Spotted: F80 M3 Sedan Accelerates on the PCH (Video)

[CarEnthused]

I have to wonder how many people on here have owned an M3 that didn't have the V8. Based on a lot of the comments that I've seen regarding sound it seems as if people never owned an NA I6 M3 which through the generations has been the more traditional motor for these cars.

Sounds good and paired with a DCT this is could shape up to be a pretty awesome car. I drove a DCT 135i and that "fart" is one of my favorite features of that combination.

Maybe in a year once I see how e92 M3 prices are going, I'll get into a used one and then start considering buying an M4 once the LCI refresh happens.

[Ezio]

Heres the problem i think people do not understand.

Its not that a inline 6 engine sounds bad, its the fact that they put this amazing V8 into the E92. now they are going back to inline 6 engines. Its like they gave us a little taste of a more exotic style of engines (s65, S85).

Sorry i do not want my car to sound like a E46 M3! its not 2002 anymore!

BMW should have did a reworked S65, like how GM did a rework on the LS3 the new LS3 now its called LT1.

AMG talks about doing a 4.0L turbo V8 for next engines.

They are ways to make a V8 still have good MPG!

[KKM3]

Originally Posted by Ezio

Heres the problem i think people do not understand.

Its not that a inline 6 engine sounds bad, its the fact that they put this amazing V8 into the E92. now they are going back to inline 6 engines. Its like they gave us a little taste of a more exotic style of engines (s65, S85).

Sorry i do not want my car to sound like a E46 M3! its not 2002 anymore!

BMW should have did a reworked S65, like how GM did a rework on the LS3 the new LS3 now its called LT1.

AMG talks about doing a 4.0L turbo V8 for next engines.

They are ways to make a V8 still have good MPG!

If there was a way to make a high revving naturally aspirated v8 get good mpg it would have already been done.

[Ezio]

Originally Posted by KKM3

If there was a way to make a high revving naturally aspirated v8 get good mpg it would have already been done.

I am not asking for a high revving NA engine. I am saying a nice small turbo V8 would have been a better engine if you ask me.

[dimabimmer]

Originally Posted by Ezio

I am not asking for a high revving NA engine. I am saying a nice small turbo V8 would have been a better engine if you ask me.

wow
M5, M6, X5M, X6M

not enough turbo V8 4 ya?

[SoCali E36]

I seriously don't see how you can compare this exhaust tone to an e46. This car sounds like a 335is with the MPE.

[ixse]

Originally Posted by Ezio

I am not asking for a high revving NA engine. I am saying a nice small turbo V8 would have been a better engine if you ask me.

Yup this guy obviously knows way more than bmw engineers.
Not sure why people connect v8 being closer to "exotic" engine and i6 is some shitty econobox engine. If anything i6 has much more history and rarity than v8.

[Jblack4083]

Originally Posted by Mr.Metak2you

In this NA fantasy of mine this engine would have an entirely new lighter block, new material(not cast iron), so if Porsches can deliver 350/287lbs(3.4l) and 400hp/325lbs in the 991s(3.8l) and still meet emission requirements you know it can be done. But the 911 is and has been the pursuit of perfection to the point of obsession through innovation. Keeping what they have and improving on it, not starting from scratch with every generation. This applies to the exterior design as well. I like that philosophy.

Porsche has the luxury of a better starting point.

The BMW M cars start life as a mundane series car and have to be massaged into the M car. Even a regular Carrera 2 is far from mundane.

[Thurman Murch]

It does sound like 335/135is and Alpina B3 biturbo mixture but with something more... like more low rpm flow to it that goes higher pitch faster

Seems like a sequential/twin setup w third really small turbo or electric turbo to spool up the bigger two

Not sure how the valve in the exhaust plays into it

[NAV8TT]

Originally Posted by Remonster

My 335is is already louder than the E90 M3 my brother had, especially with the exhaust flap open. The M3 only really gets loud at full throttle, but at partial throttle the 335is' exhaust really screams. The F80 sounds pretty great to me, it seems like a lot of people are watching these videos on typical laptop or computer speakers and complaining that it sounds ricey or too similar to a 335i with an aftermarket muffler but on a proper speaker system, this thing sounds like a beast.

Get a life or get an M3. You are trying to say that everyone should get a decent speaker system to hear the real sound of the F80 otherwise you are not really hearing "what I'm hearing". Sounds like a new sixth sense movie to me, coz I see that you can hear things that others can't hear including "a 335 sounds better than a s65 M3".

[SoCali E36]

Originally Posted by Remonster

My 335is is already louder than the E90 M3 my brother had, especially with the exhaust flap open. The M3 only really gets loud at full throttle, but at partial throttle the 335is' exhaust really screams. The F80 sounds pretty great to me, it seems like a lot of people are watching these videos on typical laptop or computer speakers and complaining that it sounds ricey or too similar to a 335i with an aftermarket muffler but on a proper speaker system, this thing sounds like a beast.

Lol you could listen to this on the worlds best speakers and still you will never really hear what the car actually sounds like. Hell, you're listening and watching a crappy quality video to begin with.

[CarEnthused]

Originally Posted by Ezio

I am not asking for a high revving NA engine. I am saying a nice small turbo V8 would have been a better engine if you ask me.

But if the M3/4 is keeping the weight below that of the e92 and making roughly the same power as the s65 as rumors have indicated then I would have to say that we're getting a better engine with the I6 turbo setup.

The engine alone will carry a significant weight reduction over the outgoing S65. Lower weight + a smaller engine + turbochargers obviously means a quicker and more efficient car.

I respectfully disagree with your opinion on a turbo V8 being a better option based on efficiency alone but what really makes me excited about the possibility of a multi-turbo M3/4 is the aftermarket tuning. It's relatively inexpensive to get an N54 to 400rwhp and if the M division goes all out on this engine as they usually do, I can't see any reason why a 500rwhp+ M3/4 would be all that hard to obtain.

But, I digress. I acknowledge that you are completely entitled to your opinion, I just wanted to throw my opinions into the ring too

[Remonster]

Originally Posted by BMWFB02

Get a life or get an M3. You are trying to say that everyone should get a decent speaker system to hear the real sound of the F80 otherwise you are not really hearing "what I'm hearing". Sounds like a new sixth sense movie to me, coz I see that you can hear things that others can't hear including "a 335 sounds better than a s65 M3".

I said the 335is was LOUDER than the M3, genius. I prefer the sound of the S65 going full throttle over anything we've heard of this new S55 but that doesn't matter, I was only talking about volume to respond to the guy who asked how they were going to make the new turbo six as loud as the old V8.

I know from experience that the E90 M3 is a better car than my 335is, as I said my brother had one and I drove it all the time, the only reason I got my car instead of another M3 was because I can't afford an M3.

[Zeiss]

The Obama Administration today finalized groundbreaking standards that will increase fuel economy to the equivalent of 54.5 mpg for cars and light-duty trucks by Model Year 2025

I don't understand why we're all bickering here , We should be all enthusiastic bmw brought back the real heritage of the straight-six . Don't be disappointed in the future M3 division cars to have hybrid 4 banger with electric motors. This is just a slow gradual progression to the future of the industry which we can clearly see in the new i3 and i8.

[Ezio]

Originally Posted by ixse

Yup this guy obviously knows way more than bmw engineers.
Not sure why people connect v8 being closer to "exotic" engine and i6 is some shitty econobox engine. If anything i6 has much more history and rarity than v8.

no you miss understood what i was trying to say.

its much more than a V8 that makes it feel more exotic. its the sound,N/A, high redline etc.... a I6 can do that also! but BMW is now pumping out these turbo engines that will never see any high redlines or have the sounds that a lot of people will miss.

its funny, i know there are people at BMW who would rather be making N/A, high revving engines over this turbo "efficient" engine crap. its ALL about MPG now, remember that.

[mpbruin108]

Originally Posted by KKM3

I spotted this car last night around 9pm driving north on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California. I knew right away it was the new M3 and I was determined to get a good clip or two before we parted ways.

I can tell you that the car sounds much better when you're driving right next to it, the recording don't do it justice. The engine sounds similar to an e46 M3 and this caught me by surprise because I was expecting it to sound more like a 335 but it didn't. The car sounds loud and alive. It's no v8 but it does sound good for a forced induction 6 cylinder motor.

I got a quick glimpse of the gauges and they look reminiscent of the gauges in the e46 M3 - same amber lighting. All in all I am now very excited about the upcoming M3/M4. Seeing and hearing the car up close I can tell you that it's going to be good, very good. Only time will tell wether or not it will be as exciting to drive as the e9x but I have a good feeling about it.

Good find. I saw this exact one ( I think ) about 3 months ago when I was driving on PCH to Steve Thomas BMW. I recorded it but it didn't sound as good as your vid. Sure did look sweet in person.

[Transfer]

Originally Posted by SoCali E36

I seriously don't see how you can compare this exhaust tone to an e46. This car sounds like a 335is with the MPE.

+1 trillion. I have no issue with it going back to I6 but it doesn't sound anywhere near as good as an E46. That low RPM mucus gargle noise, the ass farts (which should be more poppy than sharty), it all just sounds like they're trying to coax out the low end waaaay too much. It's an I6 for effs sake and should not be difficult to make sound racey, not ricey! I'd take an STi note over this thing so far. Obviously need to hear a production model in person some day but right now, ick.

I don't have to have a V8 sound, but I want a smooth, fine tuned, motorsports tone which is very doable.

[OverDriven]

Originally Posted by tylerwillingham

I have to wonder how many people on here have owned an M3 that didn't have the V8. Based on a lot of the comments that I've seen regarding sound it seems as if people never owned an NA I6 M3 which through the generations has been the more traditional motor for these cars.

I've been saying this for a while. I think most guys here aren't truly into BMW heritage.

Also, do any of you realize what can be done to a turbo I6 with minimal tuning? The power of a 335i can be increased a ridiculous amount with a simple, removable chip that costs very little. 100HP+ extra for $500? Do some real mods and the potential is even greater. My guess is that the HP of the new M3/M4 will be easily pushed to the 600 area without too much money invested.

[KKM3]

Originally Posted by OverDriven

I've been saying this for a while. I think most guys here aren't truly into BMW heritage.

Also, do any of you realize what can be done to a turbo I6 with minimal tuning? The power of a 335i can be increased a ridiculous amount with a simple, removable chip that costs very little. 100HP+ extra for $500? Do some real mods and the potential is even greater. My guess is that the HP of the new M3/M4 will be easily pushed to the 600 area without too much money invested.

Bmw is known for its NATURALLY ASPIRATED inline six motors, not for forced induction sixes.

This is the main reason why I've steered away from new bmw's, no more naturally aspirated motors in they're line up. Not to mention the cars have been becoming softer and heavier. Go drive an f10 5 series, you will see there is absolutely no bmw DNA left in that car. If they made the new m3 with a na high revving straight six, I would be the first on the order list.

But im going to wait and reserve judgment until the car comes out. At least they are making the car lighter. Maybe, they'll get the engine right too, I will remain optimistic about the new m3 m4.

[JTO24]

Originally Posted by Transfer

+1 trillion. I have no issue with it going back to I6 but it doesn't sound anywhere near as good as an E46. That low RPM mucus gargle noise, the ass farts (which should be more poppy than sharty), it all just sounds like they're trying to coax out the low end waaaay too much. It's an I6 for effs sake and should not be difficult to make sound racey, not ricey! I'd take an STi note over this thing so far. Obviously need to hear a production model in person some day but right now, ick.

I don't have to have a V8 sound, but I want a smooth, fine tuned, motorsports tone which is very doable.

This

[jtvr4]

Originally Posted by Remonster

I said the 335is was LOUDER than the M3, genius. I prefer the sound of the S65 going full throttle over anything we've heard of this new S55 but that doesn't matter, I was only talking about volume to respond to the guy who asked how they were going to make the new turbo six as loud as the old V8.

I know from experience that the E90 M3 is a better car than my 335is, as I said my brother had one and I drove it all the time, the only reason I got my car instead of another M3 was because I can't afford an M3.

A 335 is not louder than an the S65 at WOT or idle. How you choose to deal with this truth is completely up to you. The 370z at wot is louder than a 335. Turbocharged cars will always be quieter than an NA counterpart. This isn't rocket science as to why.

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Originally Posted by BNR32

I don't understand why we're all bickering here , We should be all enthusiastic bmw brought back the real heritage of the straight-six . Don't be disappointed in the future M3 division cars to have hybrid 4 banger with electric motors. This is just a slow gradual progression to the future of the industry which we can clearly see in the new i3 and i8.

Bingo!!

It's just a matter of when - not if....That big, new Ibranch BMW just sprung is going to make its way into M form somehow, someway and probably sooner than many would like..

The banter of 6 vs 8, rasp vs fart, Mt vs DCT???

Peanuts vs the big step-change heading our way like a locomotive