06 320D or 06 Lexus IS220D

waitingforBB

Folks,
drove both these on a test drive today and was happy with both.
Looking for advice from you guys as i know little about cars.

Both have 65K ish miles and both same price (17K), in good condition.
FSH with both.
Took out the BMW first and was a nice drive, the Lexus had more pickup and better interior.
externally the BMW just looks better for me and the wife when asked liked it (black and looked cool)..

Looking for views on both?
Brother reckons I might get either for a grand or two less but the BMW will hold value better? He knows more about cars than me, but interested in the views of you experts here.

Thanks

Mr Benevolent

IS220D '06 65k €16k
320d '06 63k €15k

Both a bit cheaper.

waitingforBB

Thanks Confab.

Will go in with lower offers on whichever I go with.
Appreciate the links..

Which is the better car? or is that just down to personal taste?

enviro

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=802

and here

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=929

waitingforBB

thanks Enviro interesting reading.
Lots of it over my head, but I'll try harder :-)

Mr Benevolent

The Lexus has a better reputation for reliability. The BMW handles better. Take your pick since you've driven both!

docmartin

i tried to chat my dad into a lexus when he was buying new in '07. he picked the beemer, and never looked back, no reliabilty issues what so ever, but saying that i still think the lexus is a more stylish car, not much rear legroom tho, hope my opinion is worth something

biggus

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055767294

Seems Lexus diesels have big issues !!!!

analfabets

biggus wrote: »

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055767294

Seems Lexus diesels have big issues !!!!

It's the same diesel as Avensis so souldn't be a trouble.

colm_mcm

biggus wrote: »

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055767294

Seems Lexus diesels have big issues !!!!

It's an epedemic alright :rolleyes:

.Longshanks.

The 2.2 lexus will be about €200 more to tax every year than the 2.0 bmw

Nonoperational

In reality they are both lovely cars and both will most likely be trouble free and a be fine cars to own. I'd rather the BMW personally but its all down to wgich you prefer really!

rohatch

Get the BMW. It looks like an import.

You can pick this up for around the 12k mark. No one is buying them.

cadaliac

analfabets wrote: »

It's the same diesel as Avensis so souldn't be a trouble.

Its the 2.2 and not the 2.0 d4d in the regular Avensis. just because its a Toyota doesn't mean it won't break you know.

colm_mcm

The 2.2 D-4D is also available in the Avensis (and the Auris, Corolla Verso and Rav4)

ninty9er

Personally I'd have the Lexus because if someone else was driving the Beemer on occasion they'd probably cause an accident given that the pedals in all manual Beemers are spaced for 9 year olds, one of my big issues with manual BMWs.

Even aside from that I think there are less of the Lexus about and if it comes up in conversation someone is more likely to ask "what's it like" than with the BMW, which most people have either driven or have a preconception about and will just go "ah, alright"

The "idea" of a Lexus appeals to me more, but I'd never be buying a 2l/2.2l manual so it wouldn't be an issue as the Lexus doesn't come in auto with that engine.

ION08

Ninty9er, are you for real about BMW pedals?! First time I've ever heard that. I've owned one before and driven many and wouldn't have the slightest criticism to make about bmw pedals!.. Have you ever driven French or italian??

Op, both nice cars. I think the Lexus has a nicer interior and also a rarer sight but overall the BMW is probably the better car and safer bet overall... Go for the lexus! :-D

.Longshanks.

Ive only been in each for short spins and IMO the lexus driving position is a bit cramped. I had the seat down low but still found my head too close to the top of the A-Pillar / door frame. The owner of the one i was in said the gearing is too long - 6th can only be used on motorways

Gumbo

i have access to an 06 IS220d and an 07 E90 320d/318d every day, and i would pick the E90 everytime!

lexus is nice but i just dont like the driving of it if you get me.
the BMW imo is just a much tighter and handling car but OP, thats me. i would advise you to take an extended test drive of both cars before you buy.

waitingforBB

excellent responses all thanks fro the advice.

Going to go withthe BMW...Looking for 16K along with my own (02 Octavia SDI 180K miles)

One poster reckons I'll get this for 12K? Surely thats a bit optimistic? Looking on carzone etc, average ask seems to be qrouind the 15. 16 K mark

bazz26

waitingforBB wrote: »

excellent responses all thanks fro the advice.

Going to go withthe BMW...Looking for 16K along with my own (02 Octavia SDI 180K miles)

One poster reckons I'll get this for 12K? Surely thats a bit optimistic? Looking on carzone etc, average ask seems to be qrouind the 15. 16 K mark

I would not even contimplate trading the Octavia, with that mileage and it being the SDi the dealer is offering you nothing for it as it is worth nothing to him. I would try and sell it privately, go in and buy the 320d as a straight deal and negotitate a better cash discount off the new car. Even if you got only €500 - 800 for the Octavia privately you would save on the price of the 320d.

As for going back to which one to choose, I would go for the 320d too simply because the engine is superior to the IS220. I like the Lexus because they are less common and better value for money but the 2.2 diesel is not refined enough and unless you fork out for the Sport model the gearing is all wrong and not worth the extra road tax.

SpannerMonkey

have driven both far prefer the 320d thats what id go for

waitingforBB

ok, have driven both again and taking all the sage advice onboard am going with the 320.

Now..
do I buy this week? or wait until Jan and buy a 4 year old car?
I'll offer 14K on this...thoughts?http://www.kevinkennedymotors.ie/2006_BMW320D.html

high horse

waitingforBB wrote: »

ok, have driven both again and taking all the sage advice onboard am going with the 320.

Now..
do I buy this week? or wait until Jan and buy a 4 year old car?
I'll offer 14K on this...thoughts?http://www.kevinkennedymotors.ie/2006_BMW320D.html

The spec seems very low on that car. No multifunction steering wheel so its probably base/ES spec. That spec level didn't come with 18" wheels so they are probably replicas (ie: weaker than OEM wheels).

If you can, try to find at least an SE spec 320d. The prices are very similar for used ES and SE spec 3 series but the SE is the one to go for imho

waitingforBB

thanks for that high horse
was about to offer....

waitingforBB

from the ignorant here...
whats the diff between SE and ES or base for the 320D?

high horse

waitingforBB wrote: »

from the ignorant here...
whats the diff between SE and ES or base for the 320D?

According to parkers.co.uk the standard spec is
Standard equipment

ABS
Air conditioning
Alarm
Body coloured bumpers
CD
Cloth seat trim
Driver's airbag
Electric mirrors
Front electric windows
Front fog lights *
Heated mirrors *
Isofix child seat anchor points
PAS
Passenger's airbag
Rear electric windows
Remote locking
Side airbags
Steel wheels *
Traction control


The SE spec gets cruise control, headlight washers and parking sensors on top of the standard. For me the cruise control is the important one as long journeys are the reason why I have a diesel. Cruise control really makes a long journey easier

Moanin

waitingforBB wrote: »

Folks,
drove both these on a test drive today and was happy with both.
Looking for advice from you guys as i know little about cars.

Both have 65K ish miles and both same price (17K), in good condition.
FSH with both.
Took out the BMW first and was a nice drive, the Lexus had more pickup and better interior.
externally the BMW just looks better for me and the wife when asked liked it (black and looked cool)..

Looking for views on both?
Brother reckons I might get either for a grand or two less but the BMW will hold value better? He knows more about cars than me, but interested in the views of you experts here.

Thanks

From a fairly long drive in an IS220D I wouldn't be very keen on the power output from the diesel.The turbo lag is terrible. It takes ages for the turbo to kick in once you "floor" it.

bazz26

Definately go for the SE spec 320d minimum. SE adds climate controlled air conditioning, leather multi-functional steering wheel with remote radio/cd & cruise control buttons, leather gear knob & hand brake plus parking sensors. That one in the link is the basic ES model.

Also if you are looking at UK imports why not import one yourself and cut out the middleman over here?

http://www.autoquake.com/used-bmw-3-series/320d-se-4dr-diesel-manual/inspid=18688

agent_smith

Can I throw a spanner in the works or have you completely and utterly made up your mind on these two cars? If not .... you can pick up an Alfa 159 for fairly decent money these days. A LOT of car for the moolah. The 1.9 JTDM is also a crackin motor.
Just food for thought.

rohatch

waitingforBB wrote: »

ok, have driven both again and taking all the sage advice onboard am going with the 320.

Now..
do I buy this week? or wait until Jan and buy a 4 year old car?
I'll offer 14K on this...thoughts?http://www.kevinkennedymotors.ie/2006_BMW320D.html

Thats an import too, why would you offer 14k for this car when it is an ES with replica alloys?

Go to UK or up north and buy an 07, you will still have a BMW warranty.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2007-57-Reg-BMW-320D-2-0-SE_W0QQitemZ190358593427QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAutomobiles_UK?hash=item2c52419f93

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2007-BMW-3-SERIES-320d-Sport-Pack-Leather-New-S-Diesel_W0QQitemZ200405957722QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAutomobiles_UK?hash=item2ea9203c5a

E39MSport

waitingforBB wrote: »

excellent responses all thanks fro the advice.

Going to go withthe BMW...Looking for 16K along with my own (02 Octavia SDI 180K miles)

One poster reckons I'll get this for 12K? Surely thats a bit optimistic? Looking on carzone etc, average ask seems to be qrouind the 15. 16 K mark

Good choice. My nametag aside, I've driven the Lexus for a few weeks. Main weaknesses for me were are very cramped interior and pretty serious turbo lag.

rhys2

E39MSport wrote: »

Good choice. My nametag aside, I've driven the Lexus for a few weeks. Main weaknesses for me were are very cramped interior and pretty serious turbo lag.

i own a 06 220d, lovely car in most ways except the turbo lag, its pretty bad and does bug me a lot!!!!

would get the BMW if i had to do it over again

DanThe

Just a note on the ebay links, the 07's. the first one has 88K miles and the second doesn't say - so that means it is probably high too.