Edmunds: 2006 BMW 330i vs. 2006 Lexus IS 350

BMW wins, Lexus loses. I don't see why. Lexus is overall better, but yet they choose the BMW. They are racists!!

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=109021

BMW wins, Lexus loses. I don't see why. Lexus is overall better, but yet they choose the BMW. They are racists!!

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=109021


Not racists. Stubborn...... Many people are still stuck with their old mind set / memories and when it comes to European cars many people don't want to change their minds.

How can you even question European cars? They are European... I mean come on. Are you stupid.................. is the attitude....... :lol:

Losers !

man, what will it take to beat the 3 series...maybe a 6spd manual on the 350 and take out the VDIM (whatever its called)

the thing i don't understand is why Lexus can't just put in a 6-speed manual and a switch to turn off the TRAC control and everything else in 350...cause that's wht's basially holding it back from the number 1 spot in my opinion....i would still take the IS over the 3 any day of the week...but i think it's a really stupid reason to loose to the 3-series

customer preference, and majority of them buy automatics....tho the g35 sedan w/ 6spd dominated

the thing i don't understand is why Lexus can't just put in a 6-speed manual and a switch to turn off the TRAC control and everything else in 350...cause that's wht's basially holding it back from the number 1 spot in my opinion....i would still take the IS over the 3 any day of the week...but i think it's a really stupid reason to loose to the 3-series
According to Lexus it's because of safety issues when all the nannies are turned off. But every comparison IS has lost to the 3-series until now was because VDIM couldn't be shut off.

I have actually only seen one where Lexus has won:
http://www.autobytel.com/content/shared/articles/templates/index.cfm/article_id_int/861

The verdict was that Lexus was very good doing everything while the 3-series is awesome at one - driving feel.

All other comparisons reach the same result bu lets the 3-series win exactly because of this.

So IS dusted BMW3 more than 1 full second! in 0-60?:clap:

BMW always win by 4 spings and one steering wheel (only):lol:

id rather have the 3 series. its more algile, elegant, and sexy

Man if the IS got a 6 speed they would sell a whole bunch of them....we should have a poll or something and lets see who whould take the manual over automatic:disappoin

id rather have the 3 series. its more algile, elegant, and sexy

I'll pick the IS350 for sexy looking

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/roadtests/comparison/2006/bmw.330i/group.3.500.jpg
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/roadtests/comparison/2006/bmw.330i/group.4.500.jpg
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/roadtests/comparison/2006/bmw.330i/group.5.500.jpg
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/roadtests/comparison/2006/bmw.330i/group.6.500.jpg
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/roadtests/comparison/2006/bmw.330i/group.9.500.jpg
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/roadtests/comparison/2006/bmw.330i/group.8.500.jpg

OK. Here is a serious WTF!:
A beefy, wedge-shaped body characterizes the IS. Although not as daring as the 330i's design, some of us preferred the more cohesive look, such as the way the front lower air intake and foglights echo the shape of the grille and headlights above. Then again, a few thought it bland compared to the Bimmer.


The BMW is daring while the Lexus is bland! What have they been smoking!?

I liked the prev. gen 3 Series better than this one.., Some people can't help but be fanboys.. it's a problem when they're the media though and have sheep that follow every word instead of doing their own research.

From every single comparison I've read the Lexus is being touted as being too isolated. I guess it is true when you got the electronics doing the driving for u. Might as well take the bus.

I am new to this thread but i realize that there are some problems regarding the 3 series. It is uglier than the IS and it is not even more powerful. It is even more expensive and then I couldnt get edmunds criticizing the IS when it is clear that it is the winner. I also like the 3 series interior and feel but the IS looks more luxurious and more comfy.(VDIM is a problem in the IS)

OK. Here is a serious WTF!:


The BMW is daring while the Lexus is bland! What have they been smoking!?

i agree with Lasse because the 3 series has a dull face while the IS is aggressive and sporty

I agree we should bring two hardcore american muscle guys and have them review their honest thoughts about these two cars. How the heck can you call the IS boring?

I'll pick the IS350 for sexy looking

I agree. Living in Connecticut, the yuppie capital of the world, I see way too many 3-Series for them to even be considered "distinctive" anymore. :thumbsdow

The new IS is ultra sexy! :cool:

i agree, it's same here in New Jersey...the 3series is too over-rated....my friend and two of my cousins have a 3...
it's almost like the hondas here....anyone here that's wants to modify thier cars....HONDA....it kind of de-values the car in a sense

ditto. My university parkade already has 3 new 3 series. (It also has 2 new IS lol). The rest are some form of German car. Toyota and Honda follow close behind.

can u get the "is" in a coupe? i always loved the bmw 3 series coupe

Not yet... I believe a coupe is in the works?

Not yet... I believe a coupe is in the works?

It's rumored to be unveiled sometime next year as a production model at one of the auto shows. It could be an early MY 2008 car. Supposedly, there's a V8 model of the coupe in the works too. IS460/500? Lexus officials have already hinted at an engine option bigger than the current 4.3L V8 (they were asked about the custom IS430). The coupe has been spotted testing on the Nurburgring using a modified Crown Athlete test mule body with fake rear doors.

I guess we have to play the waiting game.

the coupe would be great as long as they can make a real manual and a button to turn off the TRAC contral and stuff

BMW wins, Lexus loses. I don't see why. Lexus is overall better, but yet they choose the BMW. They are racists!!

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=109021

One of my clients purchased a new 330i and has had it back to the shop six times for various reasons: stereo just decided to stop working, vents didn't work, the battery would work intermittently, etc.

I think the driving comparisons are a joke - who cares? Most aren't going to drive these cars on tracks in the same manner that they are in these comparisons. The true test is day-to-day life in them - and BMW really sucks bad, like most other European cars. They're all way over engineered or made by underpaid overworked Mexicans.

It's amazing how many BMW fanatics there are. God forbid the car fall to any other make and model that's not BMW. "The Ultimate Driving Machine" is the label, yet with their electrical issues (BMW 7 Series) the shenanigans they pulled during the CarAndDriver magazine comparo, how do they do still manage to win?

Ladies and Gentlemen, for you reading pleasure, the BMW 330i test drive:
$35,000 Sport Sedans, October 2005
Cars(in order of first place winner to last): BMW 330i, IS350, Infiniti G35, Acura TL, Audi A4 3.2 Quattro, Cadillac CTS, Volvo S60R AWD, Saab 9-3 Aero

".....Then the ABS lamp lit. We tried to execute one stop on our high-desert test road and nearly executed a 360 spin at 70 mph instead (thus, our braking number is from a previous test). Shortly thereafter several airbag-malfunction warnings lit up. Maybe it was just a coincidence.

Even with its dash ablaze in emergency alerts, the 330i wormed its way into our hearts...."

Any other car that would have done this would have been disqualified. But, I'm glad the BMW wormed it's way to first place. I could have NOT said it better myself. Since this article was issued, my love for Car And Driver has DIED. I don't frequent the site as I used to before and never will make the mistake of reading Car And Driver as a 100% serious magazine. Instead, it will serve to laugh at the reviews then line the cage of my parakeets so they can take a dump on the reviews of Larry Webster and someday a nice on his mouth (my fav guy to hate with a flaming passion after he totally crapped on a couple of cars I liked).

"Just-Try-to-Beat-the-3-Series Test" - This is what the ALSO introduced the comparo as... How do you NOT have the Bimmer win?

yea....my friend's got 2004 BMW 325Xi and he's been complaining about a a rough idle...but he has to keep it till 2007 because it's leased....
he took his car in for a recall for the engine coil which was causing the rough idle...
he just got it back a week or two ago and he siad it's still pretty rough...
now he wants an IS....or a Civic....i have absolutley no cluse why he wants a Civic....i'm trying to talk him out of it

i have absolutley no cluse why he wants a Civic....i'm trying to talk him out of itI'd rather drive a Civic than a Bimmer. Most ppl think that all ppl just say that cuz there loyalist. I'm loyal to Toyota, but if I see something wrong, i'll point it out and keep mentioning it till its corrected. To be honest, if somebody throws me the pinkslip for a 7 series bimmer brand new to trade off my old 1991 230,000mile Cressida, i'd givem the middle finger. Case Closed. Bimmer sux, and they'll always suck in my opinion.

I'd rather drive a Civic than a Bimmer. Most ppl think that all ppl just say that cuz there loyalist. I'm loyal to Toyota, but if I see something wrong, i'll point it out and keep mentioning it till its corrected. To be honest, if somebody throws me the pinkslip for a 7 series bimmer brand new to trade off my old 1991 230,000mile Cressida, i'd givem the middle finger. Case Closed. Bimmer sux, and they'll always suck in my opinion.

can't you sell it and get an IS ;) heh.

Yeah, kinda funny how my friend left her cellphone at home one day and she finishes school after the sun sets and she's worried that she won't be able to call for help if her car breaks down or what not (2004 BMW 325xi). I was like.. "break down? what the hell is that?" my other friend (who has a 98 Sienna) laughed.