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

[MadCaptainJack]

I opted for a Giulia Quadrifoglio over the M3 Competition, and I have zero regrets.

[CG2020UK]

I’ve logged on to see the G80 M3 Comp described as a 6/10 across the board

That's Enough Internet for Today

[JackJarvis]

I'm glad we've managed to reach a sensible conclusion : G80 M3 Comp is a 6 / 10 across the board and everyone should buy a Caterham instead.

/thread

[stuart100]

cerb4.5lee said:

I tried using my old V8 E92 M3 as a "one car do it all", and it failed miserably for me. It felt just like a 318d when you were sat in it, and it felt very ordinary very quickly when I was using it everyday for me.

I have a V8 M3. For me it is a do it all car (master of none). But I love it as in it doesn't feel like a 318d. It looks special, sounds very special and drives special. Every drive is something of an event, unlike my E46 330ci let alone a 318d.

[cerb4.5lee]

HighwayStar said:

cerb4.5lee said:

JAMSXR said:

cerb4.5lee said:

Either way they are both properly boring cars for sure though. Why would anyone get excited about a car that is based on a 318d?

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

Bit of an odd comment but we all have a different perspective. The M3 is a million miles from a 318d, an absolute blast on track and pretty fun on an open road. Despite it’s looks I would take the BMW over a Caterham 99% of the time, but I have a young family, and in the past spent all my time on 2 wheels for kicks and giggles.

Strange that I have to explain this on a car forum, but an M3 isn’t a single purpose driving car. It’s built to handle the nursery run, track days and everything else in between.

The problem for me though...is that because it is trying to be a "Jack of all trades car", it ends up being a master of none of them in my opinion. So I'd always go in the direction of more than one car if funds allow for sure.

I tried using my old V8 E92 M3 as a "one car do it all", and it failed miserably for me. It felt just like a 318d when you were sat in it, and it felt very ordinary very quickly when I was using it everyday for me.

But everyone is different though for definite, and what works for one person, won't work for another I think.

That’s an interesting take from you as you have an F82 M4…

I do rate the M4 very highly as a daily, but I'm in a fortunate position where I have other more exciting cars to use though. I wouldn't want the M4 as my only car though, and I also wouldn't entertain it as a weekend car either, because for me it just isn't special enough for that.

[cerb4.5lee]

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.

[cerb4.5lee]

CG2020UK said:

I’ve logged on to see the G80 M3 Comp described as a 6/10 across the board

That's Enough Internet for Today

JackJarvis said:

I'm glad we've managed to reach a sensible conclusion : G80 M3 Comp is a 6 / 10 across the board and everyone should buy a Caterham instead.

/thread

[toon10]

Fantastic cars but the styling hasn't improved over time. People keep going on about the grill which isn't great, but the rest of the car is unresolved and not great to look at in my opinion. Park one next to the previous generation and you'll be looking at the older car and thinking how good it still looks.

[cerb4.5lee]

toon10 said:

Fantastic cars but the styling hasn't improved over time. People keep going on about the grill which isn't great, but the rest of the car is unresolved and not great to look at in my opinion. Park one next to the previous generation and you'll be looking at the older car and thinking how good it still looks.

I think the F8x cars are nice looking things too. However I also like the aggression and the road presence that the G8x cars have though. They remind me a bit of the Mustang/R35 GT-R if you know what I mean.

[HardtopManual]

Drove the M4 Comp at Palmersport and was left very, very cold by it. Heavy, uninvolving, sounded flat.

[UTH]

200Plus Club said:

As above, the front grille seems less hideous than when they came out. A lot of performance if you want it.

Yep, 3rd that, clearly I have forgotten my initial hatred for the front, and I now think this is rather cool and a bit of a bargain!

[Arsecati]

ChocolateFrog said:

Walked past one yesterday with rusty Akra exhaust tips.

I'd assumed they would be titanium.

If they were rusty, they weren't Akras.

[Arsecati]

Still utterly hideous - just can't get past it. As others have said, the Alfa over this all day long. Or if you need the space, the RS4 Competition is quicker round a track, so better again.

(Oooh, can't wait for the comments on that one!).

[DB77]

Arsecati said:

Still utterly hideous - just can't get past it. As others have said, the Alfa over this all day long. Or if you need the space, the RS4 Competition is quicker round a track, so better again.

(Oooh, can't wait for the comments on that one!).

I thought the same, but having driven both, even if the RS4 is quicker, it feels more inert and less engaging. The Alfa doesn't have enough space. It is frustrating that they have made the M3 ugly, but I'm prioritising enjoyment over looks.

[samjlevy]

HardtopManual said:

Drove the M4 Comp at Palmersport and was left very, very cold by it. Heavy, uninvolving, sounded flat.

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.

[pheonix478]

CG2020UK said:

I’ve logged on to see the G80 M3 Comp described as a 6/10 across the board

That's Enough Internet for Today

Very well, no doubt you've driven one as you claim to have driven absolutely everything so how are you going to mark it on track and by comparison what mark would you give say a Radical XXR? On road enjoyment vs say a Speciale? If a Caterham is a 10 for driver engagement where is this 2 tonne, auto beast? If a Ghost is a 10 for comfort where is the M3? I'll give you a clue it's not a 6! Practicality vs a people carrier? The only thing the M3 is actually brilliant at, is being really good at everything without being a 10 at anything.

[CABC]

340i and Caterham with the saving.
more comfortable most of the time and more sporty for those special drives.

[CG2020UK]

pheonix478 said:

CG2020UK said:

I’ve logged on to see the G80 M3 Comp described as a 6/10 across the board

That's Enough Internet for Today

Very well, no doubt you've driven one as you claim to have driven absolutely everything so how are you going to mark it on track and by comparison what mark would you give say a Radical XXR? On road enjoyment vs say a Speciale? If a Caterham is a 10 for driver engagement where is this 2 tonne, auto beast? If a Ghost is a 10 for comfort where is the M3? I'll give you a clue it's not a 6! Practicality vs a people carrier? The only thing the M3 is actually brilliant at, is being really good at everything without being a 10 at anything.

I’m sorry I’ve no idea who you are.

This is so angrily written you’ve probably give yourself high blood pressure. Recommend a biscuit and a cup of coffee and you chill out

Enough internet today for you!

[pheonix478]

CG2020UK said:

I’m sorry I’ve no idea who you are.

Why would you? On the other hand your PH alias is quite memorable from all the cars you claim to have driven but know nothing about...

[mjlloyd500]

Omg it's a bmw enough said 😳 😍