Is there any differences between 2012 and 2011 isf besides rims and interior color (red leather in 2012)?

Thanks in advance

 

Gosh. I knew this info cold when I was shopping for an IS F in 2012. I decided on a 2012 when I got a good deal on one towards the end of the year rather than a pre-owned 2011 I had been looking at, but from what I can remember, it was just the wheels, like you mentioned.

The headlights had already been updated in 2011. By 2011, the trunk didn't have "Lexus" written on the bottom left anymore, so that's the same. Can't remember if the 2011 already had blue (or red) leather on the bottom of the steering wheel, but I know the 2012's do.

Other changes that were implemented throughout the years (which I think the 2011's already had) were the design of the buttons surrounding the navigation screen, and, most notably, the gauge cluster. Can't recall is 2011 already had it but the 2012 gauge cluster has the tachometer smack in the middle, with the speedometer as a tiny circle in the bottom right, and a digital reading of the speed in the middle of the tach. The previous version of the gauge cluster had two equally sized circles for the tach and the speedo, and no digital reading of the speed.

 

center mounted tach started in 2011

 

2012s also have a new suspension setup. Much more comfortable ride on the '12.

 

yeah the other 'major' difference to me is the wider wheels as well starting on the 2012's. .5 inches wider for fronts and backs.

 

Actually the comfortable suspension started in 2011. There were very few changes if any at all in the suspension during these two MYs. 11s and up have a more comfortable suspension. There were more significant changes between 11/12 and 13 MYs.

 

The shock/spring combo was changed in the 2012 and the wheels.

If you look at the aftermarket springs, the 2008- 2011 and 2012-2014 MY have different model #s.

 

2011 suspension
http://is.sewellparts.com/images/oem/1400x1000/482719.jpg

http://is.sewellparts.com/images/oem/1400x1000/483206.jpg

2012 suspension

http://is.sewellparts.com/images/oem/1400x1000/482719.jpg

http://is.sewellparts.com/images/oem/1400x1000/483206.jpg

Same spring/shock combo between the two years. The suspension was changed in 2011 and then in 2013. No major suspension changes between 2011 and 2012 if any at all.

 

jspecvtec, welcome to the site. See the threads listed below. I found them using the search function. Lot's of Great Info here. Again, Welcome to the site.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...s-f-years.html

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...ar-of-isf.html

Lou

 

Sewell is wrong.

The shock/spring combo physically changed in MY 2012

See here: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...out-there.html

 

Interesting. I hadn't noticed this!

 

thanks guys

 

This explains why my 2012 IS-F is one of the best riding (firm yet smooth) and best damping cars I've ever owned.

Before I would get a puzzled look when I read on other car forums that the IS-F would pound the driver like a drunken Thai hooker. Turns out their test drive impressions were based on early model IS-F's.

So if I read correctly the 2008-2011 uses Tokico shocks and the 2012+ changed to ZF/SACHS shocks?

Overall I find the ride quality phenomenal for a car that has this much capability on the track. The car that had the worst ride quality on factory suspension that I've owned would be my 05 STi, that car literally would make my passengers car sick.

 

The suspension changed in 2011. I'm not really sure what changed but that was the first year that it became softer. It was also the first year the isf matched the lap times of the M3 around VIR. I wish they'd run a 2012 to see if they improved times even more.

 

^ yeah - softer ride and much better lap times came in 2011 - small improvements after that.

That's why I opted to get a 2011! Many improvements that year.