320d-is250

[Gunther]

One thing is for sure. I would be happier running a Lexus out of Manufacturer warranty than any German car. SO for anyone reading, if you are going to kep out of Warranty then any Lexus petrol makes so much sense.

Has the BMW had a lot of problems then or just that you know the Lexus would be more reliable and the dealers are better?

No real problems with BMW so far other than one minor car park crash, very minor, minor bodywork to bumper. Other than that it has been perfect. In over 3 months it has not had any issues at all, 4500 miles and drives better every day. One small creaking/rattle from sliding armrest and will leave until 1st service and that is it.

When reading BMW forums there are some common diesel issues, MAF sensors, swirl flaps, gumming injectors and Turbos, but they seem to affect mainly cars over 5 years old and latest E90 seems to be fairly solid. A lot of BMW owners routinely remap their engines and I wonder if that does something. BMW have heavily modified so many bits in the last 5 years (as their experience has grown) but the dealers don't care much about customers. This is down to fact most customers drive company BMW's, or lease, and so don't care about the dealer also. But. private owners like me might then suffer so much if there is an issue.

I think the latest BMW's engines (diesels and petrol) are incredible. the smoothness, power etc. Best the company have ever made. They have won almost every "engine" award in the world, 2008 voted best engine builder in over 30 countries. Just try a 330i and 335i - they are awesome. Audi are a close 2nd with the new S4. Haven't driven but on paper the Audi 3.0TFSi Q looks really good.

Hopefully they will be reliable, but. I would say that with any Luxury car over 3 years old a warranty is a must. Difference is that with Lexus Petrols you have so much "good" history that you can "wing it". They go on for ever, like LS's, GS's etc. My brother has a GS Sport since 1998 and it is on mainly original bits: Engine never opened, same gear box, Exhaust even, and is very cheap to run now as it doesn't really cost anything so he has kept it and will scrap it eventually. Over 180,000 miles and going strong.

Lexus Diesel (or really any modern DPF diesel)? I wouldn't have one out of warranty! Too much water under a bridge with 5th Injectors etc. too complex and I'm not sure I would personally trust it. IS Petrol? recently have been reading about engine rattle and VVTI needs replacing? So may be with 2nd hand IS250 I would take a warranty.

For the poster of this thread, I would say buy with your head and not heart!! The IS250SEL Auto with MM is a cracking car, but then so is a 325SE but differently. One drives incredibly well (and you don't have to thrash it's bearings off to notice it), one makes you feel like a millionaire. Both are well made and you have a nice dilemma. If you don't want a BMW, then there are 2 sensible choices - Lexus IS250 SEL or A4 2.0TFSi Multitronic S Line. New Audi's are solid too, and I just love what they have done with trends with those LED Day running lights. If you feel rebellious, the Passatt CC and Alfa 159 is great too. Good luck.

[Matus]

I'd also try new C-200kompressor

[finchy40]

Hi Guys.

Heres a hands on view. I drive a IS250se auto and my wife, a BMW 320se auto. I therefore have access and use of both cars.

With both sets of keys in my hand, its the Lexus every time.

Even after 18 months of ownership, I love driving the Lexus, thats what its about.

Forget the comparisons!

As for my wife, she wishes she'd saved herself £8k and bought the Lexus.......especially when we go to get them serviced. Different class.

[Parthiban]

Hi Guys.

Heres a hands on view. I drive a IS250se auto and my wife, a BMW 320se auto. I therefore have access and use of both cars.

With both sets of keys in my hand, its the Lexus every time.

Even after 18 months of ownership, I love driving the Lexus, thats what its about.

Forget the comparisons!

As for my wife, she wishes she'd saved herself £8k and bought the Lexus.......especially when we go to get them serviced. Different class.

Very interesting perspective, on a track I'd imagine you'd always take the BM but everyday it's nice to know the Lexus comes out on top.

[Gunther]

Interesting, but the 2litres BMW 4 Cyl petrol 320i will actually drive better, I'm sure, and almost as fast, may be not as smooth. The difference is that the Lexus has so many toys, rarity value and a luxury look and feel that the BMW only displays if you have lots of extra. But. I too might be tempted to take a Lexus IS250 Auto out over my 325d, but not because it drove better, but because I love gadgets and Lexus Auto's are so good, petrol ones better than BMW. But BMW manual diesls are so superior to the IS220d, no contest. Just try 318d - even 143 BHP feels faster than ISd because of the gearing (Lexus feels heavy, BMW light and nimble) even though Lexus is probably just a bit quicker in "zone"! 320d is awesome, but cannot compare to IS250 Auto. You have o compare 325i Auto, and then IS250 Auto. Lexus better box, but BMW betrer to drive overall.

Over 6 months on, and I have to say, BMW 325d is the Kahuna's when it comes to driving..............

Very personal tastes though.