Call me crazy but...

[Damage Inc]

Originally Posted by Volfan615

I test drove a 2016 M3 today and was kinda under impressed.

I'm currently in a 2015 535i lease that is up in a few months so I'm shopping to it's replacement. I've always liked the M3 so I'm considering it and also a Merc C43 (Yeah I know it's not a real AMG). I test drove the C43 couple a couple of weeks ago and really liked it more than I thought I would. The exhaust sound is killer and the interior is very nice and comfortable.

The only time I've driven an M3 was a E90 on the track at the Performance Center and I loved it! I couldn't get the smile off my face. Naturally I thought I would feel the same way about the F80. My local dealer doesn't have one in stock but has one coming in that will be ready to drive on Monday. Today I found 2016 at a Nissan dealer with 14K on it. I made an appointment, and test drove it today. It wasn't as comfortable as I thought it would be and the interior just looked kinda cheap. It handled great and was plenty fast. Exhaust is no where close to the sound you get out of the C43.

I'm going to test drive the new at the dealer on Monday and hoping for a different experience. I really want to like the M3 but right now leaning toward the C43.

Am I crazy?

1. Go find some back roads, and drive back to back
2. The stock exhaust note is one of the weak links in the car. Adding an aftermarket exhaust will make a big difference.
3. Interior is fine, looks better in some colors. I have MG / SO manual and it looks great.

I'm local in Nashville. I just added a fabspeed exhaust and it transformed the car for me.

[Bluer2]

Originally Posted by M3ZING

Go fanboy over your crap C43 and dont come back.

[shoei]

Originally Posted by MojorisinM3

1. Go find some back roads, and drive back to back
2. The stock exhaust note is one of the weak links in the car. Adding an aftermarket exhaust will make a big difference.
3. Interior is fine, looks better in some colors. I have MG / SO manual and it looks great.

I'm local in Nashville. I just added a fabspeed exhaust and it transformed the car for me.

I don't know if I agree with this sentiment... I've heard them all and to be totally honest, I can't find a 6K + difference in sound from stock with open valves mod vs aftermarket exhaust...

E9x era? Most definitely and massive improvements... F8x generation? Minimal at best... Some of the better sounding cars have been DP's / tune with gts overrun added does more for me than an exhaust...

[dmk08]

Originally Posted by shoei

I don't know if I agree with this sentiment... I've heard them all and to be totally honest, I can't find a 6K + difference in sound from stock with open valves mod vs aftermarket exhaust...

E9x era? Most definitely and massive improvements... F8x generation? Minimal at best... Some of the better sounding cars have been DP's / tune with gts overrun added does more for me than an exhaust...

Agreed. I had a 15 F80 with 5 different full exhausts. None of them worth the money. On my 16 ZCP with the overrun I just added downpipes and it sounds better than my 15 ever did.

[brianeck]

I really like the stock sound (stock + valves open anyway) and I love the "tunnel/underpass" effect with the one exception of the car really sounding like a lawnmower when it first starts up. . . Like, really, really, a lawnmower. When its cold I guess its more of a really loud snowblower.

[TRZ06]

Originally Posted by MojorisinM3

1. Go find some back roads, and drive back to back
2. The stock exhaust note is one of the weak links in the car. Adding an aftermarket exhaust will make a big difference.
3. Interior is fine, looks better in some colors. I have MG / SO manual and it looks great.

I'm local in Nashville. I just added a fabspeed exhaust and it transformed the car for me.

On your 1. comment....

Until you find a high speed sweeper with a dip in the middle of it, then all confidence is lost again as the ass end struggles to recompose and it takes several cycles of compression and rebound to achieve what should be controlled in one stroke.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by TRZ06

On your 1. comment....

Until you find a high speed sweeper with a dip in the middle of it, then all confidence is lost again as the ass end struggles to recompose and it takes several cycles of compression and rebound to achieve what should be controlled in one stroke.

Did you have a 15 with adaptive suspension and 19s?

My 15 had passive suspension and 18s and I didn't experience that behavior. A good example of a bumpy high speed corner are T8 and T9 at Big Willow.

I have seen you post that comment several times and I wonder if there is something specific about that particular corner you are driving

[TRZ06]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

Did you have a 15 with adaptive suspension and 19s?

My 15 had passive suspension and 18s and I didn't experience that behavior. A good example of a bumpy high speed corner are T8 and T9 at Big Willow.

I have seen you post that comment several times and I wonder if there is something specific about that particular corner you are driving

I have a 16' with adaptive and 58.3 software update.

Still had poor rebound control when upset.

Now have Ohlin coilovers and rebound is fully controlled now in one motion after being upset.

You shouldn't have to go aftermarket on an M car to get that rock solid suspension/chassis control.

I will also add that I test drove a 17' ZCP a couple weeks ago and while it's getting better, still has some rebound control issues.

BMW M division needs to fire its suspension tuning team and get someone better in there.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by TRZ06

I have a 16' with adaptive and 58.3 software update.

Still had poor rebound control when upset.

Now have Ohlin coilovers and rebound is fully controlled now in one motion after being upset.

You shouldn't have to go aftermarket on an M car to get that rock solid suspension/chassis control.

I will also add that I test drove a 17' ZCP a couple weeks ago and while it's getting better, still has some rebound control issues.

BMW M division needs to fire its suspension tuning team and get someone better in there.

Have you tried a passive suspension + 18s car? I agree regarding f30 rebound control issues (I had one with option 704 passive suspension) but didn't have that issue with my f80

My e89 z435 stock adaptive suspension was a mess too. I almost didn't bother to get the f80 it was so bad.

My guess.. they had to compromise due to commuter duties. Would have been better just to have 1 fixed aggressive setting (which is why I got the passive suspension, and then decided to just daily drive a more sports focused car)

[Volfan615]

To put closure to this thread I decided on the M3 and picked it up on the 21st. Finally had time this weekend for a good was, clay bar and WGDG. I absolutely love this car!!

[ksa]

Good choice, good colour combo. I guess being berated by all the members worked. lol

[danniexi]

Originally Posted by Volfan615

To put closure to this thread I decided on the M3 and picked it up on the 21st. Finally had time this weekend for a good was, clay bar and WGDG. I absolutely love this car!!

congrats though i would've gone for the C43.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by Volfan615

To put closure to this thread I decided on the M3 and picked it up on the 21st. Finally had time this weekend for a good was, clay bar and WGDG. I absolutely love this car!!

Congrats! I think you made the right choice. I am just not that impressed with the C43!

Originally Posted by danniexi

congrats though i would've gone for the C43.

LOL

[aajjcc]

Originally Posted by Volfan615

To put closure to this thread I decided on the M3 and picked it up on the 21st. Finally had time this weekend for a good was, clay bar and WGDG. I absolutely love this car!!

congrats dude!

[La_Mar1na]

when you test drove the m for the first time at nissan, it probably was under-spec'd and what i mean is that it probably didn't have the full leather pack and most likely had the cloth. visit a dealership with a fully spec'd m3 m4 to help you decide what you do or don't need and take it from there, and one more thing to mention or ask is if it had the adaptive suspension and I'm asking because it softens the suspension in comfort mode by a whole lot.

[La_Mar1na]

oops i didn't see that you already made ur decision lol congrats.

[ssuene93]

Congrats on the car. Agreed it is great color combo as we have a literally twin except mine is 6MT. . Gotta save the manual.

Enjoy!

[Super Spartan]

Originally Posted by Volfan615

To put closure to this thread I decided on the M3 and picked it up on the 21st. Finally had time this weekend for a good was, clay bar and WGDG. I absolutely love this car!!

congrats man, is that the Imola Red color by the way? looks great

[mmmmQuattro]

Op you loved the M3 on a track - you didn't drive the f80 on a track, thats the problem