[Asiann]

Originally Posted by E24

I have owned both and both are out of this world. Still, long story short, a "Lexus" is an upgraded Toyota while a BMW is a BMW.

Couldn't agree more! Lexus still has a way to go to prove to the world they are ready to take on BMW pound for pound. You just can't beat German engineering! Don't get me wrong, I love Japanese cars, but the driving experience from a BMW is priceless.

[BKsBimmer]

Originally Posted by Asiann

Couldn't agree more! Lexus still has a way to go to prove to the world they are ready to take on BMW pound for pound. You just can't beat German engineering! Don't get me wrong, I love Japanese cars, but the driving experience from a BMW is priceless.

Stay tuned ... the Germans don't exactly have a monopoly on engineering

[Wolf359]

Lexus should prove more reliable but is more twitchy to drive and has less interior space. Peace of mind versus passion.

In different markets the prices can go in favor of one car or another, but here they are priced the same.

[bos]

Consumer reports declared that the IS250's "handling is secure, but not sporty". The 325's "handling is taut, agile, and fun". They did ultimately rate the IS250 higher for other reasons, and I agree, the IS is a great car.

The question is whether one values the "interior ambiance" of a Lexus more than the sportiness of a BMW.

[climkt]

hi dynamics, you done any exterior mods to your car yet. your 325 auto must be a blast to drive. my senior colleague has the same car as yours

[dynamics]

Originally Posted by climkt

hi dynamics, you done any exterior mods to your car yet. your 325 auto must be a blast to drive. my senior colleague has the same car as yours

Hi,

No, not done anything to the car except install the twin chrome exhaust tip. Yes, I enjoyed the way it pulled away from the pack with that sweet engine note especially >4000 rpm. You kind of get a high with that. Actually I'm not into mods, what do you recommend?

Cheers.

[climkt]

well, i am a bit of a mod freak, changed to kerscher front bumper, chrome slat grille, non rft 18 inch m5 rep rims and wheels, ac boot lid spoiler, m shifter manual, twin pipe mod and blacklines.
if you just want a change, get original blackline tail lamps at eng soon auto serangoon road 62917775. about 400 bucks, 150 bucks cheaper than pml.

[e90bimmer]

i think the e90 is a much beter car for modding....fellas dont take offense to this but i think the is250 is kind of a chicks car...agree or disagree?

[climkt]

i think the is 250 appears to be a chicks car but it does not look like one, it looks really aggressive, more so than the standard 3 series. i did notice a lot of women looking at the is250 in the showroom though.

[meruyailir]

Originally Posted by dynamics

When you drive the 325 and 523 then you will know the vast difference in performance between the 2. If you want luxury feel, go for the 523 but if you want a more spiritual drive, 325 will be a better choice. That is the reason I end up with the 325. And after 6 months still no regrets.

Somehow I don't find the 5 series any more luxurious than the 3 series. The quality of the interior materials are the same. The 5 definitely gives more comfortable ride. I've been driving a 520 loaner and it feels like a sedate big car, comfortable with no excitement. Well maybe because it's only 2.0 liter. Does 530 or 545 feel as dynamic as 325/330 and less comfortable?

[climkt]

i agree with meruyailir. The e60 has more presence than the e90 but built quality inside feels similiar. it may feel more luxurious, only because it is more spacious. The solid, teutonic built in bmws is really evident in the new 3 series and 5 series.

[dynamics]

Originally Posted by climkt

well, i am a bit of a mod freak, changed to kerscher front bumper, chrome slat grille, non rft 18 inch m5 rep rims and wheels, ac boot lid spoiler, m shifter manual, twin pipe mod and blacklines.
if you just want a change, get original blackline tail lamps at eng soon auto serangoon road 62917775. about 400 bucks, 150 bucks cheaper than pml.

Hi, that's a lot of mod to me. I know you stay in S'pore. Why don't you show me your car one day. I'll like to see your mod especially the blacklines. You can PM me your contact.

Cheers.

[climkt]

Hi dynamics, you can email me on climkt@doctors.org.uk and may be arrange for a meeting at kallang Macdonalds this weekend/sunday ? 1400hrs. email me tonight. i am on call in CGH tonight
just found out from your prev threads, that you bought your car in stock from like mine-SG with black interior. we bought the most popular e90 colour in singapore, man!

[geeslice]

Hi all! I can debunk some of the myths in this post. I labored between a 325xi and a IS250 AWD for about two months before getting the bimmer.

The IS is one inch shorter than the BMW but the BMW has lots more rear passenger room. I think part of it is because in the BMW the back seats are angled so your butt kinda sinks while the IS it is more of a straight bench seat in the back. The base IS AWD which included bluetooth, leather. power everything, comfort access, metallic paint, 6-CD changer in dash is 34k. If you add the Nav system it is 38k. The xenons are in a seperate pacakge that adds on 2k. You cannot get the without the package and aftermarket the prices I got from Lexus was over 2k to install. If you are looking for one with xenons you MUST special order it. I am located in VA outside of DC and I called every dealership in VA/MD/DC and found ONE IS 250 AWD with Nav and the xenon pkg but it wasn't the color I wanted. Another factor is Lexus is not willing to deal on the price. They want MSRP and the best I could get off was 750 only if I took a car in stock.

BMW on the other hand I could get all the same options but pay 2k less than the Lexus plus get free matienance. When I told Lexus I ordered the BMW I get the whining... "well our matienance over a 5 yr period is only on average 3,400." Doesn't matter. That's 3,400 I'm not paying on the BMW and get a better car.

Once I realized I could get a similarly equipped Bimmer for LESS it was all over for Lexus... (plus the IS is only rated Average in crash tests, while the BMW is Above Average which means lower insurance!)

[geeslice]

P.S. I forgot to mention the Bimmer is waaaay hotter...

[Hej]

Originally Posted by climkt

hi e90bmw, i thought lexus cars were very well regarded in USA for its reliabilty and engineering.

They are.

[Hej]

Originally Posted by younghov85

Way too small, the 250 is pretty slow, and some of its features could be left out, and kept in its big brother sedans. Things like three speakers in each door, air conditioned seats, and a back-up camera is not needed in such a small car.

The ventilated seats were probably my favorite feature of the IS. And they reportedly work extremely well. But I definately agree about the power; the 325i's low end torque was pretty impressive compared to the IS.

[dynamics]

One of the writer in Singapore actually says when IS250 parked side by side with a E90, the former actually has more presence.

[climkt]

one feature in lexus is250 which in my opinion is much better than the e90 3 series is the presence of a spare tyre in the rear boot. i have no confidence in the cost effectiveness of run flat tyres.

[a burrito]

325i hands down. My family and I walked away from Lexus years ago for a very good reason and we plan on to stay away. Although the trade off is reliability, i'd rather have a car i can definitely enjoy then knowing that the thing will last me a lot longer. Nothing lasts forever anyways.

[cosmosblau]

Well, I own both cars- My wife drives the Lexus.

Now that we have about 3000 miles on the Lexus, it seems to have gotten a lot faster, which makes it bareable. It still is much slower than my 325, and nowhere as fun to drive. There is no thrill in the lexus and the steering feels numb. You would think, that since they were about the same price (39k) that the Lexus would have much more options/ features, but the BMW has the options that I actually use and want. The bmw has xenons, memory seats, better bluetooth, tilt down parking mirror, auto dimming side mirrors, nicer interior design and a much, much better sound system. These are things I need, which the Lexus doesnt have. The Lexus has Nav, which is almost useless and very annoying. The heated ventilated seats are the only feature which I wish I had on the BMW. The seats on the lexus are too soft and very unsupportive.

The lexus is effortless to drive, handles pretty well, and absorbs the bumps. The BMW w/ sport package feels like you are riding on rails, but you feel every pebble on the road. It also tramlines really badly. With the BMW, you drive the car. The lexus drives you.

I do not know how any man would choose the Lexus over the BMW. It is very feminine. It is definitley a "Chicks Car" and I am slightly embarrassed to drive it- my friends give me loads of shit when they see me in it.

[climkt]

hi cosmosblau. you are indeed lucky to own the 2 cars, e90 and lexus is250. the lexus apparently loses on boot space and rear room space.
i disagree with you on the chick car image. i think it / lexus looks more aggressive from the front and rear with the twin opposite single pipes.
would love to trade my 4 year old manual corolla for a manual lexus is250 in 2 years time. but the damn singapore dealership insists on auto or nothing! a real pain in the ass!