Build a dream IS???
02-05-09, 04:38 AM
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Build a dream IS???
AS many know I've been searching for months on my next car (IS-F, Z06, etc.). The Inside Line IS F-Sport article got me to thinking:
Take a IS350, mod it out with performance F-Sport parts (and NOT the dark rims-personal taste, will probably go Work Varianza TS-1s) to a stealth, sweet looking, sweet handling, "relatively" quick daily driver. And get as much under warranty as possible.
Cost ceiling is $60K including car... suggestions??? Let's hear 'em...
Btw... I'm testing an Audi S5 and A6 3.0T, maybe RS4 at lunch today...
Take a IS350, mod it out with performance F-Sport parts (and NOT the dark rims-personal taste, will probably go Work Varianza TS-1s) to a stealth, sweet looking, sweet handling, "relatively" quick daily driver. And get as much under warranty as possible.
Cost ceiling is $60K including car... suggestions??? Let's hear 'em...
Btw... I'm testing an Audi S5 and A6 3.0T, maybe RS4 at lunch today...
Last edited by rdgdawg; 02-05-09 at 04:41 AM.
02-05-09, 05:56 AM
#7
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02-05-09, 06:09 AM
#8
I am in a similar boat... Considering the F (new), M3 (slightly used) no flames please, C63 (slightly used), M5 (slighty used), E 63 (slightly used) and a RS4 (slightly used). I really like the look of the RS4, the AWD and the rear bench seat (seating for 3), which is the only drawback to the F IMO, especially when the wifey and I are talking about having a 3rd. That said I also like the BMW maintenance program which covers brakes and anything else you can think of for 4 yrs 50k mi. I owned an M Coupe for 5 yrs and never once had a problem - great car. After reading about F owners having to replace brake pads and rotors every 15k mi for various reasons including heat cracks etc it got me a little nervous. After running through the numbers in my head figuring I may end up buying new rotors and pads every year plus expenses associated with the routine maintenance the costs quickly add up. 
In the end the F is still on my short list, but the rear seat is the biggest hurdle. Hmmm new kid or an F???? 
In the end the F is still on my short list, but the rear seat is the biggest hurdle. Hmmm new kid or an F????
Last edited by cssnms; 02-05-09 at 06:16 AM.
02-05-09, 06:20 AM
#9
Surprisingly little.
If you're going straight performance aspect at least.
IS350 with sport package, then...
F-sport sway bars certainly, and lighter wheels/tires of your preference.
Coilovers if you're uberhardcore and will actually ever adjust them. (skip the f-sport springs, they're progressive not linear)
Joe Z intake (or F-sport if you're in California) and a tanabe exhaust (or the Joe Z if you don't mind being illegal)
And that's about it.
You've added a whopping 12 horsepower (maybe 17 if you went illegal on the exhaust) and you've improved handling. And you're out of stuff that will genuinely improve performance for anything approaching a reasonable price while maintaining full reliability.
You could arguably add the MHP ECU/TCU flash here for $2350, but nobody has done it on a 350 yet to know the results.
You could cobble together an LMS supercharger kit if you're really desperate enough to spend $6000+ for 40 hp and not care bout powertrain warranty... cheaper for better gains in that case would be nitrous, just be careful to do it correctly.
But if you want to blow 60k on an IS, just get an IS-F.
or if you want to drop 60k on a SUPER fast IS, get an IS300 and mod the hell out of the 2JZ. You could easily build an 800-1000 hp IS with a 60k budget that way
If you're going straight performance aspect at least.
IS350 with sport package, then...
F-sport sway bars certainly, and lighter wheels/tires of your preference.
Coilovers if you're uberhardcore and will actually ever adjust them. (skip the f-sport springs, they're progressive not linear)
Joe Z intake (or F-sport if you're in California) and a tanabe exhaust (or the Joe Z if you don't mind being illegal)
And that's about it.
You've added a whopping 12 horsepower (maybe 17 if you went illegal on the exhaust) and you've improved handling. And you're out of stuff that will genuinely improve performance for anything approaching a reasonable price while maintaining full reliability.
You could arguably add the MHP ECU/TCU flash here for $2350, but nobody has done it on a 350 yet to know the results.
You could cobble together an LMS supercharger kit if you're really desperate enough to spend $6000+ for 40 hp and not care bout powertrain warranty... cheaper for better gains in that case would be nitrous, just be careful to do it correctly.
But if you want to blow 60k on an IS, just get an IS-F.
or if you want to drop 60k on a SUPER fast IS, get an IS300 and mod the hell out of the 2JZ. You could easily build an 800-1000 hp IS with a 60k budget that way
02-05-09, 06:41 AM
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Surprisingly little.
If you're going straight performance aspect at least.
IS350 with sport package, then...
F-sport sway bars certainly, and lighter wheels/tires of your preference.
Coilovers if you're uberhardcore and will actually ever adjust them. (skip the f-sport springs, they're progressive not linear)
Joe Z intake (or F-sport if you're in California) and a tanabe exhaust (or the Joe Z if you don't mind being illegal)
And that's about it.
You've added a whopping 12 horsepower (maybe 17 if you went illegal on the exhaust) and you've improved handling. And you're out of stuff that will genuinely improve performance for anything approaching a reasonable price while maintaining full reliability.
You could arguably add the MHP ECU/TCU flash here for $2350, but nobody has done it on a 350 yet to know the results.
You could cobble together an LMS supercharger kit if you're really desperate enough to spend $6000+ for 40 hp and not care bout powertrain warranty... cheaper for better gains in that case would be nitrous, just be careful to do it correctly.
But if you want to blow 60k on an IS, just get an IS-F.
or if you want to drop 60k on a SUPER fast IS, get an IS300 and mod the hell out of the 2JZ. You could easily build an 800-1000 hp IS with a 60k budget that way
If you're going straight performance aspect at least.
IS350 with sport package, then...
F-sport sway bars certainly, and lighter wheels/tires of your preference.
Coilovers if you're uberhardcore and will actually ever adjust them. (skip the f-sport springs, they're progressive not linear)
Joe Z intake (or F-sport if you're in California) and a tanabe exhaust (or the Joe Z if you don't mind being illegal)
And that's about it.
You've added a whopping 12 horsepower (maybe 17 if you went illegal on the exhaust) and you've improved handling. And you're out of stuff that will genuinely improve performance for anything approaching a reasonable price while maintaining full reliability.
You could arguably add the MHP ECU/TCU flash here for $2350, but nobody has done it on a 350 yet to know the results.
You could cobble together an LMS supercharger kit if you're really desperate enough to spend $6000+ for 40 hp and not care bout powertrain warranty... cheaper for better gains in that case would be nitrous, just be careful to do it correctly.
But if you want to blow 60k on an IS, just get an IS-F.
or if you want to drop 60k on a SUPER fast IS, get an IS300 and mod the hell out of the 2JZ. You could easily build an 800-1000 hp IS with a 60k budget that way
Thx all
off to see some Audi & Bimmers... 
02-05-09, 12:34 PM
#15
Lexus Champion
but it could easily be done under 60K including the cost of the car.
i'de find the cheapest/most mileage/worst (driveable) condition used car...
i can get a complete stock 2j for around 1k w/o tranny. (i could even sell the stock 4gr-fse engine and make some money off of it for sure)
i'de do all the fabrication myself (cutting/welding)
i'de do all the wiring myself (obviously without using the stock 2IS gauges)
and use the rest of the money i didn't spend to make it rain.
Last edited by ChrISF; 02-05-09 at 12:37 PM.