Lexus IS 350 vs. BMW M3
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Lexus IS 350 and BMW M3 contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Lexus IS 350 and the BMW M3.
When comparing the Lexus IS 350's and the BMW M3's specifications and ratings, the Lexus IS 350 has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency, reliability, resale value and overall quality score. The BMW M3 has the advantage in the areas of interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Lexus IS 350's and the BMW M3's specifications and ratings, the Lexus IS 350 is a better car than the BMW M3.
Pricing: A used 2024 Lexus IS 350 ranges from $41,646 to $54,683 while a used 2024 BMW M3 is priced between $78,841 to $140,275. For a new model, the Lexus IS 350's price is between $45,913 and $58,327, with the BMW M3 priced between $82,655 and $124,162.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Lexus IS 350 loses 37.3 percent of its value and the BMW M3 loses 42.3 percent of its value. This means the Lexus IS 350 retains 5 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the BMW M3.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Lexus IS 350 is 9.1 out of 10 while the BMW M3's quality rating is 7.7 out of 10. This results in the Lexus IS 350 being ranked 1 out of 36 Best Luxury Small Cars and the BMW M3 being ranked 16 out of 36.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Lexus IS 350 is 9.0 out of 10. For the BMW M3 the reliability rating is 7.5 out of 10. This gives the Lexus IS 350 an advantage in reliability compared to the BMW M3.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Lexus IS 350’s base engine makes 311 horsepower, and the BMW M3 base engine makes 473 horsepower. The IS 350 is rated to deliver an average of 23 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 487 miles. The M3 is rated to deliver an average of 19 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 359 miles. This gives the Lexus IS 350 the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the BMW M3. Both models use premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are compact cars, the BMW M3 has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Lexus IS 350 has the advantage in the area of front leg room.
Safety Ratings: The Lexus IS 350 has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$45,913 - $58,327
Starting MSRP:
$43,260
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$48,375
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$31,800 - $79,900
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$82,655 - $124,162
Starting MSRP:
$76,000
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$48,375
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$31,800 - $79,900
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$47,863
Price Range:
$41,646 - $54,683
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$52,490
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$35,163 - $100,522
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
184
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
9,109
# Good or Great Deals:
25
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$100,522
Price Range:
$78,841 - $140,275
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$52,490
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$35,163 - $100,522
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
92
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
8,611
# Good or Great Deals:
7
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$16,492
Depreciation %:
38.1%
Resale Value $:
$26,768
Residual Value %:
61.9%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
48.9%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
33.5% - 53.5%
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$33,315
Depreciation %:
43.8%
Resale Value $:
$42,685
Residual Value %:
56.2%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
48.9%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
33.5% - 53.5%
Lexus IS 350 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
9.1 / 10
Reliability:
9.0 / 10
Retained Value:
8.2 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
BMW M3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.7 / 10
Reliability:
7.5 / 10
Retained Value:
7.9 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Lexus IS 350
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
14.3
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
10.6
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
8.1 - 14.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
60.2%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW M3
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
12.2
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
10.6
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
8.1 - 14.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
1.5%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.6
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
2.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
1.2 - 14.6
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
5.9
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
2.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
1.2 - 14.6
Lexus IS 350 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 36Ranking
1 out of / 36Ranking
1 out of / 36Ranking
1 out of / 12Ranking
3 out of / 36Ranking
5 out of / 36Ranking
11 out of / 31Ranking
18 out of / 36Ranking
20 out of / 36Ranking
27 out of / 36BMW M3 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
1 out of / 2Ranking
3 out of / 36Ranking
3 out of / 36Ranking
5 out of / 36Ranking
8 out of / 36Ranking
12 out of / 36Ranking
12 out of / 12Ranking
13 out of / 36Ranking
16 out of / 36Ranking
29 out of / 31Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Lexus IS 350 Trim Levels
F SPORT, F SPORT Design
BMW M3 Trim Levels
Base, Competition, Competition xDrive, CS
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 70000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
311 hp @ 6600 rpm
Torque:
280 foot-lbs @ 4800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.083 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
473 hp @ 6250 rpm
Torque:
406 foot-lbs @ 2650 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.123 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 28 / 23
Range (city/hwy):
348 / 487 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
16 / 23 / 19
Range (city/hwy):
250 / 359 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
44.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.9 inches
Rear Leg Room:
32.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.4 inches
Cargo Space:
10.8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
90.2 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.6 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.8 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.6 inches
Cargo Space:
13 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
95.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3748 lbs
Width:
72.4 inches
Height:
56.5 inches
Length:
185.4 inches
Wheelbase:
110.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.5 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3840 lbs
Width:
81.4 inches
Height:
56.4 inches
Length:
189.1 inches
Wheelbase:
112.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.7 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/35R19
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 9.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
275/40R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Caviar
Blue
Ultrasonic Blue Mica 2.0
Gray
Cloudburst Gray / Incognito
Red
Infrared
Silver
Iridium
White
Ultra White
Green
Not available
Yellow
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic
Blue
Frozen Portimao Blue Metallic / Portimao Blue Metallic / Tanzanite Blue II Metallic
Gray
Brooklyn Grey Metallic / Dravit Grey Metallic / Frozen Pure Grey II Metallic / Skyscraper Grey Metallic
Red
Aventurin Red Metallic / Toronto Red Metallic
Silver
Not available
White
Alpine White / Frozen Brilliant White Metallic
Green
Isle of Man Green Metallic
Yellow
Sao Paulo Yellow
Interior Colors
Black
Black w/ Black Metallic Trim
Brown
Glazed Caramel w/ Black Metallic Trim
Red
Rioja Red w/ Black Metallic Trim
Blue
Not available
Gray
Not available
Orange
Not available
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Brown
Tartufo
Red
Fiona Red/Black
Blue
Fjord Blue/Black / Yas Marina Blue/Black w/ Yellow Accent
Gray
Silverstone/Black
Orange
Kyalami Orange/Black
White
Ivory White
