I'm just glad that I can comfortably say that I probably would too w/ my 19's. 1 month ago would be a completely different story...hahaha

But, benzo-boi, I do like the way that car looks (just wouldn't trade my car for it).

You'll never get me into a Lexus, not unless Lexus starts giving free quality car washes like MB or if MB dealer stops doing it. But if you live in one of those areas where the MB dealer doesn't do free car washes, then Lexus (or just about anything from Toyota or Honda) is a great reliabe safe choice.

I finally figured out how my dealer funds the free car washes, they do inflate repair bills with lots of unnecessary stuff. A simple 50 cent washer replacement can easily turn into a $3,455 repair estimate (what happened to me at MB of Laguna Niguel last week). So the best of both worlds is take it there for free car washes, take it elsewhere for repairs.

congrats man!

oh wait... you were talking about M271...

for real though, I think the IS250 are essentially the same in terms of speed.

Carlos, this is a different Benzoboi than Sun. There's a benzoboi with an E55 and a Benzo-Boi formerly with a C230WZ.

I really never liked the dealer car washes anyways. I would always request them to NOT wash my car after the service. It's rough on the paint and I'm always scared they'll scratch my wheels. I would always was the car myself. Anyone else felt the same way?

Should've bought a Mercedes M3 :p

JK!
Anyways, gratz on your new car! Not sure about the pricing in the States, but a brand new fully loaded C230 SS is enough to get a IS350 here in Canada... Not saying the IS250 is a bad car but don't really see a point of switching to a IS250. :p

It was only a matter of time that the 2 company's would merge and produce a hybrid model

And I thought that wearing fake Rolex's and C230 badges turned into either C320 or C32 was bad

[QUOTE=Onizuka;1949586]Should've bought a Mercedes M3 :p

JK!


I sooo could see my dad doing something like that and thinking he's cool

that is blasphemy!

Congrats on the new car. I really liked your C and ended up with the same wheels because of you posting pics of your ride. Good luck with the IS and you never know you may be back. I had a 190E (1992) and my wife had a 2003 TL Type-S and was going to drive it and get her an SUV. In the end, I could not live with the feel of the Acura which was loaded with NAVI. I ended up selling the 190E and the TL to buy the C Class with the 100K warranty and got her the SUV.

Good luck with the sale of your wheels.

Thanks for the feedback guys. I really do miss driving a Mercedes. I just thought that with the w204 coming out, that our cars would depreciate even more. I thought I'd drop the w203. The only other benz model I was looking at is the CLK. I just couldn't bring my self to pay that much for a CLK500. I also like the E-Class, but I can't really afford that either. I guess I was kind of confused and my friend worked at the Lexus dealer. He gave me a good deal on the car, and I like the color (white w/blue pearl) and the features. Worst case scenario, I sell the car to my parents and come back. I'm already itching for a Mercedes Benz again.......It's like an addiction that won't go away.

Already itching, funny. My advice is to keep the wheels because after you sell them and come back it will be tough buying them again for 5K+.

I agree the CLK is nice but overpriced. Then again, I bet the VIs will look great on a W204! See you soon!

Just in case you miss it, here ya go:

from kraut to rice? what about hamburgers?

Congrats on the new IS man, is it an AWD? If your looking for ideas you should visit www.clublexus.com they are a tight group over there. I say you made a wise choice of unloading the w203 before the w204 hit the market. The lexus give you so much bang for your buck, even comes with SMG style paddles found on much more expensive cars.

As for the handle, thats nothing a little suspension work and low profile tires can't take care of. BTW do you know the IS can run 20's?

This is our project IS250AWD with staggered 20's and lowered, front lip, tanabe exhaust, and blacked out tails



White is a nice color for that car

congrats on the new ride. lexus service is one of the best around.

Agreed. My dealer offered free car washes but did a relatively poor job every single time. Time and time again I'd find a small hairline scratch that I would suspect would be from the dealer. Note, this is not when I drop my car off for servicing, they usually wash it well at that time. My dealership offers free car washes on Saturdays from 9AM to 2PM. These carwashes are poor because the staff is overloaded with cars.

Once, they left a small puddle of water on the E320's trunk lid and when I took it back home the water spot was very difficult to remove. I think that was the last time I let them wash the cars.

Personally, I like the Lexus a lot; the paddles behind the steering wheel is a big plus to me. If they made one with a manual transmission with a robitic clutch and paddles (like the M3) I'd be sold. However the Lexus has its faults; the trunk is a bit on the small side and the interior's a bit too cozy as well. Rear view visibility is compromised and the car is probably expensive to insure (my assumption based on the fact the previous IS300 was one of the most expensive cars to insure).

However, my main concern is about the handling. I plan on re-test driving the IS on the 27th but I'd appreciate some information about the handling. How does it stack up to the C230? Did you get yours with sport package or X Package? I did notice you do have the 18 inch wheels instead of the 17s. And how's the steering feel? Firm, heavy, connected (steering ratio), precise? Is the steering easy to modulate? The body roll?

Lastly, the IS250 is actually quite expensive in my opinion. The starting price is higher and the price with options is higher. Additionally, Lexus dealers generally offer less discount than Mercedes dealerships.

Uhhh, hamburgers come from Germany too. They're not "American" as most people think. Neither are hot dogs.

All the IS250s in the LA area come standard with 18s. They all come with sunroofs. I got my car for 800 below invoice. I think it's a good deal, considering it's a fairly new model. The steering is a little bit looser then the Mercedes. I like the Mercedes steering feel better. The interior is small. Due to the fact that the trunk area is so high, it's back-up visiblity is limited. Navigation options comes standard with Bluetooth, 6 CD in-dash, and a reverse camera, which is nice.

Keyless go is also standard. Doors unlock upon touching the door handles, and there are puddle lights that light up when you walk near the car.

Overall, it's comfortable. It's also got more torque.

Clublexus.com is alright, but I like the MBWORLD.ORG much better! People here are more knowledgeable and nicer, and there are more members. People here are real Mercedes Benz enthusiasts! That is partially why I feel torn, because I no longer own a Mercedes, I won't be on here as much. I am starting to dig the w204 more and more. Who knows, might give my IS250 to the parents and get the w204! Any idea on when it's release date is?

Summer 08. June/July ish. I would however refrain from acquiring it in the first year; since it's not uncommon that Mercedes-Benz vehicles have a few small electronic bugs for the first year cars.


Side note; in what way does the IS 250 handle better? Is it in general able to take normal turns faster?

It corners better. It hugs the turn. You don't feel the turn. The ride is way smoother. Although I had rims on my w203, it's still smoother with rims on. My buddy has an IS250 with 20"s and it was still smoother. The seats feel soft, has lots of cushion.

congrats on your is

congrats on the new car
but why get 250, that car is slow, should have gotten 350

I really use it to commute from and to work. The majority of the time, I"m in traffic so that's why I went with the 250. It's more fuel efficient and don't need the speed.

Congrats on your new Lexus...love the white exterior! I really like the front of the new IS series but the rear to me looks a bit off especiialy the tail lights. Either way it is a nice ride, take good care of it.

Maybe we will see you back in a bit with a W204!

wow..nice~