Has BMW dropped a clanger with the M3?

[cerb4.5lee]

bigtime said:

I've noticed this also and this was the problem I encountered with the C63 AMG I drove as it had so much torque. With the E92 M3 I am in 2nd gear when nailing it off roundabouts where as in the F80 3rd is better and don't mash the throttle like you can in the E92 due to all the torque. I think this is why I enjoyed the test drive in the F80 as you had to think more about just flooring it and holding on. Both nice cars in my view with each having positive and negatives over the other.

I agree and there certainly is a fine line between grip and fun and in the dry you can use all the E92`s power without having to worry about it whereas in my cerb I always had to consider how much throttle to use so I would imagine in many ways I would possibly enjoy driving the F80 more than the E92 because of the extra drama.

I haven't driven the F80 but the chassis on the E92 I loved loads so is the F80`s chassis inferior or does it just struggle to get the power down on the road?

[daz05]

cerb4.5lee said:

I agree and there certainly is a fine line between grip and fun and in the dry you can use all the E92`s power without having to worry about it whereas in my cerb I always had to consider how much throttle to use so I would imagine in many ways I would possibly enjoy driving the F80 more than the E92 because of the extra drama.

I haven't driven the F80 but the chassis on the E92 I loved loads so is the F80`s chassis inferior or does it just struggle to get the power down on the road?

If that were true you would be in several ditches by now!

I think it's only a problem when you push very hard in the new one, the chassis wasn't one of my issues when I drove it, I thought it was business as usual, just felt large and a little stiffer.

[bigtime]

I need a longer drive tbh and with the traction control on a different setting such as mdm mode or off. I felt the F80 cornered and hung on better than my E92 and the front suspension seemed more compliant over the pot holed road I drove on. The driving conditions weren't brilliant as it was cold and damp and the traction control was kicking in a lot, but I was accelerating really hard in 2nd gear coming off a roundabout. As this point I thought the traction was much better in the E92 until I did the same in 3rd gear and eased the throttle and it flew. I really eonjed the short drive tbh as it's a different experience to the E92 and I fancy a change.

[cerb4.5lee]

Thanks for the experience share guys I would like a drive of the new one to see what its like.

[vpr]

Reckon in real terms there's no less grip in the F80 than E90 (or whatever) after all tyres are tyres.

Power with the old V8 comes on further up the reve range....The new turbo lump has a lot more power at low revs.....just need to calibrate your right foot.

[cerb4.5lee]

daz05 said:

cerb4.5lee said:

I agree and there certainly is a fine line between grip and fun and in the dry you can use all the E92`s power without having to worry about it whereas in my cerb I always had to consider how much throttle to use so I would imagine in many ways I would possibly enjoy driving the F80 more than the E92 because of the extra drama.

I haven't driven the F80 but the chassis on the E92 I loved loads so is the F80`s chassis inferior or does it just struggle to get the power down on the road?

If that were true you would be in several ditches by now!

In the dry you can use all the E92`s power because its chassis is excellent and it has excellent grip whereas the Cerb although its miles more exciting to drive than the M3 its nowhere near as resolved in terms of handling/grip.

The only thing that worries you with the M3 is its weight and if you get it wrong its all over pretty quickly...plus the AP racing brakes on the Cerb pull you up well whereas the brakes on the M3 are like chocolate!

[heelntoe]

After a week in the M4 I was surprised how much I liked my e92 when I got it back. I mean don't get me wrong, the M4 is an accomplished peice of kit - defo moves the game on in terms of technology. That being said the V8 hawl is just irreplaceable - even in slow traffic you know what your driving and can feel the vibrations through the seat of your pants - you don't get this with the M4. However once the road clears up, that thing does shift for sure. I could tell TC was interfering upto 4th gear.

I think the M4 is better driving with TC off meaning that you have to consciously manage that torque. For me, this adds to the excitement, I'd have one for the week and a stripped out e92 for the weekend if I had the funds...


Btw - just checked their website and I think BMW are doing 0% deals on these now ..😄😄

[bennyboysvuk]

cerb4.5lee said:

It has surprised me to be fair and like your M135i it seems to grip really well and the traction light seems to behave itself, our old 330d though the traction light used to flash up left right and centre in comparison.

The 640d picks up so well at low revs though that you don't really need to shove the throttle to the floor whereas you know from experience in the 330i you have to mash the throttle to the floor just to get it to wake up and then it still doesn't really go anywhere!!

I remember when we were running the TT in I couldn't wait to start using the power once it was run in and from what I have seen in videos you will be really impressed with how quick the M135i is.

I used to drive the 120D with the DTC off pretty much permanently for the same flashing light on the dash reason. Glad to hear the 640d is better.

I managed to find some lift-off oversteer in the M135i this morning. The chassis balance is so much more aggressive than the E91. It's how all non-M BMWs should handle (of course Ms should be even more aggressive).

With regard to the new M3, I don't think it will ever be an option for me as it is just too big IMO. The new M2 however...

[bigtime]

heelntoe said:

After a week in the M4 I was surprised how much I liked my e92 when I got it back. I mean don't get me wrong, the M4 is an accomplished peice of kit - defo moves the game on in terms of technology. That being said the V8 hawl is just irreplaceable - even in slow traffic you know what your driving and can feel the vibrations through the seat of your pants - you don't get this with the M4. However once the road clears up, that thing does shift for sure. I could tell TC was interfering upto 4th gear.

I think the M4 is better driving with TC off meaning that you have to consciously manage that torque. For me, this adds to the excitement, I'd have one for the week and a stripped out e92 for the weekend if I had the funds...


Btw - just checked their website and I think BMW are doing 0% deals on these now ..????

I've just looked on BMW's website and there's no mention of 0% on the M4 ???????????

[AOK]

Had the F80 been the direct replacement for the E46, it would (IMHO) currently be being reported as a masterpiece. Straight six, good chassis, tail happy, unoffensive looks, easily usable every day and all topped off with a raspy exhaust note which is only understood and enjoyed by M car enthusiasts. Latter point open to debate, I know.

The thorn in the F80's side is that it followed the E92... you can argue all day which is the better car of the two, but the reality is that they both appeal to very different buyers.

I imagine BMW will have a surprising amount of returning business for the F80 from people who ran E30, E36 and E46's but didn't take to the E92 when it came out. Whereas E92 owners will probably find the F80 marches to a different beat and will essentially be faced with 3 fantastic choices - keep hold of what is a great car in its own right (the E92), upgrade to an F10 M5 or move over to AMG...

[thed4ppa]

Looks superb to me and Harris loves it too:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqGX7Y0GZXE


I had a 2010 E92 Alpine Ed M3 which I deeply miss and was so tempted to replace with another E92 no sooner had it gone. Briefly owned the new RS4 for about 6 months, sadly disappointed but that's another story. Currently running an E46 M3 while I focus on building a new family home but once that's sorted its a new M3 for me all the way.

I'm surprised to read such neg reviews here, although I'll have to reserve judgement for myself when the time comes.

[x5x3]

AOK said:

Had the F80 been the direct replacement for the E46, it would (IMHO) currently be being reported as a masterpiece. Straight six, good chassis, tail happy, unoffensive looks, easily usable every day and all topped off with a raspy exhaust note which is only understood and enjoyed by M car enthusiasts. Latter point open to debate, I know.

The thorn in the F80's side is that it followed the E92... you can argue all day which is the better car of the two, but the reality is that they both appeal to very different buyers.

I imagine BMW will have a surprising amount of returning business for the F80 from people who ran E30, E36 and E46's but didn't take to the E92 when it came out. Whereas E92 owners will probably find the F80 marches to a different beat and will essentially be faced with 3 fantastic choices - keep hold of what is a great car in its own right (the E92), upgrade to an F10 M5 or move over to AMG...

+1

[Wills2]

AOK said:

Had the F80 been the direct replacement for the E46, it would (IMHO) currently be being reported as a masterpiece. Straight six, good chassis, tail happy, unoffensive looks, easily usable every day and all topped off with a raspy exhaust note which is only understood and enjoyed by M car enthusiasts. Latter point open to debate, I know.

The thorn in the F80's side is that it followed the E92... you can argue all day which is the better car of the two, but the reality is that they both appeal to very different buyers.

I imagine BMW will have a surprising amount of returning business for the F80 from people who ran E30, E36 and E46's but didn't take to the E92 when it came out. Whereas E92 owners will probably find the F80 marches to a different beat and will essentially be faced with 3 fantastic choices - keep hold of what is a great car in its own right (the E92), upgrade to an F10 M5 or move over to AMG...

I can't agree, I would say the e92 m3 and F10 M5 are chalk and cheese myself, I ran a e46 M3 and moved to the e92, for me the e92 was just a better e46 same ethos etc...

[heelntoe]

bigtime said:

I've just looked on BMW's website and there's no mention of 0% on the M4 ???????????

It would seem so Bigtime.. . It was defo one of the options, in fact I think I took a pic on my iPhone...

[-Z-]

I just can't rustle up any desire for the new M3/4. Whereas I still want a e92 CP.

Fond memories of my e90 M3? That was such a beautifully balanced machine that made a lovely noise.

My F10 M5 is awesome but it is definitely snappier due to the way the torque comes in early, this can make it slightly less rewarding to drive than the e9x M3 IMO.

To me the F80 seems like a neutered (sound and a bit of speed) M5 hence I have no desire for it, whereas I would definitely take a e92 M3 again if one were offered because it offers something completely different.

[NORTS]

Anyone watched the ecoty 2014 video yet? New M3 is slated with very similar comments to people have made on here. Big disappointment after previous generations and commenting about the traction issues.

[Andy M]

As an F10 M5 owner, I do believe that we're getting to the levels of power where BMW will have to consider providing an AWD option on M cars.

Merc appear to have already made the jump with the S version of their AMG cars (currently only on LHD cars). How long until BMW have to follow suit?

[Mermaid]

Andy M said:

As an F10 M5 owner, I do believe that we're getting to the levels of power where BMW will have to consider providing an AWD option on M cars.

Next gen platform will be AWD.

[Plainview23]

Yes, I had my first spin a new M4 last week and it's obvious that AWD is where it's heading.
It's now very like a typical F/I RS Audi but without the 4WD traction..... maybe the M4 would be more fleet of foot, the 3 is quite chunky.

[Pentoman]

I don't think it needs AWD. It just needs a DSC that allows a little more interaction.

I still think about my test drive and would have one for an everyday mile muncher. I thought the ride was good.