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BMW 535i vs Lexus GS 350 vs Audi A6

70 messages,  Last post on Apr 25, 2009 at 8:41 PM

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What is this discussion about? BMW 5 Series, Lexus GS 350, Audi A6, Car Comparisons, Sedan, Wagon

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#27 of 70 Come on people by pat HOST Dec 09, 2007 (7:58 am)
Some personally directed comments have been removed. You don't have to believe everything that is posted here, but you do have to refrain from insulting people who post something you don't agree with.   In fact, you have to refrain from insulting others under all circumstances, regardless of who "started it".
#29 of 70 Re: BMW 535i vs Lexus GS350 vs Audi A6 [tayl0rd] by viso Dec 21, 2007 (2:58 pm)
Replying to: tayl0rd (Dec 07, 2007 10:03 am) I do know about that! The S-Line is amazing too me. You do not have to agree, but a 5-Series doesn't look anything special at all.
#30 of 70 Re: BMW 535i vs Lexus GS350 vs Audi A6 [tayl0rd] by og_oggilby Dec 25, 2007 (8:43 am)
Well different strokes...   I ended up orderering a BMW 535xi. It was the first car I test drove and nothing I drove after it put the same grin on my face. I wanted an AWD car and I found the Lexus GS awd to be cramped (no headroom), there was a strange bump that hit my right calf when my foot was on the pedal, and it had a very small trunk. The Audi's don't do anything for me, can't say why. I was a bit hesitant about getting a car with the iDrive system, so I focused on it the second time I test drove the 535. I found that I really enjoyed the way the iDrive worked, but the menus are slightly confusing. That will just take a bit of time to learn, but shouldn't be the problem that reviewers make it out to be. It might have something to do with my being comfortable using computers.
#31 of 70 Make the logical choice (for you) by Bushwack Dec 25, 2007 (7:30 pm)
Last summer I was torn between the 535, Lexus GS350 and M35. The 535 and M35 had a sportier ride the the GS. The 535 had the edge on performance of the three. I ended up discounting the M35 (did not like the dash and fit/finish was lacking between the three). I discounted the 535 due to reliability issues and iDrive (I did enjoy the acceleration and handling).    I went with the GS350 as it was the sensible choice. Fit and finish were the best of the three, more then enough power then I'll ever need in real-world driving and most important,...reliability. If I was going to the track, I'd choose the 535. If I was shopping price, I'd consider the M35. But in the "pleasant" stop-and-go traffic of Los Angeles,..I made the right choice. Five months later and the honeymoon continues. Replies to this message: anon3 (Feb 02, 2008 7:24 pm)
#32 of 70 Different strokes for different folks by kgary Dec 26, 2007 (3:38 am)
I looked at the same cars and went with an A6 4.2. Its funny how we can all look at the same cars and make different choices.
#33 of 70 Perfect discussion for me.... by jdritz Dec 26, 2007 (7:23 am)
I have an '04 Acura TL with a 6-speed that I love but my wife can't drive it and we find ourselves needing to switch once in a while. We used to have a 3rd car that solved that problem, but that's gone so I find myself in the market. My 3 leading contenders are the BMW535xi, the Lexus GS350AWD, and the Acura MDX. She drives a Honda Pilot so I am thinking that two mid-sized SUV's is unnecessary.   So I find myself torn between the 535xi (luxury and cold weather packages and logic7 audio) and the GS350 AWD with the Nav package. MSRP is 6K apart (50,999 for the Lexus vs.57 and change for the BMW) and I feel like I can get Lexus to move more than BMW will. I have driven both (I drove the 528xi and then the 535xi which immediately eliminated the 528xi as an option) and when I get in the Lexus I feel like I am getting in a car targeted at my father's demographic vs. mine. So I have a couple of questions:   1) Does the sport package add any value on the Bimmer? 20 way power seats (vs. 10 way w/out) and some trim changes is about all I can see and I am not sure what those other 10 adjustments do for me. I will not get the 18" wheels due to previous experience with an E36 M3 and potholes in the midwest. 2) Should I be concerned about the twin turbos and reliability? Consumer Reports says no, but they aren't exactly car people. Did the turbos come from the european market? Does anyone have any facts on the testing that was done? Or konw where I could look. 3) I know this one is silly, but it's down to cupholders and ULEV ratings to help decide....the cupholders in the Bimmer look fragile and awkward. 4) Why can't I just be smart and save 30K by getting a Honda Accord? That ones probably for my psychologist.   Thanks. Replies to this message: og_oggilby (Dec 26, 2007 8:57 am) bruceomega (Dec 27, 2007 5:55 am)
#34 of 70 Re: Perfect discussion for me.... [jdritz] by og_oggilby Dec 26, 2007 (8:57 am)
Replying to: jdritz (Dec 26, 2007 7:23 am) I saved about 3,400 off of MSRP on the 535xi. I negotiated up from the wholesale price, not down from retail. Lexus is not doing well with the awd 350's - they were taken off the Consumer Reports recommended list (the BMW is still on it), so you might be able to get a good deal on the GS350 if that's what you decide on.   1 - The 20 way power seats add backrest width, shoulder support, and thigh support adjustments (also 4 way lumbar, which is standard on the 535, but not on the 528). They are great seats. Stick with the standard tires, don't get the run flat tires if the roads are bad.   2 - The turbo's reliability should not be an issue. BMW doesn't overload them to max out the horsepower and torque. You can even buy 3rd party software for the turbo 535 that has the same 4 year warranty as the stock bi-turbo and produces a maximum output of 384 horsepower at 5700 rpm and 421 lb-ft torque at 4300 rpm. Check out the link below:   Dinan Engine Software   3 - The cupholders are the worst part of the car. I believe that BMW's engines are EU4 and ULEV II approved. BMW is a green company. BTW, the reviewers knock the iDrive, but if you are comfortable with a computer mouse, you will enjoy the iDrive.   4 - I was driving a "sensible" Camry, trouble free, and it bored me to tears. I like driving, but not if the car is a Camry or an Accord. On the other hand, my wife could care less   5 - Test drive them both!   Hope this helps!
#35 of 70 Re: Perfect discussion for me.... [jdritz] by bruceomega Dec 27, 2007 (5:55 am)
Replying to: jdritz (Dec 26, 2007 7:23 am) Regarding the seats on the 535Xi, I got the sport package on mine, as I wanted the 20 way multi-contour seats (never tried the standard seats) and shadowline trim (black trim around the windows). That also included the sport steering wheel (has polished metal trim on lower parts), but that was not a factor in my decision.   You can get just the 20 way multi-contour seats as a stand alone option, for $100 less than the cost of the sport package.   I stayed with the standard 17" wheels and tires as I was gun shy of RFTs and extra low profile tires from my experience with an '06 330Xi.   The cupholders are not the strong suit of the car.   Can't comment on the reliability of the turbos. I have owned my car since early July, it now has about 7500 miles, and I have had zero problems. I really really like the 535Xi.   Bruce
#36 of 70 style by rjlaero Dec 27, 2007 (7:58 am)
The new body A6 3.2/4.2 is only 3 years old. Most 50k + cars like the BMW 5 series and MB E class cars don't get a major restyle for 5-7 years   On the contrary, out of the 3 major German brands, Audi looks the most up to date and fresh, IMO.   But of course, I drive a 06 4.2 A6

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