Went to a 2017 M3 ZCP!

[Hashtag_M_Rated]

Went to a 2017 M3 ZCP! Did I do the right thing?
So far I'm in love with the drive and SOUND! Why am I missing my F10 M5 though !

[RPiM5]

Originally Posted by Hashtag_M_Rated

Went to a 2017 M3 ZCP! Did I do the right thing?
So far I'm in love with the drive and SOUND! Why am I missing my F10 M5 though !

The ZCP exhaust does indeed sound way better than non-ZCP, but you are probably missing the refinement, space, luxury, and a certain je ne sais quoi that only an M5 can give.

I too have lots of time in an F80 and the very best thing about that car for me is the 6MT, otherwise the rest of the car I do not care for.

[BDWonder]

I think it's the class and luxury an m5 giveth.
I love big, luxurious, super fast vehicles. The power...and class. I would almost always choose m5 over m3. But then again, the m5 isn't that big and heavy for city driving. It handles amazingly...as if it weighs very little. On the track though i can see this being a cumbersome car. Having said all that...an m3 is terrific. Total package. Power...4 doors...looks. Less expensive than m5.

[Vic55]

Well when I owned both, an F82 ZCP and still have the F10 M5... what I missed after getting back into the F10 was the luxury aspect on the inside. I also enjoyed the longer wheelbase and the car's stability over 120 mph along with the steering feel. I felt the ZCP had moderate understeer even in comfort mode. And of course I loved the 60 to 140 mph pull of the M5; its just an incredible GT car.

Of course there are trade off's and the M4 has alot of subjective wins as well but thats how I felt after swapping cars every few days. I know you have an M3 but its the closest comparo I could give you with ownership in mind. I kept my M4 for about 6 months.

[M6-Coupe]

Originally Posted by Hashtag_M_Rated

Went to a 2017 M3 ZCP! Did I do the right thing?
So far I'm in love with the drive and SOUND! Why am I missing my F10 M5 though !

Because you are missing the power of monster!
I do have the same feeling after about 4 months going from M6 to M4 ZCP !
But you will have another enjoyable type of moments which is the nimbleness and controllable power/torque...
Let me say DRIFT TIME

[M6-Coupe]

Originally Posted by RPiM5

The ZCP exhaust does indeed sound way better than non-ZCP, but you are probably missing the refinement, space, luxury, and a certain je ne dais quoi that only an M5 can give.

I too have lots of time in an F80 and the very best thing about that car for me is the 6MT, otherwise the rest of the car I do not care for.

Oh man 6MT is fantastic... every single moment is adorable lol

[SteveC]

M5 was always one of the cars on my dream car list, so when the time came to take delivery of a personally spec'd '15 ZCP I was truly excited. But despite its enormous power, its state of the art DCT, its brilliant adaptive headlights, its sumptuous leather and the ZCP exhaust I never truly bonded with the car.

The power never ceased to excite and the handling prowess was quite remarkable given its size and weight, but there was just something about how the car isolated the driver that just didn't jibe for me. It took too much concentration to guide along narrow B roads, its interior was luxurious, where I prefer sporty and I constantly found the DCT programming, with its choice between frenetic high revving beast and reluctant granny mode totally irritating. I tried really hard to like it, but the best I could do was respect.

So after 2 years I decided to look around. I was seriously considering an M2 but really couldn't abide the cheap, plastic interior, so I spec'd up an M4 ZCP with 6MT. I duly took delivery and my love of driving an M car is back. In spades. Not quite as brutal as an M5, but the M4 manages to put a smile on my face with every drive. Faults? Only 1 really.....it could do with a 7th gear, if only to stop the constant 6th gear upshift attempts that are part of every drive.

[Hashtag_M_Rated]

Guys I'm loving all the replies I'm getting!!! Honestly the M5 was just a dream car for me and I knew that one I will have to get one (I was 13 at the time) after 20 years I was finally able to afford one and in September 2014 is when I bought mine! I love everything about that M5. It's a truly unique car and for people who understand what it is.

It's not a flashy car and that's what makes it classy and special. Sure it doesn't sound as good as that new M3 ZCP I just got and I know I might get some hate saying this but that M3 ZCP with those 666 style wheels just looks stunning and maybe because I choose Tanzanite blue individual over Silverstone interior

I know I will go back to an M5 without a doubt but I'm 34 years old and a growing family and if I don't get an M3 now I will never get one and I love the sound, look and handling of my new M3 ZCP but I also know that in 2 years or so I will be going back to the new M5 ZCP and this time I promised myself I will finally do a Euro delivery no matter what!!!

[Greer]

I went from F10 M5 to Comp Package M3 and I am very happy with the change. The M3 is lighter, more nimble and handles better in the twists near my home on Mulholland Drive. This new M3 has grown in size and reminds me of my 2003 E39 M5 from many years ago. Also I plan on multiple track days with my car and my F10 was just to heavy on the track for my taste. The M5 and M3 are both great cars, you have a win either way!

[NickBoz]

Originally Posted by Vic55

Well when I owned both, an F82 ZCP and still have the F10 M5... what I missed after getting back into the F10 was the luxury aspect on the inside. I also enjoyed the longer wheelbase and the car's stability over 120 mph along with the steering feel. I felt the ZCP had moderate understeer even in comfort mode. And of course I loved the 60 to 140 mph pull of the M5; its just an incredible GT car.

Of course there are trade off's and the M4 has alot of subjective wins as well but thats how I felt after swapping cars every few days. I know you have an M3 but its the closest comparo I could give you with ownership in mind. I kept my M4 for about 6 months.

Hows your M5

[NlckyBlack]

Both are nice in their own right. They attempt the same thing but in a little bit of a different path for each. I prefer my M5 over the M4, but after driving my buddies M3 for a few days it's a welcome feeling to row your own gears. Then back to the DCT M5 which is like a bullet in a suit.

[fhaze3]

Originally Posted by NlckyBlack

Then back to the DCT M5 which is like a bullet in a suit.

HAHA I love that..

[Greer]

The M5 and M3 sedans are both great cars.