Would you buy your M3 CS again?

[Multimodal]

A question for people who made the decision to buy an M3 CS - would you do it again? Was it worth the price premium over an M3 ZCP for you? Did you miss any of the compromises (no 6MT, armrest, Comfort Access, side view cameras, etc.)?

[bmrm396]

Yes. Without hesitation, yes. /thread

But honestly IMO its the best all around driving 3er I've ever owned, checks all the performance boxes and is still and great grocery getter. Had a reg f80 M3 right before it and the comparison is almost night and day. I got a good deal so I guess a lot of people will depend on what they paid.

... only thing I kinda miss is the CA but honestly, once I press that "engine start" button, I don't even remember what CA is anymore. Sometimes I even forget my wife's name

[clutchdj]

Yes, but not at msrp. CS is currently more desirable than the G80 for me anyway.
Design doesn’t look like it will get old to my eyes. my other car is a 6MT. Dct is fantastic for what it is.

[nickl630]

100% yep. Best M car I've owned.

Like others have said, I got mine during the "fire sale" of them... and while not worth MSRP imo... high 70's was perfect for a new CS.

[CanAutM3]

In my case it is an M4cs, which sacrifices a tad bit more in creature comforts, and the answer is yes in a heartbeat. By far the best ///M car I've owned in 3 generations over 20 years. It embodies everything I love about an ///M car to serve both my daily needs and my track addiction. The CS is not meant for everyone, but for those that it is, it is one great car.

[F80Noob]

Would do it again and again. Although I can't compare to a zcp as I came from an ISF. It was definitely jarring to not have comfort access or an armrest though.

[jmg]

Yes! At first I had my reservations since this is my second F80, but after getting it set up close to just right and really pushing the limits of the car, I've found it such a joy to drive. Not at MSRP, but still worth a bump in cost over the ZCP. It really is a special car.

[IB M]

Another Yes vote - the CS is a keeper.

Disclaimer - I do prefer the dual zone ac and center arm rest in the ZCP.

[11LMBiSTT]

Answers to your questions...

1. Yes, in a hearbeat!
2. Yes, it is worth the price premium over a ZCP. Although, I saved a little bit of money coming from my ZCP. The CS was a lease darling when they were sitting on the lots before everyone realized that the difference is quite noticeable over a ZCP. I personally think the difference between ZCP and CS is night and day!
3. Yes, I miss the CA (Comfort Access)! It pisses me off that they didn't include CA, as I can't see it adding over 3-5 lbs, if even that! I slighlty miss the armrest, but it's really not needed and barely notice it's gone. But, tbh, everthying else makes up for it... the hood, the front lip, the wheels, the steering wheel, the alcantara trim, the trunk spoiler, the exhaust, the diffuser, the factory tuning of the engine/dampening-edc/e-diff/power steering/MDM.

Overall, you can't get a better packaged M3 for the outgoing F8x generation.

I do think if taken care of, they will fetch quite a premium over ZCP in 5-10 years. Especially, considering the fact that there are LESS than 607 in the states!

CS Gang, gang!

[THEROK]

Transitioned to a new M4 CS from a bought new 2018 M4 ZCP with all the trimmings including DCT. If the G8X had somehow improved upon the F82 aesthetic, I would've probably sat on the sidelines with the ZCP to see how things played out. Like many of my M comrades here, my wallet suffers from car ADD. The main reason why I'm still so in love with the F82 is because it's the best looking M car of all time.

So my CS anecdotes...

*I don't miss comfort access. I actually like it in some ways as I can hide the fob someplace on car when I go running. Hands-free.

*Eye candy part$. I am a detail nerd. I'd be one of those Pagani buyers who appreciates that the underside carbon weave you or anyone else will never see lines up. Along these lines, 99% of people won't know that the rear lights are OLED. They are also as beautiful unlit with this bejeweled mirror finish from these wafer thin works of engineering art. That they're insanely expensive and you can easily justify every single Euro cent for a set. That the hood is beautiful factory CF with a crazy block weave design underneath. The CS specific rear gurney lip spoiler is spot on and flows well with the double domed CF roof. The driving public, and likely many M owners, don't give af. I want to send a thank you note to the CS engineers.

*I'm somewhat surprised people feel the G8X interior feels upmarket. When I got back in my CS, I was not left for want other than the CF seats (which really should have manual controls). The alcantara center tunnel with the wonderful contrast stitching to the CS dot fabric on the dash plus full leather —> dope. The full alcantara steering wheel is very Porsche GT3. I do not miss the center arm rest at all. I like the added elbow room. The environmentally friendly and lightweight door cards with straps differentiates the M4 feels further. Only downside is that I do end up with scruff marks from lazy egress in tighter spots. Hard plastic I don't care. These M4 CS recycled door cards are crazy $s = care.

*The combo of no active sound and less sound deadening plus CS specific exhaust gives the S55 an on throttle howl that's aurally delightful. There's also much reduced burble compared to the ZCP.

*There's more power and a generally greater level of what I call fizz in fully maxed out mode which is in line with the CS specific tuning M engineers blooded in (ABS, DCT, M diff, MDM, steering, sus, etc). But it's not in your face which will get lost in translation by automotive journalists and your fav YouTube types. I won't speak on this further as mine is modified a bit.

If in 2035 I was looking to get back into an M car, I'd definitely radar lock on the M4 CS as the best of breed, aesthetically and technically, from the F8X gen. Mg oil pan, .5 liter larger oil capacity, CF driveshaft 2018+... I could keep going.

Enjoy yours y'all!

[m34m]

Originally Posted by THEROK

Transitioned to a new M4 CS from a bought new 2018 M4 ZCP with all the trimmings including DCT. If the G8X had somehow improved upon the F82 aesthetic, I would've probably sat on the sidelines with the ZCP to see how things played out. Like many of my M comrades here, my wallet suffers from car ADD. The main reason why I'm still so in love with the F82 is because it's the best looking M car of all time.

So my CS anecdotes...

*I don't miss comfort access. I actually like it in some ways as I can hide the fob someplace on car when I go running. Hands-free.

*Eye candy part$. I am a detail nerd. I'd be one of those Pagani buyers who appreciates that the underside carbon weave you or anyone else will never see lines up. Along these lines, 99% of people won't know that the rear lights are OLED. They are also as beautiful unlit with this bejeweled mirror finish from these wafer thin works of engineering art. That they're insanely expensive and you can easily justify every single Euro cent for a set. That the hood is beautiful factory CF with a crazy block weave design underneath. The CS specific rear gurney lip spoiler is spot on and flows well with the double domed CF roof. The driving public, and likely many M owners, don't give af. I want to send a thank you note to the CS engineers.

*I'm somewhat surprised people feel the G8X interior feels upmarket. When I got back in my CS, I was not left for want other than the CF seats (which really should have manual controls). The alcantara center tunnel with the wonderful contrast stitching to the CS dot fabric on the dash plus full leather —> dope. The full alcantara steering wheel is very Porsche GT3. I do not miss the center arm rest at all. I like the added elbow room. The environmentally friendly and lightweight door cards with straps differentiates the M4 feels further. Only downside is that I do end up with scruff marks from lazy egress in tighter spots. Hard plastic I don't care. These M4 CS recycled door cards are crazy $s = care.

*The combo of no active sound and less sound deadening plus CS specific exhaust gives the S55 an on throttle howl that's aurally delightful. There's also much reduced burble compared to the ZCP.

*There's more power and a generally greater level of what I call fizz in fully maxed out mode which is in line with the CS specific tuning M engineers blooded in (ABS, DCT, M diff, MDM, steering, sus, etc). But it's not in your face which will get lost in translation by automotive journalists and your fav YouTube types. I won't speak on this further as mine is modified a bit.

If in 2035 I was looking to get back into an M car, I'd definitely radar lock on the M4 CS as the best of breed, aesthetically and technically, from the F8X gen. Mg oil pan, .5 liter larger oil capacity, CF driveshaft 2018+... I could keep going.

Enjoy yours y'all!

This is beautiful. Covered it all.

[SYT_Shadow]

Absolutely yes, I wouldn't think about it twice!

[wasya152]

Yes, absolutely. I've put on 4000 miles in 2 months on the car because I just can't stop driving it. Once it's warned up, it's so addicting to push the car and hear it sing. Haven't missed the armrest once to be honest. I'm either in full of battle mode with hands on steering wheel and paddles, or cruising and shifting through gears with the level. That's the only 2 modes I've driving this car so far. No CA is annoying though, especially knowing I have those shades that I don't need. However, as someone mentioned, once I'm driving, could care less about anything else but driving the car.

[m34m]

By the way it was mentioned above that there is no active sound, is this 100% confirmed? I've read conflicting reports about this. Apparently the ASD module is present. Maybe it's not active on CS?

[nickl630]

Originally Posted by m34m

By the way it was mentioned above that there is no active sound, is this 100% confirmed? I've read conflicting reports about this. Apparently the ASD module is present. Maybe it's not active on CS?

I dont know about the M4CS, but the M3CS does not have active sound on.

[Ex_Stig]

I never drove the base or comp M3, so I don't have a real comparison, but I would totally get another CS.

Yeah, I missed having comfort access (honestly didn't miss the center arm rest). For pure performance and driving pleasure though, my M3 CS has been fantastic. I'll be sorry to see it go, but it is being replaced by the M5 CS that I just ordered.

[mweine]

Originally Posted by Mr. Maboomba

A question for people who made the decision to buy an M3 CS - would you do it again? Was it worth the price premium over an M3 ZCP for you? Did you miss any of the compromises (no 6MT, armrest, Comfort Access, side view cameras, etc.)?

I would buy it again because it is such a stunning and special car, however I miss the manual transmission.

[Clark_Kent]

Yes, without hesitation. I went from Base to ZCP to CS and the CS was by far the best of the 3. Quite frankly, the CS is demonstrably better than the ZCP in just about every way. It is indeed a special car.

[spool twice]

without hesitation (M4cs here).

It's absolutely beautiful to drive and by far the best and most unique feeling M3/M4 I've had (had E46-E90's before) or driven.

If you are on the fence because of the lack of creature comforts, this car likely isn't for you.

[Maitre_Absolut]

Havent thought of selling, will have had mine 3 years this august ,21k kms still love it!