adidas

Hi Everyone,

I had to sign up to see if anyone can answer me. I've searched long and hard because I'm trying to figure out what the transmission in the IS200t is. I know it's an 8 speed, but I'm just not sure if it's the ZF 8hp or an in house Toyota tranny?

Reason why I ask is I'm interested in this car, but I'm also interested in the M235i. I've only been able to test drive the M235i and I absolutley loved the ZF8 in that. Extremely fast shifts in sport + modes.

Is the M235i and the IS200t transmission the same?

evident

i'm pretty sure it's the same Aisin tranny used in the IS-F, and the IS350 RWD

EZZ

Its not the same transmission. I believe a couple of the major mags did a comparison test between the 335 and IS350 and both scored very high on tranny with the edge going to BMW.

BTW, I wouldn't compare a M235i to an IS200t. Very different cars with very very different performance abilities. The 200t would be multiple categories down on performance...even the IS350 wouldn't be competitive compared to the 235i.

jadu

iTrader: (42)

OP, it's aisin for sure, not an in house Toyota trans. AA81E according to wiki

JDR76

It's an AISIN transmission. It's the AA81E, which is the same one that's in the RWD IS350.

adidas

Ah. Should i be disappointed? How fast are the shifts with these AISIN tranny's?

I believe the 335 used the DCT transmission. The newer M235 while, it's not a DCT has the ZF8HP which is an upgrade to the DCT. Shifts are just a blip away.

They cost about the same. Right now I"m leaning towards the M235i. I just love the interior of the Lexus and the turbocharged toyota motors

EZZ

I don't think thats the case with all 335s. My buddy just got one in Feb and it was the 8sp auto non-DCT. The magazine compares the ZF8 also so the non-DCT kind.

The 200t does 0-60 in about 7 seconds while the 235 does it around 5 seconds. Thats like bus lengths in terms of performance so i'd probably go with the 235 if you don't need the space

JDR76

Here's the comment from Car and Driver (IS350 vs ATS vs 335):

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...f-sport-page-4

ydooby

Aisin is very much an in-house Toyota subsidiary. It was founded by Kiichiro Toyoda, is primarily owned by Toyota, and develops all its transmissions with joint resources from Toyota and for applications in Toyota vehicles. It operates separately from Toyota only so that it can sell its Toyota transmissions to more automakers to increase the scale of economy, but it's still very much in-house to Toyota.

jadu

iTrader: (42)

ah, thank you. I didn't know that, I always thought it they were their own standalone biz, but worked very closely with Toyota

ExSrAaron

The 8spd (Lexus vehicles) is not as smooth or refined as the BMW ZF unit. The BMW's is one of the best though and IMO it's gonna be very hard for anything to exceed it in refinement and performance. However, I enjoy the 8spd in my IS350 and it's world's better than the 6spd automatic available. I haven't tried the new Cadillac transmission but I'd assume it's pretty good as well (ZF made I think, but who-knows tuning). Read all the reviews you want, but driving them yourself is best, the winner may or may not be obvious to you anyway.

I don't think you can go wrong in this category of vehicle (transmission wise), just about all the 7-9 gear systems are pretty darn good. I even like MB transmissions. All are luxury-worthy IMHO.

bakalag

E90/92/93 BMW 335i 6 speed ZF, 335is 7 speed M-DCT

F30 BMW 335i 8 speed ZF

current IS200t, IS350, RC350 Aisin 8 speed direct shift
ISF, RCF same Aisin 8 speed but shifts faster in my personal experience

I driven all above cars before and I think the ZF 8 speed VS the Aisin 8 speed are similar, the Aisin feels a bit more raw to me which I like. 6 speed ZF in the older 335i sucked, the 7 MDCT in the 335is was very quick and fun

correct me if I'm wrong

Also the M235i one is pretty fun, even the 228i isn't bad, I think its the same as M235i, didn't feel very different to me but its not a dual clutch.