Car and Driver Review of 2011 IS-F

[ES_TRADER]

Originally Posted by CAPSGOD

Torque is irrelevant on a track but more important than horsepower in everyday driving.

this is true...when i test drove the isf, it had plenty of torque going from 0-50 mph...like u really feel it on the local streets...but when i took it on the freeway, and punched it around 70mph, it just died when it got to 80 and u feel the pull become less and less....whereas the m3, just keeps going and going...almost nonstop pulling until ur like over 120mph and then it gets scary

[boombastic]

Not true, at least for the 2011 IS-F that I tried, It pulls as hard as my sold M3 DCT. 8 gears may be too many, have to find the right gear to do it right.

Originally Posted by richpuer

this is true...when i test drove the isf, it had plenty of torque going from 0-50 mph...like u really feel it on the local streets...but when i took it on the freeway, and punched it around 70mph, it just died when it got to 80 and u feel the pull become less and less....whereas the m3, just keeps going and going...almost nonstop pulling until ur like over 120mph and then it gets scary

[Cdnrockies]

Originally Posted by boombastic

Not true, at least for the 2011 IS-F that I tried, It pulls as hard as my sold M3 DCT. 8 gears may be too many, have to find the right gear to do it right.

Not true for the early ones either.

Sport mode and manual will pull all the way to 170 mph. Gears 7 and 8 are really only used for cruising and help with gas mileage. Routinely get 26 mpg when just highway driving.

[boombastic]

Quite amazing that 5.0 V8 gets 26mpg just highway driving. I have seen as high as 28mpg. But anyway, IS-F pulls hard at high speed.

Originally Posted by Cdnrockies

Not true for the early ones either.

Sport mode and manual will pull all the way to 170 mph. Gears 7 and 8 are really only used for cruising and help with gas mileage. Routinely get 26 mpg when just highway driving.

[newowner35i]

Originally Posted by erio

Nice review of the revamped version. I'm still not crazy about it's looks, but they made some great improvments in this car.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...take_road_test

. The reason why the m3 is slightly behind is because of conditions, different drivers, non zcp, and torque disadvantage because at most other tracks the m3 humiliates the isf

[erio]

Originally Posted by newowner35i

. The reason why the m3 is slightly behind is because of conditions, different drivers, non zcp, and torque disadvantage because at most other tracks the m3 humiliates the isf

There have not been any comparison tests that I'm aware of using the updated car. Don't get me wrong, I still overall like the m3 much more, but I just giving credit where it's due.

[Poppin Fresh]

What people don't understand or fail to comprehend is that while it take most companies a second try to perfect something, it took BMW only once with the M3. So even if Lexus, Audi, or MB finally beats the M3, their accomplishment becomes irrelevant because BMW is already looking to the next platform i.e. F3X M3. It always has been this way and it always will.

[CAPSGOD]

Originally Posted by Poppin Fresh

What people don't understand or fail to comprehend is that while it take most companies a second try to perfect something, it took BMW only once with the M3. So even if Lexus, Audi, or MB finally beats the M3, their accomplishment becomes irrelevant because BMW is already looking to the next platform i.e. F3X M3. It always has been this way and it always will.

It's relevant if you are shopping for a car in 2011

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

Originally Posted by captainaudio

IBTLIARTP

(In before the Lexus is a Rebadged Toyota Post)

CA

Lexus is a re-badged Toyota.

Originally Posted by Cdnrockies

I always laugh at the exhaust comments....considering the pimple on the hood of the M3....I mean "power dome" or the "fake" side vents on the M3. At least the quad tips actually have a functional purpose.

There is no "wrong" choice in this class. Silly nitpicky things like these don't really matter at the end of the day.

The fake tips after a fictional purpose? If it's fake, how does it have a functional purpose? I will agree that you can't go wrong with any car in this class and it's all comes down to what you want out of the car. My major gripe with the IS-F was the 8 speed auto constantly hunting for gears. It couldn't make up it's mind. I could tolerate the suspension but the Tranny was got old real quick.

[Cdnrockies]

Originally Posted by -=Hot|Ice=-

Lexus is a re-badged Toyota.

This is simply wrong. Outside of the ES, who I will be the first to say is a rebadged Camry, Lexus is it's own brand. I suppose Lambos are just rebadged VW's? Please tell me what Toyota the IS F is based off of???

The fake tips after a fictional purpose? If it's fake, how does it have a functional purpose? I will agree that you can't go wrong with any car in this class and it's all comes down to what you want out of the car. My major gripe with the IS-F was the 8 speed auto constantly hunting for gears. It couldn't make up it's mind. I could tolerate the suspension but the Tranny was got old real quick.

The rear exhaust set up is designed to create additional downforce. This was discussed at length when the car first came out.

I still don't understand how it "hunts" for gears? When driving casually, it gets you into the right gear in order to maximize efficiency, hence the much higher mpg that the F gets. If you want to push it, Sport mode and paddles will put you exactly where you want to be, when you want to be there. You will never see gears 7 or 8 when driving the car hard.

There have also been zero repetitive issues with the F tranny, something that certainly can't be said about the DCT.

[gthal]

s

Originally Posted by Cdnrockies

There have also been zero repetitive issues with the F tranny, something that certainly can't be said about the DCT.

That's cause the ISF has an auto with a torque converter that is based on technology has been inexistence since I was in my mother's womb. The DCT has been flawless now for some time... it just took a little bit to work out the kinks on what is NEW (relatively) technology.

The tranny in the ISF really is the one disappointment I have with the car. Toyota could have done much better in this regard for a car that is to compete with cars having 6MT, DCT, PDK, and DSG transmissions. We can debate which car is better but the one thing for which there is no debate, IMO, is the M-DCT is without a doubt the superior transmission for a car in this class and with the sporting intentions of the ISF/M3. There is absolutely no arguing that. The 8 speed auto in the ISF is the only true fail in that car... the rest I can appreciate and admire.

[Poppin Fresh]

Originally Posted by CAPSGOD

It's relevant if you are shopping for a car in 2011

It is not irrelevant to the buyer because it just gives them a lot more choices to compare MB and Lexus's revised version of their cars aimed at a car that's almost four years old in design and performance with a little tweak in suspension and cosmetics.

It is irrelevant to BMW what other car companies produce to beat the E9X M3 because they are now looking forward to F3X platform in which the new M3 will be based on.

[e46e92love]

Originally Posted by Poppin Fresh

It is not irrelevant to the buyer because it just gives them a lot more choices to compare MB and Lexus's revised version of their cars aimed at a car that's almost four years old in design and performance with a little tweak in suspension and cosmetics.

It is irrelevant to BMW what other car companies produce to beat the E9X M3 because they are now looking forward to F3X platform in which the new M3 will be based on.

Thank you, good post......everyone else has to update their cars just to match what ///M did right form day 1.......don't blame BMW for getting it right 1st shot out of the gate.

[CAPSGOD]

Originally Posted by Poppin Fresh

It is not irrelevant to the buyer because it just gives them a lot more choices to compare MB and Lexus's revised version of their cars aimed at a car that's almost four years old in design and performance with a little tweak in suspension and cosmetics.

It is irrelevant to BMW what other car companies produce to beat the E9X M3 because they are now looking forward to F3X platform in which the new M3 will be based on.

The Lexus was introduced at almost the same time as the M3. It's not like this is their all new platform.

When the F3X M3 comes out, the IS-F will be replaced as well.

[SUB-ZERO]

Originally Posted by Cdnrockies

I always laugh at the exhaust comments....considering the pimple on the hood of the M3....I mean "power dome" or the "fake" side vents on the M3. At least the quad tips actually have a functional purpose.

There is no "wrong" choice in this class. Silly nitpicky things like these don't really matter at the end of the day.

Power dome was necessary to achieve higher torque numbers on the S65...see BMW M video. The side vents on the M3 are functional.

SZ

[Poppin Fresh]

Originally Posted by CAPSGOD

The Lexus was introduced at the same time as the M3. It's not like this is their all new platform. When the F3X M3 comes out, the IS-F will be replaced as well.

Please read my post again. Lexus did release the IS-F almost at the same time as the M3 perhaps even later giving them enough research time to compare and improve, but yet bombed when it came time for the reviews. The same thing will happen again when it comes time for the F3X M3 to come out.

[CAPSGOD]

Originally Posted by Poppin Fresh

Please read my post again. Lexus did release the IS-F almost at the same time as the M3 perhaps even later giving them enough research time to compare but yet bombed when it came time for the reviews. The same thing will happen again when it comes time for the F3X M3 to come out. It's a vicious cycle.

Did I comprehend this one correctly? Changes to the current IS-F are irrelevant because you have a hunch that the upcoming M3 will be better than the upcoming IS-F?

[Poppin Fresh]

yes