[madmax95gtr]

SO for those who dont know me about 14 months ago I got rid of my FBO 2008 335. It was a great car and I loved it very much but wanted and needed a full size truck. Well im not getting the itch again however as I have always been a long time tuner fan i love the last gen supras. Now before we get too far... the $ for a supra is just not there, so im looking for other options.. here is what I have come up with

Approx 13-15$ for a used 07/08 N54 manual
then drop approx 7-10$ into it for the following

Full coilovers
rims and tires
single turbo swap
FBO options to include exhaust, tuner (already have my old proceed), intake, FMIC, Meth (have a brand new AEM kit in the garage) etc.
keeping the exterior minimal changes as I want it to be a sleeper

or...............................

2002 IS300 w a 2jz-gte / 6spd getrag swap

cost here is roughly 3-5k$ for the car (as long as body is good the motor and trans can be sheit as ill be swapping everything could sell parts to cover cost of the swap too)

then 10-12k$ for
2jz-gte motor(1500$)
upgraded internals (1000$+)
trans (3-4k$ )
associated upgrade driveline parts (approx 2k$)
wheels and tires (1500+$)
coilovers (750+$)
big single turd and exhaust (1500$)
Tune (500$)

I know im leaving out some small stuff. but bottom line is I am and have always been a BMW fan, but the idea of having a streetable 650-750hp on pump gas in the IS that will destroy most everything on the road is really what Im leaning to. Plus who doesnt love the 2jz with a big single turd sound!

Anyway let me know your thoughts!

Thanks,
Bruce

[AllBlackBimmer]

At the end of the day, you probably know what many will say...

BMW is more of a drivers car, but with that comes added maintenance.

Lexus are great cars, less maintenance and more "reliable", but may not be as much as a drivers car. I have always loved the IS300 though, one of the few lexus's I truly would like to own.

Need to ask yourself what you are after... street car? comfort? are you going to track it? etc...

And remember, you are on a BMW forum... so...

[paco89]

taking your maximum into equation you are speaking $25 total, why not supra right off the bat, and take your time modding it. That is how much they go around for, especially in cash. Modding the bimmer to that point seems that it may go over the budget. Toyota 2jz, i think easier to work on and get to your goal. Personally if i wanted performance and streetability, id go a different route, perhaps evo considering your budget and goals.

[GOS7]

I had a GS300 with a 2JZGTE, on stock twins pushing 17PSI. After driving my friends 335i coupe which had nothing but a JB flash I sold it and bought a 335i and never looked back..,

I spent around $1500 on various bushing and suspension components alone and it still didn't ride or handle even remotely as good as my STOCK 335i with sport suspension. Also the 335i will have tons of more response

[Nitrousbird]

Not sure why you would need to upgrade the internals on the 2JZ-GTE for a 750HP motor. From what I know of them (and knowing people with them), they are good for about 1000HP before needing to crack them open.

You will be able to make a lot more power for a lot less money on the 2JZ-GTE. N54 is a poor choice for making big power IMO.

[Desert_Fox]

2jz is a legend, don't get me wrong. However, if you put sprinkles on a turd (Lexus IS XE10 ), its still a turd. I vote for sticking with the Bimmer.

I see you're an SD Local! Whatever you choose, I wanna see it!

[madmax95gtr]

Originally Posted by AllBlackBimmer

At the end of the day, you probably know what many will say...

BMW is more of a drivers car, but with that comes added maintenance.

Lexus are great cars, less maintenance and more "reliable", but may not be as much as a drivers car. I have always loved the IS300 though, one of the few lexus's I truly would like to own.

Need to ask yourself what you are after... street car? comfort? are you going to track it? etc...

And remember, you are on a BMW forum... so...

I know its a BMW forum, but as car guys and gals there is upand downsides to every arguement, and clearly I know what a 335 can do having a 335 before with N54 and FBO i was aware of the power and the benefits of it, just something about the 2jz platform always has interested me, Im currently a two toyota car/truck owner and may keep the stable all toyota just for that reason alone. Honestly the car would not be tracked on a autocross course, purely a car for drag type applications like air strip attack and running in a few targa events and rallies like that. And of course swapping duties as a daily drive with my Toyota tundra.

[madmax95gtr]

Originally Posted by paco89

taking your maximum into equation you are speaking $25 total, why not supra right off the bat, and take your time modding it. That is how much they go around for, especially in cash. Modding the bimmer to that point seems that it may go over the budget. Toyota 2jz, i think easier to work on and get to your goal. Personally if i wanted performance and streetability, id go a different route, perhaps evo considering your budget and goals.

Ive looked and a base 2jz twin turd supra starting price for a untouched unmolested decent mileage supra is in the 25k+ market a built one anywhere from 35-50k already done, and honestly as a third car im just not looking for that kind of investment. And I agree the modding a Bimmer will push the budget and be very aggressive and im unsure of the longevity of the car in that respect, I have seen 700+ hp supras all day go miles after miles with 0 problems esp with the 6sp getrag trans and a well built 2jz-gte motor. so im leaning in that direction. Ive looked at the evos a little bit, but I honestly hate 4bangers regardless of the power output, the sound they make is just like nails on a chalk board, for me its 6 -8 cylinders only! LOL

[madmax95gtr]

Originally Posted by Ghos7N54

I had a GS300 with a 2JZGTE, on stock twins pushing 17PSI. After driving my friends 335i coupe which had nothing but a JB flash I sold it and bought a 335i and never looked back..,

I spent around $1500 on various bushing and suspension components alone and it still didn't ride or handle even remotely as good as my STOCK 335i with sport suspension. Also the 335i will have tons of more response

Interesting take on this, glad you have experience with it.. the only thing I can think is because the GS is a bigger car and you were running stock twins, and I will be going large single in a IS it should be a much different experience.

thoughts?? And btw I loved my 335 and I miss it daily!

[madmax95gtr]

Originally Posted by Desert_Fox

2jz is a legend, don't get me wrong. However, if you put sprinkles on a turd (Lexus IS XE10 ), its still a turd. I vote for sticking with the Bimmer.

I see you're an SD Local! Whatever you choose, I wanna see it!

LOL true however the IS is a strong and inexpensive base platform to build a monster.

I knew the expectation of most of you would say go bimmer but I wanted some opinions on why.

[Dark_Knight_335]

Might wanna cross post on the Lexus forums...just sayin

[Delta0311]

No at the end of the day you are spending $12k for a car that is now 13 years old. Also you didn't list the mileage but from the options listed I would go for the BMW just because it is newer but personally I wouldn't waste my money on either one.

[J-Spec Dan]

i came from a lexus gs300 (JZS160) to my E90...granted, they're not apples to apples, but that generation of lexus, including the IS, RX, ES, SC are boring. i test drove the 1st gen IS300, fully loaded, 5-speed and it sucked. yes, you get the Toyota/Lexus reliability but i'd rather pay more for maintenance and enjoy every day of driving.

after a year of owning a lexus, i was already thinking of my next car just because i was bored. i've never thought of moving on from my e90 because i was bored of her.

i do have to consider getting a larger car now that i'm married

and i think you'll be spending more on a 2JZ-GTE swap. those numbers you posted seem very conservative. if you do go that route, get a beater car too. leave the IS300 in the garage and build her up over time. i'd love to do a build like that one day but not as a daily driver.

[madmax95gtr]

Originally Posted by Dark_Knight_335

Might wanna cross post on the Lexus forums...just sayin

IM actually planning on doing it right meow!

[madmax95gtr]

Originally Posted by Delta0311

No at the end of the day you are spending $12k for a car that is now 13 years old. Also you didn't list the mileage but from the options listed I would go for the BMW just because it is newer but personally I wouldn't waste my money on either one.

What would you do then? Just curious

[madmax95gtr]

Originally Posted by J-Spec Dan

i came from a lexus gs300 (JZS160) to my E90...granted, they're not apples to apples, but that generation of lexus, including the IS, RX, ES, SC are boring. i test drove the 1st gen IS300, fully loaded, 5-speed and it sucked. yes, you get the Toyota/Lexus reliability but i'd rather pay more for maintenance and enjoy every day of driving.

after a year of owning a lexus, i was already thinking of my next car just because i was bored. i've never thought of moving on from my e90 because i was bored of her.

i do have to consider getting a larger car now that i'm married

and i think you'll be spending more on a 2JZ-GTE swap. those numbers you posted seem very conservative. if you do go that route, get a beater car too. leave the IS300 in the garage and build her up over time. i'd love to do a build like that one day but not as a daily driver.

I went conservative, because its only parts, I do all the work my self. minus tuning and a few small things, but my daily driver is a 07 toyota tundra lifted 5 inches on 35's! LOL

[J-Spec Dan]

Originally Posted by madmax95gtr

I went conservative, because its only parts, I do all the work my self. minus tuning and a few small things, but my daily driver is a 07 toyota tundra lifted 5 inches on 35's! LOL

haha ok, then you should be fine.

[paco89]

Originally Posted by madmax95gtr

Ive looked and a base 2jz twin turd supra starting price for a untouched unmolested decent mileage supra is in the 25k+ market a built one anywhere from 35-50k already done, and honestly as a third car im just not looking for that kind of investment. And I agree the modding a Bimmer will push the budget and be very aggressive and im unsure of the longevity of the car in that respect, I have seen 700+ hp supras all day go miles after miles with 0 problems esp with the 6sp getrag trans and a well built 2jz-gte motor. so im leaning in that direction. Ive looked at the evos a little bit, but I honestly hate 4bangers regardless of the power output, the sound they make is just like nails on a chalk board, for me its 6 -8 cylinders only! LOL

hahaha I respect your comment in regards to 4 bangers, although there are some nice porsches out there that run fast! haha and ofc im a mitsu fan so i wouldnt mind an evo x myself , i have seen supras go for 25k or so that are making decent power. Here i hope you win!! http://www.ebay.com/itm/Toyota-Supra...US_Cars_Trucks haha jp...or... http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ws...828495288.html

[3s4u2]

I would rather Lexus IS F or M3, used ISF are a hole lot cheaper then a M3, wonder why???

[madmax95gtr]

Originally Posted by 3s4u2

I would rather Lexus IS F or M3, used ISF are a hole lot cheaper then a M3, wonder why???

LOL a super charger E90 M3 would be my ideal car.. but $$$$$$$$$$

[madmax95gtr]

Originally Posted by paco89

hahaha I respect your comment in regards to 4 bangers, although there are some nice porsches out there that run fast! haha and ofc im a mitsu fan so i wouldnt mind an evo x myself , i have seen supras go for 25k or so that are making decent power. Here i hope you win!! http://www.ebay.com/itm/Toyota-Supra...US_Cars_Trucks haha jp...or... http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ws...828495288.html

Actually that ebay one looks pretty nice!

[GOS7]

Originally Posted by madmax95gtr

Interesting take on this, glad you have experience with it.. the only thing I can think is because the GS is a bigger car and you were running stock twins, and I will be going large single in a IS it should be a much different experience.

thoughts?? And btw I loved my 335 and I miss it daily!

I don't have experience with the IS but I personally believe that Lexus of that era just weren't sports car oriented like the BMWs of then and now, but i'm sure you'd still have fun in a single turbo 2J regardless. Also consider a stock twin 335i FBO and tuned could probably be just as fast a single turbo 2J that's going to cost a lot more once the build is done.