Lexus IS350 vs BMW 335i

By Benjamin Cyr

Round 3: performance and handling

Here we are! The all important round we’re we will crown the quickest and better performing sedan on the road or the track.
Let’s start with the exciting Lexus. The automatic transmission accepted, it clocked 0-100 km/h in 5.66 seconds and 400 metres in exactly 14.0 seconds. In gear acceleration shines if you’re using the manual mode. Left in normal mode, certain delays occur, notably when downshifting to tackle the 80-120 km/h range. The steering-wheel mounted paddles notwithstanding, the sensation does not equal that of a manual transmission. The slow shifting problem, sadly, shows up in the manual as well.

The Lexus is surprisingly stable in the turns. Precise would be apt in describing the steering, though sometimes it can feel artificial. The masterful calibration of the suspensions means excellent balance between performance and comfort. The sedan remains stable even at high speeds until the adherence limit is reached, at which point the rear starts to skid. Then, a number of electronic systems come alive, which diminish driving pleasure somewhat. The automatic activation of these systems at also gives you the distinct feeling that you are not in control anymore. Power to all wheels falls and the brakes tend to the problem in an effort to stabilize the car. Once deactivated, the system will spring back into action at the slightest spin or slide.

Here’s an interesting fact: if you press the system’s control knob for about ten seconds, the stability and traction correction system deactivate. Now, you can have fun discovering the real limits of the Lexus, especially one loaded with the sports group package (like our test model). Now, the suspension firms up, the wheels are 18 inches instead of 17 and the tires gain adhesion with the 225/40 in front and the 255/40 at the rear.

The results impress even more at BMW! Buckle up because acceleration is comparable to the present M3. We clocked a time of 5.42 seconds on the way to 100km/h and a quarter mile in 13.7 seconds after a couple of trial runs with the manual transmission.  

In gear acceleration rates as highly, given the great torque at such a low speed. It felt like driving a big V8 machine. Here’s the missing feature in the prior series 3: torque on take off!  You’ve got to hear, however, the tailpipe music; a veritable concerto!

Driving this 335i means pleasure, as does driving most BMW products. The weight distribution between front and rear could not be better, thus providing superb stability. It never falters, even when pushed to the limit. The steering delivers all the information needed to appreciate every second. When it’s slowdown time, the huge disk brakes go to work without flinching. What a perfect balance! Note that our 335i carried the sports group package and rolled on 18 inch wheels.
The electronic systems, of course, spring into action when the car reaches a certain limit but it can be deactivated, like the one onboard the Lexus. The handling and adhesion limits, I must admit, are not as extreme as those of the M3. The suspensions on the 335i seem a little softer and the rear differential lacks the limited slip which affects acceleration at the other end of a curve with the traction control system turned off. These observations, however, hold only for traction limits on a closed track.

Winner of the 3rd round: BMW 335i

Round 4: price and factory package

Though the two carry similar price tags, the Lexus goes for $3000 less (49,000 vs.51, 000) and has a richer factory package. A simple addition like electric seats will cost extra at the Bavarian shop, not to mention the options group’s spicy price tag. Certain options prices at Lexus will also stun but the car already carries the essentials in the factory installation.

Winner of the fourth and final round: Lexus IS350