New Lexus IS exceeds the BMW 3-Series in assembly quality, dependability and retained value?

As chief engineer Suguya Fukusato told me in Tokyo late last year: "The marketing side, not the development side, looked at the BMW 3-Series, Cadillac CTS, Acura TL, Audi A4 and Mercedes C-Class. But my personal benchmark [for developing the car] was in my own feeling of what was right for the car. In that sense, I decided for myself what to do."

Of course Fukusato's team looked closely at the competition and their stretch goal for performance was the BMW 330i M edition and the Mercedes-Benz AMG C32. But they had their own ideas about what they should do with their new sedan.

And those ideas were shaped in no small measure by Fukusato, who is a rally driver in his native Japan and has had two Porsche 911 coupes in his stable -- a 1980 911SC and a 1989 911 Turbo.

Lexus officials say their new 2006 IS will equal or exceed the BMW 3-Series in assembly quality, dependability and retained value. No one else with any sense thinks otherwise.

Full story here

Lem1972 - 1/26/2006 2:00:02 PM

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It shouldn't surprise anyone that the Lexus (the 'IS' or any other model in the line-up) would have better build quality and reliability than the BMW. The resale value assertion I'm not so sure of. Don't get me wrong, historically speaking I'm a BMW lover. The recent models have left me a bit cold though, and they've also have some mechanical issues over the past few years. Lexus on the other hand are very reliable cars no matter what you might think of their standings in the sports/luxury automobile heirarchy. In closing, I would have to say if given the choice of a Lexus IS350 or a BMW 330i, the Lexus would win hands down with no regrets.

Homer008 - 1/26/2006 2:00:57 PM

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Both Lexus and BMW are building great cars! Cheers to both automakers for bringing excitement to our lives and some pain in the repair shops.

Homer008 - 1/26/2006 2:00:57 PM

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Both Lexus and BMW are building great cars! Cheers to both automakers for bringing excitement to our lives and some pain in the repair shops.

rack - 1/27/2006 9:11:03 AM

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Of both cars will be +/- 2% of each other, depending on when the next refresh is. Once the car is redesigned they tend to drop a little bit faster.

Spoonie_G - 1/27/2006 9:21:10 AM

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"since a lot more people lease BMW's than they do Lexus'"

- Where did you get this from? On what facts is that statement based? Did someone do a study? Enlighten me please.

Homer008 - 1/27/2006 4:22:39 PM

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You do realize the difference between IS and 3 is apples to oranges don't you? They may look alike but aimed at almost entirely different driver types. For example IS is aimed more for American style roads...straight and in comfort travel while 3 is aimed at performance minded drivers just like older siblings DNAs. So, just because 1 editor says 3 beats IS in performance and handling department-therefore 3 must be better is ridiculous. Suppose people who enjoys highway travels meaning more straightline driving instead of twists and turns..then that person will probably give a higher rating to IS instead of also very competent BMW 3. IS and 3 may look very much alike but both are aimed at a different market consumers. Lexus is investing heavy on IS and to them its more prudent to start out from Comfort driving category perhaps ratherthan going head on to challenge 3's. Lexus think tanks are incredible and they rarely make mistakes on a such huge endevour. To me, IS not necessary better car but more well rounded performer of the two. It is purely built to please the owner. Me.
But, if you want performance..go for BMW. It's that simple. Also its pretty obvious this editor is complete performance goal oriented. Not convinced.

Homer008 - 1/27/2006 4:22:39 PM

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Dayton - 1/27/2006 4:54:43 PM

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I have to agree with you that this comparison is like comparing apples and oranges. But I don't think Lexus would agree, they went after the 3 with the new IS. They just didn't beat their competition like they wanted. If you were to say to someone at Lexus that the 3 is still in a different class, I'm sure they would be outraged.

THE 3 IS THE BENCHMARK.

Homer008 - 1/27/2006 5:26:19 PM

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I'm basically stating that IS's DNA and 3's DNA are infact aimed at a different type of drivers and goals, instead of Lexus setting its goal to "beat" 3 IMO. Same class..yeah but if you look under the cover of both cars..its quite the opposite, contrary to what we see in shape of the two.

Beating a competition isn't translated in a straight shot as many of you believe. It can be looked as a lists of different commendations of the car or even perhaps uniqueness of the car much like a person....Each person has so many different way of perceiving what exactly is a "winner" of the two - we as an each individuals cannot really be a judge soley based on our expectations of what is a "winning formula"...IMO though in a very generalized form....a car that has more accolades comes out the winner instead of just doing well on a few things.

Homer008 - 1/27/2006 5:26:19 PM

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S550Range - 1/27/2006 8:59:06 PM

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The Lexus IS was built to compete head to head with the 3 series. That's why they made the ES more luxury oriented. But if you put it into overall prospective, Lexus does not line up parallel to the BMW 3,5,7 or Audi A3,A6,A8 or Mercedes C,E,S (which do line up). All Lexus cars overall are made to order for the american driving dynamics: Comfortable daily drivers. Unless you are driving on a race track every day, where can you use all that performance? Traffic court?

Homer008 - 1/28/2006 9:17:39 AM

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Toyota/Lexus Nissan/Infiniti Honda/Acura
--------------------------------------------
Yaris vs. Micra vs. Fit

IS350 vs. G35 vs. GSX-R

ES330/GS430h vs. M45 vs. TL or TSX

RX400h vs. FX45 vs. RD-X or MD-X

LS430 vs. Q45 vs. RL

Tundra vs. Titan vs. Ridgeline

Camry vs. Maxima vs. Accord

Camry h* vs. Accord-hybrid

Corolla vs. Sentra vs. Civic

Prius vs. Civic-hybrid

4-runner vs. Pathfinder

Rav4 vs. CR-V

FJcruiser vs. X-terra

Highlander vs. Passport

Sequoia vs Armada

sienna vs Quest vs. Oddesy

MR2 vs 350z vs. (forgot)

GSX470 vs QX56

*not out yet.

I've leftout Scion lines and few others but this was all I could pullout of my head..anyhow this is to show all Asian Car fans out there that ... Japanese cars DO NOT have to be compared with German cars anymore!
I did this to show you to think out of the box????
Mention a Lexus and it inevitably ends up in a comparison circus between BMW, Audi or MB.
And, I'm here to say..wake up! Why does it have to be always a BMW3? Why not awesome Infiniti G35 or Acura GSX-R instead???
Tundra's great but how about a Nissan Titan vs. Honda Ridgeline instead???
Why do Asian car fans always end up getting tangled up with German cars? It doesn't have to be in my opinion....Damn, I have to run..Later folks!

Houstonautoshow.com here I come!

Homer008 - 1/28/2006 9:17:39 AM

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Homer008 - 1/28/2006 9:20:38 AM

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Homer008 - 1/28/2006 9:20:38 AM

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Dayton - 1/28/2006 8:09:37 PM

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You ask why the comparison with German cars...
because the article says:"Lexus officials say their new 2006 IS will equal or exceed the BMW 3-Series in assembly quality, dependability and retained value."
The article never mentions using the G35 as a benchmark does it? or the TL? Because they're not the cars to beat.

The BMW 3 is the benchmark!

spwolf - 1/29/2006 12:04:04 PM

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TopGear, british biggest car mag just gave Executive car of the year to Lexus IS.

http://www.topgear.com/content/features/stories/2006/01/stories/21/1.html

" It's won a Top Gear award because, after years of trying, someone's made a car that conquers the Three, but not by apeing BMW values. It's gone its own way and it's a better car for it."