F80 M3 to F10 M5 to GTR

Oliver Queen · 09-25-2017, 07:05 AM

***UPDATED WITH PICS OF THE VEHICLES IN QUESTION***

Hey guys!

So in the past year I had the opportunity to drive a F80 M3 for a couple months and after falling out of love, got the opportunity to drive a F10 M5.

Before getting these cars I had performance and 4 door usage on mind which ultimately led to getting these cars, however, the performance aspects of these cars were the reason I moved on from the M3 to the M5 (I am also to blame in the initial decisions) and now to a GTR.

The M3 was definitely a great looking car, I would come to garage and say wow this car looks great every time I took this car. The interior was also nice as I had the full leather. The problem was the can like sound and the weird "electric" feel, I don't know how to explain but I felt disconnected with the car; one remedy would have been to get an aftermarket exhaust but going through forums it seemed as if it would not have made a difference for me. Another reason I got rid of the M3 was also my personal mistake, I got Yas Marina Blue; for the first month or two the color looked absolutely awesome but that feeling quickly got away.

I made the decision to swap out this M3 and take on the F10 M5 (at the time the residuals jumped to 67%). On paper and the initial drive made me feel like this car has everything the M3 lacked, there's "less electronic" feel, the V8 sounds better (I soon threw on an axle back with no mufflers), and the torque down low felt so much harder in the M5. When getting the car in WOT, the difference between the M5 and the M3 is negligible with my butt dyno, I didn't take any speed times to confirm but I felt they were quite equally matched speed wise, just different torque feel. The M5 also felt more refined interior wise, but the fat front seats really killed the rear legroom. The main reason I got out of the M5 was once again due to the driving feel, this time it was the fact that the M5 felt like a boat and very heavy (The M3 was definitely more nimble).

The solution could have been a F90 M5 which I feel is a mixture of the F10 and the M3 but I made my decision to get something really raw this time.

Basically these cars were great but the balance between the performance and luxury was not for me (I can absolutely see this car having the perfect balance for someone else).

Let's move on to my solution - Heavy raw performance and 4 door usage; The Nissan GTR! But wait there's more, a Toyota RAV4 for the 4 doors.

I went with a 2015 GTR this time, during my research I found a lot of information saying the 2017 is very soft so that would have defeated the whole purpose of making the switch.

Now at this point I have all of you invested in this thread and eager to hear the main differences and a thorough comparison, unfortunately that would have to wait a week before I get her fully on the road.

BUT!

Driving the car a block after it came out of the trailer, the car feels raw just sitting in it, the stiff feeling and loud transmission sounds when driving really tells you how much this car was invested performance wise! The M3 and M5 were very quiet in terms of hearing transmission noises which would give a feeling of something breaking, that's normal for GTRs and unfortunately I really prefer a car that speaks to me when I am driving, be it loud transmission noises, I like it!

I will update this thread once I get some miles on the GTR to give a comparison between the 3 really different cars but having seat time in all 3 cars would make for an interesting comparison

Thanks guys!

OF Hero · 09-25-2017, 08:30 AM

Congrats, those are quite the car's to own.

I previously owned a GTR and just got into a 2018 F80 a few days ago.

The GTR definitely feels more raw and mechanical...I too enjoyed all the quirky noises, made it feel more like a race car to me LOL.

The F80 is a bit more refined but still has some rawness to it, at least to me. The GTR will make you feel like a super hero with how ridiculous you can push it without killing yourself. But there is a bit of a disconnected feeling at times, felt like I made inputs and the car obviously responds well, but you wouldn't "feel" it aside from seeing your speed increase. Still a very fun card to drive.

Be prepared for all the attention you will get.

JoeFromPA · 09-25-2017, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oliver Queen

Driving the car a block after it came out of the trailer, the car feels raw just sitting in it, the stiff feeling and loud transmission sounds when driving really tells you how much this car was invested performance wise! The M3 and M5 were very quiet in terms of hearing transmission noises which would give a feeling of something breaking, that's normal for GTRs and unfortunately I really prefer a car that speaks to me when I am driving, be it loud transmission noises, I like it!

I will update this thread once I get some miles on the GTR to give a comparison between the 3 really different cars but having seat time in all 3 cars would make for an interesting comparison

Thanks guys!

If you don't mind the observation: The m3 was meant to be a jack of all trades. The m5 was made to be an autobahn-bomber with handling chops despite it's weight. Both are made to be daily driven.

The GTR is a whole different beast. You will rarely see them daily driven (though some do) because of that.

Those transmission/drivetrain noises you refer to are a function of driveline mounting, noise reduction materials, and engineering. I can appreciate hearing them when you want race-car

It's alot of fun to hear alot more of your car when you want too, and one of the things I most love about air-cooled 911s.

Oliver Queen · 09-25-2017, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OF Hero

Congrats, those are quite the car's to own.

I previously owned a GTR and just got into a 2018 F80 a few days ago.

The GTR definitely feels more raw and mechanical...I too enjoyed all the quirky noises, made it feel more like a race car to me LOL.

The F80 is a bit more refined but still has some rawness to it, at least to me. The GTR will make you feel like a super hero with how ridiculous you can push it without killing yourself. But there is a bit of a disconnected feeling at times, felt like I made inputs and the car obviously responds well, but you wouldn't "feel" it aside from seeing your speed increase. Still a very fun card to drive.

Be prepared for all the attention you will get.

The F80 is definitely more refined and I think the ZCP would've made a difference in the raw feel since mine was non-zcp. I can't wait to get the GTR on road, AWD with DCT is something I look forward to!

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

If you don't mind the observation: The m3 was meant to be a jack of all trades. The m5 was made to be an autobahn-bomber with handling chops despite it's weight. Both are made to be daily driven.

The GTR is a whole different beast. You will rarely see them daily driven (though some do) because of that.

Those transmission/drivetrain noises you refer to are a function of driveline mounting, noise reduction materials, and engineering. I can appreciate hearing them when you want race-car

It's alot of fun to hear alot more of your car when you want too, and one of the things I most love about air-cooled 911s.

I absolutely agree and it was a mistake on my end, I went with the M3 and M5 for a perfect daily driver with performance, and they definitely are but I wanted more performance; The GTR will be a weekend car and the RAV4 the daily driver basically what the M's provide in two separate cars; I don't think I'd have fun daily driving the GTR

Jojipoji · 09-25-2017, 05:02 PM

I have owned 3 iterations of the gtr and 2 of the m3. I 100% agree with you that the f80 is less connected than the gtr. You must go with mpss on the gtr and FBO. The exhaust sounds terrible on the stock gtr. You would believe how different bolt ones make with the gtr. The f80 is the perfect daily driver however. Manual 500 hp (with tune) - can't go wrong.

kdphan · 09-25-2017, 06:41 PM

first think you do with the GTR is replacing that midpipe.

what a difference it made to the car as far as sound goes.

Then change out the runflats to MPSS or whatever they call it now.

I couldn't stand the road noise on the Dunlap RF.

Mthrice · 09-25-2017, 08:38 PM

GT-R is no fun to daily drive, but the Rav4 is? hmmm

OF Hero · 09-25-2017, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mthrice

GT-R is no fun to daily drive, but the Rav4 is? hmmm

Heh I think he will quickly find excuses to use the GTR more.

///M4ster Yoda · 09-25-2017, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mthrice

GT-R is no fun to daily drive, but the Rav4 is? hmmm

Haha. Yup. Was thinking the same thing

RAV4. Ouch!!!!!!!!

Oliver Queen · 09-25-2017, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mthrice

GT-R is no fun to daily drive, but the Rav4 is? hmmm

Quote:

Originally Posted by OF Hero

Heh I think he will quickly find excuses to use the GTR more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///M4ster Yoda

Haha. Yup. Was thinking the same thing

RAV4. Ouch!!!!!!!!

Not going to lie the new RAV is a pretty comfortable car but let's be honest I am going to make up weird excuses to take the GTR out whenever I can

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdphan

first think you do with the GTR is replacing that midpipe.

what a difference it made to the car as far as sound goes.

Then change out the runflats to MPSS or whatever they call it now.

I couldn't stand the road noise on the Dunlap RF.

Hey kdphan, I actually bought a full exhaust from tips to the midpipe, it's ready to get installed once the GTRs on the road! Can't wait to hear this beast without all those mufflers

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jojipoji

I have owned 3 iterations of the gtr and 2 of the m3. I 100% agree with you that the f80 is less connected than the gtr. You must go with mpss on the gtr and FBO. The exhaust sounds terrible on the stock gtr. You would believe how different bolt ones make with the gtr. The f80 is the perfect daily driver however. Manual 500 hp (with tune) - can't go wrong.

The stock exhaust definitely sounds bad, I am going to open her up with a full exhaust, 3 inch intakes and a Cobb AP and then FBO once I get used to the car for a few weeks haha

TahoeM3 · 09-26-2017, 08:26 AM

The GTR is actually good as a daily driver in all conditions, and definitely a lot of fun when the road opens up. I drive 25 miles each way (with traffic) and split time between the GTR and the Jag.

REDEV217342 · 09-26-2017, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdphan

first think you do with the GTR is replacing that midpipe.

what a difference it made to the car as far as sound goes.

Then change out the runflats to MPSS or whatever they call it now.

I couldn't stand the road noise on the Dunlap RF.

Agree 100%. Had Cobb tune with HKS midpipe and exhaust on my former GTR and the car sounded amazing

FriedPiston · 09-27-2017, 04:12 PM

OP, I'm just curious, and you don't need to answer this question, but how much money did you burn by going such route?

Mthrice · 09-27-2017, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REDEV217342

Agree 100%. Had Cobb tune with HKS midpipe and exhaust on my former GTR and the car sounded amazing

Here is my HKS mid and exhaust with Ecutek tune this saturday at buttonwillow. Mic on the rear bumper.

Oliver Queen · 09-27-2017, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nars3000

OP, I'm just curious, and you don't need to answer this question, but how much money did you burn by going such route?

Hey, I didn't lose much because the M3 and M5 were leases that were lease transferred; if I had financed the M5, I would have had to keep it for a bit since the trade in value for the F10s are inappropriately low and would have taken an enormous loss

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mthrice

Here is my HKS mid and exhaust with Ecutek tune this saturday at buttonwillow. Mic on the rear bumper.

Wow that sounds fantastic, can't wait to get my exhaust/mid-pipe installed; if you don't mind me asking, who tuned your car? I ordered the Cobb AP stage 1 package with the intake, I was reading some great reviews about Ecutek though.

Mthrice · 09-27-2017, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oliver Queen

Wow that sounds fantastic, can't wait to get my exhaust/mid-pipe installed; if you don't mind me asking, who tuned your car? I ordered the Cobb AP stage 1 package with the intake, I was reading some great reviews about Ecutek though.

RD engineering in Oxnard, Ca. It was a custom tune vs. off the shelf tune. He said the injectors were overloaded due to the HKS midpipe, so he turned the boost down a bit at low rpm's (14 to 13) and boost up to 18 from 12psi at high rpm's. The results were very noticeable.

Also the transmission was dialed in. The cba's were kind of jerky at low throttle, and that is completely gone now.

You're gonna love the car when you get mods installed, not that you don't already

Leaveit2bevo · 10-03-2017, 01:55 PM

Solution is to have both a manual F80 and a GTR

nicknaz · 10-04-2017, 04:21 PM

Congrats?

Hope you don't post back saying how tiring those noises are and how stiff and uncomfortable the car is

Jojipoji · 10-04-2017, 08:57 PM

That's what I have! F80 and gtr. Life is good

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leaveit2bevo

Solution is to have both a manual F80 and a GTR

Oliver Queen · 10-05-2017, 07:33 PM

Hey guys, should have her on the road next week will update the thread and will have a thorough description of my thoughts about the car and differences between the previous cars; I saw some threads of fellow owners looking to go from a GTR to M3/M4 or vice versa I hope my inputs give them some sort of help

M4D_Classy · 10-08-2017, 10:45 AM

Let?s see pictures of the GTR, M3, & M5. I?ll feel more invested to the story. LoL

YanoM5 · 10-14-2017, 02:38 AM

I had a 09 GT-R FBO and hands down the fastest, funniest car I’ve owned. I daily drove it and loved it. I picked up a 13 M5 and love the torque and V8 sound, but it does feel like I’m driving a boat. Plus where I live the roads aren’t that long and it’s always packed. I can’t enjoy the HP as much as I should/could. So I’m thinking an M3 would be a great in between.

09-25-2017, 07:05 AM	#1
Oliver Queen Lieutenant 198 Rep 431 Posts Drives: 2016 YMB/SO M3, 2016 F10 M5 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: New York iTrader: (2)	F80 M3 to F10 M5 to GTR *UPDATED WITH PICS OF THE VEHICLES IN QUESTION* Hey guys! So in the past year I had the opportunity to drive a F80 M3 for a couple months and after falling out of love, got the opportunity to drive a F10 M5. Before getting these cars I had performance and 4 door usage on mind which ultimately led to getting these cars, however, the performance aspects of these cars were the reason I moved on from the M3 to the M5 (I am also to blame in the initial decisions) and now to a GTR. The M3 was definitely a great looking car, I would come to garage and say wow this car looks great every time I took this car. The interior was also nice as I had the full leather. The problem was the can like sound and the weird "electric" feel, I don't know how to explain but I felt disconnected with the car; one remedy would have been to get an aftermarket exhaust but going through forums it seemed as if it would not have made a difference for me. Another reason I got rid of the M3 was also my personal mistake, I got Yas Marina Blue; for the first month or two the color looked absolutely awesome but that feeling quickly got away. I made the decision to swap out this M3 and take on the F10 M5 (at the time the residuals jumped to 67%). On paper and the initial drive made me feel like this car has everything the M3 lacked, there's "less electronic" feel, the V8 sounds better (I soon threw on an axle back with no mufflers), and the torque down low felt so much harder in the M5. When getting the car in WOT, the difference between the M5 and the M3 is negligible with my butt dyno, I didn't take any speed times to confirm but I felt they were quite equally matched speed wise, just different torque feel. The M5 also felt more refined interior wise, but the fat front seats really killed the rear legroom. The main reason I got out of the M5 was once again due to the driving feel, this time it was the fact that the M5 felt like a boat and very heavy (The M3 was definitely more nimble). The solution could have been a F90 M5 which I feel is a mixture of the F10 and the M3 but I made my decision to get something really raw this time. Basically these cars were great but the balance between the performance and luxury was not for me (I can absolutely see this car having the perfect balance for someone else). Let's move on to my solution - Heavy raw performance and 4 door usage; The Nissan GTR! But wait there's more, a Toyota RAV4 for the 4 doors. I went with a 2015 GTR this time, during my research I found a lot of information saying the 2017 is very soft so that would have defeated the whole purpose of making the switch. Now at this point I have all of you invested in this thread and eager to hear the main differences and a thorough comparison, unfortunately that would have to wait a week before I get her fully on the road. BUT! Driving the car a block after it came out of the trailer, the car feels raw just sitting in it, the stiff feeling and loud transmission sounds when driving really tells you how much this car was invested performance wise! The M3 and M5 were very quiet in terms of hearing transmission noises which would give a feeling of something breaking, that's normal for GTRs and unfortunately I really prefer a car that speaks to me when I am driving, be it loud transmission noises, I like it! I will update this thread once I get some miles on the GTR to give a comparison between the 3 really different cars but having seat time in all 3 cars would make for an interesting comparison Thanks guys! __________________ Current Cars: 2017 GT350 2018 Mineral White M3 2015 ML63 AMG Last edited by Oliver Queen; 11-09-2017 at 05:40 PM..
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09-25-2017, 08:30 AM	#2
OF Hero Major 1133 Rep 1,360 Posts Drives: F80! Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Columbus, OH iTrader: (3)	Congrats, those are quite the car's to own. I previously owned a GTR and just got into a 2018 F80 a few days ago. The GTR definitely feels more raw and mechanical...I too enjoyed all the quirky noises, made it feel more like a race car to me LOL. The F80 is a bit more refined but still has some rawness to it, at least to me. The GTR will make you feel like a super hero with how ridiculous you can push it without killing yourself. But there is a bit of a disconnected feeling at times, felt like I made inputs and the car obviously responds well, but you wouldn't "feel" it aside from seeing your speed increase. Still a very fun card to drive. Be prepared for all the attention you will get.
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09-25-2017, 05:02 PM	#5
Jojipoji First Lieutenant 139 Rep 312 Posts Drives: 16 m3/15 gtr Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Avon CT iTrader: (0)	I have owned 3 iterations of the gtr and 2 of the m3. I 100% agree with you that the f80 is less connected than the gtr. You must go with mpss on the gtr and FBO. The exhaust sounds terrible on the stock gtr. You would believe how different bolt ones make with the gtr. The f80 is the perfect daily driver however. Manual 500 hp (with tune) - can't go wrong.
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09-25-2017, 06:41 PM	#6
kdphan Captain 338 Rep 774 Posts Drives: everything is gone! Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Emeryville, CA iTrader: (0)	first think you do with the GTR is replacing that midpipe. what a difference it made to the car as far as sound goes. Then change out the runflats to MPSS or whatever they call it now. I couldn't stand the road noise on the Dunlap RF.
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09-25-2017, 08:38 PM	#7
Mthrice Lieutenant 106 Rep 504 Posts Drives: 15 M3 Tanzanite/Blk, 15 GT3 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (1)	GT-R is no fun to daily drive, but the Rav4 is? hmmm __________________ 2008 M3 BRP 2:08.4 Big Willow 1:37.8 SOW CW 1:29.0 Chuckwalla CW 2:07.4 LS 1:46.7 ACS 2:00.7 2010 GT-R BRP 1:55.3 Big Willow 1:32.0 SOW CCW 1:23.4 Chuckwalla CCW 2:02.5 Chuckwalla CW 2:00.1 LS 1:41.2 ACS 1:50.6
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09-26-2017, 08:26 AM	#11
TahoeM3 Major 410 Rep 1,025 Posts Drives: F-type R, GTR, X5 50i Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Tampa, Fl iTrader: (0)	The GTR is actually good as a daily driver in all conditions, and definitely a lot of fun when the road opens up. I drive 25 miles each way (with traffic) and split time between the GTR and the Jag. __________________ 2017 F-type SVR Black/black 2017 Nissan GTR Red/black 2022 BMW X5M MBB/SO Gone but not forgotten: '12 X5M, '07 AM SuperVantage, '05 Boxster S, '01 BMW M3,...
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09-27-2017, 04:12 PM	#13
FriedPiston Colonel 1973 Rep 2,711 Posts Drives: Scraper Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: East Oakland, CA iTrader: (26)	OP, I'm just curious, and you don't need to answer this question, but how much money did you burn by going such route?
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10-03-2017, 01:55 PM	#17
Leaveit2bevo Private First Class 46 Rep 181 Posts Drives: GTR/F80 Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Solution is to have both a manual F80 and a GTR
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10-04-2017, 04:21 PM	#18
nicknaz Lieutenant General 3187 Rep 10,509 Posts Drives: C6Z Join Date: May 2008 Location: NorCal iTrader: (0)	Congrats? Hope you don't post back saying how tiring those noises are and how stiff and uncomfortable the car is
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10-05-2017, 07:33 PM	#20
Oliver Queen Lieutenant 198 Rep 431 Posts Drives: 2016 YMB/SO M3, 2016 F10 M5 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: New York iTrader: (2)	Hey guys, should have her on the road next week will update the thread and will have a thorough description of my thoughts about the car and differences between the previous cars; I saw some threads of fellow owners looking to go from a GTR to M3/M4 or vice versa I hope my inputs give them some sort of help __________________ Current Cars: 2017 GT350 2018 Mineral White M3 2015 ML63 AMG
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10-08-2017, 10:45 AM	#21
M4D_Classy Private First Class 53 Rep 147 Posts Drives: BMW M6 / X5 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Towson, MD iTrader: (0)	Let?s see pictures of the GTR, M3, & M5. I?ll feel more invested to the story. LoL
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10-14-2017, 02:38 AM	#22
YanoM5 Captain 505 Rep 673 Posts Drives: 2018 Individual Nardo M5 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: WA iTrader: (1)	I had a 09 GT-R FBO and hands down the fastest, funniest car I’ve owned. I daily drove it and loved it. I picked up a 13 M5 and love the torque and V8 sound, but it does feel like I’m driving a boat. Plus where I live the roads aren’t that long and it’s always packed. I can’t enjoy the HP as much as I should/could. So I’m thinking an M3 would be a great in between.
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