chuck2417

It was more meant on comparing these 2 vehicles. One would expect a $70,000+ vehicle to offer similar or more features. However options like ventilated seats are becoming common in many vehicles, but don't become offered in an Audi until you get into A6 and a7 category... I was expecting more from a luxury brand.

Spagolli94

The F-Sport is more akin to Audis S-Line, not their S cars.

F-Sport = S Line

For the real performance cars, you look at IS-F and S4

F = S

M3 and S4 are much more performance oriented than the IS350 F-Sport.

IS1911

chuck2417,

While not anywhere near as extreme as Saskatchewan it does get cold enough to snow here in Maryland for about 3-4 months of the year. I'll admit that I have not experienced a Canadian winter firsthand but I have watched every season of "Ice Road Truckers" on The History Channel. That kind of makes me an expert.

BOBFSPORT

Not true at all. M3,RS4, and ISF are competitors.

IS 350 F Sport, AUDI S4, and BMW 335 M Sport are 100 % competitors.

chuck2417

Believe me I have been asking myself for the past few years why I still live here... It's now to the point of you can't buy a vehicle without a block heater (even BMW's are coming to the dealership with them on). Also any vehicle that isn't compatible with remote start doesn't sell very here haha. We do have nice summers, sometimes. But the winters are brutal. That show is pretty good, I've seen it a few times.

F-Sport = S Line
- I would agree, however many journalist keep saying the IS is down on power. Well it lacks the forced induction of the BMW twin turbo 6 and the supercharger of the S4 it's power numbers aren't that bad
- a reason why the IS could handle more power is because Toyota/Lexus built a very good chasis which is capable of handling the power

ISF vs. S4
- yes this is a fair comparison, however the ISF has stopped production for now

Spagolli94

M3 RS4 and ISF are competitors, yes. But I'd still slot the S4 above the IS350. Looking at pricing and performance numbers, the IS350 competes with the A4. The IS350 F-Sport competes with the A4 S-Line package, not the S4.

That said, I know the 335i is a direct competitor to the S4, and lots of mags put the IS350 F-Sport in direct comparison to the 335i, so therefore the IS350 F-Sport is technically a competitor to the S4.

It's strange though, because when you look at pricing (with similar options) and performance, the IS350 is actually closer to a 328 than a 335.

rparkzy

IS350 F-Sport is in the same class as 335i, S4 etc.

the only difference is the Lexus comes fully loaded for cheaper, more bang for the buck

we all know euros with options are somewhat overpriced

if you're comparing 2015 s4 vs 2015 is350 f sport i think the 350 wins hand down...at least imo

Spagolli94

Really? That's surprising. Maybe I need to drive the S4 again. I drove it a year before I shopped the IS350 and remember it having a monster engine. Like the 335i, it had a lot of torque down low, thus ample power whenever you need it, regardless of where you are in the rev range. The IS makes decent power, but it's all up high and it actually feels sluggish at lower RPMs. That's okay, because revving through the RPMS is the fun part. My old 335i would actually pull pretty nicely in 6th gear. In the IS, if I'm in 6th (in manual mode so it won't downshift) and floor it going 70 mph, nothing really happens.

I also found the transmission to be far superior, with near-instant shifts. The IS350 transmission is very good for a non-DCT, but not as good as the S4.

I chose the IS not because it was a better car, but because I really like the styling, especially the interior, and it offers plenty of performance. For the price, it offers great bang for the buck.

If you look at numbers only - price and acceleration times - the current 328i is pretty much tied with the IS350. However, even when compared to the more powerful 335i, the IS350 often comes out on top because it is such a well rounded package. Apparently, the lack of steering in the current gen BMWs has gotten a lot of negative feedback.

Mtneer

My IS350 is no where close to the performance of the 2010 S4 that I traded in. The S4's supercharged engine is awesome across the rev range and while the IS handling feels better, the rear differential on the S4 allowed it to be thrown into turns with no fear.

For me the issue was the fact that the dual clutch in the 2010s was known to have issues and mine was really starting to act up so I traded it to avoid an Audi size repair bill.

The IS350 gave me a more reliable car for less money while offering as many or more amenities. I loved the idea of the performance in the S4 but as a daily driver it was really never put to use. The IS350 has plenty get up and go for me.

forum429

Not true.
Put it this way:
A4 2.0T~IS250
S4~ IS350
RS4~RC-F

Even the S4 costs more than a IS350 (Because European are generally more expensive) it still costs much less than a RC-F.

rparkzy

Spot on here.

chuck2417

S4 costs a lot more than the IS350 in Canada.
RCF - probably more closely compares to the S5 (RS5 in Canada gets you pretty close to $100,000)

IS350 AWD F sport fully loaded - just under $57,000
S4 not yet fully loaded - Just under $70,000

This is a big price gap. Now with the new Audi S3 coming out, fully load this and it comes to around to $53,000. Power wise they are close (290hp from the 2 liter turbo). Granted the S3 is a bit smaller and lighter.

drbazing

Since it's supercharged, I'm under the impression, that it sacrifices top end. How much can that boost help at top end at high speeds (also the fact that it is AWD)? Can the S4 be beat at freeway speeds, say passing 80MPH?

Mtneer

The S4 pulls hard across the whole range. I am sure it can be beat, but not by an IS350.

The IS is the better all rounder in my opinion, but in terms of performance the S4 is just in a different league. That is what an extra $14-$15k gets you. Also, keep in mind that Audi rates the S4 at 333hp, but it is known to be vastly underrated and many on Audizine report dyno numbers not far off that at the wheels. Do an ECU tune and possibly a stage 2 pulley swap and things get really interesting.

forum429

Yes the Audi is more expensive as I said before European are general more expensive.
A fully loaded C400 or 335i also costs about the same as a S4.
The S3 is similar in power and price but the vehicle dimension is smaller than IS.
The S3 is in the same league as CLA45.
A CLA45 costs similar as a IS350 as well so will you consider it as the same class?

ISX50~S/A4~C-class~3series~Q50~TLX are in the entry level luxury sedan segment due to similar price, size and performance.
RC-F~M3/4~C63~RS4/5 are in the performance entry level sedan segment.