driving comfort and control

[CrazyLatte]

Hi all, I'm interesting in getting a M3 Competition LCI 2. With a very young family, I'm curious to know if the car is livable around town. I'm driving around in a X4 now and prior to that a F30. F80 would be a big jump in terms of stiffness and I'm keen to hear your thoughts.

Also I understood a few people in standard M3 have commented on how easily the rear end pushes out. I heard that LCI have changed this - can anyone comment?

Also when I had the F80, I recall wind noise gets quite loud at around 80km/h - is this the same with the F80?

[elisiX]

I've only had my M3 LCI2 for a few days now, and to be honest, while it's not terrible in comfort settings, I'm very very glad I have a Mercedes GLC in the garage. One is like floating on a cloud, the other absolutely is not. It's just too raw IMO, to cart around family. I wouldn't own the M3 as our only car in the household, but with an SUV in the garage next to it, I'm very happy.

[drgmt]

Originally Posted by elisiX

I've only had my M3 LCI2 for a few days now, and to be honest, while it's not terrible in comfort settings, I'm very very glad I have a Mercedes GLC in the garage. One is like floating on a cloud, the other absolutely is not. It's just too raw IMO, to cart around family. I wouldn't own the M3 as our only car in the household, but with an SUV in the garage next to it, I'm very happy.

I totally agree. Not an ideal family cruiser.

[ruley74]

Funny isn't it, people's perceptions on what is livable and firm etc.

I drove a mates 17 M3 comp pack last weekend and I thought the ride comfort was excellent, even in sport + it was very livable. We went for a drive out to one of the country pubs for lunch so this wasn't just an opinion from driving around smooth city roads.

I think it's worth going for a long test drive to figure this one out for yourself, if you generally prefer a firmer riding car you'll be fine.

[brownb_2]

I've done a 3500km road trip in it with 4 people . No complaints other than "I need to pee"

But I recon a x5 would be a better family wagon.

[elisiX]

'Livable'

'No complaints'

Not what I look for in a family car

[drgmt]

I've driven many stiff suspension cars in the past and my M3 is up there.

I'm not sure why they wouldn't make the comfort softer and then leave the sport and sport plus as is? That way it's the best of both worlds - performance and comfort.

[mynameisplayer]

NOT a family car, more a "can you pick the kids up, a short ride wont injure their spines too much" kind of car. My x5 in sport plus rides like a rolls compared to the m3 cp. In comfort it's like on a cloud....

[CrazyLatte]

I guess I should highlight I'm not looking for the M3 to be a family car... I'm more curious to understand if it can be a daily driver and if it can carry a family around for a day out. The F30 had no issue at all and the X4 is doing a fantastic job. I wondered if M3 will just be too harsh for such a duty and daily driver

[domino_z]

Im balls deep into the ride comfort and dampening in a car

My first experience with an f8x was a first gen m4 and the ride quality was so bad I ditched the idea and went and bought an rs3. Then BMW released the comp pack and I gave it another go - the dampening was far improved but road noise was still there. It was however good enough to get me to buy one

After 6k km and new car novelty wearing off, the m3 comp pack with the oe Michelin mpss tyres is right on the limit of being tolerable on street. I couldn't drive it every day, luckily I have another sports cars that is a lot smoother and much better damped

That was until I ditched the mpss for the new Michelin ps4s - the difference is night and day, the constant drumming is gone, it's quieter, smoother, less harsh over broken tarmac, it's as if I've gone from a 30 series to a 35 or 40 series tyre

On ps4s the m3 is as smooth as you need a sports sedan to be for a daily. Efficient throttle, comfort suspension and steering, and it's really no harsher than my s3 or rs3 was on 35 series mpss

[elisiX]

Excellent feedback on the PS4's.

You convinced me lol

[MO3]

I went from 19 Conti 5P's to 20 PS4S (comp specs). The PS4S are 100000000 times better than the Contis! It's seriously like driving a different car all together! On the Contis the car was so unpredictable and so unsafe. I had several "oh shit!" moments that could've ended...really bad! There was no chance you could use 30% of the cars power, especially during take off. Another thing I hated about the Contis was the wheel hop! It drove me crazy! Won't put them on a car even if I was given them for free! Safety first! Best money I ever spent on car parts.

I don't care about comfort or quietness, but the grip is phenomenal!

[CrazyLatte]

Am I right to think most of you don't think M3 is a good daily car? I seem to get that feeling reading between what you guys are saying

[Fake News 2017]

Originally Posted by CrazyLatte

Am I right to think most of you don't think M3 is a good daily car? I seem to get that feeling reading between what you guys are saying

It's not a good daily driver if you are a whimp!!! Tell your passengers "Suck it up buttercup" if they even bother to complain.
Or buy a Honda

[drgmt]

Originally Posted by domino_z

Im balls deep into the ride comfort and dampening in a car

My first experience with an f8x was a first gen m4 and the ride quality was so bad I ditched the idea and went and bought an rs3. Then BMW released the comp pack and I gave it another go - the dampening was far improved but road noise was still there. It was however good enough to get me to buy one

After 6k km and new car novelty wearing off, the m3 comp pack with the oe Michelin mpss tyres is right on the limit of being tolerable on street. I couldn't drive it every day, luckily I have another sports cars that is a lot smoother and much better damped

That was until I ditched the mpss for the new Michelin ps4s - the difference is night and day, the constant drumming is gone, it's quieter, smoother, less harsh over broken tarmac, it's as if I've gone from a 30 series to a 35 or 40 series tyre

On ps4s the m3 is as smooth as you need a sports sedan to be for a daily. Efficient throttle, comfort suspension and steering, and it's really no harsher than my s3 or rs3 was on 35 series mpss

Any idea when they will be released in Australia officially ? Can't find them anywhere.

[drgmt]

Originally Posted by TypeM4

It's not a good daily driver if you are a whimp!!! Tell your passengers "Suck it up buttercup" if they even bother to complain.
Or buy a Honda

Reminds me of the army - yes sir colonel sir !

p

[ruley74]

Originally Posted by drgmt

Any idea when they will be released in Australia officially ? Can't find them anywhere.

I enquired the other day at my local Bob Jane, late July/early August is what Michelin told them on the phone when I was there. They have stock of some sizes already however they don't want to release until they have more stock and sizes...

cheers,

[ruley74]

Originally Posted by CrazyLatte

Am I right to think most of you don't think M3 is a good daily car? I seem to get that feeling reading between what you guys are saying

Still a very personal thing, I think it's easily a daily driver

[MO3]

Been driving my car everyday for the last 17 months. I sometimes wish the sport+ suspension configuration was stiffer! The KW sleeve kit helped a tiny bit.

I don't think the majority of M drivers had comfort in their minds when they decided to buy their cars! IMO, comfort and M shouldn't be in the same sentence!

Lexus make comfy cars, I hear!

[zeus2212]

No sedan is good for family

You will need a suv for it

So the good solution is keeping your x4 and get another car which is m3

[04S]

Don't get me wrong, the M3 is a great car. But in my view the suspension in comfort on my 16 ZCP is too firm for everyday use. On bad Sydney roads it just jars too much over bumps, joins and imperfections. I have just ordered a GLC as a daily and to haul the kids around on the weekends with the M3 reserved for when I feel like something a bit more sporty.

Test drive one for an hour or two. Then you'll work out whether you are going to be able to live with it.

[elisiX]

That is precisely what we've done 04S.

To be fair, i'm trying to run in my M3 and i'm driving it daily.

It's fine for me, I just don't think it's fine for my family.