Are there any tunes for the 2018 IS300 to “uptune” it to IS350 levels?
03-21-23, 10:05 AM
#1
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Are there any tunes for the 2018 IS300 to “uptune” it to IS350 levels?
As most of us know the IS300 is detuned from factory and the 2014-17 models were able to be tuned back to IS350 levels from rracing however they don’t have 2018+ support, are mpower and d3 tunes just as good/ as powerful. Secondly, is it worth the headache to save money? Reliability is very important to me and coming from a RC350 I don’t want to feel a loss In power so will the tune really get to the 350 levels? Have a chance to buy a clean 2018 IS300 F Sport Series 2 for $23,000 with only 50k miles. Clean CarFax, no accidents. Clean title and from a reputable dealer.
03-21-23, 04:19 PM
#2
As most of us know the IS300 is detuned from factory and the 2014-17 models were able to be tuned back to IS350 levels from rracing however they don’t have 2018+ support, are mpower and d3 tunes just as good/ as powerful. Secondly, is it worth the headache to save money? Reliability is very important to me and coming from a RC350 I don’t want to feel a loss In power so will the tune really get to the 350 levels? Have a chance to buy a clean 2018 IS300 F Sport Series 2 for $23,000 with only 50k miles. Clean CarFax, no accidents. Clean title and from a reputable dealer.
There is a thread about the D3 tune that shows people with the increased rev limiter on 21 cars. You still unfortunately miss out on the adaptive dampers.
03-21-23, 06:53 PM
#3
drives cars
As someone with the RR racing tune, Yes. You can definitely get it up to '350' power levels. It's noticeable on the highway, the stock '300' tune falls flat on it's face after 4K RPM while the tune keeps building power like a 350(and revs right past the stock rev limit with the 7200RPM RR racing tune). The 21 IS350IS I drove for a month or so felt like it was missing something compared to my car with the RR racing tune.
There is a thread about the D3 tune that shows people with the increased rev limiter on 21 cars. You still unfortunately miss out on the adaptive dampers.
There is a thread about the D3 tune that shows people with the increased rev limiter on 21 cars. You still unfortunately miss out on the adaptive dampers.
Personally, I'd say the adaptive dampers make the IS 350 a good option. The car rides a bit better but can still be stiffened-up with Sport S+ mode. However, the stock suspension isn't bad at all.
03-22-23, 06:51 AM
#4
As a former owner of a 2015 IS350 FSport AWD and current owner of a 2018 IS300 FSport AWD, let me tell you the D3 tune is the way to go.
It wakes the IS300 V6 up to and a bit over (based on my butt dyno) what I experienced in my old IS350.
It wakes the IS300 V6 up to and a bit over (based on my butt dyno) what I experienced in my old IS350.
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Rhydg1 (03-22-23)
03-22-23, 01:07 PM
#5
Out of curiosity; What is your take on the AVS that your 350 had but not the 300?
03-30-23, 11:22 AM
#7
I really do not notice much difference without AVS. Then again, I don't track my vehicles so maybe someone who did may notice. WIth that said, the 300 F Sport handles very well in my opinion.
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Rhydg1 (03-30-23)
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03-30-23, 02:19 PM
#8
It’s almost as if they are using the same adaptive dampers as on the ES300/350 Handling Package which are a just bit stiffer than the super soft standard ES suspension.
My wife has a 23 IS350 FS with regular suspension, I have 23 ES300h with regular suspension which we both swap back and forth, and I’m looking into suspension upgrades and test driven various iterations of the two cars. You’d think the adaptive suspension on the IS350 FS would be the better handling package than the base, but it’s not. The LSD can now be had individually so that’s way to go on an IS unless you want a softer ride, although all the new ones I see for sale with LSD also have the adaptive suspension plus the BBS forged wheels.
My theory why the current IS350 F Sport has done so poorly in magazine and YouTube reviews is because the press cars are almost always equipped with the softer adaptive suspension. Also the AWD ones have the lazier 6 speed and more weight.
03-30-23, 03:14 PM
#9
drives cars
The non-adaptive dampers on the current 350 are more stiff than the adaptive dampers on the stiffest mode, so it depends what you’re wanting.
It’s almost as if they are using the same adaptive dampers as on the ES300/350 Handling Package which are a just bit stiffer than the super soft standard ES suspension.
My wife has a 23 IS350 FS with regular suspension, I have 23 ES300h with regular suspension which we both swap back and forth, and I’m looking into suspension upgrades and test driven various iterations of the two cars. You’d think the adaptive suspension on the IS350 FS would be the better handling package than the base, but it’s not. The LSD can now be had individually so that’s way to go on an IS unless you want a softer ride, although all the new ones I see for sale with LSD also have the adaptive suspension plus the BBS forged wheels.
My theory why the current IS350 F Sport has done so poorly in magazine and YouTube reviews is because the press cars are almost always equipped with the softer adaptive suspension. Also the AWD ones have the lazier 6 speed and more weight.
It’s almost as if they are using the same adaptive dampers as on the ES300/350 Handling Package which are a just bit stiffer than the super soft standard ES suspension.
My wife has a 23 IS350 FS with regular suspension, I have 23 ES300h with regular suspension which we both swap back and forth, and I’m looking into suspension upgrades and test driven various iterations of the two cars. You’d think the adaptive suspension on the IS350 FS would be the better handling package than the base, but it’s not. The LSD can now be had individually so that’s way to go on an IS unless you want a softer ride, although all the new ones I see for sale with LSD also have the adaptive suspension plus the BBS forged wheels.
My theory why the current IS350 F Sport has done so poorly in magazine and YouTube reviews is because the press cars are almost always equipped with the softer adaptive suspension. Also the AWD ones have the lazier 6 speed and more weight.
The AWD part is true though. Just watch Savagegeese's video... the title is literally "Hard Sell", and that's very much the vibe of the review.
03-30-23, 03:43 PM
#10
I think the IS does bad in reviews because it's the same exact car from 2014 with different body panels. I'm looking into getting into an M340i for my next car
03-30-23, 03:47 PM
#11
drives cars
The M340i is an awesome car, no doubt about that. And the G20 3-series in general is great. I just feel it lacks feel and personality compared to the IS. It feels a little vague and doesn't ride as nicely as the IS does, no matter what trim we're talking about. Make sure you get the M Adaptive Suspension, as that will help a lot with the ride. The base M Sport suspension has a busy ride.
03-30-23, 08:11 PM
#12
FYI the suspension and hubs were changed for the better with the refresh to reduce unsprung weight but I suspect you already knew that.
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Rhydg1 (03-30-23)
03-30-23, 09:20 PM
#13
For me, I like that I could buy a new 2023 with warranty old school analog sports sedan. There’s very, very little I’d change. Don’t want electric no-feel steering, don’t want muted exhaust and intake noise of a turbo, don’t want dual clutch transmission. Do want traditional interior and lots of buttons. And for me the interior and exterior is beautiful.
FYI the suspension and hubs were changed for the better with the refresh to reduce unsprung weight but I suspect you already knew that.
FYI the suspension and hubs were changed for the better with the refresh to reduce unsprung weight but I suspect you already knew that.
I also like that it's the last car in the class with a old school NA engine and actual buttons in the interior. I get to drive a whole bunch of different cars at work; I hate the current VW/Audi/LR/Jag system of doing everything on the touchscreen.
As well IDK if you have driven the 21+ IS? In my opinion it drives 2-3 notches nicer than my 16'. My car feels like a nice sports sedan, I thought the 21 IS felt like a luxury car that retained the handling of my car. notable smoother over bumps and nicer going down the road.
03-30-23, 11:57 PM
#14
The non-adaptive dampers on the current 350 are more stiff than the adaptive dampers on the stiffest mode, so it depends what you’re wanting.
It’s almost as if they are using the same adaptive dampers as on the ES300/350 Handling Package which are a just bit stiffer than the super soft standard ES suspension.
My wife has a 23 IS350 FS with regular suspension, I have 23 ES300h with regular suspension which we both swap back and forth, and I’m looking into suspension upgrades and test driven various iterations of the two cars. You’d think the adaptive suspension on the IS350 FS would be the better handling package than the base, but it’s not. The LSD can now be had individually so that’s way to go on an IS unless you want a softer ride, although all the new ones I see for sale with LSD also have the adaptive suspension plus the BBS forged wheels.
My theory why the current IS350 F Sport has done so poorly in magazine and YouTube reviews is because the press cars are almost always equipped with the softer adaptive suspension. Also the AWD ones have the lazier 6 speed and more weight.
It’s almost as if they are using the same adaptive dampers as on the ES300/350 Handling Package which are a just bit stiffer than the super soft standard ES suspension.
My wife has a 23 IS350 FS with regular suspension, I have 23 ES300h with regular suspension which we both swap back and forth, and I’m looking into suspension upgrades and test driven various iterations of the two cars. You’d think the adaptive suspension on the IS350 FS would be the better handling package than the base, but it’s not. The LSD can now be had individually so that’s way to go on an IS unless you want a softer ride, although all the new ones I see for sale with LSD also have the adaptive suspension plus the BBS forged wheels.
My theory why the current IS350 F Sport has done so poorly in magazine and YouTube reviews is because the press cars are almost always equipped with the softer adaptive suspension. Also the AWD ones have the lazier 6 speed and more weight.
03-31-23, 07:12 AM
#15
The generation 3.2 refresh came with suspension changes that reduce unsprung weight which will make the car handle better. Reduced hub weight, forged control arms, reduced weight of springs, maybe a few other things.