F82 M4 Test Drive/Review - Wow (Current C63 Owner)

[kgroschi]

Originally Posted by Blipit_

I liked the SMG as well, for the same reason. The more jerky and aggressive it felt the more I liked it. It felt like a manual gearbox. If things get too smooth, they will begin to feel like a traditional automatic. That is why I laugh at the guys reviewing the Aventador and its single clutch transmission. Lambo put that in there on purpose, for emotion and visceral feel. The weenies driving it always complain it is too rough.

+1 that

The true racers are still single clutch. Aventador, LFA, F1.... DCT is very boring. One sensation less.

[kgroschi]

Originally Posted by Audio Fan

The SMG sucked so bad, I can't believe anyone liked it. The DCT changes are smooth and fast, but the power delivery upon a change will definitely provide the thump of a gear change. Don't mistake the loss off momentum before power is reapplied in manual or SMG shifts with a strength. When you change from from one gear to the next, without letting of the gas, in less than 100ms with this much power, you will feel it.

Also, the DCT in the E92 M3 was much better and aggressive than the regular 3-series or Z4s. I didn't like them at all - they did feel sluggish and soft.

The SMG sucked? Man you are weird lol... The E92 DCT was pretty bad imo. It shifted quickly and had the great BMW responsiveness (unlike AMG f.e.) but the shift and the jerk in the "wrong way" is kind of annoying. It pressed you into the seat when shifting instead of pulling you out of it if that makes sense. Then I rather have a PDK style DCT.

I don't know... I have driven so many cars in my young life because of the work my family does, and the M3 SMG and the M5 SMG where just the ones I had the most fun with. That's why I also bought an E60 M5... because of the V10 and the SMG. But that's just my opinion from my experiences.

[Bonovox]

Thanks for the impressions. I've had my car for five days now and, though I'm still gathering impressions, you pretty much summed up what I would have said. I've got a good road trip planned for this weekend. Can't wait!

[flea333]

Nice write up. However I don't think a 335 comparison is useful to me. Sure as hell be better in all aspects even with M package. More interested in what I'm missing as an E92 M driver.

[tooch]

Another great review thanks for the write up

[RW Carbon]

Excellent review. I'll still take the m4

[Fuman]

Thanks for the review.

[ferrari6891]

awesome and fair review!

[aussiem3]

Very good review and very well written. Thank you!

[M3OW]

I'm sorry I just can not live with a c63 simply because it has a mediocre transmission. The transmission plays a very big role in performance and enjoyment which the c63 lacks. Until Mercedes equips their Amg cars with a good responsive transmission I will not give it a second thought.

[jskrilla]

Nice summary! Enjoyed all the details.

[ybbiz34]

Originally Posted by Bonovox

Thanks for the impressions. I've had my car for five days now and, though I'm still gathering impressions, you pretty much summed up what I would have said. I've got a good road trip planned for this weekend. Can't wait!

You are very welcome. Enjoy the trip! Be sure to post up some photos.

Originally Posted by flea333

Nice write up. However I don't think a 335 comparison is useful to me. Sure as hell be better in all aspects even with M package. More interested in what I'm missing as an E92 M driver.

My reasoning for including a comparison to the F30 335i was twofold: 1) I owned two heavily tuned F30 M Sport 335i sedans (and after all, the F80/F82 both share quite a bit of sheet metal with the standard cars); 2) Because of the F80/F82's motor, we have a very large number of members making the switch from the F30/F32 to the F80/F82.

Originally Posted by tooch

Another great review thanks for the write up

Originally Posted by RW Carbon

Excellent review. I'll still take the m4

Originally Posted by Fuman

Thanks for the review.

Originally Posted by ferrari6891

awesome and fair review!

Originally Posted by jskrilla

Nice summary! Enjoyed all the details.

Thank you very much gentlemen!

Originally Posted by M3OW

I'm sorry I just can not live with a c63 simply because it has a mediocre transmission. The transmission plays a very big role in performance and enjoyment which the c63 lacks. Until Mercedes equips their Amg cars with a good responsive transmission I will not give it a second thought.

Some might feel it is mediocre in comparison to great transmissions like the PDK, M-DCT, and ZF 8-speed Sport Auto.

In reality, it is capable of ripping off 100-millisecond shifts and that is not bad at all. Sure, it is frustrating when the downshifts don't come as quick as you'd like in M mode but the automatic modes are very, very good.

[maxxxmagnum]

Originally Posted by yosman8

Any info on the specificities of this yet? Any coders solving this problem?

There was a lot about it in another thread a couple of months ago with detailed instructions, but you need to have software and hardware to do it (google it). It looks pretty straightforward if you have the means, but I'd rather put a gun against dealers head and have the boys in his service dept. do it for me.

[thrilla]

Great review Ybbizz! I currently drive a 2012 C63 AMG as well, but the M3 has been haunting my dreams since it launched. Your review just pushed me over the edge, and I now have a deposit for an M3.

[gthal]

Originally Posted by thrilla

Great review Ybbizz! I currently drive a 2012 C63 AMG as well, but the M3 has been haunting my dreams since it launched. Your review just pushed me over the edge, and I now have a deposit for an M3.

You won't regret it... I also owned a 2012 C63 and, other than sound, I think the M3/4 is a better overall car. Nothing beats the C63 for sound but the M4 has as much (maybe more) perceived torque and power, feels much lighter, grips better in corners and the DCT (if you go that option) is better than the MCT transmission.

The C63 is a great car... it will be interesting to see how the new C63 compares to the F8X. I bet it will give the F8X a run for its money... too bad MB didn't offer a true DCT. If they did, it would be a really tough call for me.

[thrilla]

Gthal, I remember your screen name from MBworld, along with zibby.

I will remember the c63 fondly, it truly is one of the best cars ever made. That engine and exhaust note are going to be legendary.

The M3 is going to be my daily driver. The overall package of the M3 makes more sense and equates greater than a monstrous exhaust note. Getting better gas mileage is a bonus.

I'm looking forward to the DCT. I would've picked manual but my wife refuses to learn how to drive a manual. My build date is Sep 22. It's going to be a long wait.

[CardinalZeus77]

Originally Posted by thrilla

Great review Ybbizz! I currently drive a 2012 C63 AMG as well, but the M3 has been haunting my dreams since it launched. Your review just pushed me over the edge, and I now have a deposit for an M3.

Congrats!

[Lups]

Originally Posted by thrilla

Gthal, I remember your screen name from MBworld, along with zibby.

I will remember the c63 fondly, it truly is one of the best cars ever made. That engine and exhaust note are going to be legendary.

The M3 is going to be my daily driver. The overall package of the M3 makes more sense and equates greater than a monstrous exhaust note. Getting better gas mileage is a bonus.

I'm looking forward to the DCT. I would've picked manual but my wife refuses to learn how to drive a manual. My build date is Sep 22. It's going to be a long wait.

Take her to an surprise honeymoon to Finland, no automatics there to rent, and weather is getting bad there too soon. She will learn to love manuals in seconds.

[thrilla]

Originally Posted by Lups

Take her to an surprise honeymoon to Finland, no automatics there to rent, and weather is getting bad there too soon. She will learn to love manuals in seconds.

Thanks for the tip lups. It's ok, I get my manual fix driving my Evo.