[Shaveli]

hey

I've narrowed the choices down to either a BMW 330Xi, or a Lexus IS350. I've read thru several reviews for both cars and both seem like great cars. I realize this is a bmw site so the opinions may be biased (and most probably will be), so i'll take that into account, but i was hoping for some honost opinions. At the moment i'm split down the middle, i love both cars, so i made a thread on this forum (to get opinions from current owners), and also on a lexus forum (to get opinions from current owners), as well as a neutral car forum. My main criteria was the interior must be nice/luxurious, must be fairly powerful, must look nice from the outside. Im hoping your opinions may help me pick my future car. Thanks in advance.

attached are some pics of the lexus, since this is a e90 forum i'll assume most of you know what the 330 looks like inside and out.

[luprang]

well there has been much talk about this topic already on this forum you just gotta search for it. The main thing, the Lexus is quicker in a straight race, but other than that, BMW is better
(no bias here )
I have also heard that the back seat in the IS350 is pointless its so cramped. Just my .02

[Shaveli]

oh okay, thanks a lot, yea, heh sorry bout postin b4 searching. my bad
shit, sorry again...heh seems i posted it in the wrong section as well.

[KL2DC]

Well...IS250 was on the final list before I pulled the trigger on my 325i. Amusingly, I was pretty much sold on the e90 at a Lexus ride and drive event (new IS launch) of all places.

Don't get me wrong, I think the IS is a nice car and has great showroom appeal; its got attractive styling, the interior is nicely done (nice leather), handles well, has good equipment levels and you're pretty assured of reliability down the road. But some seat time in the e90 and you'll be convinced otherwise.

Suddenly, all that nice leather and standard equipment in the base Lexus became secondary. Yes the IS can handle but the e90 has better feel (best steering feel in the field) and a better handling balance. Yes the IS is quick but the e90's engine has more soul and character (I-6 vs V6).

I gave up on a lot of amenities (had a budget to keep) in going with the e90 but I don't regret it one day

P.S. on the practical side, don't forget about the free maintenance, lower insurance rates and high resale value

[windnsea00]

Once you have had a BMW or two, considering a Lexus is a laugh unless you don't care for driver orientated cars. Good luck with the choice

[Shaveli]

ooo thanks, yea, i think im going to make some time this week to go test drive both of these cars.

[NickS1004]

here is a head to head review of both cars (with video) if you havent already seen it.

http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpconta...1/pageNumber=1

[flyinbrian]

Go test drive them. The decision will be easy after that.

[3s-a-charm]

According to your "criteria", you should go for the Lexus. The Lexus interior is luxurious, the car has power, and it looks pretty good outside. If that is all you care about, then that is the car for you.

BMW has that right "feel" that Lexus doesn't have. Perfect balance, harmony and all that zen-like stuff. For most of us, we appreciate those things more and that's why we bought the car we did - it just felt better and was funner to drive.

There's a lot of moaning and groaning in the BMW camp about horsepower and who will beat who. If you like to race, you might prefer the Lexus. Just be careful when you get to the twisties!

Either way, you'll have a nice car.

[velore]

i too was looking at the same 2 cars...after a test drive the 330 felt more powerful then the is350, even though it has less horse power the tourque is amazing. also lexus didnt want my business, they did nothing to try and get me in their car, while BMW treated like a customer should. not to mention the lease payments i got on the beamer were like 200 less then the lexus (for similarly equipped vehicles). the people at lexus just seemed like they didnt want to make the sale, even when there was me and a friend buying 2 cars. so, BMW all the way!

[CALIF65GM]

Just get a 2007 Toyota Camry and save about 10K if you want a Lexus.

[Shaveli]

aha thanks to all of you guys who posted replys, man, this is making my decision harder.

[monolith]

My main criteria was the interior must be nice/luxurious must be fairly powerful, must look nice from the outside.

Both fit the bill perfectly, you'd be satisfied with either. Any other criteria?

[ska///235i]

you're BAN for posting Lexus pics here....just kidding

Lexus IS just doesn't have that "WOW" look, I like the new Infiniti G better than the IS

E90>G>IS

[Shaveli]

Originally Posted by monolith

Both fit the bill perfectly, you'd be satisfied with either. Any other criteria?

err....as long as it drives well thats pretty much it, heh.

[Darrel Revok]

I was considering both cars, but test driving both back to back convinced me it had to be BMW. Test drive them both on the same day, and post back here with what you think.

On paper the IS350 looks almost irresistible. Standard leather, automatic (if thats the route you want to go anyway), keyless start, and more power. Before the test drives I was almost convinced I was getting an IS350. The numb over boosted steering was a real turn off in the Lexus. For someone who doesn't really care about feeling connected to the road, over boosted steering is a good thing. Depends on your tastes really. But the Lexus made me want to drive slow and cruise, and the BMW made me want to drive aggressively.

Looks are subjective, but the giant mirrors on the IS350 were kind of a turn off. Otherwise the car is gorgeous.

And be aware that Lexus doesn't really do custom orders, so you get it the way they allocate it for the most part.

You really can't go wrong either way, thats the good part.

[Pretender]

I saw 325Xi and IS250 AWD choice before. IS350 doesn't have AWD compared to 330Xi.
Anyway, if you think you will have 4 adults in the car, you will hate the IS because of its little room in rear seat. Lexus is always a nice and reliable car with very luxurious interior. Some people may like the lexus more because of its look and all these amenities. Others more into things like: driving dynamic, fun to drive, and vehicle responsiveness, will pick e90 330.
But one warning to you: once you own a BMW, you won't ever buy any other car. As I said before: until you really own a BMW, you will never truly understand it.

[Asiann]

Your criteria fits both cars so you have to be more specific.

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by Shaveli

aha thanks to all of you guys who posted replys, man, this is making my decision harder.

I guess you originally leaned toward the IS350 then??? If that's the case you should buy the Lexus. The final decision is ultimately up to you. I just want to share my opinion here real quick.

Like many other users here, I was choosing between an IS350 and a 330i about a year ago. I wanted sporty and luxury so I went with the E90. If you want luxury and sport, then go with the IS. I didnt like the interior of the IS nor the exterior. I thought it looks like a 4-door Scion tC.

I didnt get a chance to drive the IS but heard that the 350 doesnt feel fast like the 330i. However, I was pretty much sold on the handling of the E90. I test drove a 325i with sport package with 4 other people in the car. I did 55 around the curve and felt like the car was riding on rails. The free maintenance was also a selling point. oh and let's not forget THE BADGE!! lol

The IS is a great car. I just dont like the side view, rear seats, and the dashboard. All in all, the IS is more comfortable and luxurious while the BMW is tons more fun to drive. Good luck on your decision.


EDIT: why not just wait for the 335 and then make up your mind??? Im just afraid that once the 335i comes out you will hooked on it. haha

[Krockit]

BMW- You pick every option and get a car in 45 to 60 days that's exactly what you wanted. As it shold be with a high line auto.

Lexus IS. You get to choose only from available inventories, forget about a national locate (other dealers don't like to give this car up) so you're buying only what they're selling. Order out and expect a huge wait time. Like half a year. Auto trans only on the 350, but that may fit your style. Back seat is useless except for little people, children and groceries.

Lexus is a very fine auto, yes. I drove an IS350 for about an hour during my search. I never looked back after driving the BMW for 5 minutes... It's not even close.

[Shaveli]

Originally Posted by BMWE90

I guess you originally leaned toward the IS350 then??? If that's the case you should buy the Lexus. The final decision is ultimately up to you. I just want to share my opinion here real quick.

Like many other users here, I was choosing between an IS350 and a 330i about a year ago. I wanted sporty and luxury so I went with the E90. If you want luxury and sport, then go with the IS. I didnt like the interior of the IS nor the exterior. I thought it looks like a 4-door Scion tC.

I didnt get a chance to drive the IS but heard that the 350 doesnt feel fast like the 330i. However, I was pretty much sold on the handling of the E90. I test drove a 325i with sport package with 4 other people in the car. I did 55 around the curve and felt like the car was riding on rails. The free maintenance was also a selling point. oh and let's not forget THE BADGE!! lol

The IS is a great car. I just dont like the side view, rear seats, and the dashboard. All in all, the IS is more comfortable and luxurious while the BMW is tons more fun to drive. Good luck on your decision.

to be honost the only reason i was really kinda leaning towards the lexus was because of the rear lights on the 3-series. I just felt the overall look of the lexus was more appealing. But, you all make a good point, i really need to test drive both back to back to REALLY compare cars. Cant make the decision based completely on looks.

[Shaveli]

Originally Posted by Pretender

I saw 325Xi and IS250 AWD choice before. IS350 doesn't have AWD compared to 330Xi.
Anyway, if you think you will have 4 adults in the car, you will hate the IS because of its little room in rear seat. Lexus is always a nice and reliable car with very luxurious interior. Some people may like the lexus more because of its look and all these amenities. Others more into things like: driving dynamic, fun to drive, and vehicle responsiveness, will pick e90 330.
But one warning to you: once you own a BMW, you won't ever buy any other car. As I said before: until you really own a BMW, you will never truly understand it.

yea this is another thing that i really need to think about that i didnt concider earlier, the back seat for the lexus is supposed to be very cramped.


edit: thanks again, i was expecting MUCH more biased opinions but wow, for the most part they seem relatively moderate. (<-iono if that came out right, was supposed to be a compliment ) . Its also good to see that other ppl were in similar situations.