if the IS300 = Altezza though, it would be a closer race. Too bad.

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AIM: beretta627
ARE U NOT JDM STYLE? IF NOT PLEASE DIAL 1800- IM WAK AS HELL

[This message has been edited by beretta627 on December 25, 2001 @ ]

Plus altezza lights suck...even when they belong on the car. The whole tail-light craze that followed the release of the IS300 ruined it. It's too bad, but when I look at the Lexus it looks like just another riced out honda at first glance.

There is plenty of aftermarket for the Bavarian as well. Dinan, AC Schnitzer, Hamman, Rouge Engineering, Racing Dynamics, Hartage, and Bavarian Motorsports are just a few sources for aftermarket parts for the German.

There is just something about German Engineered cars...far superior in my opinion. There are both BMW and Japanese car diehards on this board, so be prepared for a lot of mixed responses.

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AIM - TuPaK Si

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EG 5spd

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2000 Civic Si EBP

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i ShIfT gEaRz WiTh No FeAr---->00 Eb Si # is between 1 & 30,000

Too bad I couldnt find a good picture of the blue one I like.

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"I have seen gross intolerance shown in support of tolerance."
-Samuel Taylor Cooleridge

"So many rpms. So little time." -Honda

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00 VSM SiR

Not even the same sport if you ask me.

The IS is an expensive Civic with ugly taillights

Miguel

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[IMG]http://mjwireless.com/Shaq/shaq.jpg[/IMG]
13.471@102.59
BGM in the house?

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2002 Torch Red - Z06 12.0@118

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2000 Prelude

Seriously, I haven't been able to find performance information on the 5 speed IS300. What do they do in the quarter? Also are the FR or FF? FR I hope

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- Joe

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- Joe

quote:

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Originally posted by Bonga:
i will get stick 325 with sport package, and use the rest of budget to get 18'hamman or breyton wheels. think this basic setup can satisfy me pretty well

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If you have the extra...get the 330. You will thank me later. I've driven every config of the E46, and it is night and day between the 325 and 330 (I've flogged plenty of dealer courtesy cars). Both are excellent, but the 330 is just the cherry on top!!

quote:

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Originally posted by meth0d:
IS300, just because the 330 is probably due for a redesign soon (isnt it?)

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The 3 also just under went a mild front end change for the 2002 model year and some different options are standard/available. Check the headlights and front facias on the 2001 and the 2002 in the dealers - some subtle and not so subtle changes. Bi-Xenons are now available - previously high-beams were halogen. For the sport package now you get Euro Clears all the way around, and optional 18" from the factory. All 330s also get standard H/K premium systems with CD in-dash (i don't know why they even offer tapes anymore).

That's the changes that I can remember off the top of my head. Remeber the E36 design lasted from 94-98 (99 for the coupes, 00 for M3 and drop top) That's about 5 years, so I wouldn't expect a total redesign for at least 3 more years. The lexus has been out just as long, but it will probably have a longer shelf life.

[This message has been edited by rcurley55 on December 26, 2001 @ ]

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99 FBP Civic

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Nick
96 M3, Cosmos Black - pretty much stock (but it's shiny)
"If I wanted any crap from you, I'd sqeeze your head."

quote:

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Originally posted by dhillon65:
hey im gunna be bying a new car within these 2 weeks...which car do u think is better and why? pros and cons please....Thanks a lot for the advice

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I would take the new IS300 with the 5 speed manual!

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Tell him Ray...........KMART sucks

quote:

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Originally posted by CivicHope:
330ci

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Strictly Performance
Team Airborn
1998 ex
MY CAR IS FORSALE
pictures
http://a3.cpimg.com/image/51/C0/1664593-7550-02000180-.jpg
http://a7.cpimg.com/image/55/C0/1664597-7a2f-02000180-.jpg
http://a1.cpimg.com/image/4F/C0/1664591-7534-02000180-.jpg
http://a3.cpimg.com/image/ED/BD/1664493-5648-028001EE-.jpg
email me for info.

quote:

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Originally posted by CivicHope:
330ci

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Word, we don't like no stinking sedans.

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2000 FBP Honda Civic Si
"The coast the hemisphere, look how hip-hop grew/
But it's still the proverbial sad clown of music/
Exploited by many, understood by few." - J-Live
"Life without knowledge is death in disguise." - Talib Kweli

So I would still suggest giving the 330ci a good look. Only thing is you will be paying around 600/month for that car. That's provided you don't have a hefty down payment.

But, I almost went with this:

But then I found my M

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Nick
96 M3, Cosmos Black - pretty much stock (but it's shiny)
"If I wanted any crap from you, I'd sqeeze your head."

I'll pick 330ci anyday, unless your putting up against 540i, that's another day, another question. But if you that kind of money to send why not just add extra bucks and get new M3 with SMG II.

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" Ve go to European disco!.....Schnell!"

quote:

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Originally posted by SYJ-MrQ:
Old M3??? puhahaha 330ci is the old M3. 330ci has the old M3 engine in it, but with better suspension and body style. Little heavier but hell rather have the new body style then the old ones.

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not nearly. the old m3 could be the quickest practical car.

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"the price is wrong bitch"
"who is your daddy and what does he do"
9/11/01

quote:

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Originally posted by SYJ-MrQ:
Old M3??? puhahaha 330ci is the old M3. 330ci has the old M3 engine in it, but with better suspension and body style. Little heavier but hell rather have the new body style then the old ones.

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Sorry, but try again...when BMW redesigns cars, they go all out. That's why both the chassis and the engine have new codes. If you have ever driven the two cars, you know that they are totally different.

About the only thing the two engines really share is the crankshaft. The E36 M3 has the M50 powerplant, while the E46 330 has the M54 (this engine can also be found in the X5, Z3, and 5 series).

The E36 M3 made 240 hp and 225 lbft of torque (in US spec trim), while the 330 comes in around 225Hp and 215lbft of torque.

The E36 M3 used the single VANOS intake system while the E46 uses the double VANOS intake (Continuously variable length intake runners for more power/economy).

The E46 also features a totally electronic throttle butterfly and a refined drive-by-wire system

You would be hard pressed to find someone would would say that the 330 has a better suspension than the M3, but that is comparing apples to oranges. The E36 M3 has been touted as one of the best handling cars on the planet. They use different suspension geometry. The M3 is also tuned more aggressively than the 330 (even with the sport package). The non-sport package 330 is almost soft (nice comfort for the old folks though).

The older M3 has about a 200lb weight advantage on the E46. This translates into a 0-60 of about 5.7 in the old car and the 2001 running a mid to low 6 second time with a stick.

[This message has been edited by rcurley55 on December 27, 2001 @ ]

[This message has been edited by rcurley55 on December 27, 2001 @ ]

quote:

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Originally posted by rcurley55:
The E36 M3 used the single VANOS intake system while the E46 uses the double VANOS intake (Continuously variable length intake runners for more power/economy).

[This message has been edited by rcurley55 on December 27, 2001 @ ]

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Nick
96 M3, Cosmos Black - pretty much stock (but it's shiny)
"If I wanted any crap from you, I'd sqeeze your head."

quote:

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Originally posted by SYJ-MrQ:
Old M3??? puhahaha 330ci is the old M3. 330ci has the old M3 engine in it, but with better suspension and body style. Little heavier but hell rather have the new body style then the old ones.

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The 96-99 E36M3 has the 3.2L single vanos motor. The E46 330ci has the 3.0 liter double vanos motor. They are totally different cars and the E36 M3 shouldn't be compared to the 330ci (they are too different). Now, the new M3 kicks some serious ass. Though the E36s over seas were getting that motor for the past 5 years. Now we finally get it. It's a shame we don't get launch control on the SMG here.

I suggest you drive the 2 before you go and compare apples to oranges again.

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Nick
96 M3, Cosmos Black - pretty much stock (but it's shiny)
"If I wanted any crap from you, I'd sqeeze your head."

quote:

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Originally posted by IK632:
Nice explanation (dual vanos is variable cam timing on both cams). Single vanos advances the cam 12 degrees off idle and backs off at around 5000 rpm. I think you are talking about the E46M3 engine

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Sorry, I was reading my Roundel last night about the new 7 series. That car (which is about as advanced as a space shuttle) has the continuously variable intake runners.

The E46 M3 has individual throttle bodies per each cylinder. The 330's double VANOS system varies both intake and exhaust timing, etc.

Oppps...it was late last night.

quote:

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Originally posted by IK632:
Nice explanation (dual vanos is variable cam timing on both cams). Single vanos advances the cam 12 degrees off idle and backs off at around 5000 rpm. I think you are talking about the E46M3 engine

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Sorry, I was reading my Roundel last night about the new 7 series. That car (which is about as advanced as a space shuttle) has the continuously variable intake runners.

The E46 M3 has individual throttle bodies per each cylinder. The 330's double VANOS system varies both intake and exhaust timing, etc.

Oppps...it was late last night. Regardless, the cars coming out of Bavaria are simply amazing. Every car they build continues to gain accolades. If you get a 2001 330, make sure you have the factory retrofit for the steering. It will totally change the feel of the car.

quote:

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Originally posted by rcurley55:
Sorry, I was reading my Roundel last night about the new 7 series. That car (which is about as advanced as a space shuttle) has the continuously variable intake runners.

The E46 M3 has individual throttle bodies per each cylinder. The 330's double VANOS system varies both intake and exhaust timing, etc.

Oppps...it was late last night. Regardless, the cars coming out of Bavaria are simply amazing. Every car they build continues to gain accolades. If you get a 2001 330, make sure you have the factory retrofit for the steering. It will totally change the feel of the car.

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No problem. That 7 series is amazing. It's even got infinately variable lift to go with the timing. So it uses that instead of the butterflies. Sweet.

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Nick
96 M3, Cosmos Black - pretty much stock (but it's shiny)
"If I wanted any crap from you, I'd sqeeze your head."

[This message has been edited by IK632 on December 27, 2001 @ ]

quote:

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Originally posted by meth0d:
IS300, just because the 330 is probably due for a redesign soon (isnt it?)

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ummm the 330 just came out this last year.

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-=Heedunk=-
Trung H.
'99 EBP Civic Si
trung@sonnet.com