I know little about the IS F (sadly). I come from German world (M3). Since I got burnt with my E46 M3 SMG I wanted something reliable and fast. I wanted an E92 M3. I was terrified to pull the trigger and never brought one. I wanted a reliable saloon and a friend suggested the IS F (maybe over 1 year ago). Lexus really! I'll pass! Every time I did a comparison it was C63 AMG power and e92 was a track warrior so that always left the F out of the picture. So last Tuesday I went to check one out. During test drive I almost made a U-turn to take it back because I thought the car was just flat and dead. As I turned the steering wheel I saw the sports button (I really do not know anything about this car lol). I hit the button and I did feel throttle response but wasn't impressed. Moved the shift lever into manual mode and saw the F symbol come across the screen between TACH and Speedo...and it was on and poppin'.......and brought car on the spot (2010)......Boy the F is no F'n joke. I had no idea! Reason for long message is I have not seen the F symbol come back on when I put it in sports mode. I only see it when I first turn the car on. Is there a setting? I think the dealer factory defaulted everything because all the door locks now open when I get in the car.... Any suggestions?


M3 hat now in garage. BIMMER is dead to me!!!!!!!!!

 

The F logo in the display has nothing to do with the sport button. Just put the car in M mode and press the "disp" button on the steering wheel until the F logo cycles in the display window.

 

Wow! Going outside to try now. Damn I thought that was part of the sport mode.....LOL

 

It worked. I had to select the gear position window and saw it....Thanks

 

Congrats! And Welcome. Yes, When you select gear on the display and switch to manual, "F" mode is displayed.

 

I have to say I'm driving events coordinator for the local BMW club, but I do it because I like the driving. After the issues the club sees with their newer BMW's I just couldn't bring myself to actually own one.

 

Are BMW's that bad? I started getting into performance after owning an IS250. I felt this model was my gateway to speeding and getting into the performance vehicles segment so to speak. I was always fascinated by the 2nd Gen IS styling. Plus I was coming from a 1999 Corolla which was under my ownership for 10 years, which is still running btw...Then I looked for more power...IS350, now IS F. I've always read BMW was a huge go getter in performance, number one in virtually everything in performance. In all fairness could it be that there simply too expensive to maintain if the owner doesn't have deep pockets for the repairs? Isn't this expected from an extremely high performance machine? My wife actually took me to test drive a BMW 328i when I was looking to upgrade from the corolla. It was my first test drive in 10 years, but I simply didn't like the interior and especially the way the seats felt. Long behold when we returned to the dealership there was an is250, and well the rest is history. But I'm simply trying to understand? I don't mean to offend at all whatsoever. My wife swears by the Germans, she drives a 2013 GLK350, it's been good to us thus far.

M3 hat now in garage. BIMMER is dead to me!!!!!!!!![/QUOTE]

 

I wouldnt touch a German car unless it was a Porsche.

What blows my mind is if BMW has a good following and make great cars to drive, why not whip your suppliers *** for some better electronics and more rigorous endurance and high mileage testing. What gives ?

 

wait til you get headers and exhaust. You'll smoke any of the new bmw f8x.

 

Until they do downpipes, and tune, and rape your *** all day every day..lol

 

Then when they hit 70k+ miles they'll be in the shop all day long lol

 

70k miles? Sounds like someone else's problem at that point.

I'd rather have the better car for the year or two I own it than worry what's going to happen to it 7 years later.

 

Not even, the jb tune is inconsistent . Ive seen numerous dyno graphs & personal experience, car CAN make crazy *** power but doesnt consistently. Unless you run race gas then everything is smooth & GG for isf lol

 

Maybe the issues are with newer BMWs? I have an e36M3 with 177,000 miles and it is a track car. Regular maint and wear and tear items like bushings etc is all it needs. Also have an E46M3 with 43000 miles. No issues yet. Not as reliable as the Lexus, but not gloom and doom either.