Lexus "Driving" Experience

[4MoJoe]

Originally Posted by 4MoJoe

We are looking at moving up to the 5 from our 3 if we like it. Otherwise probably 335d or the EV ActiveE.

I have looked at the 5 in the showroom and I like what I see there. I'll report in when I'm done driving it!

I participated in the drive event 2 weeks ago. It was actually a pretty neat experience. The course they setup started on the freeway and then to a very twisty road and then city surface streets. I only got to compare the 5 series and the Mercedes E350 because of the amount of people.

The Mercedes was a nice looking car but first thing in the car and the controls were a big departure from BMW. I kept hitting the seat adjustments with my left elbow (yes, they are on the door)...there were 4 levers around the steering wheel and cruise on the left was so close to the turn signal you had to think twice before you went to turn the signal on. Overall I thought the controls were flimsy and not all that well laid out. Just like my X5 it would take time to become accustomed to them - but not intuitive.

It was definitely a road car for highway but when I went into the twisties is where it lost it...where the 5 series would dive into a turn the E350 plowed through corners and the steering was too light and vague for my tastes. Stomp on the gas and there is noticeable lag and lots of noise. One thing I noticed was how long the snout was on the E350 - seemed to stick out so far and high into my forward field of vision.

When I got into the 5 I was at least familiar with controls because of my X5. Throttle response amazing, handling, quietness were all quite nice IMHO. I had the most fun in the twisty road with the 5 where is just handled the up hill curves amazing and same for downhill (Canyon road in Portland I think is what it's called). Razor sharp handling and I having never driven a 5 before was really impressed (believe it was the 535). I would definitely lean to the 5 as a replacement to our 325i.

I looked at the 3, 7 and another X5 (gas version) and quickly drove the Lexus RX350 - really not my cup o tea.

All in all different buyers for the Lexus and Mercedes model - for some I'm sure the pillow top ride of the Merc is what they want and not the solid glued-to-the-road-feel of the BMW 535.

I'm glad I went and compared and I got my $1,000 voucher towards another BMW which was a nice bonus.

Some car porn pictures of the cars: