2011 E92 M3 or 2017-2018 F80 M3?

[DanMpower]

Originally Posted by canukgtp

Having owned both...yes the sound of the E92 is beautiful...but as everyone is saying, the F80 is just a better package for everything else...plus I'm one of those weirdos who really likes the dirty sound of the straight 6.

Good luck with the decision and shopping!

Count me in as preferring the sound of a straight 6 over a V8 unless it's a flat plane Ferrari V8.

I've gone through more than half a dozen exhaust setups on my E92 M3s and while they sounded pretty good, it reminds me too much of an LSx motor mixed with a Voodoo. I guess I'm just not a big fan of "most" V8 sounds. A lot of people rave about the way the S65 sounds but in my opinion, it doesn't sound nearly as good as it does on paper. The S62 in my M5 sounds way better, also the 2UR-GSE in my old IS-F sounded way better as well.

I love the way 5 cylinders, straight 6s and V10s sound the most and while the S55 doesn't sound like a normal straight 6 I think it has some special notes to it that once you get used to, you really learn to enjoy it.

[dallastide]

F80. You should be able to get a lease return for $45ish.

[Eddien123]

E92. Really exciting car and a last of its kind. When E92 warranty is up, dump it and grab the F80 then. F80 will still be relevant, reliable and enjoyable 5 years from now where as the E92 may not be.

[BimmerMan33]

E9x M3 has more character and feels more special even when daily driving, especially if you're able to rev it out frequently.
F8x M3 is more fun than E9x M3 on the track and when driven aggressively but does not feel special when daily driving.

I personally prefer the classier look of the front of E92 M3 whereas the F8x M3 front looks pinched & may not age as well!

[chromepantz]

Shoot THANK YOU everyone for all the input. just FYI, I ended going for a new 2018 F80 and am loving it

[AndyLu]

Owning a f80 a great daily. But I rarely see 90 m3's. Love the way the e92 sounds. I've heard a ton of video clips of f80 setups. Doesn't sound as nice.

[SCS55]

Congrats, but I was going to say from a wrench turner prospective…
2011 e90…
11 year old heat cycled gaskets, hoses, wiring looms, bushings, tensioner and idlers, expansion tanks, coil packs etc.

2017/18 F80….
Still factory fresh.

[MadMax_]

Definitely M3 F80, I say this as owner of both these cars, I sold M3 E92 because I fell in love with F80, M3 F80 sound is also great as you put on performence exhaust ....

[vrmac6]

I had a 11 E90 Comp and with a few exhaust mods it was a pure joy to drive and hear. The car is perfectly sized for fun…. It’s not lite but it’s full of character. Extending that V8 to redline can’t be replicated on anything for less than supercar money….I think? At $30k+ it has no peer. The warranty would help if it’s not a “Stated contract”. But…. The looming cost of repairs and longevity were still my biggest concern. The car didn’t feel like it was gonna last without healthy injections of cash. My first, and common, failure was the throttle actuators and it cost almost 2 grand. Used as a daily the E9X M ruinous cost just didn’t square. It also didn’t stream music from my phone, lacked car play, no heated steering wheel and I thought “ I didn’t go to college to live like this”. Lol…. I got rid of it for a 17 M4 comp with an extended warranty. It feels complicated, modern, reliable and it’s got a heated wheel. It’s also brilliant to drive.

[bsmf8x]

Get a older f80 that's depreciated already. The only way I'd get a newer f80 is if it's the 2018 for the LCI stuff.

CarMax warranty is great, I have it on my f80. Be aware that in CA/NY dealers charge higher labor rates so CarMax sometimes will try to make you pay the difference. Also looks like they're getting more expensive from your price quote.