The problem is buying these luxury sports sedan is really not about necessity, but more about the emotion involved. You can rationalize the purchase all you want, but in the end of the day, which car would YOU be most happy to be in and drive day in and day out.

The Lexus IS350 306 hp engine is great.....but all that power without decent control is not as fun. No 6-speed manual yet. Back seat room is tight and it still looks like a Toyota, but a very nice Toyota. No maintainance plan.

The 330i pros: decent engine 255hp is still nothing to sneeze at....heck the E36 M3 had 240hp....6-speed manual is amazing and even the 6-speed slushbox is great for a slushbox. Interior has been Banglized but still decent ergonomics and if you do get the iDrive is not that bad. Chassis rigidity and handling is awesome (get the sports package). Maintainance plan....Cons: typical BMW electronic bugs, but in the past the 3-series has had better reliability than other BMWs, less HP than the IS, expensive runflat tires.

The steering feedback is not there in the Lexus vs the BMW. They both cost about the same give or take. Lexus has more standard stuff, but no maintainance plan. You already have a relationship with your BMW dealer.

I don't understand the "black/darker color" for your neck of the woods, but then again, I have carbon black as well.

IMHO, I would be happier with the 330i because the handling, ride, and chassis. The Lexus IS350 has a choppier ride believe it or not in my opinion. BMW has fine tuned the sports sedan market for years and BMW has gotten it down pat, but Lexus is close. Plus, remember your old E30 M3? This 330i would blow it away! Stay in the BMW family!

Out of the new Bangle style, the new 3-series is best looking new BMW in awhile. Actually, the exterior was design by a Japanese designer who originally design the E39 exterior as well.

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