BWM 330I vs Lexus IS 350

[super cirrus]

vs​

Which do you believe is better?

 

[niky]

Obviously, the E46 BMW 330i. j/k.

I'd go for the 330i. Handling over power... anytime.

 

[skip0110]

I would buy the Lexus. At least around here, everyone who buys a BMW is not doing it becuse of brillaint handling or beautiful engine, but as "male enhancement" (as evidenced by many new BMWs with bling-bling rims and fart cans driven by 5'3" guys). I can't get past that stigma.

 

[Dave A]

I'd take the Lexus over the BMW anyday, it looks nicer, it's better specced and the handling is good enough. I would'nt be exploiting the limits of either of them on roads.

 

[Pebb]

Both cars sound like brothers with the over 300 number in there names guys.

 

[TsLeng]

The lexus.

It looks better, and i suppose handling should be as good as the BMW if not better.

 

[Jay]

Lexus, If I was to buy ethier of those cars then I wouldnt be worryied about handling or power all that much, I like the Lexus better.

 

[neanderthal]

the E46 330Ci clubsport

 

[Young_Warrior]

They both suck compared to A4 quattro sport S line.

Id get e46 330I if it had to be a bmw or lexus aswell.

 

[Slicks]

As much as I generally hate Lexus, I'd have to go with it here. Looks better and that Bimmer.... just ugly. Faster, I'm sure. But ugly.

 

[Joey D]

The Lexus is better but it looks like a Toyota Solara.

 

[Ghost C]

I'd pick option C, a Cadillac CTS. Those cars look like a couple of turds. Ugly turds at that.

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

-> I think I'll skip both, I'd rather wait for the next-gen G35. But to stick with the topic, I'll chose the IS 350, but without a manual tranny, its kinda boring in my opinion. (:

 

[Marc]

BWM 330I because its a BMW jk, power and style

 

[humbo]

As a young Chinese dude, I really wouldn't want to be caught in either of those things. But at the same time, I unfortunately have a choice between a 2002 Honda CRV and the new 325i. Gah.

I guess I would still take the 330i over the IS350 though.

 

[Giancarlo]

Lexus in general is junk. Gimme the Bimmer in this comparison.

 

[Onikaze]

Hmm, Lexus is nice, but my mother should be driving it.

330i is very nice, but my girlfriend should be driving it.

Where is option C: Wait for the 335i twin turbocharged Coupe?

Or even the inevitable 230Ci?

 

[rollazn]

From what I hear (and read) the Lexus IS350 should be quicker than the BMW in both straight line acceleration and handling. But I have learn to not trust everything I read or hear.

Looks definately goes to the BMW 330I. The Lexus isn't that great looking - but i'm impressed by the stats. Although it's lack a manual transmission on the IS350.

Basically if I had to choose - I would pick the Lexus IS350.

 

[JCE]

vs​

Which do you believe is better?

Lexus because it looks better. It's so hard for me to not pick the BMW--but as much as you'd enjoy driving it you still have to eventually get out and look at that hideous exterior.

 

[skip0110]

This thread should have a poll. Looks like the Lexus is in the lead...

Are we eventually going to get a IS350 with a stick?

 

[Onikaze]

The 330i, and the Z4 are the best new BMW's style wise I've seen.

BMW's are supposed to be funny looking but great driving cars.

The E36/Mid 90's "Same Sausage, 3 Lengths" was so bland, that even though I know E36's are awesome cars, I just don't want to own one.

 

[skip0110]

I like the 90's BMWs (and think a lot of other people do too) becuse it's like a suit--not to many frills, kind of plain, but very classy and never goes out of style...

 

[niky]

The 1-series looks really ****ty in pics, but okay in real life. The new 330 looks bland but a little better in pics, and is absolutely suave in the metal. I'd definitely like one, but I still like the looks of the old 330i better. Oh, make mine an E46 330d... that's just about EVERYTHING I need in a car.

 

[puricele7e]

The BMW by far, the Lexus looks nice, but....something for my mother, with an auto tranny please.....

I admit, the new E90 is not THE beautiful car of the century but at least it has the BMW aura around it, style+speed, I'd take it every time 👍

The Lexus (at least in my opinion) are cars for the american market (I think.....) so they've got very modern but flash exteriors, which i DON'T like that much. It just doesn't look like it could be up to the buisness, it looks like a modern cruise mobile (allthough i'm SURE it can go fast and handle nice).

 

[Caio]

None.

I don't like any Bangle's.
Japanese cars always look like another car, except for the 90's superturbos.

 

[super cirrus]

This thread should have a poll. Looks like the Lexus is in the lead...

Are we eventually going to get a IS350 with a stick?

Right as I was clicking "Make Thread" I realized that I forgot the poll, but at that point it was too late.

 

[Wolfe]

330i, all the way, and not just because of my bias.

The Lexus is reported to be less-spirited in the twisties, and isn't the 350 only available with an automatic transmission?

I'd much rather have a 2-door 330i, though... They need to hurry up with that...

 

[///M-Spec]

The way I see it, there are people at Toyota that were ready to do a proper job on the IS350. They dropped in a killer motor that's got direct injection, variable valve timing and whips out class leading power. And the last IS was a very good handling little car, so you would think the Lexus peeps would continue on with that tradition, right? Double wishbones: check. Big brakes and big tires: check.

But then the lawyers or the marketers or the beancounters or someone's idiot nephew decided:

1) automatic only
2) traction and stability control that cannot be turned off
3) it would weigh in at 3600 lbs.

So much for steering the car with the throttle. Or actually enjoying the handling balance that the chassis guys worked hard to produce.

I usually reserve serious judgement on a car until I've actually driven it. But I have a problem taking a "sports sedan" seriously when either the engineers don't think enough of their product --or the the lawyers don't think enough of their customers --to allow you to drive it without electric nannies.

Mind you, I have my own reservations about the E90 (aka 2006 330i) --such as weight (too much), power (not enough) and the baffling decision to not equip a $40,000+ RWD performance oriented car with an LSD.

But at least the Bimmer comes with a proper sports sedan transmission. And the computers will leave you alone to enjoy the car when you tell them to.


M

 

[puricele7e]

That's the EXACT same deal with the Chrysler 300C, if you've seen Top gear some time ago, Jeremy said that the Hemi 300 C COULD have been a great modern muscle car, but they blew it completely.....

Reasons? Boad-like handling, stupid traction and stability control and lousy brakes I think.....

 

[a6m5]

Do you guys think ///M-Spec might be biased? j/k

Lexus is my favorite luxury automaker, and BMW is my second. As far as the designs go, I think they both are generally good looking, but has some annoying details. I liked IS 350 until I read in this thread, that it's only available transmission is automatic. That made it easy, my choice would be the BMW. 👍