My new SS/SS F80 CP..

[Foretrees]

Originally Posted by M5essex

Well what can I say… here it is!

What a handsome, aggressive, stylish sports saloon… minus the planned Carbon spoiler for now as this was damaged in transit to the dealer… 

I am so pleased with the front splitter painting in high gloss black, rather than carbon or matt black.

The Silverstone ii colour is very special and looks beautiful in the sunlight and seems to change from blue to silver depending on your angle and the Full Silverstone leather is gorgeous too and I'm so glad I chose it. those CP seats are seriously sexy and very comfortable. Perhaps no lumber support but I was never a fan of lower back arching support anyway. There isn’t a lot of padding on the bum of the seat, so not sure how it will fare on a long journey, but certainly more comfortable that I thought they would be. They hug you perfectly on the love handles and below the shoulder blades. The head rest is a perfect angle too. I'm 6’2 and about 15 st. and they feel like they are made bespoke for me…

It really does feel like a special place to be. More up-to-date than the M5 and personable. Leagues ahead from the M135 in terms of build quality, better materials and less road/tyre noise.

The wheels are way better in the metal than any promo picture or review pic gives them credit for. Initially I would have liked an option for darker/gun metal colouring, but they work for me, for now. In fact, I’d say this morning I am sold on them and now love them. So many compliments of the car in general and especially the wheels.

The exhaust sounds is deeper than stock, but not the bark or growl of MPE. I have been told the sound will deepen and improve over time. There are not the pops and bangs yet like I had on the MPE from the M135, but at WOT the sound is great. I still might get MPE in the future.

The ride is comfortable. Certainly not as harsh as the M5 CP I had and I can’t really notice it being much different to non-CP M3. I’d say in comfort mode it is very smooth and well… ‘comfortable’ and even in Sp+ it is not bone shaking or teeth crunchingly harsh, like other cars I have had.

It feels so light and agile it’s untrue. Much like the M135 I have traded it for. As I haven’t really pushed it yet so is hard to tell if it feels quicker than non-CP. Right now it feels no different at all from the one I test drove a month ago. and that felt perfect!

Steering is so precise and you get great feel from the road. Even in the wet I pushed it home yesterday and felt total confidence in terms of traction and steering.

Throttle response is on the money and the DCT changes are super swift, much like PDK. So different from a Sports Auto box as in the M135. A little slower to react perhaps and mid-range pull feels similar at the moment. As the engine is new and so tight, I am assured it will loosen up and feel stonkingly quick after my 1200 miles service. The oil in it now is said to be abrasive and must come out by 1200 miles. The tech guy said, do not nanny the car in this period. Break it in properly and give it the beans!

Hope you like it. I certainly do

Cheers

That's great, car looks fantastic, enjoy !

[Foretrees]

Yep, 100% no sound proofing of lining under the bonnet, it does look a bit bare, but they all seem the same

[mad chemist]

Originally Posted by M5essex

Well what can I say… here it is!

What a handsome, aggressive, stylish sports saloon… minus the planned Carbon spoiler for now as this was damaged in transit to the dealer… 

I am so pleased with the front splitter painting in high gloss black, rather than carbon or matt black.

The Silverstone ii colour is very special and looks beautiful in the sunlight and seems to change from blue to silver depending on your angle and the Full Silverstone leather is gorgeous too and I'm so glad I chose it. those CP seats are seriously sexy and very comfortable. Perhaps no lumber support but I was never a fan of lower back arching support anyway. There isn’t a lot of padding on the bum of the seat, so not sure how it will fare on a long journey, but certainly more comfortable that I thought they would be. They hug you perfectly on the love handles and below the shoulder blades. The head rest is a perfect angle too. I'm 6’2 and about 15 st. and they feel like they are made bespoke for me…

It really does feel like a special place to be. More up-to-date than the M5 and personable. Leagues ahead from the M135 in terms of build quality, better materials and less road/tyre noise.

The wheels are way better in the metal than any promo picture or review pic gives them credit for. Initially I would have liked an option for darker/gun metal colouring, but they work for me, for now. In fact, I’d say this morning I am sold on them and now love them. So many compliments of the car in general and especially the wheels.

The exhaust sounds is deeper than stock, but not the bark or growl of MPE. I have been told the sound will deepen and improve over time. There are not the pops and bangs yet like I had on the MPE from the M135, but at WOT the sound is great. I still might get MPE in the future.

The ride is comfortable. Certainly not as harsh as the M5 CP I had and I can’t really notice it being much different to non-CP M3. I’d say in comfort mode it is very smooth and well… ‘comfortable’ and even in Sp+ it is not bone shaking or teeth crunchingly harsh, like other cars I have had.

It feels so light and agile it’s untrue. Much like the M135 I have traded it for. As I haven’t really pushed it yet so is hard to tell if it feels quicker than non-CP. Right now it feels no different at all from the one I test drove a month ago. and that felt perfect!

Steering is so precise and you get great feel from the road. Even in the wet I pushed it home yesterday and felt total confidence in terms of traction and steering.

Throttle response is on the money and the DCT changes are super swift, much like PDK. So different from a Sports Auto box as in the M135. A little slower to react perhaps and mid-range pull feels similar at the moment. As the engine is new and so tight, I am assured it will loosen up and feel stonkingly quick after my 1200 miles service. The oil in it now is said to be abrasive and must come out by 1200 miles. The tech guy said, do not nanny the car in this period. Break it in properly and give it the beans!

Hope you like it. I certainly do

Cheers

Stunning car mate but it's got too many doors! Also recognise the dealer as I bought mine from them almost 2 years ago.

Enjoy

[Karlj]

Super write-up, would love to see some videos of the 'sports exhaust' to compare with the standard M3 exhaust.

I know exactly what you mean about the wheels, the more I look the less I hate them...Maybe I should've spec'd the CP now.

Oh well, maybe I can spend the saved money on the MPE instead.

[Simon H]

Well done Damo,
Looks fantastic. Try the standard exhaust mod first, by pulling the valve plugs off, that will liven it up a little, regards, Simon.

[M5essex]

Originally Posted by Simon H

Well done Damo,
Looks fantastic. Try the standard exhaust mod first, by pulling the valve plugs off, that will liven it up a little, regards, Simon.

Thx Si. Can you give me a clue how to do that myself? Any idiot guides with pictures to follow?

[M5essex]

Originally Posted by Karlj

Super write-up, would love to see some videos of the 'sports exhaust' to compare with the standard M3 exhaust.

I know exactly what you mean about the wheels, the more I look the less I hate them...Maybe I should've spec'd the CP now.

Oh well, maybe I can spend the saved money on the MPE instead.

Will do Karl.. As soon I figure out how to post vids....?

Sound is even better today... lots of pops bangs crackles on the over run in sport+. I don't know what all these m3/4 sound haters are on about... The exhaust sound inside and outside is superb...

[Simon H]

Originally Posted by M5essex

Thx Si. Can you give me a clue how to do that myself? Any idiot guides with pictures to follow?

Sure,
If you put the ignition on, then select sport+, then tap the accelerator, you should hear the valves open. Switch the ignition off. Look under the car at the exhaust valve motors, on top of the back box, you will see them and their connectors. Reach up, and you will have to feel the clip that has a very small hook type design. Disconnect the plugs from the valve motors, and then secure them with tape over the open ends, to protect from muck etc. The connectors can be tricky to remove, and the use of a small screwdriver to raise the hook slightly may need to be employed. Will see if i can locate the guide somewhere, as there is one. If you like what you hear, i would then recommend a valve controller.

Regards, Simon.

[Karlj]

Originally Posted by M5essex

Will do Karl.. As soon I figure out how to post vids....?

Sound is even better today... lots of pops bangs crackles on the over run in sport+. I don't know what all these m3/4 sound haters are on about... The exhaust sound inside and outside is superb...

Unfortunately there's a bit of a circlejerk surrounding the V8 of yore, and how an I6 can't possibly sound as good. In my opinion it doesn't sound any better or worse, just different.

If you have a YouTube account, you can always pop something up on there as 'unlisted' so the masses can't view it, then drop the link in here. Still no hassle-free way to get video onto the internet sadly!

[M5essex]

Originally Posted by Karlj

Unfortunately there's a bit of a circlejerk surrounding the V8 of yore, and how an I6 can't possibly sound as good. In my opinion it doesn't sound any better or worse, just different.

If you have a YouTube account, you can always pop something up on there as 'unlisted' so the masses can't view it, then drop the link in here. Still no hassle-free way to get video onto the internet sadly!

Cheers Karl, I'll give it a go tomorrow with my son recording the drive bys. He's better at camera work and gadgets. Fuck I sound old!

[M5essex]

Originally Posted by Simon H

Sure,
If you put the ignition on, then select sport+, then tap the accelerator, you should hear the valves open. Switch the ignition off. Look under the car at the exhaust valve motors, on top of the back box, you will see them and their connectors. Reach up, and you will have to feel the clip that has a very small hook type design. Disconnect the plugs from the valve motors, and then secure them with tape over the open ends, to protect from muck etc. The connectors can be tricky to remove, and the use of a small screwdriver to raise the hook slightly may need to be employed. Will see if i can locate the guide somewhere, as there is one. If you like what you hear, i would then recommend a valve controller.

Regards, Simon.

That's brilliantly simple! Thanks mate! No loss of low end torque?

[F80Dreamer]

Looks incredible, enjoy!!!

[workpermit]

That looks the absolute nuts!

My front splitter and side sill extensions are also getting painted gloss black in the week (just wasn't enough time to have them complete before I took delivery) and seeing yours has totally confirmed it was the right decision.

I also completely agree about the wheels. From the pics I'd seen I thought I was going to hate them, but in the flesh they're actually pretty damn nice! I think when the inevitable happens and I crunch one, I'll have them painted a dark graphite. I think that combo will work very well with the lighter shades such as yours.

So your guy said rag it from the off??

[M5essex]

Originally Posted by workpermit

That looks the absolute nuts!

My front splitter and side sill extensions are also getting painted gloss black in the week (just wasn't enough time to have them complete before I took delivery) and seeing yours has totally confirmed it was the right decision.

I also completely agree about the wheels. From the pics I'd seen I thought I was going to hate them, but in the flesh they're actually pretty damn nice! I think when the inevitable happens and I crunch one, I'll have them painted a dark graphite. I think that combo will work very well with the lighter shades such as yours.

So your guy said rag it from the off??

Cheers mate! I'm well happy with it. The sound is improving with every drive..

Me too, I'm considering powder coating the wheels dark gun metal. I went to Dub customs in basvegas today to get their opinion..

Yeah he said to get the engine up to temp and give it the beans. Maybe not redline or harsh kick down but not to drive miss daisy either for 1200 miles or you'll have a slow car... The first 100 miles or so are most important to bed seals/ rings or something like that... But he did also say that the car will not allow you to exceed 5500 rpm before run in service, and we all know that is bollox! Either way, he's right about a hard break in

Enjoy

[JacksoB]

Originally Posted by M5essex

Cheers Karl, I'll give it a go tomorrow with my son recording the drive bys. He's better at camera work and gadgets. Fuck I sound old!

I have a non-CP stock exhaust and still absolutely love the sound! More pops and crackles would be nice, but a little blast through the Hindhead tunnel yesterday (with the roof down) confirmed it was pretty awesome! I may go MPE or alternative at some point down the line, but not for a while.

Amazing car M5essex, you must be thrilled. Great colour combo and I do love the rear haunches on the 3 - mean.........

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by M5essex

Thx Si. Can you give me a clue how to do that myself? Any idiot guides with pictures to follow?

There was a big thread it with pictures and all in the main F8X thread......somewhere.....

[Simon H]

Damo,
No loss of torque anywhere. It should sound even more fantastic, with the valves unplugged, especially on coming down the box in the lower rpms. Its not massively louder, just a little extra, where the oem control will have the flaps closed. Would be really interesting to hear how the pops and burbles sound in this configuration. What are your absolute first impressions, compared to your ultimate beastie ?.

[M5essex]

Originally Posted by Simon H

Damo,
No loss of torque anywhere. It should sound even more fantastic, with the valves unplugged, especially on coming down the box in the lower rpms. Its not massively louder, just a little extra, where the oem control will have the flaps closed. Would be really interesting to hear how the pops and burbles sound in this configuration. What are your absolute first impressions, compared to your ultimate beastie ?.

Well Si, I have to say I have both in the garage now, and I'm looking forward to driving the M3 more than the Porsche.... Is that's nuts?

I picked up my two boys yesterday after work and they both love, I mean seriously love the Porsche but have been more excited about the m3 than me and they thought it felt as quick as the Porsche and might actually prefer it too..... Maybe it's a novelty thing ? Or it is really that good ...

I'm going to de-wrap the Porsche soon back to its original beauty and show it some love. If I'm not feeling it, then she might have to go!

Anyway, back to the M.. I will get under the back today and try this little mod. The remote valve gadget sounds the thing to get though

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by M5essex

That's brilliantly simple! Thanks mate! No loss of low end torque?

From looking at it, it's the same as porsche had with the 997 sports exhaust, the flaps are controlled to close at certain rpm and throttle positions to pass drive by noise tests.

Most used to unplug the PSE and this looks the same, when it stops raining I'll unplug mine.

[M5essex]

Originally Posted by Wills2

From looking at it, it's the same as porsche had with the 997 sports exhaust, the flaps are controlled to close at certain rpm and throttle positions to pass drive by noise tests.

Most used to unplug the PSE and this looks the same, when it stops raining I'll unplug mine.

Will you be going for the remote value gadget at some point? Doesnt seem right unplugging the unit completely...

[Simon H]

Quite correct Wills,
I pulled the plug on my 996 Carrera sports exhaust, but it was a bit more involved than that, back then. It really does make a nice difference on the M4, but i think pulling the plugs is a temporary solution to me, just a taster to see if you like what you hear, then time for a valve controller, and only £175 delivered from America, all taxes paid, and works extremely well.
Damo, the M3 will get better and better for you, it really is a quick car, when exploited properly. The acid test with the Turbo will be, when the honeymoon period is over on the M3, and you can make a more informed decision i suppose, but im sure the M3 will delight you, on that lovely summer evening on the right road, priceless.

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by M5essex

Will you be going for the remote value gadget at some point? Doesnt seem right unplugging the unit completely...

As long as you tape up the connectors it will be fine.

If you want to hear how it will sound on a cold start up with the valves open before you go to the bother of getting under the car:

1. Press the start button (no foot on brake)
2. Select sport+ throttle
3. Press the accelerator to open the exhaust valve
4. Start the engine (it's quite a bit louder)