Video: M3 VS Giulia Quadrifoglio Owners' real life comparison (UK versions)

[mc3456]

Originally Posted by Habber

As soon as the M3 gets a new competitor, the hate really starts to fly around here...

Yep, it's like the Crypts vs The Bloods here! Sometimes I almost expect to see sneakers hanging from the M3/M4 vs .... thread when I open it up.

[SDPLV]

No manual or DCT option? Dont know about all that...:

If I wanted a straight auto, I'd have a C63 AMG.

[erind]

Originally Posted by mc3456

Have both cars and I think there summary is pretty accurate. The M3 is more clinical (German!) whereas the Giulia Quadrafoglio is more emotional (Italiano!). The M3 is more daily driving flexible (fold down rear seats, infotainment), but the engine in the Alfa is handsdown better. It also seems to put the power tonthe ground better than the M3 despite having 80 more horsepower. Always loved the steering in my M3 and think it is the best in this class, however, the Giulia is much better balanced on the limit. I suspect the torque vectoring is better than the M3's limited slip diff.

The interior quality on the BMW is only slightly better, but the Alfa's interior and exterior design are pretty special in person. Lastly, the Alfa in Race mode sounds a 1,000x better than the M3. My M3 had an MPE, but though louder than the Giulia, the Alfa sound like a Ferrari underload. Just amazing.

Only time will tell on the general ownership experience and reliability, but hard to see it eclipsing the M3. I think the next Gen M3 will leapfrog over the Giulia QV out of absolute necessity, but if this is Alfa's entry point, I can't even fathom where they go from here, other than adding a few missing features, and adding even more horsepower. Lastly, Pogea Racing already has a 600hp tune on for the Giulia Quadrafoglio. Given how much faster the Alfa is than the M3, I'm not even sure the tune is desirable at this point. These cars are already approaching too fast for the public roads as is.

If you haven't seen, heard, ridden in, or driven the new Quadrafoglio yet...phone a friend who has access to one. BTW...my number's unlisted now!! ;-)

Dude plz

[BoosTonian]

Y'all can hate on the car all you want...it's not gonna make the f80 better

Drove the quad.

1. Yes it's faster
2. Yes it hold power to redline where the f80 drops (stock and when mine had 540whp)
2. Yes it sounds better (below 2500rpm it sounds like f80, but that's where it ends)
3. Yes looks are subjective but the Alfa is more "elegant"...f80 is more aggressive
4. Yes the car puts power to the ground better (and yes my f80 had r compound tires..and had radials at one point)
5. The chassis is more toss-able in the f80
6. Yes the tech is more refined in the f80

[BoosTonian]

Y'all can hate on the car all you want...it's not gonna make the f80 better

Drove the quad.

1. Yes it's faster
2. Yes it hold power to redline where the f80 drops (stock and when mine had 540whp)
2. Yes it sounds better (below 2500rpm it sounds like f80, but that's where it ends)
3. Yes looks are subjective but the Alfa is more "elegant"...f80 is more aggressive
4. Yes the car puts power to the ground better (and yes my f80 had r compound tires..and had radials at one point)
5. The chassis is more toss-able in the f80
6. Yes the tech is more refined in the f80

[R N M]

I think the review is spot on.

Alfa gives you the more raw and visceral driving experience.

M3 is the better car overall but the driving experience is more clinical and reserved. I wish the F80 sounded better and also put power down better, those are valid criticisms from my ownership.

[BoosTonian]

Y'all can hate on the car all you want...it's not gonna make the f80 better

Drove the quad.

1. Yes it's faster
2. Yes it hold power to redline where the f80 drops (stock and when mine had 540whp)
2. Yes it sounds better (below 2500rpm it sounds like f80, but that's where it ends)
3. Yes looks are subjective but the Alfa is more "elegant"...f80 is more aggressive
4. Yes the car puts power to the ground better (and yes my f80 had r compound tires..and had radials at one point)
5. The chassis is more toss-able in the f80
6. Yes the tech is more refined in the f80

[JibSTir13]

Originally Posted by mc3456

Did you see the Quadrafoglio or base Guilia? They look quite different, just like the 330/M3, C300/C63s. Looking at both in my garage and though beautiful, the M3 looks a little squared off on the fenders, kind of like the design is getting a little tired now. It was sort of the same way when the F80 came out, it made the E92 (though classic) look pretty old, pretty fast.

I'm not sure which I saw, but thanks for pointing this out. Gonna have to reassess if what I saw is not the Quadrafoglio.

Would be great if they brought the manual over here. I didn't consider the C63Ss due to lack of a stick option, but would have if offered.

[mc3456]

Originally Posted by BoosTonian

Y'all can hate on the car all you want...it's not gonna make the f80 better

Drove the quad.

1. Yes it's faster
2. Yes it hold power to redline where the f80 drops (stock and when mine had 540whp)
2. Yes it sounds better (below 2500rpm it sounds like f80, but that's where it ends)
3. Yes looks are subjective but the Alfa is more "elegant"...f80 is more aggressive
4. Yes the car puts power to the ground better (and yes my f80 had r compound tires..and had radials at one point)
5. The chassis is more toss-able in the f80
6. Yes the tech is more refined in the f80

To all the non-believers, BoosTonian actually drove my Quadrafoglio, and previously had a highly-modified M3 himself. He works for the largest BMW dealership chain in MA, and definitely knows his biz. He and I are both giving you the straight scoop on the Alfa. It is for real y'all!

BMW needs to raise the ante now to stay competitive, because I doubt a 500hp+ Jaguar XE SVR is going to be a pushover either, plus the just revealed RS5 is already putting down some good numbers in power, weight, and acceleration (0-100KPH in only 3.9 seconds which will likely be 3.6-3.7 to 60MPH when Auto Mags thrash it. I can also see AMG and Caddy responding in kind shortly too. They aren't going to take this laying down.

[DarksideM4]

The Alfa is definitely a good competitor debut to the F8x, I just can't get over the smooshed bird face front and I have seen it in person. The reality is it's the newest and most interesting car right now, how long that will last is what I am watching for and also to see if they eventually see more shop time or flat bed tow truck time than road time. Having a 2015 M4 modded for 30k+ miles with nothing outside of oil changes needed has impressed me since we know all high performance cars have their gremlins.

[mc3456]

Originally Posted by SDPLV

No manual or DCT option? Dont know about all that...:

If I wanted a straight auto, I'd have a C63 AMG.

Maybe BoosTonian can chime in on the speed and responsiveness of the ZF 8 Speed shifts in comparison to the DCT. Though unfathomable, I feel it is pretty much on par with the DCT without any of the part throttle stumbling many folks have experienced during on-off-on transitions.

[mc3456]

Originally Posted by DarksideM4

The Alfa is definitely a good competitor debut to the F8x, I just can't get over the smooshed bird face front and I have seen it in person. The reality is it's the newest and most interesting car right now, how long that will last is what I am watching for and also to see if they eventually see more shop time or flat bed tow truck time than road time. Having a 2015 M4 modded for 30k+ miles with nothing outside of oil changes needed has impressed me since we know all high performance cars have their gremlins.

Yep...TBD on that one. Only time will tell. My tuned M3 was dead solid for nearly 23k miles as well. I have the utmost respect for it, but am candidly in awe of what Alfa has accomplished

[dkhm3]

Originally Posted by mc3456

Yep, it's like the Crypts vs The Bloods here! Sometimes I almost expect to see sneakers hanging from the M3/M4 vs .... thread when I open it up.

I've been on the internet recently and I can report that it is like that on all car forums.

[dkhm3]

Originally Posted by SDPLV

No manual or DCT option? Dont know about all that...:

If I wanted a straight auto, I'd have a C63 AMG.

Same here.

there is no rush of gear shifts like a dct or a manual.

a lot of people don't realize that the computer cuts throttle on an auto box to lower the stress on the drivetrain, thus autos do not bang gears like a dct or manual.

a good example would be the prev gen e63 which the computer modulates throttle and full power does not come on for gear shifts until 4th gear. that's why hp/lbs on c63, guilia, etc heavily favor these cars, but their 0-60, 1/4 miles are barely faster than much lower hp/lbs car like the m3 with a dct.

[manuelf]

Originally Posted by BoosTonian

Y'all can hate on the car all you want...it's not gonna make the f80 better

Drove the quad.

1. Yes it's faster
2. Yes it hold power to redline where the f80 drops (stock and when mine had 540whp)
2. Yes it sounds better (below 2500rpm it sounds like f80, but that's where it ends)
3. Yes looks are subjective but the Alfa is more "elegant"...f80 is more aggressive
4. Yes the car puts power to the ground better (and yes my f80 had r compound tires..and had radials at one point)
5. The chassis is more toss-able in the f80
6. Yes the tech is more refined in the f80

Wow. Interessting. But guess what. Manuel Iglisch - motorjournalist of german sportscars magazine (and a very competitive driver if you look at his track times), had a clear victim in the last comparison: M3 Competition. Defeating Giulia QV, AMG C63S and the Cady on pure track times and overall handling... so whom should I trust? You? Well... no

[Properstyle]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

It may sound 'better', but no turbocharged engine has ever sounded 'good'

Comments like 'it sounds like a Ferrari' are laughable except if you're talking about the new turbocharged Ferraris that sound like crap

pretty sure all of the turbo amgs sounds pretty damn good lol... So does the supra, the m5/m6, the f40, hell the n55 even sounds good with exhaust. the m3 just sounds like boo boo

[LLNM4]

I'm convinced... but where are the real drag race footage...please.
I mean no sponsored car reviews.

You guys drove both cars and still no drag footage.
Butt dyno is one thing, but please next time put the cam on so this discussion can be over.

The M3 F80 is already 3 years old, RWD and no R compound.

But facts are facts...
I saw this link.. and damned 604 hp with AWD is really a game changer for me.

http://www.carbuzz.com/news/2017/2/2...power-7737949/

[SEXY-BEAST]

Originally Posted by Ghosn

Couldn't they have picked a better day for such a comparison.

It's England... that is a better day.

[mc3456]

Originally Posted by dkhm3

Same here.

there is no rush of gear shifts like a dct or a manual.

a lot of people don't realize that the computer cuts throttle on an auto box to lower the stress on the drivetrain, thus autos do not bang gears like a dct or manual.

a good example would be the prev gen e63 which the computer modulates throttle and full power does not come on for gear shifts until 4th gear. that's why hp/lbs on c63, guilia, etc heavily favor these cars, but their 0-60, 1/4 miles are barely faster than much lower hp/lbs car like the m3 with a dct.

The reason the E63s modulates throttle is because it has 590 lb ft of torque! That's not the M3 nor the Alfa's issue. The DCT do bang shifts for "effect". Overall, manual drivers in general are much slower shifting than a good DCT, and even really good Automatics are quicker now.

The ZF in the Quadrafoglio is pretty damn impressive in manual mode. Hard to tell the difference between that in Race mode and the M3 DCT in Sport Plus. BTW...the DCT M2 is barely quicker than the automatic M240.

Also, Check out the discrepency between the DCT and manual 2018 911 GT3 launched today. I know I keep flipping between DCT and Automatic, but the point is, though engaging to drive, manuals are definitely slower overal than both DCTs and the ZF automaticl.

There is a reason F1 cars and most Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLarens, Audis are not sold with regular Manual Transmissions much these days.

Time to just accept the inevitable, Bro!.

[MCarRacr07]

Originally Posted by mc3456

To all the non-believers, BoosTonian actually drove my Quadrafoglio, and previously had a highly-modified M3 himself. He works for the largest BMW dealership chain in MA, and definitely knows his biz. He and I are both giving you the straight scoop on the Alfa. It is for real y'all!

BMW needs to raise the ante now to stay competitive, because I doubt a 500hp+ Jaguar XE SVR is going to be a pushover either, plus the just revealed RS5 is already putting down some good numbers in power, weight, and acceleration (0-100KPH in only 3.9 seconds which will likely be 3.6-3.7 to 60MPH when Auto Mags thrash it. I can also see AMG and Caddy responding in kind shortly too. They aren't going to take this laying down.

@mc3456....DID I HEAR YOU CORRECTLY??!!....I like to think I had a hand in converting you
Regards
M
aka MDriver

[mc3456]

Originally Posted by LLNM4

I'm convinced... but where are the real drag race footage...please.
I mean no sponsored car reviews.

You guys drove both cars and still no drag footage.
Butt dyno is one thing, but please next time put the cam on so this discussion can be over.

The M3 F80 is already 3 years old, RWD and no R compound.

But facts are facts...
I saw this link.. and damned 604 hp with AWD is really a game changer for me.

http://www.carbuzz.com/news/2017/2/2...power-7737949/

Just to be clear, the Giulia Quadrafoglio is only available in RWD at the moment, but that might change after the Stelvio QV is launched. It is very impressive stock, with 604hp takecmy money, and if AWD launched, game over on the drag strip!

[DS_BMW]

I would be interested in the Alfa if the residuals would go up.