Video:BMW M3 vs Mercedes C63 AMG vs Lexus IS-F face-off

11 May

Posted by Horatiu B. as BMW M3

Back in January, when Lexus announced their IS-F model, we reported that their new car will go into direct competition with the BMW M3 and the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG.

We have already seen many reports comparing the C63 AMG to BMW's M3, but we haven't seen any videos showing the Lexus IS-F against the other models. The fellows at Car Magazine UK have decided to put all these three models head-to-head and show us what they can do.

Here are the specs on all the three cars that were tested:

2008 BMW M3 Sedan: 4.0 liter V8 engine producing 414 horsepower. 0-60 in 4.9 seconds
2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG: 6.3 liter V8 engine producing 451 horsepower 0-60 in 4.3 seconds
2008 Lexus IS-F: 5.0L direct-injection V8 engine producing 416 horsepower. 0-60 in 4.9 seconds

The outcome? Well, you'll see….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gSdwo4LvNM

2 Responses

Eric Hanson

May 11th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
1

Quite amusing… By adding weight (of the blindfolded dope in the rear seat) along with a driver concentrating more on jokes and arbitrary criticism (like “too many gears”?) they manage to drive a car with 76 lb-ft more TORQUE than the M3 with a mildly slower track time.

Also interesting that the least deniable muscle superiority of the IS-F is somehow skipped entirely in the so-called “specs” comparison that only lists horsepower. And of course no mention of the superior ergonomics, comfort, and overall driveability of the IS-F, nor any expression of acknowledgement that the Lexus will provide enjoyment well after the BMW or Benz have been rebuilt if not scrapped.
RawAutos

May 11th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
2

Eric,

I have a question for you. What are you on about? Tests like these are usually done with either no one in the car or with a camera man. The final test of the IS-F is a joke. I seriously doubt the way they tested it on camera is the way they got their lap time.

The IS-F is far more muscle car like than the M3, and just a tad less than the AMG… The M3 is still superior to 60 and on the track than the IS-F and is actually more comfortable. I have read reports on this. I personally have driven the new M3 and am about to go and test the IS-F. I’ll let you know which was more comfy.

You can’t really compare the quality of the M3 to the IS-F since the IS-F hasn’t been through the years like the M3 has. For all you know the Lexus could have a recall in 2 months because of a falty gearbox that could potentially burn through the clutch at racing temperatures and speeds. Who knows? I don’t, and neither do you.

PS: There are far too many gears in the Lexus! 8? Overkill and possible racing party foul…