Introducing my 6MT F80

[katzndogs]

Hi Guys,

I figured I would finally introduce myself around here. Been a long time lurker on the forums and I have been trying my very best to learn everything there is to know about this wonderful car and its platform. The F80 was my first BMW and my first manual transmission car. Yes thats right, my first 6spd. I came over from the "light side", also known by most of you guys as the Audi world and boy have I not looked back. My last car was a B8 S4 with DSG, and while it was a great car, especially in inclement weather, it got pretty boring after 6 months. I regretted opting for the automatic transmission and I swore to myself I would never make that same mistake again. I dont think any previous S4 owners would disagree with me when I say that the M3 is probably better in almost every way, except iDrive--I just think it is a little bit less user friendly and intuitive, but I digress. Anyway, I am still learning more and more about the car, and more importantly (IMO) the transmission, with every mile I drive. It really is crystal clear to me that I cannot use the car to its fullest capabilities if I do not have my manual transmission skills on lock. Coming from Audis equipped with quattro this car has some serious balls and demands some respect, pair that with a foreign transmission and I have a lot on my plate. While I have experience driving rear wheel drive cars with impressive amounts of horsepower, the way this car handles without traction control on seems to just be a little bit less predictable. I think it could be the way the power is delivered with the turbos. I think this just may be the fact that I dont have enough seat time in the vehicle yet.

Anyway, the car currently sits with about 1250 miles on the clock and I plan to do my break in service after the holidays. The only mod, if you can call it that, I have done to the car is unplugging the exhaust vales in the open position, otherwise the car is bone stock. To be honest, after reading lots of reviews about the exhaust note on this car, I was pleasantly surprised by the way it sounds. I do have a 2016 and some say that there were some minor tweaks in the sound of the exhaust. The only thing kind of annoying is the overrun when you let off the throttle in higher RPMs. That being said, I never find myself complaining about this when I have my right foot down to the floor . I did order some cosmetic bits to sharpen up the exterior of the car. Nick @ Supreme Power hooked me up with some nice deals and free shipping to get the ball rolling. I was impressed with their customer service and the overall transaction. While the parts have not arrived yet, I'm sure I will be pleased just based off other forum member's experiences with the shop. In terms of my plans for the car, I don't see myself going overboard with the modifications on this vehicle as I tend to be more of a guy who enjoys the added piece of mind that my warranty brings. I also plan to keep this vehicle for long time, and I think this car is pretty damn great to begin with.

Here are the important specs of the car:
'16 AW with Full Sahkir interior
6MT
NON Adaptive Suspension (i.e. passive suspension)
19" wheels in black
HUD
Otherwise the car is fully loaded minus CCBs

Mods ordered:
-IND AW painted front reflectors
-Black kidney grills
-IND Gloss black M3 badge
-IND Gloss black side grills
-Mode Carbon M3 trunk lid spoiler
-BMW M performance side skirts (modified by Supreme to fit the F80)

Mods Planned for the future
-BMW M performance coilovers (whenever they are released)
-BMW M performance alcantara steering wheel
-Usual coding modifications
-Cat Back exhaust system - I am currently between Eisenmann, M Perf, or the recently announced BMS system. While I really prefer the sound of the ER catless DPs paired with the stock exhaust, which also happens to be the cheapest route, I need to see how my SA feels about that in terms of service, warranty claims, and whatnot.

While I am sure that you guys are sick of seeing another alpine white/Sahkir M3, especially in stock form, I think these pics I took the other night came out pretty nice so I figured I would share. Ill probably try to post some better pics once the car looks a bit dialed in. Looking forward to enjoying this car for a long time and if any of you guys are in South Florida, I'd love to meet up and go for a drive.

[dalto]

Congrats.

I am not sure I have ever seen a sedan with a better rear profile than the F80.

[DocWeatherington]

Originally Posted by katzndogs

Hi Guys,.......

Welcome to the family, may your M be as good as it has been to so many others.

[mact3333]

Congrats!...I have had all versions of M3's in the past and still have the S4 with DSG now before my F82 gets here.

One thing I will debate with you about the S4 is the engine...I like the S4 engine more than any M3 I have ever had(not F80/82 yet). That S4 engine is very underrated and I am very surprised how fast this car is. The S4 when lowered and with upgraded exhaust/lighter wheels/BBK is a very capable car.

But like you, time to move onto the F80/82.

[Shanh81]

One can never get sick of seeing AW/SO 6MT M3

[KZEVO]

Congrats! Also a s4 DSG owner moving to F80 6MT soon. I think the B8.5 would be much more fun to drive with a MT although the exhaust was very weak. I know folks are talking about the f80 exhaust and I'm contemplating getting the MPE installed at the port. Enjoy your f80.

[katzndogs]

Originally Posted by mact3333

One thing I will debate with you about the S4 is the engine...I like the S4 engine more than any M3 I have ever had(not F80/82 yet). That S4 engine is very underrated and I am very surprised how fast this car is. The S4 when lowered and with upgraded exhaust/lighter wheels/BBK is a very capable car.

But like you, time to move onto the F80/82.

I agree with you about the engine being underrated. Many scoff when they hear it is a V6, but it certainly exceeded my expectations when I had that car. I also had an AWE exhaust and the thing sounded just awesome! I did feel like the car was a little bit underpowered with the stock tune, especially above 6k RPM.

[IMG]

Very nice, Congrats !

[lsturbointeg]

CONGRATS!

[RocketBoots]

AW/SO. Some things just never get old.

[IM2C]

Congrats on the car. I just got AW f80 as well. Will be posting pics soon.

[Rob@StrasseWheels]

Congrats!

[egalley]

Congrats! Looks great!

[egalley]

Originally Posted by mact3333

Congrats!...I have had all versions of M3's in the past and still have the S4 with DSG now before my F82 gets here.

One thing I will debate with you about the S4 is the engine...I like the S4 engine more than any M3 I have ever had(not F80/82 yet). That S4 engine is very underrated and I am very surprised how fast this car is. The S4 when lowered and with upgraded exhaust/lighter wheels/BBK is a very capable car.

But like you, time to move onto the F80/82.

I had a B8 S4 as well with all the APR upgrades. It was a fun fast car for sure. I now have the F80 M3. This car is much much quicker. I also put the BMS stage 1 tune. I love the M3 way more than the S4. I do miss the all wheel drive in the winter though. But the M3 is quite capable in the winter with a good set of winter tires.

Anyways Go do it! You won't regret the F80/F82.

[Adcampo]

Very nice. Congrats.

[katzndogs]

Originally Posted by IMG

Very nice, Congrats !

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

CONGRATS!

Originally Posted by RocketBoots

AW/SO. Some things just never get old.

Originally Posted by f80

Congrats on the car. I just got AW f80 as well. Will be posting pics soon.

Originally Posted by Rob@StrasseWheels

Congrats!

Originally Posted by egalley

Congrats! Looks great!

Originally Posted by Adcampo

Very nice. Congrats.

Thanks Guys!! AW on the F80 just seems so right.

[DBV]

Beautiful car and GREAT choice of transmission!

[mike@x-ph.com]

Awesome car, Congrats!

[PARTS@STBMW]

Congratulations on your new baby! Great photos!