ISF Battles BMW M3 on the Sands of Chuckwalla
The internet debate goes hot with a hot time attack between the ISF and its Teutonic opponent for the best lap time in SoCal!
Deep in the bowels of the internet is a debate: which luxury performance V8 sedan is the best? In one corner, the ISF. Debuting in 2007 in Detroit, the first F model delivered the goods with a 5.0-liter V8 making 416 horses. Meanwhile, in the shadows, the E90-era BMW M3 looked on, wondering how best to slay the dragon.
The debate rages on today, and today, it goes hot. Driving Line host Mike Sabounchi brought two drivers out to the sunny desert landscape of Chuckwalla Valley Raceway in So Cal to settle the score: Willem Drees in the ISF, Scott Dukeshire in the M3.
“This isn’t my car,” said Drees of his friend’s ISF. “He actually bought it because of [my ISF]. I won a car in a raffle for 120 bucks: my ISF. I was like, ‘Yeah, I’ll take it to the track, see what it’s about.’ Took it to the track, was immediately blown away. This thing is so much fun. It’s so different than everything I’m used to.”
As mentioned in the video’s description, upgrades to the ISF include a bigger radiator, coilovers from Drees’ own ISF, and a little bit of aero to make things interesting. Meanwhile, Dukeshire upgraded his M3 with bigger intake and a racing muffler, plus lowering springs and racer brake pads. That said, it’s still anything goes.
“The best part about these cars is the reliability’s there,” said Drees. “Mine has 200,000 miles, and I track it like I don’t care. You just get in it, start it, go rip. Transmissions are fine. They’re super good on track […] It’s not a BMW that’ll break.”
And on that note, the two drivers strap up to make their laps time-attack style, per Sabounchi. The one with the best time at the end of the day wins bragging rights. Will the ISF lay the smack down on the M3’s candyass?
“The car’s pretty stock,” said Drees. “[The ISF and M3 are] closely matched, so I honestly have no idea. It felt good. It was a little loose the whole time […] It’s not necessarily fast, but it should be fun.”
Alas, the ISF crossed the line three seconds behind the M3, 2:06.4 vs 2:03.5. Not a bad effort for Drees and his friend’s Lexus, though. Plus, he won’t need to worry about getting home, unlike Dukeshire and his M3.
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