M135i F80 M3

[snorkel sucker]

Currently running an M135i ('63 plate, so pre-LCI) and whilst the engine is undoubtedly a gem, I find the rest of the car lacking in terms of handling and refinement. It can be a frustrating car at times in that when you find the right road and want it to come alive, it has a tendency to make you want to back off, which is a shame as it really detracts from it's true potential as a Jekyll and Hyde car. The main culprit is the suspension which doesn't so much soak up the road but skirts/bounces along (mine has passive dampers and non-run flats).

Anyway, the current plan is to change in September and my thoughts are to take the plunge and go for an F80 M3. I've toyed with the idea of a full ///M before but head has always prevailed (a 130i and M135i being the 'sensible' choices in the past). On paper, the F80 M3 looks like it could tick the right boxes and be a great and composed family/commuting car but have that edge that the M135i doesn't when the mood strikes.

I'd be looking at the lower end of the F80 spectrum (AUC prices seem to be about £40k ish for a '14-'15 plate) but I'm not clear as to whether I'd suffer the same frustrations with these early M3s as I do with my early M135i - there seems to be a lot of conflicting advice as to whether the early F80 M3 was skittish and tail happy or whether this was just internet hearsay.

I know the easy way to answer the question is to go and drive one but I would be interested to hear from anyone who has made a similar move and what their thoughts are.

[snorkel sucker]

gareth h said:

Or something like KW V3 coilovers on the M135? It would definitely feel more planted, if you are happy with all other aspects of the car.

That has occurred to me, yes. The larger size and refinement of the 3 series does appeal though for when it is used for family and commuting duties.

There is also the part of me that says get a proper M car and be done with it rather than trying to modify something to become almost an M car!

[snorkel sucker]

olly-robinson said:

I can provide some feedback:

I went from a M135 (14 plate) to a M4 (64plate), in short they are night and day, i was expecting some similarity with both been 6 cylinder turbo 3 litre engines but the way the M4 delivers the power it is so much more intense.

I fitted eibach springs and spacers to the M135 which did improve the handling but i also felt the vagueness with the chassis and it never quite felt right. The M4 does suffer some traction issues and the handling isn't perfect but the feel of the steering,chassis and the way it turns in, it really cannot be compared with an M135. I am looking into adding Kw v3's to the M4 which apparently help with some of the traction issues.

Finally the M135's looks never excited me it is a fairly dull looking car, the M3/4 have so much road presence and attracts a stupid amount of attention if thats your thing.

DO IT!!!

Olly that's great, thanks!

On the flip side of the performance, how does the M4 compare to the M135i in terms of everyday driving; the dull stuff? With the 1 series being so small I do find it lacks a degree of refinement which I would hope is dealt with in the larger M3/M4.

[snorkel sucker]

bennyboysvuk said:

I've never felt that the M135i makes me back off due to the vagueness, but it's certainly not sharp when you're on it and you have to do an awful lot of work to stop the open diff making a mess of things and ensuring that the chassis is loaded and unloaded gently and smoothly.

Edited by bennyboysvuk on Friday 31st March 13:16

I wouldn't say it is the vagueness that is the issue; I find it is the suspension. I'm certainly no expert but the way it hops and bounces, particularly over less than perfect roads, doesn't inspire confidence and detracts from an otherwise decent chassis.

[snorkel sucker]

Not much sleep for you tonight then! Would be great to hear your thoughts. I think I'm going to look into driving one, make my own mind up!

[snorkel sucker]

M140i, whilst great, is more of a sidestep than a step forward. Plus, with a young family a 1 series really doesn't cut the mustard, size wise.

I have in the last couple of weeks ditched the run flats (Bridgestone S001) and replaced them with some Uniroyal Rainsport 3 and the difference between them is very significant, much more than I thought and much more than I recall it being when I did the same sort of thing on my 130i.

Pretty much gone is the jiggly ride (it still isn't great) and although a small amount of turn in sharpness has gone, overall grip levels are massively higher, ride is better and you can subsequently drive the car faster and harder. Even I'm shocked at the difference.