[WhiteBeard]

I'm on a fence right now. My mind was set on 2014+ F30 335 M Sport, but recently reality/life changed my plans. Instead of power and brand loyalty I may be looking into best reliability as I may need a car that will last for 8-10 years without much issues. Lexus IS350 came to mind (at least it has comparable power and is somewhat luxury brand, tho in my book it's below BMW), but I can't stand downgrading from German built Ultimate Driving Machine to a Jap tin-box, even if it's a best tin-box among them

Do you think F30 335i will become a money-pit compared to IS350 for next 8 year period or there's a chance that n55 will be dependable given I don't track my car?

[BMW11]

I looked at IS350 and was not comfortable, make sure you test it out for comfort. It is hard to quantify the reliability of cars against each other. You have to just do a lot of research and get what you really like. Once you make the decision enjoy it and don't worry about its reliability. Any brand, make and model, any year, can be a Gem and last forever or be a Lemon, no way to tell for sure IMO.

[bimmer456]

Lexus IS is slightly down on power. The IS 350 is close to the 330i in power and performance with the 330 having a slight edge. It might be a closer match to the previous 328i. The 340 is an absolute rocket and would walk away from the IS in a drag race. As far as reliability the Lexus may have the edge but there have been engine recalls on the IS in recent years so no brand is immune to problems. My 340 has been trouble free for close to a year and 18k miles, YMMV.

[goj]

If reliability is what you seek then I don't see an issue with a Lexus.

[bimmer456]

Infiniti is another option if you're looking for reliable luxury. The new Q50 Red Sport 3.0t AWD is awesome, and the coupe looks great. The lease deals on these are among the best, they are more affordable than Lexus. The Japanese luxury brands are also less costly to maintain as parts are cheaper and the dealer charges you about the same as they would for Toyota and Nissan branded vehicles. They share many of the same off the shelf parts as are used in the mass market versions. If you're looking for pre-owned they have good deals on those as well. The newest Q50 base model does use a Mercedes engine, however, so not sure how reliable that will be though Mercedes engines are known for being pretty solid.

[RoundelM3]

I've owned BMWs for the past 16 years, and I've yet to have a "reliability" problem with them. In 50+ years of driving almost every kind of car, I can say truthfully that you don't get what you don't pay for. Caveat Emptor.

[JamRWS6]

If reliability is paramount you really can't go wrong with a Lexus. That said, you may have the same experience with a 3 series as well. Buy what you like and can afford. To me the biggest regret is getting something you don't like as a compromise.

[Billfitz]

Lexus is very reliable for sure, for two reasons. One is that they dial back the performance quotient, sticking with the tried and true rather than the cutting edge. For example, the new LC 500. It's gorgeous, but a normally aspirated V-8? It may last forever, but it won't give an M6 or serious competition.
Two: the average Lexus driver doesn't push their car like the average BMW driver does, and that impacts the reliability ratings. If your driving habits are more to the conservative side there's no reason not to expect a good long life from a BMW.

[ipilcher]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Lexus is very reliable for sure, for two reasons. One is that they dial back the performance quotient, sticking with the tried and true rather than the cutting edge. For example, the new LC 500. It's gorgeous, but a normally aspirated V-8? It may last forever, but it won't give an M6 or serious competition.
Two: the average Lexus driver doesn't push their car like the average BMW driver does, and that impacts the reliability ratings. If your driving habits are more to the conservative side there's no reason not to expect a good long life from a BMW.

As far as I can tell, the "average" BMW driver is a mother driving her kids around in a 528i.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Lexus is very reliable for sure, for two reasons. One is that they dial back the performance quotient, sticking with the tried and true rather than the cutting edge. For example, the new LC 500. It's gorgeous, but a normally aspirated V-8? It may last forever, but it won't give an M6 or serious competition.
Two: the average Lexus driver doesn't push their car like the average BMW driver does, and that impacts the reliability ratings. If your driving habits are more to the conservative side there's no reason not to expect a good long life from a BMW.

The new LS is a turbo 6 and the is has turbo engines as well.

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by WhiteBeard

I'm on a fence right now. My mind was set on 2014+ F30 335 M Sport, but recently reality/life changed my plans. Instead of power and brand loyalty I may be looking into best reliability as I may need a car that will last for 8-10 years without much issues. Lexus IS350 came to mind (at least it has comparable power and is somewhat luxury brand, tho in my book it's below BMW), but I can't stand downgrading from German built Ultimate Driving Machine to a Jap tin-box, even if it's a best tin-box among them

Do you think F30 335i will become a money-pit compared to IS350 for next 8 year period or there's a chance that n55 will be dependable given I don't track my car?

Think about what you are saying here. If this is your attitude about Lexus or any Japanese car, how are you going to live with it for 8-10 years? You have to decide what your priorities are here.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by WhiteBeard

I'm on a fence right now. My mind was set on 2014+ F30 335 M Sport, but recently reality/life changed my plans. Instead of power and brand loyalty I may be looking into best reliability as I may need a car that will last for 8-10 years without much issues. Lexus IS350 came to mind (at least it has comparable power and is somewhat luxury brand, tho in my book it's below BMW), but I can't stand downgrading from German built Ultimate Driving Machine to a Jap tin-box, even if it's a best tin-box among them

Do you think F30 335i will become a money-pit compared to IS350 for next 8 year period or there's a chance that n55 will be dependable given I don't track my car?

What about Infiniti, is it a better or worse tin box than Lexus?

[Bob in IL]

Originally Posted by WhiteBeard

I'm on a fence right now. My mind was set on 2014+ F30 335 M Sport, but recently reality/life changed my plans. Instead of power and brand loyalty I may be looking into best reliability as I may need a car that will last for 8-10 years without much issues. Lexus IS350 came to mind (at least it has comparable power and is somewhat luxury brand, tho in my book it's below BMW), but I can't stand downgrading from German built Ultimate Driving Machine to a Jap tin-box, even if it's a best tin-box among them

Do you think F30 335i will become a money-pit compared to IS350 for next 8 year period or there's a chance that n55 will be dependable given I don't track my car?

It sounds like your mind may be made up already.

[rebattery]

Lexus = more reliability-----less soul-------------after all it a Toyota with a nice suit

[CalCarNut]

Originally Posted by ipilcher

As far as I can tell, the "average" BMW driver is a mother driving her kids around in a 528i.

LOL. I'd say more like a 20 something in a 320/328 that recently graduated college myself.

[Kenny's X5]

Lexus needs to do something about their engines. Their engines are wayyy behind and around forever compared to comparable models from other manuufacturers. For the most part, not many manufacturers are as reliable as a Lexus/Toyota

[hellogoodbye]

I actually owned a Lexus IS350 2015 for about a year and a half until it got totaled. I ended up buying a CPO'd 2013 335, which I've owned for the past half year.

In terms of reliability I can't really speak too much about the two since I haven't owned either of them long enough to have any major issues. When I used to browse the Lexus forums, I never saw any issues with any of the users on that forum regarding the IS350. A lot of people did complain that the IS250 had a bad carbon build up problem which the IS350 doesn't experience. From browsing this forum, the main issues with the 335 I hear about are cracked chargepipes. The engine itself seems pretty solid.

One major difference is if you do decide to get service at the dealership. The Lexus dealerships here in Dallas treat you like royalty. They're super nice and you immediately get a rental lexus car when you drop your car off for anything. They'll cover all gas and tolls accumulated on the car, and are lenient on when you return it. The BMW dealerships on the other hand feel a bit lower class. You're lucky if you get a BMW as a rental since they have an AVIS on site. Even if you do get a BMW rental they'll put you in a 320. You're also responsible for all gas and tolls.

What I will tell you is that the 335 feels much much faster than the IS350 in a straight line due to the peak torque coming in super early. The technology in my 13' 335 is much better than the 15' Lexus. Other than those two things, I actually preferred the Lexus since it handles better and when you sit in the drivers seat you feel like you're in a spaceship.

I originally bought the Lexus with the same mindset of having it for 10 years. However, after my accident, I realized that reliability doesn't matter that much when the chances of getting in a car accident is much higher here in Dallas.

[WhiteBeard]

Thanks all! Good food for thought for me

[anotheran]

Originally Posted by WhiteBeard

Do you think F30 335i will become a money-pit compared to IS350 for next 8 year period or there's a chance that n55 will be dependable given I don't track my car?

All mass produced BMWs will become money pits. Go for a M3 GT4 if you want something that appreciates... just don't drive it out often. Go Lexus if you want dependability and going to keep your used car long.

Plus, you can go visit a local Chapters and check out the latest issue of Consumer Reports. They have the issue on used cars right now and you can see the history of reliability of old cars and brands

[insanecoder]

if initial quality is any indication as JD Edwards seems to think
the F30 LCI is going to be rock solid reliable at least above average
read recently in a mag where the F30 is rated the highest rating in all categories except electronics for reliability

and no Lexus is ever going to get my heart pumpin the way it does when I'm over 130mph in a jiffy (on a track fools)
Lexus plays second fiddle.. I'd go to a Jag XE or Alpha Giulia or even a V caddy before I even think about Lexus

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by insanecoder

if initial quality is any indication as JD Edwards seems to think
the F30 LCI is going to be rock solid reliable at least above average
read recently in a mag where the F30 is rated the highest rating in all categories except electronics for reliability

and no Lexus is ever going to get my heart pumpin the way it does when I'm over 130mph in a jiffy (on a track fools)
Lexus plays second fiddle.. I'd go to a Jag XE or Alpha Giulia or even a V caddy before I even think about Lexus

Lexus has had engine failures in recent years leading to recalls so they are not perfect either.

[eluded]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

What about Infiniti, is it a better or worse tin box than Lexus?

No way, infinity is a Nissan and they are not the most reliable. I have one in my stable and the motor is holding up well but the rest of it is aging like a chain smoker who enjoys sun tanning beds.