Lexus finishes fourth in WhatCar magazine's group test of the BMW 3-series, Mercedes C-class, Audi A4 and Lexus IS

Sport submitted on 06/28/2007 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 11:06 AM
from: www.bmw.co.uk

[54] user comments | category: New Cars

Tags: BMW 3-series, Mercedes C-class, Audi A4, Lexus IS

Tag Links:

BMW 3-series

Mercedes C-class

Audi A4

Lexus IS

Lexus finishes fourth in WhatCar magazine's group test of the BMW 3-series, Mercedes C-class, Audi A4 and Lexus IS

Found the article on BMW's UK web site.

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Whatcar? Group Test
14/06/2007

Arch rivals

Another easy victory for the 3 Series? No. The BMW wins, but the margin of victory is narrow. In M Sport trim it’s the best sports saloon here by a long way, with the kind of drive that you could end up paying a lot more money for. Unfortunately, the stiff suspension that creates such a precise feel brings with it an unforgiving ride. Some will find it too hard, but given that we’re testing the sporty versions of these cars, we feel that it’s something most buyers will be willing to live with. Otherwise the 3 Series’ virtues remain intact. Its flexible engine, high-quality cabin and excellent refinement are major strengths, but it’s the BMW’s low ownership costs that really give it the edge here.

Read Article

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chuck717 - 6/28/2007 11:36:57 AM

+6 Boost

Mark this date down, JD Powers has Lexus in a free fall and now Lexus is fourth in group testing.
Look for all you Lexus fans remember one thing, Babe Ruth is a icon, but he did lead the Majors in strike outs?

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mitchatlexusofmarin - 6/28/2007 2:45:17 PM

0 Boost

Um okay- Lexus is collapsing.

SevorbeupstryIsBack - 6/28/2007 12:12:19 PM

+5 Boost

Still can't beat the Germans.

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SevorbeupstryIsBack - 6/28/2007 12:13:03 PM

+1 Boost

But then again the IS220d is complete rubbish.

chewy - 6/29/2007 1:58:25 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Has the numbers, but looks like they are empty with the Lexus diesel not delivering actual power to the wheels.

SevorbeupstryIsBack - 6/28/2007 12:15:32 PM

+2 Boost

Mind you, the 2008 320d with 177 hp and Efficient Dynamics will totally blow the Lex away.

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Bmw8ter - 6/28/2007 12:43:56 PM

+5 Boost

Exactly....even Lexus lovers could have predicted this outcome. It's already been determined from past reviews, that the Lexus 220d can't compete with the other diesels.

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SupraNeverBack - 6/28/2007 12:47:33 PM

+1 Boost

You guys should read Emunds' full test on Benz C350 Sport. I warn you though, the results are ugly...

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SevorbeupstryIsBack - 6/28/2007 2:41:24 PM

+2 Boost

Show me.

Matthew1 - 6/28/2007 11:59:18 PM

+1 Boost

Oh you mean this AWFUL conclusion-

"Bottom Line:
Within the ultracompetitive segment of entry-level luxury-performance sedans, the 2008 C350 hits the bull's eye several times, but misses two crucial targets: engine output and styling."

Looks like the C-Class is doomed to failure!

printhan - 6/28/2007 1:12:53 PM

0 Boost

Lexus is a another camry!!
i wldn't wanan drive a camry.. i rather drive a accord

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Rupert - 6/28/2007 2:59:17 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

Don't be stupid printhan.

BMW995 - 6/28/2007 2:31:05 PM

+2 Boost

I think if they had tested gasoline models the results may well have been different. I recently sold my older 3 series and bought an IS. Sure, it emphasizes luxury a little more than sport, but overall it is quite fun to drive, doesn't lean much in curves and gets 25 mpg in city driving! (I have the IS250). The car has plenty of pep, much more than the 325i I had.

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SevorbeupstryIsBack - 6/28/2007 2:40:56 PM

-1 Boost

The new 325i with 218 hp and ED uses alot LESS fuel too!

maikoazu - 6/28/2007 5:17:05 PM

-1 Boost

Like you said "older 3 series." How can you compare an older model to a brand new model?

Rupert - 6/28/2007 3:05:37 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

BMW give links to comparisons performed by well known magazines on their British site.

Only the ones they win of course, but still, they did win.

Some truly bizzare things with the Lexus IS220d: manual only, and 2 trim levels with different gear ratios.
Non-sport model has to long gearing, sport model has better gearing, but 8 worse combined mpg. "The IS 220d’s problem is that it can’t translate its power advantage into useful extra pace. Sport models feature a closer-ratio gearbox that overcomes the standard car’s poor flexibility, but the Lexus’s engine still suffers from a sluggish low-rev delivery that can cause it to bog down when moving away from the mark. It’s the least willing to rev hard, too, so getting the best from it requires too much effort."
Also:
"The Audi and BMW both have 460-litre boots, although the A4’s is a better shape. The Lexus offers just 378 litres of space."

Basically they liked the IS refinement, but said it's suspension was to hard, but didn't have a good gearbox or handling.

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Rupert - 6/28/2007 3:09:49 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

One more thing, the key to why Lexus does not sell well in Europe:
"The Sport model’s lower gearing dramatically increases its CO2 emissions over the standard car’s, so higher-rate payers in company car schemes part with a whopping £262 per month. The Merc’s lower emissions mean monthly bills of £204, while the BMW and Audi are cleaner still and have rates of £183 and £172 respectively."
And as for leasing:
"HSBC Vehicle Finance quotes the lowest contract hire rates for the BMW, at £501 per month. The Audi costs only £12 more per month, while the Lexus will set you back over £540 a month."
And another thing, to do with Lexus' lack of personalisation and insistence on packages.
"The A4 counters with full leather upholstery. This adds £995 to the price of the 3 Series, £1295 to the C-Class and ISN'T AVAILABLE for the IS if you opt for Sport spec."
"Audi will fit satellite-navigation to the A4 for £500 instead of the usual £1400 until the end of September. Mercedes wants £1075, BMW £1585 and Lexus only offers sat-nav as part of a £2710 option pack, which includes a reversing camera."

I want sat nav but I do not want a reversing camera, so paying over 2700 pounds is stupid.

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SevorbeupstryIsBack - 6/29/2007 3:01:17 AM

+1 Boost

Well put Rupert. The hard truth why Lexus doesn't sell here.

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BMW995 - 6/28/2007 3:21:21 PM

+3 Boost

Actually, Formula1 my 325i was 7 yrs. old.
Maybe that's why my new IS250 "seems" faster. The 6sp automatic compared to the 325i 5 sp makes much more of a difference than I would have thought.
I'm not sure the 0-60 you gave for the 325i is for a 2001 model. That car only had 184 HP, whereas the IS250 has 204 HP with somewhat of a weight penalty though.

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Bmw8ter - 6/28/2007 3:52:33 PM

+3 Boost

The 2001 325i 0-60 is somewhere around 7.8 0-60. I have to say though, I test drove an IS250 not long ago, and wasn't too impressed with the acceleration; no offense to you. I'm sure there will eventually be a supercharger or turbo that would correct that issue.

bagwell - 6/29/2007 4:25:46 PM

+2 Boost

I've seen 0-60 times in the 7.2 - 8.0 range for the 250....not bad!

lexusis350 - 6/28/2007 3:53:51 PM

+3 Boost

Why wasn't the article named "BMW finishes first in WhatCar magazine's group test..." Do we have to concentrate on the Lexus? Gee, this article is asking for haters and fanboys to come out and I get the feeling it was on purpose.

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justbrown - 6/28/2007 4:00:45 PM

+4 Boost

It's always orchestrated this way. I find it unbelievable personally. It has all but destroyed this website.

david999 - 6/28/2007 4:29:58 PM

+1 Boost

Lets see, they test a 220d against the Audi, BMW and C-class. The Lexus, according to the article, has the highest residual value, best reliability, most safety features, high quality interior, and they still place it last because of the
fact "it’s the least willing to rev hard". There are also a plenty of different versions available of the German models, which contributes in cheaper ownership costs versus the Lexus, but as more versions become available in Europe this gap will narrow.

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Rupert - 6/28/2007 5:40:57 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

The Lexus is the second most expensive to lease, the most expensive to have as a company car (the absolute key market for this kind of car), it has high emissions, high tax (thanks to those emissions), it's slow and heavy, it's expensive, it's noisy and clattery, gets terrible MPG for a 2.2 diesel in sport guise (11 UK mpg worse than a 320d), and isn't offered with an automatic or leather.
The Lexus is just so limited compared to the other 3.

Rupert - 6/28/2007 5:41:56 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

The highest residual value did surprise me, but I think Lexus buys back many of its cars to keep resale artificially high.

ACS_CarbonBlack - 6/28/2007 4:45:24 PM

-3 Boost

BMW > Lexus Always

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M53R - 6/28/2007 5:03:16 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Well BMW are now the masters in deisels, just like Toyota/Lexus are the masters in hybrid, so the result is as expected.

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merc07 - 6/28/2007 5:39:58 PM

0 Boost

no actually mercedes benz makes the best diesel. and this article says it.

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M53R - 6/29/2007 7:12:32 AMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

3.0l turbo I6 286hp , 2.0l 4 cylinders 201hp. Even though mercedes makes cleaner deisels, it cant match the outputs by BMW.

SevorbeupstryIsBack - 6/29/2007 5:04:44 PM

0 Boost

Both Mercedes and Audi make some of the best diesels in the world. Especially the heavily revised 3.0 TDI engine from the A5 is nothing short of brilliant. It revs 500 rpm higher than before (4850 redline vs 5000 rpm BMW) but only has 240 horsepower compared to the BMW's 286. But one way or another it is still slightly quicker to 60.

xj13 - 6/28/2007 8:38:37 PM

0 Boost

Lexus should worry about it's real competitors like Honda, Nissan etc and leave the real Cars like Benz, BMW and Co, to master auto perfection.

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bagwell - 6/29/2007 4:29:27 PM

+2 Boost

"Cars like Benz, BMW and Co, to master auto perfection"

oh god....my Benz was junk...so they have a looooooooooooooooooooooooooong way to go to master perfection. zero problems with 2 Lexus's I've owned.

Matthew1 - 6/29/2007 12:03:21 AM

+3 Boost

That is so true!

I guess journos should just ignore the IS's under-powered and noisy Diesel in further tests then?

That would be fair.

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Rupert - 6/29/2007 11:48:10 AMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

5ht gear never picked the Is220d over the 3 series.
they liked the IS, but would still choose the bimmer, or the new C class.

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ACS_CarbonBlack - 6/29/2007 9:50:13 AM

-2 Boost

No matter what, BMW always > Lexus

LOL

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bagwell - 6/29/2007 4:35:50 PM

+2 Boost

yes and i-drive STILL sucks!

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titsmagee - 6/30/2007 2:11:10 PM

+1 Boost

Good review, glad Lexus finally offers a diesel in Europe. The 3 is no joke, its the favorite and its well deserved.

If anything, Lexus is learning here, it is their first diesel.

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autopro - 6/30/2007 7:32:53 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

All that matters is the score board lexus wins again!!

hieneken - 7/1/2007 10:27:16 PM

+1 Boost

this is not a true story please don't count on it

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