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Questions about the ISF

4599 Views 12 Replies 8 Participants Last post by  SuperFreak, 
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Hey peeps,

I'm on the fence about either getting the M3 or ISF (leaning way ISF but want to be absolutely sure.) I'd be coming from a 335i, so I'm aware of workmanship of BMW. I would be using the car as a daily driver. On to my questions:


1. The Nav interface; how responsive is it? does it take awhile to load up? is it hard to get it updated with new map data?

1a. Manufactures iPod interface, how responsive is it; does that take awhile to load up? how long till music starts playing in the car? does it remember where and what track was last playing?

2. Ride quality; how "bumpy" is it really? some car mags whine like there is no tomorrow about it and some don't even mention it. I believe motortrend had a 2009 video review of the ISF (I think they screwed up the date) and it showed a bit of a bounce but, it did not look that bad. I just like some actual owner feed back.

Any additional feed back is appreciated
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F1ackM0nk3y said:
Hey peeps,

I'm on the fence about either getting the M3 or ISF (leaning way ISF but want to be absolutely sure.) I'd be coming from a 335i, so I'm aware of workmanship of BMW. I would be using the car as a daily driver. On to my questions:


1. The Nav interface; how responsive is it? does it take awhile to load up? is it hard to get it updated with new map data?

Although I have the nav I can't provide an objective opinion since I don't know your benchmark. Besides, nav is not anywhere near my first priority when buying a car. For the most part, I know where I'm going and how to get there.

1a. Manufactures iPod interface, how responsive is it; does that take awhile to load up? how long till music starts playing in the car? does it remember where and what track was last playing?

Don't have an ipod. I'd rather listen to the motor even though I have the Mark L. upgrade.

2. Ride quality; how "bumpy" is it really? some car mags whine like there is no tomorrow about it and some don't even mention it. I believe motortrend had a 2009 video review of the ISF (I think they screwed up the date) and it showed a bit of a bounce but, it did not look that bad. I just like some actual owner feed back.

Ride is fine.

Any additional feed back is appreciated
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Are you sure you're looking for a car or do you just need a great CD system, GPS and a nice couch?:confused:
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Flipside909

1. The Nav interface; how responsive is it? does it take awhile to load up? is it hard to get it updated with new map data?

It's a pretty quick system and probably a lot more easier to navigate than the BMW nav. It's all touchscreen so that gives it the win hands down. The Lexus Nav in the IS-F is DVD based, so there are yearly updates available for a cost. It's roughly about $250 for each update.


1a. Manufactures iPod interface, how responsive is it; does that take awhile to load up? how long till music starts playing in the car? does it remember where and what track was last playing?

It is pretty quick, although there is about a 1/2 second lag when you go up or down a song. Yes, when you turn the car off or if you switch to AM/FM or another source, it will restart where you last left off.


2. Ride quality; how "bumpy" is it really? some car mags whine like there is no tomorrow about it and some don't even mention it. I believe motortrend had a 2009 video review of the ISF (I think they screwed up the date) and it showed a bit of a bounce but, it did not look that bad. I just like some actual owner feed back.

It's not as bumpy as most think, however it is a little harsh for those who are not used to riding on a sport tuned suspension. For those of us who are used to riding on coilovers or an aftermarket spring/shock combo, the IS-F's ride is very very compliant. On uneven pavement or older concrete freeways with a lot of expansion joints, it can get jittery for some, but not obnoxious like a Ford F150 on the freeway.

You should try to get a test drive at your local dealer. I think by the first few feet of driving, you'll be hooked. :)
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BigMikeISF
Welcome to the site!! :)

The navigation on the IS-F is extremely easy to use in my opinion. My previous three cars have all had navigation and the IS-F's is definitely the easiest to use. It is touch screen and has 50 pre-programmed voice commands for the system. So if you say "Chinese food" it shows all the Chinese food restaurants by name and address. It also lists their numbers to call. It doesn't take a while to load at all, in fact it is pretty quick. I have no idea how Lexus uploads new data for the navigation system, my old cars were all you had to purchase a new DVD and load it into the car, I am not sure about Lexus since I just bought the car and everything seems up to date :cool:

As for the IPOD, I do not use it, I would much rather listen to the engine as DevilDog said as well, but there are many people on here who do :)

I personally have no problem with the ride what-so-ever. I constantly travel throughout the state of Texas and love the ride of the IS-F. It is not too bumpy by any means in my opinion. On rougher roads it can be a little bumpy but it doesn't bother me. I also haven't had one complaint on the ride quality yet, if anything, it is about how smooth the ride is!

I hope this helps!! :D Let us know if you have any other questions!
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Thanks for the Input. As for the test drive, I'll do that when I get back from Iraq.
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P
I have Comparison of the ride between 335i with Sport Suspension Pkg and the ISF. I have the F and my wife has a new E93 with the Sport Pkg. We were in my F today and she said that the ride was smoother than her BMW.
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T
Put five grand into your 335i and you will have the fastest car in the world!
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F1ackM0nk3y said:
Hey peeps,

I'm on the fence about either getting the M3 or ISF (leaning way ISF but want to be absolutely sure.) I'd be coming from a 335i, so I'm aware of workmanship of BMW. I would be using the car as a daily driver. On to my questions:
Click to expand...
Join the club, I just did the same thing last month. Got rid of the 335i and bought this IS-F after test driving the M3 and the IS-F.


F1ackM0nk3y said:
1. The Nav interface; how responsive is it? does it take awhile to load up? is it hard to get it updated with new map data?
Click to expand...
It's pretty quick, starts up within 10-15 seconds maybe? Never actually timed it, but it's quick.

F1ackM0nk3y said:
1a. Manufactures iPod interface, how responsive is it; does that take awhile to load up? how long till music starts playing in the car? does it remember where and what track was last playing??
Click to expand...
OMG, this used to bug the crap out of me in my 335i. You get halfway through a song, turn the car off, and when you restart the car it goes back to the beginning of the song. Drove me nutz. The dealer response was "yeah, we know about that but can't fix it".

This problem has vanished in the IS-F, much to my delight. :)

F1ackM0nk3y said:
2. Ride quality; how "bumpy" is it really? some car mags whine like there is no tomorrow about it and some don't even mention it. I believe motortrend had a 2009 video review of the ISF (I think they screwed up the date) and it showed a bit of a bounce but, it did not look that bad. I just like some actual owner feed back.
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It's bumpier than the 335i, but not terrible. You get used to it pretty quick, mostly when you step on the throttle and that killer exhaust note kicks in about 3600 rpm... ;)
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SuperFreak
F1ackM0nk3y said:
Thanks for the Input. As for the test drive, I'll do that when I get back from Iraq.
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Thank you for your service to our country! It is hard to go wrong with the "F".:cool:
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F
To answer Devildogs comment: I already knew the 0-60, 1/4 mile times, turning capacity as they seem to be fairly consistent with all the reviews I read. The ride of the ISF is somewhat subjective and I wanted to hear about it from people who were not "car magazine reviewers" (and in my humble opinion, have their collective noses stuffed so far up BMW's tail pipe, they won't see daylight until they hit the intake) As to the iDrive..... there is little doubt in my mind that when BMW creates a vehicle, it is an engineering master piece. From the engine block to the seats, the craftsmanship is top notch. HOWEVER, the electronics remind me of a 7th graders science project that is still in beta. When I buy a car, I buy the whole car. Meaning, if I pay 40K plus for a vehicle, I want the whole vehicle to behave like it is worth 40K. Not just 90% of it.

To answer The Catch83, I already sold my 335i. No use it sitting idle for a year, depreciating in value while I'm here at the great beach of the world. Also my electronics were starting to go screwy. iDrive would not power up, vehicle would claim headlights/taillights were out when they were not. It was getting progressively worst. Add to that, the 2 dealerships I took it too would the very least possible and then push the car back at me .They changed various light bulbs like 3 times and the error would always return. In BMW defense, my car was built in oct 06, so I'm sure they just had not worked all of the bugs out of the 2007 model. (my quarrel was more with the dealership. BMW of Sterling FTL.)

To ChrisH. you know exactly were I'm coming from.

As to everyone else, thank you for the input. Unless BMW pulls some sort of miracle to make me change my mind, I'll be getting a ISF....I think blue. Between my color of choice and the "bumpy" ride, I'm pretty sure my wife won't want to drive it =)


ps. To SuperFreak, your welcome. It's always nice to be thanked. Maybe one day this part of the world will be better off than it is, but it won't be on my watch unfortunately
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Don't be sure your wife will not want to drive it. When I got mine my wife started driving it and didn't want to give it up. That is why I bought her a new E93 before mine arrived. I knew she would enjoy driving my F.
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F
The fact that when she saw the blue color and said it looked "Like something a slime ball would drive" and the "bumpy" ride might just be enough to keep her away. Also, she wants to get either a X3 or X5.
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SuperFreak
Then you would be her slimeball husband:rolleyes: lmao... but you'd have your car...
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