2009 m3 or 2009 isf
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84 Posts
IS-F. lower maintenance cost in the future. better reliability like any other toyota. M3 is great too in everyway but i like the looks of the IS-F over the M3 sedan
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You're going to get really bias answers on an ISF forum. Same goes to if you posted on m3post.
if i don't pay for the car, i would go for the M3.
M3 is a slightly better sports car overall. better balance and feedback. i bought ISF because of its superior reliability( i hope), and value. personally, i prefer the ISF styling, but i would not be suprised that most people may prefer the M3 styling.
M3 is a slightly better sports car overall. better balance and feedback. i bought ISF because of its superior reliability( i hope), and value. personally, i prefer the ISF styling, but i would not be suprised that most people may prefer the M3 styling.
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360 Posts
I haven't driven the latest M3, but I drove one of the E36 M3s and fell in love with it. I always regretted not buying one of those M3s. I seriously looked at the current M3, but they wouldn't let me test drive it.
The Lexus dealer was all too happy to let me drive the F, and I really liked it a lot. I think the BMW will give you a better ride/handling trade off, but in all other aspects, I like the F best. Especially the engine note. I followed a M3 coupe during BMW's Drive for the Cure (driving a 760LI, which was pretty darn cool in its own way) and wasn't that impressed with the sound of the M3. I like the deeper note of the F better.
What I really wanted was the C63. That has the most incredible exhaust note of the three (M3, IS-F and C63) IMHO. However, I would have to pre-order the car and would have no chance to test drive before buying. That was a deal breaker for me. I also wasn't keen on having to fill up the tank at least twice a week because the gas mileage was so poor and the tank wasn't big enough to give decent range.
Just to be clear, I don't regret my IS-F purchase at all. I like the car and think I made the best choice overall.
Just my two cents.
Jeff
08 Smoky Granite Mica IS-F
The Lexus dealer was all too happy to let me drive the F, and I really liked it a lot. I think the BMW will give you a better ride/handling trade off, but in all other aspects, I like the F best. Especially the engine note. I followed a M3 coupe during BMW's Drive for the Cure (driving a 760LI, which was pretty darn cool in its own way) and wasn't that impressed with the sound of the M3. I like the deeper note of the F better.
What I really wanted was the C63. That has the most incredible exhaust note of the three (M3, IS-F and C63) IMHO. However, I would have to pre-order the car and would have no chance to test drive before buying. That was a deal breaker for me. I also wasn't keen on having to fill up the tank at least twice a week because the gas mileage was so poor and the tank wasn't big enough to give decent range.
Just to be clear, I don't regret my IS-F purchase at all. I like the car and think I made the best choice overall.
Just my two cents.
Jeff
08 Smoky Granite Mica IS-F
I would also have to lean towards the M3, but only with the following conditions:
1. Price to purchase is no problem
2. Price to maintain is no problem
3. I have someone on staff to take care of the M3 and bring it in for service when it needs it 2x more than the IS-F
4. I have a spare car handy to drive when the M3 was in for some maintenance issue
5. I don't care what the price of gas is or what kind of mileage it gets
The trouble is, that if I could somehow (in my wildest dreams, after I win the powerball jackpot) meet all these conditions, I would probably have the M3 and IS-F...
i think most people went for Lexus because of reliability and value. personally, i use my F as a family car also and i will not trust the M3 in a crush or in terms of reliability.
realistically, the M3 is not significantly faster for 99.99% of ISF or M3 buyers. it may be a bit more balanced and has better steering feedback which could contribute to better driving enjoyment. maybe it's my age, i do feel the F's steering a bit too tight to my liking.
realistically, the M3 is not significantly faster for 99.99% of ISF or M3 buyers. it may be a bit more balanced and has better steering feedback which could contribute to better driving enjoyment. maybe it's my age, i do feel the F's steering a bit too tight to my liking.
I respect all of your opinions guys, however I feel that there isn't that much loyalty to the F looking at the posts... The M3 does handle better and is easier to throw around but that's where it ends... The IS-F is faster, more comfy, has the same if not better options which do not go wrong in the lexy, lexus engineering is much better and more reliable, looks are personal issues and definitely as sedans (4 doors) point of view the F is much nicer. I don't see why many of you are choosing the BMW. I have had 2 bmw 530i s an 02 and an 09 and they both are a pleasure to drive, however they are a pain in the neck when compared to my dads LS430 (perfection) the Land Cruiser we have and the Avalon...
Toyota Lexus ALL THE WAY!! This is the mentality I expected to see on this forum.
Nevertheless all of you guys are very helpful and I appreciate it very much as a new member. I am NOT having a go at anyone btw...
Toyota Lexus ALL THE WAY!! This is the mentality I expected to see on this forum.
Nevertheless all of you guys are very helpful and I appreciate it very much as a new member. I am NOT having a go at anyone btw...
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295 Posts
Reason why I really wanted the ISF is because I have a 96 LS 400, an 09 730i, and an 02 S320. The LS 400 is a much better car in terms of comfort than the S and the Bimmer. I've never ever had problems with the engine and just last weekend, I was still doing 140 MPH with the LS. It's incredible.
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431 Posts
Def the ISF, because overall never had good experience with BMWs
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79 Posts
Isf
For many years the M3 was my dream machine. Apart from the Porsche, i had never driven a car that handled so well and the power was incredible. I then could not afford one and drove a 350z instead.
Last year i decided to get a 4 door car and tested the 3-series, Merc and the IS...and i realized although i needed a sedan, i could not drive one that did not feel sporty. I thought this was the time i picked up the M3 sedan and almost did so until i walked into the Lexus showroom and the dealer invited me to test the F.
I honestly, on the winding road driving over 100 miles per hour could not tell the difference from the M3 in handling and the only difference in terms of performance was the low vs high ref engine and the transmission(both which i do not consider a disadvantage to Lexus). I understand the argument of the manual experience, i grew up driving one...but i prefer high tech and lexus have done a fantastic job with the 8-speed. I liked the fast shift of the 8speed and especially considering it was a daily driving sedan. I liked the low ref engine as it had great power off the line and along with the 8 speed give me a smooth ride when i just want to cruise(which is about 75% of the time) and the best part of it is the car needs only one nostril to breath when smoking most cars on the road.
Then there is the look: The Lexus seems like a younger car more in tune with my style, the styling of the BMW is dated and un-exciting.
Most important of all:Build Quality.
I have also met a lot of BMW owners and there are 2 groups:The brand whores, who no matter what belittle every other car and claim greatness. But the other group will love the handling but wish for better quality.
With the Lexus F, i get both.
For me the bottom line:
Track car: GT-R\M3 coupe\Cayman-S
Super fun Sedan:IS-F
For many years the M3 was my dream machine. Apart from the Porsche, i had never driven a car that handled so well and the power was incredible. I then could not afford one and drove a 350z instead.
Last year i decided to get a 4 door car and tested the 3-series, Merc and the IS...and i realized although i needed a sedan, i could not drive one that did not feel sporty. I thought this was the time i picked up the M3 sedan and almost did so until i walked into the Lexus showroom and the dealer invited me to test the F.
I honestly, on the winding road driving over 100 miles per hour could not tell the difference from the M3 in handling and the only difference in terms of performance was the low vs high ref engine and the transmission(both which i do not consider a disadvantage to Lexus). I understand the argument of the manual experience, i grew up driving one...but i prefer high tech and lexus have done a fantastic job with the 8-speed. I liked the fast shift of the 8speed and especially considering it was a daily driving sedan. I liked the low ref engine as it had great power off the line and along with the 8 speed give me a smooth ride when i just want to cruise(which is about 75% of the time) and the best part of it is the car needs only one nostril to breath when smoking most cars on the road.
Then there is the look: The Lexus seems like a younger car more in tune with my style, the styling of the BMW is dated and un-exciting.
Most important of all:Build Quality.
I have also met a lot of BMW owners and there are 2 groups:The brand whores, who no matter what belittle every other car and claim greatness. But the other group will love the handling but wish for better quality.
With the Lexus F, i get both.
For me the bottom line:
Track car: GT-R\M3 coupe\Cayman-S
Super fun Sedan:IS-F
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475 Posts
For a moment there, I thought I was at the M forum. I am not biased, just practical. Before I bought the F, I was considering the M. I asked a lot of mechanics, Lexus owners, and BMW owners for their opinion about it, and they suggested Lexus. Why? Because of it's reliability. I'm so glad I bought the F because you get more than just reliability. You get performance and quality too.
You don't have to own one to be here. You just have like the car. Wait till you drive one!
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360 Posts
Yeah, people in this forum are pretty laid back and complimentary of the IS-F's competition. In a lot of other forums I've frequented, such things will result in a massive flame war.
Yes, there are several people that I've seen on this forum that don't have F's, so you are in good company eddy663.
Jeff
08 Smoky Granite Mica IS-F
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1,127 Posts
I will admit I like the new M3 a lot. It did cross my mind to step in that direction, but like most, i'm all about reliability and longevity. I've been to many BMW dealerships to inspect cars and see way too many new and late model BMW's with the engine and trans pulled out for issues. If I did have a chance to buy another performance marque, the M3 sedan gets my vote.
I havent driven either cars yet. I've seen some reviews of both and some indicate that the ride of the lexus is-f is rough. I currently drive 2006 Civic Si with Eibach Pro Kit. It could not be firmer than my current car could it, it's a luxury car after all? I'm leaning towards the IS-F as oppose to the M3. The lexus interior looks quite a bit nicer than the BMW. Does the IS-F come wet-sanded with no orange peel?
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1,127 Posts
Unlike the LS which is hand wetsanded from the Tahara plant, the same place the IS F is built, it is not. However orange peel is not an issue with a car of this price and level.
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