Lexus or BMW

gam3r

gam3r

gam3r

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In the process of looking for a new car after getting rid of my focus, and i'm tied between the two:

Lexus IS200(V reg onwards) v BMW E46 3 Series

How does one care compare against the other, how do the running costs compare and which one would you pick? I've got about £5.5k.

Thanks
 
The Lexus will be more reliable probably, while the BMW will feel more like a premium product. Both drive well but the beemer probably has the edge, Altezza RS200 is another story but we don't get that so it's probably irrelevant.

Test both and pick the one you like best would be my opinion.
 
The IS200 is dull, but very well specced, the E46 is the better car to drive assuming you dont get the stupidly slow 318.
 
is200 is pants, new it was a resonable alterantive to the pants 318i (1.9 before mrk pipes up). A newer repmobile would be a better bet if running costs are an issue or just get th e46
 
Go try both and see what you think. I voted with my wallet and bought the E46, despite wanting to really like the IS200.
 
Cool - glad I saw this thread as I'm off to look at some IS200 tomorrow, the old shape ones... one a 05 plate 2.0S with 30k on the clock, and the other a 04 plate 2.0SE with 36k miles. Both asking the same amount of money - one's at a Jag dealer and the other's at a family-run garage (not sure which one will be more flexible on price).

Sone said:
is200 is pants, new it was a resonable alterantive to the pants 318i (1.9 before mrk pipes up). A newer repmobile would be a better bet if running costs are an issue or just get th e46
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What is it that's pants about them, mate? Anything in particular I should look out for?

Mr_Sukebe said:
Go try both and see what you think. I voted with my wallet and bought the E46, despite wanting to really like the IS200.
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Again, same question to you, mate. Was there something in particular that put you off the Lexus, or conversely, was there something about the E46 that doesn't apply to the Lexus that swung it for you?


Thanks.
 
Looking at both from the insurance point of view they are pretty much the same for me, unless i pick a 330 or a 320d..

I'm going to see a E46 on Sunday, whats to look out for in general? its a 2002 plate, 63k on the clock.

Thanks
 
2blue4u said:
I've had a 3 series and I have an IS250 now. Lexus every time. Have you considered the 250?
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He is spending about £5-6k which is nowhere near enough for the IS250. The previous generation IS came only in IS200 and the far, far rarer IS300 guise. It was a considerably different car to the IS you drive - the first IS was a posh Toyota, your IS is a genuinelly credible compact executive.
 
gam3r said:
Lexus IS200(V reg onwards) v BMW E46 3 Series

How does one care compare against the other, how do the running costs compare and which one would you pick? I've got about £5.5k.
Click to expand...

For £5.5k, the E46 is the better car. You could buy a nice, good condition, well maintained FBMWSH 320/323/325, possibly even a 330 for that money. Obviously you'll be looking at facelift saloon or coupe.

The Lexus will be more reliable and cheaper to run in terms of maintenance but you'll have limited engine choice (ie one engine!) which although only a 2.0 will attract one of the highest tax bands, and it doesn't have particularly good performance nor very good fuel economy (around 25mpg overall in all conditions) because the car weighs a lot for its size and you have to rag the engine to make progress. Don't think the 3.0 comes within budget but I could be wrong.

The lower the budget, the more attractive, the Lexus becomes. So at £3.5k - £4k, my vote would be the Lexus (unless you're prepared to throw maintenance money at an E46)
 
[TW]Fox;13493824 said:
The 1.9 318i is ridiculously slow, defeats the point in buying a BMW.
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I meant why he considered the is200 pants, not the BMW. Thanks anyway.

After seeing this video, I'm thinking about getting a Trabant instead - not sure if my nipper would like me dropping him off at school driving it though. :D

 
Anyone know of any good websites to look at used E46's?

Looked on pistonheads and autotrader, i dont like a lot of them and the one i did like is now sold!
 
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Is a facelift model realistic with my budget? I've found a few, but i've mostly found the old shape so far on piston heads/autotrader!
 
went to see a bmw 316i se 2002 today, the advert looked good but it was not in good shape, there was a big dent in the body work and the engine made a loud ticking sound and the guy said it was something to do with the chains or something, had no mot which made me even more suspicious(this is a dealer bear in mind)

car was up for £4699, he offered it to me for £3500 with all the faults, but said if i wanted everything fixed he would charge me £4699. He said the engine work alone would cost £700 to fix.

decided to steer clear from it.

so hard to find a decent motor, nothing on piston heads or autotrader!
 
Welcome to the world of sub 5 grand BMW's. Unless they are really old (ie the odd mint 328i Sport for £4k) then they are just a pain and best avoided.
 
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