Convince me to sell my 335 for an IS-F :)
05-16-14, 11:45 AM
#16
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2014
Location: NY
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Since you're coming from a modded 335 with 400+hp dynoed, the ISF will feel slower. And is slower. Test drive one and you'll notice a big difference in low end torque.
I hear horror stories about BMW and how they're always in the shop for something, but then, I also hear people who have no issues as well. Lexus on the other hand, I hardly hear from others about mechanical problems and their cars being in the "shop for weeks." True, ISF performance and mods may be lacking compared to a modded 335 or M3, I suppose Toyota plays it safe in "tuning" to increase reliability.
Go with the ISF if reliability is on the top of your list. The past 4 years, I have previously owned an 08 and now an 11 ISF, ~25k miles year, daily driven hard, and never had drivetrain problems that left me stranded. Driven hard, meaning, if I am the first car at a stop light, 90-100% throttle; on ramps taken at near max suspension load and 100% throttle afterwards; downshifts/upshifts in manual mode all the time. Not abusive, but definitely more aggressive than "normal" driving.. 300 miles of track days on the 2011 so far, around 800 miles of track days on the 2008. Track days can be easily 80-100 miles. Sure, not the fastest on the track, but not one problem either.
As much I like how the 335 and M3 drives (which is better than the ISF, don't say it's not,) I am pretty sure if I drove an M3 or 335 the way I drive the ISF, something would have gone wrong by now or be quite costly to maintain.
I hear horror stories about BMW and how they're always in the shop for something, but then, I also hear people who have no issues as well. Lexus on the other hand, I hardly hear from others about mechanical problems and their cars being in the "shop for weeks." True, ISF performance and mods may be lacking compared to a modded 335 or M3, I suppose Toyota plays it safe in "tuning" to increase reliability.
Go with the ISF if reliability is on the top of your list. The past 4 years, I have previously owned an 08 and now an 11 ISF, ~25k miles year, daily driven hard, and never had drivetrain problems that left me stranded. Driven hard, meaning, if I am the first car at a stop light, 90-100% throttle; on ramps taken at near max suspension load and 100% throttle afterwards; downshifts/upshifts in manual mode all the time. Not abusive, but definitely more aggressive than "normal" driving.. 300 miles of track days on the 2011 so far, around 800 miles of track days on the 2008. Track days can be easily 80-100 miles. Sure, not the fastest on the track, but not one problem either.
As much I like how the 335 and M3 drives (which is better than the ISF, don't say it's not,) I am pretty sure if I drove an M3 or 335 the way I drive the ISF, something would have gone wrong by now or be quite costly to maintain.
05-16-14, 12:03 PM
#17
Rookie
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: CA
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I used to have an '08 335i Sedan. I was also amazed by how much a simple tune could do for the car. I first had the JB4 and the DCIs installed. I never dynoed it, but it was pretty fast. As time went on, it started throwing codes, going into limp mode and things started breaking. I switched to Cobb's OBD tune which was a little less aggressive in hopes that it'd be kinder to the car...
I ended up going back to stock, got all the repairs done and sold the car. I thought about keeping it, but the shop warned me that the next thing due to break will likely be the turbos which would cost me another couple grand.
Long story short, the car was great when it worked, but often times it landed me in the repair shop staring at a 4-figure repair bill when all was said and done.
To this day, the BMW welcome "gong" still makes me shudder.
The growl of the ISF's v8 will help you forget about your Bimmer.
I ended up going back to stock, got all the repairs done and sold the car. I thought about keeping it, but the shop warned me that the next thing due to break will likely be the turbos which would cost me another couple grand.
Long story short, the car was great when it worked, but often times it landed me in the repair shop staring at a 4-figure repair bill when all was said and done.
To this day, the BMW welcome "gong" still makes me shudder.
The growl of the ISF's v8 will help you forget about your Bimmer.
05-16-14, 02:27 PM
#20
Ur on the wrong forum for trying to see if someone would not tell u to trade ur bmw for an F. I'm sure ur bmw boys will just flame u for going to an F cause in most of their minds the F is just awful
05-16-14, 02:29 PM
#21
Lead Lap
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: FL
Posts: 585
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Your 335i looks pretty sweet. I'd stick with it unless the reliability is killing you or if you feel like you are driving a ticking time bomb. IS-F would be a more reliable car for sure, however when looking at other aspects, which car is better than which is highly debatable and can be largely a matter of taste. You're power is already about where a full bolt-on IS-F should be and I'd want something that is an upgrade in more directions than just reliability.
05-16-14, 03:13 PM
#23
05-16-14, 08:06 PM
#28
Pole Position
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: AZ
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The n45/55 itself is pretty bullet proof. It is just all the other crap on the car that will nickle and dime you.
Do you like having a fast car? If so, then stay with the BMW or seek another platform. The ISF is fun to drive, but there isn't a ton of power to be made, and lackluster aftermarket.
Do you like having a fast car? If so, then stay with the BMW or seek another platform. The ISF is fun to drive, but there isn't a ton of power to be made, and lackluster aftermarket.
