M3
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,595
Likes: 61
From: CA
different strokes for different folks. the beauty is in the eye of the beholder. there are those who know they have a great car simply because of how they feel when driving in it. others need to feel they need the comparison to justify whether their decision was a good enough one. personally, its not a matter about speed or engine or gadgets/gizmos...its about that soulful connection with a ride. i chose the IS F because i absolutely fell in love with her, and when im driving her, as many here feel as well as many car enthusiasts, i feel like im winning the lotto tenfold. its not the most expensive car and it might not have a pedigree of an m3, but no one needs to justify one car over the other. both cars are great. there really cant be a comparison on the intangibles that makes one choose a car over another, and that itself is the true measure of worth for the decision maker.
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 295
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
sorry but i disagree with almost every point in this last post
1. i love it, just wait until more cars get 8 speeds, its good for gas
and i have no problem finding the right gear for everything, i know my car well and just like everything in this world, u get use to it
a 6 speed manual is old tech, i shift faster without it
2. the suspension is stiff FOR track use
the only thing i agree with is that it is a tad harsh, but id imagine thats for added balance
3. this is one of the best features, its a beast when u want it to be, its easily controllable too, or u can mod for it to be open all the time
"It kinda makes the displacement of 5 liters a waste"
im pretty sure the valve dosnt have anything to do with that
i see people on here all the time tracking on a reg basis
1. i love it, just wait until more cars get 8 speeds, its good for gas
and i have no problem finding the right gear for everything, i know my car well and just like everything in this world, u get use to it
a 6 speed manual is old tech, i shift faster without it
2. the suspension is stiff FOR track use
the only thing i agree with is that it is a tad harsh, but id imagine thats for added balance
3. this is one of the best features, its a beast when u want it to be, its easily controllable too, or u can mod for it to be open all the time
"It kinda makes the displacement of 5 liters a waste"
im pretty sure the valve dosnt have anything to do with that
i see people on here all the time tracking on a reg basis
2. 95% of the people that own a ISF wont track it. Thats a fact. My GTR rides better than my ISF. Plain and simple it is not tuned for the track
3. LOL I laugh at this because it is only a beast past a certain RPM. Easily controllable?? I want my power band as broad as possible. Not from 4000rpm and up. This car acts like a turbo car or a honda Vtec in that area.
Again I own a ISF and love it but it is not in the M3 territory yet.
Great car....great motor and the stock exhaust note is fierce. I guess my only gripes were the interior (not a huge fan of the design and felt the materials didn't feel as great as they could have for a high dollar car) and obviously the price tag! Hahaha that's it...super cool car That's kills many egos very fast.
1. 8 speeds cant feel right from the start, it was unheard of until this car, u need to get use to it
2.i believe that percentage is much lower, I always see people with f's at the track and of course ur gtr is better, the cars are in different leagues
id like a gtr one day too, a r8 as well lol
3.i thought u just meant the sound at 3600 not the power, which i seem to find when needed
i think both cars have the ups and downs, id take a m3, but only second to the f as im sure u know
i like the torque of the f and the interior is comfy just because the m3 can handle a tad/smiggen better around corners is not enough for me
too many m3s on the road now as it is, not as many newer ones tho in my area, that may be for a reason, probably the reliability after warranty exp
just my opinion
2.i believe that percentage is much lower, I always see people with f's at the track and of course ur gtr is better, the cars are in different leagues
id like a gtr one day too, a r8 as well lol
3.i thought u just meant the sound at 3600 not the power, which i seem to find when needed
i think both cars have the ups and downs, id take a m3, but only second to the f as im sure u know
i like the torque of the f and the interior is comfy just because the m3 can handle a tad/smiggen better around corners is not enough for me
too many m3s on the road now as it is, not as many newer ones tho in my area, that may be for a reason, probably the reliability after warranty exp
just my opinion
1. You shouldnt have to get used to it. It should feel right from the start. The trans in ISF is no Dual Clutch thats for sure and it is always hunting for the right gear when you push it.
2. 95% of the people that own a ISF wont track it. Thats a fact. My GTR rides better than my ISF. Plain and simple it is not tuned for the track
3. LOL I laugh at this because it is only a beast past a certain RPM. Easily controllable?? I want my power band as broad as possible. Not from 4000rpm and up. This car acts like a turbo car or a honda Vtec in that area.
Again I own a ISF and love it but it is not in the M3 territory yet.
2. 95% of the people that own a ISF wont track it. Thats a fact. My GTR rides better than my ISF. Plain and simple it is not tuned for the track
3. LOL I laugh at this because it is only a beast past a certain RPM. Easily controllable?? I want my power band as broad as possible. Not from 4000rpm and up. This car acts like a turbo car or a honda Vtec in that area.
Again I own a ISF and love it but it is not in the M3 territory yet.
imo the F is a better looking car. its in the eye of the beholder. ya maybe the m3 is better in some respects, but all cars have pros and cons. but the F does it for me way more than the m3. the times that i was actually blessed to drive the F i have a big "F'n" grin on my face the whole time 
Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: AB
I disagree. I've had a run from a roll with my friend's c63 one several times and we are Dead even.
The ISF shifts much faster and makes up the loss in HP compared to the C63 which shifts considerably slower. I had heavier aftermarket wheels on as well.
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
From: ON
Interesting to hear an argument against the F transmission. Its only weakness is the slight delay in downshifting multiple gears in a heartbeat.
When I drove up and down the mountains, the gears allowed me stay in the power band easily, which I wouldn't have been able to do with less gears. Plus, during spirited driving you usually stay within a range of gears, so I'm not sure what the whole "hunting" deal is all about. It's about flexibility and always getting the right power.
I honestly don't care whether the guts of the transmission is a true manual, whether it's double clutch, or if it's an automatic. I only care about what happens when you flip the paddle. And the F does that very well from cruising to spirited driving.
There is no question that the M is better as a track car. No argument there. However, you don't need navigation, leather seats, or amenities on the track, which means there are better options for that purpose, at that price point. People seem to forget that these cars are supposed to be luxury sedans as well. It's all about how the emphasis is balanced for your personal preference.
Another argument was made that F owners don't track their cars. Actually there are a few on this board. And how many M owners track theirs? And a subtle shot at F owners for modding their cars to look good? Gee, there is this pricey Vorsteiner front lip that I heard is selling pretty well on the M3? I'm sure that lip does wonders for track times.
When I drove up and down the mountains, the gears allowed me stay in the power band easily, which I wouldn't have been able to do with less gears. Plus, during spirited driving you usually stay within a range of gears, so I'm not sure what the whole "hunting" deal is all about. It's about flexibility and always getting the right power.
I honestly don't care whether the guts of the transmission is a true manual, whether it's double clutch, or if it's an automatic. I only care about what happens when you flip the paddle. And the F does that very well from cruising to spirited driving.
There is no question that the M is better as a track car. No argument there. However, you don't need navigation, leather seats, or amenities on the track, which means there are better options for that purpose, at that price point. People seem to forget that these cars are supposed to be luxury sedans as well. It's all about how the emphasis is balanced for your personal preference.
Another argument was made that F owners don't track their cars. Actually there are a few on this board. And how many M owners track theirs? And a subtle shot at F owners for modding their cars to look good? Gee, there is this pricey Vorsteiner front lip that I heard is selling pretty well on the M3? I'm sure that lip does wonders for track times.
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
From: ON