Vs Autobild: BMW Alpina D3 vs Lexus IS 220d TTE

[cawimmer430]

Just found this on Autobild. Translated the article for your reading pleasure. The BMW has the Lexus beat in all areas except fuel consumption. They didn't pick a winner since this was simply a comparison between two new technologies. As usual though, the BMW was more fun to drive and had the better handling traits as well and was more comfortable than the Lexus too.

BMW Alpina D3: 200-hp, 0-100 km/h = 7.7 seconds

Lexus IS220 TTE: 208-hp, 0-100 km/h = 8.9 seconds


Test Alpina D3 gegen Lexus IS 220d TTE
Stadtgespräch
Es hat sich herumgesprochen: Diesel kann viel Spaß machen, und Lexus ist eine Alternative. Ein Vergleich zwischen IS 220d TTE und Alpina D3. (Word has gotten around that diesels are now fun to drive - and finally, Lexus has an alternative. This is a comparison between the Lexus IS220d TTE and the BMW Alpina D3.)

 

[Bruce]

Amazing petrol mileage for both vehicles, will update Average petrol mileage thread

Now it's clear that the Alpina is the sporty car here, it's better handling, faster and appears to be more fun. However from the two, i'd have to go with the TTE simply because i prefer the exterior styling more. Sure it's less entertaining, but more to my taste. I love the wheels they put in the IS220, but am dissapointed no body kit was added on....

Great thread, thanks for the post.

 

[cawimmer430]

Amazing petrol mileage for both vehicles, will update Average petrol mileage thread

Now it's clear that the Alpina is the sporty car here, it's better handling, faster and appears to be more fun. However from the two, i'd have to go with the TTE simply because i prefer the exterior styling more. Sure it's less entertaining, but more to my taste. I love the wheels they put in the IS220, but am dissapointed no body kit was added on....

Great thread, thanks for the post.

Anytime 7.3 AMG.

Personally, I think the BMW looks much better. The Lexus IS to me looks so unproportional. The IS looks better in real life but it simply isn't as classy or elegant as the BMW. The Lexus does have the nicer rear though.

Did you notice how overrated the Lexus IS interior is? That Autobild picture really got me thinking. I've seen the IS interior upclose, even sat in one, and I thought that it was nothing special. Nothing that the Audi A4 or even the facelifted C-Class can't match. It does have the edge on the BMW, I think, but again, I feel that the IS interior is totally overrated.



See what I mean? Nothing special to me. I feel that people overrate this interior bigtime.

Here's the link to the Lexus show I attended: http://www.germancarforum.com/showthread.php?t=5362

 

[Bruce]

Anytime 7.3 AMG.

Did you notice how overrated the Lexus IS interior is? That Autobild picture really got me thinking. I've seen the IS interior upclose, even sat in one, and I thought that it was nothing special. Nothing that the Audi A4 or even the facelifted C-Class can't match. It does have the edge on the BMW, I think, but again, I feel that the IS interior is totally overrated.

Here's the link to the Lexus show I attended: http://www.germancarforum.com/showthread.php?t=5362

I like the interior, but i'd agree, even as Lexus man, the interior is certaintly not the best thing on the earth. I'd say the A4 has an interior better than the IS, mean while i'd rate the IS, 3 and C at the same level. I like Lexus' new interiors but with personal experience with the older Lexus' i'd say the IS doesn't live up to the early LS or SC models. Still though, i'm a Lexus fan, not of the terrible SC430 or RX but in particular the new IS, GS and especially the LS.

Just so everyone knows, i'm a big Mercedes fan too Love just about every model they make!

 

[cawimmer430]

I like the interior, but i'd agree, even as Lexus man, the interior is certaintly not the best thing on the earth. I'd say the A4 has an interior better than the IS, mean while i'd rate the IS, 3 and C at the same level. I like Lexus' new interiors but with personal experience with the older Lexus' i'd say the IS doesn't live up to the early LS or SC models. Still though, i'm a Lexus fan, not of the terrible SC430 or RX but in particular the new IS, GS and especially the LS.

The new GS has a nice interior, I like that car too. I always felt that the older GS's also had overrated interiors.

Listen, if you want any reviews translated from Autobild, just tell me. Though keep in mind that I cannot translate every single one since I also have a life to live.

 

[Bruce]

I cannot translate every single one since I also have a life to live.

LOL!

If i find anything i'd like you to translate i'll post it, thanks.

 

[Zafiro]

Just so everyone knows, i'm a big Mercedes fan too

my impressions with you during your time here is that design is priority number one? So far I havent seen you choose a BMW so my conclusions beauty comes first

A Alpina is so more exclusive than both Lexus and a normal bimmers. In this review the Lexus dont stand a chance against Alpina. Also driving dynamics and drivers joy are important factors for me so Alpina gets my vote.

 

[Yperion]

The IS is nothing special in my opinion. Even the interior is very bland and doesn't look luxurious to me.

I will take the D3 please.

 

[cawimmer430]

The IS is nothing special in my opinion. Even the interior is very bland and doesn't look luxurious to me.

I will take the D3 please.

I think the normal Lexus IS is totally overrated. Lexus likes to market it as a BMW 3-Series killer but it's just a normal Lexus which means it is biased towards luxury.

Autobild however liked this IS220d TTE. They've not been impressed with the regular IS220d. Poor handling, poor brakes, cheap interior, uncomfortable. I really don't understand why the Lexus fans on Car and Driver are so mesmerized by this car.

No offense to people who like the IS.

 

[Imhotep Evil]

Cause the IS 350 had more HP than the 330i.

Now just compare them on the Nring or Hockenheim.
Not to mention the mighty 335i.

 

[cawimmer430]

Now just compare them on the Nring or Hockenheim.
Not to mention the mighty 335i.

No contest.

Versus the 330i, the Lexus IS350 will get trashed on the track. Yet, some Lexus fans I know (usually on C&D) still think it is "better" than the 330i because it is "faster in a straight-line".

Versus the 335i...well, sucks to be the Lexus.


The IS350 is a fine car, no doubt, but I feel that it is mega-overrated and not a sports sedan as Lexus likes to claim. Lexus and sports sedan don't go together and the IS350 never had the correct recipe from the start. Intrusive electronic systems and no manual transmission. Sports sedan? Nope, not really.

 

[Imhotep Evil]

OK, impresive here is that the IS TTE wins on fuel eficiency.
The normal IS 220d lost on this front too.

 

[Imhotep Evil]

No contest.

Versus the 330i, the Lexus IS350 will get trashed on the track. Yet, some Lexus fans I know (usually on C&D) still think it is "better" than the 330i because it is "faster in a straight-line".

Yep, I know what you mean.

Versus the 335i...well, sucks to be the Lexus.

Well, give the 335i some P Zero Corsas or R Cups, and it's not just IS 350 owners who will fall into tears.

The IS350 is a fine car, no doubt, but I feel that it is mega-overrated and not a sports sedan as Lexus likes to claim. Lexus and sports sedan don't go together and the IS350 never had the correct recipe from the start. Intrusive electronic systems and no manual transmission. Sports sedan? Nope, not really.

Yep. completly agree.

 

[cawimmer430]

OK, impresive here is that the IS TTE wins on fuel eficiency.
The normal IS 220d lost on this front too.

That is impressive, I agree. Especially since the regular IS220d isn't very impressive at all compared to the competition in terms of performance and fuel economy.

 

[Bruce]

my impressions with you during your time here is that design is priority number one? So far I havent seen you choose a BMW so my conclusions beauty comes first

Design is pretty much my first priority, because if i dislike that then i can't like the car. But of course the actual driving experience is very important to me, as is the interior and engine. I firstly have to analize the exterior and then i can move onto the actual aspects of the vehicle.In this company, the TTE is just my choice. If i drove the TTE and found it be overly dissapointing, and then drove the D3 and found that to be exciting and great i'd have a dilema. I suppose it all depends what i'm looking for, if i expect the Lexus to be sporty then i'd be dissapointed, if i expect the Lexus to be more lazy, cubersome, and more luxury orieanted than it should fit my bill.

Because one would be sporty but have styling i dislike and the other vice versa..that would suck. In which way i'd have to go with something other than these two. Maybe an tuned A4.

You'd be right, i haven't choosen a BMW in a comparsion yet and that's because i'm not a fan of modern styled BMW's I'm a big fan of the "pre-Bangle era" (even though Bangle designed the older models), I still love the E39 M5, the 8 series, the Z8 and the E46. Although it should be mentioned the M6 and 335i have grown on me

 

[Imhotep Evil]

Design is pretty much my first priority, because if i dislike that then i can't like the car. But of course the actual driving experience is very important to me, as is the interior and engine. I firstly have to analize the exterior and then i can move onto the actual aspects of the vehicle.In this company, the TTE is just my choice. If i drove the TTE and found it be overly dissapointing, and then drove the D3 and found that to be exciting and great i'd have a dilema.

Because one would be sporty but have styling i dislike and the other vice versa..that would suck. In which way i'd have to go with something other than these two. Many an A4.

You'd be right, i haven't choosen a BMW in a comparsion yet and that's because i'm not a fan of modern styled BMW's I'm a big fan of the "pre-Bangle era" (even though Bangle designed the older models), I still love the E39 M5, the 8 series, the Z8 and the E46.

Well maybe the new 3er coupe, X5 and Z4 coupe might change your mind. The 3er touring is IMO the best ever.

OK, BOT, so the TTE is also a driving disapointment ?!

 

[Bruce]

Well maybe the new 3er coupe, X5 and Z4 coupe might change your mind. The 3er touring is IMO the best ever.

Just before you responded i added the 335i and M6 to modern BMW's i like, but the X5 is another one i like but forgot about.

OK, BOT, so the TTE is also a driving disapointment !?

Imhotep Evil, you sound a little defensive, i said nothing about the TTE being a driving dissapointment,
I said:

"If i drove the TTE and found it be overly dissapointing, and then drove the D3 and found that to be exciting and great i'd have a dilema"


And in no way am i'm calling down BMW .. don't forget dude, I wouldn't be on a GermanCarForum if i didn't like German cars Cawimmer and i weren't arguing, in fact I agreed the IS interior was over-rated and Just_me and I were not arguing either, he just wanted to ask a question.