New BMW 323 vs 2009 Lexus IS250

[Henry1515]

Hi

How does the above two cars compared? In term of speed and agility which is better? In term of power output maybe the Lexus should be compare with BMW 325 right? If you have a choice which is a overall better choice? Read the Lexus has a mere 0.28cd in term of drag coefficients which is the lowest in its class. No doubt BMW engine wins hands down but does it helps in the overall decision making? I think the Japanese is getting there especially when the IS 250 cab is here.

 

[futron.sim]

Re: New BMW 323 vs 2009 Lexus IS250

No, the IS250 engine is actually on par and has slightly more torque than the 325i.

The IS250 uses the 4GR-FSE which is rated at 212HP/260Nm. The 325 engine is 218HP/250Nm. The 4GR-FSE is even more advance than the BMW engine with 12:1 compression and direct injection. Only the 335i has direct injection. The rest do not.

 

[Henry1515]

Re: New BMW 323 vs 2009 Lexus IS250

So looks like Lexus is one up on the engine aspect. So is BMW over priced?

 

[davidtch]

Re: New BMW 323 vs 2009 Lexus IS250

BMW also has 2.5L DI engine producing 188hp & 240NM torque. However, it is not sold in Asia. This engine is for E60 523.

 

[Puny]

Re: New BMW 323 vs 2009 Lexus IS250

The IS250 uses the 4GR-FSE which is rated at 212HP/260Nm. The 325 engine is 218HP/250Nm. The 4GR-FSE is even more advance than the BMW engine with 12:1 compression and direct injection. Only the 335i has direct injection. The rest do not.

Futron, are 212bhp/260NM the updated figures for the FL-IS250?
It used to be 204bhp and 252NM @ 3800rpm.

325i is 218bhp/250NM @2750rpm.

 

[futron.sim]

Re: New BMW 323 vs 2009 Lexus IS250

Futron, are 212bhp/260NM the updated figures for the FL-IS250?
It used to be 204bhp and 252NM @ 3800rpm.

325i is 218bhp/250NM @2750rpm.

I am not exactly sure. Cause the IS250 uses the same engine as the Mark X and its rated at
212HP/260Nm.

 

[futron.sim]

Re: New BMW 323 vs 2009 Lexus IS250

BMW also has 2.5L DI engine producing 188hp & 240NM torque. However, it is not sold in Asia. This engine is for E60 523.

The non asia versions of engines are much better. They are all 12:1 compression with DI. Eg. the 320i engine is 170HP/210Nm.... Much higher compared to the local PML one....

Seriously, I have no idea why asia versions have inferior engines.

 

[dsdfan]

Re: New BMW 323 vs 2009 Lexus IS250

Owned IS250 for 2.5 years before trading for 3 series three months ago. As thrilled as I am by the dynamism of my new 325, IS250 still does quiet luxury and smooth, gliding comfort significantly better than any 3 series. I still miss those things about Lexus (posted comparisons in the forum previously).

But for those hooked on the unique Bimmer "feel", Lexus will not be a substitute.

 

[leokym]

Re: New BMW 323 vs 2009 Lexus IS250

Jap and German.. They go hand in hand decades ago to conquer.. both are great cars to begin with..

 

[davidtch]

Re: New BMW 323 vs 2009 Lexus IS250

I am not exactly sure. Cause the IS250 uses the same engine as the Mark X and its rated at
212HP/260Nm.

Over here, it is slightly detuned. So, has lesser HP.

 

[davidtch]

Re: New BMW 323 vs 2009 Lexus IS250

The non asia versions of engines are much better. They are all 12:1 compression with DI. Eg. the 320i engine is 170HP/210Nm.... Much higher compared to the local PML one....

Seriously, I have no idea why asia versions have inferior engines.

BMW N43 IL-4 2L has d same pwr & torque as M54 IL-6 2.2L.

 

[156F1]

Re: New BMW 323 vs 2009 Lexus IS250

I am not exactly sure. Cause the IS250 uses the same engine as the Mark X and its rated at
212HP/260Nm.

Could it be that the Mark X being a JDM, the power and torque rating are quoted with 100RON fuel whereas for export markets, the benchmark fuel is 95RON or so. Hence, the IS250 has lower power and torque rating here compared to Mark X.

 

[Slater]

Re: New BMW 323 vs 2009 Lexus IS250

Owned IS250 for 2.5 years before trading for 3 series three months ago. As thrilled as I am by the dynamism of my new 325, IS250 still does quiet luxury and smooth, gliding comfort significantly better than any 3 series. I still miss those things about Lexus (posted comparisons in the forum previously).

The 2009 IS is an even smoother and more powerful drive and handles even more securely. But for those hooked on the unique Bimmer "feel", Lexus will not be a substitute.

dsdfan,

how is the FL IS250 a smoother and more powerful ride? Last I checked, the bhp and suspensions were largely unchanged. If anything, the FL IS250 seems to have taken a back seat in terms of built quality. Crackling noises from a once graveyard silent IS.

 

[dsdfan]

Re: New BMW 323 vs 2009 Lexus IS250

dsdfan,

how is the FL IS250 a smoother and more powerful ride?

I gathered from Futron's post above that they boosted HP/Torque, which was surprising. Checked the Borneo site and the local engines for 2009 are still 205 HP and 252 NM.

I also read the 2009 IS250 newspaper ad which promises better handling, but this is due to the new VDIM program. They are using the same old suspension.

 

[btan]

Re: New BMW 323 vs 2009 Lexus IS250

My wife just bought the 2009 IS250 and sometimes I drive it on weekends as her "ahmad". It is a quiet & smooth car and I do not detect any cracking noise when driving it. As it is a new car, I note that I have to step harder for the revs to rise but recently it seems to be more responsive now.

The fuel consumption of the IS250 is certainly much better than her old Volvo S40T5. By comparison, I think the Volvo sounds like a truck (relatively speaking)although its performance was a wee bit more frenetic.

 

[Deadkookaburra]

Re: New BMW 323 vs 2009 Lexus IS250

well jap vs german...bmw still bmw. uncle auntie ah beng ah seng ah lian ...etc all will say BM leh. afterall you pay alot for a toyota imho.

so all said and done u just be missing that blink blink factor without the blue propellor. haha! my 2cents worth

 

[Slater]

Re: New BMW 323 vs 2009 Lexus IS250

I gathered from Futron's post above that they boosted HP/Torque, which was surprising. Checked the Borneo site and the local engines for 2009 are still 205 HP and 252 NM. Disappointing!

I also read in the 2009 IS250 newspaper ad that they incorporated a sportier suspension than in the original. Did they re-use the mushy old suspension?

Did you test drive the FL IS250 and hear unbecoming noises? Would be sad if build quality dropped as it is Lexus' forte.

yeah, I did go back for a test drive as the new FL was really an interesting prospect. By that time I had a good idea of what most of its competitors felt like.

The FL felt pretty much the same. Very little feedback is felt from the cockpit. Engine no doubt silent, did not have the feel and composure of the bimmer.

 

[dsdfan]

Re: New BMW 323 vs 2009 Lexus IS250

As it is a new car, I note that I have to step harder for the revs to rise but recently it seems to be more responsive now.

The fuel consumption of the IS250 is certainly much better than her old Volvo S40T5. .

Tried pressing "ECT Power"? This really wakes the car up!

I find the auto transmission shifting is quite complex and elaborate on Lexus. It tries hard to guess what your intention is, while you try to guess what it is up to. E90 shifts are somewhat more straightforward and predictable.

Even though the IS250 is heavier than the 325, the Lexus' fuel consmption is superior at the expense of some responsiveness, I feel.

 

[dsdfan]

Re: New BMW 323 vs 2009 Lexus IS250

The FL felt pretty much the same. Very little feedback is felt from the cockpit. Engine no doubt silent, did not have the feel and composure of the bimmer.

Perhaps the IS was designed specifically to isolate the cockpit from any feedback. IS fans love feeling safely cocooned from external motion, vibration and sound.

Did the suspension become significantly firmer and is handling more stable as advertised?

 

[Slater]

Re: New BMW 323 vs 2009 Lexus IS250

Perhaps the IS was designed specifically to isolate the cockpit from any feedback. IS fans love feeling safely cocooned from external motion, vibration and sound.

Did the suspension become significantly firmer and is handling more stable as advertised?

Not significant enough to notice. Main diff was the ability to engage peddle shifts without having moving the stick from Drive to peddle shift mode.