F80 M3 - does it have to be a comp pack?

[horico]

In what appears to be a never ending quest to get the wife in to something, the option of a fast saloon cropped up and one that I'd not paid much attention to, despite my current and previous cars. I currently have a E92 M3 and owned an E46 M3 before that. I never really looked into the F80 as personally, I love the E92 I have and it's not going anywhere. The only real F80 that turned my head was in ferrari red.

The question is, is it worth getting a non-comp pack car such as this one:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106103...

Comp pack cars seem to attract a far higher premium than the original com pack cost over the standard versions even with similar year / mileage combos. Is it blown out of proportion how skittish the std car is or can the std car be upgraded to get closer to the comp pack technically? Also, are there any good technical guides out there on what the specific differences are and why said differences change things?

[village24]

If you're keeping it standard and not modding then a comp car is the way to go.

However if you're prepared to do a few light mods you can make the non comp as good if not better. You can have the comp settings coded but I believe the diff was different on the comp cars and also the low down torque adapted as this was the issue with non comps being 'skittish' in the wet.

Personally I never saw the appeal of the comp as I'd buy a set of coilovers and then map the rest of the car to run CS settings where possible.

[cerb4.5lee]

I've been really happy with my standard F82 M4(Dec 2018 model). I must be one of the few people that didn't want the comp pack though, because from what I've read the comp pack was designed to make the car easier to drive...and I just thought where is the fun in that?

I also prefer the chrome exhaust tips on the standard M3/M4(I just enjoy using my Autosol polish too much I reckon!)...in comparison to the black exhaust tips on the comp pack.

[Owlwood]

I was looking at an M4 a few years back and went down the Comp vs. standard rabbit hole (before getting an M2C).

There are some good vids on youtube comparing the cars. M3 cutters has a lot of good threads from when the Comp was launched comparing the the two models as well. Opinions vary from "not much difference" to "night and day", which probably just shows how subjective cars can be.

The 1st and 2nd gear power and torque delivery gets discussed a lot. From what I read on the internet (probably wrong) the revised power delivery on the Comps was just a software update that newer models also received, Comp and non-Comp. So and 2018 non-Comp wouldnt suffer from the "spiky" delivery. Maybe.

Would be interested to hear owner's feedback on that here.

[cerb4.5lee]

Owlwood said:

I was looking at an M4 a few years back and went down the Comp vs. standard rabbit hole (before getting an M2C).

There are some good vids on youtube comparing the cars. M3 cutters has a lot of good threads from when the Comp was launched comparing the the two models as well. Opinions vary from "not much difference" to "night and day", which probably just shows how subjective cars can be.

The 1st and 2nd gear power and torque delivery gets discussed a lot. From what I read on the internet (probably wrong) the revised power delivery on the Comps was just a software update that newer models also received, Comp and non-Comp. So and 2018 non-Comp wouldnt suffer from the "spiky" delivery. Maybe.

Would be interested to hear owner's feedback on that here.

I've read and watched countless reviews of both and it does seem really subjective as you mention. Some prefer the more edgey drive of the earlier cars, whereas some much prefer the comp pack cars because of the changes to the diff/suspension etc, because it makes them more friendly on less than ideal tarmac etc.

As you say some people mention that they can tell a difference between the two, whereas others can't tell any difference between the two at all. I'd love to try both back to back to see for myself. The majority do seem to say that the comp pack is the no brainer choice between the two though(plus the comp pack commands much more money as well on the used market).

Ride wise I believe that the 19" wheels on the standard car are a bit more forgiving than the 20" wheels on the comp pack. For me the ride is harsh even in comfort mode on the 19" wheels in the standard car, so I'd imagine with the 20" wheels the ride would be pretty heavy going to be fair in the comp pack.

The great thing about the F80 M3 in comparison to the F82 M4 is that the M3 never had the OPF fitted to it, whereas the M4 from August 2018 production had the OPF fitted. The OPF makes the car really quiet and you lose all the pops/bangs/crackles from it. If I had my time again I'd go for a 2017 model M4 to avoid the OPF. I'd forgot that the later M4's had the OPF on them(you lose the carbon propshaft as well) when I went for mine sadly.

[TheGreatDane]

I'd point out the seats in the comp pack are less forgiving with less adjustment vs non comp pack.

I prefer the comp pack but the lack of seat adjustment (lumbar) is a dealbreaker for me.

[Square Leg]

Had an early F80 M3 (so non comp) for 3 years - wife drive it more than me, but I found the ride very unforgiving even in comfort mode.
I remember having my then young kids in the back and watching them juddering around in their seat - was so uncomfortable in the back particularly.
It could also be a bit of a bugger in the cold and damp months, with the summer tyres, outside temp, and spiky delivery.
Sounded ok though.

I really do prefer my M2comp to that M3.
Never got to drive the 3 Comp though.

[FTW]

In my view I'd get a non-comp and flash the CS software where possible (engine, gearbox, damper, steering, diff?). You could go the whole hog and flash the GTS 500bhp engine cal if you're brave. The F8* platform is very configurable with software.

I think the Comp and CS have stiffer antiroll bars but it's marginal. The 20" wheels are gash IMO.

Good luck!