[luxman999]

Well, BMW 3 series practically created the sport-sedan category, so it certainly deserves the respect.

However, I really don't think it's about which car is 1st place or better than the other. Both IS350 and 330i are great cars. Some people will like 330i over IS350 and the others will like IS350 better. I'm sure even among the C&D editors, some may actually preferred IS350 over 330i for whatever reason.

But one thing is for sure. The new IS350 will be offering, maybe for the first time ever, a genuine alternative choice to many potential 330i buyers. I really believe this is a good thing for all BMW owners because it will motivate BMW to come up with even better cars to compete with cars like IS350.

330i may still leads in some areas like BMW reputation, handling feel and others. But new IS350 will edge over 330i in the areas like reliability, acceleration, comfort, dealer service (I had both Lexus and BMW and Lexus service level is 100% better than BMW), better navigation and no iDrive.

[JVFan]

Originally Posted by ward

the IS isn't even available yet,

it's altogether possible that they gave the magazine a ringer, or a car that'd been blueprinted in every way possible.

cars are built to such close tolerances that you won't just accidentaly get a car that's a full second faster than all the rest.

5.1 is not a real number to me until I see similar times from other tests

It is here...I saw one on the Queen ELizabeth II highway thiws past weekend. Just like 5.6 was not a real number for the 330 that CD gave it initially a few months ago.

[NaTuReB0Y]

"gotta-have-it factor?" What kind of grading system is that?

[heezyo2o]

Originally Posted by ethanthomas

I've subscribed to C&D since I was 8, their point tally system has been an issue before. The itemized points do not necessarily add up to the catagory total, I can't remember exactly why, but it doesn't have anything to do with a BMW bias.

I haven't read C&D for awhile, but this is how I remember it. They include subjective ratings in their "final score."

Even though the IS350 tested faster than expected, I don't believe there is any error on C&D's part. Perhaps, they were given a souped up version from lexus or maybe the engine is underrated, but I do believe that the times listed were achieved by C&D.

[human]

This may be a little off-topic, but when I see the Lexus "L" logo, I think of "loser." Not for any particular reason. It's just the first thought that comes to mind. For this reason alone, I could never buy a Lexus no matter how good it is. Thanks everyone for letting me get that off my chest.

[ward]

Originally Posted by NaTuReB0Y

"gotta-have-it factor?" What kind of grading system is that?

what's wrong with that? it's almost like a

does this car look cool
will it turn heads
does it have slick tech in it

it's a random factor they can use to help put the car they like the best in the winner circle.

just becuase a car's the fastest, or puts up the best cornering numbers does not mean it's the best car. There are so many intangible things about the car driving experience that you can't rate with a stopwatch, and that's part of what that factor is in the points for.

[NaTuReB0Y]

Originally Posted by ward

what's wrong with that? it's almost like a

does this car look cool
will it turn heads
does it have slick tech in it

it's a random factor they can use to help put the car they like the best in the winner circle.

just becuase a car's the fastest, or puts up the best cornering numbers does not mean it's the best car. There are so many intangible things about the car driving experience that you can't rate with a stopwatch, and that's part of what that factor is in the points for.

I know...but who da' hell determines what other people
like......i.e. they gave the Saab 9-3 a 10 out of 25...I would have given it a 0! What makes a TL a 19....and a G35 a 20? Not in my opinion! Results like this should be based on Numbers/objectives........not subjective = biased!

FUN TO DRIVE: 25/25!

[ward]

Originally Posted by NaTuReB0Y

I know...but who da' hell determines what other people
like......i.e. they gave the Saab 9-3 a 10 out of 25...I would have given it a 0! What makes a TL a 19....and a G35 a 20? Not in my opinion! Results like this should be based on Numbers/objectives........not subjective = biased!

FUN TO DRIVE: 25/25!

if it was only objective, they wouldn't need writers. just test drivers and stopwatches.

when I bought my car I didn't read through the magazines and just buy the one that was fastest to 60 or had the best skidpad number.

There is alot more to a car than the objective hard numbers, or we'd all be driving mitsubishi evo's and subaru STI's

[bcaslis]

You said it! If went with numbers, I look at features, H.P., and price and buy an Acura TL. Instead, I went with driving feel and other subjectives and ended up with the 330i.

[NaTuReB0Y]

I guess that's why I ended up my 330i.....

Man....I gotta get the IS350 out of my head.....

There's a 0.01% chance that I might trade my E90 for it...... again!

[wattz]

For the record. the IS250 204hp and IS350 306 hp are based off the new CORRECTED SAE ratings. So the 306 is (roughly 325hp per Lexus Tech Instructor)

[yoandry]

The end!

[hpowders]

The other posters may all be dead.

[tmo24]

Holy thread reincarnation.

[Want]

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

A bump from 05. Wow.

[Brey335i]

Originally Posted by yoandry

So end this!

What does that even mean? Must be necromancer speech....

[FVM3]

is350 is so fast...and a4 is slower then what i expected

[CAPSGOD]

9/10 for exterior on a pre LCI E90 I would take the BMW every time but its obvious they bumped up a few points to make it win

[username604]

Originally Posted by CAPSGOD

9/10 for exterior on a pre LCI

I thought that the e90 actually looked quite snazzy 5 years ago. It has aged since tho

[shazzy04]

I actually enjoyed reading that. Thanks!

[ryan970]

why no MERC