rjm

Here is a link to an interesting Comparison Test Drive of various Mercedes, BMW, and Lexus models found on another forum. I have owned models of all 3 makes and found the comparisons very interesting. I agree with some, though not all, of his observations. Just wondering what you guys think...


http://clublexus.com/forums/showthre...7&page=1&pp=15

zam2000

I think it's quite neutral, except couple thing:

- They don't include the Infinity G and M, both of these would smoke Lexus easily in term of handling & value.
- I've gone to several drive test (sponsored by mfr), most take place at huge lot or run-way (air force base). I've never seen one set up where you can bring the car pass 60mph (too many cone, too short straight line). Reviewer also state that. Notice that from the line, the Lexus (both GS430 and IS350) accelerate quicky, only in high speed (80-120) that they lack stability & handling that still only found in Benz/BMW (and now Infinity).
- Reviewer states that the IS250 is fast ...from the line. Well, the Civic SI is very fast from the line too. Only when you're approaching the magic number that it show its weakness (just as the Civic). MotorTrend says that the IS250 is lifeless once you start pushing the car fast, and I think they mean more than 50-60mph at the test track. If you read every reviews from magazines (and I believe those guy drive hard). They do say that most Lexus drive wonderfully up to 8, only from there on they loose the battle against the Benz/Bimmer/Infinity.
- If you set the suspension of the E500 as soft, it drives & handle very soft, have no clue what the driver set it too. I wouldn't be too suprise that organizer set it at soft. Remmember, the E500 smoke the GS in handling in every review so far.

Given the way these cars are capable off (all of them), testing them at promotion event which the most can't go pass 60mph, and handling is test via mini-turn (and flat ground), hard to tell their ability at extreme (and when you're paying 40-60K, that's what people expected). It's like testing M116 and AK47 by shooting Coke can.

Given that he's a hard core Lexus fan, I think it's quite a good review. The BMW guys probably love it: BMW still come out on top.

And yep, the i-drive is horrible, the 5 is ugly. The 330 is probably the best sport sedan out there.

DWP

No offense, but who cares what the author thinks? He's a Lexus guy, so it's not surprising that he puts the Lexii at the top of his ranking. His expectations are that a M-B will "handle almost as good" [sic] as a BMW, but the E500 seems to have fallen short of his expectations because of "too many damn buttons on the dash"*, "the gauges look cheap compared to the other cars there" and "felt kinda 'oldish' though, like an older mans car, compared to the Lexus ..." If he thinks that an E500 feels "oldish" compared to a Lexus - any Lexus - then I can't take his opinion too seriously.

____________________
* From the movie Amadeus:
Emperor Joseph II: Your work is ingenious. It's quality work. But there are simply too many notes, that's all. Just cut a few and it will be perfect.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Which few did you have in mind, Majesty?

PHXATC

Popcorn, popcorn, get your popcorn here.

rjm

2002 E320 Bone Stock
2004 Dodge CTD on steroids
2002 Lexus GS 300

PHXATC:
Just wondering how you would compare your 2002 E320 Bone Stock to your 2002 Lexus GS 300?

CE750

Joe... We're friends now, so I will remain very polite the whole time we debate in public.. ok?

but..

You can't be serious? It would be like me going to you with DAL managements plans for the DALPA pilots labor contract and saying... here is an unbiased plan for a pilot contract.. vote YES.

Lexus forums are filled with lexus koolaid drinkers, as MB forums are filled with the opposite.

Read the car mags reviews.. much more accurate, and general love the E500's driving feedback.

rjm

I got the impression that the guy liked the BMW 330 over all of them....Lexus and Mercedes. I had the 330ci and loved it...absolutely great car. Now I have 530i and love it...performs every bit as well as the 330 but with more goodies in it (computer, upgraded audio, etc.) so I disagree with his evaluation of the 5-series. But he is driving the E-60. Mine is the E-39 so that could be the difference. Car and Driver preferrred the E-39 over the E-60 too. I was surprised at the low drivability ratings of the E-500...his opinions on the cheap plastics, cheap seats, etc are all subjective evaluations so that's his opinion, but I would have thought the E-500 would be more competitive in driveability and he didn't like it at all.

SAguirre

Cars are not what they used to be. Even older sports cars of the near past (like 12 year-old Porsches) did NOT have many setting to mess with and adjust. It is totally possible that this guy tested the E500 while it was on COMFORT MODE , seeing that he already has a bias he probably did not question what he thought was poor performance from the E500. It sounds to me as if he got in the car and he was happy that is sucked, then he did not look any further to see if the car had any adjustments.

I test drove the new 5 series BMW before I purchased my E, I really liked how it handled, but the looks (interior and exterior) along with the lack of AWD at the time made it a NON-option for me to buy. I would have bought a CDI if RWD was good enough for this area.

Like it was stated before, I trust car magazines much more than this review, but even then car magazines still screw up facts since they sometimes don’t have the cars long enough to really investigate the car.

I also thought that this test track was not a completely realistic testing ground. The last time I was on the Autobahn (August 2005) I only saw Lexus cars in the slow lane. German cars are still the prevalent ones on the left lane passing! I know that the law of averages is in their favor there, but you do see some Lexus models there (in the slow lane). Even some Cadillacs venture in the fast lane sometimes!

Steve

PHXATC

Both have their ad/disads and when I have more than a quick moment to type up a diatribe about them, I shall. I have some interesting observations that might provoke some comments. I am driving them real world, day in and day out, with nary a thought of carving corners like that reviewer did.

I promise, I shall give you all my feedback on both models soon.

Toby

BudC

The so-called test was meaningless but his opinion of the 330I coincides with my opinion of the BMW 3'er driving experience. I absolutely loved driving my old, underpowered, somewhat cheap 318I.

One thing to consider with the 5-Series is the aluminum chassis components and the way it's put together. To repair it requires special BMW training so I wouldn't doubt but that insurance would be even higher than it normally is for BMW's.

Also, I don't think you'd want the E60 with the six. It's just too much weight for that 3.0 liter engine. Now a 550I is another story if you could get past the mess Bangle has made of it.

tgio

No question the guy is a lexus guy and biased. I had an A 6 and it is very quick off the line but has numerous issues. To each their own

ruykava

hah, the guy devotes something like a sentence to the E500 - messy, steers one way but goes the other? cheap plastics (he obviously hasn't seen the E90)? wtf?

that's the worst review i've ever read :p

nowadays i don't even trust mags very much. too many just parrot the usual line. i buy mags for the pictures, note what they didn't like about the car, then go out and test it myself if i'm really interested

mbnj

I have 2 E's and an A6. I test drove new 5 and 7, and newest A6. IMO my 320 wagon is a much better car than my A6, and 500 even better. The 5AWD drove/handled better than the 500 but E was a much better interior, room, appointments. New A6 (with 8) was a big step up from my A6 with better pick up, brakes and very nice interior. Didn't matter, went for the 500. BTW, the 750 was outstanding in every way (no AWD).

CE750

while here in Dallas on business, I took an afternoon off to go look at a Lexus GS430, an Audi A6 and an E500 up close with a good friend from my HS years.. and we both came to the conclusion the E500's interior was by far the best of the 3.. the A6 in many ways was close, but the door sills, seat adjustments, and other plastics on it weren't quite as nice as Audi's I've seen before 2006.

The Lexus without a doubt (both of us agreed) was the most plastic interior, with the radio panel especially being very cheap to the touch. The instruments were also cheap looking.. only the seats/leather were superior to the touch for me.

HELL ONA HARLEY

Still trolling here ehhhh.......

CE750

my hats off to the man for persistence!