LexFather

My post is what most reasonable people will think. Anything outside that is their opinion.
M3 handles better and is the standard in class
IS F handles damn good but misses some of the intimacy of the M3 (this is true about 2008/2009 models. 2010 models have the LSD which does wonders but hasn't had a full test. No info on what the 2011 revised suspension drives like)
M3 interior is spartan and less luxurious
IS F interior is superior and a selling point
Google maps on your cell>either NAV system (thanks Stig lol). IS F touchscreen more intuitive than iDrive (which is improved)
Acceleration is a wash and delivered differently. M3 likes to rev, IS F has more low end torque
M3 more common than the IS F (both are still rare)
IS F comes loaded. M3 needs to have options added
M3 has (gasp) a folding rear seat which is what the majority of performance buyers look at
M3 offers stick. IS F offers 8 speed only
IS F sound system is superior to the M3
IS F is more and will be more reliable
M3 holds the edge with panache and prestige

Having recently been giving hot laps in M3s at Skip Barber and having sufficient experience in the IS F I think what it comes down to is personal preferences. Neither car blows the other out in most categories. The IS F is simply an amazing first effort. The M3 continues to set the handling bar in class.

Excellent.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

lol everyone reads your signature and knows what cars you have had. it's just far simpler to input addresses and destinations and search on lexus nav. i think so, my wife most definitely thinks so (she's always frustrated how hard it is to go up and down and look for information). bmw nav is noticeably slower than lexus nav. when you are on the map screen, it's very hard to scroll through the map (you have to go to the side and select + and then move up and down, vs one touch on the screen to re-center).

sorry, but no matter what the bmw nav (even the new one) is just harder to use for me. maybe i am dumb, but apparently a lot of owners out there agree with me (vs how many lexus owners i have heard saying their nav is hard to use).

mmarshall

I agree with virtually all of this except for two minor points. First, you didn't mention the IS-F's very harsh ride...if you are not on a glass-smooth road, you'll know it. Second, the IS-F, as you note, does have different torque characteristics from the M3, but it is not necessarily low-end. You and I both noticed (remember?) in our test-drives that the IS-F's torque was rather flat below 3500, but came on like a slingshot between 3600-4000 as the secondary EFI kicks in and gives it more fuel.

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

The new idrive is easy to operate and works very well and doesn't have the silly Lexus/Toyota lockout while in motion.

Lets Drive

iTrader: (3)

Funny that you mention that, but this was brought up as one of my complaints about the Nav in my feedback to Lexus, so far as improvements go (in more words, of course).

rominl

iTrader: (4)

easier? yes. but to me, i wouldn't say it's easier than the touch screen and setup on lexus. of course, like i said before, the lexus lockout is a big bummer

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

I like the mouse setup on my RX so much more than the touch screen I had.
Another plus is the NAV screen is higher on the dash because of the mouse.
No fingerprints too.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

totally understand you, i like the remote touch a lot too. to me that's intuitive. idrive, not so much

sorry to OP, i think we have drifted so much away from the topic

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

Yes,weve drifted a bit but if the OP is on the fence with both cars and NAV is important,the Lexus lockout may be an issue.

OC 335d

Yeah but there's plenty who don't read.

My last post on the subject...

BMW Navi is not slower anymore since it is HD based. I do agree it is faster to type it in on the touch screen. But BMW's design is to use it while driving and it is safer rather than having to look at a screen and touch an area. If Lexus' system wasn't locked, then it would be more unsafe (like Acura). It is faster to scroll thru the map by moving the side/side/up/down on Lexus, I agree. However it's faster/easier to zoom in and zoom out on the BMW.

I still prefer BMW's other navi features, most importantly, the route list/route information feature you have on your BMW.

BMW's maps look better now though.

Anyways, we can agree to disagree on the differences. A combination of the two would be the best.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

ISF vs M3...two high performing vehicles that can blow your socks off and all we can talk about is...

LexFather

Hahhaahahahahahahahaha!

Drop down seats, door lights and navigation

tofu_house

iTrader: (2)

The evolution of this thread is pretty epic.

Honestly though...

It's all about drop-down-seats VS. navigation right now.

rdgdawg

For me, when comparing these (virtually even).... is how much time to you want to spend at the service shop? Regardless of maintenance covered 4yrs/50K miles, I've got MUCH better things to do than sit in a service shop on a BMW. Go talk to a service manager who's worked for multiple high-end manufacturers, then you'll get a good feel for what you'll be dealing with on true ownership.

As for the IS-F's ride, was equal to a Z06 on WI roads... so it was not an issue for me.

Hope this helps...

Lets Drive

iTrader: (3)

The 2ng Gen IS line has pretty odd cup holder locations, too. They get in the way of the arm rest/shifter.