[EXE46]

I will try and get a test drive next year when the hype is over. BMW should pull out that ol' S65 and do the same in the 3'er, now that's a real high revving motor lol. Hate that Lexus now claims their 7200RPM as high reviving. BMW and Honda used to rule that high revving motor space, oh how times have changed.


PS. 5'er is land yacht, shouldn't be mentioned here amongst compact sedans. As great as the M5CS is I wouldn't want one.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by EXE46

I will try and get a test drive next year when the hype is over. BMW should pull out that ol' S65 and do the same in the 3'er, now that's a real high revving motor lol. Hate that Lexus now claims their 7200RPM as high reviving. BMW and Honda used to rule that high revving motor space, oh how times have changed.


PS. 5'er is land yacht, shouldn't be mentioned here amongst compact sedans. As great as the M5CS is I wouldn't want one.

It is unlikely BMW will resurrect V8 NA or else it won't hit its emission targets for the fleet.

And BMW does still have high revving motors, powered by electricity instead of fossil fuel.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

Let's say there is a M550i that weights 100lb less than xDrive (4297lb), and extra 0.3 second to hit 60mph(3.9 seconds), that can be still 0.4 seconds faster than IS500 RWD@3900+lb.

Also note IS500's hwy 24 mpg, vs. M340ix's 30mpg, vs 330i's 36mpg in its market segment.

My gut feel is that BMW's ICEs align with the era of performance and mpg and CO2 g/mile and kWh/mile better than Lexus's ICEs.

Not sure where you are going with this. The M550i has 520+ hp. Then you start comparing the IS500 to the M340i and 330i fuel economy? Pretty sure Lexus never intended to match the 5 series in any metric, nor the 3 Series in fuel economy.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

Not sure where you are going with this. The M550i has 520+ hp. Then you start comparing the IS500 to the M340i and 330i fuel economy? Pretty sure Lexus never intended to match the 5 series in any metric, nor the 3 Series in fuel economy.

So what u are saying is that IS500 is neither here nor there when compared to 3 and 5.

And that really is the point.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

So what u are saying is that IS500 is neither here nor there when compared to 3 and 5.

And that really is the point.

If you want to look at it that way. It's a bit of a niche product for sure.

[madpistol]

I think the reason so many people are interested in the IS500 is because it is literally the last small luxury car with a NA V8, and unless something miraculous happens, it probably will be the last... forever. Naturally aspirated ICE engines are dying very quickly; Toyota just replaced their tried-and-true 5.7 V8 in the Tundra with a Twin-Turbo V6, which means once the LC500 and IS500 are gone, that's it. No more V8 from Toyota.

None of the German brands have a NA V8 anymore. Every new German car that I know of is either turbocharged, hybrid, or electric. The American brands do, but how much do you want to bet those are going to be phased out in favor of turbo and hybrid offerings? The automotive landscape is changing quickly, and the IS500 might just be the swan song for the NA V8.

As automotive enthusiasts, I thought more of you would actually care about that.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

If you want to look at it that way. It's a bit of a niche product for sure.

As a niche product, the Aussie-built 2014 Chevy SS 6.2L V8 NA (being 8 model years old) holds its own against this latest IS500:

Chevy SS:
0-60 4.5 seconds
415HP/415lb-ft
52%/48%, 3967lb(159lb extra over front axle)
24mpg hwy

So Lexus's latest IS500 is heavier and more head-heavy than SS, while using a smaller V8(5.0L vs. 6.2L), for 0.2 second advantage of a 8-yr old model.

Hmm, that does not look good on Lexus's engineering prowess ....

https://fastestlaps.com/models/chevrolet-ss

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

As a niche product, the Aussie-built 2014 Chevy SS 6.2L V8 NA (being 8 model years old) holds its own against this latest IS500:

Chevy SS:
0-60 4.5 seconds
415HP/415lb-ft
52%/48%, 3967lb(159lb extra over front axle)
24mpg hwy

So Lexus's latest IS500 is heavier and more head-heavy than SS, while using a smaller V8(5.0L vs. 6.2L), for 0.2 second advantage of a 8-yr old model.

Hmm, that does not look good on Lexus's engineering prowess ....

https://fastestlaps.com/models/chevrolet-ss

I have zero idea what your point is...anyhow I'm done. Keep beating that dead horse.

[stein_325i]

Focusing on zero to sixty times is quite pointless. At that point just get a Tesla. Anyone getting an IS500, or even a Chevy SS, is more interested in the engine and feel of the car than the 0-60 times it produces. Numbers are not everything and do not tell the story of a car.

[madpistol]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

Focusing on zero to sixty times is quite pointless. At that point just get a Tesla. Anyone getting an IS, or even a Chevy SS, is more interested in the engine than the 0-60 times it produces.

Glad I'm not the only one that thinks like this. I don't care that the 0-60 time is slower on the IS500 compared to the M340i. What I do care about is that the IS500's V8 is amazing. Put an exhaust on the 5.0 V8 vs the B58, and it would be no contest; the 5.0 V8 would win every time.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by madpistol

The American brands do, but how much do you want to bet those are going to be phased out in favor of turbo and hybrid offerings? The automotive landscape is changing quickly, and the IS500 might just be the swan song for the NA V8.

As automotive enthusiasts, I thought more of you would actually care about that.

There is American V8 NA that is lighter, more balanced, faster, better mpg(slightly), than IS500, e.g. 2021 Camaro LT1/SS(length and wheelbase very close, but wider and shorter in height).

https://media.chevrolet.com/media/us...2021.tab1.html

I am not a V8 fan(it is thirsty), but I would think enthusiasts usually would lean towards lighter/faster/more balanced, right?

https://www.motortrend.com/features/...cars-for-sale/

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by madpistol

Glad I'm not the only one that thinks like this. I don't care that the 0-60 time is slower on the IS500 compared to the M340i. What I do care about is that the IS500's V8 is amazing. Put an exhaust on the 5.0 V8 vs the B58, and it would be no contest; the 5.0 V8 would win every time.

If u like exhaust with 5.0 V8, then u may like exhaust on 6.2L LT1 V8 too.

And that LT1 has cylinder shutoff(not on MT) too, and that is something Lexus does not have.

[TiMSport]

Originally Posted by madpistol

As automotive enthusiasts, I thought more of you would actually care about that.

Nope, not really. Not when it is being shoe horned into something like the IS body which is boring to look at IMHO. Furthermore, not all automotive enthusiasts necessarily care about having a V8 engine. It's not like this hasn't been known for a long time in the auto industry that the big block gas guzzling engines are going away. I'm not in the "OMG this will be the last chance to get a V8 in a Lexus and then it'll be gone forever!" crowd. Just don't care enough. To be clear, I'm not shitting on the IS500 as some may think. It just seem to be it's getting blown out of proportion in terms of its relevance. I personally would rather have a better handling and yes, quicker car that is more up to date with its tech/interior, comfortable, and look good at the same time. Sound familiar?

On a side note, I do appreciate Red Barchetta by Rush.

[TheKandyman]

Remember that the OP did not come here to hype or brag about the IS500. He came to get opinions about two cars with similar performance that he is considering. But the response from most here was just the typical defensive/piss-on response that's dished out when anyone suggests that any car might be competitive with the 3 series. Are we brand enthusiasts or automotive enthusiasts? Sure sounds like more of the former than the latter.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by TheKandyman

Remember that the OP did not come here to hype or brag about the IS500. He came to get opinions about two cars with similar performance that he is considering. But the response from most here was just the typical defensive/piss-on response that's dished out when anyone suggests that any car might be competitive with the 3 series. Are we brand enthusiasts or automotive enthusiasts? Sure sounds like more of the former than the latter.

Based on the published specs, IS500 is heavier, slower, less fuel efficient, more head heavy, than M340i.

So when OP further researches the specs, and test drives both, it is very likely OP will find out the same. The enthusiastic posts on this thread are simply to suggest OP looking into those areas.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by TiMSport

Nope, not really. Not when it is being shoe horned into something like the IS body which is boring to look at IMHO. Furthermore, not all automotive enthusiasts necessarily care about having a V8 engine. It's not like this hasn't been known for a long time in the auto industry that the big block gas guzzling engines are going away. I'm not in the "OMG this will be the last chance to get a V8 in a Lexus and then it'll be gone forever!" crowd. Just don't care enough. To be clear, I'm not shitting on the IS500 as some may think. It just seem to be it's getting blown out of proportion in terms of its relevance. I personally would rather have a better handling and yes, quicker car that is more up to date with its tech/interior, comfortable, and look good at the same time. Sound familiar?

On a side note, I do appreciate Red Barchetta by Rush.

I would say among V8 NAs, IS500 does not look that impressive from engine tech point of view.

Given V8 NAs are on the way out, should enthusiasts pick the best in the group? Just saying ....

[TiMSport]

Originally Posted by TheKandyman

Remember that the OP did not come here to hype or brag about the IS500. He came to get opinions about two cars with similar performance that he is considering. But the response from most here was just the typical defensive/piss-on response that's dished out when anyone suggests that any car might be competitive with the 3 series. Are we brand enthusiasts or automotive enthusiasts? Sure sounds like more of the former than the latter.

Yeah, I remember that. I also see a lot of people around here don't like to hear what people have to say when it comes to their opinions not being the same as theirs aka not impressed with the IS500. Honestly I couldn't care less if people prefer the Lexus over the BMW. I'm not a BMW fanboy. This is only the second one I've owned. What I get tired of hearing is people fawning over the V8 and nothing else. It also seems to me that when you point that out, ironically you get attacked for it. A bit hypocritical if you ask me.

If I didn't know any better I'd think that anyone suggesting not liking a V8 or at least this form of it being in the IS500 skin is akin to blasphemy if you're a car enthusiast.

[EXE46]

Folks let's not take things too seriously, at the end of the day we buy what we like. I will say again as a former member of CL, that's one of the most anti-BMW forums there is. Therefore, it's kind of ironic to see one of their member's rambling about enthusiast versus brand snobs. Around here people are far more tolerant of other brands and do recognize the shortcomings of BMW. It's a place where even us as owners rant constantly of our displeasure of BMW's new design approach . On CL MODs warn you constantly if you utter anything remotely anti-toyota. Sing praises or your post gets removed and they ask you to exit the thread immediately, such hypocrisy.

Anyhow, back to the car, there's hardly anything to gain by asking someone else what they consider the better car for you. The right approach is to always test drive and then make your decision, that's the only way to know. Finally, better is subjective so you're really opening up the Pandora's box, by asking which is better because none of these cars are the best at everything.

[TruthOne]

You'll still have plenty of chances to get this car if you're worried about it being the last. There's the GSF too with the same engine you can pick up used for less than what this will be new and it will handle better than even the M340 despite being enormous. This Lexus V8 Isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by TruthOne

You'll still have plenty of chances to get this car if you're worried about it being the last. There's the GSF too with the same engine you can pick up used for less than what this will be new and it will handle better than even the M340 despite being enormous. This Lexus V8 Isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

I wouldn't be so sure, only 22 results in all of the US on Autotrader. Of course the market right now is insane, but prices on these have not dropped at all.

[TruthOne]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

I wouldn't be so sure, only 22 results in all of the US on Autotrader. Of course the market right now is insane, but prices on these have not dropped at all.

Used car market is crazy right now so that's not surprising

[oln08]

I'm not into american cars either, but I would want to own a NA V8 someday.
If one already have 3 BMWs in the garage, then this one would make sense.
I just hope that Lexus dealers will not jack the price out of my price range.