Said goodbye to my 328i yesterday - Got a killer deal on a Lexus IS300

[BrettKA7]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

So THIS:

Attachment 1942104

is BETTER than THIS??

Attachment 1942105

Why is this a competition?

I'm happier with my Lexus interior that doesn't creak and croak when I press against it or rattle over bumps. I'm happier with the perforated cooled and heated seats. I prefer the visuals.

If you're really asking, I think the F30 interior looks ancient in comparison.

Most of all, I prefer the mechanical quality of the vehicle as a whole.

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by BrettKA7

I know a lot of BMW owners are gonna criticize the predator grille. That's fine. I like it on this model with this color paint.

After a good 5 hours of haggling and driving home once in the middle of it, I am now the owner of a new 2019 Lexus IS 300!

So far I've noticed the Lexus IS a lot smoother than my car was with OEM suspension and of course much smoother than my car with coilovers. Yet, it has very little body roll. Feels like a very tight car.

Interior absolutely destroys BMW in every aspect except lack of HUD. That's fine, the gauges on the F-Sport Lexus make up for it.

Engine isn't as excited to get up and go as the BMW. Tests show the IS turbo is a second slower to 60 MPH than the fastest car in the entry luxury class at 6.5 seconds. You can feel lag that isn't present in the 328i. It's fine for city but I'll notice it trying to pass on the highway. It's totally livable, though. Still a quick car.

Infotainment is very meh on both cars... Tesla ruined all other infotainment centers for me.

So far I am thoroughly enjoying this Lexus and it will cost more to own than my (used) 2012 BMW cost me due to maintenance and repairs. They say you get a good BMW or you get a terrible one. I certainly didn't get a good one.

Originally Posted by BrettKA7

Why is this a competition?

I'm happier with my Lexus interior that doesn't creak and croak when I press against it or rattle over bumps. I'm happier with the perforated cooled and heated seats. I prefer the visuals.

If you're really asking, I think the F30 interior looks ancient in comparison.

Most of all, I prefer the mechanical quality of the vehicle as a whole.

Excuse me, but I didn't make this a competition.

[Teeone]

That interior styling leaves a bit to be desired in my opinion. Very square center stack and console clashes with the extreme curvature of the right side of the instrument panel. Lexus makes very nice cars overall, but lack any character in my opinion.

[Questofthetune]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

So THIS:

Attachment 1942104

is BETTER than THIS??

Attachment 1942105

I mean I like it more, I like the matte materials and having messed with a few RCs knobs and switches from friends that have them I like how they feel solid. I like my interior now don’t get me wrong, I just like the understated no chrome shinies better.

[Mr Carrots]

It's a nice interior but that car is even more of a boring appliance than the base first gen F30

[P1]

Mate, I’m happy you got a new IS but it’s just your average “point A to point B” daily. I don’t think it “destroys” anything.

In any regard, enjoy your new vehicle.

[BrettKA7]

Interesting turn this thread is taking lol

[Mr Carrots]

I'd guess the majority of bmw owners who post about their cars online are going to be interested in power and sporty performance with refinement

I left BMW because I wanted a 800 HP raw V8, and accept a lower quality interior in exchange for massive power at a way lower price than, say, an M5 which might hang with my car.

some of us want a balance between power and refinement so go to RS or AMG cars - but I imagine very few of us would trade power and driving feel for a more luxurious interior alone.

[FlaPatsFan]

Congrats Brett....nice looking Lexus. No hate here. Ive always been a fan of Lexus. I wish they would bring back the IS-F!!!!! That car was a Beast!

[jmull3r]

congrats! i have a 2017 IS300 & i’ve gotten it tuned and have a full catback exhaust so far and my car now does 0-60 in 5 seconds flat, faster than most 3rd gen 350’s. after headers i should be pushing 300whp, RR Racing is a good place to take the lexus’ with the 3.5’s to get bmw like performance. don’t get me wrong, i almost ended up with a 2015 335i before my car, but i think the IS is way more of a looker and i get compliments almost everyday on it, even from bmw occasionally, i’ve also got the ultrasonic blue mica color though so that makes it even more of a head turner

[Slaney]

I've always found Lexus's to be akin to appliances...I just don't get excited about the exterior at all. They look soulless... No offense. I just don't get the hype...

[jmull3r]

here's my baby🤤

[BrettKA7]

Originally Posted by jmull3r

here's my baby🤤

The quad tips look so much better than the sunken tips that come stock! What exhaust is that? Does it sound fart-can at all with the engine from the 300?

[jmull3r]

Originally Posted by BrettKA7

The quad tips look so much better than the sunken tips that come stock! What exhaust is that? Does it sound fart-can at all with the engine from the 300?

i have a 300 all wheel drive, meaning i have the detuned V6 from the 350, so my car with a full apexi catback exhaust sounds amazing haha

[BrettKA7]

Originally Posted by jmull3r

i have a 300 all wheel drive, meaning i have the detuned V6 from the 350, so my car with a full apexi catback exhaust sounds amazing haha

Ah. Still don't understand why the 300 AWD and RWD have different drivetrains. The AWD drivetrain seems more my cup of tea but I want RWD more than a detuned 350 engine.

[jmull3r]

Originally Posted by BrettKA7

Ah. Still don't understand why the 300 AWD and RWD have different drivetrains. The AWD drivetrain seems more my cup of tea but I want RWD more than a detuned 350 engine.

apparently it's because the 8 speed transmission you have from the RWD models don't work with the 300's, but yeah you would've been better off with a 350 RWD and tuning and modding it and you'd never miss the 328. i raced a girl in a 428 when my car was stock and i was just ahead of her so the V6 definitely has the power stock it just wasn't enough for me

[BrettKA7]

Originally Posted by jmull3r

apparently it's because the 8 speed transmission you have from the RWD models don't work with the 300's, but yeah you would've been better off with a 350 RWD and tuning and modding it and you'd never miss the 328. i raced a girl in a 428 when my car was stock and i was just ahead of her so the V6 definitely has the power stock it just wasn't enough for me

The 350 is too much of a gas guzzler and not powerful enough (vs the 300 RWD) to justify it. The 300 AWD drivetrain in a RWD chassis would have been ideal for me.

[jmull3r]

Originally Posted by BrettKA7

The 350 is too much of a gas guzzler and not powerful enough (vs the 300 RWD) to justify it. The 300 AWD drivetrain in a RWD chassis would have been ideal for me.

the 300 awd is horrible too, i get between 12-14 mpg but i also have a heavy foot haha but lexus really knows how to make a good V6, they just need to slap the new TTV6 from the LS into the next gen IS and then i could see the IS competing fully with bmw and the rest of the german competitors

[BrettKA7]

Originally Posted by jmull3r

the 300 awd is horrible too, i get between 12-14 mpg but i also have a heavy foot haha but lexus really knows how to make a good V6, they just need to slap the new TTV6 from the LS into the next gen IS and then i could see the IS competing fully with bmw and the rest of the german competitors

If that's the case... I'm comfortable with the 300 as long as it doesn't have turbo issues. I go long distances really often and do a lot of driving in a densely populated city. MPG and decent enough performance is more important than gas guzzling with better performance.

[jmull3r]

Originally Posted by BrettKA7

If that's the case... I'm comfortable with the 300 as long as it doesn't have turbo issues. I go long distances really often and do a lot of driving in a densely populated city. MPG and decent enough performance is more important than gas guzzling with better performance.

i think you should be ok with the 2.0t in the IS, however there's a pretty big delay if you are flooring it from a dead stop, which is what makes the car a full second slower than it's german competitors because of the initial hesitation, but i'd definitely go over to clublexus now and introduce urself to the 3IS forums and become familiarized with lexus and also if you have questions more about ur engine and stuff, i've seen pretty good gas mileage in the 300 rwd/200t but nothing spectacular, eventually if you want more power there are tuning capabilities for the 300 RWD too

[10"]

Anything is better than an F30 3-series; one of the worst BMWs in history.

I've always liked the angular, odd, and challenging design of the Lexus IS. Have no idea how it drives; but again it has to be better than the F30...even if it didn't run it would be better!

[RM7]

I like the much older IS350s and Altezza that it came from, that was a tight looking design, compact and functional. It seems more lost now, not sure what the draw is, not that BMW is doing all that much better.