Jboogie

I can't lie, I own a IS 350 but I'm so tempted to upgrade to the BMW M3 over the IS F mainly because of the performance. However, I'm terrified of the maintenance on that BMW!!! Anyway, if you had to choose one, which would it be?



http://youtu.be/qlRv2KZfjpQ?t=3m14s

You may want to start it at 3:14

<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qlRv2KZfjpQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Maxximus

old video and TG are infatuated w/ BMW, especially the M3. M3 is probably the better overall choice, but over here they are everywhere. I'd take the F just to be different.

of course when it was my choice I went w/ an XK R, since Lexus couldn't get my the F I wanted

Justin2JZ

I'd choose a DCT Coupe M3.

calvin2376

iTrader: (2)

I had a similar dilemma when considering what car to get about 6 months ago. My budget was about $25k. I really wanted an M5 or M3 and always have. However, my last car was a 2003 E55 AMG which was a nightmare that led me to become intimately acquainted with German reliability and repair/maintenance costs. After that experience, I'll never own another German car. It's unfortunate, since by many criteria they make great cars (performance, looks, etc), but until I'm a millionaire I'm going to care about reliability and I don't feel it's right to have to worry about seeing a malfunction light every time you turn on the car. You can't enjoy a car when you're worried about driving it.

Here are two interesting things about BMW I learned recently:

- Nearly 40 percent of BMW M3s require repairs to axle and suspension components alone each year (http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/14/p...uld-look-like/)

- Somewhere on the order of 60-70% of BMW's sales are leases (Autoblog podcast, various websites)

No car should require work on one component every year, even if it's a performance model. And the second point just blows my mind. There's a reason the used market is flooded with German cars right at 4 years old/50k miles: no one wants them after the warranty's up. Unless you know about cars and can do the work yourself, you're going to be in for some headaches at the dealer past the warranty period. The amounts they charge are just criminal. I'd be willing to overlook this a bit if the cars were more reliable and didn't need repairs as often, but this isn't the case.

I just don't find the M3 appealing enough to put up with the BS of poor reliability and dealer treatment. Personally, if I were due for a new car and looking for that range of performance, I'd be looking at the IS-F and the CTS-V (mainly because I love the wagon, this is my aspirational next car - also the CTS-V ranks quite well in JD Power Initial Quality and Consumer Reports ratings). I don't know much about the long-term reliability of it since it's relatively new, but there are used GTRs on the market for around $50-60k.

Jboogie

WOW!!! You really did your homework. The maintenance on BMW's is a huge deal breaker for me, but after reading your post I'm even more sold on leaving BMW's to the rich that don't mind blowing their money on a high price drama queen!

chi123

iTrader: (12)

If I was in your situation and you're wanting a new M3 or IS-F, I'd just pay a little extra for a used GT-R instead. For a few extra grands, you'll have good reliability and you'll have way better performance than the two for the money. Otherwise, it you only want those two, I'd take the M3. More options with modding, better performance/handling IMO, and better looks with the coupe than the IS-F IMO. However, I think you may want to consider a 335i or 335is and put in a Proceed or JB4 chip which will put the car almost over 400HP will intake and exhaust. It'll beat both the IS-F and M3 plus you got money left over for other mods. True that German cars are less reliable and parts are more expensive but I'm willing to spend the extra and deal with a few headaches.

Justin2JZ

Man my best friend has a 135i with the JB4 tune and he's putting down damn near 450hp with just bolt ons. Those things are nothing to play with.

KillaIS250

iTrader: (1)

Between the two, the IS-F. BMW's lately have been having reliability issues. I'd rather take an IS-F which is probably gonna be way more reliable in the long-run. Plus then I can still enjoy Lexus customer service I think I would only get an M3 if I got it on lease, or got an excellent warranty and planned to sell it before it ran out.

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

Hi Jboogie,

We have an IS-F forum for questions like these (THIS subforum is for discussions specifically about the IS250/IS350, so I'm closing the thread). In that IS-F forum you'll find dozens of threads that have feedback from IS-F owners in them you can search for instant answers / no waiting.

I put 'm3' in the search keyword, selected search in topic title and pointed at the ISF forum.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...a-new-isf.html

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...l?highlight=m3

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...l?highlight=m3

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...l?highlight=m3

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...l?highlight=m3

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...l?highlight=m3

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...l?highlight=m3

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...l?highlight=m3

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...l?highlight=m3

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...l?highlight=m3

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...l?highlight=m3


There are many other similar threads... these are just a few from the first page of my search.