Vic55 and I drove the F80 M3. Pulls like a French Choo Choo Train.

[Tylerstar]

I guess you could say it has similar tone to a 458 but cmon. In terms of sound they sound nothing alike LOL.

[Tylerstar]

....

[ColdList]

Originally Posted by Tylerstar

....

lol! not really.

Funny thing is how quiet a 458 is on first start up. The M3 is actually louder-lol But let her warm up and hit that throttle and it's game over!

[Tylerstar]

Originally Posted by ColdList

lol! not really.

Funny thing is how quiet a 458 is on first start up. The M3 is actually louder-lol But let her warm up and hit that throttle and it's game over!

On the throttle is just orgasmic. And those downshiftts

[Tylerstar]

Originally Posted by Vic55

They justify their purchase with initial feelings. This is why Im waiting on my RS7 post as I need to start disliking things so I can be more subjective.

Were waiting

[stealth.pilot]

Originally Posted by Mbdurham17

So basically what I get from this is that if I decide to get an M3 LCI (CP?) when my lease is up in 2 1/2 years instead of the next gen M5 in order to wait for the next LCI M5 (instead of something other than M) I wouldn't be disappointed in the performance but probably would miss the luxury, however no one should go out and trade their M5 for and M3 but be prepared if you decide to play with one in your M5 the performance is very close and would probably come down to driver.

You're a master of synthesis!

[stealth.pilot]

Originally Posted by Careful Driver

It sounds nothing like a ferrari. It sounds like a EVO to me. Probably the most Japanese sounding German car ever made.

I've heard the Ferrari quote from quite a few people who've driven the new M. I doubt it sounds like an Evo. However I would interpret these comments to mean that it sounds exotic rather than it sounds like a Ferrari.

[Careful Driver]

Originally Posted by stealth.pilot

I've heard the Ferrari quote from quite a few people who've driven the new M. I doubt it sounds like an Evo. However I would interpret these comments to mean that it sounds exotic rather than it sounds like a Ferrari.

I was with the car for an hour today and I had my CA drive the car as well as hit gas till 5000 rpm on idle so that I could hear how the car sounded. It does not sound like exotic.

[stealth.pilot]

Originally Posted by Careful Driver

I was with the car for an hour today and I had my CA drive the car as well as hit gas till 5000 rpm on idle so that I could hear how the car sounded. It does not sound like exotic.

Well that's not surprising.

[Careful Driver]

A few more points (I am going to make my own thread but still...) :

* The steering is not something I liked. It's definitely a step up from the E9X M3, but it's inferior to the M5/M6 Comp Package.
* Car has so much, I mean SO MUCH artificial sound in the cabin. In M5, this is hardly noticeable. When you roll down the windows, the sound does not change that much. In the M4, when you roll down your windows, you sort of realize how the car sounds from outside is nothing like how it sounds inside. It's so different. I was so amazed! I thought, boy this cannot be the same car.
* The car is LOUD inside. I mean really loud. It's so loud that cruising in highway for long periods of time would be uncomfortable. And please take a note that loud is not necessarily better noise. I really dislike the noise. It sounds like a EVO or more like a loud nascar race car with no insulation. Unfortunately as I said above, the sound is fake, because when you roll your windows down, you realize how quiet it is from outside. This is also quite noticeable when you do a drive by.
* I really dislike the exhaust, it's hard to use stronger words. It just does not sound good at all. Flaps closed, open, under load, in 2nd gear, I mean I tried it all. It sounds like shit as Dave very nicely put it.
* Acceleration is hardly strong. I don't know what the fuss is all about. I have done full 7500 rpm pulls from 1-2-3 hitting 100 or so, it honestly does not feel that fast to me.
* There is something wrong after 5500 rpm. With my CP M5, I can go on and on till 7250 rpm and it still pulls strong. It doesn't feel like torque dies off. With the M3, you hit a wall at 5500 and the car feels like it's out of breath.
* The amount of torque this car has is too much for the chassis. This is probably why the car "feels" faster. It doesn't mean it's actually faster than the M5. It feels uncomfortable. When you go WOT, even though you are not going faster than the M5, the rear gives out and it doesn't feel like you are in control of the car. With the M5, you do a 2nd gear pull WOT, and it just goes like a ICBM missile and gives you so much confidence.

Overall, I would never, NEVER, think about moving to this car for any reason (track, weekend car, etc) from an M5 or an M6. If one needs a track car as a second car, I'd look into the new Z07. It's a far better car. M3s have always been about "compromise". This one takes that to the next level. Everything about this car is compromise. The only way you'd buy this car is if you cannot afford an M5 and you must have 1 car and 1 car only then I'd get it.

And in terms of sound and straight line acceleration, it does not even come close to the M5. There is so much power and torque in the M5, it actually scares you.

I now know why admins keep banning people from the F80 forums and BMW is so sensitive about this car. I mean come on! When E9X was released, it was so ahead of its time, this car on the other hand to me is like a step in the wrong direction. If I had a E9X M3, I would never give it up for this, not unless you are into technology (and all the cameras and gadgets are overrated, even in the M5).

[soooma]

Originally Posted by Careful Driver

A few more points (I am going to make my own thread but still...) :

* The steering is not something I liked. It's definitely a step up from the E9X M3, but it's inferior to the M5/M6 Comp Package.
* Car has so much, I mean SO MUCH artificial sound in the cabin. In M5, this is hardly noticeable. When you roll down the windows, the sound does not change that much. In the M4, when you roll down your windows, you sort of realize how the car sounds from outside is nothing like how it sounds inside. It's so different. I was so amazed! I thought, boy this cannot be the same car.
* The car is LOUD inside. I mean really loud. It's so loud that cruising in highway for long periods of time would be uncomfortable. And please take a note that loud is not necessarily better noise. I really dislike the noise. It sounds like a EVO or more like a loud nascar race car with no insulation. Unfortunately as I said above, the sound is fake, because when you roll your windows down, you realize how quiet it is from outside. This is also quite noticeable when you do a drive by.
* I really dislike the exhaust, it's hard to use stronger words. It just does not sound good at all. Flaps closed, open, under load, in 2nd gear, I mean I tried it all. It sounds like shit as Dave very nicely put it.
* Acceleration is hardly strong. I don't know what the fuss is all about. I have done full 7500 rpm pulls from 1-2-3 hitting 100 or so, it honestly does not feel that fast to me.
* There is something wrong after 5500 rpm. With my CP M5, I can go on and on till 7250 rpm and it still pulls strong. It doesn't feel like torque dies off. With the M3, you hit a wall at 5500 and the car feels like it's out of breath.
* The amount of torque this car has is too much for the chassis. This is probably why the car "feels" faster. It doesn't mean it's actually faster than the M5. It feels uncomfortable. When you go WOT, even though you are not going faster than the M5, the rear gives out and it doesn't feel like you are in control of the car. With the M5, you do a 2nd gear pull WOT, and it just goes like a ICBM missile and gives you so much confidence.

Overall, I would never, NEVER, think about moving to this car for any reason (track, weekend car, etc) from an M5 or an M6. If one needs a track car as a second car, I'd look into the new Z07. It's a far better car. M3s have always been about "compromise". This one takes that to the next level. Everything about this car is compromise. The only way you'd buy this car is if you cannot afford an M5 and you must have 1 car and 1 car only then I'd get it.

And in terms of sound and straight line acceleration, it does not even come close to the M5. There is so much power and torque in the M5, it actually scares you.

I now know why admins keep banning people from the F80 forums and BMW is so sensitive about this car. I mean come on! When E9X was released, it was so ahead of its time, this car on the other hand to me is like a step in the wrong direction. If I had a E9X M3, I would never give it up for this, not unless you are into technology (and all the cameras and gadgets are overrated, even in the M5).

You must be really suicidal -
Just kidding
Actually you have a way with description that made me have a very good feel to the point of visual of what you're trying to describe.

Good job
I encourage you to start your own thread

What's really interesting then is we need to decide between your take and RPiM5 take on the car because they are very different and one of you must've not gotten it really right to be honest or the only other possibility is that your tastes are really different! ! NOT SURE !!

[M6-Coupe]

Originally Posted by soooma

Sounds good but too high pitch for my taste!
Sounds like infinity coupe -
Now I am gonna hide LOL

lol Soooma you are funny

[M6-Coupe]

Originally Posted by ColdList

lol! not really.

Funny thing is how quiet a 458 is on first start up. The M3 is actually louder-lol But let her warm up and hit that throttle and it's game over!

Coldlist, please don't say anything against M3/M4.... you know those guys! they are on the way kill us

[Careful Driver]

Originally Posted by soooma

You must be really suicidal -
Just kidding
Actually you have a way with description that made me have a very good feel to the point of visual of what you're trying to describe.

Good job
I encourage you to start your own thread

What's really interesting then is we need to decide between your take and RPiM5 take on the car because they are very different and one of you must've not gotten it really right to be honest or the only other possibility is that your tastes are really different! ! NOT SURE !!

I think they are pretty much the same. Just that RPiM5 is a very nice guy and he is trying to be friendly with the M3 crowd as well as the M5 crowd. But his true opinion is hidden in his sentences where he keeps saying "no way its faster than the M5, not even non cp" or "the exhaust sounds like shiite" etc. I, on the other hand, am more vocal and I am the type that gets banned from forums because I speak the truth (i.e. they banned me from F80 post a few weeks ago). Not that I care, but still I could careless if the F80 people hate me, I speak my mind, very openly.

[RPiM5]

Originally Posted by M6-Coupe

Coldlist, please don't say anything against M3/M4.... you know those guys! they are on the way kill us

This seriously made me LOL!

[Tylerstar]

LOLOL

[Tylerstar]

We need someone with a stock M5 to do some races from a 40 roll and 60 roll.

[Careful Driver]

Originally Posted by Tylerstar

We need someone with a stock M5 to do some races from a 40 roll and 60 roll.

What's the point? M5 will put 2 car lengths by 80-90 mph. I am telling you the car is not that fast. It "feels" fast because its lighter, but its screaming its lungs out and in my opinion it won't be able to keep up. Also, its power dies off past 5500 rpm. It's very noticeable. I believe a few other reviewers mentioned the same thing. With the M5, you don't feel the same. It feels like a NA engine. Maybe it;s because it's 575 hp and 500+ torque, not sure.

I drove the M3 and M5 back to back (with the CA), and even the guy admitted it wasn't "as fast".

[Tylerstar]

Originally Posted by Careful Driver

What's the point? M5 will put 2 car lengths by 80-90 mph. I am telling you the car is not that fast. It "feels" fast because its lighter, but its screaming its lungs out and in my opinion it won't be able to keep up. Also, its power dies off past 5500 rpm. It's very noticeable. I believe a few other reviewers mentioned the same thing. With the M5, you don't feel the same. It feels like a NA engine. Maybe it;s because it's 575 hp and 500+ torque, not sure.

I drove the M3 and M5 back to back (with the CA), and even the guy admitted it wasn't "as fast".

Just curious to see how much it will pull on a stock m3. If its not faster then the 991's it will be very bad LOL. Is there any turbo lag?

[RPiM5]

Originally Posted by Careful Driver

What's the point? M5 will put 2 car lengths by 80-90 mph. I am telling you the car is not that fast. It "feels" fast because its lighter, but its screaming its lungs out and in my opinion it won't be able to keep up. Also, its power dies off past 5500 rpm. It's very noticeable. I believe a few other reviewers mentioned the same thing. With the M5, you don't feel the same. It feels like a NA engine. Maybe it;s because it's 575 hp and 500+ torque, not sure.

I drove the M3 and M5 back to back (with the CA), and even the guy admitted it wasn't "as fast".

I've never felt that the power or torque really dies off in the RPM band of the S63tu engine, well maybe when my car was still stock. I think it's because the engine is a much bigger discplacement. 4.4L versus 3.0L, that's quite a difference. On my Fiat Abarth, I can literally feel the torque die off at a certain RPM, that it feels like a kick in the nuts. The engine on the little Abarth is only 1.4L.

[///M ARMY]

Originally Posted by RPiM5

Yo yo, what up?! It's yo favorite car reviewah here, Pkilla617.

Yo, got to drive the new ass M3 today boy. This ride is dope ya'll. The one I drove didn't have the cocaine white interior, but the car was a beast. Top of the line son. Ya'll need to get a handle on this new M3, car felt like a beast in all modes, even just drivin' it around in da' parking lot. This M3 didn't have the Shakur leather either, but it was nasty fo'sho. Loved stocks on the car too dog.

And now back to your regular scheduled programming...


Ok, after my good friend Pkilla drove the car, it was my turn. RPiM5, aka Mr. JetBlue himself.

I got a secret communique through back channel BMW protocols that provided the intelligence necessary for me to hunt down my first F80 M3 and drive it. Got to the dealership this afternoon after I got off of work and parked Ms. Mika outside in the front of the dealership. The receptionist girl was funny and gave me the best compliment I think I've ever gotten on my car she said that "my M5 looked like it belonged in California, like in Hollywood." Ha!

After a short chat with the receptionist girl the CA came out and helped to arrange the test drive with him. I think I may the first F10 M5 owner to drive an F80 M3 or at least report on it here on Bimmerpost. If I'm not then at least I'm the first one to report how Pkilla617 himself liked the car. What a guy he is.

THE GOOD:

After a long chat with the CA, about cool M3 stuff, we were off! I took it easy on Mika's little sister at first, just puttered about in D1 mode everything efficient and comfort, just to get a feel for her. The steering feel just driving around at slow and normal speeds felt less communicative than M5's steering. This is just my perception. Later when I went to Sport and Sport+ on the steering, it did get a lot heavier, but no extra feel was felt really, although I will say that the EPS is very very responsive and accurate. Halfway through the test drive I put the M3 in Sport+ throttle, Sport+ Suspension, and Sport+ Steering, D3 mode and gave more and more throttle input. What happened next surprised the hell out of me...

THE FANTASTIC:

As soon as the engine revolutions passed EXACTLY 4,000RPM, the car literally and shockingly CAME ALIVE!!!! It was like I awoke a BEAST lurking beneath the hood of the car! I was like GOOD GOD, where the hell did you come from little M3?! When I mean CAME ALIVE, I mean the sound in the cabin COMPLETELY changed from sounding like I was driving a 335i around town to sounding like I was driving a bonefide ///M car on the Nurburging! The sound we heard is the sound of the induction noise of the engine and the exhaust of the car seemingly mixed together. I soon switched to S3 mode on the DCT, and began upshifting and downshifting to get the revs below and above 4,000rpm. When I upshifted to 3rd gear from 2nd and the revs went below 4,000rpm the car went quiet, I would slow down downshift to 2nd gear then give the engine some throttle and would accelerate past 4,000rpm and every single time the car came alive! I did like 10 times in a row, because I was having a hard time believing just how F$CK(NG FANTASTIC the car sounded! I did several more pulls like this with the windows rolled down just to determine if I could hear the exhaust change note with the valves opening up. The answer is yes you can hear a definite change to the exhaust note when the valves open up and it sounds pretty good!

It was a pretty extended test drive and we took it on the highway for a few minutes too. We hit this super long on ramp, like at least a 1/4 mile and I gave it a good long acceleration. This is where I felt the real PULL of the new F80 M3. I'm telling you guys the car pulls like an M5, I'm not exaggerating. I got the same feeling of acceleration. Whether the new M3 is faster in any kind of straightline performance I can't say, the CA would not let me race my M5 against it. Lol! Then again my M5 is modded to over 700hp at the moment. The new M3 sure did feel fast though, and that's what counts.

The NOT SO GOOD:

As for the other things, it was about the same as you would expect riding in a nicely equipped 335i. The interior sound in the cabin was pretty dang quiet, dare I say even less road noise than an F10 M5? I conducted the entire test drive with the radio in the OFF position, as I wanted to hear every last sound from the car that I could.

After a little while of driving the M3 around, I did start to notice a lot of little things that reminded me I was driving an M3 and not an M5. The one that I test drove did not have the full leather, but that didn't bother me. One of the most noticeable things I took note of, and I know this might be weird, was the look of the digital display for the temperature controls. On the F3x/F8x chassis, the display for the temperature controls looks like it's displayed in 32bit graphics. On the M5 and M6, the temperature digital display looks like it's in 1056bit. No alcantara headliner, no soft close doors, no power close trunk, no ventilated front seats (which by the way it is stinking hot around here today, 99 degrees and b#tch ain't one), the instrument display doesn't look as nice, yada, yada, yada... Yeah I know it's like a $30,000 dollar cheaper car than an M5, but I was reminded of that almost everywhere I looked around inside the cabin. Overall though, just by the look at the seats I felt like I was in a more sporty car, especially by the interior sound of the engine too!

THE BAD:

After the test drive I parked the Mika's little sister next to her for a quick photoshoot afterwards. While doing that though, I asked the CA if he could rev the engine for me while I stood behind the M3. I just wanted to hear finally for once and for all, what the heck this thing sounded like while revving from a stand still. Unfortunately all the reports are true. The exhaust sounds like shiite! I know it's because the valves are closed and I even had the CA put all the car's setting in Sport+ to see if the valves would open but it didn't really help when revving from a stand still. The exhaust sounds much much better when you're driving it around. I know for a fact, once some legit aftermarket exhausts get installed and eliminate those valves, it'll sound much better in all regimes.

I had initially thought of getting an M3/M4 one day because I wanted to have a car that can do it all in a cheaper way. I.E. track time, daily driver, utility, comfort, luxury, technology, and looks. But, I walked away from the F80 M3 today feeling thankful that when I got back into my M5, I could use the ventilated seats because it was so hot out today. I even gave the CA a ride in my M5 after we finished in the M3. He giggled a lot more when I drove my M5 than when I drove the M3 today, if that tells you anything. Then again my M5 is straightpiped, with a tune, and with upgraded suspension.

One thing that I found annoying on the M3 right away is the display that tells you which mode you are currently in for Throttle, Suspension, and Steering. On the M5, the modes are always displayed below the Tacometer. On the M3, the mode selection display is a Pop-Up menu that only comes up when you are changing the modes then goes away. So you can't see straight away which mode you are in for the various settings. This combined with the fact that they took away the lights on the buttons themselves on the lower center console near the gear shift knob, is annoying. This I would have to say is my biggest peeve about the new M3/M4.

I will now bring a little heuristics into this review.

Scale from 1-10.

Steering: 8. Not horrible, but not OMG I love the steering feel either.

Ride Quality - 10. Felt just as comfortable driving around as the M5 did

Ride Comfort - 7. Much better seats than the E92 M3, but when I got back into my M5, I felt like I was sitting on a lazyboy, compared to the F80 M3's love seat.

Technology - 10. It's a BMW, I expect nothing less.

Performance - 10. Not only did it feel fast, but the car made sounded like I was driving an ///M car, from the inside that is.

Brakes - 8. The standard steel brakes felt just fine, but I know they will experience fade when driven on the track.

Size - 10. Absolutely love the size of the F80 M3. It's perfect!

Weight - 10. You can just feel that the car is a lot lighter.

Overall ///M Character - 8. I rated this an 8 because overall, the new M3 does feel like an ///M car. It handles like an M, it drives like an M, and feels like an M for sure. Honestly compared to a stock M5, it feels more of an ///M car than an M5 does. The M5 is much more luxury and the extra luxuriousness does take away some of that ///M special feeling to it. Like induction sound of the engine. But there's a little to be desired on the new M3 still. Like the (ahem) exhaust note. Oh and I also feel that the hood bulge adds A LOT of character to the new M3/M4. I loved it, and I'm usually not a fan of hood bulges.

Personally, my two biggest concerns about the new F80 M3 were the steering feel and the exhaust note. As I found out today, I have nothing to worry about with those things and neither should anyone else. I'm glad that I finally got to test drive one as it answered my biggest question for me. Is worth it to trade in the M5 for a new M3? That answer for me today was no. My primary reason for considering the M3 was that it's a more track worthy car. And living around where I live now, hitting the racetrack is more prudent than seeking great public roads to drive where there is little risk. The sad fact is that where I live there is great risk to going full throttle on an F10 M5 within a 100 mile radius. Therefore, I wish to track more. The F10 M5 may be a heavy bitch, but she can still "Dance With the Stars" on the track too. I'll be keeping her for a while longer still. Her and all 4,400lbs of her. The new M3 and M4 are fanastic cars though and if I didn't already own the M5, I'd get an M3 or M4. In some respects I like the looks of them better than M5/M6, in other respects I don't. It's all subjective.

But seriously, just wait until you drive the new M3 and M4 and surpass 4,000rpm on that S55 engine. I wish I could be there to witness the look on your faces and I wish the stock M5 and M6 had that kind of character. Honestly.

It's been fun typing this all out and sharing, but now enjoy a few pictures.

Oh yeah and Pkilla says peace out bi$ches.

Very interesting review. The M3 interior is different from the F10 platform but for some reason the seats to me seem better less bulky. The suspension needs work and with a tune and some goodies it should be a good car. The weight difference is there. I have driven 2014 M5 CP that my cousin had and its great. It does feel heavier and interior seems to be almost the same or a little better to me. The exhaust is somewhat of surprise. Stock exhaust sounds good to me. I am enjoying my F80. Just waiting to see what tuner mods will come out for this car.

[Careful Driver]

Originally Posted by Tylerstar

Just curious to see how much it will pull on a stock m3. If its not faster then the 991's it will be very bad LOL. Is there any turbo lag?

There is turbo lag. It's worse than the M5. It's most probably because of what RPiM5 said, bigger displacement, not sure what else it can be. It's not significantly worse, just more pronounced. But in terms of throttle response, neither of the cars come close the the old Ms.