P128sniper

so ive been hearing some rumors lately here and on other forums that the lexus is350 could possibly take on the e46 m3 bmw in a drag race. Is this true for the most part. I would think that the m3 would eat the is350 each time but im a noob. What you guys think. Considering both are stock RWD. Thanks. Reason im asking is ill be getting a 350 within a few months and i am just trying to find out as much as possible before i buy something. Not that I really care if it smokes the m3 or not just trying to get a feel of how fast it might be, cause i know the m3 is a beast.

shahir18

iTrader: (2)

Can't really compare the IS350 to the M3

po1qw

iTrader: (2)

^ what he just said. You can compare Is350 to a m3 maybe an Is-F (even thou I would take the m3 over the IS-F personal opinion)

P128sniper

I know u can't really compar them but the question is who would win in a drag race from a complete stop? Are people wrong when they say the is350 can win in a race from a complete stop or will the e46 m3 take it every time?

darkdream

Most likely the IS350 unless you can shift well.

alexs350

iTrader: (1)

The cars are almost identical 0-60 the is being .2 secs slower according to http://www.zeroto60times.com

viprtwo

iTrader: (15)

I've raced the e46 from a dead stop with my 350 and beat it three times in a row.

I've also raced it from a rolling start and was 2-3 cars ahead by the time my speedo light came on.

Could be driver error, he was stick shift; I dunno, but there's no need to worry about that car in a straight line. Race track with turns, he'd probably eat the 350 alive.

alexs350

iTrader: (1)

I've also heard other people beating the e46 with their is350.

jdmSW20

iTrader: (12)

i really wouldnt see why the is350 wouldnt walk away from an e46 easily. im almost positive gearing and torque alone the 350 wins. thats not even a fan boy thing, thats just all honesty vs im sure if you asked this question on the bimmer forums they all would say the m3 would beat the 350 from a dig

P128sniper

Lol exactly, i was cruising the m3 forums and they all said that the 350 has no chance. I mean those are some Hardcore fan boys tho, I'm pretty sure if there was a guy on the street shooting a Tommy gun they would jump in front of their m3 to save it instead of hiding behind it lol.

jdmSW20

iTrader: (12)

yeah that site is packed with fan boys that believe the bmw is the end all be all. its only a select few vets on there who will acknowledge the cons of those particular cars or their short falls. i drove a friend of mines E46 M3 and in all honesty it didnt feel as fast as my is350. but then again thats comparing a 6spd manual vs the aggressively geared 6spd auto in the 350.

thats why i believe IS350 vs manual M3 = is350 walks away. but is350 vs smg m3 will be a closer race from a dig but i still believe the is350 would win ulitmately

NYKnick101

I think it really depends on what M3 you are going against. The standard coupe e46 M3 is about 400lbs lighter with a few more HP than the is350. the convertible is almost the same weight +/- 50-100 lbs or so. Also SMG/Manual 6speed is a huge difference. Also depends if the M3 is tuned or bone stock. I've driven a few M3's and those things are pretty quick though.

Stock to Stock, SMG M3 vs IS350, I will give the is350 by a nose. Definitely wont walk a M3 but it could beat it. A modified IS350 I/H/full E vs a modified M3 I/H/full E I would say M3 all day. I've seen a couple baseline dyno's for M3 with full bolt ons and its pushing around 350-360hp (dyno numbers). I have yet to see a is350 anywhere near there power wise.

Also (pulled as a reference for I6 vs V6 engines) "For a V6 engine, there is an odd number of cylinders in each bank so by its inherit design, it is unbalanced. An inline 6 on the other hand is naturally balanced, only needing proper tuning and the correct firing order to maintain it. In addition, inline 6 cylinders produce more torque than V6 configurations"

Shervin350

m3 by a fender will win, it was SMG

604GSE21

P Rock

I've owned both. I ran a 13.48 in my 2004 M3 and a 13.71 in my 2008 IS350. Both cars bone stock. If the M3 has a good driver, it should slowly pull away on top end. From a dead stop, they feel pretty close.
However if you look beyond drag racing, the M3 is the better car hands down.