BMW M3 / M4 Reviews Compilation

[Law]

Wow talk about homework, lots of reading to do tonight!

[Keto]

Car and Driver loved the steering. Given this is my third iteration of M3 I remember the first drive reviews from the E46 and E92. There's no significant difference in the small things to complain about and overall they are quite positive.

It seems the sound is what they focus on, and whatever "engagement" actually means to auto car.

[jc05e46m3]

Originally Posted by Celesabc

I read every single one of them I did NOT see many mention:
- Steering feels weird on center.
- Noticeable turbo lag.

Only one mentioned the center weirdness
I don't think I saw any speak of lag. In fact, it was the opposite.

[jc05e46m3]

That was the first time I read anything about the 6MT being significantly lighter than the DCT. IIRC, there wasn't much of a difference between the two on the E92. Am I mistaken?

[Sir Loin]

If a review had nothing but good things to say about the new Ms, we would for sure complain that it was a farce. They have to find something to criticize.

Oh wait, that what we do best - find something to criticize.

[myzmak]

Earlier today I predicted this:

They will talk about how quick the car is, how it handles, its weight savings, etc, etc, etc. They will recommend the car and generally sing its praises to the heavens.

Somewhere in those reviews, though, there will be some minor "nits" and "buts...." Partly this may just be because journalists can't look too much like fanboys (so will always need something to say to present the other side...) and partly because (gasp) it may be that (shock/horror) the car is not perfect on account of no car is perfect. E9x has its drawbacks (city driving, low revs, etc) and there will probably be some minor issues with the new car. Won't sound as good as E9x. Could be a bit of turbo lag when you stomp on the gas at 1,000 rpm and leave it in 4th, etc. But these will be small pieces of the larger, sing it to the heavens reviews.

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=983043

On the whole, I'd say I was bang on.

The reviews are very positive. One driver doesn't like the sound, another loves it. One said the steering lacked a bit of feel, the others praised it.

On the whole, I put the 'negatives' down more to journalists trying to be critical and doing their jobs rather than genuine "problems" with the car. If these were major/substantive/deal breaking problems, they would not recommend this car as they do. (For instance, while Top Gear doesn't say everything is perfect, it gives the car 9/10.)

This car won't and shouldn't be perfect, but that doesn't mean it isn't the best current model in this segment to buy - which seems to be the runaway decision.

Now to drive one of the mofos myself................................

[naterater]

BMW CCA was on hand too:

https://www.bmwcca.org/news/bmw-dist...tent-m3-and-m4

[ASAP]

the S55 is better than the S65!

why?

Because of the ungodly torque band.

WW3 is about to start lol.

[jc05e46m3]

Originally Posted by Jason

BIMMERPOST review: http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=982538

http://www.completecar.ie/testdrives...aloon/722/3636
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/...t-drive-review
http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-revi...ive-2015-m3-m4
http://www.focus.de/auto/fahrbericht...d_3827063.html
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...t-drive-review
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...m4_first_test/
http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/b...drive-2014-5-8

One more for you guys!
https://www.bmwcca.org/news/bmw-dist...tent-m3-and-m4

[Doctor///M]

...let the journey begin!

[aus]

This is what I was worried about.

Originally Posted by Road and Track

For all its newfound punch and the massive difference that makes to the car’s real-world performance, I’m not convinced by this engine. Sure, it pulls hard right 'round to 7500 rpm—big speeds for a turbo engine—but it somehow never feels that exciting. There’s never any real encouragement to chase the limiter, and when it comes to the soundtrack, while there’s plenty of volume (some of it amplified through the speakers), it’s a case of quantity over quality. It sounds more like a tuned diesel engine than the heart of a pedigreed motorsport product.

[damnitBobby]

Originally Posted by Tonymiabmw

Every reviewer said they would take the M3 over the 4

lol of course you would note that.. it was preferred for the added practicality, but the performance of both cars was equal, according to the articles

i briefly read the reliable journalists (C&D and motor trend) and noted that their takes on F8x was as expected.. overall step-up from the E9x

I took a good look through the photos, and the powder-blue YMB just isn't doing it for me anymore. Here's to hoping BMW will offer some better colors for my purchase in 2016.

[MrCsquared]

Originally Posted by Tonymiabmw

Every reviewer said they would take the M3 over the 4

Lol, the basis of this statement relies upon the practicality portion of the M3

EDIT; sorry, just realized this was addressed above

[solstice]

Originally Posted by jc05e46m3

Only one mentioned the center weirdness
I don't think I saw any speak of lag. In fact, it was the opposite.

Steering

"Though it’s somewhat a foregone conclusion with so many cars in the age of electric steering, feel from behind the wheel is a little disappointing. Precision and weighting are excellent in Sport + mode, but there’s just not a huge indication of what’s happening at the front tires’ contact patches."

Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/1405_2015
_bmw_m3_m4_first_test/#ixzz31AngNDy3


"While the weighting changes, the numbness never does"
Car & Driver

Throttle Response:

"Just don’t count on the same razor-sharp throttle response as before when the road opens up and you get to put your foot down. The inherent qualities of the forced-induction engine mean the initial pick-up is a lot less rabid than with the old naturally aspirated unit owing to a fleeting moment of lag as the two turbochargers spool up to full boost"
AUTOCAR


That's enough for me to keep my expectations on the lower end were it's been from the start in these areas. I had hopes for the steering and UAE's review counts for a lot but I'm not convinced the steering is better than that of the E9X.

[FogCityM3]

Sounds like these are great reviews for a turbo engine and seems like the lag is minimized to greatest extent possible. However, seems like some of the old M character is lost, particularly its raw and high strung nature. I'll be keeping my E90 for a very long time, but at least BMW seems to have gotten it right given they went FI.

[CanAutM3]

My takeaway after reading all the articles (common points in most articles):

• Throttle response isn't as sharp as on the E9X and the engine has lost some edge
• Some steering feel is lost due to the EPS, but it remains very accurate
• The engine note is not as pleasing as past ///M NA engines
• Beyond those points, the F8X is better in every respect compared to the E9X.

Pretty much what I expected and anticipated; and as has been discussed at length on the pages of this forum for quite a while.

What I have always enjoyed about my M3s, is their great flexibility; their ability to be a jack of all trades. According to the reviews, this particular characteristic seems to have been retained if not enhanced. This make me happy .

Can't wait to take delivery of mine in July to make my own assessment

[LDSM]

Did anyone else notice the exhaust clip from the german review

[m3ct]

Originally Posted by elevenfive

Did anyone else notice the exhaust clip from the german review

Sounds great!

[myzmak]

Originally Posted by solstice

Steering

"Though it’s somewhat a foregone conclusion with so many cars in the age of electric steering, feel from behind the wheel is a little disappointing. Precision and weighting are excellent in Sport + mode, but there’s just not a huge indication of what’s happening at the front tires’ contact patches."

Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/1405_2015
_bmw_m3_m4_first_test/#ixzz31AngNDy3


"While the weighting changes, the numbness never does"
Car & Driver

Throttle Response:

"Just don’t count on the same razor-sharp throttle response as before when the road opens up and you get to put your foot down. The inherent qualities of the forced-induction engine mean the initial pick-up is a lot less rabid than with the old naturally aspirated unit owing to a fleeting moment of lag as the two turbochargers spool up to full boost"
AUTOCAR


That's enough for me to keep my expectations on the lower end were it's been from the start in these areas. I had hopes for the steering and UAE's review counts for a lot but I'm not convinced the steering is better than that of the E9X.

But enough variation even on those points that one has to drive.
For instance, Road and Track: "This is actually the first time BMW has fitted an electric rack to an M3, but you’d never know it, so convincing are the sensations."

Gotta. Drive. One. Soon!

[signes]

Originally Posted by jc05e46m3

That was the first time I read anything about the 6MT being significantly lighter than the DCT. IIRC, there wasn't much of a difference between the two on the E92. Am I mistaken?

Yes.

[myzmak]

Originally Posted by jc05e46m3

One more for you guys!
https://www.bmwcca.org/news/bmw-dist...tent-m3-and-m4

What a great intro:

Okay, I have finally driven the car and drunk the Kool-Aid: It is hard to imagine a better M3—or M4, since they’re basically the same car with a different door count. Of course, the Interwebs have been awash with self-appointed experts bemoaning the doom and decay of the once-mighty M brand with this car, or these cars.

These people are idiots.

[signes]

Originally Posted by aus

This is what I was worried about.

Saw that, too. Then again the same author refers to the S65 as a "turbo" V-8...