Lexus IS500 or BMW M340i?
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The engine
Of course we have to start with the engine
5.0 N/a V8 - same as the LC500, RCF, and deceased GSF
472 hp and 395 lbft
But it’s the sound that does it for me every time
20 mpg if you care
NOT an F car
This has the V8 but it’s not an ISF
Says F sport on the engine, not F
Doesn’t have the blue manifold like the RCF
There’s adaptive dampers, and LSD but you can get that in the 350
The brakes are bigger but still not track ready
Traction control is invasive
No trans or oil cooler
It’s more IS350 with a V8 swap
Transmission
8 speed auto
Another thing holding the car back from competing against modern rivals
RWD
Torsen LSD out back
Rear drive, everything else is AWD
0-60 in 4.3 sec
The exhaust
Classic Lexus F car stacked exhaust
Opens up around 3000 rpm
Sounds fantastic, best part of the car
Glass
Says lexus on every piece of glass
Even sunroof
Seats
Heated and cooled
Heated steering wheel
Very comfy, still a Lexus
HUD
doesn t have one
New screen
Now touchscreen (dont use track pad)
ACP and AA (wired)
360 cameras
Stupid egg view
Speakers
MArk Levinson is pretty good
Floor mats
Specify “Lexus IS” which is super uncommon
Size
Compact size
Smaller than C43 and M340i
Very similar to Honda Civic now
But weighs JUST under 4000 lbs
Wheels and tires
Upgraded 19 in BBS forged wheels
$2500 option - worth it
Wrapped in…
Styling
VERY similar to IS350
Grecian blue - i’d have mine in silver
Outrageously sparkly, like a bass fishing boat
Hood is 3 inches taller
Same triple beal LEDs
Weird it doesnt say Lexus in headlights
Front looks mean
Intakes in lower bummper
Almost identical profile
But with F logo on front fender
Wing mirrors only half black
Rear tailbar but halogen turn signal
Stacked exhaust
Cluster
Mostly digital
But physical enough to be cool
The screen moves
Also changes by drive mode
Rev limiter tick
Shift needle stays blue where you shifted for a second
The clock
Most luxury cars have clocks on the dash to be fancy
This IS500 is no different
BUT the face is laid with carbon fiber…cuz sporty
Not just lux
Dome lights
Touch sensitive
Climate controls
Sliders are cool
Can push the arrows too
Track pad
Wack pad
Snow mode is right next to traction off
Asking for it
Interior is old
This car’s bones are about a decade old and it shows
Same interior design
Same steering wheel design
No wireless charger
And a CD charger slot
When was the last time you HONESTLY played a CD
I literally can’t even remember
My guess would be somewhere around 2006 - 2008
Turn signals
Stupid self cancelling ones from the GR86 last week
Visors
Have warning on them like they all do
But also have card slot
Driver assist suite
Pretty stacked despite age
2.5 system and it’s pretty good
Rear seats
Small, again age is showing
No chargers at all back here
Weird cartoon on center seatback
No passthrough
Cupholders dont deploy when ejected
MOUNTAIN of drivetrain tunnel
Sunshade
On rear window
Deploy with a button up front
Goes down when reversing
Trunk
F Sport on rear bumper
Actually great size
Nice and deep
Drop seats from trunk?
Spare tire is heinous…wtf?!
Classic lexus close fang
Price
Starting at 59,500
As tested 66k
You can get a well-equipped M340i for that…
