Does the M3 Have A True Competitor with the IS-F? Check Out This Video At Laguna Seca

Maybe the RS4 or C63 might be fair competition, but not this thing.

Might be a good start. But then that would make it too simple.

RS4. The S4 is not in this class. I'm saying that as an S4 owner; I know it can't keep up any more. But it's still fast enough for me, lol.

Agreed. RS4 is way more expensive than the RS4...

Genius some of us like rap music. We ask what up with the rock music.

43LE, you and I agree on one thing and that is rap music must die!!!!!!!!!!!

Bling-Bling Inc.®

turn the volume down if you don't like rap music. and technically, that is pop music not rap music. Top 10 seller on iTunes for the past few weeks. And if you listen to the words is very relavent for Lexus. The IS-F will only make them stronger!

so BMW must have to worry about a tire smoking competition? huh? BMW is really worried ...idiots

That V8 sounds good.

Show me a V8 that doesn't.

(Not saying that as a Lexus bash)

This one has better quality, still not good though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QS8XVO3TnY0

which makes the M3 sounds like Lawnmower.

"Show me a V8 that doesn't."

Exactly. This V8 sounds nothing special, it sounds fine for sure but a bit lifeless and boring. As if the engine isn't built for high-performance. All of its competitors have much higher revving V8s (M3: 8400 rpm, RS4: 8250 rpm and C63: 7500 rpm) and sound so much better. My favorite is the C63 by far, then the M3 (which still has that typical Motorsport induction noise, something that has been around for almost 30 years) and then the RS4. It's just a matter of personal taste.

Remember this is still with stock exhausts. Put some Tubi or Eisenmann under it and it sounds even better!

Too much torque, this baby has.

But I hated the background music. Why people like to do that by adding noise to a car video? The video quality is low already.

It's still absolutely nothing compared to the C63 AMG.

cal- I dont get it either, I am american , And can't stand lexus.

Those are good questions. I don't think Japanese cars make a good comparison against German cars, because they are so different (in so many ways). I don't think buyers of Lexus are really looking at German cars. You're either a Jap car person or a Euro car person. I think a better comparison is Lexus vs. Acura or Infiniti. I'd like to see a higher performance G37 or RSX vs. the IS-F. Much better comparison.

As far as American cars go, the only one that would really be worthy of comparison would be the CTS-V. This is a much better match to the M3 or C63 or RS4 in my opinion.

I don't see why we need to wait for a C&D or MT comparison test. You guys just want them to rush and tell you that the M3 wins on magic feel, so you can feel superior to everyone here. The IS-F on its own I'm sure will stand as a great performance sedan. I don't need C&D to tell me that.

I agree, the IS-F will probably be an average to good sports sedan but it can't quite match its competitors.

Yeah.....! LOL :) that what I'm talking about Lexus, this Lexus IS-F is going to kick some serious butt.

All things considered this IS-F is not a "real" competitor to the M3, RS4 or C 63 AMG.

By the way, what's up with all those silly burnouts?

Could you please tell me why the IS-F is not a real competitor without using "prestige", "magic", etc.?

I know everyone has their own tastes, but the IS-F is surely in the same league as its German counterparts. Its price, performance, and exclusivity (relatively speaking) prove this to be so.

If every car magazine has a matchup between the M3/IS-F/C63 (which they will) that would seem to indicate they are playing on the same field.

You basically answered your own question.

Add sales figures and global recognition too.

Whats the redline on the IS-F?

7000 rpm. A 400 hp '95 BMW M5 could do 7200-7400 rpm easily.

Putting a big V8 in a small sedan doesn't make it a sportscar. The character of the engine is still more LS460 than Ferrari.

more propaganda from lexus.
it goes fast in a straight line. wow.

sounds lot like the Audi S4. This is a interesting car to consider knowing that the impecable reliability is on the owner's favor.

how do you know this car will be reliable? Cause lexus makes it? bullshit, this is lexus's first time making a high performance car(If you can call it that), that could make for a lot of problems!

And there have not been any problems with the RS4, not sure about the other 2(M3,C63) cause there not out yet

A 200 hp GTI and a 150 hp Rabbit can do the same. Not hard to make some smoke. Doesn't mean anything.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcGr85vNNLs

God, you guys are judgemental to the point of complete absurdity.

I was thinking the same. Can't tell much from the video. At least compare it to another vehicle in which performance is known. No comparison.

what am i seeing in this video? seriously, is there anything really special going on here? all we know from this movie is that the is-f does, indeed, move.

and that's pretty much all we know about it so far....

enough with all the lexus marketing postings that don't actually have any news in them.

First thing that mus be done it too turn that sinkin' crap music off!!!

so this is a video on how to brake torque a 5.0L V8 to do burnouts. I'm not 16 anymore. Reminds me of the old Suzuki Sidekick commercial -- "and now the straightaway test... it really goes straight!"

The Lexus Fan girls have wet their panties at the sight of a Lexus doing a burnout. The fan girls finally have a machine that is more capable than their milf's RX 400 hybrid grocery getters.

lexus is not known for performance, lexus is out of its league.

things change opie....Lexus isn't Buick; they actually participate in motorsports.

Lexus is toyota which is also subaru which are both well known for its racing heritage. By the way have you ever heard of the rolex series? LARRY?????

The rolex series doesn't use actual road cars though....try the Lexus SC430 Super GT car.

That Rolex series racing is just a joke. How about Lexus competes in motorsport that we actually care about? Like DTM or F1.

I do not think that Lexus is out to make a cult of this car, as AMG, M, and RS has. Its here only to steal market shares.

Lexus is a substitute for BMW or BENZ.. or who eva cant afford to buy a true luxury vehicles

printhan can you speak any more ghetto

true luxury is having a choice

true luxury is exclusivity. if many thousands can have it, it's commonplace not luxury.

to make auto specific... in 1975, power windows were a luxury. now they're standard on a corolla.

I really hope you aren't implying that the new M3 will be "exclusive". The current and previous few generations sure haven't been.

With mass-production there are very few exclusive things being made today.

the M3 is not the definition of a luxury product.

but wouldn't you say just a few thousand cars a year is pretty exclusive? if not, how many would be?

so you agree something new with a purpose on a vehucle is luxury? If so what exactly are you defending?

dude i have a legacy spec B , but your nuts. stop with the american bull$%^^. you talk a lot of smack.I like what you say for the most part , but stop labeling everyone. Most of the people you speak of live in the west coast and have no concept of reality.

The Lexus IS-F wont give BMW's M3 a run for its money, nor will it give Audi's RS 4 or Mercedes' C63 AMG. On paper all cars are equally matched with the exception of the C63 AMG. Ratings are 415hp(IS-F), 414hp (M3), 420hp (RS 4), and 456hp (C63 AMG) respectively. Of course will have to wait and see which car comes iut on top in a comparison test. My vote goes for the C63 or the M3.

It sounds like you got it all figured out.

Remember when the IS wasn't supposed to give the 3er a run for its money? Well, the IS 350 ended up tying the 3er in a C and D comparo but lost by one point because they had to choose a winner... and that's Car and Driver; they love BMW.

So, what exactly do you mean by Lexus not giving Germany a run for its money. Surely you should have something more than a hunch to back up your post. Or, am I wrong, Toneeeeeeee?

lexus is known for quiet smooth ride

Your mom is ugly fool!

The Lexus IS-F is a work of art. It makes the M3 look like a piece of junk (it is anyway).

lmao, no limited slip.

auto trans...(I dont care how fast it shifts, its still a pos slushbox)

335i + procede will out handle and blow this car away...M Gmbh is not scared of this whale.

Wait.. are you guys saying the IS-F doesn't has a LSD?

The BMW 335i can't even finish a lap around a track without overheating. Such poor engineering. If a standard Lexus IS250 walks over the 335i, imagine what an IS350 no wait an IS-F will do to it and an M3. Does the word RAPE sound familiar?

Yea, same question here...

No LSD on the IS-F?

Well I have to agree that the V8 rumble is quite nice and smokey burnouts are fine too, but the question of whether either of those to aspects are going to assist in the "dethroning" of the M3/RS4 competition is moot.

If you really want to do smokey burnouts and hear a V8 rumble buy a Mustang GT for under 30k. Until there is some actual testing (relevant!) track data (how about a Nurburgring Time for the IS-F?) there is really no basis to support the IS-F's claims of being great.

I'm sure it will be fast, and it will also be very comfortable, refined, and it won't break down. Thats typical Lexus. But will it have the driver involvement and poise of an M3? Will it have the grip and confidence inspiring feel of an RS4? It is highly unlikely considering that it is Lexus's first try at a sporty saloon. Key ingredients are missing that will prevent it from dethroning anybody. Manual tranny is #1 and to a lesser extent an LSD is #2.

actually, after some consideration, I think we can break down the small super saloon category into M3/RS4 and C63/IS-F. The M3/RS4 both offer manual transmissions, a more driver focused, dynamic handling package, high revving razor sharp naturally aspirated V8's. The C63/IS-F will be more of the Autobahn cruiser type of SuperSaloon. Isolation form the road will be increased straight line speed will be strong, larger displacement lower revving but higher torque engines coupled with Automatics are offered here.

Hmm, that division works extremely well! There seem to be two distinct subgroups of small super saloons!

Basically it's like this: (compared to the previous gen)

- the M3 has become faster, heavier and easier to live with everyday. All things considered it's a better car than the E46.
- the RS4 has become even faster, harder, louder and a much better handler. Overall a much better car than the B5.
- the C63 has become A LOT faster and most importantly a much better handler. AMGs are still mighty Autobahn stormers but this one actually kicks some ass at the racing track as well. Defintely a better car than the C32/C55

So currently the C63 is much closer to the RS4 and M3 than it is to the IS-F.

The thing is, with the German 3 they're all so damn good and extremely well engineered that is has become a matter of personal taste instead of pure rational thinking.

Agreed with Mr. SevorbeupstryIsBack. The C63 AMG seems to have improved big time in the handling department. The same goes for the E63 AMG.

SevorbeupstryIsBack, I hope a lot of people read down to this, because you are dead on. The C63 is going to surprise the *&%$ out of Audi and Lexus. I think BMW has seen it coming for quite some time, as they've really been putting in the effort to develop their automatic transmissions.

But ya, the C63 is finally going to give the M3 a run for its money.

I tend to agree. The BMW, Audi and Lexus fanboys all focus only on them but the C63 AMG could potentially be the wild card of the bunch. Can't wait for the first side by side comparisons.

Let's just wait and see.

Lexus wont even compete with Hyundai on ths onw.

The IS-F looks to be an exciting addition to this category. I am looking forward to some concrete performance numbers from Lexus.

@BenzW124

You talk alot of thrash for someone that likes the ugly ass W124.

Let's be clear - who is Lexus giving a run for their money? YTD july US car sales - 3 series 84,569 versus IS 250/350 32,568. And that's here in America where Lexus thinks it has folks fooled into believing its as good a car as the beemer!

Lexus' are great alternatives to BMW, Audi and MB. Lexus keeps these brands honest. But that's it. A guy settles (on cost, just as fast, etc) for a Lexus when he thinks it is better than a beemer versus a BMW buyer that buys it because they believe it is the better vehicle. Lexus will have to get over that stigma before it will kill any BWM.

I think the M3 does have something to worry about with this car. I liked the engine sound....very nice...very throaty....I like it. And what about the speed and ease with which it is just accelerating out of the corner onto the straight....very fast.That is what I saw and I think it will be a very fast car and a proper M3/C63/RS4 rival. I like the interior photos also...very comfy and with Ivory leather...quite sexy.

First of all both bmw and lexus will sell out every copy they import.Bmw is not worried about anyone.These cars are limited in production.

So....Is anyone going to drop the $5500 fee for the 3 night package in Germany that lets you go drive the new M3 (pre US release) over on the Nurburgring Grand Prix course?
I am taking donations if some of you all want to send me over!!! :)