Schomp BMW

Safety

 

The 3 Series Sedan has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The IS Series doesn't offer a whiplash protection system.

 

Compared to metal, the 3 Series Sedan's plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Lexus IS Series has a metal gas tank.

 

Both the 3 Series Sedan and the IS Series have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding and available all-wheel drive.

 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 38.5 MPH side impact tests on new cars. In this test, results indicate that the 3 Series Sedan is safer than the IS Series:

	3 Series Sedan	IS Series
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Thoracic Trauma	45	69
Pelvis Deceleration	39 G's	60 G's

More stars indicate a better chance of avoiding serious injuries. Lower numbers indicate better actual numeric test results.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the general design of front seat head restraints for their ability to protect front seat occupants from whiplash injuries. The IIHS also performs a dynamic test on those seats with "good" or "acceptable" geometry. In these ratings, the 3 Series Sedan is safer then the IS Series:

	3 Series Sedan	IS Series
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Head Restraint Design	GOOD	GOOD
Distance from Back of Head	38 mm	70 mm
Dynamic Test Rating	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Seat Design	Pass	Fail
Neck Force Rating	Low	Low
Max Neck Shearing Force	0	68
Max Neck Tension	472	692

(Lower numerical results are better in all tests.)

The 3 Series Sedan's bumpers sustained $2896 less damage than the IS Series in four IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) bumper tests.

 

Warranty

 

The 3 Series Sedan's corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the IS Series' (12 vs. 6 years).

 

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 3 Series Sedan for 4 years and 50,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, tire rotation, lubrication and any other scheduled maintenance. Lexus doesn't pay scheduled maintenance for the IS Series.

 

There are over 77 percent more BMW dealers than there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier to get service under the 3 Series Sedan's warranty.

 

Reliability

 

The battery on the 3 Series Sedan is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures which can degrade battery life. By keeping the 3 Series Sedan's battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The IS Series' battery is in the hot engine compartment.

 

Engine

 

The 328i Sedan's standard 3.0 DOHC 6 cyl. produces 26 more horsepower (230 vs. 204) and 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (200 vs. 185) than the IS250's standard 2.5 DOHC V6. The 335i Sedan's standard 3.0 turbo 6 cyl. produces 23 lbs.-ft. more torque (300 vs. 277) than the IS350's standard 3.5 DOHC V6.

 

The 3 Series Sedan's 3.0 turbo diesel produces 61 more horsepower (265 vs. 204) and 240 lbs.-ft. more torque (425 vs. 185) than the IS250's standard 2.5 DOHC V6. The 3 Series Sedan's 3.0 turbo diesel produces 148 lbs.-ft. more torque (425 vs. 277) than the IS350's standard 3.5 DOHC V6.

 

As tested in Car and Driver the 328i Sedan is faster than the IS250 (manual transmissions tested):

	3 Series Sedan	IS Series
Zero to 60 MPH	5.9 sec	7.1 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	16.1 sec	19.1 sec
Quarter Mile	14.6 sec	15.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	96 MPH	90 MPH
Top Speed	148 MPH	142 MPH

 

As tested in Consumer Reports the 328i Sedan is faster than the IS250 (automatics tested):

	3 Series Sedan	IS Series
Zero to 30 MPH	2.6 sec	2.8 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	6.9 sec	7.7 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.8 sec	5 sec
Quarter Mile	15.3 sec	16 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	94.6 MPH	89 MPH

 

For more instantaneous acceleration and better engine flexibility in any gear, the 3 Series Sedan's engines produce their peak torque and horsepower at lower RPM's than the IS Series:

	Horsepower	Torque
328i Sedan 3.0 DOHC 6 cyl.	6500 RPM	2750 RPM
335i Sedan 3.0 turbo 6 cyl.	5800 RPM	1200 RPM
IS250 2.5 DOHC V6	6400 RPM	4800 RPM
IS350 3.5 DOHC V6	6400 RPM	4800 RPM

 

Fuel Economy and Range

 

On the EPA test cycle the 335d Sedan gets better fuel mileage than the IS250 Auto RWD (23 city/36 hwy vs. 21 city/30 hwy).

 

Transmission

 

A standard "hill holder" feature keeps the BMW 3 Series Sedan with manual transmission from rolling backwards on a steep slope. The IS Series doesn't offer a hill holder feature.

 

Brakes and Stopping

 

For better stopping power the 3 Series Sedan's brake rotors are larger than those on the IS Series:

	328i Sedan	335	IS250	IS350
Front Rotors	12.3 inches	13.7 inches	11.6 inches	13.1 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	13.2 inches	11.4 inches	12.2 inches

 

The 328i Sedan's standard brakes have 11% more swept area (the area covered by the brake pads) than the IS250 (464 vs. 419 square inches), so the 3 Series Sedan has more braking power available. The 335's brakes have 22% more swept area (the area covered by the brake pads) than the IS350 (511 vs. 419 square inches), so the 335 has more braking power available.

 

The 3 Series Sedan's standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the IS250 are solid, not vented.

 

The 3 Series Sedan stops much shorter than the IS Series:

	3 Series Sedan	IS Series
80 to 0 MPH	208 feet	224 feet	Road & Track
70 to 0 MPH	160 feet	170 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	116 feet	128 feet	Road & Track

 

Tires and Wheels

 

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the 3 Series Sedan can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. Run-flat tires aren't available on some tire packages on the IS Series.

 

Suspension and Handling

 

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 3 Series Sedan's wheelbase is 1.3 inches longer than on the IS Series (108.7 inches vs. 107.4 inches).

 

The 335d Sedan handles at .92 G's, while the IS350 pulls only .80 G's of cornering force in a Road & Track skidpad test.

 

The 335d Sedan goes through Road & Track's slalom 9.2 MPH faster than the IS350 (70.5 vs. 61.3 MPH).

 

Chassis

 

As tested by Road & Track, the interior of the 335d Sedan is quieter than the IS350:

	3 Series Sedan	IS Series
Full-Throttle	71 dB	76 dB
50 MPH Cruising	62 dB	67 dB
70 MPH Cruising	67 dB	71 dB

 

Passenger Space

 

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the 3 Series Sedan is rated a Compact car by the EPA, while the IS Series is rated a Subcompact.

 

The 3 Series Sedan has 7.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the IS Series (93 vs. 85.7).

 

The 3 Series Sedan has 1.3 inches more front headroom, 1 inch more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, 4 inches more rear legroom and 2.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the IS Series.

 

Cargo Capacity

 

The 3 Series Sedan's optional rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The IS Series doesn't offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

 

Ergonomics

 

The power windows standard on both the 3 Series Sedan and the IS Series have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the 3 Series Sedan is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The IS Series prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

 

The 3 Series Sedan's rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The IS Series' standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

 

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the 3 Series Sedan to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The IS Series doesn't offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

 

Consumer Reports rated the 3 Series Sedan's headlight performance "Fair," a higher rating than the IS Series' headlights, which were rated "Poor."

 

While driving with high-beams on, sensitive light sensors available for the 3 Series Sedan detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low-beams. The IS Series doesn't offer automatic dimming high-beams.

 

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the 3 Series Sedan offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The IS Series doesn't offer cornering lights. The 3 Series Sedan also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

 

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the 3 Series Sedan offers an optional Active Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The IS Series doesn't offer an adaptive cruise control.

 

Model Availability

 

The BMW 3 Series comes in coupe, convertible, sedan and station wagon bodystyles; the Lexus IS Series isn't available as a coupe or station wagon.

 

Economic Advantages

 

Insurance will cost less for the 3 Series Sedan owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the 3 Series Sedan will cost $358 less than the IS Series over a five-year period.

 

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the 3 Series Sedan is less expensive to operate than the IS Series because it costs $1386 less to do the manufacturer's suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the 3 Series Sedan than the IS Series, including $97 less for an alternator, $86 less for a starter, $402 less for fuel injection, $86 less for a fuel pump and $1019 less for a timing belt/chain.

 

Recommendations

 

The BMW 3 Series Sedan has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

	3 Series Sedan	IS Series
Consumer Reports Recommends	TRUE	TRUE
Kiplinger's Award	TRUE	FALSE

 

Strategic Vision rated the 3 Series Sedan first among near-luxury cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner's expectations. The IS Series was rated fifth.

 

The 3 Series was chosen as one of Car and Driver's "Top Ten" for 16 of the last 16 years. The IS Series has never been a Car and Driver "Top Ten" pick.

 

The 3 Series Sedan was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine's "All Stars" for 12 of the last 14 years. The IS Series has never been an "All Star."

 

The 3 Series Sedan was selected by Automobile Magazine as their 2006 Car of the Year. The IS Series has never been chosen.

 

The BMW 3 Series outsold the Lexus IS Series by almost three to one during the 2010 model year.