Thinking of trading my e60 m5 for IS-F
#16
Driver
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: OK
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i unfortunately went the other way around...08 isf to 08 m5. i did this because we had a baby and the isf just didnt have the room we really needed for everyday situations (and the m5 had depreciated so much faster that i didnt have to shell out much more money, as opposed to some of the other cars we were considering). While we like the M5 OK, I REALLY miss the isf and felt it was a much more fun car overall to drive, with a smoother transmission and better power delivery. The rear room is lacking in my opinion, and I hope that is improved next time around, but there were plenty of times people were OK in the back seat for short trips. I think you will be happy overall with the switch and won't miss too much about the M5. Just make sure to sell those Radenergie wheels to someone on m5board...great looking wheel and people love those over there.
#17
I just traded my 08 M6 for the F, well 3 months ago. NO REGRETS, and when I push the Start button,, i dont hesitate to hear the BMW dong (error) any more. My experience is that the F can get a jump on the 6, however, after 100 its all M6. All in all, I am extremely pleased with the F. And go figure, I was really set on getting a 2012 M3. Then I tested an F. In reality, the F is a more practical car compared to the M5/6 for daily driving for my lifestyle. Additionally, for 3 months now, I have not had a mechanical problem or error. That's my story and I am sticking to it.
#19
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (2)
Welcome. I also cross-shopped the M5 & ISF last year, but ended up with the ISF because of the reliability aspect. Heard about too many issues with the M's... and also noticed the vast increase of M's for sale directly after the warranty period. You mentioned that you'll have one car.. the ISF is a great DD because it's comfortable and at the same time has low end torque. And let me tell you, the ISF with aftermarket exhaust, whether it's muffler/cat delete, ISSForged, JoeZ, Borla... just sounds insane.
Also, if you haven't already, ask this question bimmerpost.com ... just curious to see what the M owners would say in this situation.
Also, if you haven't already, ask this question bimmerpost.com ... just curious to see what the M owners would say in this situation.
#20
Driver
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: FL
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I test drove the M3 sedan and that was comparable interior space wise to the F. I will say the F has the same torque delivery that my GTO did but with more top end. Space wise it fit 3 adults 5' 10". However, I'm 5' 10" and the seat behind me would be pretty useless for someone who's taller than about 5' unless I were to move my seat somewhat forward and compromise my driving position.
#21
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (20)
I could be wrong but I believe the M mode gives them 100HP boost. 500hp max output in M mode 400hp max without.
I test drove the M3 sedan and that was comparable interior space wise to the F. I will say the F has the same torque delivery that my GTO did but with more top end. Space wise it fit 3 adults 5' 10". However, I'm 5' 10" and the seat behind me would be pretty useless for someone who's taller than about 5' unless I were to move my seat somewhat forward and compromise my driving position.
I test drove the M3 sedan and that was comparable interior space wise to the F. I will say the F has the same torque delivery that my GTO did but with more top end. Space wise it fit 3 adults 5' 10". However, I'm 5' 10" and the seat behind me would be pretty useless for someone who's taller than about 5' unless I were to move my seat somewhat forward and compromise my driving position.
#22
i can chime in a bit. m5/m6 were other cars i was looking at while buying the F. my best friend drives a low mileage m6 that you can see in the background of the pic below. he even said himself he is kicking himself in the *** that he didn't the isf. fit and finish, we both agree the lexus edges the bimmer out. the isf has a more "updated" look with the gauges, navi, etc. also my isf edges him out from a stop and barely gets beat from a roll which is great since the s85 engine is a v10 500hp. tranny for tranny , lexus is better than his smg, smoother...etc.
yes you can fit four adults 6feet and under. but not comfortably, lol. smaller interior is sportier, you dont feel like you are driving a boat like the m5. but if you need 4 seats all the time, i would say dont even look at the ISF.
m5 is a beautiful car but my conclusion is that the F can be an upgrade to the right buyer if you are coming from m5/m6.
yes you can fit four adults 6feet and under. but not comfortably, lol. smaller interior is sportier, you dont feel like you are driving a boat like the m5. but if you need 4 seats all the time, i would say dont even look at the ISF.
m5 is a beautiful car but my conclusion is that the F can be an upgrade to the right buyer if you are coming from m5/m6.
#23
Lexus Test Driver
#25
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: VA
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for all the feedback. I test drove a buddy's '11 is-f yesterday since he is also interested in trading for an m5.
Iniital thoughts: I love the tach setup on the Lexus and the technology is great. The front seats are supportive and I like that you don't slip around in them like you do on the m5 (lucky I have active seats). The IS-F was awesome for what it was, but more likened to an m3 (yes, I know the m3 is the competitor).
Driving the two back to back was a great idea. The power of the IS-F was there and delivered beautifully, but after running the two (he had i/e/h and m5 has e) on the parkway from a roll about 10 times in a row, the M5 was consistently MUCH faster at any speed. He was running it in non "m" mode when he first drove it and thought that I was just messing with him, the runs in non "m" mode were pretty much even for both cars. He's an SCCA licensed instructor and after a few runs driving the M5, was shifting it like I never thought was possible.
The transmission in the IS-F is a huge improvement over the M5's and I wish that a DCT was offered in the e60 m5, it took a while for me to get used to the smg and I HATED it for the first 2 weeks. Now I'm used to it.
Ali was sold after driving the M5 (he's texted me mercilessly all night), me- not so much. I think I will try to sell the M5 after the winter and go for an '08 IS-F (mpg's have me sold) and perhaps another "fun car" on the side, wait it out for the GS-F, or just go with another (third) GT-R and get a Prius on the side. I have absolutely no issues ddng the GT-R. I've been spoiled by fi and miss the easy modification and fun factor of turbos.
Iniital thoughts: I love the tach setup on the Lexus and the technology is great. The front seats are supportive and I like that you don't slip around in them like you do on the m5 (lucky I have active seats). The IS-F was awesome for what it was, but more likened to an m3 (yes, I know the m3 is the competitor).
Driving the two back to back was a great idea. The power of the IS-F was there and delivered beautifully, but after running the two (he had i/e/h and m5 has e) on the parkway from a roll about 10 times in a row, the M5 was consistently MUCH faster at any speed. He was running it in non "m" mode when he first drove it and thought that I was just messing with him, the runs in non "m" mode were pretty much even for both cars. He's an SCCA licensed instructor and after a few runs driving the M5, was shifting it like I never thought was possible.
The transmission in the IS-F is a huge improvement over the M5's and I wish that a DCT was offered in the e60 m5, it took a while for me to get used to the smg and I HATED it for the first 2 weeks. Now I'm used to it.
Ali was sold after driving the M5 (he's texted me mercilessly all night), me- not so much. I think I will try to sell the M5 after the winter and go for an '08 IS-F (mpg's have me sold) and perhaps another "fun car" on the side, wait it out for the GS-F, or just go with another (third) GT-R and get a Prius on the side. I have absolutely no issues ddng the GT-R. I've been spoiled by fi and miss the easy modification and fun factor of turbos.
Last edited by thewraith1; 11-07-12 at 01:13 PM.
#26
Thanks for all the feedback. I test drove a buddy's '11 is-f yesterday since he is also interested in trading for an m5.
Iniital thoughts: I love the tach setup on the Lexus and the technology is great. The front seats are supportive and I like that you don't slip around in them like you do on the m5 (lucky I have active seats). The IS-F was awesome for what it was, but more likened to an m3 (yes, I know the m3 is the competitor).
Driving the two back to back was a great idea. The power of the IS-F was there and delivered beautifully, but after running the two (he had i/e/h and m5 has e) on the parkway from a roll about 10 times in a row, the M5 was consistently MUCH faster at any speed. He was running it in non "m" mode when he first ran it and thought that I was just messing with him, the runs in non "m" mode were pretty much even for both cars. He's an SCCA licensed instructor and after a few runs driving the M5, was shifting it like I never thought was possible.
The transmission in the IS-F is a huge improvement over the M5's and I wish that a DCT was offered in the e60 m5, it took a while for me to get used to the smg and I HATED it for the first 2 weeks. Now I'm used to it.
Ali was sold after driving the M5 (he's texted me mercilessly all night), me- not so much. I think I will try to sell the M5 after the winter and go for an '08 IS-F (mpg's have me sold) and perhaps another "fun car" on the side, wait it out for the GS-F, or just go with another (third) GT-R and get a Prius on the side. I have absolutely no issues ddng the GT-R. I've been spoiled by fi and miss the easy modification and fun factor of turbos.
Iniital thoughts: I love the tach setup on the Lexus and the technology is great. The front seats are supportive and I like that you don't slip around in them like you do on the m5 (lucky I have active seats). The IS-F was awesome for what it was, but more likened to an m3 (yes, I know the m3 is the competitor).
Driving the two back to back was a great idea. The power of the IS-F was there and delivered beautifully, but after running the two (he had i/e/h and m5 has e) on the parkway from a roll about 10 times in a row, the M5 was consistently MUCH faster at any speed. He was running it in non "m" mode when he first ran it and thought that I was just messing with him, the runs in non "m" mode were pretty much even for both cars. He's an SCCA licensed instructor and after a few runs driving the M5, was shifting it like I never thought was possible.
The transmission in the IS-F is a huge improvement over the M5's and I wish that a DCT was offered in the e60 m5, it took a while for me to get used to the smg and I HATED it for the first 2 weeks. Now I'm used to it.
Ali was sold after driving the M5 (he's texted me mercilessly all night), me- not so much. I think I will try to sell the M5 after the winter and go for an '08 IS-F (mpg's have me sold) and perhaps another "fun car" on the side, wait it out for the GS-F, or just go with another (third) GT-R and get a Prius on the side. I have absolutely no issues ddng the GT-R. I've been spoiled by fi and miss the easy modification and fun factor of turbos.
#27
Thanks for all the feedback. I test drove a buddy's '11 is-f yesterday since he is also interested in trading for an m5.
Iniital thoughts: I love the tach setup on the Lexus and the technology is great. The front seats are supportive and I like that you don't slip around in them like you do on the m5 (lucky I have active seats). The IS-F was awesome for what it was, but more likened to an m3 (yes, I know the m3 is the competitor).
Driving the two back to back was a great idea. The power of the IS-F was there and delivered beautifully, but after running the two (he had i/e/h and m5 has e) on the parkway from a roll about 10 times in a row, the M5 was consistently MUCH faster at any speed. He was running it in non "m" mode when he first drove it and thought that I was just messing with him, the runs in non "m" mode were pretty much even for both cars. He's an SCCA licensed instructor and after a few runs driving the M5, was shifting it like I never thought was possible.
The transmission in the IS-F is a huge improvement over the M5's and I wish that a DCT was offered in the e60 m5, it took a while for me to get used to the smg and I HATED it for the first 2 weeks. Now I'm used to it.
Ali was sold after driving the M5 (he's texted me mercilessly all night), me- not so much. I think I will try to sell the M5 after the winter and go for an '08 IS-F (mpg's have me sold) and perhaps another "fun car" on the side, wait it out for the GS-F, or just go with another (third) GT-R and get a Prius on the side. I have absolutely no issues ddng the GT-R. I've been spoiled by fi and miss the easy modification and fun factor of turbos.
Iniital thoughts: I love the tach setup on the Lexus and the technology is great. The front seats are supportive and I like that you don't slip around in them like you do on the m5 (lucky I have active seats). The IS-F was awesome for what it was, but more likened to an m3 (yes, I know the m3 is the competitor).
Driving the two back to back was a great idea. The power of the IS-F was there and delivered beautifully, but after running the two (he had i/e/h and m5 has e) on the parkway from a roll about 10 times in a row, the M5 was consistently MUCH faster at any speed. He was running it in non "m" mode when he first drove it and thought that I was just messing with him, the runs in non "m" mode were pretty much even for both cars. He's an SCCA licensed instructor and after a few runs driving the M5, was shifting it like I never thought was possible.
The transmission in the IS-F is a huge improvement over the M5's and I wish that a DCT was offered in the e60 m5, it took a while for me to get used to the smg and I HATED it for the first 2 weeks. Now I'm used to it.
Ali was sold after driving the M5 (he's texted me mercilessly all night), me- not so much. I think I will try to sell the M5 after the winter and go for an '08 IS-F (mpg's have me sold) and perhaps another "fun car" on the side, wait it out for the GS-F, or just go with another (third) GT-R and get a Prius on the side. I have absolutely no issues ddng the GT-R. I've been spoiled by fi and miss the easy modification and fun factor of turbos.
Just a quick note, I believe the '10+ ISFs have a true limited slip differential that makes an enormous difference in handling near the limit. The '08-09 ISFs are exactly the same power-wise (in a straight line), but don't have an LSD.
If you care about driving around twisties near the limit, you might want to go for the '10+ ISF instead of the '08 ISF.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Weapon F
IS F (2008-2014)
38
04-30-17 05:37 PM