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Article Comments: 2006 BMW 330i vs. 2006 Lexus IS 350 Comparison Test

8 messages,  Last post on Dec 01, 2006 at 6:35 AM

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What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Lexus IS 350, Sedan

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#3 of 8 Re: Why bother post [primetime79] by graphicguy Jul 25, 2006 (10:52 am)
Replying to: primetime79 (Jul 24, 2006 5:30 pm) As Edmunds says......And when we reminded ourselves that the true mission of a sport sedan is to provide enjoyment derived from driving, not quoting performance numbers to your buddies or convincing whomever which is the better deal, it always came back to the BMW.   Can't really disagree with them. I don't know what it is, and it's not exactly for lack of trying, but the Infinities and the Lexus can't capture the true sports sedan and how it drives....no matter how hard they try.   I'll concede the straight line performance of the IS 350, but it falls down everywhere else. Matter of fact, I test drove two IS 350s. Both were uncharacteristic in the amount of squeaks and rattles they had. They rode hard, didn't handle as well. I don't feel that Audi nor BMW give up anything to the Lexus when it comes to luxure or feature content, either. Replies to this message: primetime79 (Jul 25, 2006 5:16 pm) graphicguy (Jul 26, 2006 8:56 am) maxidrive (Jul 26, 2006 4:35 am)
#4 of 8 Re: Why bother post [graphicguy] by primetime79 Jul 25, 2006 (5:16 pm)
Replying to: graphicguy (Jul 25, 2006 10:52 am) Luckily for Lexus for the most part the majority of people would disagree with the majority of what you mentioned. I do think that you are right about the handling of the BMW, but besides that name another area BMW wins? Replies to this message: graphicguy (Jul 26, 2006 8:56 am)
#5 of 8 Re: Why bother post [graphicguy] by maxidrive Jul 26, 2006 (4:35 am)
Replying to: graphicguy (Jul 25, 2006 10:52 am) That statement is true only if everything but cornering is excluded from driving pleasure. In my everyday drivng, I personally value a car's exterior looks and interior luxury as much as its handling capability. Add value/reliability to that and the IS wins hands down. I also test drove the Bimmer. Yes, it corners better, but the interior is just too plain and cheap looking. As for riding quality, with its run-flat tires, it can't ride any better. The IS engine not only has more power, it's also smooth as silk. As for rattles and squeaks, I haven't experienced any in my IS since I got it in March. Audi A4? I didn't even consider it when I opted for the IS over the Bimmer in my purchase because nothing interested me in that brand. Ugly dash, notoriously unreliable, plus Civic-like tail lights which are even worse-looking than the Bimmer's.
#6 of 8 Re: Why bother post [primetime79] by graphicguy Jul 26, 2006 (8:56 am)
Replying to: primetime79 (Jul 25, 2006 5:16 pm) As the saying goes..."one man's ceiling is another man's floor". There's really not a bad choice between the two.   I like more balanced cars. 0-60 isn't my only criteria (IS 350 does that well...albit a bit peaky in it's delivery...gotta really mash the gas to get it to wind up). The seamless torque delivery, throughout the rev range of the 330i won me over.   Wanted to like the IS 350 more than the 330i. Matter of fact, I was planning on buying the IS until I test drove it. Test drove it twice, just to make sure. I just didn't. Found the materials in the BMW more to my liking (had more of a "craftmanship" feel than the feel of the IS's materials).   Surprisingly, I didn't have any qualms with the ride the BMW gave with the run flats. I was expecting worse. The ride/handling trade off BMW makes is better than the IS, IMHO. Found the IS 350's ride (and handling) worse than the 330i. The 330i seems nearly telepathic with the driver. The IS.....didn't.   Styling? This is probably a big difference to me, also. Whenever I see a 3 series (particularly the new E90 version), it always turned my head. A Lexus hever has turned my head. That's personal preference, though. Even the paint job on the BMW looked better to me.   As previously mentioned, I was disappointed with the sqeuaks/rattles in the IS. The 330i felt like a vault in comparison.   Even the real wood was better and more plentiful in the 330i than it was in the IS.   Again, not a bad choice either way. Just my preferences.
#8 of 8 Post moved by pat HOST Dec 01, 2006 (6:35 am)
Link: mjeinsidler, "Lexus IS 350 and IS 250" #6846, 30 Nov 2006 9:09 pm

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