Is the F8X Raw?

[RugbyBro]

Originally Posted by icegrill

That's still so crazy! It's amazing how rigid these cars are though.

Currently my EDC cables are broken and my replacements don't come til later this week. When EDC isn't active the suspension defaults to a setting even stiffer than sport plus... let's just say driving around Seattle has been unpleasant to put it nicely. Raw might be an understatement in this case

[Humdizzle]

Originally Posted by F82KPowers

TLDR:

Rawness scale: E36 M3 > 15' M4 > E46 M3 > M4 ZCP > G80 M3 Comp > E90 M3

I agree for the most part. i've driven a few less M cars than you. But owned a 97, 04, and 15 M3. And brief time in an '11 M3. The E36 is the most raw. I remember when i upgraded to a E46 and felt 'wow they've really refined things in here and steering is more numb'. The F8x is better than the E92 everywhere aside from the V8 and its throttle response. Though at low speed i felt the E92 was a bit easier to toss around and slide. Going fast... i prefer the F80. The front end turn in and grip on the f8x cars is leagues above the rest.

Originally Posted by F82KPowers

I think the biggest difference for the '15 was the chassis. Of note, changes to all the later models were focused heavily on suspension and differential tuning. The '15 felt too fast for the chassis meanwhile subsequent models had more power and a stronger midrange but they managed to put the power down better than the '15.

2015 = Connor McGregor in Octagon
2016+ = Connor McGregor in a Tuxedo

Both are badass but one is just a bit more refined. And both can threaten to murder you just enough to be fun.

The 2016+ cars had a reduction in low end torque under 2500 rpm. lots of people complained the car was too twitchy and too much of a handful.

[mfurse]

When I got the F80 (2016) model I stepped out of an Audi RS3 which was numb, understeered and wasn't that fun. The F80 is my third M car after previously owning an E90 M3 and a 1 Series M Coupe.

My first thoughts were how heavy the steering was, how much the chassis felt more alive even in comfort and how twitchy/difficult the throttle was, especially in the wet.

It took a while to build confidence but a couple of advanced driving days and some miles under my belt it felt like a bigger 1M to me (which is a complement).

I just couldn't get on with the traction control and throttle map - it would spin off the line without trying and then abruptly cut. I took it in to BMW for a service and had the latest iStep update put on the car.

Night and day different. It changed every dimension of the car - the throttle map was sorted, gearbox changes smoother, traction control more metered, steering totally altered and was lighter and more accurate, differential hooked up more predictably and the damping felt more compliant. Later I had PS4S's fitted and things improved again, particularly in the wet.

The biggest difference with the updates though was how the car felt "as a whole". All these changes independently were welcome but they felt like they were developed together, like BMW kept driving the M3 and made detail refinements that brought the car together. I subsequently had a 2020 update and it's a slight refinement again but not as noticeable as that first 2018 update.

The car is miles rawer than the RS3, more comfy but more of an animal than the E90 and drives similarly to the 1M but the wheelbase makes it less twitchy. The 1M I really miss though - it was the right size and power for fun everywhere.

[will0621]

Other than the suspension harshness and DCT, the biggest thing that contributed to the “rawness” for me is the sound insulation. I had a F80cs before the current F90 and could easily hear the exhaust tone from the cabin.

With the F90, even with DPs I can’t hear a damn thing from the exhaust other than the active sound. It is probably loud as hell from the outside but the insulation/sound deadening in the 5 series chassis definitely changes the driving experience for me. I think I would prefer a little more “rawness” in the M5. Definitely would not want to go back to the suspension firmness of the F80 for daily driving though.

[6spd4lyfe]

If I have a 2015 M4 6MT do I need to get the software updated? This is my first M car so wasn't sure.

[icegrill]

Originally Posted by 6spd4lyfe

If I have a 2015 M4 6MT do I need to get the software updated? This is my first M car so wasn't sure.

No keep it RAW!

[RugbyBro]

Originally Posted by 6spd4lyfe

If I have a 2015 M4 6MT do I need to get the software updated? This is my first M car so wasn't sure.

It may have already been updated - you can check it if you have a USB drive, just export the profile data to the drive and read the txt file, it’ll give you the iStep version you’re running

[Darth One]

I suppose it depends on your definition of raw. If 'raw' to you means loud noise, brutal acceleration, peaky throttle and incredible grip then yes, the F80 is.

To me a 'raw' car is one that gives completely unfiltered (I.e. raw) feedback to its driver and provides instant, authentic (no artificial sounds or response in stuff like steering) responses to inputs that make you feel good.

By my definition it's not raw. Or at least isn't as raw as previous M3's. The '15 M4 was mentioned - that still is the least raw M car I've ever driven. Again, I respect all opinions and we probably have different definitions. They fixed it somewhat with the GTS and CS, but that first generation F82 was a huge departure IMO

[R N M]

If you want the most raw driving experience meaning pure without feel of nannies, overboosted steering etc - you need to drive 1st gen BRZ/86. Its just telepathic to your inputs.

For 4door sedan with 400+ hp the F80 provides a pretty raw driving experience. It may not be E46 but its a lot more visceral than E39 M5 stock for stock. The sitting position on F8x cars is also so much better than E9x and really adds a lot to the driving experience.

[_E90S65_]

Yes, raw like beef tartare with a quail egg on top.

F80s FTW.

[Global-F10]

Originally Posted by _E90S65_

Yes, raw like beef tartare with a quail egg on top.

F80s FTW.

LOL! Great analogy. However, I was surprised to see that response from you given your name and profile picture

[_E90S65_]

Originally Posted by Global-F10

LOL! Great analogy. However, I was surprised to see that response from you given your name and profile picture

As long as they keep making engaging drivers cars, NA or forced induction, I ///M a fan.