Is the F8X M3 really that bad?
Discussion
There can be no doubt that the only opinion that matters is your own when it comes to a car purchase, for every so so review of the new M3 there is a positive one, for every Sutcliffe there is a Harris.
It was the same with the e92, e46 and e36 in fact Chris Harris wrote a really good article on the M3 and how almost without exception every new generation of M3 suffered at the hands of the journalists, only to be lauded later on by those same people when the new one arrives.
But it doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks, you like it you buy it.
It was the same with the e92, e46 and e36 in fact Chris Harris wrote a really good article on the M3 and how almost without exception every new generation of M3 suffered at the hands of the journalists, only to be lauded later on by those same people when the new one arrives.
But it doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks, you like it you buy it.
nbetts said:
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.
There's a thread on here about the seating position. Later (mid 2015 ?) cars got seats/mounts that raised the seating position.....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 sat in a late spec car and couldn't get my ideal searing position (seat as low as it will go, steering column the same) the seat was just too high. It led to the sitting on it, not in it you alluded to. I'm 5'11" with stumpy legs and a long torso (AKA a freak...)
nbetts said:
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 parked an F30 3 series next to a mate's E39 recently and the 5 series seemed fractionally longer, but the 3 series is wider! There will be no threading M3s/4s down country lanes, not without going rally style and putting a wheel in the dirt anyway.
Have just been into BMW this morning with my E60 M5 and took the opportunity to sit in a new F80 M3 and have a good look around it. Comments about it being as big as an E60 at least, it's quite a bit smaller than an E60. Quality looked good inside and after moving the seat about the position felt fine to me. Lovely looking car. Boot was a bit small so if going on holiday in it I would need a top box but saying that the boot was larger than all previous M3's. Hasn't put me off considering one next.
I had decided to chop my current E92 M3 in for an M4 early next year....but the more I read about the M4 the less enthusiastic I become...Its not that the reviews give it a kicking it just the faint praise it gets that is a little depressing.
I'd hate to give up my current M3 which is a fabulous car for something that seems to be less stable and gives the driver less confidence.
I'd hate to give up my current M3 which is a fabulous car for something that seems to be less stable and gives the driver less confidence.
Max Maxasson said:
I had decided to chop my current E92 M3 in for an M4 early next year....but the more I read about the M4 the less enthusiastic I become...Its not that the reviews give it a kicking it just the faint praise it gets that is a little depressing.
I'd hate to give up my current M3 which is a fabulous car for something that seems to be less stable and gives the driver less confidence.
IF you need 4 seats give it a miss, very cramped in the rear for adults. I'd hate to give up my current M3 which is a fabulous car for something that seems to be less stable and gives the driver less confidence.
cosworth330 said:
Have just been into BMW this morning with my E60 M5 and took the opportunity to sit in a new F80 M3 and have a good look around it. Comments about it being as big as an E60 at least, it's quite a bit smaller than an E60. Quality looked good inside and after moving the seat about the position felt fine to me. Lovely looking car. Boot was a bit small so if going on holiday in it I would need a top box but saying that the boot was larger than all previous M3's. Hasn't put me off considering one next.
I was referring to the M4 Convertible seating position. The F80 M3 seating position felt fine when I sat in one. 
I have just bought a 2015 M4 with just 4000 miles on the clock. The car is absolutely exceptional and a really nice drive.
My only gripe I would say (7 days in) is that it's almost a bit dull unless you are upping the pace as it is such a capable and accomplished car.
Certainly looking forward to a few dry nights and maybe a trip out to north wales to see what this thing can do.
My only gripe I would say (7 days in) is that it's almost a bit dull unless you are upping the pace as it is such a capable and accomplished car.
Certainly looking forward to a few dry nights and maybe a trip out to north wales to see what this thing can do.
Picked up my new M4 mind June after taking one for a long test drive and taking no notice of reviews. It's fantastic, and people who I've taken out in it and allowed to drive it agree.
Drive one and and make your own decision not one based on some reviews.
![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/DeGnN8Oc.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/gucAPC6f" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/gucAPC6f.jpg)
Drive one and and make your own decision not one based on some reviews.
Edited by The GMan on Friday 15th July 17:03
The GMan said:
Picked up my new M4 mind June after taking one for a long test drive and taking no notice of reviews. It's fantastic, and people who I've taken out in it and allowed to drive it agree.
Drive one and and make your own decision not one based on some reviews.
Very nice! Drive one and and make your own decision not one based on some reviews.
Edited by The GMan on Friday 15th July 17:03
In many ways the M2 appeals but out of idol curiosity I specced one of those up how I'd want it (manual and with not a lot of extras) and the resultant price was just under £47k. I then went to the Coast2Coast website and specced-up an M4 how I'd want one of those and the difference to the M2 was "only" about £3k (with the M4 coming in at less than £50k). In some ways they're a different type of car but got to say that IMO the M2 doesn't look great value when you can get an M4 for so little extra outlay.....
MWM3 said:
It is better than the E9x in every way possible expect for lack of a V8 and noise.
To be fair that's the best bit of the E92 by some margin! 
A mate has just bought an M4 and he's very happy with it. I suspect the on limit handling might have taken a step back from the reviews but as an everyday fast car it sounds like it's taken a step forwards.
Although my E92 is a track car I borrowed a mate's a few years ago and didn't love it. Engine was epic but I found it bit heavy, needed thrashing to access the performance and expensive to run. Sounds like the new car is a step forward for those issues so a more usable all rounder.
With some weight stripped out and prepped for track use like mine the E92 makes sense to me. Useless for everyday but a great drivers car
I've had my M4 CP almost two months now and have just got back from a 2 week road trip around Europe, so I'm over 4000 miles in total now.
First of all I should say I was very nervous getting rid of my E92 CP, I loved that car and it's engine is a masterpiece and is clearly more special than the S55. However, the new car is in a different league of performance and handling, and all round ability, I'm really surprised how much better it is.
I have driven a number of different F82's since launch, on road and track, and I can honestly say the CP is far superior to the others. The early 2014 cars really did have traction issues and felt like the rear axle wasn't well located which didn't inspire confidence especially in fast sweeping corners. The CP though is so much more composed and has astounding grip in the dry and it's blisteringly fast. The front end grip is monumental and you have to be pretty deliberate to get any sort of understeer, when you have some heat in the tyres it feels so agile.
Some say the CP doesn't feel quicker than the standard car, and admittedly I haven't driven them back to back but I'm almost certain the CP pulls harder at the top end. Was pretty staggering as well to see it hit 165mph on the autobahn in 7th gear and not even be pulling 5k revs. Unlimited and with a long enough road goodness knows how fast it would go, sadly I had to back off as a car pulled out up ahead.
On the other hand, I drove home just over 500 miles yesterday and in efficient and comfort mode it was comfortable, relaxing and efficient, doing over 28mpg on the journey. The fact I can fit two weeks luggage and still have the back seats empty just shows the astonishing breadth of abilities, it is very nearly all things to all people.
The CP exhaust sounds so much better than the standard car, however I do want to increase the noise a touch so will look at some sort of OEM mod, I had a 2 pipe mod on my E92 and it transformed the noise.
The CP seats don't miss the lumbar adjustment, I have a dodgy back and was worried I would struggle on long journeys. However the seats really are supremely comfortable.
I did think long and hard about a C63S Coupe and I should fess up I haven't driven one, however the extra 250KG of weight was the deal breaker for me, the M4 is borderline too heavy but gets away with it because of it's brilliant chassis. I'm sure the V8 in the C63 makes a better noise and might pull a little harder but that extra weight just turned me off.
Try and get an extended test drive if you can you won't regret it, sadly it seems the amazing deals that were around 3 months ago have become a little harder to find and some dealers have sold their entire allocation for the year, but there are still slots around so do your homework if you want one. I have no doubt you won't be disappointed.
First of all I should say I was very nervous getting rid of my E92 CP, I loved that car and it's engine is a masterpiece and is clearly more special than the S55. However, the new car is in a different league of performance and handling, and all round ability, I'm really surprised how much better it is.
I have driven a number of different F82's since launch, on road and track, and I can honestly say the CP is far superior to the others. The early 2014 cars really did have traction issues and felt like the rear axle wasn't well located which didn't inspire confidence especially in fast sweeping corners. The CP though is so much more composed and has astounding grip in the dry and it's blisteringly fast. The front end grip is monumental and you have to be pretty deliberate to get any sort of understeer, when you have some heat in the tyres it feels so agile.
Some say the CP doesn't feel quicker than the standard car, and admittedly I haven't driven them back to back but I'm almost certain the CP pulls harder at the top end. Was pretty staggering as well to see it hit 165mph on the autobahn in 7th gear and not even be pulling 5k revs. Unlimited and with a long enough road goodness knows how fast it would go, sadly I had to back off as a car pulled out up ahead.
On the other hand, I drove home just over 500 miles yesterday and in efficient and comfort mode it was comfortable, relaxing and efficient, doing over 28mpg on the journey. The fact I can fit two weeks luggage and still have the back seats empty just shows the astonishing breadth of abilities, it is very nearly all things to all people.
The CP exhaust sounds so much better than the standard car, however I do want to increase the noise a touch so will look at some sort of OEM mod, I had a 2 pipe mod on my E92 and it transformed the noise.
The CP seats don't miss the lumbar adjustment, I have a dodgy back and was worried I would struggle on long journeys. However the seats really are supremely comfortable.
I did think long and hard about a C63S Coupe and I should fess up I haven't driven one, however the extra 250KG of weight was the deal breaker for me, the M4 is borderline too heavy but gets away with it because of it's brilliant chassis. I'm sure the V8 in the C63 makes a better noise and might pull a little harder but that extra weight just turned me off.
Try and get an extended test drive if you can you won't regret it, sadly it seems the amazing deals that were around 3 months ago have become a little harder to find and some dealers have sold their entire allocation for the year, but there are still slots around so do your homework if you want one. I have no doubt you won't be disappointed.
Autocar have tested the C63S coupe vs. the CP M4 in this weeks magazine, they gave it to the C63S although both got 4.5 stars again utterly subjective and they managed to ascribe to the C63S what Sutcliffe in his Auto express review said of the CP M4.
Namely that the CP M4 was great for drifting but pretty harsh riding, Autocar said the reverse, claiming the M4 was compliant but difficult to play with.
As I said earlier no ones opinion matters other than your own.
Namely that the CP M4 was great for drifting but pretty harsh riding, Autocar said the reverse, claiming the M4 was compliant but difficult to play with.
As I said earlier no ones opinion matters other than your own.
Wills2 said:
Autocar have tested the C63S coupe vs. the CP M4 in this weeks magazine, they gave it to the C63S although both got 4.5 stars again utterly subjective and they managed to ascribe to the C63S what Sutcliffe in his Auto express review said of the CP M4.
Namely that the CP M4 was great for drifting but pretty harsh riding, Autocar said the reverse, claiming the M4 was compliant but difficult to play with.
As I said earlier no ones opinion matters other than your own.
I found the Autocar review very strange... they basically said the M4 was the better drivers car, more focused etc but the AMG was a 'better' daily driver and then awarded it to the AMG, which is fine but surely if you are buying a high performance sports saloon/coupe you would want the more driver focused of the two. Of course it could just be me? Namely that the CP M4 was great for drifting but pretty harsh riding, Autocar said the reverse, claiming the M4 was compliant but difficult to play with.
As I said earlier no ones opinion matters other than your own.
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