RE: BMW M3 Competition (F80) | Spotted
Discussion
Looks better as a sedan but that's about it. Numbers say these are very fast and yes I agree, but the problem lies with things that have little to do with numbers.
Diesel like power delivery which is good for when wandering around the city but not for spirited driving.
Boring sound that's made infinitely worse by sound 'enhancement' from speakers.
Overly aggressive chassis tuning that results in it being twitch and rough at the limit.
High speed stability that simply doesn't match its rivals.
Given choice between M cars, an e92 or e46 would always be a better M3 to me. Slower but still plenty rapid to be enjoyable and without most of the shortfalls of the current car that take away from the joy of driving.
Diesel like power delivery which is good for when wandering around the city but not for spirited driving.
Boring sound that's made infinitely worse by sound 'enhancement' from speakers.
Overly aggressive chassis tuning that results in it being twitch and rough at the limit.
High speed stability that simply doesn't match its rivals.
Given choice between M cars, an e92 or e46 would always be a better M3 to me. Slower but still plenty rapid to be enjoyable and without most of the shortfalls of the current car that take away from the joy of driving.
Edited by C.MW on Tuesday 2nd March 23:53
RonaldMcDonaldAteMyCat said:
C.MW said:
Diesel like power delivery which is good for when wandering around the city but not for spirited driving.
That's well wide of the mark. Nothing diesel like about it, quite the opposite. Edited by C.MW on Tuesday 2nd March 23:52
The competition pack is often credited with “fixing” the early M3/M4 “waywardness” and some of the hardware changes did make a difference but I believe a lot of what got improved was via software and any F8x model can be updated to the latest iStep version to receive those benefits.
I have a base 2016 M3 and I’ve had the software upgraded twice - once to the 2018 version and again just recently. It was really wayward on the original software but the 2018 changed the gearbox, throttle mapping, esp, steering weight, damping and diff to make it much more civilised and less trigger happy with spinning wheels and abrupt with catching it.
The 2020 software is another level again, everything is improved and the car feels much more trustworthy and developed - smoother changes, holds gears better, less twitchy on first 5% throttle, damping more controlled when pressing on and when you have a spirited drive the car feels linear, predictable and resists getting deflected by broken tarmac, a far cry from the bucking bronco I bought on day 1.
Anyway - they’re all fantastic daily drivers with a rewarding chassis for those times you’re without family and easily works as a family car (480L boot, good rear space).
I have a base 2016 M3 and I’ve had the software upgraded twice - once to the 2018 version and again just recently. It was really wayward on the original software but the 2018 changed the gearbox, throttle mapping, esp, steering weight, damping and diff to make it much more civilised and less trigger happy with spinning wheels and abrupt with catching it.
The 2020 software is another level again, everything is improved and the car feels much more trustworthy and developed - smoother changes, holds gears better, less twitchy on first 5% throttle, damping more controlled when pressing on and when you have a spirited drive the car feels linear, predictable and resists getting deflected by broken tarmac, a far cry from the bucking bronco I bought on day 1.
Anyway - they’re all fantastic daily drivers with a rewarding chassis for those times you’re without family and easily works as a family car (480L boot, good rear space).
Edited by fur53y on Wednesday 3rd March 08:07
cerb4.5lee said:
That does look smart I agree(plus I like how rare this M3 is). I'd always go in the direction of the M4 though because I much prefer the way that the coupe looks. I always associate cars with 4 doors as being boring/practical for some strange(daft) reason.
Me too. Same with estates. 4 doors are fine if you need them though. As she a lot look great. But a 2 doors is much more sports/supercar orientated.777petrolhead said:
Do the real calc thats what the dealer is asking how much are you losing if you traded the car in ? The dealer will probably give you 25k.... i.e. what you would get back once you drove it out the showroom, i know i'm a past master at losing money on cars ..
Book value ranges from £25,500-£27,500.Julian Thompson said:
Yeah ISTR my 2017 M3 comp manual being about £56k but I bought it knowing that:
A) it was a rare thing
And
B) it wouldn’t be long until GPF’s were along to spoil the party.
Hence, my 4000 mile car is still with me and will never be sold. Just fabulous.
Im sure thats an M4. lovely car either wayA) it was a rare thing
And
B) it wouldn’t be long until GPF’s were along to spoil the party.
Hence, my 4000 mile car is still with me and will never be sold. Just fabulous.
Edited by Julian Thompson on Tuesday 2nd March 20:53
C.MW said:
Diesel like power delivery which is good for when wandering around the city but not for spirited driving.
Boring sound that's made infinitely worse by sound 'enhancement' from speakers.
Overly aggressive chassis tuning that results in it being twitch and rough at the limit.
High speed stability that simply doesn't match its rivals.
Aside from the noise, which of course is mostly subjective (I'm OK with it, others hate it), I haven't experienced any of those things at all. I'm certainly no fanboi, and I'm happy to recognise faults where they actually exist (that dopey DCT, for one), but you're a tad wide of the mark on the others - perhaps you had experience of an early non Comp car? I understand they were a little more flawed (never drove one, so can't compare).Boring sound that's made infinitely worse by sound 'enhancement' from speakers.
Overly aggressive chassis tuning that results in it being twitch and rough at the limit.
High speed stability that simply doesn't match its rivals.
Andrew-396pl said:
I run one as my daily driver. Its a fantastic mix of comfortable commuter car and at the press of a button - a noisy handful that puts a smile on your face. These are easily modded to 515hp and really get a wiggle on.
Mine had 28 grand off list price as a pre reg.
I love that, the stance is awesome. What wheels and suspension are you running?Mine had 28 grand off list price as a pre reg.
They really are fantastic cars, seriously quick and fun to drive.
I don’t agree with the early cars comments. I had the software updates to bring it in line with the later cars and actually preferred the rawer earlier iteration. Don’t discount the m4, they still look right on the money imho.
The rear arches are still huge too on the m4, you just need the right angle to appreciate it
I don’t agree with the early cars comments. I had the software updates to bring it in line with the later cars and actually preferred the rawer earlier iteration. Don’t discount the m4, they still look right on the money imho.
The rear arches are still huge too on the m4, you just need the right angle to appreciate it
Edited by chedixon on Wednesday 3rd March 10:23
tim-jxv5n said:
Andrew-396pl said:
I love that, the stance is awesome. What wheels and suspension are you running?chedixon said:
They really are fantastic cars, seriously quick and fun to drive.
I don’t agree with the early cars comments. I had the software updates to bring it in line with the later cars and actually preferred the rawer earlier iteration. Don’t discount the m4, they still look right on the money imho.
The rear arches are still huge too on the m4, you just need the right angle to appreciate it
I still prefer the M3, but used there are a much larger number of M4’s for sale. I’d happily take an M4 though. You looks good in Yas Marina.I don’t agree with the early cars comments. I had the software updates to bring it in line with the later cars and actually preferred the rawer earlier iteration. Don’t discount the m4, they still look right on the money imho.
The rear arches are still huge too on the m4, you just need the right angle to appreciate it
Edited by chedixon on Wednesday 3rd March 10:23
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