R&T sports sedan test: IS vs. G35 vs. TL-S

[LoveTAH]

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=2&article_id=4459

I'm quite honestly shocked by the results.

Data panel:
http://www.roadandtrack.com/assets/download/3car_dp.pdf.pdf

[TD]

I am definitely not a fanboy, but where is the 335i? Or even 328i?

[LoveTAH]

I am definitely not a fanboy, but where is the 335i? Or even 328i?

"In the repair shop."
1sicklex

:rofl:

It was a test of Japanese machines only.

[chuck92103]

The IS 350 is a an awesome car. :thumbup: No surprise it won.

[PhilH]

I'm quite honestly shocked by the results.
Me too.

This test and the C&D test where the BMW M5 with the 6-spd manual placed third to an E63 and a S6 both make me scratch my head. It's like some bizarro world, where automatic equipped Lexus and Mercedes win and manual transmission Infiniti and BMW lose comparison tests. It's bad enough that the cramped, slushy IS350 wins, but I really don't get how the FWD, torque steer demon TL beat the G35 (by a pretty big margin).

I have to chalk up these two comparos as a great big "whatever". Somehow I think I'd prefer the G35 and M5 if I test drove in the two comparos. I blame the screwy point systems the magazines use along with aging old farts who write for these magazines anymore.

Also, I wouldn't rule some kind of conspirancy theory. Both companies are run by the same corporation, and they might have had a big meeting recently declaring that they should "shake things up". You know, any publicity is good publicity? Auto message boards should be buzzing about the results of these two comparos.

...or maybe all that I've written is a bunch of whining from a delusional fanboy... :eeps: :dunno:

[99flhr]

Can`t comment on driving these cars as I haven`t. However I did ride in back of a TL (plain,not type S) last week and was very impressed by the perceived quality of the interior.

[blueguydotcom]

Hmm. Driven the 07 G35 and an 06 IS350. No question the G35 is more fun to drive and a far better value, is more useful and offers infinitely more sport. IS350 is a dog in every way - zero space, lousy sightlines, sloppy/numb handling and one of the worst trannies around. Just a bad car for this segment.

[mtbscott]

Me too.

This test and the C&D test where the BMW M5 with the 6-spd manual placed third to an E63 and a S6 both make me scratch my head.
If you read the whole article, you will note that the M5 with manual cannot turn off its DSC completely and that hindered it severely in both acceleration and handling tests. Almost like BMW wanted to "punish" those that insisted on the manual.

[PhilH]

Yeah, I read the article. They say there's a button to push to get a higher threshold of intervention. Considering how often most M5 owners will be at an autocross or at the track, that's probably good enough.

Sure, I want a button to turn it off completely, but I don't see how this fault alone puts it in third place. Big power oversteer slides are fun once in a while, but I'm sure I'd rather drive an M5 with DSC engaged than an automatic E63 or S6.