BMW 335I or Lexus ISF ?
10-21-12, 11:04 PM
#16
The 335 will have more modifications available and have a greater following. The F is certainly more reliable, more luxurious IMO, and exclusive. Sure with some ECU flashes and bolt ons, those 335s can give you one great adrenaline rush,but that is the same with the F bone stock. I've never met an F owner who didn't have a grin on his or her face after driving their F.
10-21-12, 11:42 PM
#17
I'd say the chip is a complete waste lol. My friend has a 335i and he's always trying to say this new chip gives him 100hp and torque is incredible with twice as much boost but I still pull him every time with just an intake, and at 100 he just drops. It's still really close in the beginning but I get him every time. Exterior wise I think the BMW has the IsF beat but inside is the other way around and what are you going to be looking at more? Buy something you want tho, something that matches you, not just cause a bunch of people on a forum said too. Ya know what I mean? FYI, I bought mine used 2008 with 50k, never had any unexpected maintenance. Still running like a champ.
Last edited by Petshark; 10-21-12 at 11:45 PM.
10-22-12, 04:25 AM
#18
Be honest with you, I was very close getting a 335 or 328 instead of ISF, but after hearing so many BMWs mechanical problems and break downs I decide to go with the F, and another reason behind this is because there are just too many BMWs (3 series) out there on the street and I wanted to feel special. 
I'm glad that I went with the F, love it everyday!!!
I'm glad that I went with the F, love it everyday!!!
10-22-12, 04:49 AM
#19
I had a "chipped" 2007 335i from 2007-2010. When I got it, it was the best car that I'd ever had. I thought it looked good, it was fast, and it had luxury. I took the BMW to the track once, and put down a 12.8 @ 107.6mph at the quartermile with full interior and nothing but a $400 chip. So yes, I considered that to be decently quick.
That all said, I had the fuel pump problem that many of the cars with the N54 engine had. I was back and forth to the dealership a few times before they finally just replaced the fuel pump and injectors entirely. It was a very annoying experience that soured me a little to the brand.
The IS-F is superior to the 335i in every way, and of course I think it is now the best car that I've had. You can't really compare the two. A more fair comparison would be choosing between a 335i and the IS350, because they are the two cars that compete, or compare the IS-F to the M3. I like Lexus over BMW for reliability and interior looks, and BMW has a better steering feel... but again, this is when you compare similar cars.
That all said, I had the fuel pump problem that many of the cars with the N54 engine had. I was back and forth to the dealership a few times before they finally just replaced the fuel pump and injectors entirely. It was a very annoying experience that soured me a little to the brand.
The IS-F is superior to the 335i in every way, and of course I think it is now the best car that I've had. You can't really compare the two. A more fair comparison would be choosing between a 335i and the IS350, because they are the two cars that compete, or compare the IS-F to the M3. I like Lexus over BMW for reliability and interior looks, and BMW has a better steering feel... but again, this is when you compare similar cars.
10-22-12, 08:52 AM
#21
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I was in the same situation like you are right now. I previously owned M3 (E36) and wanted to upgrade to 335i. I did some research on 335i and heard nothing but trouble with the car, though I personally knew a guy with 335i and a gal with 135i and they had never experience any problem after few years and at least 50k miles. May be they were just lucky. So I started looking to get M3 then again I was worried about buying a M cars almost out of warranty so I decided on ISF and been quite happy with it. I think you should just drive both cars and see which one you prefer if the reliability is not the concern.
10-22-12, 09:05 AM
#22
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there is no comparison....you are comparing a very rare car (IS-F) to a car that is seen everywhere and specially here in miami sure they are fast with bolt on's and procede or jb4 chip..actually very fast it will take an IS-F OR M3 EVEN C63'S like nothing but is just a 335i and yes its full of issues ...here in miami at least the IS-F is extremelly rare despite being a very competitive and materialistic city...i see between 5-8 335's everyday day....is a joke comparing this two cars
10-22-12, 11:24 AM
#24
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I'm so glad I asked before I didn't know the 335i had so many problems so thanks guys. I also just noticed there is a really nice c63 amg close by I've heard that car is quite nice and powerful only thing I'm afraid is the parts and maintenance on these German cars
10-22-12, 12:22 PM
#26
Lexus Champion
Every car manufacturer has their problems. The 3 series is ahead of the IS when it comes to luxury. If you buy a 335i which the 2011+ with the n55 is improved a lot you can JB4 it and beat on ISFs and m3s all day.
Last edited by Justin2JZ; 10-22-12 at 12:37 PM.
10-22-12, 12:23 PM
#27
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C63 is a beast especially the p31's. They walk on most m6's. AMG is more reliable than M though. But if you want a car as fast as these turbo v8 and has a bulletproof reliability, definitely ISF is the way to go.
Last edited by Jasperrr08; 10-22-12 at 12:30 PM.
10-22-12, 12:47 PM
#28
Used to. That was only in the 2007.1 models though before they started equipping all of them with oil coolers. That hasn't been a problem since.
A JB4 chipped 335i with an exhaust is usually going to be faster than a stock IS-F or M3 in a straight line, yes. Then again, there are plenty of cheaper cars on the market that are faster than a stock IS-F given the right mods, so I'm not sure that's reason enough. The luxury thing must be subjective though, because when comparing my old 335i to my wife's old IS250, the IS won that battle hands down, I thought. I had the sport seats too, which were nice, but I just thought the 3 series looked a bit barren and clinical rather than plush on the inside. In fact, between Mercedes, Lexus, Audi and BMW, I think the BMW interiors lag behind the other 3 by a bit.
A JB4 chipped 335i with an exhaust is usually going to be faster than a stock IS-F or M3 in a straight line, yes. Then again, there are plenty of cheaper cars on the market that are faster than a stock IS-F given the right mods, so I'm not sure that's reason enough. The luxury thing must be subjective though, because when comparing my old 335i to my wife's old IS250, the IS won that battle hands down, I thought. I had the sport seats too, which were nice, but I just thought the 3 series looked a bit barren and clinical rather than plush on the inside. In fact, between Mercedes, Lexus, Audi and BMW, I think the BMW interiors lag behind the other 3 by a bit.