If they're free - Which one you'll take? M3 or ISF

[Eisbaer]

I would like to hear this from the NSX owner perspective. If these 2 cars are free, which one will you take home to park next to your NSX? The new M3 or IS-F?

My brain tells me to pick up IS-F because M3 engine burns oil (yes, up to 1qt. per 1000 mile. It states as a DISCLAIMER in the Owner's Manual) plus other problems like fuel pump and valves. Interior is not attractive...

But my heart says M3 because IS-F is no manual, 6800k rpm only vs M3-8400. No widebody on IS-F - you can't put fat tires in the rear like M3.

I think performance wise, they're pretty much close. IS-F prolly takes off at higher speed.

So gentlemen ... which one?

 

[tosugrad]

Explain free. You mean like if price was not a factor?

Still would take the M3 hands down.

 

[colslaw87]

I'd take the M3 hands down. The IS-F...yuk...doesn't do it for me.

 

[Eisbaer]

Explain free. You mean like if price was not a factor?

Still would take the M3 hands down.

Yes, like price wasn't a factor.

I'd take the M3 hands down. The IS-F...yuk...doesn't do it for me.

You mean the look? or the fun factors in M3.

I am start thinking this might be a brand thing. Lexus was known as a luxury car not performance and this is actually their first performance line.

 

[clr1024]

I am start thinking this might be a brand thing. Lexus was known as a luxury car not performance and this is actually their first performance line.

Yes but toyota is not new to performance though.

I would get the M3, for both looks and performance, however I am actually surprised that Toyota did come out with an M3 competitor when they released the IS series many years ago.

 

[Acura NsX Pilot]

M3 for me

 

[sahtt]

If resale didn't matter and I didn't have to maintain/insure it, M3.

 

[Erik B]

///3 hands down!!!!

 

[Jimbo]

M3

-Jim

 

[The Kid]

My M5 burns a quart every 750 miles, and has been to dealer three times for a defective sending unit, and keep in mind they have no dipstick to check it. Kinda scary when you always push the car:frown:

I think Im going to get an ISF next or an E55 or E63:wink:

 

[Alleykat]

All my friends that have owned BMW's have problems with them 1 way or another.Most if not basically all were dealer only fixes.What it came down to in the end is they would only own 1 now,under the condition its under warranty. :tongue:

Taken from another forum and ever so true...

Germans make great cars.
Germans make great engines.
Germans make shitty electric wiring and components.

I would gladly take the ISF over the M3.How often do you hear of Lexus having issues like BMW?

 

[Malibu Rapper]

My brain tells me to pick up IS-F because M3 engine burns oil (yes, up to 1qt. per 1000 mile. It states as a DISCLAIMER in the Owner's Manual) plus other problems like fuel pump and valves. Interior is not attractive...

But my heart says M3 because IS-F is no manual, 6800k rpm only vs M3-8400. No widebody on IS-F - you can't put fat tires in the rear like M3.

I think performance wise, they're pretty much close. IS-F prolly takes off at higher speed.

So gentlemen ... which one?

My M3 has yet to be refilled with oil. Some people have had to have the dealership add oil but I have not and I'm up to about 9000 troublefree miles. It has been on track and autocross. Don't forget the dealership takes care of virtually everything for 4 years. People have had rotors and clutches replaced free of charge. I was one of the first in the US to receive the car and at the time 6MT was the only option. The M-DCT trans has had a few software issues though.

The IS-F in every comparison I've seen is outperformed by the M3. Between the IS-F and the M3, it's a no-brainer for me. I like the C63 but it's a 4 door and it will cost more to maintain. Not a fan of the IS-F's exhaust which earned it the name IS-Fake....

 

[quack]

ISF hands down. A local member here has an isf as well and he says he drives it more than the nsx....m6 is a different question.

 

[tosugrad]

I am start thinking this might be a brand thing. Lexus was known as a luxury car not performance and this is actually their first performance line.

Its NOT a brand thing. I like Lexus. The M3 is a better car. Plain and simple.

 

[SoCalDude]

I know the M3 performs better overall but I'd take the IS-F for bullet proof reliability and looks. I loved the styling of the last generation of BMW's (especially M3) but the current ones are just ugly.

 

[Ryanmcd2]

My M5 burns a quart every 750 miles, and has been to dealer three times for a defective sending unit, and keep in mind they have no dipstick to check it. Kinda scary when you always push the car:frown:

I think Im going to get an ISF next or an E55 or E63:wink:

hehe I see you want to the dark side and got a M5 I got a 06 as well, fun cars and they keep pulling upto 200. Also I have no problems with oil and mine, 5000 miles and maybe .2 down on the computer reader deal, and yes I push it as hard as I can.

 

[PhiAlpha44]

If I was going to hang it on my wall and look at it. The Toyota.
If I was going to drive it. the M3.

 

[Vega$ NSX]

EM-Three (apparently M3 is too short of a message to post; minimum of 3 characters)

 

[colslaw87]

Yes, like price wasn't a factor.



You mean the look? or the fun factors in M3.

I am start thinking this might be a brand thing. Lexus was known as a luxury car not performance and this is actually their first performance line.

I'm talking purely looks. I'm sure both cars would be great fun to drive, that's a given.

 

[Eisbaer]

Wow... I am surprised by the answers. I thought, coming from NSX owners, reliability is big deciding factor :biggrin:

Wooooooo M3!!

 

[Malibu Rapper]

Here are some shots of my car and an IS-F. I don't know what the big knock is on reliability of the M3, the past models are solid and this new one is solid as well. All maintenance is covered for 4 years. So cost of ownership of the M3 is lower than the IS-F by a longshot. According to IAG, the IS-F has over 5 times the cost of maintenance during the first 4 years.

 

[Hibnah]

I would take the M3 anyday.

The ISF was build to be a contender yet not a supporter of the after market.

 

[SaleenS7Rs]

M3 for sure

 

[sahtt]

Here are some shots of my car and an IS-F. I don't know what the big knock is on reliability of the M3, the past models are solid and this new one is solid as well. All maintenance is covered for 4 years. So cost of ownership of the M3 is lower than the IS-F by a longshot. According to IAG, the IS-F has over 5 times the cost of maintenance during the first 4 years.

You honestly don't know anyone that has spent a fortune maintaining an E46 or E36 M3? I don't know anyone who owned them more than a couple years while near brand new that didn't. My E46 had 10k+ in warranty work done 1k miles before the factory warranty expired. Many E36 M3 owners have spent more on maintenance than the value of the cars themselves.

Of course the M3 is cheaper during the first four years... it's free on the BMW. I don't expect any car short of an exotic to have any substantial issues during the first four years of ownership anyways. I'm more interested in how it works when it's 4-8 years old and has 60k+ hard miles. I picked the M3 btw.

 

[tosugrad]

Im not sure how any sober person can look at these pics and not think the Lexus is butt ugly from every few except dead on......

IMHO........