Making the switch from a supercharged E92 M3 to an F80 M3

[//M3ftw]

Hey guys sold my supercharged M3 and looking to get into an f80 M3 after winter. I absolutely love the sound of the older m3’s but the new ones are pretty bad sounding. This is literally the only thing I don’t like about the f80’s. Did you guys get over the sound? What I love is less than $2,000 on mods and you’ll have around 550whp. Just looking for you guys that made the same decision as me and to make me feel better because it was very difficult to give up the supercharged v8 haha. I’ll post some pics below.

[MomoM3]

Cool bumper on your e92.

I had 2 e92 M3 and just picked up my 1st F80 ZCP a month ago. While I don't consider the F80 model series to be "new" anymore, I think the "sound" of the ZCP in particular is great, so nothing to get over. Car is an M through and through.

It's been a while since I had my e92 M3 but the f80 gives me just as many smiles.

[JackieChiles]

The sound is still an issue for me.

I like the f80 but don’t love it. The other issue I have is how hard the ride is on my zcp. It loses composure easily on poor roads, which is surprising.

At higher speeds the suspension is much better sorted and the car is very stable.

Very powerful car too

[ra2289]

I know sound is very subjective, with that said;

My E92 wasn't supercharged but I do miss the sound of my MPE and that V8 engine noise.

I have a AA midpipe/Remus combo coming for the F80 so hopefully I can improve the sound some. One thing I would suggest is not deleting the resonators/secondary cats on the OEM exhaust, at least not for the civic M3.

[//M3ftw]

Originally Posted by ra2289

I know sound is very subjective, with that said;

My E92 wasn't supercharged but I do miss the sound of my MPE and that V8 engine noise.

I have a AA midpipe/Remus combo coming for the F80 so hopefully I can improve the sound some. One thing I would not suggest is deleting the resonators/ secondary cats on the OEM exhaust, at least not for the civic M3.

I had a meisterschaft gt2 with xpipe no cats and it was very loud. I looked at exhaust videos for hours for the f80 and the combo you just bought is exactly what I was thinking about getting. Was the best sounding IMO from what I listened to so far.

[Patrón]

I had an ess 625 with full exhaust and a smaller pulley, I miss going through the gears and hearing it race to redline. With a few mods on my f82, it already feels faster and handles the power better. Don't know how to explain it. Mis the sound but that's it.

[gatorfast]

Nothing you can do to the f80 will make it sound good or remotely close to the sound of the high revving v8.

[ra2289]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

Nothing you can do to the f80 will make it sound good or remotely close to the sound of the high revving v8.

Haven't heard enough F80s in person to agree or disagree with the first point, obviously spot on for the second point.

Even with a stock exhaust I thought my 335is had a nice sound to it. This car not so much, at least for stock.

Originally Posted by //M3ftw

I had a meisterschaft gt2 with xpipe no cats and it was very loud. I looked at exhaust videos for hours for the f80 and the combo you just bought is exactly what I was thinking about getting. Was the best sounding IMO from what I listened to so far.

I'm hoping it turns out well. Many people who have heard the combo in person like it. I only have video clips to judge from as well so we'll see soon enough.

[joooiiiiii]

A lot of us guys with F80s that get together love the sound of it--grows on you. Yes, the V8 is better, but everything about the F80 is just awesome. I don't think you would regret moving on to it, probably even more so if you got an aftermarket exhaust. But that's just me--the exhaust isn't bad and a lot of people have complimented on it already. Not an issue. I am looking to go from my ZCP to MPE exhaust though in the near future.

[RobbyMack]

Yes a v8 will sound better than a I6 twin turbo. That being said I wouldn't call the f80 sound bad, it's just different. once you put your foot down on the loud peddle and realize you don't have to be constantly wringing the engine out to full chat just to blast past some pesky kid in a civic who decided to tailgate you you'll forget all about that v8.

[//M3ftw]

Originally Posted by Patrón

I had an ess 625 with full exhaust and a smaller pulley, I miss going through the gears and hearing it race to redline. With a few mods on my f82, it already feels faster and handles the power better. Don't know how to explain it. Mis the sound but that's it.

What tires are you using for the f80? I used 295 r888 for mine and they worked extremely well. I had a 550 kit with a smaller pulley running around 6lbs.

[dpgfunk]

I went from an E92 to F82, couldn't be more happy. More accessible power down low.

[UGADawgFan]

Originally Posted by JackieChiles

The sound is still an issue for me.

I like the f80 but don’t love it. The other issue I have is how hard the ride is on my zcp. It loses composure easily on poor roads, which is surprising.

At higher speeds the suspension is much better sorted and the car is very stable.

Very powerful car too

I 100% agree with this--- I'm in the same boat. Went from my E92 to the F80 and like it, but don't love it. I owned my E92 M3 for 5 years and still dream about it. I've had my F80 for not quite a year and it looks great and is WAY faster, but....doesn't give me the "fizz".

I should have just kept my Sparkling Graphite 08 E92 M3 and updated the iDrive.

[Patrón]

Originally Posted by //M3ftw

What tires are you using for the f80? I used 295 r888 for mine and they worked extremely well. I had a 550 kit with a smaller pulley running around 6lbs.

I had SS on oem wheels and had 4s on some Forgelines I had. Sold the forgelines and bought some 4s. Absolutely love the 4s.

['Cane]

I never had an issue with the sound of my non-ZCP M4, but I really like the way my F80 ZCP sounds. Maybe I’m crazy.

[Fender150]

I thought my zcp sound was ok, my bro
Was on the phone while i hammered by chance and he thought the sound was AMAZING

[smiff]

I like how my ZCP sounds as well. I liked it even more once I got a valve controller, catless downpipes, and a Stage 2 tune.

[//M3ftw]

I can’t wait to get one and experience it. Withdrawal is bad without an M car. I’m going with the M3 over the M4 just because of the rear quarter panels that bulge out so aggressively and the baby seat easily fits in the back haha.

[GOLFFRR]

I had 5 e92ms 2 of which were ESS SC'd. Yes the e92 sounded better but the f8x (im on my 3rd one) is such an awesome car, I love mine. The sound grows on you TBH.

however if the sound of the car is the most important thing to you then I would suggest looking into another car.

[//M3ftw]

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

I had 5 e92ms 2 of which were ESS SC'd. Yes the e92 sounded better but the f8x (im on my 3rd one) is such an awesome car, I love mine. The sound grows on you TBH.

however if the sound of the car is the most important thing to you then I would suggest looking into another car.

I honestly think the sound is growing on me from all of these YouTube exhaust videos I have been watching. Sound is really important to me after experiencing the e92. The wife wants a 4 door so that’s what we are getting.. I honestly would get the 2018 c63s coupe if it was my decision. The c63 4 door doesnt look as good as the m3 IMO so m3 it is.

[GOLFFRR]

Originally Posted by //M3ftw

I honestly think the sound is growing on me from all of these YouTube exhaust videos I have been watching. Sound is really important to me after experiencing the e92. The wife wants a 4 door so that’s what we are getting.. I honestly would get the 2018 c63s coupe if it was my decision. The c63 4 door doesnt look as good as the m3 IMO so m3 it is.

def can't go off youtube vids as im sure you agree. I think you will be happy with the M3 and if your wife is happy thats really all that matters right! lol

[ra2289]

Originally Posted by //M3ftw

I honestly think the sound is growing on me from all of these YouTube exhaust videos I have been watching. Sound is really important to me after experiencing the e92. The wife wants a 4 door so that’s what we are getting.. I honestly would get the 2018 c63s coupe if it was my decision. The c63 4 door doesnt look as good as the m3 IMO so m3 it is.

If the C-AMG had anywhere near the aggressive look of the F80 it would have been a hard decision, and the Merc. probably would have won. It kind of bothers me how great that engine is in the C63 then they put that ultra conservative/boring exterior over it.

Originally Posted by //M3ftw

I can't wait to get one and experience it. Withdrawal is bad without an M car. I'm going with the M3 over the M4 just because of the rear quarter panels that bulge out so aggressively and the baby seat easily fits in the back haha.

I also got the F80 because I needed a "practical" car. I will say that it wasn't horrible getting the kid in/out of the rear of the E92 but it does get a little old. The worse part was having a kid in the back then having a passenger in the front. They'd have to sit ridiculously close to the airbag, it was comical...and potentially dangerous. You won't have any issue fitting a car seat, or seats, in the back of the F80 obviously.

As others have said the sound isn't that bad. The chassis on F-Ms are awesome though and I just have the standard one. Have you driven one yet?