Article Comments - 2007 BMW 335i vs. 2007 Lexus IS 350

138 messages, Last post on Dec 28, 2008 at 9:45 PM

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

Article comments for Comparison Test: 2007 BMW 335i vs. 2007 Lexus IS 350 - When we matched these cars against each other in 2006, the newly redesigned 306-hp Lexus IS 350 ran away from the 255-hp BMW 330i with a quicker acceleration to 60 mph by more than a full second. On the other hand, that BMW outmaneuvered the Lexus in every objective and subjective handling category. (more)

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#1 of 138 Article Comments - 2007 BMW 335i vs. 2007 Lexus IS 350 by KarenS HOST May 29, 2007 (9:25 am)
Take a look at our comparison and tell us what you think. Comparison Test: 2007 BMW 335i vs. 2007 Lexus IS 350 Replies to this message: louiswei (May 30, 2007 4:27 am) kdshapiro (May 30, 2007 6:29 am) circlew (May 30, 2007 8:33 am) ddkk10 (May 30, 2007 6:46 am) ew3074 (May 31, 2007 4:06 pm)
#2 of 138 Re: Article Comments - 2007 BMW 335i vs. 2007 Lexus IS 350 [KarenS] by louiswei May 30, 2007 (4:27 am)
Replying to: KarenS (May 29, 2007 9:25 am) Okay, since our host provided the stage, I am going to b*h about this comparo. First of all, I would like to clear a few things... 1. I generally agree with most Edmunds comparos and think they are one of the most fair ones. 2. I am an IS350 owner 3. I test drove the 335i (sports and non-sports), TL (base and Type-S) and G35S (Sedan and coupe). So, in other words, I know my ELLPS. Okay, I am being a jerk here... 4. I am not an enthusiast, prefer automatic for my daily driver (when my weekend fun car, most likely a Corvette, comes true, it'll have a stick). Don't like coupes but like the compact sporty 4-door sedan very much. Here are my complaints: 1. The tested IS350 has navigation and 335i doesn't. Then Edmunds concluded that the Lexus is more expensive than the Bimmer. For God sakes, the navigation alone is a $2K option. They are basically comparing a LOADED IS350 to a SEMI-LOADED** 335i. The reality is: a loaded IS350 tops off at around $46K and a loaded 335i tops off at over $50K. Don't believe me? Go to BMW website and build one yourself. 2. Again, The Lexus has the optional Pre-Collision System/Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and the Bimmer doesn't. That's another $2.9K difference. You are right, Edmunds, The Lexus is more expensive... 3. The bias toward BMW shows in the comments for the pictures. Examples: 335i - BMW's unpretentious, easily legible gauges reinforce the car's dedication to pure driving, not distracting style. (score one for the Bimmer by having the conventional gauges) IS350 - High-contrast electroluminescent gauges combine visual drama with great legibility, although the numerals and letters could be larger. (just can't compliment the baby Lex without the 'but' and 'although' can't you? Hey guess what? Go check your vision if you have trouble reading the gauges) IS350 - The Lexus IS introduced this look, but now there are lots of imitators on the street. (what does that have to do with this comparo?) IS350 - The six-speed automatic works with perfect refinement, but it no longer leads the pack in speed. (another example of Edmunds' inability to compliment the Lexus without the 'but' and 'although') 4. Now this is applicable to all ELLPS comparos, not just this particular one. I have no doubt that the 3-series is currently the benchmark in this segment performance-wise but why should other makes get criticized by not making a perfect 3-series copy? Do we really want to see Lexus 3-series, Acura 3-series and MB 3-series running all over the streets? Why should they get hammered by implementing their own definition of ELLPS into their entry level sedan? Granted, no one can make a better 3-series than BMW but who said that the ELLPS = 3-series? By using another poster's (habitat) way to decribe this, there is the ELLPS and ELLPS but did we forget that there is also the ELLPS? It is really sad to see Lexus get embarassed (literally) by offering the best balanced (luxury and performance) entry level sedan in this segment. Of course, all these are IMO. Replies to this message: kdshapiro (May 30, 2007 6:29 am) circlew (May 30, 2007 8:33 am)
#3 of 138 Re: Article Comments - 2007 BMW 335i vs. 2007 Lexus IS 350 [louiswei] by kdshapiro May 30, 2007 (6:29 am)
Replying to: louiswei (May 30, 2007 4:27 am) 1. The tested IS350 has navigation and 335i doesn't. Then Edmunds concluded that the Lexus is more expensive than the Bimmer. For God sakes, the navigation alone is a $2K option. They are basically comparing a LOADED IS350 to a SEMI-LOADED 335i. The reality is: a loaded IS350 tops off at around $46K and a loaded 335i tops off at over $50K. Don't believe me? Go to BMW website and build one yourself. 2. Again, The Lexus has the optional Pre-Collision System/Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and the Bimmer doesn't. That's another $2.9K difference. You are right, Edmunds, The Lexus is more expensive... Isn't this the way Lexus packages their options? Don't they offer 4 package levels. To get one piece of equipment you have to purchase the package? "there is the ELLPS and ELLPS" How would you compare and rate the cars? Maybe there should be two sub-categories; ELLPS and ELPLS. Maybe these cars really can't compared. "but who said that the ELLPS = 3-series" Nobody, but they literally invented the segment. Replies to this message: circlew (May 30, 2007 8:33 am)
#4 of 138 Re: Article Comments - 2007 BMW 335i vs. 2007 Lexus IS 350 [KarenS] by ddkk10 May 30, 2007 (6:46 am)
Replying to: KarenS (May 29, 2007 9:25 am) I honestly don't see the point of this article. The new BMW 330i was compared to the IS 350 before and it won the comparison. Why would comparing the IS 350 with the BMW 3 series with an even more powerful engine change the outcome? And the article claims that Edmunds “chose only features [it] felt [would] contribute to the sporting character of the car itself” and yet while the BMW was tested with an optional Sport package the Lexus was negligibly tested without one, and instead was loaded with extra features not included in the BMW. These facts seem to make the two test models incomparable and thus any comparison test between them unfair. While based on the previous comparison test, the BMW would likely have won even if the comparison had been done fairly, the fact is, this comparison test was rather pointless.
#5 of 138 Re: Article Comments - 2007 BMW 335i vs. 2007 Lexus IS 350 [kdshapiro] by circlew May 30, 2007 (8:33 am)
Replying to: kdshapiro (May 30, 2007 6:29 am) Nobody, but they literally invented the segment. KD, right on the nose! This test only showed that the power difference one enjoyed by the IS350 has been swapped in favor of the TT I6 for now. At the end of the day, no real change to what we already are aware of between these 2 candidates. Bottom, line, I agree with ddkk10 in the "pointless" arena. We need something with a little more juice to keep the Bimmer Engineers chomping at the bit! It ain't happening from the US side so hopefully the Asians can come up with something in a few years! Regards, OW
#6 of 138 BMW wins, again... by desmolicious May 30, 2007 (1:36 pm)
I think it was an outstanding test and extremely well written. Of course the BMW is the best, the Toyota may have a fancier stereo but then again if that's why you bought the car then maybe you should be driving a loaded Camry. Now let's see the comparo with the Nissan G35/37. That box o rocks gearshift, crunchy clutch, cinder block sports suspension must be giving BMW sleepless nights... Replies to this message: kdshapiro (May 30, 2007 4:49 pm)
#7 of 138 Re: BMW wins, again... [desmolicious] by kdshapiro May 30, 2007 (4:49 pm)
Replying to: desmolicious (May 30, 2007 1:36 pm) "Now let's see the comparo with the Nissan G35/37. That box o rocks gearshift, crunchy clutch, cinder block sports suspension must be giving BMW sleepless nights..." Yeah, they must really be worried.
#8 of 138 Re: Article Comments - 2007 BMW 335i vs. 2007 Lexus IS 350 [KarenS] by ew3074 May 31, 2007 (4:06 pm)
Replying to: KarenS (May 29, 2007 9:25 am) I can't see any significant difference between the last comparsion and this one. I agree edmunds said BMW is real drivers' car, but I can't believe they said dashboard of lexus is bad compared to the BMW one. The BMW one is almost the same as a few generations back. They really should compare BMW with G35/37 instead of keep saying lexus is bad and BMW is good. Look at how many people are buying Lexus.....I know, many people are buying BMW too, but don't you think they should be more objective????
#9 of 138 Apples to Oranges by dk76 Jun 04, 2007 (5:51 pm)
I really don't like how Edmunds compares cars that are not similarily equipped and then have the nerve to say that one is more expensive then the other, no duh sherlock. Do you guys every do a fact check on their articles? I have found several times in their articles where their facts are totally wrong, have you heard of google or wikipedia? My impression of Edmunds is that they are biased just like FOX news, imagine if they were published like Car & Driver. Btw, Base prices for Lexus 350 is $35,705 and BMW 335i is $38,900 all before freight according to Edmund's website. I know cars aren't usually built barebones, but how hard is it to acknowledge that the Lexus they received had more options which makes it more expensive than the BMW, duh!! Better yet, how about comparing the standard features and that you get more for car A or car B for the buck. Last but not least how retarded are you to compared a turbo charged car to an aspirated one, shame shame. And overall BMW is a no brainer to cost more to own because it will be in the shop a whole lot more than the Lexus. Replies to this message: kdshapiro (Jun 04, 2007 6:40 pm) louiswei (Jun 04, 2007 6:48 pm) trackstarr (Jun 07, 2007 4:18 pm) kdshapiro (Jun 07, 2007 4:24 pm) and 25 more... habitat1 (Jun 06, 2007 7:10 pm) Mr_Shiftright (Jun 07, 2007 8:28 am) louiswei (Jun 07, 2007 9:28 am) ebrake_24 (Jun 13, 2007 3:53 pm) rgg3000 (Jun 13, 2007 4:40 pm) shipo (Jun 13, 2007 5:37 pm) and 1 more...
#10 of 138 Re: Apples to Oranges [dk76] by kdshapiro Jun 04, 2007 (6:40 pm)
Replying to: dk76 (Jun 04, 2007 5:51 pm) 1. Lexus target is the 3 series, what do you want them to compare it to? A Honda Accord. 2. The N54 engine is BMWs answer to the 3.5L in the Lexus and the 3.5L VQ in the G. 3. People will sometimes buy cars optioned the way they want. If you are happy with the base car, by all means get it. But it is much more difficult to option the Lexus and one package bumps the price $7K, or so. 4. BMW is more performance then luxury, Lexus is the opposite. Some people like performance and handling, other people electronic doo-dads and ventilated seats. 5. BMW might be more expensive to own, but I think it's also more fun to drive. 6. Different strokes for different folks. Replies to this message: louiswei (Jun 04, 2007 6:48 pm) trackstarr (Jun 07, 2007 4:18 pm) kdshapiro (Jun 07, 2007 4:24 pm) louiswei (Jun 07, 2007 4:46 pm) and 2 more... trackstarr (Jun 09, 2007 11:20 am) and 14 more... spiritinthesky (Jun 13, 2007 10:17 am) and 6 more...