Hey guys,
I haven't had a chance to drive an IS-f yet, I have driven the IS350 which felt a little soft when cornering, and I have driven the 335i which to date has been the best handling car I have driven. I was just wondering if those that have driven the 335i and the IS-F and can tell me how the handling compares between the two. It has been a couple of years since I drove it, but I remember how stiff and tight it felt going around corners, with next to no body roll. Hopefully next spring is the magic time for me to get one, the wife loves the IS-F more than me, so that is making it a lot easier.
Thanks.

 

my sister has a 335... but the is-f just feels so perfect... when you just get in the car.. and sit there... its a whole new feeling.. kinda sounds weird.. until you actually do it...

 

I sold my 335i to purchase the F. The BMW DID inspire confidence when pushed and the steering feel was VERY communicative. The IS-F is much more stiff than the 335i it WILL outhandle the 335i if you're looking at straight lateral G's. I also had Pilot Sport's on the 335i and have the Bridgestone's on the IS-F. Steering feel overall I give to the beemer, all other handling traits to the F.
Peter

 

Um... since i have all three, ill chip in. The IS F handles as well as or slightly better than the 335i. Which imo, is really good considering how well 335i's handle.

 

I have driven a friends 335i a few times recently and I agree with f=ma. The 335i has good handling and steering feel but the IS-F takes the cake in both in my opinion

 

Well this is great to hear. I still look at the 335s longingly b/c of how well the one I drove handled, first car with sophisticated suspension that I had driven, and I have been hoping that the IS-F would be at least as good.

 

I am hoping to for the same. However my wife does not love the IS-F due to the price . Hopefully I can turn that around by next summer .

 

We, too, have both the 2008 E93 and the IS-F. Both are great handling cars. I drive the F every day and my wife drives the E93. We both agree that the steering on the E93 is somewhat heavier than the F.

 

If 335i owners can agree that the F's handling is as good if not better than the BMW, then I think it speaks volumes for Lexus. How about compared to the m3? Anyone driven or own both?

BTW - I assume that you guys are in sport mode, correct? From my own experience, the sport mode makes a huge difference in handling characteristics.

 

Good luck, just keep ending all conversation (even if not car related) with "... and it gets great gas mileage!" I lucked out, my wife liked it long before I did, she kept pointing out how "hot" it was.

 

Hoping not to appear too clueless, does Sport Mode affect the suspension too?

 

Sport mode = More firm & stiffed.

 

Nope. Does not affect ride control one bit.

Unlike Corvette with magnetic selective ride control.

 

I'm under the impession that Sport mode only changes the shift times and doesn't have anything to do with the steering or ride stiffening in any way, where is Flipside to answer this

 

What up guys!

I have both a 335i coupe and The IS-F and I can tell you that around a corner the ISF feels more planted than the 335i. The IS-F is a stiffer car for sure. However in the 335i you can feel whats on the road a tad better. Overall both very good handling and fun to drive cars.