skiracer

Hi Guys,

Currenlty own a 2016 RX 350 and a 2011 Audi S4. Prior cars were Mitsubishi Evo VIII, IX, and X which were all lightly modified. Most powerful car i had was my Evo IX with a stage 1 tune on E85 making 380WHP.

Anyways, the S4 is starting to develop problems and i have major maintenance coming soon. I don't expect the same level of performance as the S4, but for my next car i'm looking for more reliability.

So i'm looking at a 2018 IS 350 F Sport AWD. Is this essentially the same car as the 2017 model with cosmetic differences?

Also, how long ago did these 2018 models hit the dealerships in Los Angeles area??

jameshan

iTrader: (1)

You also get like 1 more ponie.

EZZ

The 3IS is getting long in the tooth. I’d get a new S4 or something a little newer.

skiracer

I noticed on Lexus website the 2018 RWD IS 350 F Sport has a Torsen LSD.

Does the 2017 model have this LSD since the dealer has one sitting in inventory and i might be able to pickup at a decent price.

I carve thru the famous Malibu Canyons everyday to get to work so having a high performance LSD would be beneficial to me. My S4 also has a special "Sport differential"...

jmull3r

iTrader: (1)

honestly, you are not going to be satisfied with lexus with power, unfortunately. if you are looking for the same level of performance as the S4 you need a tune, headers, and an exhaust or the future supercharger coming out.
2018 changes are:
-memory seats available for IS F-Sport models now
-5 hp bump for the IS300 AWD and IS350 models (260 & 311)
-Torsen LSD
-Adaptive headlights are an option

skiracer

I know its a downgrade in terms of performance, but i need Japanese reliability, not German reliability and heavy parts/labor rates.

I'm getting older and my life's priorities have changed having a kid so I can't spend S4 money again which will be approx $60Kish for a comfortably equipped S4.

Thanks for posting the 2018 changes for me!

jmull3r

iTrader: (1)

oh yeah definitely go for the IS350 then! make sure it has the mark levinson stereo too you won’t regret it

skiracer

Out of curiousity, what are the approx cost and HP levels if i happen to get a IS300 and tune it?

jmull3r

iTrader: (1)

that’s what i’m doing, you will be making around 330 crank hp with the RR Racing tune, headers, and exhaust, and around 290 whp if you do it. if you go for the 350 and do the exact same things you’ll be making 310-315 whp instead

skiracer

Here's some dynocharts from my old Evo IX in case you're curious of the power levels they make from the relatively small amount of mods on it:

Bone stock on 91 octane 270whp @ 19psi boost.
Versus
Catback exhaust, ecu tune, manual boost controller @ 25psi, 100 octane 353 whp


Same car with 1000cc injectors, walbro 255lph fuel pump,high flow cat, catback exhaust, manual boost controller at 29 psi on E85 fuel =383 whp



2011 Audi S4 bone stock, 308whp, but look at that flat *** torque curve courtesy of the supercharger

GNS

Just wanted to say, this is the whole reason why I haven't already jumped on any German bandwagon - I expect very high reliability from my car and I would be extremely aggravated if a water pump, or something, decided to go bye-bye before its time.

skiracer

Oh, my thermostat failed 2 months after my warranty expired. Luckily, my dealer good will'd it for me....

I want my IS to last at least 10 years with only minor problems...

Many years ago, i had a '98 Honduh Accord last me 280K miles. It would've gone much further, but i ended up wrecking it...

GNS

I'm looking to get a new 4IS, depending on a few things like the use of the TNGA-L platform and hopefully some kind of engine / transmission update for the AWD version. We will see...

skiracer

If anyone in SoCal is in the market for a new car anytime soon, i got a decent hookup. My '2016 RX 350, which i purchased in November 2015, i got $5K off msrp and i referred 2 friends to her. So, she owes me

If i can direct more business to her, it'll help both of us.

So, help me to help you...

ForzaF

iTrader: (3)

Usually lexus is pretty good covering things where something failed a few months after warranty. On another note have you thought of getting a Lexus Isf its an older platform getting rarer as it ages 2010 up have torsen lsd and very fun with the 5.0 v8