Face Off: BMW 528i X-Drive Vs Lexus GS350 AWD -Who Does the Better Job Making A Premium Sport Sedan?

With each revision since 1990, BMWs have become more like Lexus. Meanwhile, Lexus (some of them, anyway) have become more like BMWs. With the latest iterations, have the 5-Series and GS met somewhere in a muddled middle, or does each retain a distinct identity?

With the latest, “F10″ 5-Series, BMW softened the car’s lines, returning it at least halfway to the cleaner look of the E39. There’s nothing here to turn people off, but not much to turn them on, either. I personally prefer the tauter, more athletic appearance of the E60, despite its aesthetic excesses.



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ThierryHenry14 - 5/7/2012 12:17:58 PM

+1 Boost

Didn't even bother reading the article because of the first sentence: "With each revision since 1990, BMWs have become more like Lexus." It doesn't even attempt to justify this highly opinionated sentence, which is just horrible journalism.

Thats just another reason I do not care what TTAC write about. They can say whatever, they have no credibility.

LexSucks - 5/7/2012 3:00:00 PM

0 Boost

"With each revision since 1990, BMWs have become more like Lexus."


- It's true. Softer over-boosted steering assist, less dynamic, softer suspensions. What else do you need to know?

ThierryHenry14 - 5/8/2012 9:15:55 AM

+1 Boost

I take it you have driven every BMW and Lexus since 1990, that is why you can make these comments intelligently? or have you just read lots of reviews and base your opinion off what others say?

LexSucks - 5/8/2012 1:24:07 PM

-2 Boost

"I take it you have driven every BMW and Lexus since 1990, that is why you can make these comments intelligently? or have you just read lots of reviews and base your opinion off what others say? "

- If a person has to drive every BMW and every Lexus, than no one would be able to have an opinion on how they are similar (or differ). You think that a person has to drive every single Lexus and every single BMW in order to have an opinion oh how they differ? Funny. No wonder why you can't comprehend.

LexSucks - 5/8/2012 1:27:26 PM

-2 Boost

Ok, I was comprehending your response up until this:

"...that is why you can make these comments intelligently?"


- This coming from the guy who thinks that 404k is the same as 500k, and that 2007 sales numbers and 2011 sales numbers are interchangeable.

ThierryHenry14 - 5/10/2012 4:19:08 PM

+1 Boost

@Pondosinatra...
The "intelligently" part was sarcasm.

@LexSucks...
This is my point exactly. Do you know if a E70 X5 drives better than a E53 X5? (they are BMWs) and do you know if they drive like an RX300, RX350 because the claim is that its becoming more like Lexus... How about an E30 M3 vs. E36 vs. E46 vs.E90/92? Have those become like Lexus as well? If you can answer these questions intelligently, then perhaps you are right that you have the "authority" to make such a statement. If you cannot, then you have just as much proof as me saying the statement is ludacris...

markanthony0419 - 5/7/2012 4:45:20 PM

+1 Boost

price wise yes compare the 2 but in every other aspect of driving you should be comparing the 535 xi and the gs 350 awd. Thats where the engines are about the same (3.5 v6 vs 3.0 turbo straight 6)Hp is about the same etc. Does lexus even make a 430 anymore? If so compare that to the 550.

enthusiastx11 - 5/7/2012 4:58:50 PM

0 Boost

exactly. why aren't the comparing the 535 to the GS350?

enthusiastx11 - 5/8/2012 8:35:43 PM

-2 Boost

well, their case was not made. if similar price and horsepower are the primary criteria for comparsion, the LS460 should be compared with a 550i. lexus fans would have a heart attack over that comparison.

enthusiastx11 - 5/7/2012 5:01:44 PM

+3 Boost

furthermore, why are they comparing an F-sport GS to a 5-series without the M-sport package. this test is truly stupid. these are probably the same idiots who think an A7 competes with a panamera because it has a hatchback.

lexusrox123 - 5/7/2012 9:21:42 PM

+1 Boost

everybody just calm down.

dlin - 5/8/2012 12:23:42 AM

+1 Boost

'larger amount of more nuanced feedback'? I highly doubt you get any feedback from a electric steering system, compared to a hydraulic one.

BMWRU - 5/8/2012 11:45:35 AM

+1 Boost

Most of the BMW "Leasers" nowadays are badge whores who don't really care what their BMWs drive like anyways.

Wimmer - 5/8/2012 5:42:24 PM

+2 Boost

That was always the case with most luxury brands.

Enthusiasts make up only about say 5% of every car brand. 95% of buyers are simply that: buyers. They will go somewhere else next time.