IS350-F Sport

Yes I can confirm that you can select pre-programmed addresses and phone numbers (speed dials). Cheers, D

Hi there, I was one of the first owners of the IS350 F-Sport in Australia and can share with you some of my ownership experience which hopefully answers some of your questions. The ride on the F Sport is quite harsh for a luxury car but it is an excellent compromise for a luxury sport car. In the past I have owned the MX-5 (NC model) and recently test drove the Maserati Cambiocorssa (sorry for the misspelling), I can advise that the F Sport is an excellent driver vehicle in terms of ride compliance and acceleration. Unfortunately, the F Sport inherited the 2006 IS250 interior which means that most of the functionalities you find in the modern BMW E90 will not be there. (Note, another of my family member owns a BMW E90 320d which I have checked out the sound and satellite navigation system). My IS350 F Sport will NOT play Iphone 3GS and Iphone 4. There are heavy statics in the speakers. This is again confirmed by the owner's manual. As such, all the functions which you'd like to achieve described above will not be possible. Also, there is NO bluetooth streaming. However, the Ipod Touch will integrate and connect directly via USB. The Mark Levinson sound system is EXCELLENT. It is highly recommended that you play from an original DVD disc and select the DTS sound option. You will be amazed by the output! In terms of the phone function, you cannot enter numbers while driving but can use the speed dial if you have programmed the numbers. Similarly, with the sat nav, you cannot enter new destinations while driving but can select the pre-programmed addresses. Hope the above is useful, pleae do not hesitate to contact me should you have any further queries. I have a few pictures of my car in the photo/gallery section of this website. All the best with your purchasing decision! Regards, D

Hi mate, Swissvax is the way to go! There is a product calls "Reflexus" costs about $190, absolute gem

I am from Perth Anyone North of the river wants to get together?

I'm not sure how relevant this is, but i had iphone 3G with OS4.x and worked fine with white USB cable and I still got calls through b/tooth. I had no ipod functionality on iphone tho. This is on a 2011 IS350 F-Sport. Thanks mate! Mine is iPhone 3GS and the owner manual does say that the ML system does not support, amongst other things, 3GS and iPod Touch. The result is that there are crackles when you connect an incompatible device :( I hope they would bring out a firmware update in the future! Cheers, D

Thanks Coolmeow. I tried to use iPod function of iPhone 3Gs and it does not work (via Apple cable input into USB port). Then similar result with the 2nd generation iPod Touch. Coolmeow, you mentioned you used iPhone4 via bluetooth. How do you do this? Thanks, D

Sorry this might be off-topic, but I'd like to ask anyway as it pertains to 2011 delivered vehicles. Can I ask if the iPhone 3Gs (assuming that's your phone model) works in your vehicle? Apparently, my 2010 Mark Levinson system does not support iPhone 3Gs according to user manual and also I tested using the Apple white cable. Does anyone know if there is a firmware update available? Cheers, D

Welcome! Did you get the F-Sport model?

In the morning only, I idle until the needle moves off the "C" before moving. When I have time, I prefer to warm up the engine for abut 3 minutes. The ML sound system and dvd makes the wait easy! (Note, I am also from Perth). There is a noticeable difference when the "power" mode is selected. (I owned an IS350 FSport). The gear seems to hold longer and the throttle is a lot more responsive, but at the expense of fuel economy of course. Enjoy your car! Cheers, D

I am absolutely clueless mechanical wise, so frankly I got no idea what a sway bar looks like and its functionality. Anyway, let us know how you go! What colour is your F Sport?

Why do you need xenon? I thought HID comes standard on the 250X?

Welcome mate! I bought a blue sonic F-Sport last November as well, and like yourself, I am loving it! I waited until about 2000km on the clock before I switched on the Power button, boy, once in this mode life sure past by very quickly. My only gripe is the noise - or lack thereof. I am most interested in your mod on the exhaust. Is this to extract more sound and/or performance? Let us know your progress on the modifications. Welcome to the site again! Cheers, D

Did you nurture the engine in the first 1000km? How do you find it after the first 1000km?

Cheers Johnny. Just as I had thought. They gave Johnny the top band in the trade in price and less further corporate discount. This is similar to the deal that I had in Perth too.

Hi Johnny, Do you mind if I ask what Mazda3 and year model you had as trade-in? Thanks D

My thought is exactly the same! The corporate deal does not entitle you to fleet pricing. It merely a discount off the dealer delivery charge. (I got corporate deal as well!) Cheers, D

Hello All, I am interested to hear how people look after their baby. In particular, what: 1. Car wash detergent brand do you use? 2. Car polish brand do you use? 3. Car wax brand do you use? 4. Type of micro fibre towel do you use? Lastly, has anyone used Swissvax products? I am seriously considering purchasing the Swissvax cleaning agent (about $30 for a 100ml bottle) and Swissvax Samurai (which is about $200). Am I wasting my money on these things or the Mothers' 100% Carnuba wax tub ($50) should suffice? Any other recommendations? Thanks, D

congrats guys. the new black looks hot. i was also considering white and blue colours. the final invoice showed $69700 less trade-in so driveaway was $63700. I also got front and rear sensors and boot liner. i have a mazda 3 which was worth about $12-13k. for a "new" model that wasn't covered under the l'exhibition discounts and from a RRP of $82000 without the mentioned options i'd like to think i got a good deal except for delivery of car, i was hoping to get it in november. i'll just have to wait until early january i suppose. funny that we walk away thinking we screwed the dealer, but in the end we're the ones screwed LOL. fantastic car though - true value for money. how much did you pay? Hi Johnny, Can I clarify if it is the F Sport Model you referred to above? The rrp in Perth WA here is about $83,000 driveaway for the F Sport with the moonroof (inclusive of dealer delivery and stamp duty). I can't comprehend how they would discount to $69,000 (albeit different stamp duty regime) driveaway???? Regards, D

Ok, I am about to come out of my first 1000km in the IS350 F Sport. There is a "power" switch which supposedly remaps the ecu and increases fuel injection etc bla bla. Does anyone know how much extra power in this "power" mode? Has other IS350 owners driven in this mode flat out (safely on the freeway)? Cheers, D

Thank God I found this thread! I thought I was going insane from an over active imagination or hyper sensitivity with my car. Anway, mine is IS350 F Sport and I noticed too, as Markz, noted above that there is a "shiver" if I braked a little abruptly - not hard. I havent clocked up the first 1000km yet so I attribute this to a "tight" engine. *figers cross* Cheers, D

That's odd. I didnt think they have anymore IS350 in stock in Perth. They had 3 cars in October. I was the first one in WA to take delivery of the blue F Sport model. I recently saw the Prestige that I took for test drive on the road apparently must have been sold to someone, and I am sure they would have sold the last F Sport model which was a white pearl.

The best type of discount is through their corporate program! Absolute gem!!!

Hi guys, Here are some of mine pictures. Cheers, D

Thank you guys! I am going to flick the "Power" button on and go sideway around the Swan Valley. Jk!! I am a boring sedate driver. Cheers, D

Hi All, I picked up my ultrasonic blue IS350 F Sport last week. I would like some helpful advice about "running in" the new engine. I've been pussy footing around the suburb which has been extremely frustrating. The manual is a bit vague on this issue so I would appreciate some clarity about the running in process. I read elsewhere that the engine has already been run in at the factory and therefore you should drive it "normally" i.e drive it like you stole it! Others have commented that safeguard and care should be taken with driving a new engine. Your thoughts? Cheers, D