C&D Comparo: IS-F vs. M3 Sedan
03-31-08, 07:50 PM
#16
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Car&Driver BMW E90 M3 vs. Lexus IS-F SCAN.
Someone on the M3post Scan the May issue C&D M3 vs. IS-F.
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...06#post2396206
thoughts?
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...06#post2396206
thoughts?
04-01-08, 01:10 AM
#18
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so funny how everyone thinks the IS-F got killed. Reality is on the street rolling the IS-F motor would kill the m3.
The M3 barely beat its track time, pretty impressive for Lexus. C&D actually praised the handling of the IS-F which is also pretty impressive. We all knew the BMW would handle better, but they've been in the game much longer so that's expected.
The M3 barely beat its track time, pretty impressive for Lexus. C&D actually praised the handling of the IS-F which is also pretty impressive. We all knew the BMW would handle better, but they've been in the game much longer so that's expected.
04-01-08, 10:07 AM
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Its still funny how biased C/D is towards the M3. Hell they gave the M3 1 point for rebates/options and none for the IS-F!! LOL
Anyway both great cars no doubt. But honestly 90% of he people who own either will never push our cars to the extent to realize all those little differences.
The cars are very close. But still have plenty of M3 guys saying total domination and stuff LOL in the thread.
Anyway both great cars no doubt. But honestly 90% of he people who own either will never push our cars to the extent to realize all those little differences.
The cars are very close. But still have plenty of M3 guys saying total domination and stuff LOL in the thread.
04-01-08, 10:25 AM
#22
Bottom line is that it will come down to personal preference. If you are a BMW guy then you are going to get the M3 no matter how good the IS F is. If you are a Lexus fan and want to save some coin too then the IS F is good enough.
04-02-08, 06:38 AM
#26
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funny how the BMW forums say "COMPLETE DOMINATION".......idiots
04-02-08, 08:49 AM
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FYI, Motor Trend has a compro between the IS-F M3 and C63
Basically all three cars were very close in every performance catagory. The C63 led the pack in acceleration tests while the M3 did so in the handling department but it was close in all aspects. This is very good news for people in the market for one of these beasts becuase it really all comes down to which car you like better and you're not really making much compromise in the performance caragory regardless of which you choose.
EDIT: I ment M/T not R&T
Basically all three cars were very close in every performance catagory. The C63 led the pack in acceleration tests while the M3 did so in the handling department but it was close in all aspects. This is very good news for people in the market for one of these beasts becuase it really all comes down to which car you like better and you're not really making much compromise in the performance caragory regardless of which you choose.
EDIT: I ment M/T not R&T
Last edited by Ramon; 04-02-08 at 09:02 AM.
04-02-08, 02:22 PM
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Actually, 1 second is not insignifcant in terms of lap times and it is a definite performance advantage. Think of it is this way, the M3 is crossing the finish line 20 seconds earlier in a 30 minute sprint race. Maybe not "complete domination" but enough that any BMW enthusiast isn't going to switch brands.
Not bad lap times for street cars. But, to keep it in perspective:
http://www.mylaps.com/results/newResults.jsp?id=424003
Jim Bassett and Mark Dadgar in JP are driving 210-215hp (or so) 325i's. They still weigh about 3,000lbs. Top Spec Miatas with 125hp run 1:45's as well. So, all that weight in the M3 and IS-F does hurt them. Some of those cars in JS are basically mildly modified E30 M3's or E36 M3's (all they allow is a chip to the engine), springs/shocks/swaybars and DOT r compounds and they have to run a full interior.
Not bad lap times for street cars. But, to keep it in perspective:
http://www.mylaps.com/results/newResults.jsp?id=424003
Jim Bassett and Mark Dadgar in JP are driving 210-215hp (or so) 325i's. They still weigh about 3,000lbs. Top Spec Miatas with 125hp run 1:45's as well. So, all that weight in the M3 and IS-F does hurt them. Some of those cars in JS are basically mildly modified E30 M3's or E36 M3's (all they allow is a chip to the engine), springs/shocks/swaybars and DOT r compounds and they have to run a full interior.
04-02-08, 04:29 PM
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Interesting read. C&D definitely liked both cars, and surprising how much they loved the IS-F 8 speed.
I find it funny though that C&D complained that the IS-F "didn't pull hard enough" and that they could not understand why. Maybe it was the tires
.
Looking at the specs, the M3 has wider tires than the IS-F. The M3 also weighs less than the IS-F, so that's exactly why the M3 pulls harder. Put wider tires on the IS-F and it should pull harder.
I find it funny though that C&D complained that the IS-F "didn't pull hard enough" and that they could not understand why. Maybe it was the tires
.Looking at the specs, the M3 has wider tires than the IS-F. The M3 also weighs less than the IS-F, so that's exactly why the M3 pulls harder. Put wider tires on the IS-F and it should pull harder.
04-02-08, 05:14 PM
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Interesting read. C&D definitely liked both cars, and surprising how much they loved the IS-F 8 speed.
I find it funny though that C&D complained that the IS-F "didn't pull hard enough" and that they could not understand why. Maybe it was the tires.
Looking at the specs, the M3 has wider tires than the IS-F. The M3 also weighs less than the IS-F, so that's exactly why the M3 pulls harder. Put wider tires on the IS-F and it should pull harder.
I find it funny though that C&D complained that the IS-F "didn't pull hard enough" and that they could not understand why. Maybe it was the tires
.Looking at the specs, the M3 has wider tires than the IS-F. The M3 also weighs less than the IS-F, so that's exactly why the M3 pulls harder. Put wider tires on the IS-F and it should pull harder.