Lexus IS350 vs BMW 335i on edmunds

[565]

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=120903/pageId=124079

Recently it seems like Edmunds has a thing for head to head comparisions.  The good thing is that they have alot more detail than your typical C&D comparo which just has a paragraph on each car.  The bad thing is you don't get a big ranking list either.

[J86]

I like all the quotes

[Raghavan]

Wow, 4.9 seconds for the 335...
I guess that's because the auto transmission can stay on the boost...

[850CSi]

They're saying the 335i is nearly TWO seconds faster than the 330i, at 4.9?

Impossible, my car probably hits 60 at around the mid-6s. But that's impressive, it'll scare the shit out of an E46 M3.

[Raghavan]

They're saying the 335i is nearly TWO seconds faster than the 330i, at 4.9?

Impossible, my car probably hits 60 at around the mid-6s. But that's impressive, it'll scare the shit out of an E46 M3.

Edmunds is generally a bit slow with their 0-60 times, and maybe this time they got a ringer...

[565]

Edmunds is generally a bit slow with their 0-60 times, and maybe this time they got a ringer...

I've noticed that before their times were rather slow in comparision to the mainstream magazines, but recently they've been getting times closer and closer to the big three, sometimes even doing better.  I guess they are being far more aggressive or have better drivers.

They are also getting much more driver and performance oriented rather than consumer oriented in their reviews and content, especially after they made the Inside Line section.  Before Edmunds was rather dry in their reviews in the past, but now they are entertainingly written.  They also have a great future cars section.

[ro51092]

They're saying the 335i is nearly TWO seconds faster than the 330i, at 4.9?

Impossible, my car probably hits 60 at around the mid-6s. But that's impressive, it'll scare the shit out of an E46 M3.

The 330i's about 0.7 seconds slower, not 2.

C&D clocked the coupe at 4.9, and the sedan at 4.8. This seems to be accurate.

[E46M3]

........ But that's impressive, it'll scare the shit out of an E46 M3.

C&D got a stock E46 M3 0-60 in 4.5 sec.

Anyways, there is more to a car like the M3 than just a straight dash to 60.?

[JYODER240]

C&D got a stock E46 M3 0-60 in 4.5 sec. anyways, there is more to a car like the M3 than just a straight dash to 60.?

On real roads with your average BMW driver it's anyone's race.

[MexicoCityM3]

On real roads with your average BMW driver it's anyone's race.

I (of course) prefer the M3 but must admit it is indeed a driver's race between my car and a 335i in most circumstances.

[LonghornTX]

Alright comparison, however the BMW N54 does not utilize sequential turbocharging as the article states  .  They are probably thinking of the diesels.....

Anyways, pretty easy choice for me.  335i FTW.

[MidnightDave]

Edmunds is coming around, and apparently so is the 3 series! Lexus giving them a run for the money in '06 prompted a major smack down, didn't it?

Oh wait, I have a Lexus, therefore I'm an @sshole, therefore I shouldn't be saying good things about other makes, especially the 3 series!

What is wrong with me?  Now they'll probably want their coffee mug and key chain back!

There's only one good car on the road and it's the one my wife drives, and I must never forget it. Even if I do lust in my heart for a Z06.

[sportyaccordy]

I still think BMW should have brought back the 'big block' 3.5L straight 6...

I choose the Lexus based on principle... they should have brought the G35 in too though

[1 BAD 7]

I agree the E46 M3 is still faster then 335i in straight line and upon reaching the first tight corner M3 would show its superior handling. Between the E46 M3 & 335i the M3 is still the better car with regards to overall performance.

As for Lexus IS350 vs 335i my nod would go to 335i

C&D got a stock E46 M3 0-60 in 4.5 sec.

Anyways, there is more to a car like the M3 than just a straight dash to 60.?

[Danish]

As for Lexus IS350 vs 335i my nod would go to 335i

[850CSi]

[red_shift]

I actually feel BMW 335i is a bit heavy. Addition of turbos increased it's weight to almost 3700 lbs. Meanwhile, if you notice, the 328i is weighing in at the same weight as the old E46 325i with auto. Which means, BMW did cut some weight off the new car, and had it not been for the turbocharging system and the additional driveline and other mechanical reinforcements needed, this car would have been about the same weight as previous, despite being bigger and with a bigger displacement engine. (3 liters v/s 2.5)

EDIT: I like the new IS 350, and it's a very good handler in it's own right, but loses out the edge in sportiness against the 335i. Both however are a bit heavy and that detracts a bit from the performance aspect.

[850CSi]

I actually feel BMW 335i is a bit heavy.

Yeah, but the 328i needs more power.

[SJ_GTI]

Yeah, but the 328i needs more power.

Yes, because 230 HP just can't keep up with traffic nowadays.

[850CSi]

Yes, because 230 HP just can't keep up with traffic nowadays.

You can never have enough...

[red_shift]

Yes, because 230 HP just can't keep up with traffic nowadays.

As it is 185 HP barely gets me to and from work everyday without resorting to pushing.  :P

In all seriousness, for me, power rarely matters. The fact that I can point my car pretty much where I please,
when I please (going slow, fast, dangerously fast, whatever) and have 100% confidence that my car will always do what I want it to do
and sort of 'know' what I want to do well in advance (seriously, don't laugh) means a lot more.

[850CSi]

In all seriousness, for me, power rarely matters. The fact that I can point my car pretty much where I please,
when I please (going slow, fast, dangerously fast, whatever) and have 100% confidence that my car will always do what I want it to do
and sort of 'know' what I want to do well in advance (seriously, don't laugh) means a lot more.

My car does the same thing... But I still want more power. 

[red_shift]

My car does the same thing... But I still want more power.?

It's just that when you increase power, (as a consequence, it's weight) the car needs to be driven more and more at a higher speed to get it to feel lively and sporty. This 'speed threshold of sportiness' gets lower for a lighter car. It's my generalized and simple rule. And I am sure there are exceptions as with any rule. I'm talking about commercial sports sedans not exotics or race cars.

[nickdrinkwater]

That is a ridiculously fast 0-60 for the 335.

[sportyaccordy]

I actually feel BMW 335i is a bit heavy. Addition of turbos increased it's weight to almost 3700 lbs. Meanwhile, if you notice, the 328i is weighing in at the same weight as the old E46 325i with auto. Which means, BMW did cut some weight off the new car, and had it not been for the turbocharging system and the additional driveline and other mechanical reinforcements needed, this car would have been about the same weight as previous, despite being bigger and with a bigger displacement engine. (3 liters v/s 2.5)

EDIT: I like the new IS 350, and it's a very good handler in it's own right, but loses out the edge in sportiness against the 335i. Both however are a bit heavy and that detracts a bit from the performance aspect.

Again I still think BMW should have just gone with the bigger block... they would have saved a lot of weight and money

[850CSi]

Again I still think BMW should have just gone with the bigger block... they would have saved a lot of weight and money

I like the twin turbo but I agree.

[LonghornTX]

Again I still think BMW should have just gone with the bigger block... they would have saved a lot of weight and money

But this would have required a whole NEW engine architecture (because of the design of the R6 block, it cannot be 'bored' out), so really, they would have not saved money  .