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Sedans BMW 3-Series Article Comments - 2007 BMW 335i vs. 2007 Lexus IS 350
138 messages, Last post on Dec 28, 2008 at 9:45 PM
You are in the BMW 3-Series Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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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Replying to: kdshapiro (Jun 17, 2007 5:00 am) You cannot predict the maintenance cycle of a car and you could always buy that lemon from any mfg but wouldn't you agree that law of averages favors some more than others based on consumer reports, etc. Your last statement is philosophical and using that adage for every decision in life, realistically, be impractical.
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Replying to: diablo_dude (Jun 17, 2007 6:03 pm) Thank you. JD Power couldn't have predicted this. bdkinnh, "BMW 5-Series Sedans" #11855, 6 Jun 2007 10:08 am How do you think he felt about buying a reliable car? I wouldn't expect to get a lemon from BMW any more than Lexus. You can't control it, so why worry about it? And even if you plan for it, it may not turn out to be all of that. Of course it's philosophical. I don't worry about what I can't control. I only exert effort into what I can control. Just as a postscript the IQS doesn't really say anything. Although I'm sure there are people out there who drive a lemon off the lot, I've never had any critical non-scheduled maintenance during the first 90 days for the last many years.
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Replying to: diablo_dude (Jun 17, 2007 6:03 pm)  In other words barring totally negative publicity or a shockingly dissimilar set of reliability statistics, people don't much care what JD Powers says about frequency of complaints if it's a choice between 103 problems per 100 cars or 107 problems per 100 cars....even if that makes the 103 car No. 1 and the 107 car No.6 on the list. It's just too abstract to matter. If the BMW burst into flames during the test, or had to be flat-bedded off the track, or if 60 minutes did an expose, THAT would matter. Visiting Host (owns a Toyota)
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jun 17, 2007 6:54 pm) Car buying is definitely an emotional buy for many, including myself. As mentioned my 328i continues to have problems almost every few months which translates to $500 to almost $1K every visit. So heck yea, I am fed up with maintaining this car and my reason to buy Lexus was from OVERALL opinions and experiences from friends, reading writeups (like JD powers and Edmunds). You mention, "If reliability were the only criteria for purchases of cars, then sales and reliability charts would be exactly parallel---but they are far from it.". How do you explain the decline of US car mfg such as GM as the dominant car mfg in the industry to Toyota? If car mfg's reliability consistently declines over time, in my opinion, it does matter and in the end consumers respond accordingly. I think it would be economic suicide in a competitive market for automakers to think that they can rest on their laurels and think "loyal" customers will continue to be loyal while product quality declines. |
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Replying to: kdshapiro (Jun 17, 2007 6:50 pm) While I cannot ultimately control if the car I buy will have problems immediately or later down the road, I can better my chances through personal experience, recent studies on reliability, etc.
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Replying to: diablo_dude (Jun 17, 2007 5:51 pm) If you worry, you die early! My point is to do the research and feel good about your choice. If you have problems with your choice, worrying about will not do you any good. Quality is a given in ANYTHING you buy. What one perceives is better than the rest will sway the final choice but it does not guarantee trouble-free ownership. Yes, I plan to get one of the most expensive vehicle with all the high tech they can jam in...and dump it after the warranty is up! Regards, OW
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Replying to: circlew (Jun 18, 2007 3:40 am) I know you are at least partially joking. But I still look back on my decision to go for a minimaly optioned, but high build quality, 1995 Nissan Maxima in 1994 as perhaps the best automotive decision of my life. The 10+ years of daily driving use it gave me (and 3 years of limited use since) totalling 155k miles has been much appreciated. My total service and repairs over that time were minimal, by today's standards. The 1995 Maxima cost $21,000 new and is worth about $4,500 today (standing offer from Nissan service manager). That's about $110 per month in depreciation, or a little over 10 cents a mile. That frugalness made me feel far less guilty for splurging on a 911, when the time came. The amount of money many of my peers spent cycling through 2,3,4+ ELLPS and LPS over the 13 years that I've had a lowly Maxima would be enough to pay for a 911 of their own. While I would not advocate an IS350 over a 335i purely upon reliability predictions (they are dramatically different cars in my book), I can see where anticipated reliability is a factor worth consideration. And the idea of "dumping" a car after the warranty period is up probably means that, if the car isn't known for reliability, you will take a hit on that "dump". Certainly a bit more than $110 per month, even inflated to 2007 dollars.
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Replying to: diablo_dude (Jun 17, 2007 8:42 pm) I understand your point, and the disappointment in quality of your vehicle. You paid for a premium vehicle and expected one. The same is for the poster in the link I provided. He bought and paid for a premium vehicle and expected a premium ownership experience and didn't get one. Both of you are disappointed and all of the reliability studies in the world won't make you feel better. "While I cannot ultimately control if the car I buy will have problems immediately or later down the road, I can better my chances through personal experience, recent studies on reliability, etc." I think you understand my point a bit better about not worrying. There are two many variables you make your choice and move on.
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Replying to: kdshapiro (Jun 18, 2007 4:43 am) All I know from my and other people's personal experience is that even in 2007, a BMW seems to be more fun to drive than a Lexus. I think that's what the editors were driving at here. After all, they are "enthusiasts" and they don't keep the cars for 5 years. It's their point of view based on what they are trying to accomplish in their work....part of which is conveying their impressions on to you. Who could possibly judge or comment accurately upon the longterm reliability of a 2007 car? Visiting Host
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Replying to: habitat1 (Jun 18, 2007 4:26 am) The value proposition is how much you want to pay for the "total package" when you buy or lease. Leasing is more costly because you always have a payment but less "worrisome" because you are constantly "recycling". The purchase option is cheaper if you keep it on the road with proper maintenance and least costs to repair. Parts are parts at the end of the day and will ultimately fail. Some cars last longer (cost less) than others as you have an outstanding example in your 1995 Maxima, while I am sure others have dumped their problem cars at a relative loss. In the case of these 2 examples, getting out of either after the warranty is up or staying in and making sure you extend coverage for major repairs are 2 choices that weigh more if purchased than if leased. But to worry over such things as money or cars is not worth the impending stress/unhealth to the anatomy! One should be having fun like you are in the 911 or the Maxima!  Regards, OW |
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