What Would You Rather Buy? The BMW M3 Sedan or the Lexus IS-F?

[si|verfish]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. This is great times for super saloon fans because of the choices available now. All brilliant in their own way. It really comes down to which flavour you'd like your performance saloon ice cream to be.

I like the over steery, crazy muscle car, DTM wannabe-ness of the Merc.

Some people like the more clinical precision of the Bimmer.

And some other people prefer the sure-footed, all traction get up and go of the Audi.

(I'll skip the IS-F at the moment till I get more info on it).

All 3 cars will go and will handle, just in different ways.

Sure, if you put all 3 on a track, the M3 will most likely be the quickest. But in the real world, with real world drivers, I'd doubt you can separate them. In fact the Merc will probably just pull away at every opportunity with its sheer grunt and the RS4 will be harrying the M3 for all its worth thanks to its fantastic traction.

 

[bien335]

Wow, silverfish, you are the shizorz of teh interwebz. U get rep points from me buddy, +3 gazillion.

Lets go grab that last few RS4s available, since Audi has stopped production.

But seriously, the IS F (no hyphen as in IS-F) is clearly an Americanized (im using American english here) car. I would really like to see it go head to head with the C63 (being an auto as well) and 8 speeds? WTF for? this aint a bicycle man.

The Audi RS4 is a great car (having driven an Avant RS4 before) the traction is mighty. Yes, the M3 is still the faster car around a track, but its on the road that matters most.

That alpine ski trip and more close to home, that trip back to the east coast on winding sweeping roads in the rain. Not all of us are highly skilled, brass ball drivers. But the safety and stability of the Quattro system just pretty much seals the deal.

And we dont compare the 5L of the Lex to the high revving V8s of Audi and BMW. They play in a different field altogether. Its like comparing apples to durians.

Remember back when the huge big block V8s (400++ cid, 7L and more) of the Americans can only put out around what the Germans are capable of with a much smaller displacement today. Just as a side note, the late 80s 5L mustang V8 pumped out a mediocre 140+ hp. My 2.2L 4 cylinder puts out 200!

Infact, I dont see the IS F as a direct competitor to the M3/RS4. The IS F should be gunning for the big daddy C63 with that huge 6.2 V8.

 

[jeffbboyz]

i will go for Lexus...something different....i like the looks

 

[si|verfish]

Wow, silverfish, you are the shizorz of teh interwebz. U get rep points from me buddy, +3 gazillion.

Lets go grab that last few RS4s available, since Audi has stopped production.

But seriously, the IS F (no hyphen as in IS-F) is clearly an Americanized (im using American english here) car. I would really like to see it go head to head with the C63 (being an auto as well) and 8 speeds? WTF for? this aint a bicycle man.

The Audi RS4 is a great car (having driven an Avant RS4 before) the traction is mighty. Yes, the M3 is still the faster car around a track, but its on the road that matters most.

That alpine ski trip and more close to home, that trip back to the east coast on winding sweeping roads in the rain. Not all of us are highly skilled, brass ball drivers. But the safety and stability of the Quattro system just pretty much seals the deal.

And we dont compare the 5L of the Lex to the high revving V8s of Audi and BMW. They play in a different field altogether. Its like comparing apples to durians.

Remember back when the huge big block V8s (400++ cid, 7L and more) of the Americans can only put out around what the Germans are capable of with a much smaller displacement today. Just as a side note, the late 80s 5L mustang V8 pumped out a mediocre 140+ hp. My 2.2L 4 cylinder puts out 200!

Infact, I dont see the IS F as a direct competitor to the M3/RS4. The IS F should be gunning for the big daddy C63 with that huge 6.2 V8.

LoL...man I'm just a bench racer wannabe. You're way luckier than me since you've driven them (bastard!). I'd consider myself lucky to get to drive one let alone own one. So to folks who does, you are a lucky bastard, I hate you and I shall hunt you down and stab you in your sleep.

 

[bien335]

LoL...man I'm just a bench racer wannabe. You're way luckier than me since you've driven them (bastard!). I'd consider myself lucky to get to drive one let alone own one. So to folks who does, you are a lucky bastard, I hate you and I shall hunt you down and stab you in your sleep.

ROFLMAO!!

it aint my car that Audi RS4

it was my SG buddy, he drove down to JB a few months ago and i took the car for a spin. TO desaru. hahahah

great fun.

 

[si|verfish]

ROFLMAO!!

it aint my car that Audi RS4

it was my SG buddy, he drove down to JB a few months ago and i took the car for a spin. TO desaru. hahahah

great fun.

In that case, warn your friend that there will be a jealous maniac coming to hunt him down and stab him in his sleep, with a spoon.

 

[si|verfish]

ROFLMAO!!

it aint my car that Audi RS4

it was my SG buddy, he drove down to JB a few months ago and i took the car for a spin. TO desaru. hahahah

great fun.

In that case, warn your friend that there will be a jealous maniac coming to hunt him down and stab him in his sleep, with a spoon.

 

[drMpower]

you see, this is where things get a bit complicated.

comparing horses to horses wont give u much hint

or the looks, but i dont think that lexus is even what i call good looking

but think of your future mom in law - the moment she saw that round thing with identical white, blue, and black colour, written BMW on it, surely she will be very happy to let you take her out.

but if you pull in with the lexus, she will think you are one of those car-rempitans with lots of bodykits. then she will look you up till down and up again, before she ask you to leave. WITHOUT her (ur gf)

so, better buy that M3. hahahhh

 

[si|verfish]

drMpower; sure you can still make fun of the Lexus brand now. To an extent, it still holds true, especially here in Malaysia.

But, times are changing as it always does. 10 years ago people would laugh at the notion of a Japanese luxury car. Nowadays Lexus is seen as a credible alternative to the Germans and are known to have absolute top notch built quality and customer care. For one, don't use Malaysia to form your opinions (we are years behind the big world markets).

The same can be said of Audi. 20 years ago Audi was the little dude being bullied by its 2 big brothers Mercedes and BMW. Nowadays Audi, with the might of VAG is the one doing all the bullying. Again don't use Malaysia to form your opinion of how things are. Audi is giving Mercedes and BMW a run for its money.

What I am trying to say is, don't bet on things staying the same, forever. The way Toyota/Lexus is going from strength to strength, I wouldn't be one to bet on them not achieving what they set out to do.

PS: I'm not saying I'd pick the Lexus over the Bimmer, mind you.

 

[bien335]

Spoon attack!

BWAHAHAHA..

seriously, the 4 cars mentioned (RS4-wait till the new one comes out, M3, IS F and C63 AMG) have really moved the goalposts of performance saloons - M5, E63 - withstanding.

either way, its still down to market perception. Last time I went to the Audi dealer, the manager gave me the car for a day (seriously, no joke), so I took the A4 TFSi for the whole day of pottering around town. Felt like a hero that day, blasting away at the lights and leaving VTEC civics in my wake.

When I returned the keys, I asked him why he's doing this. He said that Audi needs more 'exposure' needs to attract more towkays and get them to leave their ho-hum Camrys at the parking lot and give Audi a serious looker.

From what I see, Audi is REALLY that good.

 

[si|verfish]

Well, that's generally how the world works (and ought to work).

In life, if you want to get to the head of the pack, you've got to try harder than the guy in front of you. Not get the government to make life easier for you.

 

[roy_fatboy]

if i were given these 2 to choose..

I'll take the IS-F.. its different.. at least i wont be seeing a replica of my car everywhere when i drive it..

the M3, jeez, I'll bet you'll see soooo many of those around.. normal e92 converted to m3 bodykit and the emblem.. bwahaha..

but if they give me the money, screw both of them, I'll go for that c63 AMG..woohoo..

 

[si|verfish]

I've brought the good stuff;

Part 1/3
[youtube]ICg-9znm5lU[/youtube]

Part 2/3
[youtube]iljKuG1Ramk[/youtube]

Part 3/3
[youtube]yT7fQNA2Dk0[/youtube]

"All slightly different, but all absolutely brilliant" - Jezza

Check out Jezza dressing up as an M3 driver

 

[gary]

definitely the M3.

doesnt matter who has more power, or grip or looks..etc. the m3 still gives the driver the most rewarding driving experience currently. It's rivals are catching up for sure, but they're not there just yet.

 

[si|verfish]

definitely the M3.

doesnt matter who has more power, or grip or looks..etc. the m3 still gives the driver the most rewarding driving experience currently. It's rivals are catching up for sure, but they're not there just yet.

That's if that's your sole barometer. All else considered, it is an entirely different issue.

Even "a rewarding driving experience" may mean different things to different people.

Besides, people who shell out north of 50 thousand pounds would want more than just the best drive. Especially if it isn't head and shoulders above its rivals (like it used to be). Looks, for example, is a very important factor that is taken into consideration. Yes it is entirely subjective, but I can see why people might go for the Merc or Lexus (even Audi if they are still selling it).

Also, performance saloons like these, no longer just appeal to the driving enthusiasts like they used to. And there's acknowledgment of this fact by the manufacturers (BMW included) themselves, by making their performance saloons more and more appealing to mainstream buyers. Because of that, how well it drives probably isn't the overwhelming factor anymore. Unless, like I said, it is head and shoulders above everything else, which it isn't anymore.

EDIT: I just realised that you may be stating your own justification for your preference of the M3. If that is the case I beg your pardon for the improper post.

 

[ephique74]

si|verfish, dont u hv anythin else to do? but surely to claim, each car is a winner. but for the original question of buying an M3 sedan or Lexus IS-F?

none of them both.

 

[si|verfish]

si|verfish, dont u hv anythin else to do? but surely to claim, each car is a winner. but for the original question of buying an M3 sedan or Lexus IS-F?

none of them both.

What's that supposed to mean?

Anyway, I've already answered the original question earlier in the thread.

 

[ef9nippon]

vote for lexus..... damn cunnnn

 

[yayedr]

m3 4 doors? dont tell me u wanna take ur family or frens for some truely ride... sigh*
lexus... = proton.. :))