Just ordered a new Lexus IS... not too late to go back & get a bimmer!

Well I did it.... after much debate and mulling, I finally pulled the trigger and ordered a new IS250 AWD. While I had a lot of cars in consideration, really it came down to the IS and the BMW 530i/xi. Truthfully, my decision was a bit spontaneous, as I had made it right on the spot at the Lexus dealership earlier today, which was my first and only encounter with the IS. My first impression after seeing it was, wow... beautiful. I fell in love with the Smoky Granite color, but was dissapointed to see that they didn't have it in Blue, which is what I ultimately ordered. The interior design was flawless, and the seats were amazingly comfortable with very high quality leather... a clear advantage over the bmw. However, the rear seating seemed a little cramped (not terribly bad, but not close to 5-series).

I immediately took notice of all the attention put into the tech in this car. The dash had beautiful electroluminescent gauges and the paddle shifters were a nice added feature (didn't expect them to be on the 250), although I would suspect they would become a hardly used novelty. After fooling around with the NAV system, I found it to be far superior to the BMW system with iDrive. It has everything you want including voice command, touch screen, and controls located on the steering wheel. Sound was suprisingly good through the radio on the stock system, although I didn't have a CD to test. The conveniently placed AUX input was a nice added feature, especially since I was disappointed by the fact that the BMW 5 still does not have one.

Now to the test drive.... Power seemed adequate, although as expected, it wasn't as quick as I'd like off the line. With AWD, it handled pretty well, although it didn't have the same steering response as the BMWs I've test drove. While BMW is hands down more fun to drive, the Lexus was definitely no slouch.

So really the Lexus IMO excelled in every area except for the driveability fun-factor... this is a big deal for me, but I really don't think the BMW 5 is worth the price tag. After options, I'm looking at $55k for a 530xi. I'm paying $39k for the IS250, which I understand is less powerful and in another class than the 5, however I still don't think this warrants a $16,000 price difference! So right now I'm in a little quandry, as I still have the 5 in the back of my mind... If ONLY the IS could drive like a BMW!!

Well it's not too late to go back, my deposit IS refundable

Why order? dealer is loaded with them?

The dealer actually only had a few in stock, and none with the options and color combination I was looking for. In fact none in the Northeast region have the Mark Levinson premium sound upgrade package right now.

I did not think you could or a lexus like a BMW.

You mean order whatever is being built and shipped? i.e. reserve a allocation car with the specs you want?

Yep, but unfortunately they don't have anything like ED, which I guess would be JD (Japanese Delivery)!

I think the IS would be closer to a 3 series, not a 5 which puts pricing the same ball park.

Anyway, since you a on this board, I can only assume you want a bimmer and won't be happy until you buy one.

So it is your choice, by lexus now and then bimmer, or get bimmer now.

why not the 330xi??

I drove the IS250 AWD in The Taste of Lexus event a couple of weekends ago. I agree with many of your observations. The IS 250 AWD felt better driving it through the mini autocross that had been set up than the IS 350. Yes, the IS 350 was way more powerful but the AWD seemed to give you more control in the turns.

I am not sure why you were cross shopping with a 5 series, even Lexus acknowledges that its competition is the 3 series. At The Taste of Lexus they had a 330i in the same course for you test. The 5 series was in the GS course.

While the IS has all the doo dahs and bling which really impresses a lot of people. I like to look past all the smoke and mirrors and judge a car by what it is supposed to do, drive/perform on the road. While Lexus has made enormous progress with the new IS, BMW is still 1 step ahead when it comes to handling, drive "feel", etc. This is also what I heard heard from people (general public) comment while waiting in line at The Taste of Lexus.

Hello My Friends:

I find it amazing how consumers compare non Klasse vehicles against each other. In American terms, "Apples to Plums". e.g. 5er to IS

My friend, take a look at another forum comparison of the IS and BMW 3 Series. "Apples to Apples" in terms of klasse. http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...ighlight=lexus

Next, I recommend you stay in the Klasse of ENTRY LEVEL LUXURY becuase it is obvious you prefer the lower cost.

If your taste is Lexus IS, GO For It Man! Stay true to your decision and as one forum member once said. "Get the IS now and get the Bimmer later. It seems you want a BMW if it were not for the cost. Unfortunately for yo uthe price will 'never' be as low as it competitors; It doesn't need to be.

Besides, I would like everyone prices to be lowered but that's still my dream, until then I will buy what I can afford and it happens to be, "The Ultimate Driving Machine".

-GMAN

Hey test drive the 330i. Will run rings around the Lexus.
Don't settle if BMW is nagging at your soul!

What the hell are you thinking. You will regret this decision every time a bimmer pulls up next to you. You just ordered a loaded toyota, no matter what anyone says, thats what it is!!!! Sorry if im being rude, but I hate to see driving enthusiasts make the wrong choice.

I'm still confused as to why you're comparing the IS w/ the 5 and not the 3.

You really should visit your nearest BMW dealer without delay, LIKE TODAY, and test drive the 330i with the sport package. It has very good seats, excellent steering, a great stereo and its brakes will stop the car on a dime from 80mph.
I don't see it giving up any creature comforts to the Lexus and it is the best handling sport sedan out there in its price range.
Best of all the 330i doesn't have those electrical nannies which interfere with a dynamic driving experience the way the Lexus has (and which can't be disabled).
After you've given the BMW a fair test and you still want the Lexus, at least your conscience will be clear.
If you do decide to go with the 330i, believe me, you will never want to drive anything else but a BMW from then on.

Originally Posted by katheikia

What the hell are you thinking. You will regret this decision every time a bimmer pulls up next to you. You just ordered a loaded toyota, no matter what anyone says, thats what it is!!!! Sorry if im being rude, but I hate to see driving enthusiasts make the wrong choice.

These kinds of threads always amaze me.

comparing an optioned out Toyota corolla to a sports car, designed to be a sports car from the ground up does not make sense.

I think people should buy whatever makes them happy, but you can't mind game yourself into thinking a Lexus is a bimmer.

Don't be a dreamer.
Test drive a Bimmer!

Originally Posted by chuck92103

These kinds of threads always amaze me.

comparing an optioned out Toyota corolla to a sports car, designed to be a sports car from the ground up does not make sense.

I think people should buy whatever makes them happy, but you can't mind game yourself into thinking a Lexus is a bimmer.

I don't know if I"d go that far. The IS is hardly an optioned Corolla. And, Lexus does offer better creature comforts, much better reliabilty and service while still delivering fairly sporty performance. Its no BMW, but in some ways, that's a good thing. Personally, I'd probably never buy one, but I'm happy for the competitoin it gives BMW.

the slogan for BMW is ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE

test drive a 330xi, or a 530xi
and then you'll realize that german engineering is far more superior to the japanese...

even though this forum is going to be baised towards BMW, i guarantee you that in the long run, trust me, once you go german, you wont go back.

Lexus giving BMW competition? That is truly laughable.
They compete for different consumers.
Performance and road feel vs luxury and isolation.

I think this has a lot to due with a cars heritage.

BMW, Porsche, etc have had a very long history with automibiles.

While driving down the street I still take a double look at a BMW 1970's 2002 driving buy. Quite a sweet automobile.

How many times have you looked twice at a 10 year old lexus?

BMW has a long history of enthusiasts that love their cars, regardless of issues they may have.

BMW hs a great name, some buy them once to try out, maybe hop to Mercedes later, but most seem to go back to bimmer time after time.

Originally Posted by chuck92103

I think this has a lot to due with a cars heritage.

BMW, Porsche, etc have had a very long history with automibiles.

While driving down the street I still take a double look at a BMW 1970's 2002 driving buy. Quite a sweet automobile.

How many times have you looked twice at a 10 year old lexus?

BMW has a long history of enthusiasts that love their cars, regardless of issues they may have.

BMW hs a great name, some buy them once to try out, maybe hop to Mercedes later, but most seem to go back to bimmer time after time.

All the time, but its just to make sure its a Lexus and not a Toyota

To clarify, I do acknowledge the fact that these two cars are in 2 separate class categories, and I didn't compare the IS to the 3, simply b/c I don't like the new body style and can't get used to the looks. The 5 is beautiful IMO, and the 3 is 'eh' to me. Don't get me wrong, I test drove both and the 3 performs great, but if I'm going to spend 40k+ on a car, I sure as heck better like how it looks

Before I got my second E46 M3 I bought an Infiniti G35. Well, that lasted all of 10 months. Wake up son! If you are a driving enthusiast you will regret getting the Lexus just as I regretted getting the G35. I learned my lesson, don't make the same mistake.

I am always amazed on how a blue/white roundel does to ones ego.

Normal E60 with sports package is not a sports car by any means.

A cheap Corvette will run circles around E60 with sports pkg. Get real.

How many of you that drives 530i is able to get everything out of it?

Ultimate driving machine? If all slogan can be taken as gospel, then everything out there is god's creation. Wakeup.

BMW does handle better and has better steering response. But its not as reliable and service blows. In addition, everyone has different needs. Some like better steering response and handling, some prefer reliability and luxury.

To diss a lexus because it is part of toyota is ridiculous. In some aspect, BMW is not even up to par as compare to a camry (for example, a better designed navi).

As far as company history goes.

BMW 1st car was build in 1929, Toyota 1st car was build in 1935. A full 6 years behind. Gee I gues that is a huge difference.

Porsche 1st car was in 1948. Even though Ferdinand porsche designs cars back in the 20th. It was not released under porsche brand.

You're bang on krispykreme. Every car has it's own pros/cons. My dad has driven two generations of Lexus and loves it. I also think he would love a Mercedes.

I've had an E36 and E46 BMW and thoroughly enjoyed both. In 2003 I traded my E46 BMW for an Audi A4. I was looking for something different and got tired of the control arm issues and interior rattles that was a chronic problem in my 2000 E46. Well, the A4 solved my issues as the Quattro was solid and the interior was even more solid. However, 2 1/2 years later, I just traded my A4 in for a 550i. (Delivery Jan'06!) There was just something missing in the Audi that the BMW provided. Hard to place a finger on it unless you spend a lot of time in both. The first year I had my Audi it was pretty good. Then, the excitement just wore off. My BMWs always provided excitement up to the end. I always looked forward to going for a drive in them. Bottom line is every car has different attributes and you just have to decide what the most important ones are to you. Before I bought the 550i, I was very close to buying the Mercedes E500. The car was fast and solid, but even my wife who is not a car enthusiast said the BMW was more fun. Although she liked the E500 look better, she agreed the driving experience is what was most important to us. So we went with the 550.

One bit of advice I can pass on through my recent experience. If you are not totally convinced on your purchase, you may want to lease instead of purchase. I purchased the Audi and discovered that given the short time I've owned the car, I would have been much better off financially to have leased. Even getting fair market value for my trade and the tax savings on the new car, I would have put out a lot less cash if I had just leased!