Calling any M3 owners who seriously considered the IS-F

[FStop7]

If you drive an M3 and it doesn't immediately make you want one rather than another ISF, then you'll know the ISF is the car you want. Does that make sense?

[ersin]

One thing I'd like to add is that I did prefer the sound of the IS-F inside the cabin, but only above 4000 rpm. (It seemed anemic below 4K, even compared to the M3.) Outside, it's hard to say; both the IS-F and M3 sound great. Maybe the C63 AMG sounds a little better . I only mention this because it seems lots of folks here on the forum put a premium on sound and get aftermarket exhausts for their M3. For the IS-F I'd get an aftermarket exhaust too but for looks. (I can't imagine what they were thinking with those funky, rectangular, offset tips.)

[bobbyd1961]

i did however i needed to seat 5 and only the M3 sedan qualified for that lexus seats 4.

[edcvin]

Alot of great points in this thread. I guess it really comes down to what you will be using the car for and what is important to you. Although performance vehicles in the same class, they both clearly differ in many aspects.


-Vin

[HiProfile Robs]

Damn now it's tough for me to decide want i want next! LOL

[MiamiKat]

I too biased when it comes to BMW. I'm on bmw # 4 and soon #5. Lexus is just not for me.

[Ca$hOnly]

I liked the IS-F but the interior was just too tight and cramped for me. Sitting in the driver seat my elbow was hitting the door.

[330CIZHP]

LF-A is where everything is at now.

Lexus LF-A >>>>> all

End of story!!!!

(Yes, I know the price tag. Just had to throw it out there. The motor in that car is astonishing )

[Nawaaz]

^ hahahehe ....You never give up, do you man.

[SlammedR8]

Originally Posted by ersin

One thing I'd like to add is that I did prefer the sound of the IS-F inside the cabin, but only above 4000 rpm. (It seemed anemic below 4K, even compared to the M3.) Outside, it's hard to say; both the IS-F and M3 sound great. Maybe the C63 AMG sounds a little better . I only mention this because it seems lots of folks here on the forum put a premium on sound and get aftermarket exhausts for their M3. For the IS-F I'd get an aftermarket exhaust too but for looks. (I can't imagine what they were thinking with those funky, rectangular, offset tips.)

Really ? You think the C63 sounds better?
It sounds like a Harley, and to me there isn't a worse sound in the world. I love bikes, some Harleys are gorgeous and all but they abnoxiously loud and they dont even sound "GOOD". Sport bikes are a whole different topic. Anyways, I think the C sounds cool, coz it is different but it sounds like a Harley to me and that simply sucks.

I would say, when it comes to exotic sound it goes like this:
M3>IS-F>C63

[330CIZHP]

I agree. I have heard a Kleeman modified C63 and it sounds horrible. Like someone is having loud burp or gargle or something. It is like a low-revving burble with very slow piston speeds. More like old low-revving muscle cars.

An M3 with full exhaust and maybe a gruppe M intake especially between 6000 - 8400 rpm has the sound of a rev-crazy sound you will find in true racing cars with extremely fast piston speeds. At low rpm, it sounds like a muscle car with a huge engine (even though it is a small V8).

Originally Posted by slammedm3

Really ? You think the C63 sounds better?
It sounds like a Harley, and to me there isn't a worse sound in the world. I love bikes, some Harleys are gorgeous and all but they abnoxiously loud and they dont even sound "GOOD". Sport bikes are a whole different topic. Anyways, I think the C sounds cool, coz it is different but it sounds like a Harley to me and that simply sucks.

I would say, when it comes to exotic sound it goes like this:
M3>IS-F>C63

[graider]

Originally Posted by slammedm3

Really ? You think the C63 sounds better?
It sounds like a Harley, and to me there isn't a worse sound in the world. I love bikes, some Harleys are gorgeous and all but they abnoxiously loud and they dont even sound "GOOD". Sport bikes are a whole different topic. Anyways, I think the C sounds cool, coz it is different but it sounds like a Harley to me and that simply sucks.

I would say, when it comes to exotic sound it goes like this:
M3>IS-F>C63

+1. many here doesn't realize the c63amg sound just like a mustang or american truck with big displacement engine. I saw a ford v8 pickup sounded just exactly like the c63 a few weeks ago.

[warzilla]

Originally Posted by 330CIZHP

LF-A is where everything is at now.

Lexus LF-A >>>>> all

End of story!!!!

(Yes, I know the price tag. Just had to throw it out there. The motor in that car is astonishing )

Hmm, not so crazy about the exterior. Spec wise, yes incredible, but it looks like a really 'funky' jap designed car.

'Funky' in this case is not good.

[gemini330zhp]

Originally Posted by eVitO

Lol, M3 is just a 3er with a bigger engine too.

I was about to say the same thing!!!!

[gemini330zhp]

I would test drive both before buying. Find some friends that have either one car. This should help make your choice easier. Its your money!!!!

[Optherion]

the is-f is fuggly. End of story. only a mother could love that fat front end.

[bruce.augenstein@comcast.]

Originally Posted by Optherion

the is-f is fuggly. End of story. only a mother could love that fat front end.

Your opinion is duly noted, and in fact honored.

But "end of story..."? Give me a break! I happen to like the looks of the IS-F, especially the maroon one. I have to say I've never seen a picture of an IS-F that makes it look good, but in the flesh, thumbs up for me.

Bruce

PS - Maybe it's just me, but isn't the current 3 Series starting to look a little dated? I find this alarming, since one of the things you can usually count on is non-trendy, timeless design from BMW - Banglebutt excepted. I liked the 3 well enough when it first came out (though passed in favor of an Acura because of runflats and no posi with a lot of torque), but now the standard cars seem to look a little frumpy, and even the M3 looks as if its freshness date is imminent.

Yeah, I know I'm in a bimmer forum, but I think the E30 still looks good, ferchrissakes. What's going on here?

[bobbyd1961]

you should look at the comparisons done between lexus and M3 and then decide for yourself. watch the comparisons on youtube. the clear winner will be revealed.

[southlight]

Originally Posted by bruce.augenstein@comcast.

and even the M3 looks as if its freshness date is imminent.

I think this emoticon fits well to keep this thread's level low, but I'm just kidding.


Best regards,
south

[Optherion]

Originally Posted by bruce.augenstein@comcast.

Your opinion is duly noted, and in fact honored.

But "end of story..."? Give me a break! I happen to like the looks of the IS-F, especially the dark maroon one. I have to say I've never seen a picture of an IS-F that makes it look good, but in the flesh, thumbs up for me.

Bruce

PS - Maybe it's just me, but isn't the current 3 Series starting to look a little dated? I find this alarming, since one of the things you can usually count on is non-trendy, timeless design from BMW - Banglebutt excepted. I liked the 3 well enough when it first came out (though passed in favor of an Acura because of runflats and no posi with a lot of torque), but now the standard cars seem to look a little frumpy, and even the M3 looks as if its freshness date is imminent.

Yeah, I know I'm in a bimmer forum, but I think the E30 still looks good, ferchrissakes. What's going on here?

Isnt the acura FWD?

I don't find the hood and front end attractive, nor do I find the fake exhaust tips having any point. Go drive them both and see what you like. They also discontinued the cream pleather on the IS-F I was told by a sales person at Lexus because blue jeans were discoloring the pleather.

[CSMRX7]

For me it was the reality that neither the IS-F nor the C63 offered DCT or Manual. Just auto. I don't understand how a driver's car can have an auto.

[bruce.augenstein@comcast.]

Originally Posted by Optherion

Isnt the acura FWD?

Yes.

Originally Posted by Optherion

I don't find the hood and front end attractive, nor do I find the fake exhaust tips having any point.

See? There's a forthright statement, without prejudice. As a by the way, although I don't care for the look of the exhaust tips on the car either, they're not "fake". Lexus has explained (documented elsewhere in this venue) how those tips actually work to aid performance and avoid problems with heat. Lamborghini and others also use this type of design.

Originally Posted by Optherion

Go drive them both and see what you like...

Liked them both. Liked the M3 better, though. However, I'm afflicted by personal M3 history with E36 and E46 variants having graced our garage, and since I thought the E36 was more fun to drive than the E46 because of size and weight, you can imagine how I feel about the E9X.

On the other hand, with no IS-F (or even AMG) history for me, those cars can weigh whatever they like as far as I'm concerned.

Yeah. I know that particular logic train is perilously close to being derailable, but hey, it's only an opinion - and not "end of story".

Bruce