Chris Harris Reviews F80 M3 on Video

[gthal]

Wow... did this discussion go from being interesting and a great discussion of Chris' review to a silly pile of toad turds

[Canyon_Dancer]

That video had me cackling like a child. Three days and counting!!!!

[Dalko43]

Originally Posted by RingMeister01

To us "true porsche enthusiasts" the gt3 died when the Mezger motor was replaced with the 9A1. The car running on the street is no longer running circuits and the only real Porsches are the Cup cars.

Game. Set. Match.

The same can be said for the entire auto-racing world. All car companies that actively race have car platforms that are very distinct and unique from their street-legal versions.
20 years ago, it wasn't too hard to take a mass-produced bmw or porsche and turn into a Le-Mans going vehicle. Nowadays, there is so much engineering, refinement, R&D that goes into these racing cars in order to stay competitive.. most of them have little in common with the street-legal versions.

If you want a "real porsche" you can probably pay some aftermarket company to race-prep your 911, but you're no longer taking it down the street at that point (legally anyways).

Edit: Anyone have a fresh link to that Chris Harris video? I can't seem to open the original link properly.

[RingMeister01]

Originally Posted by Dalko43

The same can be said for the entire auto-racing world. All car companies that actively race have car platforms that are very distinct and unique from their street-legal versions.
20 years ago, it wasn't too hard to take a mass-produced bmw or porsche and turn into a Le-Mans going vehicle. Nowadays, there is so much engineering, refinement, R&D that goes into these racing cars in order to stay competitive.. most of them have little in common with the street-legal versions.

If you want a "real porsche" you can probably pay some aftermarket company to race-prep your 911, but you're no longer taking it down the street at that point (legally anyways).

Edit: Anyone have a fresh link to that Chris Harris video? I can't seem to open the original link properly.

I agree with you.

Link to Harris -

[gthal]

Originally Posted by RingMeister01

I agree with you.

Link to Harris -

That must be an abbreviated version (at just over 3 minutes)... the original video was WAY longer (at just under 11 minutes). This must be his "free" version

[RingMeister01]

.

[W///]

Originally Posted by s4awd

Hmm not so sure about that. Porsche enthusiasts don't give a shit about the turbo. The GTR forced Porsches hand to create that monstrosity that drives like ass. It's all about the GT3. Always has been. Always will be. The next step is hybridization. Eg 918. The best Japanese engines were by Honda, NSX, s2000 etc. I don't care what anyone says, turbos will always have lag. Hybrids, will eliminate that and supplement power with efficiency. Turbos are a stop gap. I can't wait until we cross it.

Annnnnnd, you've lost all your credibility with that post. Good bye.

[W///]

Btw, back on topic with the Chris Harris videos (amazing how many trolls from both sides there are). I just saw the technical video that C.Harris promised. Always interesting to see the M3 from the bottom.

Just noticed for the first time that the DCT pan is again plastic. Only a matter of time before they start warping and leaking like the E9x.

[s4awd]

Originally Posted by W///

Annnnnnd, you've lost all your credibility with that post. Good bye.

How so? Porsche's 918, Acura's NSX, Audi's R8 ETron, BMW i8 are all flagship cars that are hybrid/electric. More efficient, better weight balance, better performance. Every manufacturer is focusing more of their resources on what Tesla is doing and meeting government regs on emissions.

[MParallel]

Originally Posted by gthal

That must be an abbreviated version (at just over 3 minutes)... the original video was WAY longer (at just under 11 minutes). This must be his "free" version

Was thinking the same.

It's now /Drive vs Drive+ with paid content for longer vids.

Shame, but understandable at the same time.

[JoeFromPA]

First off, let's give credit for the phenomenal cinematography of that video. I only watched the short version so far and wow, that's crazy good filming. Really captured the way the chassis handled the road-based switchbacks and what not. You get to see how FLAT the car stays even when it's sliding and how (I'm guessing) MDM mode allows a bit of slide before reining the chassis right back in, nice and tight. Best videos I've seen to show this off on the road.

Harris calling the motor a masterpiece - I agree with this from my drive and will be picking up mine in about a week. I think this motor has been downplayed in the M community due to it's "lack of pedigree" or instead focused on it's power and delivery. It's like focusing on a CEO not being from Harvard but running a really profitable company, and not mentioning how much fun that CEO is to be around.

I am truly excited to experience this engine and chassis in more depth. My test drive convinced me of that and I see Harris repeatedly mentioning both, individually, as something special. I feel like there's so much depth and character in the engine to explore, and so much interactivity with the chassis that will take thousands and thousands of miles to learn and enjoy.

Anyway, thanks for posting the short video. Almost makes me want to go sign up for the longer

[myzmak]

His short 'engineer interview' video is also now up (he references it at the start of his long review)

doesn't say a whole lot more beyond what is already out there from similar walk arounds, but he remains clearly impressed (for those who value his subjective opinions... )

[Bomex]

Another Chris Harris M3 video was just posted

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by Bomex

Another Chris Harris M3 video was just posted

It's just a 2 minute lap of him hooning, from the driver's perspective, with no sound. Not all that interesting.

Am I the only one who thinks that the ratio of drifting to actual driving is just stupid now? I loved the P1 video because there wasn't a lot of drifting, and more actual driving.

[lawrenc967]

i'm trying to decide between DCT or MT for my F80 build. Does anyone here know why Chris Harris says he prefers the DCT?

I've driven a MT for the last 16 years, but am starting to lean towards DCT, and am curious as to outside opinions on this matter.

[speed12sil]

Originally Posted by lawrenc967

i'm trying to decide between DCT or MT for my F80 build. Does anyone here know why Chris Harris says he prefers the DCT?

I've driven a MT for the last 16 years, but am starting to lean towards DCT, and am curious as to outside opinions on this matter.

For his opinion on the DCT I think you'd have to check out the Drive+ version by subscribing. Pretty sure you already know that the DCT just shifts faster than most drivers can. Other than that, it's just less driver involvement. Really a toss-up between DCT/stick at this point, since the DCT has gotten so good(compared to the SMG...) in all situations.

I personally won't track with an M3 anyway, since I'd want something that's much lighter(under 2200lbs), so either one would do just fine on the street.

Just my 2 cents.

[justinco]

Originally Posted by speed12sil

...

I personally won't track with an M3 anyway, since I'd want something that's much lighter(under 2200lbs), so either one would do just fine on the street.

Just my 2 cents.

Under 2200lbs?? What car would that be? An NA Miata or Honda Civic?

(genuinely curious though, I've owned 2 Miata's that were a bit over 2200lbs)

[justinco]

Originally Posted by lawrenc967

i'm trying to decide between DCT or MT for my F80 build. Does anyone here know why Chris Harris says he prefers the DCT?

I've driven a MT for the last 16 years, but am starting to lean towards DCT, and am curious as to outside opinions on this matter.

Personal preference thing from my point of view...for a daily driver, I like DCT. In a track car, of course manual. Some people enjoy the manual for a DD and don't find it a big deal. I personally don't like hustling 3 pedals in stop and go traffic and such...

[mvigod]

Originally Posted by justinco

Personal preference thing from my point of view...for a daily driver, I like DCT. In a track car, of course manual. Some people enjoy the manual for a DD and don't find it a big deal. I personally don't like hustling 3 pedals in stop and go traffic and such...

I like DCT on the track and on the road. Done with manuals. I see no reason for them anymore. DCT is so good now I would dread using a manual.

[stressdoc]

Love the manual on the F80. We will have to wait and see what box Chris checks on his order...

[aussiem3]

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

First off, let's give credit for the phenomenal cinematography of that video. I only watched the short version so far and wow, that's crazy good filming. Really captured the way the chassis handled the road-based switchbacks and what not. You get to see how FLAT the car stays even when it's sliding and how (I'm guessing) MDM mode allows a bit of slide before reining the chassis right back in, nice and tight. Best videos I've seen to show this off on the road.

Harris calling the motor a masterpiece - I agree with this from my drive and will be picking up mine in about a week. I think this motor has been downplayed in the M community due to it's "lack of pedigree" or instead focused on it's power and delivery. It's like focusing on a CEO not being from Harvard but running a really profitable company, and not mentioning how much fun that CEO is to be around.

I am truly excited to experience this engine and chassis in more depth. My test drive convinced me of that and I see Harris repeatedly mentioning both, individually, as something special. I feel like there's so much depth and character in the engine to explore, and so much interactivity with the chassis that will take thousands and thousands of miles to learn and enjoy.

Anyway, thanks for posting the short video. Almost makes me want to go sign up for the longer

Yes ... compared to the outgoing car. It's the usability of it on a daily basis.

[speed12sil]

Originally Posted by justinco

Under 2200lbs?? What car would that be? An NA Miata or Honda Civic?

(genuinely curious though, I've owned 2 Miata's that were a bit over 2200lbs)

Haha. I should say production-wise at 2200lbs, which is what the NA miata weighed. I should know because I still have an all manual(yes no A/C and hand-crank windows) '92 miata.

And a caterham is even lighter, somewhere around 1500lbs?

Of course if you have 100k+ to spend, I'd just get a stohl as a track only car, or get a BAC MONO (180k pre-tax) or a Radical RXC...which happens to be road-legal in California, of all places....