IS - 3rd Gen (2014-present) Discussion about the 2014+ model IS models

Differences between IS 250 and 350?

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Old Apr 1, 2019 | 07:29 PM
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Default Differences between IS 250 and 350?

I was discussing with my dad that I wanted the IS 350 brake kit and and he said that the IS 350 has different shocks, bigger brakes, etc to compensate for higher HP. I thought suspension set up was same? Just want to make sure.
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Old Apr 1, 2019 | 07:50 PM
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Originally Posted by swaangin
I was discussing with my dad that I wanted the IS 350 brake kit and and he said that the IS 350 has different shocks, bigger brakes, etc to compensate for higher HP. I thought suspension set up was same? Just want to make sure.
Suspension has AVS so it's different.
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Old Apr 1, 2019 | 08:05 PM
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Ah interesting, I wanted to get this brake kit done but it looks like it's a pain. Does anyone know the full list of parts of a thread of someone who has done it?
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Old Apr 2, 2019 | 06:12 AM
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Originally Posted by EZZ
Suspension has AVS so it's different.
Yes and no...if the 350 is equipped with AVS, then it will have the controllers installed for each shock...however, the physical dimensions of the suspension components are the same.

Originally Posted by swaangin
Ah interesting, I wanted to get this brake kit done but it looks like it's a pain. Does anyone know the full list of parts of a thread of someone who has done it?
Just to clarify, you are wanting to convert the front 250 brakes to the front 350 brakes? If so, it's not that difficult at all.
I have the parts list to convert the front brakes for a 250 AWD to a 350 AWD...as my vehicle is an AWD.
Assuming yours is a RWD, the rotors and backing plates would be different from the AWD.
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Old Apr 2, 2019 | 12:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Sasnuke
Yes and no...if the 350 is equipped with AVS, then it will have the controllers installed for each shock...however, the physical dimensions of the suspension components are the same.


Just to clarify, you are wanting to convert the front 250 brakes to the front 350 brakes? If so, it's not that difficult at all.
I have the parts list to convert the front brakes for a 250 AWD to a 350 AWD...as my vehicle is an AWD.
Assuming yours is a RWD, the rotors and backing plates would be different from the AWD.
Could you post the parts list? I am AWD.. does it help with stopping power? Friend of mine said it might just be a "cosmetic" upgrade
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Old Apr 2, 2019 | 01:22 PM
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Originally Posted by swaangin
Could you post the parts list? I am AWD.. does it help with stopping power? Friend of mine said it might just be a "cosmetic" upgrade
To your friends comment, he is correct, it is a cosmetic upgrade, however, stopping power is subjective.
While the size of the brakes is a factor, the pad compound also factors in.
You could take a stock 350 and put it up against a 250 with better brake pads in a braking challenge, and the 250 could stop in a shorter distance.
You could then get 350 pads in that better compound and it would then stop better than the 250 with the same compound...so in the end, stopping power is subjective.
Going from stock 250 brakes to stock 350 brakes, you will notice some improvement in stopping power, since most of the braking is done by the front.

Here is the list of parts...note the last 3 items you need two of each.
The Overhaul kit that is first on the list was purchased because I had the calipers powdercoated, so I needed the kit to put them back together.
Your best best is to find the calipers used and purchase the rotors and pads new. Hopefully the used calipers come with the springs, pins, and clips.


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Old Apr 2, 2019 | 01:28 PM
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Originally Posted by swaangin
Could you post the parts list? I am AWD.. does it help with stopping power? Friend of mine said it might just be a "cosmetic" upgrade
That depends on what you are asking of the brakes whether you deem it an upgrade or not. For typical every day street driving, it doesn't really matter. The tires are single greatest factor in stopping distance as I'm sure the 250 will activate the ABS if you stand on the brakes in a panic stop situation. The brakes can only stop as well as the tires can grip. What larger rotors and calipers, better pads and such provide is the ability to use the brakes hard repeatedly without them overheating such as the case with constant hard braking during spirited driving.
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Old Apr 2, 2019 | 02:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Tungstn-IS
The tires are single greatest factor in stopping distance ...
I would agree about the tires...I would even expand that to include accelerating and cornering.
The reality is the tires are the only thing that connects the car to the road...you could have the best brakes and the best suspension, but on bald tires they won't be worth a damn.
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Old Apr 2, 2019 | 03:13 PM
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might be a cosmetic upgrade but they sure do look good. if you were looking for a used set of them, i would check ebay and constantly browse for a good deal, i paid roughly 250 CAD shipped, for both front calipers, no pads however.
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Old Apr 2, 2019 | 03:48 PM
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Originally Posted by ChineseKFC
might be a cosmetic upgrade but they sure do look good. if you were looking for a used set of them, i would check ebay and constantly browse for a good deal, i paid roughly 250 CAD shipped, for both front calipers, no pads however.
That's around what I paid, $350 CAD - both calipers with all the springs, pins, clips and with ceramic pads/shims. It was a local pickup...shady parking lot deal at night
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Old Apr 3, 2019 | 06:37 PM
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The difference between the IS250 and the IS350, according to Jay-Z ... about $6 GRAND.

IS350 has ..
- 100hp more
- AVS Shock controller (stiffens in Sport mode)
- Bigger front brakes (wheel offset fitment is slightly different because of this)
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Old Apr 4, 2019 | 08:34 AM
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Originally Posted by TOPENDMS
The difference between the IS250 and the IS350, according to Jay-Z ... about $6 GRAND.

IS350 has ..
- 100hp more
- AVS Shock controller (stiffens in Sport mode)
- Bigger front brakes (wheel offset fitment is slightly different because of this)
If I had to nitpick, I'd say the AVS is exclusive to F Sport IS 350s. On some cars, like the GS 350, F Sport is not required to get AVS, but as far as I can tell, the IS F Sport only gets it.

Probably irrelevant for this thread, since the brakes don't particularly depend on AVS or vice versa.
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