-----Original Message----- From: Rick Sent: Thursday, October 24, 2002 1:03 PM To: Don; Jon Subject: BMW 323 vs. Lexus ES300 The contestants: 1999 BWM 323i: 2.5 liter inline-6, 170 bhp @ 5500 rpm 4 speed automatic rear wheel drive 3150 lbs. curb weight 18.5 lbs per horsepower 0-60 mph: ~7.9 - 8.1 seconds 0-1/4 mile: ~16.0 - 16.5 seconds Top speed: ~132 mph 1994 Lexus ES300: 3.0 liter V-6, 192 bhp @ 5200 rpm 4 speed automatic front wheel drive 3375 lbs. curb weight 18.0 lbs per horsepower 0-60 mph: ~8.5 - 8.7 seconds 0-1/4 mile: ~16.5 - 16.8 seconds Top speed: ~135 mph And the wiener is... BWM 323i! Since it's lighter, rear-drive instead of front drive, and overall has a wider powerband than the ES300 the BWM will show its taillights by a car length or two to the ES300 the whole 1/4 mile run. Z-rated tires or not, the Lexus is a cruiser, not a bruiser. Decision: Don!