lexus - bmw

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What you think I should buy a lexus is300 or should I buy a Bmw 3 series. I dont know i like both of them i cant figure out which one . just a little help

Thanks Scott

importman

Get the BMW3 series. But its gotta be an I-6 3 series, cause if not then the Lexus overpowers the BMW. Go with BMW,I won't even budge to compare Lexus to BMW, thats discracefuly to BMW. Get the 3.

DSMer

are parts more expensive and are they hard to fix

importman

Its a BMW and a Lexus, of course the parts are expensive. But what the hell would you need to be fixing on a 3 series or an IS300

DSMer

can for a lexus and bmw can u get parts, aftermaket parts i had a civic and there was everyhting for it

importman

Yes you can get parts for a Lexus IS300 and a BMW 3, but they are very expensive parts. Sounds like these two cars are'nt for you, if you're looking for honda-like performance upgrades. If you're looking into a used IS300 or 328 or a 323. Even a used IS300 could be upwards of $25K. The new 330i even used runs somwhere up to $30K

The IS300 has a 5speed tranny and the 330i has a 6 speed. They both posses about equal horespower (Lexus 215) (BMW 225). They both have about equal warranties. The BMW will just cost about $5k more in each case. But the uprgrades on both cars are very espensive.. Its not like a honda you just can't go bolting on things to the engine you may upset the very delicate computers. But from what I know of a friend of mine that owns a BMW, he paid almost $10k for a new turbocharger kit. So if you're looking for upgrades, they are there. But they are generally more expensive.

Two very close cars, but I would pick BMW just because it has a better driveablity. More features and speakers. Better cabin enviorment.

If you're going to be spending upwards of $25k for an IS300 or BWM 3 series and want honda like upgrades available from every manufactuer. I would suggest you look into the Evo8(Mitsubishi) or ImprezzaSTi(Subaru), But if you are very content with you decision the IS300 would probably be more sutiable for your tuning needs.

DSMer

i dont care what they cost i jsut wanted to know if u can get after market parts thanks man. I think i might go for the bmw it handles better and looks just as good im looking at a 2000 323i but i would like awd but oh well i live in this stupid state call wisconsin

importman

Theres aftermarket parts available for almost every car. You can even get a 2000 3 series kitted. Yes the BMW would be the greatest choice if you can afford it. Afterall it is "The Ultimate Driving Machine"

DSMer

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You should know what my opinion is on this one...go with the Bimmer.
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BavarianWheels

I never really knew the 3 series had an I-6. I want one now. I love I-6 engines. Hey Bav van the engine in a 3 series be heavily modified like the IS300 with a considerable ammount of upgrades?

**EDIT**
If you wanna see some upgrades for BMW's you can check out the information at DinaCars (http://dinancars.com)

DSMer

While there are lots and lots of engine mods available for the 3 series BMW's, you don't need more than a performance chip and you're more than competitive.
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BavarianWheels

Haha, lets not keep feeding out big heads now Bav. Thats alot saying for such a classy car. But I assume a turbo or supercharger would just push you over the edge. Whats the drag times on one of those 3 series? Low 13's? RWD or AWD pick one of the 3'ers

DSMer

Do a search on this forum for a 9 sec. BMW 3 series...I'm not positive if it's the M3 or "regular."
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BavarianWheels

M3's are quick! i've been in a Hamman M3 and it was one hell of a sweet ride! power and comfort at the same time :drool:

oops, forgot to add, get the BMW :thumbs:

WeaponR

get the Bimmer...

my dad just got a BMW M Coupe and loves it...so fast!! :rock:

SuperJew

I say IS300. The options on both cars are very expensive, the BMW even more expensive than the IS. Besides, Lexus reliability, mechanical quality, and customer service are unrivaled, so think of your priorities. I would say the aftermarket for the IS is good as long as the supra's parts are still around.

BTW, Dinan is such a waste of money it makes me puke. BMWs are great cars but just insanely expensive to purchase, maintain, and upgrade.

importluva

I got the IS300 because I like the design better. In terms of power, I don't care because I'm not racing the thing. I'm just glad I have 200+ hp.

Secondly, I didn't want a European car. I wanted a Japanese model.

I didn't even look at the BMWs because I didn't want to associate myself with BMWs. It's all about image! :smoke:

Haha...I don't really have a legitimate reason for why YOU should get an IS300 though. BMWs are good too. I have nothing against them...not much anyways. :wink2:

MaChao

Reliabiltiy, customer serivce, mechanical quality? You're naming all stuff that BMW has, even before Lexus even made IS's. BMW by far kills Lexus in any comparible competition. Lexus is good, but nowhere near status of even stepping up to bat in the BMW ballpark.

A far as the DINAN, people give a Lexus to local shops. You gotta take a BMW to a profressional. Thats all I really have to say for the performance aspects of a BMW. You pay for quality.

DSMer

Research is your best friend.
Look here (http://cars.com/carsapp/national/?srv=parser&act=display&tf=/advice/bestwo rst/mostdepend/most_dependable_2003.tmpl) for long term dependibility. Where is Lexus and where is BMW?

BMW 3-series (http://research.cars.com/go/crp/safety.jsp;jsessionid=2B2DNVTVGLNDLLAZGI3Z XKY?makeid=5&modelid=3636&year=2004&crpPage=summary.jsp&aff=national) vs Lexus IS300 (http://research.cars.com/go/crp/safety.jsp?makeid=27&modelid=4847&year=200 4&crpPage=summary.jsp&aff=national)

You sir need to do research before making such bold statements.

importluva

Having owned both (I hope doesn't come across as bragging) I would have to respectfully disagree. Lexus treats the customer far better than BMW treats their customer. I prefer the BMW car, but can only wish to have the kind of service given to me at BMW that I received at ALL Lexus dealerships that I patronized! Lexus puts customer first. Lexus offers free loaners to walk-ins, BMW you must make an appt. and if one is available, you MAY get it. It's up to the discretion of the Service Mgr. I've been given the excuse that he needs it to get home...or that there are none available when I can clearly see a dozen or so.

I've dealt with both. Lexus wins at customer service -- hands down!

If you like that kind of treatment (which I do) I'd say there is no competition!
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BavarianWheels

Haha, thats pretty bad Bav. No Unlike importluva I choose not to base my complete decision off of some buletin by some people who conduct a survey(of wich everyone who owns that particular brand of car does'nt even respond to). My Father owned 5 BMW's and hes never even had to visit customer service, unless he was paying for his tune-up.

Well irreguardless. I still have to say that BMW will last far longer than any lexus I've ever seen.

DSMer

I never mentioned reliability of the vehicles.

And I too prefer to drive a BMW over a Lexus.
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BavarianWheels

Well I've never known anyone to own a BMW go in for a serious repair. BMWs should'nt have to touch dealership garages until after 160,000. And who needs customer service when you car can outlast longer than you'll ever need it to..

DSMer

well, i consider them trustworthy, so i base most of my claims on their research. Whether their research is suitable for YOU to trust is not my concern.

PS. What exactly is the meaning of "irregaurdless"?

importluva

Again...we differ. If you don't think there's any important maint. until at or after 160k miles...I wouldn't consider buying a BMW from you or anyone with that frame of mind. It certainly doesn't need to be a BMW dealer either. A certified BMW mechanic does just fine.
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BavarianWheels

ir·re·gard·less
[Probably blend of irrespective, and regardless.]
Usage Note: Irregardless is a word that many mistakenly believe to be correct usage in formal style, when in fact it is used chiefly in nonstandard speech or casual writing. Coined in the United States in the early 20th century, it has met with a blizzard of condemnation for being an improper yoking of irrespective and regardless and for the logical absurdity of combining the negative ir- prefix and -less suffix in a single term. Although one might reasonably argue that it is no different from words with redundant affixes like debone and unravel, it has been considered a blunder for decades
and will probably continue to be so.

Irregardless

adv : in spite of everything; without regard to drawbacks; "he carried on regardless of the difficulties"

So yes, it is a word. You are one of the many people to try and comment about it. Maybe you should "research" the dictionary.... I'm also aware I spelled it wrong...

*EDIT*
Oh no Bav maintanence yeah, but I'm talking about like serious engine work. Who would never maintain a car until after 160,000miles what am I crazy?

DSMer

Thats all i need to know

importluva

Come now...you cannot hold BMW up so high...even I understand there are short-comings in the line. Take my wife's '97 740i (e38) it is well known that the radiator is garbage and goes out right around 50k miles. Goodness...BMW even lowered the price of the part because it was guaranteed to break with uncanny accuracy. Well, ours lasted to 62k miles...and sure enough the part failed! It is well documented. The cat conv. is also a weak point, the window shades damage easily and are quite expensive to repair. The rear one alone could set you back at least $1,000.00....that's only a shade!! Bushings are another weak point on the e38...the list goes on and on!

But when one knows the weak points and what to look out for, you can be ready (and willing) to get it fixed prior to or expect the cost when it happens.

Serious engine work? How about the tendency for bolts to come loose on the oil pump and get thrown up in the engine? That's quite serious and a point to know about these e38's.
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BavarianWheels

Well my dads `98(I think) 745iL is on about 80K. He has not yet had one problem with the car, nor has the first owner. Simple tune-ups. Oil change, tranny fluid, etc... I mean yeah his passenger rear door broke, and it costed arround $200 to get it fixed. Other than that, no serious engine problems, all of his other BMWs have never costed more than $1000 to fix(simple things that are just generally expensive on BMWs). Ok maybe 160K was exagerated but definetly 120K.

DSMer

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Further backing that Lexus treats the customer better than BMW...(to my BMW enthusiasts shame)

Lexus...10th consecutive year... (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=568&e=2&u=/nm/autos_qualit y_dc)
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BavarianWheels

i would choose the is300.

if you ask me, i like BMW's better than lexus.. the only car i like under lexus is the is300... the BMW on the other hand, theres several that i like, m3, 325, 320.

Ki2AY

Hmm. It looks like someone else trusts JD Power besides me...

importluva

Hmm Lexus is #1 wi 162/100 and BMW is #5 with 264/100. Thats just one way lexus can beat BMW, and its not like BMW is grossly out of sinc with Lexus. Anyone in the top 5 should be considered good, so lets not even try to single Lexus out as the dominator in this class.

Again in the JD power rating Lexus only scores 1 notch above the BMW in mech quality wich "does not really stand out". So how about using something other than these two forms of judgment seeing as they really don't determine any superior difference between the two other than price...

BMW 330 (http://www.autobytel.com/content/research/reviews/index.cfm/action/listrev iews/make_vch/BMW/model_vch/3%20Series) Lexus IS300 (http://www.autobytel.com/content/research/reviews/index.cfm/action/listrev iews/make_vch/Lexus/model_vch/IS)

If you'll care to notice that 330 and IS300 are both evenly ranked in buyer reviews. Come with some personal experience on these two cars then I'll give you some credibility. I know that in 6 years the BMW WILL be running better than that IS300. Its not everday you see an older Lexus on the road, but you will see an older BMW. I wonder why that is...?

DSMer

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From personal experience with Lexus and BMW, if the deciding factor is on customer service, my choice would be Lexus--NO CONTEST!

The fact remains that I prefer BMW cars over Lexus cars.
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BavarianWheels

importluva

Lexus has only been around for some...15(?) years or so...and BMW has been around a few more than that.

It's obvious you'll see more older BMW's than Lexus'... :doh:
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BavarianWheels

Try test driving both cars and see which one you feel most comfortable driving in. If it were me, I would choose a BMW either 325Ci or 330Ci. It would have to be a coupe. But the sedans are nice too! Go with which car you like more after testing them, and if you still need an opinion, go with the 3-Series! Good Luck! :thumbs:

moostang104314

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