RX8-79

Did you even know it was a 250, or did you think it was a Grand Prix or Sonata. I know it's hard for me to tell the diff.

The 3 has a start/stop button, yes. Unless you order the Comfort Access system (truly keyless starting/stopping and access), you have to pop the fob into the slot, press the brake, and hit the button. Hit the button again to stop the car, and push the fob to make it pop out.
Xenons are an option on the 325, and it includes auto leveling and the swivel feature for cornering.

Raves: skyhigh redline and the great sound that goes with it up there; Telepathic handling, with the sport package; Feels faster than it is; HK system is one of the best; sport seats hug you and the thigh extension should be copied by ALL.
Rants: No standard CD changer; Interior is straightforward but plain (typical BMW); Turn signal is goofy til youre used to it.

Ike

Mazda speed 6 ranked compared to the other AWD cars in the R&T comparo:

Driving excitement= T3rd
Steering= 5th
Ride= T6th
Handling= 5th
AutoX test= 6th

Yep, it's a real stunner in the handling department, and to top it all off owners are having lots of issues with the car.

JeRKy 8 Owner

I'm just going to say this again. The whole "wow" factor with the IS is the sports sedan's killer acceleration. If you drop down to a IS250, all you have left is a pretty looking, mediocre handling sedan with disappointing performance. It'd be like owning a GTO without the 400 horsepower. What's the point? (By the way, the GTO is also in the same price range here.) I'm telling you if you're not shooting for the IS350, stick with the bimmer. The 325i beats the hell out of the IS250 in every department, except maybe looks. But take it from someone who has already made this mistake before and went with the cheap turtle model: right now the idea of getting into that less expensive version of the car with the same great exterior may seem like a no brainer, but if in a year or two from now you're bored to tears of the automobile and your decision comes back to bite you in the ***, you're going to be wishing you had spent the extra cash.

RX8-79

Your breath has got to stink to high heaven given how much **** you talk. A few people on a message forum mention power loss (thats been identified and is being addressed) and that equals "lots of issues"? Idiot, please. One could easily jump on the wrx board or whatever riced out **** youre driving these days and say the same, based on one or two threads about any given issue.

And p.s., it may or may not be a stunner in handling, but it's smacked down the specBS in 3 out of 4 direct comparos in handling, so clearly the bs is far from a stunner itself.

Ike

You're the one talking **** and flinging insults, I'm just here to talk about cars. Grow the **** up!

r0tor

iTrader: (1)

BMW did not have a great AWD system a few years ago when it was using the rather cheap FWD biased haldex system. I believe the newer xDrive system can reportedly shift 100% of the torque to a single wheel if it wants to - audi can not do that.

playdoh43

i dont see how theyd have a FWD biased awd system a few years ago when bmws are based on RWD platform to begin with.

opus_opus

I test drove both and agree with the majority here. The 325 is a better car combining good ride and handling in one package. As with most luxuary cars, the only thing I don't like is the costly options. You pick this and that, and boom, the car is now $40k instead of a $32k car.

If I were you, I would also consider the Infiniti M35 or M35 Sport.

Japan8

^^ which only comes in automatic... ewww. Might as well save money and get a IS350 in that case... or the GS350/450 (direct competitor) and get mroe space than the IS350.

efini_8

JeRKy 8, this was the most helpful advice yet. And the IS has a lot of options that are just TOO pricey to touch upon. However, they do have a lot of little subtle features that i loved, but i believe the BMW comes with that too... (i.e. Start/Stop button, iPod integration)...

Moving on, Car and Driver says:

The Sport package thankfully doesn't include the active-steering system that automatically adjusts the steering ratio based on vehicle speed (as it does on 5- and 6-series models), because we prefer the feel of the standard steering.

and (a much stronger statement)

It helps that this 330i was ordered just right, meaning with a six-speed manual and without the wonky active steering and the atrocious iDrive. Both are warts on the options sheet to be avoided at all costs.

Now, given these statements,

I was looking into the 325xi, because during the winters, there has been many circumstances when it had snowed quite a bit... why is the xi (despite just the extra weight), NOT preferred by most of the 8 owners on this forum... how is the feel so different?

Additionally, when i went to the Lexus dealer, they gave me a little comparison sheet with the IS250 and the 325i. In that comparison:

0-60mph Acceleration:
IS250 (7.9sec RWD) (8.3sec AWD)
325i (6.7sec MT) (7.2sec AT)
G35 (6.2sec AT) (5.8sec MT)

I recall someone on this forum saying that the 0-60 times for the 325i were listed as 6.1seconds? Am i seeing things now (highly likely b/c i'm studying for midterms at JHU), or did someone actually list that?

I'm looking at both the 325i as well as the 325xi now and the IS250 is heavily put to side thanks to all of your helpful advice (which i really can't get anywhere else).

Also, it seems that in regard to the TURNING circles for both those cars, the IS is approximately 2.6ft greater.

As for the Front headroom, the 325i is (.2 inches) higher,
As for the Rear headroom, the 325i is (.4 inches) higher,
... Front legroom, the 325i is (2.4 inches) SHORTER,
... Rear Legroom, the 325i is (4 inches) longer,
... Front shoulder room, 325i (1 inch) wider,
... Rear shoulder room, 325i (2.4 inches) wider.

As for curb weights:
325i 3,285 lbs. (MT) 3,351 lbs. (AT)
IS250 3,435 (AT/RWD) 3,455 (MT/RWD) 3,651 (AT/AWD)

Horsepower/Torque:
325i 215/185
IS250 204/185

Prices equipped the way i want it:
IS250 with Premium Package $33040
325i with Sport Package $33190

Conclusion:
Given all this data and others, can someone touch upon the performance aspects of the two...

Car and driver and Motortrend(?) both state that the is350 handles very well... does the is250 and 350 have different suspensions?

Thanks for all your advice (thus far).

James

efini_8

Quote:
Originally Posted by JeRKy 8 Owner
I'm just going to say this again. The whole "wow" factor with the IS is the sports sedan's killer acceleration... The 325i beats the hell out of the IS250 in every department, except maybe looks. But take it from someone who has already made this mistake before and went with the cheap turtle model: right now the idea of getting into that less expensive version of the car with the same great exterior may seem like a no brainer, but if in a year or two from now you're bored to tears of the automobile and your decision comes back to bite you in the ***, you're going to be wishing you had spent the extra cash.


JeRKy 8, this was the most helpful advice yet. And the IS has a lot of options that are just TOO pricey to touch upon. However, they do have a lot of little subtle features that i loved, but i believe the BMW comes with that too... (i.e. Start/Stop button, iPod integration)...

Moving on, Car and Driver says:

The Sport package thankfully doesn't include the active-steering system that automatically adjusts the steering ratio based on vehicle speed (as it does on 5- and 6-series models), because we prefer the feel of the standard steering.

and (a much stronger statement)

It helps that this 330i was ordered just right, meaning with a six-speed manual and without the wonky active steering and the atrocious iDrive. Both are warts on the options sheet to be avoided at all costs.

Now, given these statements,

I was looking into the 325xi, because during the winters, there has been many circumstances when it had snowed quite a bit... why is the xi (despite just the extra weight), NOT preferred by most of the 8 owners on this forum... how is the feel so different?

Additionally, when i went to the Lexus dealer, they gave me a little comparison sheet with the IS250 and the 325i. In that comparison:

0-60mph Acceleration:
IS250 (7.9sec RWD) (8.3sec AWD)
325i (6.7sec MT) (7.2sec AT)
G35 (6.2sec AT) (5.8sec MT)

I recall someone on this forum saying that the 0-60 times for the 325i were listed as 6.1seconds? Am i seeing things now (highly likely b/c i'm studying for midterms at JHU), or did someone actually list that?

I'm looking at both the 325i as well as the 325xi now and the IS250 is heavily put to side thanks to all of your helpful advice (which i really can't get anywhere else).

Also, it seems that in regard to the TURNING circles for both those cars, the IS is approximately 2.6ft greater.

As for the Front headroom, the 325i is (.2 inches) higher,
As for the Rear headroom, the 325i is (.4 inches) higher,
... Front legroom, the 325i is (2.4 inches) SHORTER,
... Rear Legroom, the 325i is (4 inches) longer,
... Front shoulder room, 325i (1 inch) wider,
... Rear shoulder room, 325i (2.4 inches) wider.

As for curb weights:
325i 3,285 lbs. (MT) 3,351 lbs. (AT)
IS250 3,435 (AT/RWD) 3,455 (MT/RWD) 3,651 (AT/AWD)

Horsepower/Torque:
325i 215/185
IS250 204/185

Prices equipped the way i want it:
IS250 with Premium Package $33040
325i with Sport Package $33190

Conclusion:
Given all this data and others, can someone touch upon the performance aspects of the two...

Car and driver and Motortrend(?) both state that the is350 handles very well... does the is250 and 350 have different suspensions?

Thanks for all your advice (thus far).

James

Ike

I've been meaning to ask, how did you swing this one? Also, do you still live at home with your parents?

efini_8

i'll answer the question w/ the shorter answer first:

No, my home residence is in NY (long island), but i am currently an undergraduate student at Johns Hopkins Univ. in Baltimore, MD.

As for warranty covering my new motor, engine, and cat/converter, i will only disclose that information through email. So freel free to email me at jpark98@jhu.edu (just let me know whether or not you're affiliated with Mazda USA).

any updates on Thread #61 fellow 8'ers?

Ike

In other words you returned your car to stock before taking it in for warranty work.

As for thread 61, go drive them and decide what you like better and be done with it... Performance wise in a straight line the 325i is about the same as the RX-8, the xi is slower and not as quick. The IS is going to handle about the same no matter which model you get.

Here's an article that talks about the 325xi and a few other cars mentioned in this thread.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....rticle_id=3280

bascho

efini, you state you had these items replaced for free:

1) new motor
2) engine
3) cat/converter

What does 'new motor' mean? Since you list engine as a separate item.

efini_8

bascho to tell you the truth, i have no idea. I received the paperwork from the dealer and it stated that the motor assembly, engine block(?)/assembly, and catalytic converter assembly was replaced...
When i get home (spring break, WOOO HOOO), i'll write out what the documentation states.

GULAMAN

If BMW has updated and reworked their AWD system for the E90 3-series, then I retract my statement somewhat. I was basing my opinion on driving experience w/ an E46 330xi, whose AWD system was uninspiring. perhaps it was the stark contrast between the RWD 330 and the AWD 330 that made the former feel bad in comparison(ie. heavy understeer vs. near-perfect neutrality)

Michael

Buying the IS250 when the IS350 is available is crazy.

Detrich

the rear tail lights on the new 3 series looks like a 3 year old kid designed it.

efini_8

Detrich, i thought the rear tail lights initially looked like those of a corolla... but after constantly looking and observing, i've become quite fond of it.
as for the buying the 250 when the 350 is available, well, $$$ is the issue...

GULAMAN

I agree, this is the only design detail of the 3 that turns me off. fortunately, though, the taillights are what I would call a '2-dimensional' design feature....somewhat superficial. if it was a more fundamental contour/shape that was 'off', I'd be more apt to let it affect my impression of the car overall.

Being a 2-D design feature, we'll likely see aftermarket options for the tailights that may enhance the look. Just like the aftermarket options for Evo VIII and Lexus IS 300, available for those who don't want the clear Altezza style taillights.

RX8-79

Then I guess a 2 year old with ADD designed the ones on the 250 since they look far worse.

RX8-79

According to C&D. Take that with as much authority as an opinion of ike's; they too are usually full of **** and inaccurate.


The is handles well, provided youve never driven anything fun to drive, or youre used to buicks and avalons. If you actually like to drive like you have a pulse, the is isnt the car for you. Its about as limp and dead as the es300. I guess they didnt learn a lesson from nissan; if you want to dethrone the 3 series, you need more than just straightline power.

Detrich

well, i own a 3 series from the prior generation, so i think i have a decent perspective. and, having seen both cars, to me the tail lights on the new 3 is WAY uglier than those on the new IS. yes, it's a subjective thing... but, i do feel that the aesthetics of the rear lights is important and not to be lightly dismissed as a passing thought.

the nice thing about the IS is that the rear lights protrude and have a unique 3-D effect. (you can't really tell this from the photos- u need to look at it in person. the tail lights actually come out of the car and have a strong, angular, muscular look.) the bmw's, on the other hand, look like the design team couldn't come up w/ anything good and had to meet a deadline. so, at the 9th hour they just drew a diagonal line on the insides to fill in that empty space and patted themselves on the back and went home to wack off...

GULAMAN

I won't argue with that. however, for anyone to pick against the 325 because the taillights aren't as 'nice'....well, he/she must not be a true enthusiast. I can't see my own damn tailights from the driver's seat; and the drivers' seat experience is what I'm paying my $$ for.