SpoiledMan
New member
Well, an IS really has nothing to do with this thread...
BMW 5 or Lexus GS350???
- Thread starter imported_sonyexec
- Start date
anthony914
New member
SpoiledMan said:
shoot I quickly and misread the title
I got :sign
SpoiledMan
New member
That IS is a looker though.
IMO, if you want upscale performance I'd go with the 5 series.
If you want class and true luxury, I'd go with the GS.
Reliability = Lexus
Performance = BMW
Honestly, I think they are over priced and to get some of the standard features like GPS, you have to pay an extra $1k or more to get HID's and GPS. Now that's a turn off! I'm sure the 5 series has HID's standards, but I'm positvie that the IS does not have HID's standard as well as the 3-series.
IMO, I went with my 2005 TL because it blends in both with performance and luxury, and HID's are standard, and that's just one thing that standard with an Acura.
Oh I also drove an 05 RL for a month in 2005, great car, but the only downside of the RL is there's no touch screen for the GPS and it doesn't look as good as a lexus, bmw.
Ohhh.... I can't wait for the 2009 Acura TL (SH-AWD) coming out in fall 2008. Now this car will be a big seller!!
If you want class and true luxury, I'd go with the GS.
Reliability = Lexus
Performance = BMW
Honestly, I think they are over priced and to get some of the standard features like GPS, you have to pay an extra $1k or more to get HID's and GPS. Now that's a turn off! I'm sure the 5 series has HID's standards, but I'm positvie that the IS does not have HID's standard as well as the 3-series.
IMO, I went with my 2005 TL because it blends in both with performance and luxury, and HID's are standard, and that's just one thing that standard with an Acura.
Oh I also drove an 05 RL for a month in 2005, great car, but the only downside of the RL is there's no touch screen for the GPS and it doesn't look as good as a lexus, bmw.
Ohhh.... I can't wait for the 2009 Acura TL (SH-AWD) coming out in fall 2008. Now this car will be a big seller!!
Not that big a lexus fan, but I love bimmers. I'm a MUCH bigger fan of the E39 body style though... I was just on the hunt for a new car a few months ago, and though I could have fit a new 5 or a 335 in my budget, I just don't really love the exterior.
I ended up saving a bunch of money instead and picking up an '03 540i... its not as advanced as the e60s (which is probably a good thing--less to go wrong), but I've got all my luxuries and navigation along with a more traditional BMW styling.
I ended up saving a bunch of money instead and picking up an '03 540i... its not as advanced as the e60s (which is probably a good thing--less to go wrong), but I've got all my luxuries and navigation along with a more traditional BMW styling.
Even though not part of this conversation, the IS350 is the only car that Lexus makes that comes close to the driving experience of a BMW. But I have never drove a new 3 or 5 series...yet.
We have been driving 5 (1) and 7(2) series BMWs for over 160k miles total on all three of them. Two of them where owned from 90/100-150k miles and the 740 we have now from 52-96k miles. Doing my own maint 80% of the time, I have spent less then $4k maintaining all three of these BMWs for again a total of 160k miles.
We have been driving 5 (1) and 7(2) series BMWs for over 160k miles total on all three of them. Two of them where owned from 90/100-150k miles and the 740 we have now from 52-96k miles. Doing my own maint 80% of the time, I have spent less then $4k maintaining all three of these BMWs for again a total of 160k miles.
imported_Puckman
New member
Vicman nailed the point I use as my decider - drive them both. If they let you take it on an extended drive put it through your daily routes and touch and feel everything. I bought my first BMW about 4 years ago and I'm a brand loyalist now. I absolutely love to drive and to me nothing gives back the pleasure rewards like a BMW.
With that said I can truly understand and appreciate the Lexus folks saying the same thing which is why I say drive them both and get intimate with both to make an informed decision.
With that said I can truly understand and appreciate the Lexus folks saying the same thing which is why I say drive them both and get intimate with both to make an informed decision.
imported_sonyexec
New member
Taking some well thought out advice from y'all I have made an appt to test drive the BMW 5 this week and take it through its paces. I have to agree that your German cars are without a doubt a driver's car but as I mentioned previously it's hard to get the performance they provide in this So Cal traffic.
About 3 months ago I got a GS300 as a loaner for a week (well 2 days but I extended my picking up my car for 3 days) and it was a nice ride, smooth, quiet and comfortable what i have come to expect from Lexus. I have no complaints at all about lexus it has simply come down to after eating vanilla ice cream for so long you want to try chocolate LOL. Both GS' i have owned have been trouble free and I kept them through 150k miles.
What sucks is that Im about 5-6 weeks from actually purchasing but you know what happens once you start test driving the time frame tends to narrow rather quickly.
Thanks again for all the tips they will all be considered as I make my rounds through the shark infested waters that are auto dealership lots. :2thumbs: :goodjob
Armand
About 3 months ago I got a GS300 as a loaner for a week (well 2 days but I extended my picking up my car for 3 days) and it was a nice ride, smooth, quiet and comfortable what i have come to expect from Lexus. I have no complaints at all about lexus it has simply come down to after eating vanilla ice cream for so long you want to try chocolate LOL. Both GS' i have owned have been trouble free and I kept them through 150k miles.
What sucks is that Im about 5-6 weeks from actually purchasing but you know what happens once you start test driving the time frame tends to narrow rather quickly.
Thanks again for all the tips they will all be considered as I make my rounds through the shark infested waters that are auto dealership lots. :2thumbs: :goodjob
Armand
SpoiledMan said:That IS is a looker though.
I parked one the other night... has a very nice interior, too! Very classy, and surpringsinly, the steering and just overall "feel" of the car was VERY un-Toyota like - i.e., the steering didn't feel like you could breathe on it and it would turn 6 times by itself, and there was actually some road feedback through the wheel. The car also didn't wallow about like a barge floating on air.
I think it comes in manual now, though, so I guess it does still have some hope left. Before, it only came in an auto... which pretty much killed it
imported_Detailing Technology
New member
5 series, hands down.
I have owned a 535i and loved it, fine machine.
I'm not a Japanese car fan, I have owned an LS400 ans loved it also. It did everything I asked it to, but it was just very "synthetic".
I have owned a 535i and loved it, fine machine.
I'm not a Japanese car fan, I have owned an LS400 ans loved it also. It did everything I asked it to, but it was just very "synthetic".
SpoiledMan
New member
paul34 said:I think it comes in manual now, though, so I guess it does still have some hope left. Before, it only came in an auto... which pretty much killed it
It came in a manual before it just wasn't very quick without mods. With mods the sky was the limit as the Supra is a close cousin.
*NOW* they cripple the IS350 with no manual.
jfelbab
New member
No one pointed out that the interior leather of the Lexus is way softer and more comfortable than the BMW. I hate the feel of the BMW leather.
The GS is actually a lot sportier than in the past but it is still a luxury vehicle. Fit and finish are excellent. Visit ClubLexus.com for GS info.
The GS is actually a lot sportier than in the past but it is still a luxury vehicle. Fit and finish are excellent. Visit ClubLexus.com for GS info.
Here's a pic of my BMW 5 Series e60. My previous car was an e39 (older style) BMW. Jet Black was my color choice for both, which is what brought me to Autopia. I personally think BMW looks sportier and more aggressive than the Lexus, but the Lexus would be my choice for the wife's car. 
Take care,
Jim
Take care,
Jim
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Carl Anderson
New member
jcflys said:
Indeed! I owned a 550 for a year and loved it. The 08 model pictured above is just stunning. My younger brother was so dissappointed with his LS460 that he traded it after 4 months of ownership for a 550. As far as cost of ownership goes, if you buy new the BMW costs $0 for the first 4 years. After 4 years that is a concern.