Are you happy with your M3/M4 after the better part of a year?

JoeFromPA · 11-09-2015, 03:00 PM

A 1987 911 is MUCH less clinical than my f80. Also, a pain in the ass to drive most of the time. But MUCH less clinical. I mean, I wouldn't want to daily drive it - but it'd be fun occasionally.

RockinRyan · 11-09-2015, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AM4ZING

You'll have tears of joy when you see how many Bus lengths a tuned M4 will pull on an e39 M5 (if that felt "Holy Shit fast to you")

I think *feel* is the greater part of why I created this thread. Being fast and feeling fast are not 1:1 in relation at all. I think my struggles are coming from the loss of an actual torque CURVE where there is build up and a peak.

I agree that I expect I'm going to really love my new M, and I'm 100% distracted and giddy and can't wait to get it now - and all thanks to all your encouragement. But there's a small part of me still chewing on that entirely flat torque curve coming from a modern, properly tuned turbo. That potential lack of character or spirit or soul. I get it when others speak of these things, and I sensed it in my test drives.

I can also say, that I'm soooo ready to replace my 335 DS2, where the lag is regularly disappointing to me, though I was a dumb ass to go with xDrive knowing that I'm a RWD addict and lost out on potential for fun for sure. I live in a bad climate and at the time I'd given on up being happy with a car, so I went for "quick" and "practical." I may keep it for the bad winter days, seeing it's only worth about $25k now.

RR

exmowner · 11-09-2015, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSanto

Can you comment on the Pagids on the track? I'm annoyed with my CCBs and I'm looking to trade for the steels. However, I still want to track my car. Are the steels capable?
I've heard from others that they dont last.

I'm taking delivery of my m4 tomorrow, I'd trade the complete set for your ccb

TonySCV · 11-09-2015, 06:39 PM

After 6 months and 11,000 miles, I love my M3. Best overall car I've ever owned.

The only nagging issue is that I have to keep a can of rubber conditioner handy at all times. The rubber door seals creak over uneven surfaces like there is no tomorrow. I have to re-apply every 30-60 days. Small price to pay though. The rest of the car is terrific.

SakhirM4 · 11-09-2015, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonySCV

After 6 months and 11,000 miles, I love my M3. Best overall car I've ever owned.

The only nagging issue is that I have to keep a can of rubber conditioner handy at all times. The rubber door seals creak over uneven surfaces like there is no tomorrow. I have to re-apply every 30-60 days. Small price to pay though. The rest of the car is terrific.

Should have gotten an M4

TonySCV · 11-09-2015, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

Should have gotten an M4

Wouldn't have happened. The M4's looks didn't do as much for me. The M3's looks are iconic. The M4 they could have done more with.

SakhirM4 · 11-09-2015, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonySCV

Wouldn't have happened. The M4's looks didn't do as much for me. The M3's looks are iconic. The M4 they could have done more with.

Opinions are opinions

TonySCV · 11-09-2015, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

Opinions are opinions

That's why they make them both!

X2Board · 11-09-2015, 07:04 PM

Just shy of a year, and almost at 10k miles. I'm happy with the car, but what I need is more track time. Driving the car on the street, is like having a thoroughbred horse pulling a g'damned carriage.

catch · 11-10-2015, 09:26 AM

two months in, still LOVE it

48Laws · 11-10-2015, 09:58 AM

I enjoy it. Exhaust is too quiet under normal driving conditions. Speed is deceptive.

mkoesel · 11-10-2015, 11:36 AM

So I've got about 15 months and 31000 miles now.

From a performance standpoint, the car is amazing. We've evolved to a point where acceleration is starting to border on ludicrous. Figure that the average car still accelerates to 60mph in about 7.5 seconds or so (that's a total SWAG, btw), just as it has since perhaps the early 90s (another guess), since it seems most cars are getting heavier and more powerful at a rate that has them leveling in performance (plus people are simply switching to trucks). But, having gone through a few generations of M3, and SVT Mustangs before that, performance is only increasing. We are about 50% quicker, starting around that same period (early 90s), which is very significant.

What it means in the real world is that performance-wise, almost every daily-driven car you come across on your commute is so much slower than you, you literally start to feel like people are not moving at all, and everything you see on the road is simply a distracting obstacle that you must maneuver around. What used to register as a moving chicane years ago - the odd tractor trailer or tour bus - now plagues pretty much every vehicle on the road. Even going a bit light on the loud pedal, it is impossible not to notice just how much more time it takes everyone else to stop/go/stop/go/repeat. They are completely oblivious to how much quicker the task of driving could be. And you are completely preoccupied by just how superior your driving tool is - which has almost the same practicality as many of those other commuter appliances you see, mind you.

But try not to get too big a head about this situation. The car is also a lot larger than the performance car of yesterday. Heavier too, yes, but that's been managed well. It is the increased foot print and the higher belt line that you notice in day to day life. Everything from avoiding the kids toys in the garage to winding around construction barrels takes a bit more care.

Plus, for whatever reason I have yet to match my past PRs on entrance/exit ramp cloverleaf speeds. Not sure what that's about to be honest. Perhaps I am just afraid to put my foot in it, but for me the car feels less agile and inspires less confidence near the limit. Maybe I just need to try again with a fresh set of tires next spring, now that I've got some months under my belt.

TL;DR - Amazing car. But if the next generation is even bigger yet, then it might be time to investigate 1M sedan, RS3 sedan (if and when those actually exist) or CLA45.

8600RPM · 11-10-2015, 12:03 PM

8 months in a f80 and I echo many others where my head knew everything was better than my e92 performance wise bUT the enjoyment and character wasn't there. Really missed my e92 and naturally aspirated power delivery and high pitch sound. Sold my f80 and I've been back in a 2013 m3 for 4 months now and couldn't be happier. Every time I pop the hood and see that one off M v8, it feels great. I am excited to drive again and to me it is the epitome of m engineering.

I also missed the availability of aftermarket ecu tuning and parts. One thing that has nothing against the f80 but rather a fault of buying a first model year car. That will come.

I tried even adding a 991s to my f80 but even that didn't cure my urge for replacing the f80.

So as soneone else stated, better isn't always better.

TRZ06 · 11-10-2015, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimjoeM4

RockinRyan , I have recently come to the conclusion that I am not in love with my M4, and I am probably going to sell it.

The reasons for the lack of love are not 100% clear to me, but I think...

- The seats are too small and they hurt me. The wings on the seat bottom cushion dig into my legs, and the seat bottom makes my bottom too sore too quickly. This is probably the biggest problem for me.
- The sound just hasn't grown on me. I disconnected active sound, and I like it better that way, but overall, it still doesn't quite do it for me.
- It feels big to me.
- The suspension seems simultaneously floaty and too stiff for my comfort. I know that doesn't really make sense. Just doesn't feel right to me.
- There is a persistent buzz in my right rear HK speaker that has evaded attempts by my dealer to fix it.
- The idrive interface annoys me, it seems like every time I re-start the car I have to set it up with my preferred displays again (e.g., if I turn the car off with sport displays "on", they do not come back when the car is restarted).

That's a bunch of little stuff, but collectively, I think that's what preventing the love, and making me think of selling it. I've had the car 11 months now, and I have only put 5500 miles on it (I also drive a 2009 911 and a 2011 VW GTI).

This is just my two cents, but I have been thinking about this a lot lately. I hate the idea of selling it and "realizing" the loss in $$$, but that doesn't justify keeping it longer.

I completely know what you're talking about in terms of the suspension.

Do you have adaptive?

I would describe it as too little of low speed rebound recovery. I find that the harder you push the car , the high speed rebound comes in very nicely and keeps the controlled, but just normal driving , they could have done a better job on low speed rebound control.

I love everything else on the car though, turn-in is amazing and it has amazing front end grip.

Since I love pretty much every other thing about the car, I'm thinking of adding the Bilstein B-16 Damptronics suspension and a MPE and call it a day.

RockinRyan · 11-10-2015, 12:34 PM

I have to agree, it's troublesome to me that BMWs keep getting larger. Part of my decision to go with any 3 series was that they are about as large as my old E39 M5, which was about as big as I ever wanted to go. The new M2 is of interest, as is the 1M.

Cell phones and cars... stop the insanity!

They were big enough already!

RR

MPerformance211 · 11-10-2015, 12:42 PM

I've owned a ton of performance cars and each one of them I knew within the first week how much I liked the car and whether I would keep it long(er) term or not..........trust me, some cars I only kept for six months or so.

Having said that, I've onwed my M4 for a "seasoned" 4 days and I have to say, this car ranks right up there with my former 997 Turbo and 987 CaymanS in the "fun" category but more importantly it provides all of the creature comforts and utility that an M car provides over purpose built sports cars. I f'n love this thing!!! This car is a keeper

Bonzer103 · 11-10-2015, 01:24 PM

Yes. Love it. Which is a good thing because I bought it in full.

Doctor///M · 11-10-2015, 01:47 PM

For those who haven't tracked the car, do it to see the how well the chassis shines!! I'm speechless every time.

Takumi587 · 11-10-2015, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

I have had my M4 for 15 months and love it. I came from an E46 M3 (not E9X) so perspective is a little difference. I loved the E46, but the M4 does everything better, with more class and precision. Great car!!!

P.S. And my M4 has zero mods, not even exhaust. I am one of those strange people that like the sound - after it gets past the startup.

Ahh I too am planning to move from my E46 M3 to an F80 M3.

I went to the UED event to take the M4 and M3 around the track and the public road and it was sublime. Definitely more luxurious than my E46 but dare I say it not as fun? ^_^

I have thought about keeping the E46 as well and just lease the F80 M3 but I wonder if I really would go back to the E46 to drive it.

nicknaz · 11-10-2015, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockinRyan

I think *feel* is the greater part of why I created this thread. Being fast and feeling fast are not 1:1 in relation at all.

But there's a small part of me still chewing on that entirely flat torque curve coming from a modern, properly tuned turbo. That potential lack of character or spirit or soul. I get it when others speak of these things, and I sensed it in my test drives.

If you can be just as happy with an older and cheaper car, absolutely go for that!

Personally, if my last car was an E86 z4m coupe instead of an E89 Z435 I might not have gotten an F80 and just enjoyed the S54 and lighter weight feeling.

TheFlyingMouse · 11-10-2015, 05:58 PM

After getting my M3 back here in the States last weekend, I'm finding it a bit boring on the daily drive. There isn't much theatre from the engine or chassis when you're stuck in the city. When I can open the throttle, it's great fun, but most of the good twisty roads around here are clogged up with econoboxes, hybrids, and SUVs.

I loved the car in Europe, even in the speed limited countries. It's wonderful on open roads, but now that I'm living with it day to day, I feel like it's missing some special sauce here in the SF Bay Area.

I was never one for comfort mode and leisurely driving, and I find myself configuring Porsche Cayman S's multiple times a day.

What am I doing wrong?

The M3 feels a little too large driving in traffic, and the exhaust doesn't snap crackle pop or really do much on overrun at low speed/rpm. Any way to fix that? (Tried Sport+ mode already). Broke her in while I was in Europe.

jimmyM2C · 11-10-2015, 06:26 PM

TRZ06 , yes, I have the adaptive suspension. I have tried Comfort/Sport/Sport+, and I still haven't yet found my sweet spot. Still fun to play with though. My issue may be as you describe it, I haven't really had a chance to push the car very hard (my attempt at VIR was thwarted by a deluge and flood that shut the track down).

If only I could get comfortable in the seat!

11-09-2015, 03:00 PM	#45
JoeFromPA Colonel 1795 Rep 2,997 Posts Drives: '15 AW M3 6MT Stripper Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: SE PA iTrader: (0)	A 1987 911 is MUCH less clinical than my f80. Also, a pain in the ass to drive most of the time. But MUCH less clinical. I mean, I wouldn't want to daily drive it - but it'd be fun occasionally. __________________ AW/Carbonstructure 6MT 2015 M3 picked up 8/22/2014. Stripper except for adaptive suspension. Weighed at 3,450 pounds with 1/4 fuel. 70,000 miles as of February 2020.
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11-09-2015, 06:39 PM	#48
TonySCV Captain 510 Rep 709 Posts Drives: '18 M2; '21 X6 M50i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Las Vegas, NV iTrader: (0)	After 6 months and 11,000 miles, I love my M3. Best overall car I've ever owned. The only nagging issue is that I have to keep a can of rubber conditioner handy at all times. The rubber door seals creak over uneven surfaces like there is no tomorrow. I have to re-apply every 30-60 days. Small price to pay though. The rest of the car is terrific.
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11-09-2015, 07:04 PM	#53
X2Board Lieutenant Colonel 444 Rep 1,643 Posts Drives: I'm back, bitches! '13 E92 ZCP Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Wake Forest, NC iTrader: (1)	Just shy of a year, and almost at 10k miles. I'm happy with the car, but what I need is more track time. Driving the car on the street, is like having a thoroughbred horse pulling a g'damned carriage. __________________ 2013 Jerez Black/Black E92 ZCP DCT - I'm back!! 2014 Guards Red 991 C2S 7MT - Gone. 2015 YMB/SS F80 M3 6sp - Gone 2011 Sapphire Black/Black E70 X5 M - Gone. 2010 Jerez Black/Black E90 M3 DCT -Gone-
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11-10-2015, 09:26 AM	#54
catch Major General 668 Rep 7,148 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Thornhill iTrader: (27)	two months in, still LOVE it __________________ 2016 F80 M3 Mineral White/Sakhir Orange 2013 BMW S1000RR Flat Silver <stolen> 2007 BMW E92 335i Jet Black/Jade Grey <sold>
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11-10-2015, 09:58 AM	#55
48Laws Banned 705 Rep 1,908 Posts Drives: '15 F80, '18 991.2 GTS Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: East Coast iTrader: (0)	I enjoy it. Exhaust is too quiet under normal driving conditions. Speed is deceptive.
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11-10-2015, 11:36 AM	#56
mkoesel Moderator 7512 Rep 19,370 Posts Drives: No BMW for now Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Canton, MI iTrader: (1)	So I've got about 15 months and 31000 miles now. From a performance standpoint, the car is amazing. We've evolved to a point where acceleration is starting to border on ludicrous. Figure that the average car still accelerates to 60mph in about 7.5 seconds or so (that's a total SWAG, btw), just as it has since perhaps the early 90s (another guess), since it seems most cars are getting heavier and more powerful at a rate that has them leveling in performance (plus people are simply switching to trucks). But, having gone through a few generations of M3, and SVT Mustangs before that, performance is only increasing. We are about 50% quicker, starting around that same period (early 90s), which is very significant. What it means in the real world is that performance-wise, almost every daily-driven car you come across on your commute is so much slower than you, you literally start to feel like people are not moving at all, and everything you see on the road is simply a distracting obstacle that you must maneuver around. What used to register as a moving chicane years ago - the odd tractor trailer or tour bus - now plagues pretty much every vehicle on the road. Even going a bit light on the loud pedal, it is impossible not to notice just how much more time it takes everyone else to stop/go/stop/go/repeat. They are completely oblivious to how much quicker the task of driving could be. And you are completely preoccupied by just how superior your driving tool is - which has almost the same practicality as many of those other commuter appliances you see, mind you. But try not to get too big a head about this situation. The car is also a lot larger than the performance car of yesterday. Heavier too, yes, but that's been managed well. It is the increased foot print and the higher belt line that you notice in day to day life. Everything from avoiding the kids toys in the garage to winding around construction barrels takes a bit more care. Plus, for whatever reason I have yet to match my past PRs on entrance/exit ramp cloverleaf speeds. Not sure what that's about to be honest. Perhaps I am just afraid to put my foot in it, but for me the car feels less agile and inspires less confidence near the limit. Maybe I just need to try again with a fresh set of tires next spring, now that I've got some months under my belt. TL;DR - Amazing car. But if the next generation is even bigger yet, then it might be time to investigate 1M sedan, RS3 sedan (if and when those actually exist) or CLA45.
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11-10-2015, 12:03 PM	#57
8600RPM Lieutenant Colonel 657 Rep 1,749 Posts Drives: e92 m3 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: AZ iTrader: (0)	8 months in a f80 and I echo many others where my head knew everything was better than my e92 performance wise bUT the enjoyment and character wasn't there. Really missed my e92 and naturally aspirated power delivery and high pitch sound. Sold my f80 and I've been back in a 2013 m3 for 4 months now and couldn't be happier. Every time I pop the hood and see that one off M v8, it feels great. I am excited to drive again and to me it is the epitome of m engineering. I also missed the availability of aftermarket ecu tuning and parts. One thing that has nothing against the f80 but rather a fault of buying a first model year car. That will come. I tried even adding a 991s to my f80 but even that didn't cure my urge for replacing the f80. So as soneone else stated, better isn't always better.
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11-10-2015, 12:34 PM	#59
RockinRyan Private 69 Rep 55 Posts Drives: 2015 YMB M3- Dinan S2-ish Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Watsonville, CA iTrader: (1)	I have to agree, it's troublesome to me that BMWs keep getting larger. Part of my decision to go with any 3 series was that they are about as large as my old E39 M5, which was about as big as I ever wanted to go. The new M2 is of interest, as is the 1M. Cell phones and cars... stop the insanity! They were big enough already! RR
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11-10-2015, 12:42 PM	#60
MPerformance211 Banned 274 Rep 439 Posts Drives: 2013 981 Boxster S; 3 pedals Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: northern hemisphere iTrader: (0)	I've owned a ton of performance cars and each one of them I knew within the first week how much I liked the car and whether I would keep it long(er) term or not..........trust me, some cars I only kept for six months or so. Having said that, I've onwed my M4 for a "seasoned" 4 days and I have to say, this car ranks right up there with my former 997 Turbo and 987 CaymanS in the "fun" category but more importantly it provides all of the creature comforts and utility that an M car provides over purpose built sports cars. I f'n love this thing!!! This car is a keeper
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11-10-2015, 01:24 PM	#61
Bonzer103 Lieutenant 165 Rep 401 Posts Drives: 2015 AY/SO M3 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Portland OR iTrader: (0)	Yes. Love it. Which is a good thing because I bought it in full.
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11-10-2015, 01:47 PM	#62
Doctor///M Brigadier General 1792 Rep 4,216 Posts Drives: 2023 AUDI RS6 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (14) Garage List 2023 Audi RS6 Avant [0.00] BMW M2 Competition [10.00] 2009 BMW 335i [0.00] 2015 M3 [9.52]	For those who haven't tracked the car, do it to see the how well the chassis shines!! I'm speechless every time. __________________ 2020 F87 M2 Competition /l\ LBB /i\ Executive Package 2013 E70 X5M /l\ Space Grey /i\ Full Silverstone Leather /l\ LED Headlights /i\ Comfort Access /l\ HUD /i\ Ventilated Seats /l\ 22" BBS SV BMW CCA Member
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11-10-2015, 05:58 PM	#65
TheFlyingMouse Second Lieutenant 80 Rep 251 Posts Drives: 2016 F80 M3 6MT / E82 128i 6MT Join Date: May 2015 Location: SF Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 BMW 128i [0.00] 2016 BMW M3 [0.00]	After getting my M3 back here in the States last weekend, I'm finding it a bit boring on the daily drive. There isn't much theatre from the engine or chassis when you're stuck in the city. When I can open the throttle, it's great fun, but most of the good twisty roads around here are clogged up with econoboxes, hybrids, and SUVs. I loved the car in Europe, even in the speed limited countries. It's wonderful on open roads, but now that I'm living with it day to day, I feel like it's missing some special sauce here in the SF Bay Area. I was never one for comfort mode and leisurely driving, and I find myself configuring Porsche Cayman S's multiple times a day. What am I doing wrong? The M3 feels a little too large driving in traffic, and the exhaust doesn't snap crackle pop or really do much on overrun at low speed/rpm. Any way to fix that? (Tried Sport+ mode already). Broke her in while I was in Europe. Last edited by TheFlyingMouse; 11-10-2015 at 06:23 PM..
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11-10-2015, 06:26 PM	#66
jimmyM2C Enlisted Member 53 Rep 43 Posts Drives: 2020 M2C, 2018 Porsche 911 GTS Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: the Champagne Room iTrader: (0)	TRZ06 , yes, I have the adaptive suspension. I have tried Comfort/Sport/Sport+, and I still haven't yet found my sweet spot. Still fun to play with though. My issue may be as you describe it, I haven't really had a chance to push the car very hard (my attempt at VIR was thwarted by a deluge and flood that shut the track down). If only I could get comfortable in the seat!
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