Help required.. BMW 520d SE vs Lexus IS 300 FS

[gt03raf]

Hi,
I have to order my new company car and we have some pretty strict rules.. e.g. emissions below 120g, only toyota, renault, bmw, lexus & nissan.

I've narrowed it down to the new BMW 520d SE and the Lexus IS 300 Fsport but i'm really stuck now so i thought i'd ask fellow ph'ers for their thoughts.

i think the fsport looks great and is gadgeted to the hilt but something niggles me, i've always had mercs or bmw's so maybe its just change,
the latest 520 comes with leather and satnav but they're not really that precious to me..

the tax is an interesting one too... they cost about the same but due to the hybrid system the lexus would cost about £80 per month whilst the BMW is £160 which seems like a big difference (although thats about what i pay now so it wouldnt be a blocker)

the 5 series colours also seem a bit boring.. black, white or 50 shades of grey....!

any views or things to consider welcome...

i have to keep it for 4 years or 100,000 miles, i do about 20,000 + a year, mainly M1 and into central london.
i have two boys aged 6 and 9 who will be in the back!
A.

[Steviesam]

Both crap, may as well get the cheapest.

[Andy665]

Steviesam said:

Both crap, may as well get the cheapest.

Nice to see a well rounded and clearly informed opinion

I'd drive them both, obviously the 520 is bigger which might be an advantage

The IS is a nice car but many people still struggle with hybrid and the driving experience it delivers - personally I like it but everyones different

[Ocdbeemer]

IMO. View one from the company supplying the car the BMW will have a better residual value and be easier to sell when the time comes. As the driver it has to be the BMW. The driving experience is far better, the quality is better and the IS is tiny inside. At the end of the day the Lexus is a Toyota.......

[gt03raf]

i knew there would be some less than constructive replies... thats the downside of forums...

i had a two hour test drive in the IS and have to say it felt ok... the gearbox is "interesting."
it feels like the car just goes and i didnt feel much of a performance difference from my current 520d.

the lexus is also eerily quiet even on petrol power... the BMW feels more upmarket but i dont know if thats me just being a badge snob...lol

[gt03raf]

of course i could also consider the 3 series and 3 series GT..
i can have pretty much any variety of the saloon 318/320 or the gt 318

[T1547]

I'd go with the 520d - all the car you'll ever need for 20k pa work duties

[Ocdbeemer]

^
Don't be fooled by the profile name. I've switched to MB from a BMW. The Lexus just isn't in the same league as a Beemer or Merc.
You've answered your own question in your post, the "feel" is what it's all about. There's nothing wrong with badge snobbery.

Edited by Ocdbeemer on Wednesday 11th September 19:55

[Deerfoot]

Ocdbeemer said:

The Lexus just isn't in the same league as a Beemer or Merc.

You`re quite right there. Have you seen just how poorly Lexus perform in satisfaction surveys?

[Steviesam]

Don't take offence with my prior comment. It was not personal to you.

I was in the same position, restricted to BMW, Audi or Volvo.

Honestly, they were all dull, pretty slow and most definitely boring. All were much of a muchness to drive, specs etc.

So the deciding factor was the cost to me in tax-all these cars are considered white goods. I went with the cheapest tax.

[Arthur Daley]

Any vehicle doing that kind of mileage is inevitably have to go into the deal for warranty/service work.
Lexus customer service>bmw customer service.

They are both dull, get the one thats going to be the least ballache.