Daily Slideshow: Why 2nd Gen (XE20) IS F is Better Than the E90 M3
Although the BMW M3 has long been touted as one of the best sport coupes available, the Lexus IS-F 4-door gave the BMW E90 M3 sedan more than it could handle.
An Instant Rivalry
After nearly a decade-long hiatus, BMW introduced their fourth generation M3 as both a coupe (E92) and a sedan (E90) for the 2007 model year. The E90 sedan received great praise as it boasted performance numbers nearly identical to the E92 coupe despite having two additional doors. In many respects, Bimmers have long been an industry standard for performance, styling, and reliability, thus their huge following. Surprisingly; however, is that a small team of Lexus engineers was steadily working away in Japan on their own sports sedan with a clear target to knock the M3 off of its pedestal. With the release of the 2008 Lexus IS F into the US market, it was finally able to go head to head with the M3 with some surprising results.
All The Right Curves
The first thing that sets both the IS F and M3 apart from their base model cars are their enhanced exterior styling packages. Both cars look much more aggressive and hunkered-down, thus giving the common passerby an inclination that these cars are something special. The IS F received some pretty cool features including a masculine hood bulge, front fender vents that lead nicely into the rocker panels, stacked quad exhaust tips, and an appealing set of forged 19" BBS 10-spoke wheels. The BMW received much of the same treatment on its front-end with a hood bulge and large mouth front fascia, but it tends to look strikingly similar to the lesser 3-Series when seen from the side. In short, many consider the exterior differences from the Lexus IS F to the standard IS to be much more noticeable than BMW's transformation of a 3-Series into the M3.
Express Ergonomics
Interiors feature all of the luxuries that are consistent with both Lexus and BMW, but it appears that the IS F has the edge. Carlos Lago (writer for Motor Trend & Edmunds) during a long-term review of the IS F was quoted as saying "Take note, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, and, well, everyone else: This is how you lay out interior system controls. The Lexus’ I.P. is as functional as it is attractive." Comfortable materials were utilized in the interior that were available in both high-contrasts colors as well as those more subdued. Lots of little finishing touches are added to provide a feeling that the car is a sport-oriented model such as the unique gauge cluster, lightened aluminum pedals, carbon-fiber trim, bolstered seats, and paddle-shift steering wheel.
A Profound Powertrain
The powertrain is by far the most impressive feature of the IS F that is able to match that of the M3 punch for punch. The Lexus used an entirely new all-aluminum, direct-injected 5.0L V8 that featured a whole host of technology and good old-fashioned materials such as an aluminum dual-stage intake system, variable valve timing, forged connecting rods/crankshaft/camshaft lobes, and titanium intake valves. All said and done, the IS F produces an impressive 416 horsepower and 371 lb-ft of torque that betters the BMW's output. Power is sent through a traditional 8-speed automatic transmission but allows lockup of the torque converter in gears 2-8 for a direct feel and instantaneous response. The tranny shifts super-quick too (0.1-second shifts) and provides an overall driving experience that is preferable to the early dual-clutch transmission as offered in the E90.
A Driver's Delight
A few other high points of the Lexus has been the confidence it inspires when carving down a twisty road. The car comes equipped with some of the industries best components such as the 6-piston Brembo front brake calipers and 14.2" brake rotors, forged-aluminum BBS wheels, and a limited-slip differential (2010+). But it is also the chassis design and suspension setup that the IS F team developed to work well as a package. In a 2008 Car and Driver comparison against the M3, the Lexus was said to inspire confidence to push the car to its limit. The brakes were also said to have a stellar bite and great stopping power. As a whole, the IS F is a comfortable car that emboldens its drivers to exploit its performance. On the other hand, it has been mentioned that the BMW can be a bit intimidating when driven on the edge.
It All Started Here
Overall, the IS F stacks up nicely against the BMW in just about every category. It is worth noting that these cars were originally priced around the $60K mark, but the used market will allow one to get into a Lexus significantly cheaper than a BMW. Also, the IS F gets better fuel mileage despite having a larger, more powerful engine thanks to that 8-speed transmission. The BMW M3 may have generations of motorsport pedigree, but Lexus has created quite a formidable lineup of "F Sport" cars that all began here with the IS F in 2008. The fact that we are still talking about this car 10 years on should be an indication of how good it still is...
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