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BMW 3-series vs Lexus IS

1527 messages,  Last post on May 20, 2009 at 2:33 PM

You are in the BMW 3-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? Lexus IS, Lexus IS 250, Lexus IS 350, BMW 3 Series, Sedan

Messages Page 63 of 153

#618 of 1527 Re: brightness [brightness04] by ivan_99

Feb 21, 2006 (3:36 pm)

Replying to: brightness04 (Feb 21, 2006 2:36 pm)
Engines
 
As I recall the NSX engine itself did not make the car competitive. It was the complete package and particularly the handling that caused the car to be rated high in comparison tests.
 
If I remember correctly…it was usually slower on timed specs than the competition.
 
I know you meant JUST the engine…the 1993, 270hp and 210 lb-ft (at high rpm) of torque does not compare very well to today’s modern engine. The turbo BMW 3 series of 300hp and 295 lb-ft at 1500rpm definitely has a more flexible engine...if specs are your thing that is.
 
Now the IS does have good engine specs, impressive hp and torque, it is virtually on par with the regular 3 series as far as hp per liter. They do have the larger engine, if you can do the larger engine for the same price, and keep fuel consumption down, it is definitely an advantage.
 
As far as being technically superior, I wouldn’t rate either the IS or 330i over the other.
 
What really needs to be compared is what type of engine you can get for what amount of dollars. The M3 (I6) is an example of a normally aspirated engine that produced excellent power but is a little pricey. I would rate the 2.0 S2000 engine above the NSX only because it could be produced for much fewer dollars.
 
I recently clicked on the Edmunds “Head2Head” comparison. For 26K MSRP you can get a 300+hp engine in a chevy, sure it’s a V8 with a 4speed tranny but still gets 28 mpg on the highway.
 
Ok nobody wants an Impala here, especially me, but my point is…was…something or other…turned into rambling

#619 of 1527 Re: Lexus the Mighty [habitat1] by mikegiller

Feb 21, 2006 (3:38 pm)

Replying to: habitat1 (Feb 21, 2006 3:14 pm)
Comming from the same person that finds it so hard to believe that the 6speed AT in the 306 hp IS 350 is in no way different than the 245 hp GS 300 without driving.
 
I think I was the one who questioned your credibility, and I see another hole in it right now:
 
"Verifiable facts, personal opinions, unsubstantiated claims. There is a difference."
 
You were saying, my good sir...
 
If anybody's credibility should not be challenged, or even insulted in this forum it should be brightness04. He has never verbally abused a single poster on these boards even when people with little knowledge or experience have questioned his. Their reasoning behind their arguments/attacks are that (like yourself) they have never done the same, so therefore, somebody else would not have the opportunity to have done what they said they have done. Very little behind their words.
 
Now, I don't know about you, but I would wager that even if the GS 300's tranny is the same as the IS 350's, the fact that they are different enigine's although from the same GR series family of engines, the gearing is different. Heh, then again, you haven't driven the IS 350. Nevermind.
 
I'd also wager that brightness04 is the most knowledgeable person when it comes to phyisics on these boards, period.
 
More to it than saying it isn't an auto just cus it sounds weird to you.
 
 

#620 of 1527 Re: Lexus the Mighty [kdshapiro] by brightness04

Feb 21, 2006 (3:38 pm)

Replying to: kdshapiro (Feb 21, 2006 3:01 pm)
I was merely pointing out that 90 in a curve like you suggested is no sweat for any of the three cars, or even for much less sporty vehicles, provided that road surface has good grip. If the road is slippery with snow, your E90 3L will slide off the road at 90 long before even the lowly AWD highlander does.
 
I owned two 5 series for over a decade, one of which was actually lighter than today's e90, and it did not even have VSC. So I know RWD sports sedans quite well.

#621 of 1527 Re: brightness [ivan_99] by thegraduate

Feb 21, 2006 (3:39 pm)

Replying to: ivan_99 (Feb 21, 2006 3:36 pm)
Ok nobody wants an Impala here, especially me, but my point is…was…something or other…turned into rambling
 
it's ok...we're all guilty of that at some point or another.

#622 of 1527 Re: Lexus the Mighty [habitat1] by brightness04

Feb 21, 2006 (3:41 pm)

Replying to: habitat1 (Feb 21, 2006 3:14 pm)
The main problem with the Ferrari F1 was not engagement speed but the abruptness. Try reading comprehension for a change.

#623 of 1527 Re: brightness [ivan_99] by brightness04

Feb 21, 2006 (3:49 pm)

Replying to: ivan_99 (Feb 21, 2006 3:36 pm)
As I recall the NSX engine itself did not make the car competitive. It was the complete package and particularly the handling that caused the car to be rated high in comparison tests.
 
Only the engine was brought up in this discussion because I was replying to a post about engine. The rest of the car is quite out of the scope of this forum.
 
I know you meant JUST the engine…the 1993, 270hp and 210 lb-ft (at high rpm) of torque does not compare very well to today’s modern engine. The turbo BMW 3 series of 300hp and 295 lb-ft at 1500rpm definitely has a more flexible engine...if specs are your thing that is.
 
In case you missed it, the 320hp 325ft-lb Supra turbo engine of 1993 was comparing to the 2006 BMW turbo engine. The NSX' engine was being compared to the 255hp and 215lb-ft normally aspirated 3L. For 15 year's difference, you are welcome to draw your own conclusions on both the turbo pair and non-turbo pair.
 
BTW, I agree with you that HP/L is a fool's game. What really matters is power, torque and fuel consumption, plus some other detail such as packageability . . . after all we do want some crumple zone

#624 of 1527 Re: Lexus the Mighty [brightness04] by dewey

Feb 21, 2006 (3:52 pm)

Replying to: brightness04 (Feb 21, 2006 3:38 pm)
If the road is slippery with snow, your E90 3L will slide off the road at 90 long before even the lowly AWD highlander does.
 
   
 
And you higlander will slide off the road before a Zamboni! Your example is highly irrelevant.
 
I never bought my BMW because of the way it drives on snow. And I have never slid off any road so far these past eight years in snow-blown Toronto.

#625 of 1527 Re: Lexus the Mighty [dewey] by brightness04

Feb 21, 2006 (3:54 pm)

Replying to: dewey (Feb 21, 2006 3:52 pm)
I'd like to see a Zamboni that does 90 on either straights or curves
 
BTW, the irrelevance was exactly what I was trying to point out with KD's 90 in a curve scenerio . . . none of the three cars would be left in a dust at those speeds. It all boils down to tire and road condition if any of them starts sliding.

#626 of 1527 ohhhkay by pat

Feb 21, 2006 (3:58 pm)

I say let's get back to comparing the subject vehicles and we get farther from that than we've ever been.
 
If anyone wants this comparo to continue, they need to step up and post something appropriate to the topic.

Messages Page 63 of 153

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