporty GT IMO. I would choose it everytime over a 4 series.
Bent rods and cracked pistons ... Gimme a break. We are talking about the RC350 and 4 -series here.
I think we must just have different definitions of "enjoyable". I have had only one POS car ever and that was a 330ci coupe.
Never considered owning it enjoyable. Unless of course higher maintenance costs, poor quality/reliability, and spending time at your
dealer is a plus for you.
BMW's reputation for quality, or lack thereof, has been definitely well earned. Which is really the biggest reason to choose
a RC350 in this case. Anyone considering a BMW I hope your in a 2 yr lease.
2016 RC350 vs 2014 BMW 435i
