Test drove the Lexus ES350 today...am I spoiled?
11-15-2010, 02:29 AM
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11-15-2010, 05:06 AM
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11-15-2010, 05:36 AM
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Yeah, it helps to state the fact no matter how many times it is said. 
If I do get the 528i, I will definitely get one with factory warranty plus CPO for sure. Without it, I will die soon in a heart attack while driving.
Now whenever I drive my 330Ci I always sub consiciously glance at the dash gauge from time to time waiting for some alert lights to pop up. LOL
If I do get the 528i, I will definitely get one with factory warranty plus CPO for sure. Without it, I will die soon in a heart attack while driving.
Now whenever I drive my 330Ci I always sub consiciously glance at the dash gauge from time to time waiting for some alert lights to pop up. LOL
they still sell a few 07s under CPO and you can get one under 30k. this is what i did when i got my car, and i agree that the 528i felt sluggish. the 530i feels a ton better...these cars are too big to have less than 250hp IMO.
my friend has an MB E class, and i don't like the interior at all. i think the bmw is more aesthetically pleasing. plus with the 5 series you always get the idrive, and that adds to the nice feel of the inside of a bmw.
11-15-2010, 07:05 AM
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My Ride: 2008 535i:
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I had a couple of 328i loaners and really noticed the lack of power compared to a 535i. I honestly felt like I was driving a Honda Civic, but I figured I was just spoiled.
Then a work colleague bought a 328i and drove me to lunch in it. I asked her how she liked the car and she immediately complained about the weak motor - putting it in DS didn't change her opinion. Her previous car was a toyota 4runner.
I had a couple of 328i loaners and really noticed the lack of power compared to a 535i. I honestly felt like I was driving a Honda Civic, but I figured I was just spoiled.
Then a work colleague bought a 328i and drove me to lunch in it. I asked her how she liked the car and she immediately complained about the weak motor - putting it in DS didn't change her opinion. Her previous car was a toyota 4runner.
11-15-2010, 07:36 AM
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I have been looking for a commute car for months, and my candidates are BMW 5-series, MB E350, Infiniti G37 sedan and Lexus ES350.
So for I have test driven 2008 528i, 2011 G37 and today 2010 Lexus ES350. The G37 is sporty but the ride is bumpy and noisy. The 528i (no sport package) rides nice and handles well but a bit lacking in power.
The Lexus ES350 rides smooth and quiet, but I simply cannot make the highway on/off ramp without slowing to a crawl, and the brakes suck big time. I had high hopes for the Lexus since it is probably the most reliable and the quietest car in the group and thought I could sacrifice a little on the driving. However, it just left too much to be desired. BTW, when I was at the dealer today, the shoppers were all over 50. I looked too young to belong there. LOL
I don't want to look rich in the MB so now it seems the 5-series is my only choice. But my concern with its long term reliability really makes me very hesitant. My ownership with the 330Ci so far hasn't help with my confidence.
So what do you say? Is 2008-09 528i better than the E46 quality wise?
So for I have test driven 2008 528i, 2011 G37 and today 2010 Lexus ES350. The G37 is sporty but the ride is bumpy and noisy. The 528i (no sport package) rides nice and handles well but a bit lacking in power.
The Lexus ES350 rides smooth and quiet, but I simply cannot make the highway on/off ramp without slowing to a crawl, and the brakes suck big time. I had high hopes for the Lexus since it is probably the most reliable and the quietest car in the group and thought I could sacrifice a little on the driving. However, it just left too much to be desired. BTW, when I was at the dealer today, the shoppers were all over 50. I looked too young to belong there. LOL
I don't want to look rich in the MB so now it seems the 5-series is my only choice. But my concern with its long term reliability really makes me very hesitant. My ownership with the 330Ci so far hasn't help with my confidence.
So what do you say? Is 2008-09 528i better than the E46 quality wise?
) get a 1-2 year old Ford Taurus. They are available CHEAP even with some gadgets, big, safe, comfortable, reliable (in black you'll run under police radar too). Then use your extra cash to party on the weekends. The others you list, especially if you pile on the miles, will depreciate like a rock ...
11-15-2010, 08:19 AM
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+1000
I had a couple of 328i loaners and really noticed the lack of power compared to a 535i. I honestly felt like I was driving a Honda Civic, but I figured I was just spoiled.
Then a work colleague bought a 328i and drove me to lunch in it. I asked her how she liked the car and she immediately complained about the weak motor - putting it in DS didn't change her opinion. Her previous car was a toyota 4runner.
I had a couple of 328i loaners and really noticed the lack of power compared to a 535i. I honestly felt like I was driving a Honda Civic, but I figured I was just spoiled.
Then a work colleague bought a 328i and drove me to lunch in it. I asked her how she liked the car and she immediately complained about the weak motor - putting it in DS didn't change her opinion. Her previous car was a toyota 4runner.
11-15-2010, 11:35 AM
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I have driven a G37 several times and the car never seems to know which gear to be in. Any consideration to the Lexus IS? I have never driven it, but it looks a bit more sporty, so may drive a touch more sporty 
11-15-2010, 01:04 PM
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G37 was what I was buying before I bought my 528i. Other than the extremely poor serice from the salesman I was dealing with at multiple dealerships, it is a nice car. Smaller than my E60, not half as comfortable, but still a nice car. Had I been treated a little better I would probably be driving one today...
11-15-2010, 01:22 PM
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Have the ES350 and the 528i....so far the 528i has been reliable as the ES350. Even though the ES350 is bigger then my 528i...and has a larger engine a 3.5 V6 that does 0-60 much quicker then my 528i....the 528i also gets much better MPG then the ES350...I enjoy driving the 528i so much more! BECAUSE in the ES350 handling is not so good...and when you WOT it the gears sometimes does very rough upshift. My 528i WOT is very fun....smooth and silky 
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The ES350 is very smooth nice comfortable ride...its also loaded with features my 528i does not have....HIDS, Parking Sensors, Ventilated Seats...its a great car but you can't compare it to the 528i. I would suggest the 3G GS line to compare with the 528i....was juggling between 06 GS300 or the 07 ES350...both cars were fully loaded....even the same color combos...but in the end chose the ES350.
On a side note the GS460 or GS450...one of them? Does 0-60 in 4.7 seconds. All the 3G GS are very powerful sedans perhaps the next Lexus in the house will be a GS 3G. Had a G35 sedan didn't like it. I don't know what your talking about look rich in a MB...you would like flashy rich in all these cars....lexus, bmw, infiniti, MB they are LUXURY cars. I dislike E class...I would rather take the ES350 over the E class.
And yes the ES350 is geared towards the older crowd as most of the Lexus cars are....only the IS line seems to have the young people in it...but it don't matter tint the windows if you are concerned about that
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My 528i does not have high miles yet...the ES350 gets driven much more its used for a long commute and long travels put about 9k miles in 6 months on it....I suggest if you care about reliability and that is your number one choice and you should stick with the ES350....
Have you considered Acura? I did not since the new designs look UGLY.
.The ES350 is very smooth nice comfortable ride...its also loaded with features my 528i does not have....HIDS, Parking Sensors, Ventilated Seats...its a great car but you can't compare it to the 528i. I would suggest the 3G GS line to compare with the 528i....was juggling between 06 GS300 or the 07 ES350...both cars were fully loaded....even the same color combos...but in the end chose the ES350.
On a side note the GS460 or GS450...one of them? Does 0-60 in 4.7 seconds. All the 3G GS are very powerful sedans perhaps the next Lexus in the house will be a GS 3G. Had a G35 sedan didn't like it. I don't know what your talking about look rich in a MB...you would like flashy rich in all these cars....lexus, bmw, infiniti, MB they are LUXURY cars. I dislike E class...I would rather take the ES350 over the E class.
And yes the ES350 is geared towards the older crowd as most of the Lexus cars are....only the IS line seems to have the young people in it...but it don't matter tint the windows if you are concerned about that
.My 528i does not have high miles yet...the ES350 gets driven much more its used for a long commute and long travels put about 9k miles in 6 months on it....I suggest if you care about reliability and that is your number one choice and you should stick with the ES350....
Have you considered Acura? I did not since the new designs look UGLY.