First Comparison Look at BMW M4 versus Lexus RC F

[DM1]

That's got to be one of the ugliest cars I've ever seen. Almost every piece of it is under/over proportioned to the rest of the car. Simply awful! No other word to describe it.

[hyperboost]

The gauge cluster is pretty sick

[hyperboost]

And I mean the Lexus' gauge cluster

[Sedan_Clan]

The only thing aesthetically pleasing about that RC-F is the gauge cluster.

[Chihuahua]

Lexus has an oil temp gauge. Is that a fuel economy meter I see on the M3 cluster where an oil temp gauge should be (and used to be) mounted?

[Never Convicted]

Originally Posted by Kyle B

yep, yep, and yep.

Chris Bangle is the most influential car designer of the past 15 years, that Lexus is a W, and BMW is more interested in sales volume than building enthusiast targeted, spine-tingling M cars.

Damn right! They should start building heavy V8's with slushboxes that look like like an Edvard Munch painting for you enthusiasts!

...and the Bangle thing. Now THAT's comedy!

[r3dbimmer89]

Originally Posted by bimmerjph

LOL at the redline.


As for the design, this is what I think happened. Toyota wanted their cars to appeal to a more youthful audience, so they sent their designers to a Japanese middle school for ideas... and no where else.

This car screams Japanese transformer if you're into that type of thing. I loved the new L-Finesse GS and LS from the beginning but the IS took some time to grow on me so maybe the RC-F will also. The huge grill doesn't bother me, the FRS-like cheap rear end and wheels are what bother me. Those wheels are awful but the interior is done nicely. From the LFA like seats to the LFA like gauges. A NA V8 doesn't hurt but I am disappointed that it's an 8 speed Aisin slush box. It may have more horsepower but I'm betting the M4 will be faster because it's lighter and that DCT will help save a few tenths of a second.

[RazBimmer]

Yukkkk! What a horrible car the Lexus is..

[JasonCSU]

I'm a little surprised so many people dislike the interior of the Lexus. To me, it appears to have more of a "cockpit" type of look and feel to it which in my opinion works well in a sport coupe. It reminds me of the interior of the LFA; did most of you dislike that as well?

[NemesisX]

Originally Posted by JasonCSU

I'm a little surprised so many people dislike the interior of the Lexus. To me, it appears to have more of a "cockpit" type of look and feel to it which in my opinion works well in a sport coupe. It reminds me of the interior of the LFA; did most of you dislike that as well?

I never understand all of the hubbub over interiors. They all honestly look the same to me.

If I kind of squint my eyes it appears like the plastic in the M4 has more "sheen" to it and therefore looks to be of higher quality, but obviously that line of reasoning isn't valid.

[Teutonic]

Originally Posted by NemesisX

Wait, what car from the 80s does the RCF remind you of

I am talking aboutthe interior dash. Any car has that round simple line with simple squarish air vents and the whole dash unable to flow withthe rest.

[NemesisX]

Originally Posted by Tracus

I am talking aboutthe interior dash. Any car has that round simple line with simple squarish air vents and the whole dash unable to flow withthe rest.

Oh ok that makes more sense. I thought you were talking about the exterior for a moment

[Teutonic]

Originally Posted by BAMxi

Maybe I'm missing something here, but that Lexus interior does not look awesome to me. I'll be the first one to admit that BMW interiors are a bit boring (especially after looking at one every day for several years), but that Lexus interior just looks like it's dated before it even comes out. With the exception of the suede-look armrest, I'm just not digging it. Note the flat, hard plastic panel of buttons on the left of the steering wheel. I'm pretty sure I've seen similar hard, black plastic panels of buttons on late 80s-early 90s pontiacs.

Specs-wise, i'd love to drive one around for a day or two.

Exactly what I was saying too.

[EvenKeel]

Originally Posted by solstice

I can't fathom to spend all that time and effort and neglect that an automatic transmission doesn't cut it in 2014 in this segment. By not offering a DCT they have virtually guaranteed that they will lose every comparison performed by enthusiast magazines independent on how good the rest of the car is.

Go drive the ZF 8HP, you'll eat your words. The Audi RS6 sports the same tranny. Its a masterpiece.

[Z8chP]

This isn't my inner fanboy speaking, that Lexus is appalling. People say BMW's recent designs have been too busy. This car tops it by a light year. Just hideous.

The only thing I applaud Lexus for is how this design further reinstates my love for the M3/M4's classy and muscular design.

[NemesisX]

Originally Posted by Z8chP

This isn't my inner fanboy speaking, that Lexus is appalling. People say BMW's recent designs have been too busy. This car tops it by a light year. Just hideous.

The only thing I applaud Lexus for is how this design further reinstates my love for the M3/M4's classy and muscular design.

Really? The biggest criticism I'm hearing from people about the M4 is that it's too bland, not too busy.

It looks too similar to its predecessor.

[NemesisX]

Granted, I think BMW's core design is pretty timeless so I wouldn't call it "dated."

[v1p3r]

*Everything* on the Lexus is overstyled

[ezmaass]

My God that Lexus is ugly - sorry!

The front end grill is as terrible as it comes.... awkward in every way, it looks like a cartoon monster's mouth if I had to draw an analogy. The door frame at the roof line is just massive, too, which will cause poor visibility - look how darn thick it is... the window top may as well just start at the driver's nose if they're a taller person.

The instrument cluster is typical Japanese "more complexity is better." While it looks interesting at first glance, that's not a car I'd like to be driving... no less at the limit. The dash should be clean and simple, and this looks like information overload for the sake of putting it out there. Better suited for the "bling bling" crowd cruising the blvd than usefulness on a track.

Finally, what's with that steering wheel? Could they have made the center and spokes ANY bigger? It looks more at home in a Buick than a sports car!

To me, the entire car looks like it's trying really hard, and everything just quite didn't come together aesthetically. Some very strange and aggressive lines that lack style and finesse... sorry Lexus. BMW is MASTERFUL at making their cars look sporty and aggressive while keeping a somewhat understated, classy, and composed look at the same time. The M4 lines are more simple, streamlined, and purposeful... where the Lexus appears to have creases for the sake of creases, sharp angles all over for the sake of having sharp angles, and complexity in the dash for the sake of complexity... all adding up to a package that seems like it lacks purpose and functionality in the design.

Reminds me a bit of a classic SNL skit... "More cowbell!" In this case I picture it as "More sharp angles!!"

[///MDriver]

that grille on the lex wtf just no

[Jo3_E90]

the exterior of the lexus not too bad, let see if it will be as good on paper as the M4.

[lux]

Not a fan of the lexus design but impressed with their engine. I would like to hear more information on their car's weight. How does it compare to the power to weight ratio with the new M3/M4?

Hopefully if the steering and handling are good, it should be a good competitor with BMW. Great time to be searching for a car in this class. Looking forward to the new C63, ATS-V, and RS4.