[Skiptomylou37]

Hey guys, need some advice. I am looking to purchase a car pretty soon here and I have narrowed it down to an 08-10 BMW 335 x-drive, Audi S5, and Lexus ISF. I know this is a BMW forum so naturally I'm expecting some people to be a little bias but if you have driven and/or ridden one of these cars I would appreciate some feedback. I drive an Evo X MR right now as a weekend car and had an e90 M3 before that and it's predecessor was an 07 335xi. This car will only be driven probably 5k miles a year as I have a company car that I use most of the time Monday-Friday. My heart is telling me go 335 x-drive and do some mods but at the same time I don't want to miss out if the S5 or ISF if they could be more fun options. That being said, I would appreciate some advice!

[kdbryce]

Well I would say get an m3. But you've already had one.

I've driven the v8 s5 and the supercharged v6 s4. They were both good cars, but I thought the 335 was superior.

I wouldn't even consider the Lexus. I've always hated that car. It doesn't look different enough - most people will probably think it's just another is250. Also the fake quad exhaust always pissed me off.

So honestly, I wouldn't get any of them. I'd look for a 911.

[Dylanize]

I've haven't heard anything good about the ISF. My buddy loves his S5, definitely fast, pretty dope interior.

Are you looking for an E92? or E90? Also can I ask why you are looking for an x-drive?

[drunkenup]

S5 definitely has the interior and road presence over the 335i. If you want AWD, the S5 is the way to go, you can't have sport suspension on the AWD 335i and 2010 or 11+ (I think) S5's can be had with the sport differential.

Better steering and handling on are the only significant advantages I can remember on the 335xi. I would get the S5. The 2013+ V6 can be modded for more power easily but there isn't anything to squeeze on the older V8.

Not really a fan of the ISF unfortunately.

[TeinBMW]

S5 hands down man. Just the S4 itself is a monster. Interiors are nice and they look nice. S5!

[tennis_pr0]

I do like the s5, how heavily can you mod them?

[Mardio]

S5 and S4 are nice rides but very heavy, nice cars though.

[Viktimize]

S5 if you just want the coolest car out of the bunch. And IS-F if you want a fast luxury car that won't nickel and dime you to death once warranty runs out.

[tony20009]

Are you going to keep the EVO or will you swap it for one of the three cars you noted?

You've had a 335i before, so you know what to expect there and you know you already like it, and you are aware of the the 335i's pros and cons and are willing to accept the risk that accompany the "cons."

You have a DD, so all the utility factors that might be relevant aren't. The rock solid reliability of a Lexus is a big plus, but as you won't be putting the car to DD levels of use, it's hard to make the case for that reliability being a top three factor, although it could well play in rightly, for example, as the fourth key trait of import. As a driver's car, the ISF, though marketed as an M3 competitor, I found it more like a tuned 335i

The S5 will feel comparable to the 335 in many (but not all) ways as goes driving, and I think it fair to say is a tiny tick above the 3er in the fit/finish dept. It's a coupe, so IMO it has be beauty contest locked down. As for giving you fewer headaches than the other two, my sense is that it's likely going to be somewhat better than the 3er, though it's a bit of a crap shoot to make a call one way or the other when it comes to the specific car you buy. Either way it won't come close to the ISF in that regard. (Do a web search for "S5 common problems" and I'm sure you find just like here there's plenty that's good and plenty to complain about.

With all that in mind, the only thing left to consider is specific vehicles rather than general model types as I've discussed here. If, of the ones available to you for purchase, your mechanic determines one of them to be structurally and mechanically sounder, that's the one you should buy. If my mechanic told me there is no material difference among the three, I'd pick the S5. It'd be my pick because:
- Styling --> it's just better looking than almost any sedan.
- Body Type --> It's a coupe. You don't need a 4-door, so why drive one? When I drive my F10, I feel like everyone else on the road. When I drive the E92, I feel a bit apart, different and maybe just a little more special/stylish.

Good luck and enjoy whatever you get.

All the best.

[KaZe]

I would backtrack a bit if I were you and get another E90/E92 M3! From your choices though, I would say S5...or the ISF for longer term dependability.

[335xiMsport]

If its the v6 s5 i say get there pretty moddable yeiling nearly 500hp with pulley tune bolt ons

[NemesisX]

I mean it's totally up to you. My personal preference would be something like

S5 > ISF > 335 x drive

But that's just me.

If you get the ISF, be sure to get the 2011+ model with the LSD. Or, wait for the 2015 ISF successor (RCF) -



But yeah, the S5 gets my vote but honestly my vote shouldn't mean much to you. It just boils down to personal preference.

[FrozenM3nace]

335xi>b8 or b7 S4>S5>ISF

[MattMD]

Porsche Cayman S > all listed. I wouldn't exactly call an S5, 335xi, or an ISF a weekend car. You need something sportier like a Cayman S. You get get an 06-08 with <20k miles for under $40k.

[paddy335]

Out of those three, IS-F for sure. Great sounding V8, rare, plenty of character. Just a bit more special (a lot more special) than the 335i and S5.

[Kolyan2k]

I would test drive ISF and consider it if you like it. S5 is nice too

edit: i see that cars will be used so ISF is off the list since you really need 2011+ to appreciate the car, then there is a question of CPO or none-CPO, 2-door or 4-door, 6-speed or auto ? and why no e92 M3 on the list or perhaps Cayman S since its gonna be a weekend car. 335xi would be the LAST choice and you already had one anyway....If you are planning to buy without warranty then I wouldn't purchase any of them and look for 2011+ ISF or save money and get 2006+ S2000

[SanquintinB]

S2000. Or a 930 Turbo slant-nose if you have a little more cash

[ndjenks]

S5 is my top pick of the 3!

[JAL0988]

335i because it'll be the cheapest option and then you have more money to mod

[E90_boostjunky]

why not a 996 turbo? I'm assuming 997 is not in your price range. Check em out they're monsters.

[Skiptomylou37]

Originally Posted by E90_boostjunky

why not a 996 turbo? I'm assuming 997 is not in your price range. Check em out they're monsters.

I'd like to spend under 40k as I am also in the process of some real estate ventures so a 997 turbo is definitely not in my price range at this point. Definitely would like to own one at some point in my life though.

[Skiptomylou37]

Originally Posted by tony20009

Are you going to keep the EVO or will you swap it for one of the three cars you noted?

You've had a 335i before, so you know what to expect there and you know you already like it, and you are aware of the the 335i's pros and cons and are willing to accept the risk that accompany the "cons."

You have a DD, so all the utility factors that might be relevant aren't. The rock solid reliability of a Lexus is a big plus, but as you won't be putting the car to DD levels of use, it's hard to make the case for that reliability being a top three factor, although it could well play in rightly, for example, as the fourth key trait of import. As a driver's car, the ISF, though marketed as an M3 competitor, I found it more like a tuned 335i

The S5 will feel comparable to the 335 in many (but not all) ways as goes driving, and I think it fair to say is a tiny tick above the 3er in the fit/finish dept. It's a coupe, so IMO it has be beauty contest locked down. As for giving you fewer headaches than the other two, my sense is that it's likely going to be somewhat better than the 3er, though it's a bit of a crap shoot to make a call one way or the other when it comes to the specific car you buy. Either way it won't come close to the ISF in that regard. (Do a web search for "S5 common problems" and I'm sure you find just like here there's plenty that's good and plenty to complain about.

With all that in mind, the only thing left to consider is specific vehicles rather than general model types as I've discussed here. If, of the ones available to you for purchase, your mechanic determines one of them to be structurally and mechanically sounder, that's the one you should buy. If my mechanic told me there is no material difference among the three, I'd pick the S5. It'd be my pick because:
- Styling --> it's just better looking than almost any sedan.
- Body Type --> It's a coupe. You don't need a 4-door, so why drive one? When I drive my F10, I feel like everyone else on the road. When I drive the E92, I feel a bit apart, different and maybe just a little more special/stylish.

Good luck and enjoy whatever you get.

All the best.

Evo will be swapped or sold. I really like the ISFs because you never see them on the road where I live but you do see a decent amount of S5s, M3s, 335s. I realy like the S5 but I have a couple of buddies that have owned Audi S-cars before and they tell me that they will never own another Audi after their experiences but I figure since I won't be driving the car much and the newer Audi's seem to be more reliable, it shouldn't be an issue. 335 coupe is an idea because I like that I can spend a little on mods and easily make it faster than both of the cars mentioned above.