Lexus IS-F '10 vs M3 E46 supercharged?

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themartlab

themartlab

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themartlab
Tried both, the Lexus is low mileage, "base" model. Love the V8, the feeling is great, like the power. Very daily driver with 4 doors.

Beside, I tried a 2004 M3, equipped with ESS cfr500 supercharger kit, CSL headers and exhaust, running over 440whp on 93 pump gas. Power is very very good and the sound is to die for.

I like both cars, Lexus is bone stock, peace of mind, 4 doors. The M3 is like the opposite. But i like it.

Advice?
 
I am in love with the IS-F, so that would be my choice.

With that said, what are you looking for? Toy? Daily driver?
 
Not a BMW fan, so I say the IS-F.

But I say don't even buy the IS-F and find something else.
 
This car will replace my Lancer Evo '10 which i use all year long. I need a daily driver which would be risky in a long term with the modified bimmer. Of course buying the m3 would be dumb, but..so much fun.

I very like the IS-F too, like I said, it's more reasonable as a daily drive. The M3 would probably cost me more in gas, specially with 440whp under the right foot, cost me more in everything. And I think it would be a sacrilege to put this M3 on the road in winter.

I feel like last year when I almost traded my evo for a 2008 Subaru STi with 475hp. A lot of fun but a lot of trouble in the next couple of year.

I think It would be better to go with the Lexus. At least it's a premium in gt5!
 
The E46 is nice and ESS has some nice kits but the lexus is simply newer and will be more comfortable. Another plus on the Lex is the 4 doors and newer tech. I'd go with the IS or a used E9X
 
A quick search on the net showed me few M5 E60, between 40-44k$, around 30,000miles, very good condition. But i heard the iDrive system from these years can be a pain in the butt and few electronics issues.
 
I would say get the BMW but the supercharger has me worried..BMW's dont do supercharging. Its no longer purebreed if you know what i mean. That doesnt mean I like the Lexus either. Bimmer or Bust.
 
themartlab
A quick search on the net showed me few M5 E60, between 40-44k$, around 30,000miles, very good condition. But i heard the iDrive system from these years can be a pain in the butt and few electronics issues.
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It's not the iDrive or electronic issues that plague the E60. It's the fact they depreciate scary fast & routine maintenance will eat costs.
 
These go under the radar sometimes, but how about a used E90 M3? You know, the sedan one.

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Basically the same power as the IS-F, four doors as well and no SC to brake things down. Because, personally, I don't like the IS-F's looks and would very much prefer a BMW. But, then again, I don't have anywhere near the money to buy either :lol:
 
Luminis
These go under the radar sometimes, but how about a used E90 M3? You know, the sedan one.

Basically the same power as the IS-F, four doors as well and no SC to brake things down. Because, personally, I don't like the IS-F's looks and would very much prefer a BMW. But, then again, I don't have anywhere near the money to buy either :lol:
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I might consider this one! I didn't even think about the sedan M3 because it's kinda rare here, actually i don't think i ever see one out of all coupe ones.
 
themartlab
This car will replace my Lancer Evo '10 which i use all year long. I need a daily driver which would be risky in a long term with the modified bimmer. Of course buying the m3 would be dumb, but..so much fun.
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Agreed, fun but not comfortable for a daily in the long run.

themartlab
A quick search on the net showed me few M5 E60, between 40-44k$, around 30,000miles, very good condition. But i heard the iDrive system from these years can be a pain in the butt and few electronics issues.
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If I had the cash for an M5 I would buy a nicely taken care of E39.

Blaze_409
I would say get the BMW but the supercharger has me worried..BMW's dont do supercharging. Its no longer purebreed if you know what i mean. That doesnt mean I like the Lexus either. Bimmer or Bust.
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BMW's are supercharged all the time now with no issue. In fact, the company I work for just put a VF kit on our E90 M3 and it makes 450hp to the wheels. Company owner daily drives it with no problems, but I'm also in Phoenix where snow is not an issue. ;)
 
M3>ISF>M5

If you can handle the lowered gas mileage, go for the BMW. BMW's being unfriendly to superchargers is new to me. I talked to Steve Dinan about them a while ago and he seemed to like them just fine.

Have you considered waiting for an F30?
 
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How about having a look at C63s? It may not be what you're looking for, but they are very fun cars and are generally regarded as better than the IS-F. The M5 is also a fantastic car, I'd definitely have al closer look at that. I hope I've helped. :)
 
Will just leave this here.
Audi-rs4-Sprint-blue-Guaranteed-car-finance.jpg
 
If you live where AWD will be helpful I'm going to go with Duffers on this one and suggest the Audi. 👍

That said, I'd much rather have a new Lexus IS-F untouched than a tuned and used M3. Of course, Im the "play-it-safe" type when it comes to spending my thousands on a car.

Fact of the matter, it's hard to be 100% confident in a Used, Tuned, Manual Transmission vehicle. :indiff:

Just the same, I love the M3. :lol:
 
Simple solution: buy anything other than the Toyota.

I second the votes for the C63 or the Audi.
 
Zenith013
M3>ISF>M5

If you can handle the lowered gas mileage, go for the BMW. BMW's being unfriendly to superchargers is new to me. I talked to Steve Dinan about them a while ago and he seemed to like them just fine.

Have you considered waiting for an F30?
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The F30 335i sedan won't be bad at $43,000, but it won't take long to reach over $50,000 once you start throwing in the options you really should not go without.
 
I've heard of BMWs being supercharged without much issues. Just make site it was no expenses spared and was done right.

If you decide on a E60 M5, make sure to get a later run one. I've heard of early SMGs eating themselves. I think partly they are so cheap now is because the early ones was a nightmare cost wise when things often went wrong.

If you're concerned about maintenance cost at all, I would steer you away from high performance German saloons.
 
Beeblebrox237
How about having a look at C63s? It may not be what you're looking for, but they are very fun cars and are generally regarded as better than the IS-F. The M5 is also a fantastic car, I'd definitely have al closer look at that. I hope I've helped. :)
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I think a C63 would be a bit overkill with snow tires! About maintenance cost, it wouldn't stop me but i'm concern about high cost repairs like E60 SMG for example. It's a shame there is no Holden dealers in Canada, they have few sedans that would be interesting.

At this point, the Audi seems a good choice. I'm not sure my wife could handle a RWD powerful car. I'm not even sure she would want to drive it. Which may be a good point.
 
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IIRC the IS-F was updated in for 2011 which greatly improved the suspension and driving dynamics. That would be my choice if possible.


modp_1012_02_o+2011_lexus_is-f+right_side_view.jpg
 
themartlab
No one mentioned the Cadillac CTS-V. Not too bad for a sedan.
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They might also be worth a look. If you have the money, you might be able to get one new. They're not quite as high quality as the German cars, but they're fast and fun.
themartlab
They are rare here, almost only GT's.
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Still, might be worth looking for a GXP.
 
Or i can sell the house, and try to find one of the 10 Lexus LF-A in Canada. Well maybe not, if i sell the house, my wife will divorce and get the half of the LF-A. Not!

Will have to take a closer look at Audi cars this week-end. Thanks for all your advices guys!
 
For those who gave me some advices and replied in this news I have an update: the M3 was sold the week after I see it and the Lexus was just not the right one. So I stick with my Lancer for few months. Anyways, I love this car, particulary in the winter.
 

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