Lexus Is 250 vs Mercedes W203 C240/ 320

[Aussie Nick]

I am going to throw open for discussion the proposition that the Lexus Is 250 is a superior car to either the Mercedes c240 and c320 ( Elegance and Avantgarde).
I intend to propose that the Lexus has the measure of the Mercedes and is a better built car with superior handling characteristics to the Mercedes.
I also propose that the Lexus motor is more advanced than the Mercedes and over the long haul much more reliable.
Further the Lexus packs more goodies into the price of the car and is built by the specialist Lexus division of Toyota in Japan as opposed to the South African origin of the W203 c class.
I will also propose that the Six speed auto and double overhead 24 valve motor of the Lexus is proof of the more advanced approach by Lexus as opposed to the more antiquated (take it or leave it) approach adopted by Mercedes.

I am hoping that members will keep their cool and respond intelligently to the proposals put.

 

[verytalldave]

Answers will only ever be opinions. And mine is that Lexus is a Mercedes/BMW wannabe.
Lots of cars may be "more advanced" but that is not the total picture.
Mercedes drivers own a Mercedes because of many factors. Not least because of the almost indefinable something that you get from driving a MB.
MB has history and genuine class.
Its not a rebranded Toyota.

 

[Blobcat]

I would rather dig my eyes out with a rusty spoon than look at a IS250, the rear door is so unfinished off as to be unbelievable. Also way too much "bling" on the outside to be taken seriously IMHO.

 

[DougCLK320]

Mercedes Benz:
Engineered like no other car and the undisputed choice of gangsters and despots. Older models are considered so so cool by the young - witness the cornucopia of grainy pop videos featuring moody post-adolescents sitting in and around a classic Mercedes Benz.
Lexus:
Toyota in tinsel, destined to become next years favourite minicab…..
Doug

 

[hawk20]

I am going to throw open for discussion the proposition that the Lexus Is 250 is a superior car to either the Mercedes c240 and c320 ( Elegance and Avantgarde).
I intend to propose that the Lexus has the measure of the Mercedes and is a better built car with superior handling characteristics to the Mercedes.
I also propose that the Lexus motor is more advanced than the Mercedes and over the long haul much more reliable.
Further the Lexus packs more goodies into the price of the car and is built by the specialist Lexus division of Toyota in Japan as opposed to the South African origin of the W203 c class.
I will also propose that the Six speed auto and double overhead 24 valve motor of the Lexus is proof of the more advanced approach by Lexus as opposed to the more antiquated (take it or leave it) approach adopted by Mercedes.

I am hoping that members will keep their cool and respond intelligently to the proposals put.

I take your point seriously. You say the Lexus has superior handling characteristics. Well interestingly not one review in any motor magazine over here that I have read has said that. Quite the reverse in fact. The general view is that the ride and handling offered by the Merc is exceptional.

More important, perhaps, is that in the UK most C class cars sold will be diesel and even my local Lexus dealer said to me "there are two things the Japanese can't make yet: alloy wheels that don't corrode and diesels".

On looks, I think the trouble with the Lexus is that they thought they should copy cues from the dreaded Chris Bangle at BMW and didn't realise at the time just how unpopular his designs were to become. Aesthetically challenged might be a fair summary of the general view. Some like, a very few love, but large numbers hate. There are big discounts here on petrol Lexus cars and huge ones on BMW. I was offered £4,800 off a 2 litre 5 series listed at £31k, by a main BMW dealer. Hard to get a discount worthy of the name on a C class though. Says something.

 

[verytalldave]

Jeremy Beadle drives a Lexus. Need I say more?

 

[hawk20]

Jeremy Beadle drives a Lexus. Need I say more?

No. That is a clincher!

 

[DougCLK320]

Jeremy Beadle drives a Lexus. Need I say more?

and....... Alan Partridge

 

[jberks]

The lexus is a good car.
Ok I've said it!

For me the problem with all Japanese cars is that they are faxcimiles of European cars. The Japanese immitate brilliantly, often improving on whatever they copy, but are hopeless at innovation. Hence, most cars from the east have a look of the European model they are competing against and contain kit that first appeared elsewhere. The lexus range is nothing more than an attempt to copy all that is best in the 3 main brands they compete against. Styling queues from BMW, technology from Mercedes and maybe a sporty edge from Audi. They just don't get the fact that a good car is the sum of it's whole, not just a collection of clever components.

The other thing they seem unable to build into a car (aside from possibly the MX5, where they accidentally tripped over what made MGs so good) is soul. I'd go further and say that faults and design quirks often bring character and if they aren't spoiling your enjoyment of the car, they can often add to it. Witness the Top Gear tests. Each of the presenters drive very nice expensive machinery, yet, put them into a clapped out banger and tell them to drive across Britain and more often than not, they start to become attached to the banger. Hammond went as far as to import the ancient Opel he drove across Africa in.
Perhaps its because the Japanese engineer out all the faults, but whatever it is, I've yet to drive, or even sit in, a Japanese car that has character.
They are 'white goods'. Very good, very functional, but utterly soulless.

 

[jberks]

and....... Alan Partridge

Joking aside, Steve Coogan is a petrol head and puts a lot of thought into the cars his characters drive.
so ....

 

[hawk20]

Brilliant analysis Jberks. The one exception to what you say, for me, is the RX400. Has a character of its own. Not like the other 4x4's.

 

[oldcro]

I owned a Lexus IS250SE-L for two years before changing it for a new Mercedes C320CDi Elegance (W204) two months ago.

I am not a sporty driver so the higher limits of road holding do not interest me. So I do not know or care which car can go round a given corner the fastest. I am however interested in a comfortable quiet reasonably economical ride with good acceleration should it be needed or wanted.

The IS250SE-L had a very good engine and automatic gearbox, quiet and economical for a 2.5litre petrol (my average fuel cosumption overall was 32.5MPG). The ride was not as smooth and comfortable as I was expecting from the makers of the ledginary LS range. Quality of fit and finish were very good with lots of extras built in. I did like the reversing camera which the C class did not offer even as an extra. The Lexus dealer was alright, but no better than others I have dealt with. My main problem with the Lexus was that I did not look forward to going out for a drive in it. Once the excitment of playinjg with all the toys wore off I was left with a very nice car which did not really meet my expectations.

The C320CDi elegance has a very good diesel engine (which I prefer) and a super 7 speed automatic gearbox giving it better acceleration and is just as quiet as the Lexus. Quality of fit and finish are not quite as good by a very small margin but the drivers seat I find more comfortable. The rides smoother and quieter and the lights are better. Most importantly, I get enjoy driving the Mercedes and for my needs it is a better car.

This is my personal findings, and both are excellent cars with different characteristics so which is best depends on your needs and expectations.

 

[verytalldave]

Just had a quick flick around a Lexus forum. Dont get the impression they are a totally happy bunch. Very similar tales of woe there as here. And prices on par with MB as well.
Worth a quick read if for no other reason to cheer yourselves up............

http://lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/index.php?act=idx

 

[DougCLK320]

Joking aside, Steve Coogan is a petrol head and puts a lot of thought into the cars his characters drive.
so ....

...he thought..."what type of car would a total joke of a bloke drive..."
Ah Ha
Firstly a Ford Probe, then the Lexus.
Doug

 

[jberks]

I think oldcro has summed it up, from experience, perfectly.
Call me mad (fair enough) but sat here in the warm, it's dark, cold and dingy outside. My car is filthy and by now the interior will be cold. But if I had to go out and drive across town, in the traffic, right now, there is a part of me that would still look forward to it.
Not many cars make you feel like that.

 

[verytalldave]

I think oldcro has summed it up, from experience, perfectly.
Call me mad (fair enough) but sat here in the warm, it's dark, cold and dingy outside. My car is filthy and by now the interior will be cold. But if I had to go out and drive across town, in the traffic, right now, there is a part of me that would still look forward to it.
Not many cars make you feel like that.

Hear Hear. Very well put. Totally agree with that sentiment.

 

[rf065]

I think oldcro has summed it up, from experience, perfectly.
Call me mad (fair enough) but sat here in the warm, it's dark, cold and dingy outside. My car is filthy and by now the interior will be cold. But if I had to go out and drive across town, in the traffic, right now, there is a part of me that would still look forward to it.
Not many cars make you feel like that.

I've had a Colt Lancer Turbo for 4 years, Mazda Xedos 6 for 7 years and a Nissan X Trail for 5 years. Thats 16 years and got knows how many miles of Japanese reliability, never breaking down & being left stranded, no interior trim falling off like French cars, just regular servicing at reasonable prices.

But like Jberks, at the moment the CLK is filthy and it was minus 5 earlier today, but if all of the above cars were lined up outside, including a Lexus, I would be driving home in the CLK. (It is the only one which is not bland, as only the japanese can do)

Russ

 

[robbo]

I am going to throw open for discussion the proposition that the Lexus Is 250 is a superior car to either the Mercedes c240 and c320 ( Elegance and Avantgarde).

Surely, you are not comparing like with like? You appear to be comparing the old model C class with the new model Lexus. Surely the comparison should be between the IS250 and the W204 as these are similar age designs?

I test drove the old IS a few years ago when I was having trouble with the W203 C class and looking for a replacement. The C class was a miles better car to be in and to drive, so I gave up on the lexus idea very quickly.

 

[philsx]

One of Each

I'm lucky enough to own one of each marque - a recently acquired CLK430 Avantgarde Cabrio and a Lexus RX300 4X4. They are both excellent cars in their own right, and each is a pleasure to drive. The CLK stirs my soul more, whilst the RX really is the most comfortable, relaxing and stress free way to travel any distance. However I will make one point - taking the Lexus into the dealer for a service (which is the only reason it EVER goes there ... really) is a sublime cosseting experience. It's like travelling first class compared with business class - you go to the showroom, they give you a coffee and lots of attention while they fill in all the paperwork and hand you the keys of the free loan car which is always as good as or better than the model you own.

The JD Power survey results every year show that all Lexus owners feel the same way. How do they do it? One advantage they have is far fewer numbers of vehicles, and hence the ability to give a much more personalised service (it's rare to see another owner dropping their car off when you are in the showroom). Interestingly in my area both the Merc and Lexus showrooms are now owned by the same company, and even share adjacent sites. I've used both for quite a while, having taking my other half's A Class in for several years now, and I can say that in this time the quality of the Merc service operation has improved very considerably! Perhaps one day they will be able to make you feel as special as you do when you go to their sister Lexus site ...

 

[giki]

My two cents...

Lexus lacks a soul as other members said that and despite the option of a LS430 i went for the W210 320. Mind you i was also considering the R34 GT-R but the

Merc was something else...you get the looks,people give way to the car and overall there is a feeling of respect for both the owner and the car.

No Beemer or Lexus with 10 automatic gears can possibly achieve that.

Call it the magic of the Three Pointed Star.