How are the new M3/M4 owners getting along

How are the new M3/M4 owners getting along

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JapFreak786

Original Poster:

1,511 posts

156 months

Sunday 24th August 2014
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Just curious to see how owners of the new M3/M4's are getting along with their cars. I'm not probing for just negative reviews but also postives.

I'm holding off getting one until BMW release their contribution deals whenever that is.

x5x3

2,422 posts

252 months

Sunday 24th August 2014
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+1, very interested to hear about people's experiences to date

Inverted

2,162 posts

208 months

Sunday 24th August 2014
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Anyone know when any contribution deals will be offered. So far my dealer has hinted at 2k off a new m3.

kbf1981

2,249 posts

199 months

Monday 25th August 2014
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Inverted said:
Anyone know when any contribution deals will be offered. So far my dealer has hinted at 2k off a new m3.
When's that coming up? Heard you can get 5% now.

stef1808

950 posts

156 months

Monday 25th August 2014
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my friend is not getting on with his m4

his main issue in the engine noise not giving a feeling of connection to the car - seems to mostly drive his 1m with a akrapovic exhaust / gt3

jon-

16,497 posts

215 months

Tuesday 26th August 2014
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stef1808 said:
my friend is not getting on with his m4

his main issue in the engine noise not giving a feeling of connection to the car - seems to mostly drive his 1m with a akrapovic exhaust / gt3
Tell him to put it in sports mode - the speakers get louder then wink

JapFreak786

Original Poster:

1,511 posts

156 months

Tuesday 26th August 2014
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Deals already out? I thought BMW said no dealerships were allowed to put any offers out for atleast 3 months, interesting!

The sound is very muted compared to the previous models I found on start up, though in Sport mode it is certainly something. Even with the sound through the speakers I don't mind, I had the window down on my second drive and when in Sport mode the car just sounds amazing with the crackles and pops!

Before my first test drive, I heard an M3 start up and I was disapointed. That is until I drove it

JMBMWM5

2,283 posts

197 months

Tuesday 26th August 2014
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Extensively tested the M4 Saturday, drove in Sport+, after 35 miles it was giving me a headache, that crap exhaust sound gets right in your head.
Not enjoying that car after my LCI M5 , must be my age, biggrin;)

Jazzer

1,665 posts

203 months

Tuesday 26th August 2014
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I too struggled to like it. M5 just seems deeper, better, more substantial.

I actually still like the look of E46s, would adore a CSL.

dufflecoat

944 posts

229 months

Wednesday 27th August 2014
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Jazzer said:
I too struggled to like it. M5 just seems deeper, better, more substantial.

I actually still like the look of E46s, would adore a CSL.
I thought the same, chopped in my E92 M3 for a CSL as my only car. Dreadfully hopeless car as anything other than a weekend/track toy. However, if I had the cash for a second weekend/track car, I'd be buying something more extreme than it, Radical, Caterham, Atom et al.

I couldn't wait to get rid of it and don't miss it a bit. Don't get me wrong its a superb car, but its epically over rated at current values.

Current shortlist is F M5 or M3 but favourite at moment is E92 M3 with Comp Pack.

Edited by dufflecoat on Wednesday 27th August 09:44

Leins

9,422 posts

147 months

Wednesday 27th August 2014
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dufflecoat said:
I thought the same, chopped in my E92 M3 for a CSL as my only car. Dreadfully hopeless car as anything other than a weekend/track toy. However, if I had the cash for a second weekend/track car, I'd be buying something more extreme than it, Radical, Caterham, Atom et al.

I couldn't wait to get rid of it and don't miss it a bit. Don't get me wrong its a superb car, but its epically over rated at current values.

Current shortlist is F M5 or M3 but favourite at moment is E92 M3 with Comp Pack.

Edited by dufflecoat on Wednesday 27th August 09:44
It's epically over-rated if you try to use it as a daily, but I'm not sure what comes close to it at current values for a weekend car. A CLK Black or 996 GT3 is going to cost a lot more, and a Radomwesticat isn't really a valid comparison

spunko2010

286 posts

155 months

Wednesday 27th August 2014
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If you're considering the M5 then surely you'd also consider the M6? It's a combination of the coupe-like M4 with the V8 from the M5 but without the 'family saloon' image. What's not to like?

EricE

1,945 posts

128 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
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Slightly off topic but not worth its own thread; what happens when the 3 series gets its LCI facelift next summer? Will the M3/M4 be updated right away?

If that is the case it seems a bit strange that the pre-facelift cars will only be produced for one year but the facelift cars for presumably for five to six.

On another note I think I saw a new M3 Cabriolet in silver today. I don’t like M3 convertibles but say it looked special would be a big understatement.

Edited by EricE on Thursday 28th August 20:29

trawler

178 posts

194 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
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dufflecoat said:
I thought the same, chopped in my E92 M3 for a CSL as my only car. Dreadfully hopeless car as anything other than a weekend/track toy. However, if I had the cash for a second weekend/track car, I'd be buying something more extreme than it, Radical, Caterham, Atom et al.

I couldn't wait to get rid of it and don't miss it a bit. Don't get me wrong its a superb car, but its epically over rated at current values.

Current shortlist is F M5 or M3 but favourite at moment is E92 M3 with Comp Pack.

Edited by dufflecoat on Wednesday 27th August 09:44
Depends what you want from a car. I know someone who put on over 100k in seven years. Was looking to buy a second csl that he could keep for the future.

To quote a M engineer over in Munich

Unfortunately the mass buyers want the status of a M car with heated electric seats, TV, etc, etc.

As engineers we are not happy that we cannot develop a proper M3

vpr

3,701 posts

237 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
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My Wife takes delivery of her M3 on Monday.....Bought it to replace her E90 M3 but I think we will keep that too...such a great car.

BMW Tun Wells openly displayed £2012 of a brand new M4 is their showroom....Madness

Palmball

1,267 posts

173 months

Thursday 28th August 2014
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Yes, that is madness.....

Talking to my local BMW dealer, they're adamant that the days of cheap BMW's has come to an end as BMW is allocating everything in more limited numbers. Supply is not what it was so, if dealers want to make money on the stock they get, they'll need to stop discounting them. Not sure how true this is, but I guess theres some truth given demand in other parts of the world will be taking an increased percentage of the factories output.

Anyway, back on topic, my M3 is going on Monday - I've sold it back to BMW. For not a lot less than I paid for it so I'm getting out now whilst the loss is almost non-existent and before demos start flooding forecourts. Theres nothing actually wrong with the car - objectively, it's far superior to the previous M3 and every other car in it's class (at least those I've driven). But I'm just not gelling with it, and it's probably because I bought an SLS the same week I collected the M3....a bit unfair on the BMW, but when I want a 'fun' drive, it doesn't get a look in. Also, another slightly unfair comparison but compared to my recently departed M6, the M3 might be more agile but in most other respects, there's just no comparison to the V8 - I truly recommend people try a used M5/6 before stumping up for a new M3/4.

However, the M3's chassis is truly brilliant, as is the gearbox, the performance, seats, driving position, HK stereo, adaptive lights and latest iDrive....all truly stunning and the very best you could hope for.

But....and there is a but....the engine. I would describe it as effective (it really is very fast) but compared to the e92 V8 or the C63's M156 I just find it a little boring. Theres little pleasure in revving it out because it delivers huge thrust all the time and (in sport mode) it sounds LOUD all the time. But it's not really a 'nice' loud - I initially thought it sounded pretty decent as I'd conditioned myself for the worst given all the early pre-launch reports but as time's gone on, I think it sounds so bad it's sometimes embarrassing . And I'm not talking about the sound coming out of the stereo (which is either very minimal or so well executed that you really don't notice it) but the sound outside - on a cold start it reminds me of Vespa with a hole in the exhaust. I really regret saying this as I'm sure theres going to be lot's of people with M3/4's or looking forward to getting them....IMO, you'll all be getting a truly fantastic car that is the best of it's kind in most areas, expect engine sound, and theres no getting away from that.

Theres absolutely no point me having another 'sports' type of car as I like driving the Merc so much and if I'm honest, the missus needs something more practical for carting stuff around in for our business. We had a Range Rover Sport a couple of years ago and that kind of car (an SUV) is so different in concept to the SLS that it can be 'enjoyed' in a totally different way rather than compared directly. Only I didn't really like the lack of go from the RRS diesel so this time round, I've narrowed it down to either another RRS....but a Supercharged one this time or a new shape ML63 AMG. One of these is being bought on Saturday!



dufflecoat

944 posts

229 months

Friday 29th August 2014
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Palmball said:
Yes, that is madness.....


Theres absolutely no point me having another 'sports' type of car as I like driving the Merc so much and if I'm honest, the missus needs something more practical for carting stuff around in for our business. We had a Range Rover Sport a couple of years ago and that kind of car (an SUV) is so different in concept to the SLS that it can be 'enjoyed' in a totally different way rather than compared directly. Only I didn't really like the lack of go from the RRS diesel so this time round, I've narrowed it down to either another RRS....but a Supercharged one this time or a new shape ML63 AMG. One of these is being bought on Saturday!
Thanks, very insightful. I'm trying to find a dealer who will accommodate me driving an M3 and M5 but my current one doesn't seem forthcoming. Time to swap!

Also, freedom contracts have a single ML63 pre reg available for lease if that's your bag. Decent figures by the looks. Give them a google.

jackwood

2,608 posts

207 months

Friday 29th August 2014
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Andrew,
That must be a record, even by your standards smile
It sounds like the F80 M3 is exactly what I'm looking for. The sound a car makes is pretty far down my list of requirements. I'd rather have something that is beautifully balanced and set up than something that sounds interesting. And I'd take a compact agile car over a bruising cruiser like an M5/6. Plus I already have the E63 that fills that kind of role.
I'm looking for a fast, fun, dynamically accomplished, everyday car for chucking done the country lanes on the commute. So size is important. As in small is better.
Thanks for taking the time to give us your views.
Jack

JMBMWM5

2,283 posts

197 months

Friday 29th August 2014
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jackwood said:
Andrew,
That must be a record, even by your standards smile
It sounds like the F80 M3 is exactly what I'm looking for. The sound a car makes is pretty far down my list of requirements. I'd rather have something that is beautifully balanced and set up than something that sounds interesting. And I'd take a compact agile car over a bruising cruiser like an M5/6. Plus I already have the E63 that fills that kind of role.
I'm looking for a fast, fun, dynamically accomplished, everyday car for chucking done the country lanes on the commute. So size is important. As in small is better.
Thanks for taking the time to give us your views.
Jack
The M3 would suit your purpose.

ab80

189 posts

139 months

Friday 29th August 2014
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I've done just over 4.5k miles in mine. Overall I'm very impressed. It's very fast, it's very comfortable, the tech works beautifully (bluetooth, nav, connected drive, HK, adaptive lights etc), and it handles phenomenally - a really responsive front end for this type of car (in my experience), and hugely controllable tail even for the untrained and ham-fisted like me. It also seems to get a lot of attention, and not just from teenage boys.

The only real issue for me derives from it being a proper modern car. The character of the car is entirely dependent on the various engine/gearbox/suspension... settings and that annoys me. It's just too easy to drive as an over-endowed cruiser and you have to really turn things up to have proper fun, at which point it's just a bit too much for most roads, so you turn it down again and then have to turn it up again. Most of my mileage was completed on a continental cruise and my wife kept falling asleep!

Minor grumbles: a bit too much cabin noise at a fast motorway cruise, though I understand that this is the trade off for the rear end predictability - the rear subframe is bolted directly to the body; I can't tell that the exhaust note is augmented, and it is certainly loud enough, but it is not particularly exciting unless one is going up and down the gears.

My last car was a V8 R8 and I wouldn't begin to suggest that this car feels as special as that was, but it is far more practical, comfortable, and easy to live with. It's faster too, and whilst it doesn't feel like a proper sports car it can be a lot of fun to drive.

Edited by ab80 on Friday 29th August 13:46