[chromerl]

I currently own a Lexus IS250 AWD and although a great car with loads of Luxury, I'm sick of it's slow acceleration, heavy weight, fuel economy, HUGE blind spots and so-so steering, and to add to that...this winter the car on the stock all-season tires were adequate and didn't feel like I had an AWD system helping me out and barely avoided some slippery situations. At highway speeds the car is very quiet and refined as a Lexus should be but passing power was marginal unless downshifted. But I loved the car for it's beautiful design inside and out (horrible rear-legroom sucked) amazing sound system! and amazing Lexus service but I'm ready for a change

Sooooo.........

I'm making the move to BMW and I'm considering the 323i (also looking to reduce my payments so 328i is outta the question) and wanted to know some things to consider before i make the move?? Also I wanted to know if the Sport Package that's available is worth the money?? I think it comes with an upgraded sport suspension and different rims....I know that it'll be a BIG difference from the Lexus luxury wise but i'm ready....So help me out guys!:rocks:

O and....I tested out my cousin's 335i auto a couple weeks ago and it had a DS Sport mode in the gearbox and made a world of a difference on shifts when pushing the car hard....does the 323i Auto have the same?

[canucklion]

check out bmw.ca , all your questions have been addressed on the bmw canada site

1. with sport package, you also get the sport seat and sport steering wheel, as well as different rims (same size, 16", but differente design)

2. yes, all Canadian 3 series steptronic transmission have the "DS" mode

[chromerl]

Yup I've already checked out the bmw.ca site but didn't find info on 'DS' mode....but thanks

So are you recommending the sport pack?

[visor]

If you're tired of the slow acceleration of the IS250AWD, be forewarned that the 323i is no better.

The auto in the 323i may not be the same upgraded unit in the 335i, so you'll have to drive it and see.

[hj058]

i would...you would love the sport suspension and sport steering wheel for sure...i think its worth it

[Kit523]

IS250->323i
328i->IS250

[stewie]

You'll probably find the acceleration in the 323 to be less than inspiring, esp. in an automatic. Plus, it's a real stripper, without lots of the stuff that comes in the Lexus. Probably not much of a difference from the 250.

Put winter tires on your 250. The AWD system will help you launch with allseasons, but that's it... it won't help you out of a slippery situation. You need a good set of ice tires for that. Much cheaper than buying a new car (which you'll need winters for anyway... it's RWD, don't forget).

[Saintor]

Originally Posted by chromerl

Yup I've already checked out the bmw.ca site but didn't find info on 'DS' mode....but thanks

So are you recommending the sport pack?

Not in the 323i. Get a set of BMW wheels replicas on ebay they are dirty cheap.

Style ZHP 18" 525$US.



Style 79 19" 759$US



Style 199 19" 849$US.



And plenty of 17"...

[GregL]

Originally Posted by Kit523

IS250->323i
328i->IS250

I agree, especially with the OP's IS being an AWD model.

[Saintor]

I certainly don't agree. The IS250 has nowhere the playful temper of a E90 even a 323i.

[chromerl]

Thanks for all the replies!

I think I'll opt for the sports package after all I've read about the great seats and steering wheel.

I know that the 323i won't be alot faster than the IS250 but power output is around the exact same and the AWD weighing about 300 lbs more....so should feel some noticeable kick

I do agree with people saying that it's a really stripped down car, primarily why I bought the Lexus in the first place but let me tell you all those luxuries don't make up for a car that you don't enjoy driving on a daily basis

[chromerl]

Originally Posted by Saintor

I certainly don't agree. The IS250 has nowhere the playful temper of a E90 even a 323i.

I was thinking the exact same thing!

[Greeney]

IS250 > 323i

[aspiring335]

The 323i is a great buy and I'm not sure it will feel much slower than the 328i, although the peak torque is less (180 lb ft vs. 200) and is available at 4,000 rpm rather than 2,750. That said, I wouldn't buy one with the auto transmission. With the manual transmission and some spirited driving you should be able to extract performance not too far from that of the 328i. Do you really need to have an auto?

The Sports package is great, primarily for the seats, but I would steer clear of any other options otherwise the price starts to get pretty close to the 328i.

[chromerl]

Originally Posted by aspiring335

The 323i is a great buy and I'm not sure it will feel much slower than the 328i, although the peak torque is less (180 lb ft vs. 200) and is available at 4,000 rpm rather than 2,750. That said, I wouldn't buy one with the auto transmission. With the manual transmission and some spirited driving you should be able to extract performance not too far from that of the 328i. Do you really need to have an auto?

The Sports package is great, primarily for the seats, but I would steer clear of any other options otherwise the price starts to get pretty close to the 328i.

Thanks!
I'm planning on taking a test-drive later this week so we'll see! The reason I was opting for an Auto was for crazy traffic in the city! It's TORONTO and stop-and-go drives me nuts...but opting for a manual will save me $1,600 soo it's a possibilty

People keep in mind that, there's quite a big price difference between the IS250 AWD and 323i so dollar for dollar I think the BMW is a great buy....My Lexus with options and before tax and discount was $45,750 whereas the 323i with the options I want is around $38,000

[BeemdoubleU]

uhh I testdrove the 323i a month ago, and it certainly is NOTHING like the 328 or the 335... I don't know why you would opt for a 323i at all. Keep the lexus, drive it for a while (it really doesnt depreciate all that fast anyway), and when you actually have the money, go for a 328/335

Do not get the 323i, you will be kicking yourself, cuz it just means more downpayment gone (I take it that you are leasing).

[chromerl]

Originally Posted by BeemdoubleU

uhh I testdrove the 323i a month ago, and it certainly is NOTHING like the 328 or the 335... I don't know why you would opt for a 323i at all. Keep the lexus, drive it for a while (it really doesnt depreciate all that fast anyway), and when you actually have the money, go for a 328/335

Do not get the 323i, you will be kicking yourself, cuz it just means more downpayment gone (I take it that you are leasing).

Yes I'm leasing....but honestly 30HP can't be a massive difference! Now obviously the 335i is a HUGE difference......Nothing is final so we'll see how it all plays out

[Saintor]

Originally Posted by BeemdoubleU

uhh I testdrove the 323i a month ago, and it certainly is NOTHING like the 328 or the 335... I don't know why you would opt for a 323i at all. Keep the lexus, drive it for a while (it really doesnt depreciate all that fast anyway), and when you actually have the money, go for a 328/335

Do not get the 323i, you will be kicking yourself, cuz it just means more downpayment gone (I take it that you are leasing).

I have 184HP.

Is power one of the worst 3 attributes I find in my car? NO.

Would I pay 10% more fuel to get 15% more power? NO.

0-60mph in low 7s is perfectly acceptable to me.

The funniest part is that those people who want the ultimate power will gladly recommend a diesel for people mentioning 'fuel economy' and of a sudden do not care any more that diesel are slow as hell.

[chromerl]

Originally Posted by Saintor

I have 184HP.

Is power one of the worst 3 attributes I find in my car? NO.

Would I pay 10% more fuel to get 15% more power? NO.

0-60mph in low 7s is perfectly acceptable to me.

The funniest part is that those people who want the ultimate power will gladly recommend a diesel for people mentioning 'fuel economy' and of a sudden do not care any more that diesel are slow as hell.

Great way to say it!!!:

[BeemdoubleU]

Originally Posted by Saintor

I have 184HP.

Is power one of the worst 3 attributes I find in my car? NO.

Would I pay 10% more fuel to get 15% more power? NO.

0-60mph in low 7s is perfectly acceptable to me.

The funniest part is that those people who want the ultimate power will gladly recommend a diesel for people mentioning 'fuel economy' and of a sudden do not care any more that diesel are slow as hell.

point taken - however the guy is trading in a IS250 that also has 200 hp, but a bit heavier.

Is there a point to trade the car in the first place?

If speed doesn't matter in the first place, then why change the car? Giving up 4WD to a rear wheel? Senseless to me

[Two Sheds]

Originally Posted by chromerl

I currently own a Lexus IS250 AWD and although a great car with loads of Luxury, I'm sick of it's slow acceleration, heavy weight, fuel economy, HUGE blind spots and so-so steering, and to add to that...this winter the car on the stock all-season tires were adequate and didn't feel like I had an AWD system helping me out and barely avoided some slippery situations. At highway speeds the car is very quiet and refined as a Lexus should be but passing power was marginal unless downshifted. But I loved the car for it's beautiful design inside and out (horrible rear-legroom sucked) amazing sound system! and amazing Lexus service but I'm ready for a change

Whatever car you have stick winter tires on it in the winter and you'll be fine for the traction problems you mention (as fine as it's possible to be on the roads in winter).

For reference I have a 330xi and I've also driven 325i + xi and 323i. The 325xi was shortly after I test drove the IS250 AWD and I thought power wise it felt similar, but the transmission in the BMW was better and the handling in all the BMW's I mentioned are far better than the IS. You get more feedback through the steering wheel and the cars just feel so much more planted than the Lexus.

Beware if your main problem with the IS250 is the lack of power then the 323i is not going to fix that. I had one as a loaner a couple of weeks back and it felt gutless compared to my 330 on the highway.

If you are leasing your IS250 and the lease term is up then I would definitely recommend the switch to the 323i, if you own the IS or have to pay to get out of a lease early then I'd personally hold off until the lease is over or you can afford a 328 or 335.

[chromerl]

Originally Posted by Two Sheds

Whatever car you have stick winter tires on it in the winter and you'll be fine for the traction problems you mention (as fine as it's possible to be on the roads in winter).

For reference I have a 330xi and I've also driven 325i + xi and 323i. The 325xi was shortly after I test drove the IS250 AWD and I thought power wise it felt similar, but the transmission in the BMW was better and the handling in all the BMW's I mentioned are far better than the IS. You get more feedback through the steering wheel and the cars just feel so much more planted than the Lexus.

Beware if your main problem with the IS250 is the lack of power then the 323i is not going to fix that. I had one as a loaner a couple of weeks back and it felt gutless compared to my 330 on the highway.

If you are leasing your IS250 and the lease term is up then I would definitely recommend the switch to the 323i, if you own the IS or have to pay to get out of a lease early then I'd personally hold off until the lease is over or you can afford a 328 or 335.

Great reply!
I'm taking this all into consideration......by the way my lease is ending..not breaking it.....Im taking a test drive soon so I'll see, power is not my main concern looking for the full package
I do agree that the gearbox and handling is superior in the BMW