[krazykanuck]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

Also--i hated the way that Lexus "packaged" extras on the car--you had to get some absurd 8K package in order to get HID headlights--not the personal touch that BMW gives a buyer--build the car how you want and be happy with it! for the IS350....

The options packages still suck, but they got better for 07. You can now get stand alond HIDs for $700 or so. But then a custon order takes something like 4 months which sucks.

[Luwi25]

First of all, I think the IS 350 looks like a Toyota. I don't think it looks nice from the outside at all...it looks so ricer, look immature and has no uniqueness to its look. I'd drive it if I were in high school.

And Why does everyone say it's more luxurious than the 335i coupe? What's so much more luxurious about the IS 350? What does it have that our bimmers don't?

[AndrewAZ]

Funny someone mentions it has better NAV... Enjoy using it while stopped on the side of the road....

[obLu]

Did I stumble on the archives or something? This was beat to death over a year ago.

[porscheC4S]

I have driven the IS350 several times and, although I have yet to drive the current 335, have driven (and owned) other BMW's. I like the interior, but it is not as tasteful as the BMW and doesn't feel as "comfortable". However, I think technologically it is a step ahead of the BMW. The steering felt good and had a nice weight to it. The car I drove had the optional sport package which lowered the car and had sportier suspension. It was a little harsh and didn't feel as connected as the BMW. My biggest gripe was with the manumatic (or whatever they call it). I like the paddle shifters, but there is noticeable lag between shifts. For example, when you upshift, it seems like a second or so before it actually decides to shift. The Lexus is a very nice car, and does everything very well, except inspire emotion. The BMW is just pure joy to drive.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by krazykanuck

The options packages still suck, but they got better for 07. You can now get stand alond HIDs for $700 or so. But then a custon order takes something like 4 months which sucks.

Well I am glad they decided to wise up a little--I know that packaging extras in this way is probably more cost efficient, but it also pushes people, like me, away. That was really a small deal overall--the driving experience was just not comparable. The Lexus is a nice car--the Bimmer is a beast.

Originally Posted by Luwi25

First of all, I think the IS 350 looks like a Toyota. I don't think it looks nice from the outside at all...it looks so ricer, look immature and has no uniqueness to its look. I'd drive it if I were in high school.

And Why does everyone say it's more luxurious than the 335i coupe? What's so much more luxurious about the IS 350? What does it have that our bimmers don't?

I thought it was a bit more comfortable to sit in than the E92--and it had things like a heated steering wheel and A/C seats. I don't necessarily think the Lexus is MORE luxurious, its just that those things (comfort and technology) are their strengths--there is still no comparison on the driving experience. BMW owns it.

[krazykanuck]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

I thought it was a bit more comfortable to sit in than the E92--and it had things like a heated steering wheel and A/C seats. I don't necessarily think the Lexus is MORE luxurious, its just that those things (comfort and technology) are their strengths--there is still no comparison on the driving experience. BMW owns it.

Exactly my thoughts. Lexus has built its name and strength on unparalled comfort and luxury. BMW has built its on sporty cars. Both are excellent cars. Pick your poison. /end

To the guy who commented on why the IS is more luxurious, have you been in one? The leather is much softer than that in the 3, granted the seats are much less firm (comfort over sportiness). Standard keyless start (and no hole in the dash).

[txusa03]

It has power and interior looks fancy and sterring wheel feels thin compare to e90 sterring wheel. But I take my slower e90 for a cruise over the is350. I have a manual so I can get the feeling of fast excel from the manual.

[SES_D]

nope, but it sure does look sexy.

[aapriadi]

hmm i've driven my roomie's IS 250 and honestly, i like the transmission shifts..i feel that it shifts up faster and smoother...power delivery is equal to my e90 as well...everything is comparable (interior and exterior) except for the handling; its a little bit under the e90..i havent tried the IS 350 but honestly i think the IS lineups are comparable to the 3 series
props to both Lexus and BMW
oh the IS rear end looks so firm too...sexaaayyy

[OC Guy]

Originally Posted by krazykanuck

Exactly my thoughts. Lexus has built its name and strength on unparalled comfort and luxury. BMW has built its on sporty cars. Both are excellent cars. Pick your poison. /end

To the guy who commented on why the IS is more luxurious, have you been in one? The leather is much softer than that in the 3, granted the seats are much less firm (comfort over sportiness). Standard keyless start (and no hole in the dash).

Agreed. Ride is more comfortable, seats are more comfortable, steering is more neutral so it feels more luxurious. You feel isolated from the road, the is what Lexus IMO does and intends to do. With the BMW it feels sportier. To be better at one, you sacrifice the other (luxury vs. sport).

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by aapriadi

hmm i've driven my roomie's IS 250 and honestly, i like the transmission shifts..i feel that it shifts up faster and smoother...power delivery is equal to my e90 as well...everything is comparable (interior and exterior) except for the handling; its a little bit under the e90..i havent tried the IS 350 but honestly i think the IS lineups are comparable to the 3 series
props to both Lexus and BMW
oh the IS rear end looks so firm too...sexaaayyy

Really? I really disliked the 250, even more than the 350, due to the fact that is was SO underpowered. That car was not as quick as my VW Jetta GLI, then you throw in the fact that it does not steer, handle, or brake very efficiently, well.....not much there IMO.

For example--my E92 328i has far less power than the 335, but it still handles, brakes, and accelerates like a BMW. It really is an excellant car--where the 250 is just lacking in so many areas I can't see why someone would bother with one. When you compare the IS250 to the 328i, the Lexus tends to be more expensive too (see comment above re: stupid packaging for Lexus). Performance-wise, there really is no comparison between the IS250 and 328i OR between the IS350 and the 335i.

[beemah]

no and dont plane too

[Luwi25]

I have been in an IS350 many times and I didn't find it to be that much more luxurious. I didn't notice the leather difference much and although the touch screen navi seemed more convenient, the screen had all of these finger prints on it and the glare made the screen more difficult to see. I've felt the A/C seats (which in Cali neutral 75 degree weather) didn't make much of a difference - I guess it'd be really nice if you lived in Vegas or Phoenix.

And the heated steering wheel - I'm not even going there.

Originally Posted by krazykanuck

To the guy who commented on why the IS is more luxurious, have you been in one? The leather is much softer than that in the 3, granted the seats are much less firm (comfort over sportiness). Standard keyless start (and no hole in the dash).

[aapriadi]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

Really? I really disliked the 250, even more than the 350, due to the fact that is was SO underpowered. That car was not as quick as my VW Jetta GLI, then you throw in the fact that it does not steer, handle, or brake very efficiently, well.....not much there IMO.

For example--my E92 328i has far less power than the 335, but it still handles, brakes, and accelerates like a BMW. It really is an excellant car--where the 250 is just lacking in so many areas I can't see why someone would bother with one. When you compare the IS250 to the 328i, the Lexus tends to be more expensive too (see comment above re: stupid packaging for Lexus). Performance-wise, there really is no comparison between the IS250 and 328i OR between the IS350 and the 335i.

well i drive a 325i..and yeah the difference in power between IS250 and e90 325i is minimal i think...like i said, i love everything the IS has except for its handling...just doesnt feel as direct as the e90...my roomie has the premium package btw

[junwoni]

I don't feel IS is quieter than my 335i coupe. 335i is better than IS in most aspects. IMO. btw, I have driven IS many times.

[BeeEmDubU]

Originally Posted by AndrewAZ

Funny someone mentions it has better NAV... Enjoy using it while stopped on the side of the road....

It does have better navi. BMW navi doesn't have half the functionality of Lexus

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by aapriadi

well i drive a 325i..and yeah the difference in power between IS250 and e90 325i is minimal i think...like i said, i love everything the IS has except for its handling...just doesnt feel as direct as the e90...my roomie has the premium package btw

The IS is definately a nice car--and BMW still has some work to do in order to match the relative strengths Lexus has over it in the convenience and technology departments. That being said--those things are nice, but to me, the car driving experience is the most important aspect of choosing a 40K vehicle--thus the BMW, IMO, wins pretty easily. I'm sure your roomie's car is very nice in many ways, just no Bimmer to drive.

And I might be mistaken, but....

IS250 200 HP
325i 215 HP
328i 230 HP
335i 300 HP
IS350 306 HP

So you would think that my 328 "should" be a bit better in accelerating, due to the 30 HP advantage--I just think it feels, handles, and DEFINATELY stops a whole hell of a lot better than the IS250, which i have driven many times. Doesn't mean the Lexus isn't a good car.

[spacedogg]

Once the IS-F comes out, we will definately have something to talk about here.

A lot of nice cars are going to be coming from Japan that will give the E90/M3 a run for the money (IS-F, LF-A, new Skyline GT-R, Supra, new EVO, etc).

Sorry...a little bit off topic but...