The new M3 sedan is surely in my mind, but some how, some way, I still end up going back to the Lexus. I guess it's because I've been surrounded by Japanese cars and I have always appreciated them very much for their build quality and reliability, but I'm sure German cars are good in the "driver's car" perspective. I've read countless reviews and the M3 keeps edging out the IS F. I still prefer the IS F at the end. If I get very serious in making my decision to sell my Evo, I will definitely take the M3 sedan for a test drive before or if I go with the Lexus. Thanks for the great suggestions and advice.

 

I drove my friend's IS-F, and that thing is just nice. As far as power, I think you might get a little dissapointed because the car behaves kind of similar to a turbo charged car. It really doesn't open up until 5,000 RPM, so you won't feel the rush until the RPM gets up there.

Maybe because of it's luxury aspects, but it doesn't feel as fast as the Evo. Maybe it's because of the suspension geometry. But when you look at the speed odometer, damn it's fast. However, the car does handle very well in turns. It's firm, but not too stiff. It's also not luxury soft where you'll feel that it's an 80 yr old persons car.

To me, I love the style cue of the IS-F. I think the stack exhaust is very cool, and the exhaust note is amazing. I would get it if I could.

 

Yeah, I heard that the car really opens up at about 3,600 rpm when a secondary intake valve opens up.....or something like that. I believe you when you say that the IS F may not feel as fast as the Evo. The Evo is a truly special car, and that's why I keep hesitating on giving it up. Sometimes I'm afraid that if I get a new car, it may not live up to my expectations. But hey, I guess that's the only way for me to learn. I'll keep researching just to prepare myself if I ever make a decision.

 

does everyone know the "quad stacked exhaust " is fake. its honestly the onle aspect of the car i dont like. get up close and look at it, the exhaust ends before the stacked tips in the bumper.. anyway i dont know why that bothers me so much. probobly the same way im bothered by the dual exhaust on the evo x

 

def a close call i also drove the new m3 n this is also a great car the only thing that bugs me about the m3 is the interior they havent changed it since gas was
.85 a gal lol but the inside of that is-f is unreal i love it the m3 is just cold on the inside thats the only thing that would have to be steped up in my book :-/

 

M3 > ISF



MKIV Supra > *

 

Check out the C63, the exhaust note of that thing is simply amazing. I drove one a few months back and walked away highly impressed with the car. My Evo currently makes 450+ whp and feels great on the streets, but I still have to give a nod to the C63 because that thing felt like an absolute torque monster on the street. Give it a drive just for comparsion sake.

 

Any enthusiast who gets an IS-F over an M3 is an idiot. If you need proof go back a few Top Gear episodes and see what Jeremy says.

 

Sometimes it comes down to brand preference. The new M3 is not an easy "hands-down" winner when you compare it against the new IS F, or even the C63 AMG. Each car has its own shining point, and the other car may not have that same quality but may very well shine in its own way. I admit that that the new M3 is sharper and more agile than the IS F, but I keep leaning towards the IS F because of it being a better "all-around" vehicle for my lifestyle. I wouldn't be surprised if the M3 is the more popular choice here, but I'm sure that for some.....The IS F is the car for them. Thanks for your kind reply.

 

I think I can give you my opinion since I was on the same path early this year, and in June I ended up getting an IS-F (trading in my Evo).

The IS-F and the new M3 are very close in all aspects. The M3 goes better through twisty roads, the IS-F is a tad faster in straight line. The IS-F has better brakes and great transmission (shifts faster than the new BMW's DCT). Interior wise I love the IS-F, and as mentioned before BMW seems to lack on interior development, it looks the same through models and years.

The exhaust tips aren't fake, they're just like all new cars where the tips aren't attached to the exhaust but to the bumper. Bugatti, Audi, Ferrari, Lamborghini, etc. do the same thing. Besides the IS-F's exhaust design serves a purpose which of course I don't remember now.

The aftermarket world is so limited that we can count the available parts with one hand. Just one intake which lost power versus the dual-stage stock intake, 2 or 3 exhaust systems that are very impressive and promise good gains (and I believe them), and now an ECU and TCU tuning that may prove the most gains of all. My IS-F is the test car for this ECU/TCU tune and I'll be receiving the tuned boxes this coming Monday, we'll see the results. I dynoed stock 360 RWHP two weeks ago, we'll se what happens after the tune. In the meantime enjoy this video of an aftermarket exhaust system:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0KI2GjXcjk

Compared to the Evo... there is no comparisson, they're different cars. I was in the same position as the OP, I needed something to suit my life better. I miss my Evo, it was sharp, quick, fun... but I don't regret having the IS-F now. You have to test drive one to understand.

 

Now, let me say that I am a HUGE top gear fan, but this post is retarded. You just told off an entire car based on the opinion of a single middle aged balding guy who has self-admitted that he doesn't drive very well.

How about you go drive them both and have an actual comparison instead of treating the words of one person like gods divine will?

 

IS-F is Good, the new M3 is BETTER. Get that, for the fact that the IS-F has FALSE Exhaust tips alone is reason enough.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iw2eVTqgDlE

 

I got to drive the IS-F at SEMA on the road course. It was very stable turning at high speeds as well.

I really like the car, and there where some sick modded ones!

Five Axis FTMFW!










And this SC300/400 front end remake.

 

I would say the 4-door M3. You could still drive stick...instead of going with the slushbox from the IS-F.

 

The purpose of the exhaust design on the is-f is to reduce drag. Air passes through the holes in the bumper.