[rondocap]

I have driven the M3 and C63 prior, but this was my first time driving the IS-F.

Pretty cool car, it was a 2012. The exhaust is awesome - definitely fills the cabin up even with the windows up like a muscle car. 8 speed transmission is a little bit weird, but the car goes strongly.

I was not to enamored with the interior though. If people say BMW interiors are dark and toned down, this was a bit too "bright" with the center console and a few other gaudy touches. Also not feeling the touchscreen after iDrive.

It was a fun drive though, tail was very happy and once again, that exhaust was fantastic.

One thing that this IS-F (And driving an M3) made me further realize about my 335i - as nice as it is, the 335i is just much more sterile and less exciting. The IS-F amd M3 just rumble alive, and you know you are in something special on the first upshift, while the 335i is a bit more cerebral and exalts less emotion. Capable car none the less, but this goes to show you that even if a 335i (And I do dearly enjoy mine) is tuned to be as fast as those other cars - it is missing a bit of that x-factor these car posses that make them more exciting. That's why the IS-F/M3 are considered to be on a higher performance level and not apples to apples, but with prices coming down, they are getting closer value wise.

[Game]

E90post....where a 335i is described as "sterile."

[rondocap]

[Doctor///M]

ahh boy... you like to stir the waters, no?

[DanielGonz]

The N54 is the new Supra motor, just wait until a few more shops start singling these. I don't think it'll be long until we see 800+ out of these IF the enthusiasts can support the aftermarket companies developing kits. Then it's game over for the M3 motor-wise.

[E90_boostjunky]

Originally Posted by DanielGonz

The N54 is the new Supra motor, just wait until a few more shops start singling these. I don't think it'll be long until we see 800+ out of these IF the enthusiasts can support the aftermarket companies developing kits. Then it's game over for the M3 motor-wise.

+1 i totally agree on this, cant wait to see it happen

[JDane07]

Don't IS-F's have a fake exhaust setup?

[D_o_S]

My friend has an IS-F, I drive a 335i, and let me tell you, there is no way on Earth I would trade my 335i for it. First, the auto sucks, especially when you compare it to the 8spd on the F30. I prefer manual anyway. Second, the interior sucks too, the multimedia system is nowhere near as intuitive as iDrive. Third, the engine bay has bits and bobs here and there, it's nowhere near as tidy as on European cars. There are many other things wrong with it...

If the IS-F was half price of the M3 (i.e. like 20% below 335i price) it might be worth considering. Given the price as is, I just feel like German cars are more perfect than other stuff.

[Top_Gear_Fan]

Originally Posted by JDane07

Don't IS-F's have a fake exhaust setup?

just 2 fake exhaust tips on the bottom of the real ones I think

[Top_Gear_Fan]

Originally Posted by D_o_S

My friend has an IS-F, I drive a 335i, and let me tell you, there is no way on Earth I would trade my 335i for it. First, the auto sucks, especially when you compare it to the 8spd on the F30. I prefer manual anyway. Second, the interior sucks too, the multimedia system is nowhere near as intuitive as iDrive. Third, the engine bay has bits and bobs here and there, it's nowhere near as tidy as on European cars. There are many other things wrong with it...

If the IS-F was half price of the M3 (i.e. like 20% below 335i price) it might be worth considering. Given the price as is, I just feel like German cars are more perfect than other stuff.

If it were half the price of the M3, no way would it even have it's major selling point: 416 horsepower.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a fan of the IS-F either, and I love the 3s over the Lexus IS by a lot...but I think you're being a little harsh on the IS-F.

[Amini77]

+1 on the 335 feeling quiet sterile. I've driven one recently and I must say they're more of a cruiser until you punch it and its a whole different car. Not saying anything bad heck if I could get a 335 I would, but an ///M is a whole other breed. Sure the 335 can be as fast with some modding but it'll never feel as alive and raw as an M3 or M5 even.

[StevenY.]

Originally Posted by DanielGonz

The N54 is the new Supra motor, just wait until a few more shops start singling these. I don't think it'll be long until we see 800+ out of these IF the enthusiasts can support the aftermarket companies developing kits. Then it's game over for the M3 motor-wise.

+1 Completely agree with this.

[KwlAznKid]

Originally Posted by Amini77

+1 on the 335 feeling quiet sterile. I've driven one recently and I must say they're more of a cruiser until you punch it and its a whole different car. Not saying anything bad heck if I could get a 335 I would, but an ///M is a whole other breed. Sure the 335 can be as fast with some modding but it'll never feel as alive and raw as an M3 or M5 even.

x2, exactly. now let's wait for the tuned 335i guys with meth to come in and start a war

jk

[Revision2]

I think the OP's main point about a difference between high performance cars and "regular ones" is that there is more to them than just the raw HP that "regular cars" can often match or even surpass. It isn't necessarily something that people can just bolt on to the regular cars to achieve because it's just something inherently built in as part of the design of the car as a whole integrated package. I recall seeing some BMW ///M video explaining how an M car can have up to 80% different parts then their regular siblings. I'm sure a part of the X factor is also the prestige that is typically associated with the ///M and AMG brands (leaving the F brand off cause my intent is not to be flamed haha).

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by rondocap

but with prices coming down, they are getting closer value wise.

you probably wouldn't want pre 2011 IS-F. they made some changes that made it hang with M3.

[i_Rock]

Originally Posted by rondocap

I have driven the M3 and C63 prior, but this was my first time driving the IS-F.

Pretty cool car, it was a 2012. The exhaust is awesome - definitely fills the cabin up even with the windows up like a muscle car. 8 speed transmission is a little bit weird, but the car goes strongly.

I was not to enamored with the interior though. If people say BMW interiors are dark and toned down, this was a bit too "bright" with the center console and a few other gaudy touches. Also not feeling the touchscreen after iDrive.

It was a fun drive though, tail was very happy and once again, that exhaust was fantastic.

One thing that this IS-F (And driving an M3) made me further realize about my 335i - as nice as it is, the 335i is just much more sterile and less exciting. The IS-F amd M3 just rumble alive, and you know you are in something special on the first upshift, while the 335i is a bit more cerebral and exalts less emotion. Capable car none the less, but this goes to show you that even if a 335i (And I do dearly enjoy mine) is tuned to be as fast as those other cars - it is missing a bit of that x-factor these car posses that make them more exciting. That's why the IS-F/M3 are considered to be on a higher performance level and not apples to apples, but with prices coming down, they are getting closer value wise.

iS-F has 2 faces 1. track car, 2. date night.
M3 just POWER and a Track feel.
335 clean with room to grow.

Note: iS-F stock to stock with a M3 top end iS-F will eat the M3 alive.

All 4 exhaust tip work and the lower tips are also use for down forces at high speed.

[Spool]

The Lexus will go twice as many miles before it dies than a BMW...

<---- former BWM fanboi and recently converted Toyota/Lexus faith

[GChase]

Audi's Bang and Olufsen Sound system

[aph335i]

I don't know about anyone else but I purchased the 335 for the reasons you're all saying it doesn't compare to the M3. It can be as fast as the m3 but ALSO will carry the characteristics of a quiet cruising luxury car. The m3 is honestly bad ass but I don't want a loud rumbling race car 100% of the time. 335s also get better gas mileage. Yet... It's still capable of having the power of a m3 or is-f

[aph335i]

Originally Posted by Spool

The Lexus will go twice as many miles before it dies than a BMW...

&lt;---- former BWM fanboi and recently converted Toyota/Lexus faith

Doubt it.

[ken1137]

IS-F blah...M3 YES!

[aph335i]

Uhh I think 335i owners are well aware that it doesn't compare to the m3's natural badassness.