CLK 320 CDI or BMW 335d ?

[Baron_Samedi]

Personally, unless you buy a monster MB you will always be disappointed in an MB's performance when compared to a BM.

However... there is so much more to owning an MB than speed and BM can never measure up in these regards.

 

[chord]

Lexus IS is a poshed up Toyota .. doesn't matter how many toys it has. It has humble origins.

I'd disagree with this and some of Will's comments. In the US Lexus is more highly rated than in Europe. One of the reasons for the poor showing in Europe may well be the fact that Lexus had no Diesel engines and when it did get one, there was no auto option and it was a poor 4 pot. Just think about the number of prestige auto diesels that are sold in Europe. When you miss a huge market like that, you already losing.

I'd also say the previous IS was a match for the c class of that era, which was a pretty poor car when taking all things into account.

I' also think BMW/MB cars are bought by just as many people because of badge snobbery as by people that actually prefer the cars. Which is why these manufacturers get away with so much: they don't have to try hard to sell their cars. I'd also suggest that if it Lexus was not around, then a lot of standard kit would still be optional. As for reliability/dealer service there really is no comparison.

I find most poverty spec BMW/MB cars pretty soulless, and it's only untill you get to the higher end models with more kit that you think "yes, nice car". But if you are looking for a car to get you from A to B, with as few ownership issues as possible, then it would be Lexus all the way

 

[buccal]

I think Lexus make some great cars especially the LS, but for some (not me) the image is nowhere in prestige terms,

I don;t think Alan Partridge did the brand any favours either!

 

[flango]

*** is spot on in post #2. The two are chalk and cheese, firstly MB have never made a diesel that comes anywhere near the power, class or emissions of BMW. The 335 3 litre twin turbo engine is a peach thats why all the police forces are switching to them for their traffic cars, bags of low down torque with it continuing right through the rev range, they drive more like petrols than diesels. Easily tunable for little cost to around 325 bhp and 670 Nm of torque.

Have a drive of them both but I'm pretty certain I know which one will delight the most.

 

[flango]

I think Lexus make some great cars especially the LS, but for some (not me) the image is nowhere in prestige terms,

I don;t think Alan Partridge did the brand any favours either!

In the words of SWMBO " A Lexus is just a Toyota pretending to be a Merc" needless to say we have never had one. I have driven a few and not my cup of tea I'm afraid.

 

[Will]

I'd disagree with this and some of Will's comments. In the US Lexus is more highly rated than in Europe. One of the reasons for the poor showing in Europe may well be the fact that Lexus had no Diesel engines and when it did get one, there was no auto option and it was a poor 4 pot. Just think about the number of prestige auto diesels that are sold in Europe. When you miss a huge market like that, you already losing.

I'd also say the previous IS was a match for the c class of that era, which was a pretty poor car when taking all things into account.

I' also think BMW/MB cars are bought by just as many people because of badge snobbery as by people that actually prefer the cars. Which is why these manufacturers get away with so much: they don't have to try hard to sell their cars. I'd also suggest that if it Lexus was not around, then a lot of standard kit would still be optional. As for reliability/dealer service there really is no comparison.

I find most poverty spec BMW/MB cars pretty soulless, and it's only untill you get to the higher end models with more kit that you think "yes, nice car". But if you are looking for a car to get you from A to B, with as few ownership issues as possible, then it would be Lexus all the way

I think you make some very good observations and obviously have some valid points

I do still maintain however that Lexus still aren't quite a match for MB or BMW, they're 'nearly there' but not quite.

There's more to a great car than a spec sheet or facts/figures. They know this themselves, hence the Lexus brand name.

They're trying hard and the cars are alright, I just don't think they've quite got the 'X' factor just yet. Same goes for many things in life IMHO.

I've owned an LS, been in/driven plenty of others (including a few new ones) and they're okay, but they seem more suited/tailored for the American market than us - perhaps why we prefer European MBs and BMWs?

Ultimately, people vote with their feet, and for whatever reason they're still not as popular as the opposition - we can't all be wrong!

Will

 

[hawk20]

Only real problem with the 3 series Beemer is what Top gear said: -

"A victim of its own success in that everyone on the planet owns one, so forget ideas of premium status."

But it is a great car to drive.

 

[peterg1965]

The 335d is a superb, brilliant car. This is my (old) E92 335d M Sport coupe. The engine is sublime - v fast, v torquey and economical. It is far superior to the 330d engine. Suspect it blows away the 320CDI engine in the CLK.

 

[Palmball]

335d's are great...there was many a time when I had my M3 and nearly considered changing if for a 335d. I also remember my M3 (e92 - V8 version) getting nailed at Santa Pod consistently by a remapped 335d...very frustrating! (The good news is that I took the C63 to Santa Pod recently and that was much quicker down the qtr mile )

If you want speed, the 335d is the only choice.

I notice rattles have been mentioned. This is an area that I am freakishly an@l about and both my e92 3-series (M3 and 335i) rattled annoyingly; the build quality and immunity from rattles were nowhere near as good as my C63 despite the C63 being the hardest riding car I've ever owned!

Finally, before I bought the C63, I test drove a new E-Class Coupe E350CDi and was extremely impressed. I much prefer this car the 3-series and whilst not as fast, it did appear to be more refined than I remember the 335d being. If budget allows then I recommend you try one of these!

 

[st4]

Audis A5 is also worth a look in this segment.

 

[speedwell]

Nowt wrong with my Camry either.

Except the dents, bumps and scratches me and the wife have added in 120k.

 

[gIzzE]

335d's are great...there was many a time when I had my M3 and nearly considered changing if for a 335d. I also remember my M3 (e92 - V8 version) getting nailed at Santa Pod consistently by a remapped 335d...very frustrating! (The good news is that I took the C63 to Santa Pod recently and that was much quicker down the qtr mile )

Not Carlos Bloody Fandango!!!???

The DXB gets everywhere!!!