From Lexus To Bmw.........one Year On!

[Anees]

I bought a BMW 330D M Sport back in December 2006. I thought it would be interesting post about the experience of going from my lightly modded Lexus to my now heavily modded BMW.

The Lexus:

IS200 SE (Power - 153bhp and 144ft/lb torque) -All the Sport Modifications, Apexi Coilovers, TTE AntiRoll bars, Japasi Chasis Braces, Car PC, TRD Bodykit, 18" Toora Platinum 5 wheels, Smoked Headlights and Tail lights, 6000K HID kit, LED lights, Spoiler, Prolex/Geoffers AUX-IN, Prolex/Geoffers Autofold wing mirror/sunroof closure, Gold Calipers, Gold Badges

It was my pride and joy! I never got a supercharger because at the time most insurance companies wouldn't touch me with it (I was 23 when I first got the Lexus) and it was still a pretty expensive car at the time.

After I sat in Gord's BMW 330D I knew it was the car for me. I didn't like the looks that much at first but it grew on me and the interior was really well built. Gord kindly helped me find a few cars that we went to look at; I finally found one in Cardiff that ticked the right boxes i.e colour, sunroof, electric mirrors, Bluetooth etc.

The Lexus just wasn't suitable for me anymore because:

1. Insurance companies wouldn't let me supercharge it

2. The fuel economy considering the performance of the car was just not good enough

3. I got tired with having to rev the car to 4500RPM so the VVTI kicked in before the car really took off, and I'm no racing driver!

4. I still had the Lexus for a few months after I had bought the BMW and every time I got into it the car just felt brick slow - almost like it was broken compared to the torque monster that the BMW was!

I sold the Lexus after the first Northwest meet organised by Jamie.

So......slowly at first - the modding began to my 330D and she is now quite a MONSTER . Being 25 meant that insurance companies were not as restrictive regarding mods to the car.

Currently power-wise she is running around 300bhp and 415ft/lb torque! Its a different league compared to the IS200 standard or supercharged!

The current mods are:

Engine:

Uprated Allard Intercooler with Samco Silicone Hoses

Pipercross Airfilter

Chipped UK "Racing" Higher Performance remap

Blueflame Catback Stainless Steel Exhaust

Sprint Booster Throttle Booster

Braking:

Stage 1 -

Uprated drilled/grooved brake discs

EBC Redstuff Semi-Ceramic pads

Goodridge Stainless Steel Brake hoses

Red Painted calipers

Dot 5.1 Brake Fluid

Suspension:

Eibach Pro-Street Coilovers

Eibach Anti Roll Bars

Powerflex bushes on rear

New Febi Blisten Front Wishbones and Balljoints

New Tyres all round

Full Geometry check by Drury Lane in Oldham

Cosmetic:

18" Beyern Mesh Deep Dish Alloys. (8.5J front and 9.5J rear - 13mm dish!) LOVE THE highly polished diamond cut lip.

AC Schnitzer Roof Spoiler

M3 Rear view mirror with Rain Sensor

M3 Auto-fold wing mirrors

Club sport Splitters

Twin 3"-twin Air intake scoops in front grill

Harmann Style Front Fog light covers

Black Kidney Grill

Black and Silver ///M badge

Carbon Fibre BMW Badges

Carbon Fibre BMW Wheel Centre Caps

Carbon Fibre BMW Wheel Valve Caps

Carbon Fibre Rear Diffuser

Carbon Fibre Steering wheel badge

///M Numberplate surrounds

Colour-code black trim

35% Window Tints Rear

50% Window Tints Front

Metal Dash Cluster surrounds

Chrome Door pin rings

///M Seat belt Covers

///M Aluminium Pedal Set

///M Aluminium Footrest

Lighting:

6000K CCFL Angle eyes

Coup Style LED Rear lights

Blue reversing bulbs

Interior Xenon bulbs

360-degree LED indicator bulbs

6000K D2S Xenon bulbs

100W H7 Hi Beam Bulbs (Xenon look)

100W Fog light Bulbs (Xenon look)

Silver Indicator Bulbs

Interior:

M3 SMG Leather Multi-Function Steering wheel with ///M colour stitching and paddle shift

Storm Motor works Stainless Steel Custom engraved 6 speed gearknob (weighs over half a kilo!)

Storm Motor works Stainless Steel Handbrake

Interior Xenon lights

I have spent a lot of time and effort on the car and think it now looks really menacing

My IS200 Vs My 330D

Handling:

I would say that my modified Lexus which was a much lighter car with a pretty light engine handled better. The Lexus handling was sharper and it rolled less in the corners. This could be due to the fact that the Apexi coilovers on the Lexus were MUCH harder then the street spec Eibach coilovers on the 330D. I also went further with the Lexus with Japasis chassis braces that were SUPERB and TTE AntiRoll bars! I don't really want to go any further suspension wise with the 330D because looking back at it I think I went too far with the Lexus and the ride was really hard. The BMW is a million miles better then it was when I first got it, thanks to the coilovers and anti roll bars but it can't match the Lexus on handling.

Power/Performance:

Er.....no contest! The 330D utterly wipes the floor with the Lexus. Every time I got into the Lexus after I had driven the BMW I felt like it was broken. Even if I spent stupid money on the Lexus I wouldn't have achieved value for money gains. My mechanic has driven Evos and even owned two skyline R33 GTS-T in the past and says that my car feels so much quicker! I also have a mate that has an e46 M3 and he was shocked at how quick my car felt. Obviously on a track the M3/Evo/Skylines would kill the humble diesel because of the smaller rev range but on the road not a lot in it - maybe the 330Dis actually quicker because it has been remapped for massive low-down grunt.

Economy:

The Lexus was very poor. I'd get around 350 - 375 miles per 70L tank if I went on a long run and took it easy, around town about 270ish. The BMW I get around 400miles per 63L tank just around town/small dual carriageways and around 500+ miles if I am on a run. On a recent trip to West Brom the OBC said 52mpg for the trip! I do run the car exclusively on V-Power Diesel which quietens the Idle down substantially and makes the car feel smoother.

Image:

I do prefer being a Lexus owner/driver because I prefer the image. However I have not noticed any nasty looks from other drivers now that I am in the BMW and they let me out at junctions just the same as before. I also indicate all the time and my fog lights are only ever on when visibly is sufficient to merit them! More people that know nothing about cars notice the BMW more then Lexus was but I don't think this is a good thing!

Overall:

For me the BMW is a much better proposition and is like having your cake and eating with with neck snapping performance and very good economy! I do wish I was still driving a Lexus however and hope to come back very soon ;) I much prefer this forum too over the BMW clubs.

I have a few pics I took in December before I left the UK (been away for two weeks). With the weather being so bad, I had just washed the car and dried it, nothing else and not cleaned the interior so sorry they are not the best pictures. I know I have a bit of condensation in the drivers headlight in the picture; I just need to flip the lens cover off and dry it inside - I've just not had chance.

Hope you like!

Electric Autofold Mirrors

Because the car is a facelift model I had to go to West Brom to a specialist to get these fitted properly and the wiring had to be done manually using trial and error, so I am especially proud of these!

Please wait a few seconds for Video to Load!

BMW 330D (300bhp & 415ft/lb torque) Pics

[Anees]

I now love the looks and the power, so just want to improve the ICE with a double din setup, Amp, Sub woofer and better speakers very soon! ;)

[aztecbandit1]

Hello Anees nice to see your still around mate and hope your well? :D Cars looking very nice and sounds like it goes very well too? you should bring it over to Germany with us in March and give it a good run? :D

[boddamloon]

Good write up Anees and some nice picsyou have there mate and its still good to see you around here all the best mate

[Unregistered_User]

Hey up fella,

Glad to see you're still as happy as when I spoke to you after you'd just got it :D

Certainly seems as though you've moved along with the modifications - all be it very, very silently up and till now ;)

If you don't mind, Anees, next time we have a meet, would you fancy taking me for a spin? :)

Hope you and the family are well...

All the best,

Jamie

[Anees]

Cheers guys!

I know I've not been posting as much as normal, but I've still been on here almost everyday; this forum is like "home". I've meaning to put pics up for ages, just not had the time!

@Jamie - no worries about the ride - just hope you have a strong neck My regards to you and your family too :)

[Vyker]

Anees, I've always liked your car from your avatar, and to see some pictures of it finally; cements my liking to it.

I think everything you have done to it is make it look subtly better then the rest, not OTT, chav'esqe ... just right!

One day I hope to own an e46 330Cd/i, and when I do, alot of the mods done on yours will suit me nicely.

In terms of forums, all the BMW ones I looked into were nothing like LOC, i think the community built up here in LOC is like no other, and even if I were to be no longer an owner of a Lexus, I would still, like yourself, actively participate on it.

Good write, and I hope to see more of the car in the future!

[Rsarin]

Anees you sicko!!!!!!!!!you gone mod crazy daddio!!,when we seeing those 300 horses unleashed?I wanna race.I to still own Lexii and pop on here daily because of my love of them and the people on LOC,however like yourself I have been obsessed lately with the modifications on my E46 M3 and i just cant find a way to stop the addiction(worst than cigs).Your car is looking sweet and i must say very tasteful mods.Im presently waiting for upgardes to be finished on mine,and when they are all done,we are all meeting up(me,you,grandad gaylord gord),no excuses boyo!!

[NCC_1701_C]

LOL,

I went the opposite direction.

I sold my e90 BMW 330iA Exec for the Lexus IS250 SE A after a mere 8 months of ownership.....

The main reason for going this way was to reduce power and improve petrol consumption.

Here in Jhb, with it being at such high altitude, I knew that the 330 pushed 190kw and yet having such power, I never could learn my lesson and everytime I came across a Golf V GTi, I would have a robot to robot dash and always got murdered in the process...... I figured that if I subconscioulsy knew that I was in a IS250 with a mere 153kw, then I wouldn't be tempted..... So far it's worked.....

Besides, at my age, it's all about the luxuries and comfort etc than power and the IS250's "standard" items far outweighed the "additional options" on a BMW....

I took a R40k knock on my back pocket with the trade and I still say it was worth it...

BTW, Anees, your car looks Awesum

[SHAHZ]

Have to say the car looks sweet bro....very nice subtle mods... keep us up to date with the progress B)

[WylieCoyote]

There is no denying that the 330D is streets ahead of not just the Lexus but many other models in the torque and power stakes. Whether we like it or not, diesel now has the upper hand.

Nice car Anees. Angel eyes look amazing.

Keith :)

[Anees]

Anees you sicko!!!!!!!!!you gone mod crazy daddio!!,when we seeing those 300 horses unleashed?I wanna race.I to still own Lexii and pop on here daily because of my love of them and the people on LOC,however like yourself I have been obsessed lately with the modifications on my E46 M3 and i just cant find a way to stop the addiction(worst than cigs).Your car is looking sweet and i must say very tasteful mods.Im presently waiting for upgardes to be finished on mine,and when they are all done,we are all meeting up(me,you,grandad gaylord gord),no excuses boyo!!

Thanks everyone. :)

I've been a bit hesistant posting up on here about my car since afterall its not a Lexus.

I have to take it slightly easy on take off because I am still on the standard clutch which the next thing I'd change, but it fine yet and no signs of slipping so will wait if it starts slipping :D...... The engine according to most the tuners can go further and their is a e46 330D around with 350bhp and over 500ft/lb torque! The thing is that this is my everyday car and it getting quite unclear as to what the car gearbox and transmission can handle, so I thought it best to stop at the current figures. So far I have 100% reliability too which is nice.

Just to show how the current car compares with others:

My Modified e46 330D M Sport - 300bhp & 415ft/lb torque

Standard e46 M3 - 343bhp & 255ft/lb torque

Standard e92 M3 - 420bhp & 269ft/lb torque

Standard e60 M5 - 500bhp & 384ft/lb torque

B7 Audi RS4 - 417bhp & 317ft/lb torque

Mitsubishi Evo 8 - 276bhp & 284ft/lb torque

With a diesel (in fact most cars) the torque is much more important then the bhp..... (well I would say that! )

@Raj - I would be up for a meet with You and Gord and Granddad (I assume you mean Dave!) , but being honest I think your supercharged M3 would probably kill us! I think the only way I'd beat you in a race would be if you brought your Lexus by mistake! ;)

@WylieCoyote - Yeah - I don't think Diesel is the "Fuel of Satin" as they say on Top Gear! Petrol still has the upper hand on a track because the engine is probably lighter so the cars weigh less, which helps the handling and response also the bigger rev range.

[WylieCoyote]

Hehe, I've always been of that opinion of diesels myself but I'm slowly coming round!

415lb/ft is tyre-shredding power let's face it. You could blow most cars on the motorway into the weeds!

[Anees]

Hehe, I've always been of that opinion of diesels myself but I'm slowly coming round!

415lb/ft is tyre-shredding power let's face it. You could blow most cars on the motorway into the weeds!

When I had the Lexus (which was my first rear wheel drive car) I heard people talking about take it easy in the wet, but I just drove normally and never had a problem - even if I was being "enthusiastic". In the 330D with the torque its a different story. It has at times wheel spun in 3rd gear - and my tyres are a good make and less then 2000miles old!

I had a laugh a while back when I was being tailgated by a Porsche (I think was a Boxster) and we we both in the right hand lane and had some silly driver in front of us in a battered green polo doing 50mph! Finally she got out of the way, I put my foot down, as did the Boxster owner and watched the Porsche drivers face as he saw me pull away from him in a hurry. Mid range the car really is very good....... :)

[WylieCoyote]

That few seconds makes it all worth it. There's few things nicer than seeing a Porsche driver in your rear view mirror getting smaller and looking very feeble! What you'll note afterwards is that when you slow down and they then pass you, they'll just drive past you with the tunnel vision and not even look at you!

[Rikos]

Brilliant write up and a superb car!!!

Just be better if it was a IS330D

[chrisis200]

I love those mirrors looks gr8 :D

[Anees]

Just be better if it was a IS330D

Maybe I should call it an IS330D........I like it! LOVE IT! HA HA!

[Kazi]

Very nice car mate! Lovin'it!

[dazz32]

Just be better if it was a IS330D

Maybe I should call it an IS330D........I like it! LOVE IT! HA HA!

just thought id say what a awsome car you have Annes she looks really mean at the front and those angel eyes set it of to a tee at nite..! :D its nice to see what other mods people have done and yours is ace..

cant wait to see the ice mods your going to do to her... ;)