View Poll Results: 335 or IS 350?
IS 350
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335 or IS350
09-29-2006, 12:19 AM
#2
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Last edited by Renesis_8; 09-11-2011 at 09:19 AM.
09-29-2006, 09:17 AM
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and if you want 4 doors when the sedan comes out it will be no contest.
still dont understand why the bimmer isnt being called a 335Ci ctually it really needs to be called something like 330 TCi or Ci-T
still dont understand why the bimmer isnt being called a 335Ci ctually it really needs to be called something like 330 TCi or Ci-T
09-29-2006, 10:32 AM
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Yes the 335 has the performance but i think the interior looks aweful. the IS looks awesome inside and great outside. The 335 has performance all the way though.
09-29-2006, 11:05 AM
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335 is my pic....test drove them both a few times, and preferred the 335. The is350 looks like an acura?? very boring...as far as the comment on the interior of the bmw, I think it is very nice....but the edge might be to the lexus. For whatever reason, the is350 reminds me of an "old mans" car, while the bmw still has that "sport" feel.....and I am 33, so I could be in denial about being "old", but I also put a suit on everyday to go to work so I need/want something that isn't "boring" and still haas the sporty edge.
09-29-2006, 11:16 AM
#14
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335!
Well, I take it back. If you like driving (the actual process of driving, not the process of getting somewhere) then the 335 without a doubt. Having test drove BMWs, the BMWs 3 series drive incredibly nice. On the other hand, if you just want a really nice ride from point A to point B, then get the IS350. Lexuses are better than BMWs if you're not a driver (as in your car is mostly to get you places and you want a nice ride over fun driving).
As drivers cars BMWs win out hands down. Lexuses are usually better as passenger cars (and in the long term in terms of reliability).
Well, I take it back. If you like driving (the actual process of driving, not the process of getting somewhere) then the 335 without a doubt. Having test drove BMWs, the BMWs 3 series drive incredibly nice. On the other hand, if you just want a really nice ride from point A to point B, then get the IS350. Lexuses are better than BMWs if you're not a driver (as in your car is mostly to get you places and you want a nice ride over fun driving).
As drivers cars BMWs win out hands down. Lexuses are usually better as passenger cars (and in the long term in terms of reliability).
09-29-2006, 11:45 AM
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I was thinking this time around getting the 335 with the auto ( with Paddle shifting)....this is the first time I have thought about going that direction but the auto is matched so nicely to this powerplant. On my test drive the paddle shifting was a nice change, and still fun 
and I don't think there will be much of a performance difference to the manual....the auto would still walk away from a 350z, and a good number of cars for that matter. I was amazed at how quickly boost kicked in....from 50km/hr, you punch it and there is an instant jolt forward! loved it......the thing that was most noticable was the auto's shift into second gear and the strong forward pull to redline.....never felt that in the g35, 350z (definitely not the 8), and the is350 didn't feel quite like it either.
and I don't think there will be much of a performance difference to the manual....the auto would still walk away from a 350z, and a good number of cars for that matter. I was amazed at how quickly boost kicked in....from 50km/hr, you punch it and there is an instant jolt forward! loved it......the thing that was most noticable was the auto's shift into second gear and the strong forward pull to redline.....never felt that in the g35, 350z (definitely not the 8), and the is350 didn't feel quite like it either.
09-29-2006, 11:59 AM
#18
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If you don't need a manual, the IS350 with sport suspension will match the 3er's performance while looking better inside and outside and being more reliable to boot...
despite the automotive press, the IS's are actually pretty sporty rides
despite the automotive press, the IS's are actually pretty sporty rides
09-29-2006, 12:22 PM
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not really, the IS350 with the sports suspension has no hope of matching the 335 in terms of handling. on top of that, the IS350's powerband is like the G35's, you dont get a fat torque curve thats consistent all the way, you only get max torque around 4800rpm.
09-29-2006, 12:31 PM
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If you like to drive then the 335i (sedans and coupes are named the same from now on) If you like luxury with a tad of sport then the IS350 or a C class benz. I hope the offer the 7 speed SMG as an option in the future but then thats just me.
09-29-2006, 12:57 PM
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is350 looking better on the outside?? well I guess everyone is entilted to their option but I have to say the 335 has that hands down ! And for performance, yes the is350 has some impressive numbers, I agree with the other member about the power band....the 335 has max tq at 1400rpm all the way across the band = edge to the BMW
09-29-2006, 01:42 PM
#23
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yeh..so jeez..its damn near unanimous. It might be the first unanimous debate in board history. I guess I need to test drive them both again. I drive one, I like it, I go drive the other, I like it too. I dont drive too much because I travel a lot, so I am going with a lease. That being said, I dont know that reliability should be a factor although I know a lot of people who said I would have less trouble with the IS. The IS does look much better on the inside..a comarably equipped 335i is pushing high $48K. Loaded IS is $42K plus they are dealing better on those....
09-29-2006, 02:53 PM
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Originally Posted by playdoh43
not really, the IS350 with the sports suspension has no hope of matching the 335 in terms of handling. on top of that, the IS350's powerband is like the G35's, you dont get a fat torque curve thats consistent all the way, you only get max torque around 4800rpm.
Fatter torque curve thanks to turbos - absolutely. But it comes at a price as the cars are having cooling problems already, not to mention a rather large weight penalty. The E90 3 series already has racked up over 70 TSBs....
09-29-2006, 03:18 PM
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i have driven both, and wrote reviews for it. In fact ive driven the IS350 with sport suspension HARD around an autox track at taste of lexus, the handling wasnt as good as the E46 330. Both cars were driven on the same day at the same autoX track under the same conditions.
the IS350 with sport suspension is not that stiff at all, especially compared to my G35 coupe. granted the 335i isnt that stiff either, its still stiffer than the IS350 and it has way better steering response. Handling is not all about stiffness, theres a lot of factors that plays into it. I was able to take corners much faster in a E46 330 around the same autoX track at fedEx field. The bmw felt very comfortable and in control while the lexus was nervous compartively despite the vastly superior acceleration. The 335 that i test drove 2 weeks ago, handled better than the E46 3 series (mom has 325i)
i think everyone here are aware that lexus in general have better reliability than bmw. no one is going to argue that. the IS350 has its own share of issues too, just like every car.
I do know that for bmw all the services and maintenance is free while under warranty. you take it in, get a bmw loaner and you come pick it up without having to pay a penny.\
and please note that im not saying that the IS350 with sport suspension is not stiff and responsive, it handles very well compared to most cars out there. I am speaking in relative to the E43 and E92 3 series.
the IS350 with sport suspension is not that stiff at all, especially compared to my G35 coupe. granted the 335i isnt that stiff either, its still stiffer than the IS350 and it has way better steering response. Handling is not all about stiffness, theres a lot of factors that plays into it. I was able to take corners much faster in a E46 330 around the same autoX track at fedEx field. The bmw felt very comfortable and in control while the lexus was nervous compartively despite the vastly superior acceleration. The 335 that i test drove 2 weeks ago, handled better than the E46 3 series (mom has 325i)
i think everyone here are aware that lexus in general have better reliability than bmw. no one is going to argue that. the IS350 has its own share of issues too, just like every car.
I do know that for bmw all the services and maintenance is free while under warranty. you take it in, get a bmw loaner and you come pick it up without having to pay a penny.\
and please note that im not saying that the IS350 with sport suspension is not stiff and responsive, it handles very well compared to most cars out there. I am speaking in relative to the E43 and E92 3 series.
Last edited by playdoh43; 09-29-2006 at 03:24 PM.