Video: F80 M3 and F82 M4 Continue Final Testing on Nurburgring

[ki__]

Originally Posted by dhoggm3

Every new generation of M3 has been a good news/bad news event. The I-6 was a disappointment vs. the refinement of the racing 4-cyl. The V8 was a disappointment because it just wasn't "BMW" (and it needed the Weight Watchers program). Every one of them has been faster and more luxurious than the one before it, and every generation has earned rabid fans. The big difference is, that for the first time, THIS generation will be lighter than the one before it!

Personally, I love them all - each for its unique strengths that make it both an awesome driver's car and a daily-driver family car. The M3 is dead. Long live the M3 (er...4?)!

Completely agree, but here's the problem. The I-6 in the e46 didn't sound like the 330i, the V8 in the e9x didn't sound like the 335i, but this M3/4 sounds a lot like the the current 4/335i models with an aftermarket exhaust.

If M made this engine truly unique in the noise factor, and possibly let go the turbo and just bored out a I-6 or made a lighter V8. This could have been an even better car. Enthusiasts, at least myself, want all the lighter, faster, more fun car, but they(I) also want something unique for its era, something that doesn't sound like anything else, where it's character grows on you over time, even more so than when you first bought it. I don't doubt that this car will be fun, fast, and what not, but a car like this should ooze it's character. I feel like it's going to be a little dull in the sound department and let's face it, that's a big factor, maybe not a deciding factor for some, but for me it is.

I hope I'm proven wrong when I test drive it though.

[RMB]

Originally Posted by lux

No question, engine noise will not be as good. No matter what you do aftermarket, no one can make an I6 turbo sound like a high revving NA V8. It is a done deal.

At this point, I'm looking forward to better performance, updated technology, and new aesthetics. Hopefully that will outweigh what has been lost.

+1 Lux. That is exactly how I am viewing it and I couldn't have said it better.

[RMB]

Originally Posted by Ezio

i also am not a V8 only type of person.

i also love a 911 flat 6 sound, and GTR. but for some reason i have never been into BMW inline 6 sounds.

but yes time will tell.

Yeah, I agree with you Ezio. When I test drove a 991 S cab, it had the optional sports exhaust and when it went in to sport mode and the exhaust opened up it was amazing. It felt like it was right behind my head and it was loud, exotic sounding, and definitely not run of the mill.

[Ezio]

Originally Posted by KEYON

Completely agree, but here's the problem. The I-6 in the e46 didn't sound like the 330i, the V8 in the e9x didn't sound like the 335i, but this M3/4 sounds a lot like the the current 4/335i models with an aftermarket exhaust.

very happy to see others are having the same thoughts.

[AhsanU]

As the first person who mentioned sound said: it's all subjective. Many of us didn't like the sound of the V8 as opposed to the I6 in the E46, but the E92 spawned a generation of M owners that love the sound of the V8. Likewise, I'm sure there'll be people who love the sound of the I6 with turbos.

I personally don't know what the fuss is about. Don't most M3 owners change out the exhaust because aftermarket exhausts that are available tend to be much lighter and sound better anyway? I don't like sound of the stock GT-R but the Password JDM exhaust makes it sound like pure sex. And with the market for M3's/M4's being as big as it is, we should expect a variety of different exhausts suited for everyone's taste.

There's only one thing I'm worried about, and it's reliability. The first MY of the M5 had its issues and required a recall IIRC. I'm hoping there won't be any issues with the M3/M4.

[Brosef]

Originally Posted by dhoggm3

Every new generation of M3 has been a good news/bad news event. The I-6 was a disappointment vs. the refinement of the racing 4-cyl. The V8 was a disappointment because it just wasn't "BMW" (and it needed the Weight Watchers program). Every one of them has been faster and more luxurious than the one before it, and every generation has earned rabid fans. The big difference is, that for the first time, THIS generation will be lighter than the one before it!

Personally, I love them all - each for its unique strengths that make it both an awesome driver's car and a daily-driver family car. The M3 is dead. Long live the M3 (er...4?)!

this is also the first time the engine sound has taken a significant step back. also, the V8 was lighter than the iron-block straight 6 of the e46. also, aftermarket exhaust or not, the turbo I-6 will never sound anywhere close to the S54, which had a glorious induction noise. the engine noise (not the exhaust noise) of the S54 and S65 are simply not replicable, and that's what really set those engines apart from every other I-6 or V8, respectively.

and I'm sorry, but I don't know anyone who doesn't prefer the sound of the S65 over the S54 (other than perhaps current e46 owners, but those are biased opinions).

[Carl L]

Originally Posted by Brosef

this is also the first time the engine sound has taken a significant step back. also, the V8 was lighter than the iron-block straight 6 of the e46. also, aftermarket exhaust or not, the turbo I-6 will never sound anywhere close to the S54, which had a glorious induction noise. the engine noise (not the exhaust noise) of the S54 and S65 are simply not replicable, and that's what really set those engines apart from every other I-6 or V8, respectively.

and I'm sorry, but I don't know anyone who doesn't prefer the sound of the S65 over the S54 (other than perhaps current e46 owners, but those are biased opinions).

I do.

[gee-m-w]

Sedan looks amazing. The coupe is not to my taste.

[gymtime]

I'm sure it sounds better inside the car than the outside since the speakers are playing and amplifying the engine sound

[Haywood]

Originally Posted by gymtime

I'm sure it sounds better inside the car than the outside since the speakers are playing and amplifying the engine sound

We actually don't know this yet. That comment has been played to death.

[Cuz5150]

It looks a little squirrely, but hey, that's why they are running around the ring testing.

Side note: Is it me or.........every time a video is posted from the ring, I always spot the White Merc station wagon going around. Anyone know anything about this cat? Is he the gate keeper or something.....Im dead serious

[richardg]

Originally Posted by Brosef

this is also the first time the engine sound has taken a significant step back. also, the V8 was lighter than the iron-block straight 6 of the e46. also, aftermarket exhaust or not, the turbo I-6 will never sound anywhere close to the S54, which had a glorious induction noise. the engine noise (not the exhaust noise) of the S54 and S65 are simply not replicable, and that's what really set those engines apart from every other I-6 or V8, respectively.

and I'm sorry, but I don't know anyone who doesn't prefer the sound of the S65 over the S54 (other than perhaps current e46 owners, but those are biased opinions).

I like the i6 sound better. Both stock to stock and with aftermarket options.

[Powaup]

wow loving every second of the video. othing better than seeing a performance car pushed to the limit pure carporn

But what's with the "far beyond 369 lb-ft of torque" stop teasing us already

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by solstice

Strangely enough I like that green on the F30 as well. I generally don't like green cars or loud colors but it seems that for me the F30 needs something loud to not look anonymous and it kind of works. Not sure I'm brave enough though. It kind of screams mid life crisis...

Yeah man...Good luck reselling that at any age!

[M3_WC]

Originally Posted by AhsanU

I personally don't know what the fuss is about. Don't most M3 owners change out the exhaust because aftermarket exhausts that are available tend to be much lighter and sound better anyway? I don't like sound of the stock GT-R but the Password JDM exhaust makes it sound like pure sex. And with the market for M3's/M4's being as big as it is, we should expect a variety of different exhausts suited for everyone's taste.

Hopefully owners don't have to go completely catless like the F10 M5 to get anywhere near the caliber exhaust of the E60 M5.

[khanyam4]

It's going to be a wonderful summer for some of us.

[Thurman Murch]

So will the S55 still require TWS 10W-60?

Or will this be a 5W-30 type motor?

And this will eat tires for sure

[M3_WC]

Anyone know when the next gen C63 arrives? I have been reading articles about switching to double wishbone suspension, big weight loss, and a 4.0L twin turbo V8. Sounds very interesting. Haven't seen any estimated release dates.

Next gen RS5 surely is a ways off.

[Yay-Z]

Originally Posted by gymtime

I'm sure it sounds better inside the car than the outside since the speakers are playing and amplifying the engine sound

lol....

[Race_Doc11]

I agree....

Originally Posted by Brosef

this is also the first time the engine sound has taken a significant step back. also, the V8 was lighter than the iron-block straight 6 of the e46. also, aftermarket exhaust or not, the turbo I-6 will never sound anywhere close to the S54, which had a glorious induction noise. the engine noise (not the exhaust noise) of the S54 and S65 are simply not replicable, and that's what really set those engines apart from every other I-6 or V8, respectively.

and I'm sorry, but I don't know anyone who doesn't prefer the sound of the S65 over the S54 (other than perhaps current e46 owners, but those are biased opinions).

[Race_Doc11]

An upgraded sound system is all you need in this car not an exhaust

Originally Posted by gymtime

I'm sure it sounds better inside the car than the outside since the speakers are playing and amplifying the engine sound

[F80NJM3]

Looks good and very agile. Exhaust note I'm not too crazy about but nothing an aftermarket exhaust can't fix.