BMW M3 / M4 Reviews Compilation

[ufgtrs2007]

Overall great initial feedback considering the dramatic change.

Remember when the E92 was introduced, it was criticized harshly, now it's a masterpiece!

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by ss134

Agreed apart from the steering- most of the reviews rate the steering very highly and UAE 247 says it's much better than his E9X M3.

Reviewers said steering is nicely weighed, direct and precise. But there are several mentions about numbness and loss of feel. See here

[IEDEI]

Car Magazine: "But first impressions leave me highly impressed but just a little cold."

^^this summarizes how I feel after reading the first batch of reviews. Ultimately I'll have to drive one myself though for a verdict. automotive magazines are so full of it that they really can't be trusted IMO

[Needsdecaf]

I for one am not worried about the steering feel comments. I have read multiple articles on the Ferrari 458 and F12 saying that the steering is utterly devoid of feel. But that it is sharp, very direct, accurate and easy to understand what the car is doing.

Isn't that what it's all about?

Now granted, my track time rates about a 0.5 / 10 as far as experience. But I have not read a single review that said the steering compromises the car, or makes it difficult to understand what it's doing.

I'm not so impressed by the diesel engine sound comments. I'm also a little scared by the ride comments considering they were in Portugal. Sounds like the active suspension is a must.

[Rupes]

Originally Posted by swamp2

Each person is likely going to find just what they wanted to hear in these articles. I'm no exception. There hasn't been any big surprise(s) here significant enough to move me closer to parting with my current car in exchange for a new M3/4.

Bingo! It's amazing two people read the same reviews, one says, "the reviews are all positive!" another says, "this car blows and the reviews prove it!"

I don't think there are a lot of surprises here though. Interested to see if the new M continues to win every comparison test like the old one did. It seems like other manufacturers are starting to catch up and ever surpass The Ultimate Driving Machine.

[Lups]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

I for one am not worried about the steering feel comments. I have read multiple articles on the Ferrari 458 and F12 saying that the steering is utterly devoid of feel. But that it is sharp, very direct, accurate and easy to understand what the car is doing.

Isn't that what it's all about?

Now granted, my track time rates about a 0.5 / 10 as far as experience. But I have not read a single review that said the steering compromises the car, or makes it difficult to understand what it's doing.

I'm not so impressed by the diesel engine sound comments. I'm also a little scared by the ride comments considering they were in Portugal. Sounds like the active suspension is a must.

Let the sound be, I'll give you a play list that will finish your eardrums, then it won't matter.
Love the nick btw, the best on the whole forum!

[m3ct]

chris harris (harrismonkey) tweeted at 8:48am - 9 May 14:

Not much I look forward to driving more than a new M3. pic.twitter.com/6X5jyw53tZ (

)

Looks like he can't publish until may 10th

[onatuesday]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

Car Magazine: "But first impressions leave me highly impressed but just a little cold."

^^this summarizes how I feel after reading the first batch of reviews. Ultimately I'll have to drive one myself though for a verdict. automotive magazines are so full of it that they really can't be trusted IMO

I feel like I have more questions than answers after reading all the reviews. Hopefully some dealers let me drive the launch cars especially since I already have an order. But even then I don't think I'll be properly able to assess the car until I drive it at the limit.

[CSanto]

This quote hurt the most from Car magazine.

"on one side of the M3/M4 you’ve got the raucous 1-series M, which was a very old school kind of M car in the mould of the Z3M and Z4M; at the other end of the spectrum you’ve got the new twin-turbocharged V8 M5, a very new school kind of M car. The M3/M4 is most definitely a small M5, not a big 1-series M".

People who have owned/driven all three cars the E9x M3, F10 M5 and 1series M will understand why I was hoping for the M4 to be a big 1M, not a small M5.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

Sounds like the active suspension is a must.

Were any of the test cars equipped with the passive suspension? I don't think they were, but I could be wrong.

If the passive suspension results in a noticeably harsher ride than the E9x M3 exhibits with the passive suspension, I agree that's an additional reason to consider the active suspension with it's available "Comfort" setting. But so far I don't think we know if this is the case or not.

[Black Gold]

most encouraging thing is the universally positive praise of the new chassis design and set up. I don't think anyone is going to be complaining about power, and the new chassis should prove fun on the street and great on track.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Were any of the test cars equipped with the passive suspension? I don't think they were, but I could be wrong.

If the passive suspension results in a noticeably harsher ride than the E9x M3 exhibits with the passive suspension, I agree that's an additional reason to consider the active suspension with it's available "Comfort" setting. But so far I don't think we know if this is the case or not.

I based that comment that said even in comfort the ride is still stiff. Considering that during one of the engineer's interviews it was noted that the passive suspension is somewhere between Sport and Sport plus and I'd consider it a must unless you live someplace with great roads.

[solstice]

Originally Posted by CSanto

This quote hurt the most from Car magazine.

"on one side of the M3/M4 you’ve got the raucous 1-series M, which was a very old school kind of M car in the mould of the Z3M and Z4M; at the other end of the spectrum you’ve got the new twin-turbocharged V8 M5, a very new school kind of M car. The M3/M4 is most definitely a small M5, not a big 1-series M".

People who have owned/driven all three cars the E9x M3, F10 M5 and 1series M will understand why I was hoping for the M4 to be a big 1M, not a small M5.

I agree with this. After re-reading all reviews last night they have me very concerned indeed. Not enough to cancel my order but close. There is too much criticism in areas I value the most. I still have hopes that I'll be positively surprised when I drive it but I can see a risk that I'll switch out of this car quicker than I first intended. One thing I will not do is to find ways to paper over the criticism or ignore it to validate my purschase decision, done there and never again. Bummer.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by m3ct

chris harris (harrismonkey) tweeted at 8:48am - 9 May 14:

Not much I look forward to driving more than a new M3. pic.twitter.com/6X5jyw53tZ (

)

Looks like he can't publish until may 10th

He later tweeted he got the date wrong. Will be watching his twitter feed today.

Surprised no review from Evo yet....

[myzmak]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

That's the unfortunately sized thing that us M drivers buy the car to compensate for.

line of the day.

done.

all surrender now.

[grant]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

I for one am not worried about the steering feel comments. I have read multiple articles on the Ferrari 458 and F12 saying that the steering is utterly devoid of feel. But that it is sharp, very direct, accurate and easy to understand what the car is doing.

Isn't that what it's all about?

That's only a part of it. Steering feel and feedback are essential to feel connected to the driving experience. Cars that demostrate these qualities in abundance make you feel like a more important part of the driving process, rather than just playing a very fast video game.

As a former Ferrari driver, I can tell you that Ferrari hasn't had decent steering feel since they abandoned manual steering (last ones were the F348 and F50). Newer ones are fun and fast cars, but badly lacking in this department.

BMW to me hasn't had good feel since the E36 M3 (E46 had hydraulic but was already significantly more numb than its predecessor).

As a Porsche owner, their change to electric in the last generation has been a huge backwards step. The industry as a whole is really in trouble in this area. I'm waiting for someone to make an electric rack as good as the best hydraulic (and many claim it should be possible to surpass that standard), but looks like it hasn't happened yet...

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by grant

That's only a part of it. Steering feel and feedback are essential to feel connected to the driving experience. Cars that demostrate these qualities in abundance make you feel like a more important part of the driving process, rather than just playing a very fast video game.

As a former Ferrari driver, I can tell you that Ferrari hasn't had decent steering feel since they abandoned manual steering (last one was the F348). Newer ones are fun and fast cars, but badly lacking in this department.

BMW to me hasn't had good feel since the E36 M3 (E46 had hydraulic but was already significantly more numb than its predecessor).

As a Porsche owner, their change to electric in the last generation has been a huge backwards step. The industry as a whole is really in trouble in this area. I'm waiting for someone to make an electric rack as good as hydraulic (and many claim it should be possible to surpass that standard), but looks like it hasn't happened yet...

We will agree to disagree. We all have our preferences, and I for one find some of the modern electric systems to suit my taste. I do not confuse heft for "feel". And while the feel is different, I have no issues with knowing what the car is doing at all times and being able to control it.

[SPACEMANRICK]

Edmunds first drive of M3 and M4....."Think BMW has slightly lost its way? Think the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class has it rattled? Think again. The M3 is back, this time as a four-door with a twin-turbo six-cylinder, fabulous poise and balance. It's everything a fast, small sport sedan ought to be."

http://www.edmunds.com/bmw/m3/2015/road-test.html

[grant]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

We will agree to disagree. We all have our preferences, and I for one find some of the modern electric systems to suit my taste. I do not confuse heft for "feel". And while the feel is different, I have no issues with knowing what the car is doing at all times and being able to control it.

No argument here, but you seem to be describing a system that is competent rather than inspiring (which is what I hope for from a sports car).

[m3ct]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

He later tweeted he got the date wrong. Will be watching his twitter feed today.

Surprised no review from Evo yet....

good to know, can't wait to see his review!

[Needsdecaf]

Wondering why Chris Harris and Pistonheads are just driving the cars today.....

[ss134]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

Reviewers said steering is nicely weighed, direct and precise. But there are several mentions about numbness and loss of feel. See here

The fact that an owner of both cars ( and multiple other M cars) loves the new steering and rates it as much better than the E9x gives me personally much more reassurance than any journalist. I am not concerned about the steering in the F80 at all.

TBH this thread is now becoming a bit frustrating - people are posting up captions from certain reviews that say a negative about the new cars but for every negative posted here from any of the reviews I can find another review that is extremely positive about the negative posted!! I am talking about the steering, response and sound primarily. I'll judge this car myself when I drive it.