Going From C63 to M3?

[Kimeran]

Hello to you all.

So my previous car was a W204 C63 (with the N/A monstrous V8).
I replaced it with the F80 M3 ZCP.

Has anybody else done the same?
If I am perfectly honest, I am not enjoying the M as much as I enjoyed my C63.
It just doesn't excite me the way the C63 used to excite me, and I find myself constantly comparing it to the C63. Which is probably the reason that I don't enjoy the M as much.

I am nowhere near a good driver, I would consider myself to be average. So I'm sure that if I was a good driver, like Tiff Needell, Jason Plato etc. then I would enjoy the car.

My C63 was a weekend car, and the F80 is my weekend car now. But I used to find an excuse to use my C63 (even if it was just to get a loaf of bread). I don't feel the need to use the M, I'm ok with it staying in my garage.

Anyone else made the same move and in the same boat?
I probably will be receiving a shit storm of comments for posting this on a BMW forum

[2000cs]

I went from a C class 2015 small engine to the M3 2015 (about 3 months with the Benz) because I got really frustrated with the Benz dealer service department. Enjoyed the M3 but wanted something more suitable for very long cross-country driving (GT), so got a 650i. That didn’t work out well so I’m now in a 2018 M3, but I’ve had it two months and it just crossed 700 miles last week. I’m forcing myself to drive it so I can get the break-in service in case I do want or need to take it on a real drive.
Really, it is nice but it doesn’t make me want to get out and drive, either. I enjoyed the first M more, so this probably has to more to do with bad experiences along the way and not the car itself. May just be time for me to change brands.

I struggle with newer cars (with all the goodies) and older ones (with older tech, less performance, but real style). I often think of the E39 M5, for example, but then I compare it to the M3 (size, performance, etc) and find the M3 of today is really the better car. Yet I’m not “inspired” by it. Maybe I need help!

[EALm4]

Ditch the F80 and get the E63S AMG

[Alpine300zhp]

Originally Posted by Kimeran

Hello to you all.

So my previous car was a W204 C63 (with the N/A monstrous V8).
I replaced it with the F80 M3 ZCP.

Has anybody else done the same?
If I am perfectly honest, I am not enjoying the M as much as I enjoyed my C63.
It just doesn't excite me the way the C63 used to excite me, and I find myself constantly comparing it to the C63. Which is probably the reason that I don't enjoy the M as much.

I am nowhere near a good driver, I would consider myself to be average. So I'm sure that if I was a good driver, like Tiff Needell, Jason Plato etc. then I would enjoy the car.

My C63 was a weekend car, and the F80 is my weekend car now. But I used to find an excuse to use my C63 (even if it was just to get a loaf of bread). I don't feel the need to use the M, I'm ok with it staying in my garage.

Anyone else made the same move and in the same boat?
I probably will be receiving a shit storm of comments for posting this on a BMW forum

You miss that N/A v8 engine. I had the same reaction when my E92 M3 went back and I picked up the F82 M4. The E92 was raw and engaging in a way that the F82 is not....much like your departed C63. After putting a few miles on the F82, I grew to love it and appreciate what a genius of a car it really is. The F82 is a much better all around daily driver than the E92 M3 and C63. You lose some of the edge, but gain refinement in its place. Also, to fully appreciate the F80/82, you must figure out what settings you like best. If you drive it in default settings, then you are essentially driving a neutered 435/335. The settings are the key to this car.....spend a few days playing with them to figure out how you like them.

[dkhm3]

I had a w204 for 3 years and completely disagree with you.

Great engine, bad chassis and poor tranny.

Sounds great though.

Don’t miss it at all, glad I got rid of it, hardly drove it.

[KevinM]

Originally Posted by 2000cs

I went from a C class 2015 small engine to the M3 2015 (about 3 months with the Benz) because I got really frustrated with the Benz dealer service department. Enjoyed the M3 but wanted something more suitable for very long cross-country driving (GT), so got a 650i. That didn’t work out well so I’m now in a 2018 M3, but I’ve had it two months and it just crossed 700 miles last week. I’m forcing myself to drive it so I can get the break-in service in case I do want or need to take it on a real drive.
Really, it is nice but it doesn’t make me want to get out and drive, either. I enjoyed the first M more, so this probably has to more to do with bad experiences along the way and not the car itself. May just be time for me to change brands.

I struggle with newer cars (with all the goodies) and older ones (with older tech, less performance, but real style). I often think of the E39 M5, for example, but then I compare it to the M3 (size, performance, etc) and find the M3 of today is really the better car. Yet I’m not “inspired” by it. Maybe I need help!

I struggle as well, so my solution finally was to to keep my "old school" cars (E39 M5, Z4M coupe) and rotate a newer car (currently the F80 M3). I love the tech in the F80 and objectively it is a better car than the E39 M5...but subjectively, for me, the E39 M5 is better. Yes it is slower and has minimal tech, but it is so well balanced...try one.

[uniqueMR]

Ditch the Merc, M3 rocks

[TechM3]

I'm constantly racking my brain on this OP. I came from muscle car beginnings, a 350Z, an E46 SMG, an E92 DCT, now an F80 DCT for the past 2.5 years. I've modified each car and have done so for the F80 via tune, exhaust, etc. Despite the additional efforts, the car still lacks the soul I've been seeking in a car at reasonable speeds (not having to go 8/10th's + with the car, where the F8x really does sing).

After reading countless posts on this topic in a variety of form venues and contemplating even a step backwards in a more analog car and sacrificing tech, it seems this is simply the reality in a post 2015 car that we have to live with that clocks in at a price under $75k.

I'd love to hear feedback if someone has drilled down on the 'solution' to this topic, but am afraid we're all in the same boat. If only an FF was within financial reach...

[Wills2]

I had a drive out in friends w204 C63 coupe to see what the fuss was about and I found it to be perfectly pleasant but no more than that.

The engine is inaudible from inside the car how did they manage to engineer a large n/a engine with zero induction noise? It's quite lazy only 74hp per litre in stock form and the gearbox belongs in a 1980's Jag.

I was expecting the engine to be the master piece people rave about but the S55 has more character never mind the S65, all it gives is a farty contrived metallic fusillade from the exhaust which cannot be heard from the drivers seat at speed on WOT (no bad thing in my opinion)

Nice car but no M, rode well though, nice an comfy GT was the conclusion.

[JibSTir13]

I enjoy driving.

Doesn't matter what I'm driving, it's always enjoyable (barring traffic and other annoying external factors).

To be sure, certain vehicles are more fun to drive and elicit more emotions, but cruising with some tunes (or without for certain cars) is one of my favorite things to do.

[dkhm3]

Originally Posted by TechM3

I'm constantly racking my brain on this OP. I came from muscle car beginnings, a 350Z, an E46 SMG, an E92 DCT, now an F80 DCT for the past 2.5 years. I've modified each car and have done so for the F80 via tune, exhaust, etc. Despite the additional efforts, the car still lacks the soul I've been seeking in a car at reasonable speeds (not having to go 8/10th's + with the car, where the F8x really does sing).

After reading countless posts on this topic in a variety of form venues and contemplating even a step backwards in a more analog car and sacrificing tech, it seems this is simply the reality in a post 2015 car that we have to live with that clocks in at a price under $75k.

I'd love to hear feedback if someone has drilled down on the 'solution' to this topic, but am afraid we're all in the same boat. If only an FF was within financial reach...

Working backwards which car in your past did u love and why? If u can identify the things that you value u r able to to best find the car that suits your personal wants. Also how long did u own each car?

I have no problem saying this f80 is up their with my E36 M3 as the best car I’ve ever owned. E46 felt heavy and soft, bottom of my m car list.

[jmg]

The F80 is a car that is its best at the limits. The problem is that it's become such a big car that you forget how tossable it is. After taking a high performance driving school in it I had an all new appreciation for it.

[R-M4]

I have heard that the C63 is an awesome car! However, performance aside, the M3 looks WAY better in my opinion.

[///M4ster Yoda]

Originally Posted by jmg

The F80 is a car that is its best at the limits. The problem is that it's become such a big car that you forget how tossable it is. After taking a high performance driving school in it I had an all new appreciation for it.

Agreed. ///M school at Thermal opened up my both my wife's and my eyes to the F8x's potential. Actually we found an appreciation for the M2 as well but I wouldn't own it without the S55.

[Aapparition90]

its probably a turbo vs na more than anything else dont think too much into it.

[Kimeran]

Originally Posted by TechM3

I'm constantly racking my brain on this OP. I came from muscle car beginnings, a 350Z, an E46 SMG, an E92 DCT, now an F80 DCT for the past 2.5 years. I've modified each car and have done so for the F80 via tune, exhaust, etc. Despite the additional efforts, the car still lacks the soul I've been seeking in a car at reasonable speeds (not having to go 8/10th's + with the car, where the F8x really does sing).

After reading countless posts on this topic in a variety of form venues and contemplating even a step backwards in a more analog car and sacrificing tech, it seems this is simply the reality in a post 2015 car that we have to live with that clocks in at a price under $75k.

I'd love to hear feedback if someone has drilled down on the 'solution' to this topic, but am afraid we're all in the same boat. If only an FF was within financial reach...

This!!!!
I get it though, this car was designed to be driven hard. But the M3 is still a saloon car, a car that can set your pants on fire as well as be enjoyable as a daily.
I just don't think the F8X M is enjoyable at legal speeds and practices.

Here in South Africa (and I'm sure the rest of the world), our police are always on the roads. I don't enjoy looking at my rear view mirror waiting to see blue flashing lights after I decided to enjoy my car.

[Kimeran]

Originally Posted by Alpine300zhp

You miss that N/A v8 engine. I had the same reaction when my E92 M3 went back and I picked up the F82 M4. The E92 was raw and engaging in a way that the F82 is not....much like your departed C63. After putting a few miles on the F82, I grew to love it and appreciate what a genius of a car it really is. The F82 is a much better all around daily driver than the E92 M3 and C63. You lose some of the edge, but gain refinement in its place. Also, to fully appreciate the F80/82, you must figure out what settings you like best. If you drive it in default settings, then you are essentially driving a neutered 435/335. The settings are the key to this car.....spend a few days playing with them to figure out how you like them.

I have done just under 10000km (6200mi), so I think I have found my sweet spot with all the settings.
My "happiness" setting is programmed into M1, so I click M1 as soon as I start up the car.

[///M4ster Yoda]

Originally Posted by Kimeran

This!!!!
I get it though, this car was designed to be driven hard. But the M3 is still a saloon car, a car that can set your pants on fire as well as be enjoyable as a daily.
I just don't think the F8X M is enjoyable at legal speeds and practices.

Here in South Africa (and I'm sure the rest of the world), our police are always on the roads. I don't enjoy looking at my rear view mirror waiting to see blue flashing lights after I decided to enjoy my car.

Install a laser jammer, radar detector in conjunction with WAZE. Now enjoy your ride!

[TechM3]

Originally Posted by dkhm3

Working backwards which car in your past did u love and why? If u can identify the things that you value u r able to to best find the car that suits your personal wants. Also how long did u own each car?

I have no problem saying this f80 is up their with my E36 M3 as the best car I’ve ever owned. E46 felt heavy and soft, bottom of my m car list.

DK - it's an interesting thought process to check the boxes in retrospect on these cars. Ironically, it's not until the cars are gone that I seem to look back on them more fondly than I did when I was behind the wheel.

350Z - zippy little 6 cylinder and a fun 6spd manual that allowed a fun, compact driver. Tossable little car, but absolutely no dual purpose to make sense as a daily driver (3.5 years)

E46 M3 SMG - first owned M-car and loved the rev range, simplicity of the ergonomics, open cabin feel with the windows down, sunroof open, and rear windows cracked to hear the chainsaw sound that let's admit, took some time to get used to. Induction noise was fantastic and the usability of the car as well. Unfortunately I started to encounter some SMG issues and ultimately dumped the car out of maintenance fears (2.5 years)

E92 M3 DCT - mine was a first year production that I purchased used from a BMW dealer in AZ. Car was meticulously maintained and I fell in love with essentially all upgrades - V8 as numero uno, the technology (decent at the time of acquisition), comfort of the seats and good functionality of the car. I modified with a high-flow cat x pipe and Dinan rear and the car had a whole different personality with a sound I haven't heard replicated on any other car. Throttle response was incredible and I felt connected to the power train.
Power was good, not insane, but well respected until the cars around them started to get boosted. In retrospect, the car handled well for its era and was more of a 'muscle-car' BMW in my mind. I took the car to roughly 80k miles and thought I was reaching a point of no return from a valuation perspective and wanted to trade (5 years)

F80 M3 DCT - honestly, I barely test-drove the car and ended up ordering a Silverstone sedan on Sakhir interior (with everything except extended leather). I did so with a preconceived mindset that BMW's evolution of these cars was going to provide a package deal that was impossible to miss. Unfortunately, my expectations of the car compounded by a massive change in driving dynamics put me in a world of confusion for the first year of ownership. I hated how the car sounded, felt the interior tech was substantially upgraded, enjoyed the ergonomics, believed the interior was a little hollow from a road noise measure, but loved how the little sedan looks.
After tuning, full exhaust, intake, spacers, exterior accents, etc, I had the car to a level that I thought was going to suffice. However, the short-comings seem to continuous plague me. Some may say the answer is obvious - it's now a turbocharged car. I get that, but if you didn't have the prior (E9x) and didn't live with it for a day-in day-out duration, then you don't fully understand the methods to compare and contrast. It's not all about speed, which I'm hearing by my paroozing on F-chat and even hear from some 488 owners. The F8x is crazy capable and well beyond my scope and ability to pilot at its max thresholds (2.5 years and counting)

In summary - sometimes it's the small things I guess. I'm sure I'll miss a number of things about the F8x whenever the time comes, I'm just standing fairly confident now that it's not going to go down as a very special car to me at the end of our journey

[Damage Inc]

It is getting harder and harder to find special cars. We just got out of a golden era of cars it was great to experience.

E39 M5, E60 M5, RS4, E92 M3, and others

These cars were quirky, spunky, and a bit harsh around the edges. Stuff race motors into normal chassis. That's what made them special.

The new line of cars start with quiet refined cars, that the engineers are trying to dial in the "feeling" of specialness through fake sound, turbos's, extra stiffness, etc.

I've moved into an M2 manual. While it cannot match the cars listed above in specialness it is the purest M experience you can get in the current line up. It has the balance of previous M cars, not a drag strip king.

I'm on the hunt to pick up a nice E92 as my long term keeper. I wish I had the garage space for a few more.

YMMV

[MRV99]

Originally Posted by TechM3

DK - it's an interesting thought process to check the boxes in retrospect on these cars. Ironically, it's not until the cars are gone that I seem to look back on them more fondly than I did when I was behind the wheel.

350Z - zippy little 6 cylinder and a fun 6spd manual that allowed a fun, compact driver. Tossable little car, but absolutely no dual purpose to make sense as a daily driver (3.5 years)

E46 M3 SMG - first owned M-car and loved the rev range, simplicity of the ergonomics, open cabin feel with the windows down, sunroof open, and rear windows cracked to hear the chainsaw sound that let's admit, took some time to get used to. Induction noise was fantastic and the usability of the car as well. Unfortunately I started to encounter some SMG issues and ultimately dumped the car out of maintenance fears (2.5 years)

E92 M3 DCT - mine was a first year production that I purchased used from a BMW dealer in AZ. Car was meticulously maintained and I fell in love with essentially all upgrades - V8 as numero uno, the technology (decent at the time of acquisition), comfort of the seats and good functionality of the car. I modified with a high-flow cat x pipe and Dinan rear and the car had a whole different personality with a sound I haven't heard replicated on any other car. Throttle response was incredible and I felt connected to the power train.
Power was good, not insane, but well respected until the cars around them started to get boosted. In retrospect, the car handled well for its era and was more of a 'muscle-car' BMW in my mind. I took the car to roughly 80k miles and thought I was reaching a point of no return from a valuation perspective and wanted to trade (5 years)

F80 M3 DCT - honestly, I barely test-drove the car and ended up ordering a Silverstone sedan on Sakhir interior (with everything except extended leather). I did so with a preconceived mindset that BMW's evolution of these cars was going to provide a package deal that was impossible to miss. Unfortunately, my expectations of the car compounded by a massive change in driving dynamics put me in a world of confusion for the first year of ownership. I hated how the car sounded, felt the interior tech was substantially upgraded, enjoyed the ergonomics, believed the interior was a little hollow from a road noise measure, but loved how the little sedan looks.
After tuning, full exhaust, intake, spacers, exterior accents, etc, I had the car to a level that I thought was going to suffice. However, the short-comings seem to continuous plague me. Some may say the answer is obvious - it's now a turbocharged car. I get that, but if you didn't have the prior (E9x) and didn't live with it for a day-in day-out duration, then you don't fully understand the methods to compare and contrast. It's not all about speed, which I'm hearing by my paroozing on F-chat and even hear from some 488 owners. The F8x is crazy capable and well beyond my scope and ability to pilot at its max thresholds (2.5 years and counting)

In summary - sometimes it's the small things I guess. I'm sure I'll miss a number of things about the F8x whenever the time comes, I'm just standing fairly confident now that it's not going to go down as a very special car to me at the end of our journey

So where is the muscle car list because I would not consider any of these listed as a muscle car. :

[TechM3]

Originally Posted by MRV99

So where is the muscle car list because I would not consider any of these listed as a muscle car. :

1965 Mustang Fastback
1991 Mustang GT
2001 Mustang Bullitt

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