I like the looks of both cars..........it would all come down to the drive though. I'd say the both drive very nice, but the edge would probably go to the 330i Sport. I'm not a big fan of the new interiors, but it would probably edge out the IS350 for me. I do love the guages better on that Lexus though.....they look so nice!
Test drive them both back to back and then decide from there..........

(Are you trading in your X5 or selling it?)

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Sold - 2002 X5 3.0i - Steel Gray Metallic/Gray Interior
Mods: DINAN Stage 1 Engine Software; DINAN Stage 1 Transmission Software/OEM 87's!! /OEM Titanium Grill /OEM Chrome Exhaust Tips/OEM White Sidemarkers/OEM White Tail Lights/OEM White 3rd Brake Light/OEM Rubber Floor Mats/OEM Titanium Liftgate Handle/'06 Sport Steering Wheel

2005 Mercedes Benz ML350 Special Edition
2007 Mercedes Benz C230 Sport (for work)
1989 Ford Mustang GT (all original w/80k miles) my TOY!

You've got to think, ever time you would drive in the IS 350 and a 330i went by, would you regret your purchase? Wish you were driving the BMW? I certainly feel envious of other BMW drivers when I have to drive family Mercedes around...

Or if you were driving the 330i would you regret not buying the IS350?

If I was picking I would definitively take the 330i. I for one can not stand Lexus interiors that America has fallen in love with. I find the reddish wood to be extremely cheap and disgusting. Granted new era BMW's dont have the nicest wood anymore, but its not this ugly brown clay colored crap.

I don't know if your much of a spirited driver, but would you be comfortable with the 10 step process to disengage the electric nannies (and they're are a lot on the IS)?

In my opinion the IS is a car that lacks finesse. Sure it has power, but it does so in such an ungraceful way. At least a mercedes has got the badge and the prestige. The IS does it in the most boring way possible, and until they pick nicer wood, make a drivers car, with a manual, its out of the question for me!

P.S. Have you considered the 335i? That should be coming out soon, and would blow the IS 350 out of the water...

Thanks for all the feedback guys. The thing that has hung me up is that the Lexus has such a great resume. It does ride very smoothly but it's at the expense of the connectiveness with the act of driving. The looks are good but as some say, the rear is not that pretty. The tight confines of it are also a big issue. It is cheaper but that difference will be eaten up by the maintenance costs whereas BMW includes "free" maintenance.

I'm almost set on the 330. I am not set on color and options but I'm very partial to the Black Sapphire/Terra or Monaco Blue/Terra. I've got to price it out and see what's available. My dealer just happens to have a Black Sapphire/Terra, Step, PP, SP, Nav, Comfort Access, heated seats, PDC on the boat for his inventory.

I will be keeping the X5. The plan is for the wife to drive the X5 as her daily, we'll keep her aging Infiniti as a beater since it's worth so little, and the 330 will be for me. We'll probably go look at them this weekend so she can put her $0.02 in.

Also, this will be my first lease so advice on that angle will be appreciated.

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The IS350 only comes with an automatic, enough said.

Kevin, go to www.leasecompare.com and play with the numbers. They often beat the dealer's offer, or even BMWFS. Print out their quotes, and take them to the dealer for them to match. They will and you'll end up with even better deal than you've started with

Good luck Kev.

The Black Sapphire will swirl in the sun no matter what. I wax my car at least 2x a year and hand wash it myself, but no matter how much care is taken, you WILL see some swirls...as with all dark color cars. Also, you have to be diligent about washing the car after the rain, else you'll get water spots burned into the paint (clearcoat) being that So Cal rain drops are so pulluted. I already have a few (water spots) burned onto the hood after a couple of years, but still too lazy to break out the clay. But the Sapphire sparkles are so pretty to look at in the sun and it is soooooo nice after a clean wash and wax!

get the E 90

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Dinan M3

2006 X5 4.4i Sport Current Vehicle
2006 CLS 55 AMG Current Vehicle
2010 FORD F-450 King Ranch Current Vehicle
2012 GL 550 Current Vehicle

1999 M3 Dinan S3 SOLD
2001 M3 Dinan S2 SOLD
2002 M5 SOLD
2004 X5 4.4i sport SOLD
2007 335 XI Lease ended
2009 E92 M3 SOLD

no doubt about it .. E90 330i....

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-Amit

2006 BMW X5 3.0i
-Black Sapphire Metallic w/ Truffle Brown Leather and Dark Poplar Wood
-Sport, Automatic, Xenon, BMW Assist, Premium, Cold Weather, Rear Climate, Panaroma, Nav, Heated Steering Wheel, Heated Rear Seats, and more mods to come.

2005 BMW 325i
-Black on Black, Loaded

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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