BIMMERPOST M3/M4 Review From Road America!

VCP · 06-16-2014, 09:43 PM

Very good unbiased review!

StealYourFace · 06-16-2014, 09:45 PM

Great review and pics. The sedan is stunning in white, and ymb... no silver BMWs at a BMW event tho? Blasphemy!

I still would love to see the sedan in Imola red and Interlagos blue.

For me, I would either do white or silver (out of the non individual colors) with grey interior, a stick tans, fixed suspension. I think the only option I would go for would be the sweet radio, and maybe a sunroof.... maybe not. A zero option car would really fit the bill though.

antzcrashing · 06-16-2014, 09:54 PM

Bmw needs to create a new manual shift knob that one is one like year 12

kinimod · 06-16-2014, 10:49 PM

Great writeup, thanks!

I plan to drive the M4 on crappier California roads someetimes. What is your assessment on ride quality in comfort mode on 18" vs 19" wheels? I think you are one of the few guys who had the opportunity to test both. Is there any noticeable difference (assuming for daily driving)?

Thanks

positiveions · 06-16-2014, 11:09 PM

Hand over the E30 M3, and no one will get hurt.

Sam@Bimmerpost · 06-16-2014, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Sam, when we will have answers to the questions members provided in that previous thread?

Quote:

Originally Posted by stressdoc

Gents, I've revisited the questions thread and made a post answering as many of those questions as I can. Unfortunately, I couldn't get around to asking all of them, only those that were really relevant for writing the review and related to the driving experience.

Thanks for all the kind comments, everyone. Glad you enjoyed the write up.

WhyGeeGee · 06-17-2014, 12:09 AM

Loved your review which made me more excited to test drive my brother's M3 when he gets it this week. I'm only afraid that I might like it more than my M6GC.

Robert · 06-17-2014, 01:29 AM

So much love for the e30 and e46 m3

Falafel Combo · 06-17-2014, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam@Bimmerpost

...

Manual Purists Rejoice

The first piece of great news about the new M4 and M3 is that BMW offers the three pedal manual transmission as standard.

Some members have asked whether the new manual transmission retains the same rubbery shift feel and high clutch engagement point of the E9x M3s. I spent some time driving the manual-equipped M4 and I am happy to report that the new manual gearbox is of significant improvement. The clutch engagement point is no longer overly high and is now close to the center of the pedal travel. The shift action is characterized by shorter, more precise throws and a more certain engagement as you enter each gear. No, it is still not as mechanical feeling as the best manual transmissions (e.g. Honda S2000) and it does retain a slight rubberiness typical of a BMW. However, as far as contemporary manual transmissions go, this is one of the most effortless out there! Rowing through its six ratios is an absolute delight.

...

Coming from a 6MT e92 M3, I agree with this assessment. The 6MT in my f30 335i is significantly better than the one in the e92 M3 (which in my opinion was not fitting the S65 character at all). Overall, I would rate the e92 M3 manual transmission experience as a 5/10, and the f30 335i 6MT as an 8/10. Good enough for me.

I am sure the f80/2 6MT can only be better. Personally, I am looking forward to the rev matching feature.

hwelvaar · 06-17-2014, 05:09 AM

Congrats to the photographer of this report. Job well done.

itf joegun · 06-17-2014, 05:37 AM

Great Review Sam! I really appreciate it! Thank you.

JSP///M4C · 06-17-2014, 06:48 AM

Damn, SO is looking good every time I see it! Great pics!

CSBM5 · 06-17-2014, 08:02 AM

Sam,

Outstanding job on your review! In the old days (I'm 55), there was essentially Car and Driver, Road and Track and Autoweek a bit later on. While entertaining and all, to this day rarely (well, never) have I seen such a detailed, "relate-able", and comprehensive review in a traditional magazine. Which of course shows why they have long ago now become marginalized (quit reading them years ago now).

I can imagine the time and effort it took (takes) to create such a comprehensive review, so I just wanted to take a minute here to recognize your outstanding work! Well done! Oh, and thanks again for your detailed answers to my technically specific questions in the other thread.

Regards,
Chuck

FTS · 06-17-2014, 08:10 AM

^ +1

pkimM3r · 06-17-2014, 09:25 AM

wheres the vid?

littleE92 · 06-17-2014, 09:53 AM

Is it just me or is there no thigh extension adjustment on the new seats?

E90 Skye · 06-17-2014, 10:35 AM

Awesome review. Really loving what I'm hearing about the F8X.

nonagon · 06-17-2014, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littleE92

Is it just me or is there no thigh extension adjustment on the new seats?

The new seats don't have them, but so far the seats have been well received.

justinco · 06-17-2014, 11:18 AM

Nice write up indeed, and great pics! That dark grey (mineral grey?) looks awesome

IS350 · 06-17-2014, 11:18 AM

Really nice word choice and description. A pleasure to read.

I especially liked the suspension observations. I'm debating skipping the M-Adaptive too. Did your E90 feel about as rigid as the M4's passive suspension on regular roads? Or did the e90 have EDC? If so, how would you compare?

Also, was your car Silverstone? Debating that color, but haven't fallen in love with the blue-hue.

Interior color preferences?
Thx !

MRV99 · 06-17-2014, 11:38 AM

Crying shame that they removed the rear arm rest to save maybe 1 lbs. I guess they don't think a person with children would purchase an M3. Idiotic move.

richb811 · 06-17-2014, 01:53 PM

Great article! Thanks for posting

06-16-2014, 09:43 PM	#45
VCP Colonel 1390 Rep 2,336 Posts Drives: M4GTS BSM/F90comp/BSM M2CS Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Very good unbiased review!
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06-16-2014, 09:45 PM	#46
StealYourFace Lieutenant Colonel 261 Rep 1,794 Posts Drives: F30 328i M 6mt, E36 M3 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Shakedown Street, Buffalo NY iTrader: (1)	Great review and pics. The sedan is stunning in white, and ymb... no silver BMWs at a BMW event tho? Blasphemy! I still would love to see the sedan in Imola red and Interlagos blue. For me, I would either do white or silver (out of the non individual colors) with grey interior, a stick tans, fixed suspension. I think the only option I would go for would be the sweet radio, and maybe a sunroof.... maybe not. A zero option car would really fit the bill though. __________________
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06-16-2014, 09:54 PM	#47
antzcrashing Brigadier General 1910 Rep 3,217 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW 440i GC Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Eastern MA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2018 BMW 440i GC xD ... [9.75]	Bmw needs to create a new manual shift knob that one is one like year 12
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06-16-2014, 10:49 PM	#48
kinimod Lieutenant 134 Rep 480 Posts Drives: 911 GT3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	Great writeup, thanks! I plan to drive the M4 on crappier California roads someetimes. What is your assessment on ride quality in comfort mode on 18" vs 19" wheels? I think you are one of the few guys who had the opportunity to test both. Is there any noticeable difference (assuming for daily driving)? Thanks
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-16-2014, 11:09 PM	#49
positiveions Lieutenant General 961 Rep 11,722 Posts Drives: 19 Tacoma, 16 Golf wagon Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Upland, CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2019 Toyota Tacoma [0.00] 2016 VW Golf Sports ... [0.00] 1998 BMW M3 [0.00] 1990 BMW 325is [0.00]	Hand over the E30 M3, and no one will get hurt.
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06-17-2014, 12:09 AM	#51
WhyGeeGee Second Lieutenant 21 Rep 280 Posts Drives: 2014 M6 GC , 2016 X5M Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Qatar iTrader: (0)	Loved your review which made me more excited to test drive my brother's M3 when he gets it this week. I'm only afraid that I might like it more than my M6GC. __________________
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06-17-2014, 01:29 AM	#52
Robert Major General 414 Rep 6,968 Posts Drives: 135i -> is350 -> Tesla M3 perf Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Socal iTrader: (1)	So much love for the e30 and e46 m3 __________________ - There's nothing in my pocket other than knives and lint
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06-17-2014, 05:09 AM	#54
hwelvaar Major 112 Rep 1,140 Posts Drives: BMW M135i MT Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Belgium iTrader: (0)	Congrats to the photographer of this report. Job well done.
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06-17-2014, 05:37 AM	#55
itf joegun Lieutenant 169 Rep 428 Posts Drives: G29 Z4 M40i; G05 X5 M50i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Rhineland Palatinate - Germany iTrader: (0)	Great Review Sam! I really appreciate it! Thank you. __________________ Best regards, Jochen Click signature for current and previous cars.
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06-17-2014, 06:48 AM	#56
JSP///M4C Speedster 103 Rep 329 Posts Drives: 2018 M4C Sakhir Orange Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Canton iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW M4 Comp [0.00] 2011 BMW 335is [6.00]	Damn, SO is looking good every time I see it! Great pics!
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06-17-2014, 08:02 AM	#57
CSBM5 Brigadier General 2721 Rep 3,335 Posts Drives: 2019 M2 Comp, 2011 M3, etc Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Greenville, SC iTrader: (2)	Sam, Outstanding job on your review! In the old days (I'm 55), there was essentially Car and Driver, Road and Track and Autoweek a bit later on. While entertaining and all, to this day rarely (well, never) have I seen such a detailed, "relate-able", and comprehensive review in a traditional magazine. Which of course shows why they have long ago now become marginalized (quit reading them years ago now). I can imagine the time and effort it took (takes) to create such a comprehensive review, so I just wanted to take a minute here to recognize your outstanding work! Well done! Oh, and thanks again for your detailed answers to my technically specific questions in the other thread. Regards, Chuck __________________ Current Stable: 2024 G20 M340i Melbourne Red/Cognac 2019 F87 M2 Competition 6MT, LBB, slicktop, exec pkg 2007 E91 328i Silver, slushbox, Eibach fr/E93 M3 rear sway bars, ARC-8
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06-17-2014, 08:10 AM	#58
FTS Enjoying driving 388 Rep 1,169 Posts Drives: 645 Join Date: May 2009 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	^ +1
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06-17-2014, 09:25 AM	#59
pkimM3r Banned 205 Rep 7,298 Posts Drives: m3 saloon in granny mode. Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: lost angeles iTrader: (0)	wheres the vid?
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06-17-2014, 09:53 AM	#60
littleE92 Douche in Training 3 Rep 52 Posts Drives: 2011 335xi E92 M-Sport Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	Is it just me or is there no thigh extension adjustment on the new seats? __________________ Gone - 2011 335Xi E92 Le Mans Blue 2018 X1 F48 Alpine White 2013 Audi B8.5 S4 Brilliant Black
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06-17-2014, 10:35 AM	#61
E90 Skye Lieutenant 34 Rep 499 Posts Drives: E36 M3 Join Date: May 2009 Location: DFW, Texas iTrader: (1)	Awesome review. Really loving what I'm hearing about the F8X. __________________ CURRENT - E36 M3 Alpine White \| BC Coils \| FROMERLY - 2006 Jet Black 330i \| Premium Package \| ZF AT \| LUX 4.0 \| Jlevi M3 Front Bumper \| CF Mtech spoiler \| Gloss Black Grill \| Msport wheel \| Blacklines \| Koni FSD + Eibach Pro-kit \| BMS PBX
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06-17-2014, 11:18 AM	#63
justinco btr.life 51 Rep 353 Posts Drives: e36 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Colorado iTrader: (3) Garage List 1994 BMW 325is [0.00] 2009 BMW 335xi [10.00] 2005 BMW 330i ZHP [0.00]	Nice write up indeed, and great pics! That dark grey (mineral grey?) looks awesome __________________ 1994 BMW 325is - Project 325 HPDE/TT \| 2013 Scion FRS - Project FRS STX \| 2017 Subaru BRZ - Project BRZ STX
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06-17-2014, 11:18 AM	#64
IS350 IS350 to IS-F to M3 and M4 117 Rep 803 Posts Drives: 2015 i8 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: South Carolina iTrader: (0)	Really nice word choice and description. A pleasure to read. I especially liked the suspension observations. I'm debating skipping the M-Adaptive too. Did your E90 feel about as rigid as the M4's passive suspension on regular roads? Or did the e90 have EDC? If so, how would you compare? Also, was your car Silverstone? Debating that color, but haven't fallen in love with the blue-hue. Interior color preferences? Thx !
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06-17-2014, 11:38 AM	#65
MRV99 Major 254 Rep 1,067 Posts Drives: 2017 M3 ZCP / 2017 RRS SC Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Naperville iTrader: (1) Garage List 2017 BMW M3 ZCP [0.00]	Crying shame that they removed the rear arm rest to save maybe 1 lbs. I guess they don't think a person with children would purchase an M3. Idiotic move. __________________ 17 M3 ZCP -- 2017 Range Rover Sport SC --RIP-- 12 X5 50i Sport -- 11 M3 DCT -- 2011 X5 50i(Lemon) -- 2008 550 Msport -- 2007 x5 4.8 sport -- 2004 545 sport -- 2002 x5 4.4 sport -- 2001 540i Msport 2000 SL500 -- 1997 SL500
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06-17-2014, 01:53 PM	#66
richb811 451 Rep 4,592 Posts Drives: 2020 G20 330i M Sport Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: NJ iTrader: (21)	Great article! Thanks for posting
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