I'm Thinking about a 07 IS350

[Koz]

Koz...did you even read my posts??????? That is the same link i showed you above!

BMW usually underestimates it's times...wait for real test. Remember, you can get it in a manual tranny.

There have been several articles on the 335i before the Edmunds. I thought your post was from one of those because you did not mention any times. To be honest I missed the link on top of the first photo.

I don't understand why BMW would put all that hardware (turbos, intercooler) and complexity in that engine and only make 300hp. If those times are accurate, it will come up short. They could have made 330hp easily and spanked all the competition. Whatever!

What do you think about the IS500?

Koz

 

[Thai]

Koz, i find it hard to believe that BMW 335i will be any slower than IS350 given the numbers. The only way that 335i would be slower if it's gearing is off, esp. if you're talking about a manual tranny.

I figure that they kept the numbers low (300/295) to maintain durability and reliability.

Lexus IS500...well, i will believe it when it is in production. What engine will they use?? The 4.6L V8 that is coming on Lexus GS/LX?? 5.0L displacement is pretty big for such a small car....

 

[Koz]

Koz, i find it hard to believe that BMW 335i will be any slower than IS350 given the numbers. The only way that 335i would be slower if it's gearing is off, esp. if you're talking about a manual tranny.

I figure that they kept the numbers low (300/295) to maintain durability and reliability.

Lexus IS500...well, i will believe it when it is in production. What engine will they use?? The 4.6L V8 that is coming on Lexus GS/LX?? 5.0L displacement is pretty big for such a small car....

The numbers I was referring to was 5.7sec W/auto and 5.5 W/manual 0 to 60mph. It will put it right in the range; I guess we will see when they line up. They kept the turbos small and probably staggered them to eliminate lag. They say you would not even know it has a turbo (no sound or lag). The one thing that looks very interesting is the engine makes peak torque at 1400rpm.

Lexus uses the number from the engine size in their model name. If that is still used it looks like a 5L. The 5L they have makes 430hp W/dual CVT 8-speed trans and if they tweak it a little, like they did for the 3.5 we might be looking at 450hp (Big if). I may have to sell my bike if that is so. NOT!

Anxiously Awaiting
Koz

 

[Thai]

The 5L they have makes 430hp W/dual CVT 8-speed trans and if they tweak it a little, like they did for the 3.5 we might be looking at 450hp (Big if). I may have to sell my bike if that is so. NOT!Koz

8-speed CVT?! It's not a hybrid, so i doubt that you will see a CVT tranny. And CVT trannies usually don't have define gear ratios (so, it's basically a 1-speed tranny). The CVT in the GS450H does have 2-speed...that's about it. CVT tends to sap a lot of power from the tranny...so i am not sold on it yet. I much prefer SMG/DSG type tranny.

What you are referring to is the 8-speed AUTOMATIC tranny in the upcoming LS460. This is very nice. However, 8-speed auto tranny is probably on the big size and may not fit under the IS's small frame. And if Lexus is able to make an 8-speed auto tranny that small, then you got to wonder about durability and reliability esp. with such a big powerful engine.

My guess...if IS500 does indeed come out, then it will come with the 6-speed auto strengthened for the extra power (similar to AMG) or some sort of SMG-type tranny (like BMW M3, Audi DSG, etc.). Toyota used to build this "automated manual tranny" in the MR2 Spyder...so they have the blueprint for it already.

 

[OUTRNNR]

8-speed CVT?! It's not a hybrid, so i doubt that you will see a CVT tranny.

Nissan equips a couple of their non-hybrid models with CVT's already; Maxima and Murano come to mind, I'm not sure how many more may have it...

 

[Thai]

Nissan equips a couple of their non-hybrid models with CVT's already; Maxima and Murano come to mind, I'm not sure how many more may have it...

True, but i was referring to Toyota/Lexus. I am still not sold on the technology...it's great in theory, but is unproven in high-output cars. I would wait a few years to see how it holds up in the Lexus GS450H.

 

[Koz]

8-speed CVT?! It's not a hybrid, so i doubt that you will see a CVT tranny. And CVT trannies usually don't have define gear ratios (so, it's basically a 1-speed tranny). The CVT in the GS450H does have 2-speed...that's about it. CVT tends to sap a lot of power from the tranny...so i am not sold on it yet. I much prefer SMG/DSG type tranny.

What you are referring to is the 8-speed AUTOMATIC tranny in the upcoming LS460. This is very nice. However, 8-speed auto tranny is probably on the big size and may not fit under the IS's small frame. And if Lexus is able to make an 8-speed auto tranny that small, then you got to wonder about durability and reliability esp. with such a big powerful engine.

My guess...if IS500 does indeed come out, then it will come with the 6-speed auto strengthened for the extra power (similar to AMG) or some sort of SMG-type tranny (like BMW M3, Audi DSG, etc.). Toyota used to build this "automated manual tranny" in the MR2 Spyder...so they have the blueprint for it already.

Thai,

You are correct, I mis-read (read through too quickly and relied on my memory) this quote:

"The LS 600h L will certainly stand out in even a well-heeled crowd. The 5.2m luxury sedan rides on an all-wheel drive chassis equipped with air suspension and replaces the LS460's world-first eight-speed automatic transmission with an electronically-controlled CVT"

I stand corrected: With all this new technology coming out I got discombogulated! A 5L V8 with an 8 speed would be cool. The IS500 body looks like the IS350 but if you look closely it is bigger/different.

Koz

 

[Thai]

I stand corrected: With all this new technology coming out I got discombogulated! A 5L V8 with an 8 speed would be cool. The IS500 body looks like the IS350 but if you look closely it is bigger/different.
Koz

Hmm...if you're right about the bigger size, then it will be quite a machine! I am looking forward to the LS460...Lexus is climbing the ladder quickly to overthrow Mercedes & BMW in the elite class. I just hope that it won't have so much technology that it becomes a problem. Unlike in the past where Lexus just copied existing technology and perfected it, the new Lexus will have breakthru technology.

 

[Thai]

Link:

CanadianDriver First Drive of 335i Coupe

It looks pretty good...tough choice IMHO between this and IS350.

 

[Koz]

In the Car and Driver comparison of the 330i and the IS350 these comments would really keep me from getting a BMW, especially one with new (never used before) added complexity (twin turbos, intercooler, etc). The BMW test model had serious electrical problems and developed a problem with its ABS where they hit the brakes and the car did a 360 at 70 mph. Because of the braking problem they could not perform the braking test from 70 mph, so they used a previous test (which by the way was not as short as the IS). The 330i showed problems with the push button start system, the ABS (serious issues), air-bag warning system, the A/C struggled in the heat.

 

[Thai]

Also, I think BMW is losing sight with the 335i. The 335i with options will be selling in the $50K range and will be sacrificing gas mileage for high tech/complex power (that is less then the IS's higher HP normally aspirated engine).

Koz

Well, a fully loaded IS350 is around $45K. What is the gas mileage on 335i Coupe?? The 335i may lose 6 HP, but it has significantly more torque than IS. And the torque is flatter throughout the powerband. I highly doubt that the 335i will lose to IS350 in a footrace, esp. if it is available with a manual tranny.

Didn't C&D test the pre-production model of the 330i?? Or was it a production model??

 

[Koz]

Well, a fully loaded IS350 is around $45K. What is the gas mileage on 335i Coupe?? The 335i may lose 6 HP, but it has significantly more torque than IS. And the torque is flatter throughout the powerband. I highly doubt that the 335i will lose to IS350 in a footrace, esp. if it is available with a manual tranny.

Didn't C&D test the pre-production model of the 330i?? Or was it a production model??

There was no mention of the 330i being pre-production model. When they (335i & 350) line up we will see how close they are. The numbers so far show the manual 335i running 5.5sec to 62mph. (auto 350s are running a little better) I would almost guarantee that the 335i will loose the mpg comparison.

Koz

 

[endosj3]

If i were you i'd go pick up the IS350...i've got a good friend of mine who bought a brand new 06 a few months back and we've taken a few trips in it and its got an awesome ride with a lot of power...110 mph on country roads is pretty fun...lexus has made a great 4 door sports car cuz this thing will keep up and beat an STI or an Evo pretty easily when its COMPLETELY STOCK....also if you do get one, there's a way to turn off the traction control so you can drift and do burnouts for days....if you buy one of these you'll be unbelievably happy...its not even my car and I love the thing

 

[OUTRNNR]

If i were you i'd go pick up the IS350...i've got a good friend of mine who bought a brand new 06 a few months back and we've taken a few trips in it and its got an awesome ride with a lot of power...110 mph on country roads is pretty fun...lexus has made a great 4 door sports car cuz this thing will keep up and beat an STI or an Evo pretty easily when its COMPLETELY STOCK....also if you do get one, there's a way to turn off the traction control so you can drift and do burnouts for days....if you buy one of these you'll be unbelievably happy...its not even my car and I love the thing

As much as I like them, I don't think the IS350 is going to be keeping up with an EVO or an STI, especially stock.

 

[endosj3]

well i know one has taken an Evo...a friend of mine was filming in his and one pulled up next to him and he beat him on a rolling start from i think it was 40 mph....but i will say it would be just like my friend to not tell me if the Evo miss-shifted or something so i am very skeptical about the story


But if you check out each car's 0-60 time the IS350 is .34 seconds faster than the STi and I don't think that above 60 the STi is gonna pull too much harder than the IS.

 

[OUTRNNR]

well i know one has taken an Evo...a friend of mine was filming in his and one pulled up next to him and he beat him on a rolling start from i think it was 40 mph....but i will say it would be just like my friend to not tell me if the Evo miss-shifted or something so i am very skeptical about the story


But if you check out each car's 0-60 time the IS350 is .34 seconds faster than the STi and I don't think that above 60 the STi is gonna pull too much harder than the IS.

Not sure where you're getting your info from:

STi - 0-60: 4.9s 1/4: 13.4@102
Evo - 0-60: 4.8s 1/4: 13.6@ 104
IS350 - 0-60: 5.1s 1/4: 13.7@104

They are close, but the IS is by no means faster than either.

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/9043/bad-boy-sedans-page4.html

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/10390/2006-lexus-is350.html

 

[Thai]

Both EVOs and STis run below 5 seconds from 0-60, significantly faster than IS350's time. With all-wheel drive, it will be very hard to beat them to 60 mph...almost impossible. The only way IS350 will catch up or beat these AWD cars is in the 1/4 mile and beyond where IS should edge them. The other way to beat EVO/STi is do a running start...like 5-60 mph.

I know these tactics because this was how i learned to beat these cars with my M3. And once you throw in some curves or weather conditions, these fast econoboxes will blow your (and my old M3) doors away.

Evo and STi are great bang-for-the-buck cars. You get Porsche Carrera performance for $30K. The next gen of Evo and Sti will be even more impressive from what i hear.

 

[endosj3]

well yours is probably a little better source...i just checked it out on edmunds.com and it showed up with the:

IS350 : 5.641
STi : 5.99


Either way, if I had the choice and the money...I'd take the IS in a heartbeat because of the interior as well as being a naturally asspirated motor...just seems like there is more waiting to be released out of that thing with a few mods.

 

[OUTRNNR]

well yours is probably a little better source...i just checked it out on edmunds.com and it showed up with the:

IS350 : 5.641
STi : 5.99

Fair enough...Edmunds has slow times for a lot of cars they have up there. But the STi is much faster than 6 seconds for sure. Maybe they didn't know how to drive it. I was looking up a BMW X5 4.8is 0-60 time earlier today and it said 7 seconds!! That's 4Runner territory!!

 

[Thai]

From what i understand, Edmunds does not do clutch-drops (on manuals) or torque braking (on automatics). They just punch the gas pedal and go. Therefore, their acceleration times are slower than the magazines who use the above techniques. Edmunds' reasoning is that this is how most normal people drive their cars.