M3 vs IS-F

[Eurotrash8]

I just test drove the Lexus IS-F yesterday and as far as performance is concerned I was very impressed. Obviously the looks like everyone else would agree is nasty but I was very impressed by the power, sound, handling. I am taking delivery of my M3 tomorrow and probably won't be able to beat on it for awhile but for the people that have driven both how do they compare in terms of performance?

TIA

[ihyln]

Wrong forum

[808MGuy]

At least you got to actually drive it. I wanted to do the same comparison as I'm considering both cars but the Lexus dealer wouldn't even let me drive the IS-F. Apparantly they didn't think I could afford it because they wanted to run my credit before they would consider letting me drive it. I told them to go fack themselves because I wasn't letting them run my credit if that's the kind of service I was going to get.

Unfortunately, the other car I was including in this comparison, C63 AMG, is nowhere to be found locally. So I guess my choice is M3. Now to find one with the options I want now or wait for an 09 allocation.

[Davinhci]

Originally Posted by HIS4

At least you got to actually drive it. I wanted to do the same comparison as I'm considering both cars but the Lexus dealer wouldn't even let me drive the IS-F. Apparantly they didn't think I could afford it because they wanted to run my credit before they would consider letting me drive it. I told them to go fack themselves because I wasn't letting them run my credit if that's the kind of service I was going to get.

Unfortunately, the other car I was including in this comparison, C63 AMG, is nowhere to be found locally. So I guess my choice is M3. Now to find one with the options I want now or wait for an 09 allocation.

good call on the M3, no need for the other nonsense

[rfedele]

I drove a buddy's IS-F. It's a fine car, pretty close to the M3, but not quite as good. For me it was never an option due to lack of a manual tranny (same for the C63).

I like the exterior but the dash isn't too hot.

The auto trans works much like a DCT/SMG. According to my buddy the torque converter is somehow bypassed in manual mode?

[808MGuy]

One thing I noticed just from looking at the car in the showroom is that the back seat is non-existent even compared to the M3 and C63. Unless the driver is 5'-0", there's no way anyone can sit in the back. Kind of defeats the purpose of having 4 doors.

[ngl1145]

The IS-F only has 2 seats in the rear. I wish they didn't put a piece of plastic with an F logo for the middle seat. Oh well. For the person who posted that they wanted you to fill out a credit app first... I think that sucks. I would never have bought the car if they made me do that without test driving first. Hopefully one of these days I'll know someone that has an M3 in my area that can give me a ride

[sayemthree]

yawn.
repost
ugly Toyota.

[Hotan Braskey]

Originally Posted by rfedele

I drove a buddy's IS-F. It's a fine car, pretty close to the M3, but not quite as good. For me it was never an option due to lack of a manual tranny (same for the C63).

I like the exterior but the dash isn't too hot.

The auto trans works much like a DCT/SMG. According to my buddy the torque converter is somehow bypassed in manual mode?

After first gear, the torque converter is locked, so there much more of the same feel as a manual transmission in terms of engine braking and the like. Jaguar has this feature in their automatic transmission, as well.

[ngl1145]

If you drive in manual sport mode in the IS-F and is in a gear that's high and need to make an emergency acceleration, the transmission will not downshift for you. You have to actually select to gear manually. Essentially it will hold the gear you're in unless you slow down to the point where it must downshift for you. But for upshifts... happens practically immediately.

[sayemthree]

Originally Posted by sayemthree

yawn.
repost
ugly Toyota.

oh yeah - and WRONG FORUM

[ersin]

Originally Posted by Hotan Braskey

After first gear, the torque converter is locked, so there much more of the same feel as a manual transmission in terms of engine braking and the like. Jaguar has this feature in their automatic transmission, as well.

According to the head engineer of the ISF team (from a program on the speed channel), in manual mode the torque converter is bypassed resulting in having only the clutch in line like a manual transmission.

[lvwirelessguy]

Their F is for FAIL

[ngl1145]

Fail at what? The car seems to perform well.

[ybbiz34]

Originally Posted by ngl1145

Fail at what? The car seems to perform well.

He doesn't know. Maybe he thinks "F" stands for "F"anboy with comments like those. Personally, I can't wait to drive the Lexus.

[ngl1145]

These kind of idiotic comments make me think very little of BMW owners. I had an E46 3 series and never bashed another car. One of these days when you apply for a job it would be sad if they threw away your resume because they didn't like the way your last name sounded and not for your technical ability. Making a judgement and leaving remarks without coming up with valid data other than magazine comments.

I don't think any of the IS-F comments ever said that we were better than the M3 or any firmware upgraded 335i. It's just a discussion about 2 cars that are similar in performance. The reason I'm on this board is because yes I like both the 335i and M3.

[ihyln]

Originally Posted by ngl1145

These kind of idiotic comments make me think very little of BMW owners. I had an E46 3 series and never bashed another car. One of these days when you apply for a job it would be sad if they threw away your resume because they didn't like the way your last name sounded and not for your technical ability. Making a judgement and leaving remarks without coming up with valid data other than magazine comments.

I don't think any of the IS-F comments ever said that we were better than the M3 or any firmware upgraded 335i. It's just a discussion about 2 cars that are similar in performance. The reason I'm on this board is because yes I like both the 335i and M3.

My reason for not liking the IS-F is pretty much cosmetic but some people go a bit too far with insults and the like. Other than that it's a fine car and an excellent showing from Lexus on their "first" try. I know we all like to defend our purchases from time to time but if there is one thing I'm going to agree with you on it's that 335i owners are the worst.

[ngl1145]

Originally Posted by ihyln

My reason for not liking the IS-F is pretty much cosmetic but some people go a bit too far with insults and the like. Other than that it's a fine car and an excellent showing from Lexus on their "first" try. I know we all like to defend our purchases from time to time but if there is one thing I'm going to agree with you on it's that 335i owners are the worst.

I was looking at the M3 vs 335i post and it's like war there too. Owners end up defending their car. It's like they feel stupid or something if another car is faster than theirs. Kind of pathetic. I realize this is a forum and none of this really matters. No matter how many stupid comments people make, at the end of the day, I drive a mighty fine car.

[sayemthree]

sorry - I am just tires of IS net boys crying here when not everyone loves the IS-F. I dont like it one bit period. sorry if that hurts your feelings. get over it.