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      09-20-2016, 08:55 PM   #1
drewdirienzo
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BMW m240i or Lexus is350

Hey all! I have a 2014 BMW 320ix that I am currently leasing! It ends in November of next year. Looking to get out of it come may. I personally hated the 320. Not that quick and nothing really to brag about. So next car I will go a for something I actually want. Been doing some research and I hear the m240 and m235 are a amazing car. But have also heard the same about Lexus. I only want to spend like 42-43k after down payment and such. Question to you guys is which is better deal you think? Do BMW have pull through programs and do they have loyalty money?

Looking for reliability and resale value as well. Thanks again
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      09-20-2016, 08:59 PM   #2
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lexus will probably trump the bmw in terms of reliability and resale.

bmw will be far superior in terms of sportiness and driving mechanics. the lexus will feel like a boat in comparison to the m240.

it all depends on whether you want to prioritize reliability and resale or driving experience. if having a fun car to drive is more important to you or if you ever plan to take your car to the track then you should go with the bmw, no question.
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      09-20-2016, 09:05 PM   #3
drewdirienzo
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aozer View Post
lexus will probably trump the bmw in terms of reliability and resale.

bmw will be far superior in terms of sportiness and driving mechanics. the lexus will feel like a boat in comparison to the m240.

it all depends on whether you want to prioritize reliability and resale or driving experience. if having a fun car to drive is more important to you or if you ever plan to take your car to the track then you should go with the bmw, no question.
Thanks for that info. Can I get a m240 for around that 41-43k mark? Just didn't know if BMW has good deals and programs for current BMW customers
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      09-20-2016, 09:10 PM   #4
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lexus and japanese cars have always felt like an appliance to me whereas many/most of the german cars are more substantial
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      09-20-2016, 10:04 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by drewdirienzo View Post
Thanks for that info. Can I get a m240 for around that 41-43k mark? Just didn't know if BMW has good deals and programs for current BMW customers
I don't think you will be able to get one for 41k. 43k may be possible if you go with the base car with no options but I can't say for sure how BMW treats recurring customers as this is my first BMW.
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      09-21-2016, 03:19 PM   #6
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I bought my '15 m235i new for under $39.6k. And it's not zero option.. car has the driver assist package & the alarm (which wasn't standard until '16). I did Euro delivery, though, when ED's terms were a bit more favorable than they are now.

I think that if you're willing to shop around and be patient, you can probably swing a zero option or near-zero option m240i for around $42k without too much trouble.
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      09-21-2016, 05:16 PM   #7
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Coming from a IS 250 and 350 and now in a m235 - I can honestly say the 2 series crushes the IS series in almost regard. Like someone mentioned above, Lexus builds appliances that sometime get sprinkled with a bit of personality. Also, Lexus reliability is a joke, between the two I've had over 15k in warranty repairs. Maintenance is also ridiculous even though they are Toyota's.

If you have any particular questions, feel free to ask, I've had a lot of experience with lexus and can honestly say I would never go back.

We do have a ct200h that has been pretty good and might keep long term but it's a completely different car that serves a different purpose.
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      09-21-2016, 08:16 PM   #8
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depends what you want, my wife has a Lexus, we got it a few months ago, I really like it. I just cross shopped a IS350 f sport and a 340 m sport for my dad. BMW is a better drivers car, but every feature costs you a lot, and the 2r does not have many. The Lexus has a lot of tech, is fast, and a very nice driver for a very reasonable price. Just depends what you prioritize. For my dad the lexus won out.
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      09-22-2016, 08:38 PM   #9
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Echoing what other people have said, it's about what you want.

The IS350 is a full second slower to 60 and in the 1/4 mile. I haven't driven that model, but my experience driving other Lexuses (Lexi?) is that they feel like Toyotas -- probably because they are. That's not necessarily a bad thing. That means it feels completely uninvolved. In my opinion, Lexus is a luxury car for car dilettantes. If you want a luxury car but want an uninvolving, point A to point B sort of driving experience, it might be a better selection. The 240 may not be an M2 but it's more of a sports car than the IS350 and is a better choice for someone who wants that driving experience.
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      09-23-2016, 11:00 PM   #10
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As to pricing next May, it will be anyone's guess, depending upon what BMW needs to do to move the metal. Trunk money, loyalty rewards, subsidized financing are all possibilities depending on market conditions at the time. I bought my 235 last year, ordered in May just before the holiday weekend, and got an invoice deal without any effort. Who knows what they will be doing next May, but being the end of the annual production run, they are usually rather price friendly.
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      09-24-2016, 06:48 AM   #11
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Interesting discussion. I was expecting much more hate on the Lexus. I really wish they had manual transmission and that is a deal breaker for me in a sports car.

On top of being more reliable, I'd say they might be quieter and more comfortable than a BMW. This guy here tells what he thinks about the IS 250 (and compares with the 350). He said that the gear shifts are kind of slow. THAT I know that the M235i/M240i is really fast on the automatic version.
I would probably buy one of these for my wife as she doesn't like manuals.

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      09-24-2016, 07:42 AM   #12
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Lexus (toyota) cars have always felt like appliances to me
They tend to be quite reliable and toyota USUALLY just takes care of significant defects in and outside of warranty period which is significant

I just cant get past the butt ugly front grill and lack of MT for something thats supposed to be sports car oriented

I hate slushboxes and even with paddles....they are always in the wrong place to allow you to shift when the slushbox fails to anticipate the correct gear selection

Just give me a MT and a clutch and stop trying to shove AT's down my throat to save on manufacturing costs and stocking issues

Because of this. Lexus was elimited from the list of possibilities fairly early on for me
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      09-25-2016, 01:05 AM   #13
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I used to drive a 2015 Lexus ES 350, although not exactly what the subject asks about but I thought maybe I'd input some of my personal experience here.

I took over the 2015 Lexus ES 350 in November of 2015 from my late father. It was a nice and neat car to begin with but unfortunately the damn car was heavy. With such a heavy car, the 3.5L 268hp engine just wasn't making me fall in love at all. I thought maybe I'd drive it for 2 years and see how I felt about it -- it didn't last.

First off, I drove the car primarily in Eco mode however changing over to sport mode occasionally for that throttle response. The engine response still wasn't that quick to me and the 3.5L naturally aspirated engine didn't come alive. The suspension was way too soft and let's be real here, it's a glorified Camry. By April of 2016 I gave up on trying to love the car and started looking for cars. I test drove the 2016 Mini Cooper S & JCW and fell in love with the engine response and fun to drive factor. When I came across the M235i I was sold. I signed the papers on May 9th and took ownership in July 28th. Honestly, those 11.5 weeks of waiting was the most painful of all cause I wasn't even inclined to drive my Lexus. I ended up putting only an additional 600km (370miles) on the odometer during the wait of my M235i. I opted to take the bus to work or my wife's Mini Countryman to work rather than to drive the Lexus.

Don't get me wrong though, I'm sure the Lexus is a great car to those who would like to drive it comfortably. I personally prefer driving a sporty yet luxury car over a decked out Toyota.
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      09-25-2016, 08:31 PM   #14
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your wife wants you to get the lexus...

Your inner child wants the bimmer.

Choose your battles wisely.
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      09-26-2016, 04:15 PM   #15
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I bought my wife a 2015 Lexus IS350 F sport because she said she "loved it". I have a 2014 m235i w/ a manual. So I have a very good idea of the 2 cars you are comparing.

Personally I thought the IS F sport interior was great. Seats were very sporty and comfortable, tach was very cool too. The infotainment was the worst I've ever used. As far as looks... some days I thought it looked great and other day I didn't like it. Driving was boring, just felt slow to me and AT cars to me just aren't as fun. The suspension just didn't feel right to me but I would say the same about the stock m235i suspension (to a lesser degree). At idle the IS had a ticking sound that bothered me, sounded cheap.

My wife after 6 months decided she didn't like it and I traded it in for an RX (tried to get her in a x3 but she just wanted the lexus ?)

The m235 is more fun, faster, and is actually a pretty reliable car. I'd go with the m235i if I didn't need more space. But of course on this forum that's what most of us will say. A Lexus forum will say the opposite.
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      09-26-2016, 08:00 PM   #16
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I actually compared the IS350 F-Sport with the M235i back in May. I bought the M235i. I was coming from a 2013 IS 250 F-Sport, so I knew what to expect the from the Lexus. I didn't buy it based on the following:

1. The IS 350 didn't have the "put you back in your seat" type acceleration I was looking for. Honestly, it didn't feel much faster than my IS 250. That was surprising because it had more than 100 more HP than my IS250. It was probably because...

2. The transmission was constantly shifting into the highest gear it possibly could. It felt confused most of the time and had no idea what I wanted.

3. The infotainment system. Holy crap. A trackball, mouse, pointer thing? What the hell is that thing? My 2013 IS had a touchscreen that was perfectly usable. That mouse thingie? Forget it. I actually asked the sales guy, "Do people actually like this thing?" Seriously, this thing is dreadful.

4. The fake engine noise. I noticed this immediately. It's obvious and annoying. Sounds very synthetic. I didn't even notice the M235i fake sound until I read a through on here.

I really wanted to like the IS 350. I test drove it twice and even worked the numbers into a very favorable deal. In the end I walked away...and over to the BMW dealership.
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      10-02-2016, 11:35 PM   #17
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I just turned in a 2015 Lexus IS350 F Sport for a 2017 M240i. It was okay but after driving a BMW M for so long, switching the IS felt so much more slow and boring. Then as my lease was about up, I tried the M240i and that feeling of fun came back to me as I drove. I remember the smile coming back to my face. The IS just became a daily normal driver that just cruised. It was mundane to me as my normal hour long commute. So I am happy to get back into a BMW. But that's just me. =)
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      10-07-2016, 11:31 AM   #18
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Having spent extensive time in both (mom has the IS), the M235i is a much better drivers car. The Lexus isn't a bad car. The interior is a great place to spend time. Driving dynamics are good for Lexus/Toyota but that car just doesn't have the same mission. Despite the HP rating of the IS350, the BMW is significantly faster. The only thing that I feel is better on the Lexus on the driving side? Steering feel.
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      10-07-2016, 12:04 PM   #19
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Went to test drive both, both dealers are on the same block. Did M235i first then IS350 F-Sport, I eventually went back to drive the 2 again and never went back to the Lexus dealer. I already have a Camry V6 so no point in getting two Sedans for me. Love the 235 so far.
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      10-08-2016, 12:15 PM   #20
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While I can't speak to the current IS line, I came out of a 2001 Lexus IS300 as the original owner into the M240i. I can tell you the claims of Lexus reliability were partly founded on the IS300, which for me was an incredibly reliable car. Throughout 15+ years of ownership I had an O2 sensor replaced about a year ago, and a tail light a couple of years ago and that is it as far as unscheduled maintenance! Can't vouch for the current reliability, but that's what I saw. As far as resale value, sold it a couple of weeks ago for $5,500.

In 2001, an IS300 with a 0-60 time of 7.1s was pretty much on par with the 3 series across the board. That said, driving the M240i was an insane leap in performance for me. Cost wise you will have to take a hard look at the numbers. I was able to negotiate an $1800 below invoice deal on my car, but it was loaded. I think if you are leaning toward performance and willing to give up some options, a stripper M240i would be the way to go. Good luck!
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      10-08-2016, 09:55 PM   #21
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I wish my M235 had a beige leather interior from the IS
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      10-15-2016, 01:32 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RotorOver View Post
While I can't speak to the current IS line, I came out of a 2001 Lexus IS300 as the original owner into the M240i. I can tell you the claims of Lexus reliability were partly founded on the IS300, which for me was an incredibly reliable car. Throughout 15+ years of ownership I had an O2 sensor replaced about a year ago, and a tail light a couple of years ago and that is it as far as unscheduled maintenance! Can't vouch for the current reliability, but that's what I saw. As far as resale value, sold it a couple of weeks ago for $5,500.

In 2001, an IS300 with a 0-60 time of 7.1s was pretty much on par with the 3 series across the board. That said, driving the M240i was an insane leap in performance for me. Cost wise you will have to take a hard look at the numbers. I was able to negotiate an $1800 below invoice deal on my car, but it was loaded. I think if you are leaning toward performance and willing to give up some options, a stripper M240i would be the way to go. Good luck!
Wow, and I thought i got a great deal at invoice, which was 7-8% off msrp. kudos to negotiations.
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