The 5.0 V-8 Lexus IS 500 M340i Buyers Now Second-Guess
If you are looking for a luxury sport sedan today, your options are more homogeneous than they have ever been, despite performance increasing across the board. Importantly, one of the primary victims of this shift in the sport sedan market is the naturally aspirated V-8, which used to be one of the segment’s defining features. The prototypical sport sedan remains the BMW 3 Series, but even the German luxury brand abandoned the V-8 platform well over a decade ago. However, there is a relatively new alternative on the used market that offers a 472-horsepower naturally aspirated V-8, which makes the ownership proposition of a new BMW M340i a little less certain than it was before.
The Sport Sedan Market Already Moved Past The V-8
Increasing emissions standards have affected every corner of the automotive landscape, and they are one of the primary reasons naturally aspirated V-8 engines have been pushed out of the sport sedan segment.
Turbo Six-Cylinders Replaced Big Naturally Aspirated Engines
While naturally aspirated V-8s were once a dominant force in the sport sedan segment, almost every relevant competitor has moved to downsized and turbocharged alternatives since around 2010. The advantages of turbocharging are undeniable: more torque lower in the power band allows smaller, more efficient engines to deliver competitive performance.
The BMW M340i remains the gold standard of the modern sport sedan, and it utilizes a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six to produce 386 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 369 pound-feet of torque as low as 1,800 rpm. In xDrive AWD form, this allows the M340i to achieve a 4.1-second 0-to-60 mph time, which is absurdly quick for such a relatively modest horsepower output. Once you factor in the tunability of the platform, the performance potential of the M340i is a major reason why it remains so dominant in this segment.
However, what is often understated is that in the sport sedan segment, driving feel and visceral engagement can be just as important as outright performance. That’s why, although the power and torque advantages of a turbocharged six-cylinder are clear as day, there is something that simply cannot be replicated by a turbocharged six-cylinder.
Lexus created one of the most intriguing naturally aspirated V-8 sport sedans of the modern era, and once it was discontinued, it left no true successor in the works or in the broader market. Here’s why this used sport sedan may still be worth considering over a new M340i, especially as cars like it become less common with each passing year.
The IS 500 Left The Market With A 472-HP V-8
If you hadn’t guessed it yet, the car in question is none other than the Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance, which was recently discontinued, with the 2025 model year being its final iteration.
Lexus Gave The IS 500 A 5.0-Liter Naturally Aspirated V-8
Lexus may be known for its relative restraint compared to other luxury brands, but the IS 500 F Sport Performance that debuted for the 2022 model year was anything but restrained. When this North American-exclusive model was introduced, it was the first V-8-powered Lexus IS since the iconic Lexus IS F.
It was powered by a 472-horsepower 5.0-liter 2UR-GSE V-8, which sent power to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. It was also the first Lexus model to receive the “F Sport Performance” designation, which was intended to serve as a middle ground between a full-blown F flagship model and a standard F Sport model.
Although the distinct and bold character of the V-8 engine is the clear star of the show, the IS 500 was a complete performance package, including F Sport-tuned Adaptive Variable Suspension, upgraded brake components, and 19-inch Enkei wheels.
The M340i Is Faster, But It Cannot Recreate The V-8
In terms of raw performance, there is no question that the BMW M340i is quicker than the Lexus IS 500. However, does it feel more special behind the wheel?
Independent Testing Gives The BMW The Acceleration Advantage
Acceleration off the line is the M340i’s strong suit, and independent testing from notable automotive publications has verified just how quick it can be. A 2023 BMW M340i xDrive was capable of a 3.8-second 0-to-60 mph time in testing, greatly outperforming its manufacturer claim, while the RWD variant was also tested at 4.4 seconds, matching its claimed figure.
The IS 500’s manufacturer-claimed 0-to-60 mph time is 4.4 seconds, but Edmunds independently tested both the 2022 and 2025 model years and recorded a 4.8-second time. Under more favorable conditions, other notable publications achieved slightly quicker times, with one test reaching 4.3 seconds.
Once both cars are moving, the performance gap between the IS 500 and M340i becomes less significant, and there is no point where the Lexus feels underpowered for normal street driving. The M340i might have AWD capability and a quicker-shifting transmission, but the distinct character of the IS 500’s V-8 gives it an entirely different appeal. For the right buyer, that character may matter far more than a few tenths of a second to 60 mph.
The Used IS 500 Changes The M340i Price Equation
While the BMW M340i and IS 500 might be direct competitors on paper, the ownership proposition looks different when viewed through a longer-term lens.
A CPO IS 500 Can Put The V-8 Within Reach Of New-Car Shoppers
The current MSRP of a 2026 BMW M340i Sedan is $62,300, with xDrive variants starting at $63,400. We found a CPO 2024 IS 500 F Sport Performance Premium in our local area with just 2,412 miles on the odometer for $68,789, notably equipped with the optional 19-inch forged BBS wheels.
The 2024 IS 500 F Sport Performance Premium had an original MSRP of $64,250 before options. Considering the extremely low mileage, Premium trim, and desirable options in this particular example, the dealer is charging a premium over its original sticker price. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean every IS 500 commands a similar price on the used market.
According to Classic.com data, the average one-year sale price of an IS 500 F Sport Performance is $60,192, based on seven confirmed sales. Of the U.S. examples that sold, the highest-mileage car had only 12,000 miles on the odometer, while the lowest had 3,000 miles. That suggests buyers can potentially find a near-new, ultra-low-mileage IS 500 for less than the MSRP of a new M340i, depending on the individual example and purchasing method.
The M340i is still the easier car to buy new right now, while the Lexus requires active hunting to find the right example. The IS 500’s discontinuation and rarity also give it more of a potential collectibility angle than the M340i, although that should be viewed as a possibility rather than a guaranteed investment. There is no universally right answer, but if you are already willing to spend more than $60,000 on a new sport sedan, it would be unwise not to consider what a low-mileage IS 500 can offer for similar money.
Sources: Lexus, BMW, Classic.com, Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds
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