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Sedans BMW 3-Series BMW 3-series vs Lexus IS
1527 messages, Last post on May 20, 2009 at 1:33 PM
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| I looking to buy a new luxury sports sedan really soon. I have been driving a 1988 BMW 325. I want something sexy but I am concerned about gas mileage and reliability. Power is not one of my priorities although I prefer to stay with a 6 cylinder. My top 2 choices are an IS250 and BMW 330. I also like the C300 and CTS but they are not good on gas. The TSX is a 4 cylinder but doesn't offer that much better gas mileage than the IS250 or 330. The IS250 gets 21/29 and the 3 series gets 19/28 for automatic. So, right from the start the IS250 has a slight edge. I live in Boston and wondering if there is a major difference between the 2 in terms of winter driving. I don't want the AWD on either so I can get better gas mileage. Please give me your unbiased opinions on each or suggest another car altogether. | |
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Replying to: camina (Aug 10, 2008 8:51 pm) 2. IS250 is more comparable to the 328i in terms of performance and pricing
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Replying to: louiswei (Aug 11, 2008 9:00 am) That said, if the OP is looking for a cushy boulevard cruiser, then the IS250 is probably the perfect choice. Best Regard, Shipo
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back seat thing. This is where the IS really takes it in the shorts, both for the lack of room & the lack of fold-down seats. The BMW 3 (& TSX, by the way) will carry two adults comfortably in the back seat and can be had with fold-down seats, which add immensely to the practical value of the vehicle (IMHO, of course).
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Replying to: cdnpinhead (Aug 11, 2008 9:26 am) I recently helped a co-worker purchase a new car and her top choice ended up being a loaded IS250. The 3 series was too expensive when optioned like the IS, the CTS was too big (and the test car gave a bad impression with a vibrating steering wheel). The IS NAV is also much better than the CTS She didn't care about the power of the IS350 and wanted the NAV instead of the extra power (odd concept for me). I can squeeze into the back of an IS (6'3")...but others with shorter legs will find that the back of the front seats have indentions that give additional (much needed) space. We recently took her car for lunch and 4 of us fit fine (I don't see the middle seat being used by anything other than a child). Not my top choice...but a real nice car that she's trilled to own. |
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Replying to: camina (Aug 10, 2008 8:51 pm)  In your case, I vote for the TSX. The TSX and IS250 are pretty much a toss-up on fuel economy and engine output. The biggest difference between them is that the TSX is more spacious and is actually fun to drive. The TSX also has a track record of outstanding resale value.
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Replying to: fedlawman (Aug 11, 2008 5:35 pm) Thank you, thank you sir. I'll take whatever postive reinforcement I can get these days. Seriously, with my 5-month old TSX I can certainly tell that it's not RWD, but otherwise (how was the play, otherwise, Mrs. Lincoln?) it's been delightful. My bicycle fits in the trunk & everything else works too, every time. Oh, and it gets 28 mpg in mixed driving to work and back. |
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| your '88 E30 325? | |
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Replying to: nyccarguy (Aug 11, 2008 6:57 pm) 
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Replying to: fedlawman (Aug 11, 2008 7:51 pm) As far as the TSX, I tested it a couple of years ago and didn't like the 4 cylinder feel. The car gets about the same gas mileage as an IS250 which is a 6. This should not be. Plus, I found the quality of the TSX to be kind of cheaply made but yet only a few thousand less than an IS250 and even a 328 for that matter. For example, I thought the doors were very light and tin'y. In fact, I thought the Accord V6 Coupe was a higher end car than the TSX. Again, I'm not looking for power just a nice looking car and decent gas mileage. Keep in mind, my 325 is only 127 hp and is cramped in the back seat too.
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