RE: BMW M3 Competition (G80) | PH Used Buying Guide

[CABC]

CG2020UK said:

I do get this like ultimately an M3/M4 is just a tuned saloon. Also no denying its humble beginnings in this case the level of performance these cars offer is astounding.

Like in my head I find it pretty cool I can buy just one car like the M3 and go just as fast as cars that cost £100k more but can also do all the daily driver stuff and carry my mates or family. Probably why I love hot hatches so much as well as these are the only cars you need.

Sometimes I have a strong suspicion a little bit of snobbery probably comes into as well as a lot of sports cars suddenly look a bit over priced, impractical and slow.

Purpose built is normally more fun even if not faster. MX5 a case in point and that definitely suffers from snobbery. Even an R8 feels a lot different to a beemer (100k)

I like the M series and 6cyl BMWs in general for reasons you give. Shame they’ve got soo big, but I understand why. E46 will always hold special memories for me.

[cerb4.5lee]

rottenegg said:

What's with the move back to small iron brake calipers at the back?

Definitely a backward step from the F8x cars aesthetically I agree.

[CG2020UK]

CABC said:

Purpose built is normally more fun even if not faster. MX5 a case in point and that definitely suffers from snobbery. Even an R8 feels a lot different to a beemer (100k)

I like the M series and 6cyl BMWs in general for reasons you give. Shame they’ve got soo big, but I understand why. E46 will always hold special memories for me.

Yeah valid point and agree.

I think fun is very subjective however.

I do think you can have a bucket load of fun in an M3. If you can’t I think you’re doing something seriously wrong!

Like I’ve never done a track day and not had fun.

For me the fun or joy of driving is becoming one with the car and knowing what’s it’s going to do and it being able to react to what I do. The M3 I test drove definitely has that ability. Sensei wisdom/waffle right there

[big_joe]

samjlevy said:

I also drove the M4 there and hated it so much I cancelled the order on an M3 Touring. I then drove the M3 Touring and ended up buying one, that I’ve also used on track and it’s great. I think maybe at Palmer you are coming out of a Ginetta or something similar and then making that comparison.

How ruinous is the M3 touring on a trackday with regards to brakes and tyres etc? I keep thinking of selling my daily,b road and track cars and just using an M3 touring to do it all .

[cerb4.5lee]

CG2020UK said:

I think fun is very subjective however.

I do think you can have a bucket load of fun in an M3. If you can’t I think you’re doing something seriously wrong!

I get asked a few times how the F82 M4 and the Caterham compare to each other, because obviously on paper they are like chalk and cheese. However I always say that they are both fun though, but in different ways.

I really like the easy straight line performance in the M4, and I also like that it is willing to stick you in a field even at low revs in the winter too. It needs respect. But on the other hand...the Caterham is just a right laugh full stop though, because of its lightweight, and its complete lack of driving aids for me.

Plus everyone seems to love the Caterham when I'm out and about in it as well, and it generates a lot of positivity from folk.

Whereas I'd imagine that most folk think that I'm just another dhead driving a BMW in the M4 in comparison though!

[CG2020UK]

cerb4.5lee said:

I get asked a few times how the F82 M4 and the Caterham compare to each other, because obviously on paper they are like chalk and cheese. However I always say that they are both fun though, but in different ways.

I really like the easy straight line performance in the M4, and I also like that it is willing to stick you in a field even at low revs in the winter too. It needs respect. But on the other hand...the Caterham is just a right laugh full stop though, because of its lightweight, and its complete lack of driving aids for me.

Plus everyone seems to love the Caterham when I'm out and about in it as well, and it generates a lot of positivity from folk.

Whereas I'd imagine that most folk think that I'm just another dhead driving a BMW in the M4 in comparison though!

Yeah spot on mate!

I think it’s just horses for courses and certainly admit different types of fun!

In fairness I’ve no idea how people do Caterhams they terrify me! I flat out refuse anyone who offers me a passenger ride on track days. I’d quicker do a motorbike.

I think it’s an apples or oranges question. Can have fun in both it’s just for you to pick whatever flavour you fancy.

Like I imagine a Caterham on a rainy December day isn’t anyone’s idea of fun

[CG2020UK]

rottenegg said:

GreatScott2016 said:

Enjoyed that read. I hate to say it, but even the grill is growing on me. Time is indeed a healer!

It's still disgusting and will always be disgusting. The rather lovely paint just makes it slightly less offensive than it is on some other colours.

As someone who thinks the FK8 Type-R looks awesome I will admit my taste in cars is maybe vulnerable to inspection!

[BlackandWhite]

cerb4.5lee said:

DB77 said:

cerb4.5lee said:

I'd take my Caterham over this all day long for sure, all day everyday.

I’m sorry, but that is a ridiculous comment! You would take your Caterham over an M3 every day?? I appreciate the Caterham is going to be more fun if just going out for a drive, but what about the days when you need to take 3 or 4 friends or family members, or you are going away for a week and it is raining / snowing?

The point of M3s and similar cars is that you get a balance between practicality and enjoyment. It doesn’t excel at either the way a more dedicated car would, but there is an argument to be made for the combination.

I have a ‘fun’ car which also can be used for daily duties. But - when I travel to our house in the Yorkshire Dales I have to take 3 people, plus dog, plus luggage. I can’t do that in a 2 seater, which means I have a large, very heavy, un-fun car when I am near some great driving roads. I am considering an m3 Touring as a good compromise - from my testing it is the best handling / most enjoyable estate car and it will allow me to transport all I need to and then have some fun while I am there.

Yes and I was just trying to state the massive differences between a Caterham and an M3 that's all. When all is said and done the M3 is still based on a boring saloon car, and you get all the drawbacks with that. A generic cabin/heavy kerbweight etc, whereas a Caterham is purely built for fun in comparison.

Saloon cars are not boring because they are saloon cars and there is a massive difference, the Caterham is based on 60’s garden furniture.

[3795mpower]

Not a fan of the styling of this or most of the latest Bmws.

Did a NS lap in a G80 and competent as it was, it sounded like an m135i.
I know it was inevitable but the ZF box does remove some soul from the experience.

I appreciate it's fast but that's only useful some of the time.

[911Spanker]

BlackandWhite said:

cerb4.5lee said:

DB77 said:

cerb4.5lee said:

I'd take my Caterham over this all day long for sure, all day everyday.

I’m sorry, but that is a ridiculous comment! You would take your Caterham over an M3 every day?? I appreciate the Caterham is going to be more fun if just going out for a drive, but what about the days when you need to take 3 or 4 friends or family members, or you are going away for a week and it is raining / snowing?

The point of M3s and similar cars is that you get a balance between practicality and enjoyment. It doesn’t excel at either the way a more dedicated car would, but there is an argument to be made for the combination.

I have a ‘fun’ car which also can be used for daily duties. But - when I travel to our house in the Yorkshire Dales I have to take 3 people, plus dog, plus luggage. I can’t do that in a 2 seater, which means I have a large, very heavy, un-fun car when I am near some great driving roads. I am considering an m3 Touring as a good compromise - from my testing it is the best handling / most enjoyable estate car and it will allow me to transport all I need to and then have some fun while I am there.

Yes and I was just trying to state the massive differences between a Caterham and an M3 that's all. When all is said and done the M3 is still based on a boring saloon car, and you get all the drawbacks with that. A generic cabin/heavy kerbweight etc, whereas a Caterham is purely built for fun in comparison.

Saloon cars are not boring because they are saloon cars and there is a massive difference, the Caterham is based on 60’s garden furniture.

Are you losing the plot mate? You posted the exact same thing yesterday....

[JAMSXR]

cerb4.5lee said:

JAMSXR said:

All this talk of Caterham Vs M3, maybe we should be comparing the M3 to a superbike? A Caterham is just a st motorcycle, it has all of the drawbacks of a car and hardly any of the benefits.

I think we all tend to forget that everyone has a different use case, but the Caterham comparison is somewhat outlandish…

Fast saloon/estate cars are what they are, I certainly don’t get in an M3, C63 or RS4 and feel letdown because I’ve spent years riding motorcycles. I massively appreciate the luxury, practicality, drivability, and performance on tap.

In fairness the Caterham isn’t trying to be a motorbike is it? It has 4 wheels for a start.

Anyway...I'm in your camp regarding the really nice all round performance car aspect of the M3/M4 though, and if I didn't I wouldn't have had my F82 M4 for 3 years/25k miles up to yet. Plus all being well I hope to swap it for a G82 M4 xDrive next year as well.

All I'm saying is that I've always preferred something that is built from the ground up as a sporty car, rather than a car that is based on something that is steady Eddie like a 318d, and then modified to the inch of its life to make it faster/better if you know what I mean?

Edited by cerb4.5lee on Tuesday 23 April 14:33

To be fair the M3 isn’t trying to be a lightweight sports car

I hear you but throwing the Caterham in was always going to be a little disruptive. I’ve always preferred pumped up family cars to focused sports cars for some reason, I’m more Lotus Carlton than Esprit. Probably because when things get really focused I’ve got 2 wheels to lean on, so I like my cars kitted out and practical.

[cerb4.5lee]

JAMSXR said:

To be fair the M3 isn’t trying to be a lightweight sports car

I hear you but throwing the Caterham in was always going to be a little disruptive. I’ve always preferred pumped up family cars to focused sports cars for some reason, I’m more Lotus Carlton than Esprit. Probably because when things get really focused I’ve got 2 wheels to lean on, so I like my cars kitted out and practical.

I've always loved the Lotus Carlton myself too. Plus as you say, nothing is coming close to a fast motorbike for thrills for sure I'd imagine.

[ZX10R NIN]

cerb4.5lee said:

I've always loved the Lotus Carlton myself too. Plus as you say, nothing is coming close to a fast motorbike for thrills for sure I'd imagine.

Nope it doesn't but a car is still enjoyable, just not as enjoyable/exploitable.

[theplayingmantis]

Colinv6 said:

I’m an absolute BMW nut, and this is the first generation that (price aside) I haven’t rushed out to get one of. My dad actually has a G82 M4 in Toronto red and even though I can use it when I want to, I just don’t really grab the opertunity.

I’ve had 4 of the F8x generation, and I still think they are brilliant machines. Dare I say under appreciated. Their current problem is they are into the eBay carbon and remap phase of their depreciation curve.

Here’s mine, all OEM, including the suspension kit. Individual inside and out. I adore it.
No I’m not parked in a disabled bay before anyways says.

Yes you are