Northern Ireland - ISF Owners

[Mantas88]

Only seen one ISF here year ago or so. It's very rare and people don't know what they up against when they want to race me🥵

Ride quality is very subjective, I still have BMW F30 and I think Lexus drives better.

 

[mr_s81]

Thanks for the reply @Mantas88

Yeah I know what you're saying about ride quality. Some say it's fine for what it is (a sports saloon) and others say it's unacceptable. There's probably a happy medium in there somewhere. I notice yours is a 2009 model so theoretically one supposed 'stiffer' set ups.

What model is the F30 BMW? My dad has a 2013 320d touring and I find the ride perfectly fine!?

[Mantas88]

1 hour ago, mr_s81 said:

Thanks for the reply @Mantas88

Yeah I know what you're saying about ride quality. Some say it's fine for what it is (a sports saloon) and others say it's unacceptable. There's probably a happy medium in there somewhere. I notice yours is a 2009 model so theoretically one supposed 'stiffer' set ups.

What model is the F30 BMW? My dad has a 2013 320d touring and I find the ride perfectly fine!?

Aye, it probably has something to do with me dropping F30 and putting 20 inch concaves on her.


From what I understand, 1st gen ISF are much stiffer. Lack of torsion LSD can be a deal breaker too. Not to mention better infotainment and etc. 

Horses for courses, I drove MR2 twin turbo as daily (75 miles p/d) for a year, I must have most comfortable arse.

I don't mind showing my car in flesh and giving you a wee spin. It would vaguely represent what you would find on the newer models. Mine is very well kept, FSH and almost bone stock. I'm based in Lurgan, I know it's not wise to travel without a good reason these days, but restrictions won't last forever. 

[mr_s81]

Ahh, the 20" concaves and lowering may have contributed to the reduced ride quality on the BMW! 🤣

Thanks for the very kind offer. I'll maybe take you up on that once the restrictions are eased. My preference is an earlier car, but only if the ride isn't unbearably stiff. If yours is stock, it will be exactly the kind of comparison I'm looking for.

Fair play on running an MR2 twin turbo as a daily for a year. I can imagine the handling is quite 'interesting' as soon as frost or snow hits the ground! 😬

[Mantas88]

1 hour ago, mr_s81 said:

Ahh, the 20" concaves and lowering may have contributed to the reduced ride quality on the BMW! 🤣

Thanks for the very kind offer. I'll maybe take you up on that once the restrictions are eased. My preference is an earlier car, but only if the ride isn't unbearably stiff. If yours is stock, it will be exactly the kind of comparison I'm looking for.

Fair play on running an MR2 twin turbo as a daily for a year. I can imagine the handling is quite 'interesting' as soon as frost or snow hits the ground! 😬

Handling of MR2 was 'interesting' every time I had to enter a bend or a corner. I was aware about the snap-oversteer that plagues mid-engine cars, but it's a thing you need to experience to learn how to avoid/get out of it. My father had MK1 and told me that in his days MR2 was a like a street bike on 4 wheels - only the slowpokes survived.👴

[mr_s81]

Your dad's advice sounds accurate!

I have a MR2 roadster as a cheap summer runabout. I don't think they're anywhere near as bad as he Mk 2, but I'm still very aware of the potential of snap oversteer on wet roads if I try to push too much!

[Sergio isf]

Hi. It’s been a while since someone commented here. Hope it reaches anyone. 
I imported my ISF from Japan around 6 months ago. Loving it. I’m thinking of doing a full service on it replacing all the fluids, spark plugs and engine valve cover gaskets. 
Can anyone recommend a Lexus specialist who would be familiar with ISF in NI or South? Thanks

[serbarry]

17 hours ago, Sergio isf said:

Hi. It’s been a while since someone commented here. Hope it reaches anyone. 
I imported my ISF from Japan around 6 months ago. Loving it. I’m thinking of doing a full service on it replacing all the fluids, spark plugs and engine valve cover gaskets. 
Can anyone recommend a Lexus specialist who would be familiar with ISF in NI or South? Thanks

Are you looking for someone better than the local Lexus dealer in Dublin?

[Terry Barr]

On 3/6/2021 at 5:51 PM, Mantas88 said:

Handling of MR2 was 'interesting' every time I had to enter a bend or a corner. I was aware about the snap-oversteer that plagues mid-engine cars, but it's a thing you need to experience to learn how to avoid/get out of it. My father had MK1 and told me that in his days MR2 was a like a street bike on 4 wheels - only the slowpokes survived.👴

I had an S1 Exige before the ISF, an Elise before that. I thought they were perfectly fine oversteer wise but the ISF is absolutely gentle in comparison.

Donegal native with ISF living in London.