Debating vs ISF or S4

[LAKERS333]

So im in the market for a new car once I sell my 2009 BMW 550i M Sport. I was pretty much locked in on the S4 until I came upon reading that a tuned S4 cant take an Lexus ISF in quarter miles? or 0-60?

Is this true, cause im looking to do minor mods to the S4 and also Stage 2 Tune, any thoughts on this? Can a tuned S4 take out the Lexus ISF or is it far fetched, i would want to beat them on the streets not on the track.

Track might be a whole different thing. Pleaese jive in with any thought or experiences.. This would help me choose my next car. Thanks everyone....

[integroid]

Looks like a stock ISF does the 1/4 mile in 12.9 seconds. The fastest Stage 2 cars are in the high 11's...how is that not faster?

[S4morris]

So your whole decision on a cars worth is if it can out drag a Lexus IS-F at a street race?

[svirk2]

Stage 2 s4 are burning pretty much anything on the streets
There is plenty of info on the upgrades on this forum

[LAKERS333]

my whole decision isnt based on that solely but it would be nice to own the streets as well. I know the S4 handle well interior of the cars are great, great gas mileage for the speed of the car. There alot of other factors but since I would be tuning the S4 I wouldnt want to put in all that work and at the end of the day get smoked by a Stock Lexus. Thats all.. And as far the the high 11's i beleive those are all on the track on 100 octane. please correct me if im wrong...

[adamkb26]

Stage 2 will own a stock IS-F. Plus the Lexus has horrible ride quality. I felt sick at times on certain roads in my old 08' IS-F. You'll regret not getting an S4.

[FuchsB]

So im in the market for a new car once I sell my 2009 BMW 550i M Sport. I was pretty much locked in on the S4 until I came upon reading that a tuned S4 cant take an Lexus ISF in quarter miles? or 0-60?

Is this true, cause im looking to do minor mods to the S4 and also Stage 2 Tune, any thoughts on this? Can a tuned S4 take out the Lexus ISF or is it far fetched, i would want to beat them on the streets not on the track.

Track might be a whole different thing. Pleaese jive in with any thought or experiences.. This would help me choose my next car. Thanks everyone....

S4... Better craftsmanship and quality. The ISF might have more HP but you sacrafice a ton IMO..

In the end If your that concerned about the 1/4 mile buy a streetbike...

[S4morris]

There's ALWAYS someone faster..........can't imagine your embarrassment when a Veyron smokes you at that inevitable stoplight race.

[GarrettA4q]

s4 > IS-F any day. Even with an empty engine compartment.

[1MORLAP]

Wonder what responses you are getting on the ISF forum..

[Zaider]

There's ALWAYS someone faster..........can't imagine your embarrassment when a modified Civic or fox-body mustang smokes you at that inevitable stoplight race.

Fixed.



If you're worried about the 1/4 or a 0-60 time, then build yourself a crappy civic or CRX, swap in a k-24, throw on a supercharger and be done with it. You'll get "mad props from your homies" or whatever else you care about.

If you're buying an expensive sport luxury sedan which weighs 3900lbs... then you're NEVER going to be the fastest thing out there. Stage 2 or otherwise.

[Stubek]

You're down in LA, so maybe it is different there, but up here in Silicon Valley, I see 2-5 B8S4s every day on my way to and from work. They are EVERYWHERE. I have only seen 3 ISFs up here ever. So, given that, I would pick a different car that is more common in my area as a bench mark. Maybe in LA, the ISF is everywhere, but I don't recall seeing any down there.

[MrFunk]

Both are cool cars.
ISF is not as tunable but perhaps more rare.

Drive both and go with where your passion lies.

[Wusty]

If you're buying it solely on 0-60 times & 1/4 mile times it's easy, S4 Stage 2 wins in 0-60, S4 Stage 2 wins in 1/4 mile. Done.

[VeryBadman]

I tested drive the IS once and I didn't like the cabin. It's so tight...not kind of racing tight in the sport car but awkwardly tight and it's so Toyota'ish. It reminds me too much of a Corolla when I was about to buy a car twice as expensive as Corolla.

IS-F is just a faster IS so there is a no for me too.

Speaking of Toyota'ish, Toyota seriously has to make those 2 brands far apart enough from each others. How the Lexus very resembles Toyota really turns many people off. Giving the latest ES and Avalon for instance, I don't even know why I want to buy an ES when I can get a pretty much identical Avalon for a much cheaper price.

[GSS5]

I tested drive the IS once and I didn't like the cabin. It's so tight...not kind of racing tight in the sport car but awkwardly tight and it's so Toyota'ish. It reminds me too much of a Corolla when I was about to buy a car twice as expensive as Corolla.

IS-F is just a faster IS so there is a no for me too.

Speaking of Toyota'ish, Toyota seriously has to make those 2 brands far apart enough from each others. How the Lexus very resembles Toyota really turns many people off. Giving the latest ES and Avalon for instance, I don't even know why I want to buy an ES when I can get a pretty much identical Avalon for a much cheaper price.

really? then s4 is just a faster a4.

[VeryBadman]

really? then s4 is just a faster a4.

I admit that statement is true in a lot of sense but I actually compared IS family to Corolla which I said they resemble each other too much.

Just my 2 cent.

[Trench]

I normally pass on threads like this but I'll bite.

I started my search for a new car in March of last year. I fired up a Google Spreadsheet and threw down these make/models:
- Audi S4, A5, S5
- Lexus IS350, IS-F
- BMW 135i, 335i, 335d, M3
- Infiniti G37
- Nissan 370Z
- Mercedes C63 AMG
- Subaru WRX STi

As you can see I left almost no stone unturned. Having owned a German car before, I was leery of getting back into one simply due to reliability. I was on a 7 year run with a bulletproof Acura that provided 104k trouble-free miles. But, I wanted more power, updated electronics and gadgetry, and something that was functional.

After test driving everything but the STi and C63, I was convinced the S4 fit the bill. It was fast with great handling, had a tolerable MMI system and it was functional for my everyday use. I listed the multiple angles I took when choosing a car because like you, I started off listing 0-60 times thinking that was the data point I needed to make my selection on. Little did I know that was the wrong route to go in my decision making.

I test drove the IS-F and for over a year, had to park next to my boss' IS-F in Neiman Marcus black. I ended up not going that direction because while it was fast it was a pig to drive. Sluggish in curves, not as refined on the interior and the stacked exhaust tips made me want to vomit - I still to this day can't get into that look.

I say all of that to say that if you're going to "live your life one quarter mile at a time" then by all means, get the faster straight line car. But if it's going to be a daily driver get the car that's going to fit your key requirements. One car won't cover all of your bases but get the one that comes the closest.

P.S. I bought my '13 S4 in March of this year. To say it takes me a while to make up my mind is an understatement.

[S4charged]

S4 hands down.

If your going to mod it has a lot more potential.

[xmikegx]

Stage 2 is fast, but so are other cars with money dumped into them. I would say get the one that rides the best because 90% of your driving wont be a 1/4 mile race.

There are so many sleepers on the road, you'd be surprised at how many cars you should beat, will keep up.

My coworker has an old rx7 with an LS motor swap that will embarrass my stage 2, but who's car do we take to go out? He may have the fastest car in the lot.. But he would much rather ride in my car.

[ENV²]

Forget the IS-f if you want V8 in small sedan the only way to go is C63.

If you want a little bit bigger car with more power, go CTS-V

If you want class, luxury, perfect interior, AWD, and tech goodies, go with the S4

[OmaHahn]

I don't care how nice, powerful, fast, or just awesome a car is - I could NEVER buy a car with FAKE exhaust tailpipes/tips!

[s4buckeye]

really? then s4 is just a faster a4.

Uh-oh.

[A4 Centaur]

Get an S4 and tune it. 12 second 1/4 mile and Quattro! ISF is but ugly IMO.

[netimebut4]

i was debating the same a while ago, until i test drove an ISF.....LOL

[jlaudio]

i don't even consider the cars to be in the same class to be honest. the ISF is just too small, reminds me of b5 a4/s4 size. i am 6'3 and the ISF was a struggle

[LAKERS333]

Thanks for all the replies guys. Everyone has great points to make and that is why i started this post. I think that I now can lean back over to the S4, you guys do make me realize that the S4 is just more complete all the way around. I knew that but sometimes stats take you away from the importance of luxury, comfort, AWD and all the other goodies that come with the S4. I just didnt want to make the same mistake of buying a car that i wasnt truly happy with and rush into it.

[ralniv]

I started my search for a new car in March of last year. I fired up a Google Spreadsheet and threw down these make/models:
- Audi S4, A5, S5
- Lexus IS350, IS-F
- BMW 135i, 335i, 335d, M3
- Infiniti G37
- Nissan 370Z
- Mercedes C63 AMG
- Subaru WRX STi

Very similar scenario for me. I spent months contemplating my new car purchase and ended up buying a 2013 S4 in Ibis White back in mid-January. My contenders are listed below:

Contenders:
Audi S4
BMW 328i
Cadillac ATS (3.6L Performance)
Infiniti G37
Lexus IS350
Mercedes C350 Sport

Cars that I did not consider due to cost:
BMW M3
Lexus IS-F
Mercedes C63 AMG

I have no regrets at all about my decision. I love Audi's interior and exterior design. I love the handling characteristics and steering feel. I love the torque output of this Ward's Top 10 motor. I love the quiet interior. I love the Porsche-esque front seats.

One consideration that I haven't seen addressed yet is fuel economy. I commute 28 miles each way in LA area traffic. I routinely get 26-28 mpg and on low traffic days I have broken 30 mpg. The IS-F will drink fuel in comparison.

I personally think the IS-F exterior is sexy in Mica Blue, but the interior screams Lexus, which is to say 'boring'.

[S4charged]

ISF is faster in the 1/4 mile, get it

[Kay87]

stock vs stock, lights to lights race s4 will win most of the time. anything beyond s4 is no match.

[Madbusy168]

I don't care how nice, powerful, fast, or just awesome a car is - I could NEVER buy a car with FAKE exhaust tailpipes/tips!

I dunno which is worst,, car with fake exhaust tip or car with fake exhaust sound?? lol

[clochner]

stock vs stock, lights to lights race s4 will win most of the time. anything beyond s4 is no match.

why do you say that? they are basically 13 second cars bone stock, with a few exceptions noted on our 1/4 mile list.

[S4charged]

Rumor has it ISF is faster than the e92m3 stock vs stock straight line.

[OmahaB8]

Thanks for all the replies guys. Everyone has great points to make and that is why i started this post. I think that I now can lean back over to the S4, you guys do make me realize that the S4 is just more complete all the way around. I knew that but sometimes stats take you away from the importance of luxury, comfort, AWD and all the other goodies that come with the S4. I just didnt want to make the same mistake of buying a car that i wasnt truly happy with and rush into it.

I don't understand how anyone that can rely so heavily on a forum's opinion to purchase a car is smart enough to have a career that can afford them an 2010+ S4....

Saying that you want to be able to smoke an ISF on the street is a dumb goal to have, I'm guessing you have a friend who just got one of these.

And you said you don't like using 1/4 times because that was on the "track", how else could you possible compare two cars? Do you have any idea how many more variables are introduced in a street race vs at the strip?!?!?

To quote the trivia game moderator from Billy Madison:
"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul. "

[Massey]

I'm happy to see most of the post actually answer the OPs question. I'm getting sick of these ppl getting on here and getting mad at some one about there reasons to buy car A vs car B it's their F$&kin money and car just answer or pass over the thread.
That said I think you'll be happy with the S4 especially since your planning on doing a stage 2 tune should be what your looking for. I do like that ISF though lol has a more exotic look IMO. Good Luck.

[GSS5]

I don't care how nice, powerful, fast, or just awesome a car is - I could NEVER buy a car with FAKE exhaust tailpipes/tips!

i guess you could never buy a rs5. or a r8. or a lamborghini aventador.

[OmahaB8]

I'm happy to see most of the post actually answer the OPs question. I'm getting sick of these ppl getting on here and getting mad at some one about there reasons to buy car A vs car B it's their F$&kin money and car just answer or pass over the thread.
That said I think you'll be happy with the S4 especially since your planning on doing a stage 2 tune should be what your looking for. I do like that ISF though lol has a more exotic look IMO. Good Luck.

Massey, first off, your S4 is amazing and I love everything you've done with it thus far. The lime green is killer. But as to your comment above, it's irritating because we spend hours test driving cars, reading reviews and doing the research. Some of these guys just sign on the forum, post a hugely vague question and expect us to sort it out for them. I would never ask the community to spend their time on such that is my own responsbility. Ok.....I feel better now

[MrFunk]

I don't care how nice, powerful, fast, or just awesome a car is - I could NEVER buy a car with FAKE exhaust tailpipes/tips!

LOL
Lexus loves that!

OP - whatever your criteria - choose the car that best hits that. Stock for stock the ISF is faster than the S4. It has a great sounding V8 and it's a rare car. If you like the styling and how it rides then go for it. The S4 is becoming too common and I'd prefer less people bought them! LOL... so go with the ISF.

[LAKERS333]

I don't understand how anyone that can rely so heavily on a forum's opinion to purchase a car is smart enough to have a career that can afford them an 2010+ S4....

Saying that you want to be able to smoke an ISF on the street is a dumb goal to have, I'm guessing you have a friend who just got one of these.

And you said you don't like using 1/4 times because that was on the "track", how else could you possible compare two cars? Do you have any idea how many more variables are introduced in a street race vs at the strip?!?!?

To quote the trivia game moderator from Billy Madison:
"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul. "

Well everyone has different goals, and mine is what it is. so it aint stupid just cause you think so... I dont base my car purchases on forum's opinions but I do learn alot from the forums here. That's the whole point of having these forums. You then have idiots like you that come in and try to be smart about everything... And disect peoples comments word for word .. so if you have nothing to contribute which you dont then dont comment on this thread.

[Madbusy168]

heres from a guy that had an 08 IsF. both cars are great, the 2010+IsF added a lsd in their trans and run 12.4 stock which is a great improvement from the 13.0 for the 08-09 models.. I traded in my IsF cause I was in the same boat as you.. $60k car getting smoked left and right by civics, lol Im just kidding, the real reason was I couldnt justify spending $1000 a month on a car that only ran 13 flat at the track, it was nice and everything but just needed more speed, the only way to really make the car faster was forced induction and that was $15k which didnt make sense to me. intake and exhaust prb would have made the car .2 sec quicker in the quarters but thats basically it. the IsF is indeed pretty tight in the back seat area, plus its a 4 seater not a 5 seater like the is350. Car drove really nice once you put a set of lowering springs on it, actually rides better than oem! I averaged 17mpg mixed driving in the IsF, car was actually pretty fuel efficient for what it was. Keep one thing in mind, Oem Brake pads are $400 for the fronts!! There is brake dust galore on that car, you have to wash your wheels every 2 weeks definitely or it will eat into the bbs wheels! There were ppl actually getting their wheels warrantied for brake dust eating into the clear! Car is very rare much rarer than the S4 in comparison, so you might like that exclusiveness.. I dont know if you are buying new or used but keep in mind a new IsF is around $70k!! that puts it into the M3 and barebone S6 territory!! I really like my 13 S4 mainly cause its so easy to make fast and a blend of luxury plus the awd is a big bonus. A stock S4 runs close to 13 sec flat bone stock. I made an appt to do the Stasis Ecu tune next month and its suppose to make my car run close to a mid 12 hopefully, lol If the ease of making your car fast is a big concern then I suggest a S4 all the way, which looks like what you are leaning towards.. Heck, if money is not an issue,, I will even go for a barebone S6 which i kinda regret not doing in the first place. hope this info helps also, sorry for the weird punctuations, Im just jotting things as quick as possible thats in my mind and its all coming out in broken sentences,, lol.