[Suave]

For the record I am all signed up for a M4 with deposit when order starts and huge fan of brand. Now I did recently get to keep the new Lexus for a wkd trial and encouraged by salesman to put 200 hard miles on it and see if I still would choose a BMW...hehe he has no idea about my driving skills....hmmm ok off I go!

So I took the car through my normal road course of twisties , highway and "drove it like I stole it". I have to say that the car frankly surprised me in a big way and have experienced first hand the merits stated vs the BMW. it did a great job and felt firm when pushed to limits. Good throttle response and linear in power delivery. Interior was good looking save the 80s looking vent but as much as I loved the highly supportive seats I can't get past the fact that they only come in Pleather. All in all I agree why voting was tight but perhaps I feel the car mags were trying hard to find an edge to stir the pot at BMW camp. My point is don't be so dismissive of this new competition until you drive it but would never choose over a Bimmer. It's just a whole different feel and connection that only fans I brand like you folks here would understand. If anything let it be a wake up call to BMW to not rest on its dominance. At least from what I see in the new M4 it will restore order!

[ToyotaBMW]

Originally Posted by M4Rican

For the record I am all signed up for a M4 with deposit when order starts and huge fan of brand. Now I did recently get to keep the new Lexus for a wkd trial and encouraged by salesman to put 200 hard miles on it and see if I still would choose a BMW...hehe he has no idea about my driving skills....hmmm ok off I go!

So I took the car through my normal road course of twisties , highway and "drove it like I stole it". I have to say that the car frankly surprised me in a big way and have experienced first hand the merits stated vs the BMW. it did a great job and felt firm when pushed to limits. Good throttle response and linear in power delivery. Interior was good looking save the 80s looking vent but as much as I loved the highly supportive seats I can't get past the fact that they only come in Pleather. All in all I agree why voting was tight but perhaps I feel the car mags were trying hard to find an edge to stir the pot at BMW camp. My point is don't be so dismissive of this new competition until you drive it but would never choose over a Bimmer. It's just a whole different feel and connection that only fans I brand like you folks here would understand. If anything let it be a wake up call to BMW to not rest on its dominance. At least from what I see in the new M4 it will restore order!

+1

[300hp]

[QUOTE=M4Rican;14723225]

So I took the car through my normal road course of twisties , highway and "drove it like I stole it". it did a great job and felt firm when pushed to limits. Good throttle response and linear in power delivery. [ QUOTE]

This is exactly how I feel in my F30

I test drove the IS350 just after driving the ATS and frankly the ATS impressed me more. Both engines being NA need to be wrung up a bit to get meaningful power from them. The N20/N55 are good from rpms just a bit north of idle. If you are all about suspension/chassis then Cadillac/GM have their ducks in a row. However there is more to a car than just suspension and like someone said earlier, the F30 has it all.

[Suave]

[QUOTE=300hp]

Originally Posted by M4Rican

So I took the car through my normal road course of twisties , highway and "drove it like I stole it". it did a great job and felt firm when pushed to limits. Good throttle response and linear in power delivery. [ QUOTE]

This is exactly how I feel in my F30

I test drove the IS350 just after driving the ATS and frankly the ATS impressed me more. If you are all about suspension/chassis then Cadillac/GM have their ducks in a row. However there is more to a car than just suspension and like someone said earlier, the F30 has it all.

I totally agree with you about the ATS! Only drive it for about 50 miles or so but you nailed it with your comment. It performs great but again it's not a complete package like the f-30. I drove so many new performance cars and try to remain objective but nothing else felt or connected with me. Guess it was my last attemp to stray away so i guess I am a lifer now BMW.

[300hp]

[QUOTE=M4Rican]

Originally Posted by 300hp

I totally agree with you about the ATS! Only drive it for about 50 miles or so but you nailed it with your comment. It performs great but again it's not a complete package like the f-30. I drove so many new performance cars and try to remain objective but nothing else felt or connected with me. Guess it was my last attemp to stray away so i guess I am a lifer now BMW.

I won't take credit for the F30 has it all comment, I stole it from JV

[yosafbridge]

Originally Posted by M4Rican

For the record I am all signed up for a M4 with deposit when order starts and huge fan of brand. Now I did recently get to keep the new Lexus for a wkd trial and encouraged by salesman to put 200 hard miles on it and see if I still would choose a BMW...hehe he has no idea about my driving skills....hmmm ok off I go!

So I took the car through my normal road course of twisties , highway and "drove it like I stole it". I have to say that the car frankly surprised me in a big way and have experienced first hand the merits stated vs the BMW. it did a great job and felt firm when pushed to limits. Good throttle response and linear in power delivery. Interior was good looking save the 80s looking vent but as much as I loved the highly supportive seats I can't get past the fact that they only come in Pleather. All in all I agree why voting was tight but perhaps I feel the car mags were trying hard to find an edge to stir the pot at BMW camp. My point is don't be so dismissive of this new competition until you drive it but would never choose over a Bimmer. It's just a whole different feel and connection that only fans I brand like you folks here would understand. If anything let it be a wake up call to BMW to not rest on its dominance. At least from what I see in the new M4 it will restore order!

I doubt it. The 480hp V8 Lexus RC-F ( coupe version of the IS) will probably do to the M4 in the slalom what the IS350 did to the 335i. And with the M4 putting out only 430hp vs the 480hp in the RC-F, BMW can no longer hide behind straightline speed.

[ep_83]

Originally Posted by yosafbridge

I doubt it. The 480hp V8 Lexus RC-F ( coupe version of the IS) will probably do to the M4 in the slalom what the IS350 did to the 335i. And with the M4 putting out only 430hp vs the 480hp in the RC-F, BMW can no longer hide behind straightline speed.

Doesn't BMW underrate its horsepower numbers on M's like they do their other vehicles?

[t335xi]

Originally Posted by yosafbridge

I doubt it. The 480hp V8 Lexus RC-F ( coupe version of the IS) will probably do to the M4 in the slalom what the IS350 did to the 335i. And with the M4 putting out only 430hp vs the 480hp in the RC-F, BMW can no longer hide behind straightline speed.

I haven't even heard of that yet.... It's like an is f coupe you mean?

That's only 400hp out here at 5k feet though. Is the new m4 turbo or na?

[ep_83]

Originally Posted by t335xi

I haven't even heard of that yet.... It's like an is f coupe you mean?

That's only 400hp out here at 5k feet though. Is the new m4 turbo or na?

Here's a link. It's the RC-F testing alongside an M3. The F80 and F82 I believe will be V6 TT.



http://wot.motortrend.com/lexus-rc-f...#axzz2g1ho5oam

[t335xi]

That's pretty cool... Look forward to a test drive. The isf was always a nice car, but too expensive to compete with BMW. I hope they either price it correctly this time around.

[drob23]

Originally Posted by yosafbridge

I doubt it. The 480hp V8 Lexus RC-F ( coupe version of the IS) will probably do to the M4 in the slalom what the IS350 did to the 335i. And with the M4 putting out only 430hp vs the 480hp in the RC-F, BMW can no longer hide behind straightline speed.

I'm sorry dude, but this is pure facepalm worthy speculation. The M3 is a completely different car in terms of chassis components/tuning, powertrain, and just performance in general. The car will have 430 HP and weigh in around 3300lbs, along with an active rear differential. The only area on paper I see the lexus having a distinct advantage is with the multi-link front suspension.

But seriously, making statements about the RC-F vs M3 based on car and driver 335 vs IS350 holds about as much weight in my book as a comparison of the I3 vs the prius. Given the data we have, assuming that TRD or whoever designs these IS cars will beat the M division in their bread and butter segment is at this point

[300hp]

Originally Posted by drob23

I'm sorry dude, but this is pure facepalm worthy speculation. The M3 is a completely different car in terms of chassis components/tuning, powertrain, and just performance in general. The car will have 430 HP and weigh in around 3300lbs, along with an active rear differential. The only area on paper I see the lexus having a distinct advantage is with the multi-link front suspension.

But seriously, making statements about the RC-F vs M3 based on car and driver 335 vs IS350 holds about as much weight in my book as a comparison of the I3 vs the prius. Given the data we have, assuming that TRD or whoever designs these IS cars will beat the M division in their bread and butter segment is at this point

+1

[ep_83]

Originally Posted by drob23

I'm sorry dude, but this is pure facepalm worthy speculation. The M3 is a completely different car in terms of chassis components/tuning, powertrain, and just performance in general. The car will have 430 HP and weigh in around 3300lbs, along with an active rear differential. The only area on paper I see the lexus having a distinct advantage is with the multi-link front suspension.

But seriously, making statements about the RC-F vs M3 based on car and driver 335 vs IS350 holds about as much weight in my book as a comparison of the I3 vs the prius. Given the data we have, assuming that TRD or whoever designs these IS cars will beat the M division in their bread and butter segment is at this point

"An even lighter version of the new car, possibly resurrecting the famed CSL nomenclature and fitted with lightweight seats as part of a pared-down interior and other weight saving measures, is under consideration for sale later in the new M4's model cycle. BMW M division boss Freidrich Nitschke suggests it could come in close to 3086 pounds if it receives a production greenlight"


http://www.autoweek.com/article/2013...NEWS/130929883

[300hp]

IS250 not recommended by CR.

Some key points:
-The magazine found the 2014 Lexus IS 250 F Sport to be “neither sporty nor luxurious”
-Editors were also disappointed with their observed overall fuel economy of 21 mpg (I have 320HP awd car that averages 23mpg with city type driving and enthusiastic h/way driving)
-Furthermore, Consumer Reports found the IS 250 to have “vague-feeling” steering, “elevated” road noise, and a cramped interior.
-Editors also weren’t enamored by the infotainment system and its “fussy” mouse-like controller.

Read more: http://wot.motortrend.com/2014-lexus...#ixzz2iSoZayqb
Follow us: @MotorTrend on Twitter | MotortrendMag on Facebook

Indeed this is only the IS250 but most of these complaints have nothing to with the engine.

More comments on the IS250 here:
"The Lexus IS handling is short on finesse, with vague-feeling steering that doesn't telegraph much feedback. Road noise is elevated and the ride is neither plush nor tied-down,"
"It was the worst road test score posted by any Lexus sedan in recent memory."


http://www.cnbc.com/id/101129964