Where are the hard facts about M cars?

[sds0918]

I'm about to buy an M4 and have been seeing the non M cars and m-performance and base model discussion and even encountered it in person. M cars are definitely different, but how? Where is the objective information saying this, this, this, this and, this is different and better in your M4 vs a M440 vs a 430, etc.?

Yes, they're different, but telling a non-believer isn't enough. Does anyone have some good links on actual data showing the difference in quality, materials, tuning, technical specs?

Someone recently told me their tuned 135 was the same as an M2 and I almost had an aneurysm.

[Arcades]

A M4 is built completely different from the ground up compared to a M340i. Utterly different engine as well.

Seeing those stupid responses with tunes and stuff gives me a damn headache. In that world, a tuned M4 would be faster than a tuned Baby M car.

If you aren't sure about the difference, drive both. Difference is obvious. This is basically asking what is the difference between a 911 GTS and a 911 GT3.

[AlpineWhite_SJ]

Some of the details can be found in the technical training product detail doc - https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/at...6475520#page16

[Alan l.]

Some people will not believe that real M cars are special no matter what “proof” you put before them because they simply don’t want to believe it. Some because they need to justify their own purchase decision and some because what makes those cars special doesn’t matter to them.

All i know is that I do all my own wrenching and my M3 has different suspension parts, body panels, engine, brakes, subframe, seats etc...compared to my brothers f30 340xi. I get to drive his car back to back between my M3 and the overall experience is WAY different. For me the difference is what makes my M3 feel special. Just the seating position/feel itself makes it feel like a completely different car even though the rest of the interior is almost the same.

It’s not one part that makes M cars special. It’s the sum of all the parts that creates a driving experience a step above other models. Just look at how many posts on here where we have users buying/leasing the same car back to back or selling it and eventually regretting their decision just to come back to the same car.

I’ve own plenty of non M model bmws in the past and I was happy with them. My E90 N54 335 was one of my favorite cars at the time but my F80 is world better. I wouldn’t have known this if i didn’t own a M car to compare and most that argue that there’s nothing special about real M cars either doesn’t own one or their driving style isn’t suited for one. I’m not talking about driving your friends, brothers, sisters cousins M car that one time. I’m talking about actually owning one. I’ve never see anyone have a m3/m4 then say it drive just like a ordinary Bmw.

Alan

[Jbonly21]

Nobody should have to convince you which car to buy, or which is better. Drives both and buy which ever makes you happy.

[DML]

True "M", the others are imposters.

[allinon72]

You could look at numbers, or you could go drive one. That'll tell you all you need to know.

[///M4ster Yoda]

Go drive both. A REAL ///M and one of the fake ones BMW is peddling these days. You will understand pretty quickly.

[CachacoF80]

Originally Posted by AlpineWhite_SJ

Some of the details can be found in the technical training product detail doc - https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/at...6475520#page16

Good document

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

I love driving the 325i and 428 around town and whatever; smooth nice steering. But if you are a purist; you want to drive a car that is totally unapologetic about what it is. although the f8x isn't quite the raw sports car, its pretty much on of the few options out there

[khoanguyen0705]

Originally Posted by sds0918

I'm about to buy an M4 and have been seeing the non M cars and m-performance and base model discussion and even encountered it in person. M cars are definitely different, but how? Where is the objective information saying this, this, this, this and, this is different and better in your M4 vs a M440 vs a 430, etc.?

Yes, they're different, but telling a non-believer isn't enough. Does anyone have some good links on actual data showing the difference in quality, materials, tuning, technical specs?

Someone recently told me their tuned 135 was the same as an M2 and I almost had an aneurysm.

I was like you before I got my M4, my first M. I had a tuned M235i and I thought it was somehow be closed to an M until I got the M4. It's noisy. Handling is difference. Car feels planted. You feel the road more because the suspension is stiff. The powerband is linear. And it's a very fast car being stock. The M4 of course But have you test driven one?

[drgmt]

They were once very different - but the lines are blurring and doing so fast.

The next generation M3/4 car will be AWD with a ZF gearbox. For me this will be far to close to the M340i.

The M2 Comp will be the only the car in the lineup that comes close to traditional M car values.

[mjposner]

This is a pretty lame thread by an obvious troll. It like saying the 328 and M3 are the same because they both have 4 wheels, 4 doors and 7 bmw roundel badges. All car companies have variations of their models that get more expensive and for that money you get better tech, better handling, beter luxury, better power (not all at the same time). Simply put, is the extra money worth the extra stuff? In many cases yes, but not always.

Just go to bmw.com and you can easily see the M difference, both subjectively and objectively.

[HoldenMI]

Originally Posted by DML

True "M", the others are imposters.

The others are "m"posters.

[sds0918]

Originally Posted by mjposner

This is a pretty lame thread by an obvious troll. It like saying the 328 and M3 are the same because they both have 4 wheels, 4 doors and 7 bmw roundel badges. All car companies have variations of their models that get more expensive and for that money you get better tech, better handling, beter luxury, better power (not all at the same time). Simply put, is the extra money worth the extra stuff? In many cases yes, but not always.

Just go to bmw.com and you can easily see the M difference, both subjectively and objectively.

Lol wtf? Did you even read my post?


To the other guy, yeah I've test driven one a couple times. I used to have a tuned m235 but decided to downgrade. Now I've decided to go ahead and get a used M4. I just hope I don't regret it because the new generation is about to come out.

[DML]

Originally Posted by sds0918

Lol wtf? Did you even read my post?


To the other guy, yeah I've test driven one a couple times. I used to have a tuned m235 but decided to downgrade. Now I've decided to go ahead and get a used M4. I just hope I don't regret it because the new generation is about to come out.

Summer of 21

[clutchdj]

F80-3 as a whole is just a shaper handling car because the sum of all parts equal a level of chassis rigidity that generally only race cars have. Tradeoffs can be random creaks because there is no body flex. The technical training doc is where the gold is.

[///M4ster Yoda]

Originally Posted by sds0918

Lol wtf? Did you even read my post?


To the other guy, yeah I've test driven one a couple times. I used to have a tuned m235 but decided to downgrade. Now I've decided to go ahead and get a used M4. I just hope I don't regret it because the new generation is about to come out.

You won't regret it. Have you seen the new "grilles"?

That thing is gonna be hideous!

[swagon]

Originally Posted by AlpineWhite_SJ

Some of the details can be found in the technical training product detail doc - https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/at...6475520#page16

Also, I recommend watching this video from Biermann where he explains the technical details and differences between F32 and F82.

Hell, even the M3/M4 dampers are aluminium as opposed to stainless steel on regular 3 Series (and most aftermarket coilovers)!

[Aaaaaaaaa]

Just go drive one