Is the F8X M3 really that bad?

[NBTBRV8]

I just read the long term wrap up (40,000 mile) review of US magazine Car & Driver's M3 and they were scathing of it. Poor build quality, reliability and usability. They even said that the best thing for their car was for it to be converted to a track mule. Wow!

This is the final write up that is in the August edition of the magazine. You can download it here:

http://carmagazinepdf.com/carmagazinepdf/44132-car...

Edited by NBTBRV8 on Tuesday 12th July 11:40

Edited by NBTBRV8 on Tuesday 12th July 11:40

[billyali86]

I wouldn't go by one magazine review as alot of other reviews have praised the car. There have also been many happy owners also. Myself included, check out m3 cutters and bimmerpost for an insight.

With that being said some of the cars do have the odd interior rattle

[NBTBRV8]

To be honest I haven't found anything other than a mediocre review. Most preformance tests plump them down the lower half of the range. Which is a shame considering what they once were. The E46 is the highlight for me.

Here is a typical example:

[thatsprettyshady]

No its not that bad, as long as you're aware that you're buying what feels like a 320d with a big engine.

[bennyboysvuk]

thatsprettyshady said:

No its not that bad, as long as you're aware that you're buying what feels like a 320d with a big engine.

Having spent four days with a 320d recently, that's pretty bad!

Interesting comparison though since that's how I feel about my M135i, it's character is like a fast 120d.

[RS250_Steve]

I always take reviews like this with a pinch of salt.

the reviewers might not like it for XYZ reason, which is usually so far removed from the general publics ability and perception its irrelevant, plus in a couple of (car) generations time they will be saying how great it was.

[MWM3]

Yes it is awful ...

It is better than the E9x in every way possible expect for lack of a V8 and noise.


In my view it is the best (standard) M3 that's been made. However, I am basing my experience on my LCI car, which sorts a lot of the (supposed) niggles of the early cars, which these clowns probably had.

[Slippydiff]

It pains me to say it, but they need some money chucking at them to make them as they should have come from the factory originally.

A decent exhaust (loads to chose from) some decent suspension (Ohlins R & T, KW's or AC Schnitzer) and the updated TC/SC software utilised in the later (2015 on ?) cars.

With those items sorted, you can add an additional 80-100hp to the mix and have a superlative sports saloon.

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-driven/bmw-m4-a...

And an excellent comparison of Guy's M3 Competition with the Rossiters ACS4 here :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wq-tmaK4s1A

[NelsonM3]

I think the pre-facelift is regarded as a flawed car. But the facelift M4 I had for a weekend was a different league compared to my E90 M3. If I had the money I would've traded it in for one long ago.

[moffat]

The 2016 car and the Competition Pack cars both enhance the M3/M4 near to where the car should have been. The suspension's been updated and on the CP cars the exhaust has been improved - valve opening / timings.

It's not BMW's finest hour with regards engine and the noise it creates - that's for sure. BMW failed pretty badly with the M car engines this generation which is amplified by the 4.0 AMG engine and also the Lexus FF 2.7 engine which both sound excellent.

[JMBMWM5]

Having just sold the LCI M3 , my only complaint was the excessive tyre roar on a lot of UK roads, other than that I liked it and 0-80 MPH was not far off my M6 GC CP either.

[XMT]

I think BMW have got a bit relaxed when it has come to the 3 series/M power versions.
When the F 3 series came out the interior from the get go was poor, it looks like a joke, a ford transit van interior is better.
This is highlighted even further by the huge improvement on the comparative C lass: that is leaps and bounds ahead.

BMW will have to pull their finger out for the next version.

The exterior is nice, engine wise I am not sure as I have not driven one but its clearly not impressing people all that much.

[MitchT]

I watched POV test drives of the M4 and 435i M Sport on YouTube and I have to say the 435 sounded miles better. I know there's a lot more to it than that but in the real world, with speed limits and drivers of average ability, a slower car that sounds nicer is going to provide more joy more of the time.

[RS Grant]

MWM3 said:

It is better than the E9x in every way possible except for lack of a V8 and noise.

In my view it is the best (standard) M3 that's been made. However, I am basing my experience on my LCI car, which sorts a lot of the (supposed) niggles of the early cars, which these clowns probably had.

Agree with this fully.


Cheers,
Grant

[Franzino]

I drove a M4 (with DCT and without Competition Pack)…It was the most disappointing M car I drove for years. Almost every review is not that positive about the car (Chris Harris liked it), but every other review said it was not BMW M it's finest hour and I felt the same way when driving it. Still; it is not the worst car in the world but I would not buy it. The 2016 model with Competition Pack looks and sounds rather good, the reviews are also rather nice…so maybe the M4/M3 gets a second chance and I would personally consider the 2016 model with competition pack (with different wheels please). Still; I went to BMW and ordered a M2 instead…it felt awesome after only 5 min….something the M4 could no do to me.

[chibbard]

Despite the negative comments, It's still at the top of my shopping list. I've driven the M3 and really liked it. Each to their own. Oh and I'm not interested in magazine reviews or whoever this Chris Harris bloke is!!

[Wills2]

NBTBRV8 said:

To be honest I haven't found anything other than a mediocre review.

Well don't get one then and count yourself lucky....Or go drive one and make your own mind up, now there's a thought.

[cerb4.5lee]

I test drove a M4 Convertible and really liked it but appreciate test drives never tell the full story, I liked my E92 M3 on the test drive but didn't enjoy living with it day to day as an example.

I really like the current M3/M4 though because it has storming performance that can be easily used(in the right conditions), and looks(to me) really purposeful, agree the interior isn't much to write home about but the 3 series of recent times has been bland anyway in that regard.

I certainly wouldn't say no to one that's for sure.

[nbetts]

cerb4.5lee said:

I test drove a M4 Convertible and really liked it but appreciate test drives never tell the full story, I liked my E92 M3 on the test drive but didn't enjoy living with it day to day as an example.

I really like the current M3/M4 though because it has storming performance that can be easily used(in the right conditions), and looks(to me) really purposeful, agree the interior isn't much to write home about but the 3 series of recent times has been bland anyway in that regard.

I certainly wouldn't say no to one that's for sure.

Strange isn't it? BMW loaned me a M4 Convertible for a long weekend as I really fancy a new F80 M3 (M4 Convertible is all they had to loan) and I hated the M4 Convertible, it was terrible. Never thought I would say that about a M Car if I am honest.

The front-end grip and turn-in were exceptionally good as was the Engine Power and Torque - everything else was quite shocking. The seating position, well I kind of sat on it as opposed to in it, the roof mechanism and the sheer bulk of it is, quite frankly, laughable in the way it clunks and thumps and makes the car move when erecting or stowing it away.

The Exhaust noise and engine pops are just embarrassing & the boot space was a joke.

And then there is the size of it, have you seen how big it is? I reckon it must be E60 5-series large at least.

I thanked BMW for the loan and asked them to collect it two days early - what a shame.

The F80 M3, I still lust after and I am assured that does not suffer the seating issue; it obviously does not have the folding monstrosity that is the convertible top, Oh why did they not stick to fabric? And I am assured that the engines pops and bangs whilst still being there are somewhat muted by the fact that the car is a saloon.

I fancy a F80 M3 Competition Pack, to replace my E92 M3 Competition Pack, just need to see those wheels in the flesh.

[cerb4.5lee]

nbetts said:

cerb4.5lee said:

I test drove a M4 Convertible and really liked it but appreciate test drives never tell the full story, I liked my E92 M3 on the test drive but didn't enjoy living with it day to day as an example.

I really like the current M3/M4 though because it has storming performance that can be easily used(in the right conditions), and looks(to me) really purposeful, agree the interior isn't much to write home about but the 3 series of recent times has been bland anyway in that regard.

I certainly wouldn't say no to one that's for sure.

Strange isn't it? BMW loaned me a M4 Convertible for a long weekend as I really fancy a new F80 M3 (M4 Convertible is all they had to loan) and I hated the M4 Convertible, it was terrible. Never thought I would say that about a M Car if I am honest.

The front-end grip and turn-in were exceptionally good as was the Engine Power and Torque - everything else was quite shocking. The seating position, well I kind of sat on it as opposed to in it, the roof mechanism and the sheer bulk of it is, quite frankly, laughable in the way it clunks and thumps and makes the car move when erecting or stowing it away.

The Exhaust noise and engine pops are just embarrassing & the boot space was a joke.

And then there is the size of it, have you seen how big it is? I reckon it must be E60 5-series large at least.

I thanked BMW for the loan and asked them to collect it two days early - what a shame.

The F80 M3, I still lust after and I am assured that does not suffer the seating issue; it obviously does not have the folding monstrosity that is the convertible top, Oh why did they not stick to fabric? And I am assured that the engines pops and bangs whilst still being there are somewhat muted by the fact that the car is a saloon.

I fancy a F80 M3 Competition Pack, to replace my E92 M3 Competition Pack, just need to see those wheels in the flesh.

I really like the fact it's a hard top because the thing I hated most about my Z4M was its fabric roof so it just proves how we all see things differently, after having had the E92 M3 I found that a little too compromised(not that focused/heavy) so if I had the M4 Convertible it would be purely for the pose factor and the ability to hear the engine/exhaust noise far better.

Maybe I am a child but I quite liked the pops and bangs and I wasn't expecting much because everyone slates the noise it makes so I suppose I was just pleasantly surprised to be honest.

I would be happy with the M3/M4 Coupe too though but like the idea of the four seat convertible M4 now I have two kids...just shows how old and sad I am getting lol!