IS350 F Sport new to me (MY12)

[bazzle]

Hi.. New to me 2011 IS 350 F Sport (Vermilion)

Picked up last week from Melb City Lexus. Drives very nice.

 A few things I will be doing but need to rear thru the posts on this forum 1st.

I have been active on a few Auto and GPS forums over the past many years as member, moderator's etc, hopefully I can bring some useful info here too.

Last 3 cars were MB SLK, VW R32, and last one was an Audi S3. Needed something now where I can act my age ;)

Bazzle

 

[ich1ban]

Did you have the Audi S3 Sedan? 

How does your last few cars compare to the IS350? 

 

[bazzle]

Hi

It was the S3 Hatchback. 8P (2011)

I don't buy new cars anymore. Now-days I trade into cars a few years old.

How did they compare. All were pretty equal in performace.

I liked the R32 (mkV) for its close angled V6. Bags of torque down low, better than the Lexus but not as much approaching redline :)

Both the Audi and the R32 used 99% similar driveline (Quatrro/Haldex system, brakes, gearbox) but each had its own character. R32 was easier to drive fast with confidence. S3 was more , foot down, turbo woosh, hang on, not easy to hold a quick line thru a sweeping bend with as much confidence as the R32. Both had minor suspension tweaks. ( A job I do now for a living, mainly 4wd's now though) The MB was a supercharged 2.3L with approx 230kw.(Pulley kit, AMG brakes , konis etc) Went like a rocket but too easy to loose on a fast corner if grip went.

The IS F sport? Haven't fully explored it yet. I like the initial turn in but then it get neutral.

I am fitting Michelin PS4's tomorrow. I will be upping the front from 225 to 235. That small amount should help to improve balance a little bit. Time will tell.No plans to lower or change suspension bits yet (ahem)

More interested atm getting the sat nav maps updated . Currently has V18!. Tried an V20 download I found, worked for a day then the whole unit became non responsive including the Hard buttons around the outside. Had a bugger of a job beating the switch on timing so I could eject the DVD and put the V18 back. :(

I also want to improve the headlights. High beam is woeful. Thinking of 4300 leds initially. The mercury free HIDs for low beam need improving somehow as well

 

Cheers Bazzle

[ich1ban]

Awesome, good insight into the similarities and differences between your cars. 

I think a lot of people nowadays compare the S3 to the IS350 as well due to the price similarities.

I too was about to pick up a white IS350 from Melb city lexus maybe 2 years ago but decided to just wait a bit longer.

 

 

[bazzle]

I fitted the 235/40/18's to the front (PS4's) but they rubbed on lock and bulged slightly on the rim edge.. Changed back to OE size  225/40/18 , still PS4's. Nice fit.

Stayed with 255/40/18 on rear.

The Michelin's are a true size tyre compared to the Bridgestones

Added 4500 Leds to the high beam as well. What an improvement :). Match the OE HIDs in the low beam nicely.

Found by aligning the low beams the light spread and quantity is a lot improved.

Left was high and right was low, both in line now :)

Redid the V20map DVD onto an DVD-R DL. Been working OK now for 7+ days :)

[GALPS]

On 11/01/2017 at 4:55 AM, bazzle said:

I fitted the 235/40/18's to the front (PS4's) but they rubbed on lock and bulged slightly on the rim edge.. Changed back to OE size  225/40/18 , still PS4's. Nice fit.

Stayed with 255/40/18 on rear.

The Michelin's are a true size tyre compared to the Bridgestones

Added 4500 Leds to the high beam as well. What an improvement :). Match the OE HIDs in the low beam nicely.

Found by aligning the low beams the light spread and quantity is a lot improved.

Left was high and right was low, both in line now :)

Redid the V20map DVD onto an DVD-R DL. Been working OK now for 7+ days :)

Hello,

New member here from Perth. 

I will be picking up my 2011 IS350 on the weekend and one of the things I was thinking of doing was upgrading the maps. Do you mind telling me where you got your version from? I've seen a few copies online but none for Australia. Any help would be great. Cheer. 

P.S sounds like the headlight improvements are a good idea! 👍

[plankton007]

I've got v20 that I can provide for you.

I've also got OSRAM D4S CBI 5000k in my low beams. Looks very nice.

High beam improvement also sounds like a good idea.

Can I ask what bulb types you're using and where you got them from?

 

[bazzle]

On 2/7/2017 at 9:51 AM, plankton007 said:

High beam improvement also sounds like a good idea.

Can I ask what bulb types you're using and where you got them from?

Ebay :)  4500k or 5000k Led 9005 HB3

Similar:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Cree-LED-CAR-headlight-Conversion-kit-6000K-White-9005-HB3-7800LM-60W-bulb-3K-8K-/302229034494?