lexus IS-F thoughts?? or Audi RS4???

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Just after your thoughts on buying a Lexus isf vs the Audi rs4?

The Lexus is slightly cheaper to buy and run from what I can see but does any one have any info on the reliability of both of these?

I know the Audi has the DRC fault on the dampers but I can't really find any major problems on the isf??

If any one owns the Lexus then please chime in as they are quite rare and not too much info on these knocking about.

Thanks for any replys

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1300 quid looks OK for two years cover but I'm not sure if you could add that to a Lexus approved used car? You get 1 year warranty with that anyway but if you can add an extra two years then I would look into that!!!!

Thanks for the info.

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Thanks for reply's guys.

As stated above I have looked at the XFR and c63 too. The jag is nice but my dad has a XF which is nice but I would feel like I'm copying him or trying to go one up with an XFR?

The c63 is awesome but I don't like the 15-17mpg they do. The Audi and isf will do low 20's combined and close to 30mpg on a motorway cruise.

I want to love the isf as I have done research and not far off all reviews from owners are positive!

One benefit to me for the isf is the auto gearbox which would make the car a good cruiser imho.

Any more comments very welcome guys.

Ps. I have read a poll on detailingworld.com for rs4 vs. Isf and not far off all comments were Audi over Lexus.
I'm I missing something here??

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Test drives booked in both cars

I'm sure one will stand out to me.....

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Vxr8's are nice but a friend has one with an ls3 motor and wortech exhaust. 15mpg and ended up with a rod coming through the block at only 6000 miles.

I think there great for the money but don't have the class I'm looking for

Some one has posted up what I have been thinking about the v8 m3 and rs4 feeling gutless at lower revs and only really feeling quick when ringing there necks

I have another car that is turbo charged and makes 500lb/ft or torque at 2900 rpm so I'm a little spoilt when it comes to low down power and from what I have read the Lexus has 70lb/ft of torque more than the rs4 and more power and torque low down which I think would
D suit me better than I high rev screamer.

Any one driven the 8 speed Lexus gearbox??

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lexusboy said:

Because most detailers are VAG bummers and anything non VAG is instantly uncool and not very good.

Working for Lexus I obviously have to say get the IS-F but I say it because of the 4 years I've been working there, I can't recall a single one coming in for a fault, just regular servicing

That's good to hear! I'm liking the idea of the great reliability that these cars offer as I would be trading in a magane 225 which has been very niggley and had a lot of small faults which have taken away from the enjoyment of it

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Four Litre said:

I was in your predicament and bought an ISF! Had an S4 and was going to take the natural course to an RS4 - however discovered the ISF and RS4 went out the window. Amazing car. Truly rapid and handling is amazing. You rarely see another and can get quite decent MPG compaired to the audi. I would say drive both.

whatever you buy will be amazing, I would go for the ISF again if I had the choice. Mates with both 996 and 998 C4's both drove it and were shocked to say it had the legs on their cars...

Liked the M3 but bit to stereotype for me.

That's great to hear from an ex Audi owner and current is owner!! I'm not just after which ever is fastest I want the best overall package of speed/noise/style/mpg/and reliability!! I know that's a lot to ask from a car but the more I dig into the is the better it gets so far.

The only other thing I was not too keep on was how soft the leather seats are in the isf!! The rs4 seats look like they will take a bit of abuse as I'm not that small! Lol.. How have your seats held up being so soft??

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I've heard the term Lexus quality a lot since I have been looking at the isf but when I sat in one a few days ago I was jot sure on the inside quality and thought the rs4 felt better made and more solid inside.

Is the term Lexus quality referring to build quality over all in terms of mechanical and dashboard seats etc. ???

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W124 said:

I've driven the Lexus very briefly - at Millbrook. I loved it. It sounds mental - much drama, rarity and general silliness. Even on a totally dry track it'll slide about all over the place. I nearly crashed it. Full marks.

LOL...this is great when its you "do everything car" eg. commute + fun all in one but my GF will be driving this and from the video reviews I have watched Tiff off 5th gear lost the back end and spun it saying "this car NEVER EVER understeers" which is very fun but Im a tad worried about this fact as the rs4 is 4wd and quite hard to "lose it" from what i have heard.

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I've been down to the Lexus dealers and had a good nose over the isf again and it looks stunning in person. Very low and mean just one thing that I think it needs is wheels spacing out 10-15mm so the rim is flush with the arch that's it!!

Test driving it Wednesday can't wait.

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Took the RS4 out this morning

First impressions ver very good, feels solid, sounds nice and gear change was very smooth and slick. Motor was smooth but felt less powerful than I imagined, Its smooth but feels quite flat bellow 5K rpm IMHO which is fine but I did expect it to feel more torquey?

Exhaust note was great not too loud but you can hear it when your pressing on

Car averaged 22.4mpg when I got in it (not sure over what distance) and my mpg for the test drive was 14.9mpg. If the car would average 22.4mpg this is ok for daily use IMO so Im happy with that.

The major problem with it was the driver seat base/seat just seems to be to high at the front? Rather than your legs being stretched out in front of you they feel bent up over the front lip of the seat on the back of your thigh's?

Im thinking the Non-bucket seat car audi have in stock may be a better daily drive car as this is quite important to me as my current car has a poor seating position and it drives me mad! LOL...

Lexus test tomorrow

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Thanks for the reply!

I know what you mean about the leather. The Lexus leather is very soft and supple (which I'm most cases means better quality?) But inactive car where the leather is used and abused a lot then I'm not sure if this is a down side

I'm taking the Lexus out tonight (snowing so that's not to good) so I'm looking forward to trying the gearbox out as I've only driven a comfy omega auto and gtr. The gtr was awesome so I'm not expecting the Lexus to match that!!

Any one driven an rs4 and isf? I drove the rs4 and the ride was fine. Softer than my Megane 225 cup so I'm hoping the Lexus ride is not massivley stiffer than the rs4 to be honest.

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Deerfoot said:

So, what did you think of the Lexus?

Far better drive than the RS4 for me... Rs4 feels more sporty but bucket seats plus lack of low end torque makes the ISF look a far better option to me

Sorry just read the forum so didnt ask about a tow bar lol...

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Well guys,

ISF is getting picked up nest week!

Thanks for the help

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GALLARDOGUY said:

Good choice.

Perhaps I missed it, but what year and colour etc?

It's a 58plate obsidian black with black leather with contrasting blue stitching

I do think one of the reasons I like it is I've never seen another isf on the road! 230 taxed in the UK and close to 5k for the m3 and rs4 each so quite a lot rarer!

Pic's when I pic it up a must

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Well so far so good with the isf.

Not done to much driving but I'm very impressed with the gearbox and fuel economy for a 5L V8!! So far it's at 24.8mpg but I've not really had much chance to thrash it ha..

Sound system is superb and radar cruise is awesome.

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GALLARDOGUY said:

You really are pleased with it aren't you!!

Saw one in Colchester yesterday. Looked great.

YES! lol...

First car I have owned that just eats up miles and makes you feel fresh at the end of every drive!

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GALLARDOGUY said:

Let's see some nice pics of the beast!

Only got a few so far..

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Well so far so good with the isf.

Not done to much driving but I'm very impressed with the gearbox and fuel economy for a 5L V8!! So far it's at 24.8mpg but I've not really had much chance to thrash it ha..

Sound system is superb and radar cruise is awesome.

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Well so far so good with the isf.

Not done to much driving but I'm very impressed with the gearbox and fuel economy for a 5L V8!! So far it's at 24.8mpg but I've not really had much chance to thrash it ha..

Sound system is superb and radar cruise is awesome.