I know the differnce in specs between them, but can you feel a large improvement in performance between the IS200 and 300? and is the 300 much better?

Also how much do you think i would have to pay for an IS300 with styling kit and sat nav about 2-4years old with average miles, when part exchanging my x reg (2000) is200 se with 30K on clock and mint condition?????

Might be dreaming here but feel like getting a bank loan and getting an IS300

[quote name='phillip_rodgers' date='Oct 7 2005, 01:25 PM']I know the differnce in specs between them, but can you feel a large improvement in performance between the IS200 and 300? and is the 300 much better?

[right][snapback]292148[/snapback][/right][/quote]

Yes and yes!

The 300 is a fair bit quicker than the 200 but the best part (for me) is how effortless it is.
If your 200 is an auto, there's a huge difference - I had a 200 auto as a courtesy car and I thought it was broken

Id Love an IS300!!

I traded my auto is200 for a 300 and was instantly suprised how different they are, the 300 is much quicker, if you have the option of a 300 definitely go for it

I went from 200 to 300.

Will never look back ..... driven a few courtesy IS200's now ... and they feel so underpowered !

Defo go for the IS300 ............. you will be smiling all the time

[quote name='ScarFace' date='Oct 7 2005, 04:40 PM']I went from 200 to 300.

Will never look back ..... driven a few courtesy IS200's now ... and they feel so underpowered !

Defo go for the IS300 ............. you will be smiling all the time 
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but...but....but.............it's an automatic

[quote name='Nick The Greek' date='Oct 7 2005, 05:11 PM']but...but....but.............it's an automatic 
[right][snapback]292229[/snapback][/right][/quote]

Still pi$$es all over a N/A 200 any day!

[quote name='Mr Morse' date='Oct 7 2005, 05:21 PM'][quote name='Nick The Greek' date='Oct 7 2005, 05:11 PM']
but...but....but.............it's an automatic 
[right][snapback]292229[/snapback][/right][/quote]

Still pi$$es all over a N/A 200 any day!
[right][snapback]292232[/snapback][/right]
[/quote]



but...but....but.............it's an automatic


I just couldnt bring myself to do it!

[quote name='Nick The Greek' date='Oct 7 2005, 05:26 PM']but...but....but.............it's an automatic 

I just couldnt bring myself to do it!
[right][snapback]292237[/snapback][/right][/quote]

Why?

Some of the US guys are running some serious boost on the E-shift IS300 which puts anything this side of the pond to shame!

The E-shift on the IS300 is easily the best I have experienced on a compact sports....have you actually driven one, now be honest?

[quote name='Nick The Greek' date='Oct 7 2005, 04:26 PM'][quote name='Mr Morse' date='Oct 7 2005, 05:21 PM'][quote name='Nick The Greek' date='Oct 7 2005, 05:11 PM']
but...but....but.............it's an automatic 
[right][snapback]292229[/snapback][/right][/quote]

Still pi$$es all over a N/A 200 any day!
[right][snapback]292232[/snapback][/right]
[/quote]



but...but....but.............it's an automatic


I just couldnt bring myself to do it!
[right][snapback]292237[/snapback][/right]
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Just what is it about a manual gearbox that turns so many of the British on? The IS300 Autobox is fast, quick changing and kickdown is zippy enough for most. It also is pretty good on consumption and reliability. Mind you you have to put up with having both hands available for driving and get used to not doing very much with your left foot. You also have to suffer the shame of relaxing whilst in heavy traffic not to mention the nuisance of cruise control. Still, even with all these terrible disadvantages I always go for an Auto, no matter what car I drive.

How about if I told you that the E-shift can handle over 300 RWBHP......that's more than enough to eat M3's for breakfast, lunch and dinner....

[quote name='Mr Morse' date='Oct 7 2005, 04:53 PM']How about if I told you that the E-shift can handle over 300 RWBHP......that's more than enough to eat M3's for breakfast, lunch and dinner....
[right][snapback]292252[/snapback][/right][/quote]

I presume you would need to turbocharge it to get that sort of power Very expensive I would think but if speeds your thing, why not? It would frighten me to death though.

[quote name='Kent' date='Oct 7 2005, 06:01 PM'][quote name='Mr Morse' date='Oct 7 2005, 04:53 PM']How about if I told you that the E-shift can handle over 300 RWBHP......that's more than enough to eat M3's for breakfast, lunch and dinner....
[right][snapback]292252[/snapback][/right][/quote]

I presume you would need to turbocharge it to get that sort of power Very expensive I would think but if speeds your thing, why not? It would frighten me to death though.
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That's correct - FI would be required to output that kind of power. The most powerful NA IS300 outputs 221 RWBHP (but it's a manual )

think mr morse has answered for me lol,,

[quote name='Mr Morse' date='Oct 7 2005, 05:32 PM'][quote name='Nick The Greek' date='Oct 7 2005, 05:26 PM']but...but....but.............it's an automatic 

I just couldnt bring myself to do it!
[right][snapback]292237[/snapback][/right][/quote]

Why?

Some of the US guys are running some serious boost on the E-shift IS300 which puts anything this side of the pond to shame!

The E-shift on the IS300 is easily the best I have experienced on a compact sports....have you actually driven one, now be honest?
[right][snapback]292239[/snapback][/right]
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It's got nothing to do with the power output of what the boxes can handle, that will never be an issue with me!

I havent driven one, and havent been a passenger in one (lexus). I've driven a bmw automatic, and been a passenger in an alfa 147 selespeed.

I guess it's the british quirk, I like to use the gearbox, plain and simple! It's just more enjoyable for me. I did play with the idea of getting an auto bmw before the lex, literally because of being stuck in london traffic all the time, but I like having pure control over the car, not a gearbox doing things for me

swings and roundabouts I guess! (this graemlin sums it up for me! )

Swapped my manual 200 for an auto 300 nearly two years ago and have a smile on my face every time I reach a bit of dual carriageway or have an overtaking opportunity (in Suffolk, the roads aren't so hot). The kick down is responsive and I've never had that feeling that I shouldn't have taken the plunge in a tight spot.

The petrol consumption hurts at times but it's worth it to give a B*W a run for it's money.

Go for it - once you've used the auto, you will not want to go back to a manual ever again.

[quote name='Andyscooke' date='Oct 7 2005, 07:36 PM']Go for it - once you've used the auto, you will not want to go back to a manual ever again.

   
[right][snapback]292320[/snapback][/right][/quote]

Agreed!

Apart from the lack of performance, the only other part of my IS200 i dislike, is the manual box. I wish i'd of gone for an auto.

there is a noticeable difference between the 200 and 300.

however - I found the IS200 to be a better "drive" - difficult to define.

dont know why - but the 200 seemed "nimbler" / 300 more ponderous.


not a huge difference - but I preferred the drive / handling of the IS200 (although came to really dislike the utter lack of power)

[quote name='LEX200sport' date='Oct 7 2005, 08:55 PM'][quote name='Andyscooke' date='Oct 7 2005, 07:36 PM']Go for it - once you've used the auto, you will not want to go back to a manual ever again.

   
[right][snapback]292320[/snapback][/right][/quote]

Agreed!

Apart from the lack of performance, the only other part of my IS200 i dislike, is the manual box. I wish i'd of gone for an auto.
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I don't find the IS200 auto very refined. The engine is very noisy, seems the stall speed of the torque convertor is just at the wrong rpm range for the engine.

The main reason the stall speed is high is because the engine lacks torque and the transmission is only 4 speed. It does has a nice fast kick down though.

IS300 is much nicer.

Get an IS200 driver to take a ride in a 300 and watch his eyes turn circles.......

Watch an IS200 driver to take a ride in a seriously modified IS300.....and who cums in their pants?

[quote name='Mr Morse' date='Oct 7 2005, 09:05 PM']Get an IS200 driver to take a ride in a 300 and watch his eyes turn circles.......

Watch an IS200 driver to take a ride in a seriously modified IS300.....and who cums in their pants? 
[right][snapback]292343[/snapback][/right][/quote]

I've still not been in one yet But i'll let you take me for a spin when Black Betty's back Mike....



Please

when ya ready dude...

must say in reply to the auto/manual debate... i prefer driving stick as i feel liek i haev more control over the engine,, as i tend to use the gears also to slow me down... but having an auto along with the tiptronic is nearly as good,, its the extra power that make up for this small loss..

if IS300 was manual would be a whole load of differencce

try sticking the arse out of an auto...its scary stuff

Swapped my 200se for a 300 sportcross a month ago.

Massive difference, faster, quieter, smoother, not much less mpg.

I have to say I have only ever had one auto, BMW 330Ci - lovely motor and really accelerated well - [url="http://www.yallop.me.uk/mycars/pages/330ci2.htm"]BMW 330Ci[/url]

I have no idea why the manual car exsists any more, modern auto's will change gear better than your average driver. And having driven an auto Nissan 200SX Turbo, I was gobsmacked how well that went. The auto kept the turbo pressure in all the way, where as I am sure if I were changing gear I would probably drop out of turbo pressure on each gear change, but then again, I am not that good a driver.

However, saying that, the only time the auto caught me out in the BMW was when I rolled up to a roundabout for example, probably in second gear, I would see a small gap to nip out onto the round about, floor it and the car would have that split second where it has to think about dropping a gear, then giving me the power. In my panic I would floor it and hold it too long vvvvVVVVV! loads of power, so I am then hard on the brakes. It is my own stupid fault, but some mornings through a lack of concentration, the auto would not do quite what I wanted....

Apart from that, I wish I had gone for the IS300 auto now. On paper there seemed so little difference in power I thought I would take the more economical route, hence getting a new IS200. Ah well....

Ok, excuse me if i sound stupid, but i knoe a 300 has the steering wheel buttons for changing up and down, does this mean you have to use these ALL the time or can you also let the auto do the work on its own too?

[quote name='Rich OB' date='Oct 11 2005, 08:01 PM']Ok, excuse me if i sound stupid, but i knoe a 300 has the steering wheel buttons for changing up and down, does this mean you have to use these ALL the time or can you also let the auto do the work on its own too?
[right][snapback]293627[/snapback][/right][/quote]

Yes, just stick it in "Drive" and forget it. Or put it in "Manual" and you have a clutchless manual gearbox with changes operated through the buttons. There is also a power setting for extra oomph if you want it.

[quote name='Kent' date='Oct 11 2005, 10:02 PM'][quote name='Rich OB' date='Oct 11 2005, 08:01 PM']Ok, excuse me if i sound stupid, but i knoe a 300 has the steering wheel buttons for changing up and down, does this mean you have to use these ALL the time or can you also let the auto do the work on its own too?
[right][snapback]293627[/snapback][/right][/quote]

Yes, just stick it in "Drive" and forget it. Or put it in "Manual" and you have a clutchless manual gearbox with changes operated through the buttons. There is also a power setting for extra oomph if you want it.
[right][snapback]293645[/snapback][/right]
[/quote]


Guys, the 330 has no gear selection on the steering wheel, you flick the gear knob left to go into sport/manual mode and push the gear forward to go down a gear and backward to go up a gear and it changes at the normal auto rate.

The buttons on the steering wheel are for the radio and cruise control only. You can accelerate/deccelerate the car with the buttons when in cruise mode.

[quote name='Mr Pants!' date='Oct 12 2005, 11:46 AM'][quote name='Kent' date='Oct 11 2005, 10:02 PM'][quote name='Rich OB' date='Oct 11 2005, 08:01 PM']Ok, excuse me if i sound stupid, but i knoe a 300 has the steering wheel buttons for changing up and down, does this mean you have to use these ALL the time or can you also let the auto do the work on its own too?
[right][snapback]293627[/snapback][/right][/quote]

Yes, just stick it in "Drive" and forget it. Or put it in "Manual" and you have a clutchless manual gearbox with changes operated through the buttons. There is also a power setting for extra oomph if you want it.
[right][snapback]293645[/snapback][/right]
[/quote]


Guys, the 330 has no gear selection on the steering wheel, you flick the gear knob left to go into sport/manual mode and push the gear forward to go down a gear and backward to go up a gear and it changes at the normal auto rate.

The buttons on the steering wheel are for the radio and cruise control only. You can accelerate/deccelerate the car with the buttons when in cruise mode.
[right][snapback]293820[/snapback][/right]
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But the 330 is a BMW. RichOB was referring to the 300, which is a Lexus and does have the steering wheel buttons.

The buttons on the sterring wheel (lexus that is, not B*W), select the highest gear you want to stay in and is not entirely manual. e.g., if you select third gear at a roundabout, the automatic will still accelerate you off as normal but will not change up to fourth until you press the + button or reach the rev limit.

This way, you can use the gears to slow you down then change up a couple of gears before you set off so you don't have to worry about pressing buttons whilst trying to turn the wheel around a rounabout (can be tricky). Once you get used to it, you feel in control without having to concentrate too much - in power mode, can be fun.

Eshift will never be quicker than the standard auto mode. You are dreaming.

[quote name='Kent' date='Oct 7 2005, 04:37 PM']Just what is it about a manual gearbox that turns so many of the British on? The IS300 Autobox is fast, quick changing and kickdown is zippy enough for most. It also is pretty good on consumption and reliability. Mind you you have to put up with having both hands available for driving and get used to not doing very much with your left foot. You also have to suffer the shame of relaxing whilst in heavy traffic not to mention the nuisance of cruise control.      Still, even with all these terrible disadvantages I always go for an Auto, no matter what car I drive.   
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what you want to do is get yourself a nice RS200 problem solved
reports out now

[quote name='Mr Morse' date='Oct 14 2005, 10:05 PM']Eshift will never be quicker than the standard auto mode. You are dreaming.
[right][snapback]294835[/snapback][/right][/quote]
The actual change isn't quicker for sure, but I much prefer to manually select a lower gear when going for an overtake, rather than just mashing the throttle and waiting for the rather slow-witted (IMO) kickdown.
Why the hell didn't they make the kickdown work properly instead of the stupid sequential arrangement? - it's the only thing I don't like about the 'box.