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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Hey, Tyson and his wife can't believe you are considering a Toyota. After you convince Tyson and J to get a 5-series and then a X5, then you jump ship to Lexus?

Anyhow, J told me to tell you that.....

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You guys are ganging up on me. I hve owned a couple of Toyota trucks and they are great. Nothing is done yet. I'm now thinking about fulfilling one of my goals of Euro delivery. That is very kewl.

I'm going to the dealer on Saturday, I hope, to check things out more and let the wifey check out the E90. I guess as a married guy I'm supposed to have my wife weigh in on these things.

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Agreed, must get the CEO's approval. Anyhow Tyson is sending J with the X5 here so I can upgrade their nav to V27.

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now here's an idea.. why not wait for the 335i since you're not desperate to get a car right now? If I would have to choose between the 330i and the IS, I would pick the IS...

I have thought about that and have pretty much ruled it out for several reasons. My dealer has no clue when it will come out and I think that when it does it will take some time because of the roll out of the coupes and cabs. The idea of a turbo is not too attractive given that I live somewhere that gets so hot and turbos don't like heat. The cost is going to significantly more than the 330. That's my guess anyway. I really want to keep the cost of this next car down so that is why I have canceled plans for an S4 and I will likely sell my #1 priority for the E90 M3. While I'm not in a huge rush, the sooner I get it the sooner I get to drive it.

I know you really like the IS but I think if it were you you'd get the IS 350 and dump it in a year whereas what I buy I'll keep for 3 years. I know you and you couldn't help but get bored of it. On to the next sweet ride!

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