Spotted: F80 M3 Sedan Accelerates on the PCH (Video)

[Pentium]

Amazing sound....

[strati1]

Originally Posted by Mr.Metak2you

Well before the S65, we had I6's without turbos so the sound is obviously different. I've always dreamed of an updated S54 (still NA) with a displacement increase to 3.4-3.8l with HP to match 350-400 in a light smaller package but BMW didn't ask me for my opinion.

I am In your boat but that developed s54-like NA in that displacement would never pass emissions if we were shooting for 400 crank. we can dream though.

[dhoggm3]

Originally Posted by BlackJetE90

This...

Oh, I bet the neighbors LOVE him!

Sounds sweet though.

[dhoggm3]

My kickin' 3.0L E36 M3 only goes to 7,000 rpm. I guess it's a dog. I just never realized that before. I learn so much from bimmerpost! (Sarcasm alert...)

[dlbrooks18]

Originally Posted by KKM3

I spotted this car last night around 9pm driving north on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California. I knew right away it was the new M3 and I was determined to get a good clip or two before we parted ways.

I can tell you that the car sounds much better when you're driving right next to it, the recording don't do it justice. The engine sounds similar to an e46 M3 and this caught me by surprise because I was expecting it to sound more like a 335 but it didn't. The car sounds loud and alive. It's no v8 but it does sound good for a forced induction 6 cylinder motor.

I got a quick glimpse of the gauges and they look reminiscent of the gauges in the e46 M3 - same amber lighting. All in all I am now very excited about the upcoming M3/M4. Seeing and hearing the car up close I can tell you that it's going to be good, very good. Only time will tell wether or not it will be as exciting to drive as the e9x but I have a good feeling about it.

Thx for the vid, sounds great

[bmwm3redblack]

Originally Posted by KKM3

Unfortunately it was quite dark with very little lighting to really notice any if its styling cues. I did notice that it was riding pretty firm and def looked and sounded on the sporty side. Downshifts sounded nice and the exhaust was very loud. Louder than a stock e92 m3 for sure.

I hope you are right KKM3, i just don't understand how this thing can be louder than stock e92 m3????

[Roundown]

Originally Posted by Jive

I might be the minority but it sounded ricer to me on the acceleration, unfortunately. Could just be the video, i'll take KKm3's word on that it sounds better in person!

+1 I heard fart can suby

[Roundown]

Originally Posted by strati1

I am In your boat but that developed s54-like NA in that displacement would never pass emissions if we were shooting for 400 crank. we can dream though.

Agree, very difficult to get the S54 to anything above 3.2 with any reliability. Given how thin the cylinder walls were, you'd have to further lengthen the already record-breakingly-long stroke to get a bigger motor.

Would add that Porsche was able to extract 608hp from a 3.8L N/A engine...but they were able to do that by tuning for peak HP...the torque portion being taken care of by a couple of electric motors.

Part of why BMW went to a V8 (other than the 33lb weight reduction and better weight distribution than the s54) was the ability to shorten the stroke and create a higher, flatter torque curve. Tuning the S54 for 400hp would produce v little low end grunt. Personally I don't mind a steeper torque curve as traction is already an issue in these cars...but the boosted crowd would chime in and tell us how much faster their JB'd N20 is to 30mph than the M car.

[Transfer]

Sounds like shit compared to E46 or E9x. This car will be for a new generation. Power, torque, and tech isn't everything.

[mPlasticDesign]

In this NA fantasy of mine this engine would have an entirely new lighter block, new material(not cast iron), so if Porsches can deliver 350/287lbs(3.4l) and 400hp/325lbs in the 991s(3.8l) and still meet emission requirements you know it can be done. But the 911 is and has been the pursuit of perfection to the point of obsession through innovation. Keeping what they have and improving on it, not starting from scratch with every generation. This applies to the exterior design as well. I like that philosophy.

[ron_jeremy]

Originally Posted by Boss330

Good to hear that sweet six cylinder sound in an M3 again

Agreed!
It's like it's supposed to be imo.
The S65 just sound lazy in comparison.

[monkawekrue]

sounds nice

[KKM3]

Originally Posted by bmwm3redblack

I hope you are right KKM3, i just don't understand how this thing can be louder than stock e92 m3????

From what I heard the f80 m3 is def louder than the e92 m3 in stock form. I'm only talking exhaust not engine.

[RazBimmer]

Hell yessss!!

[E92Brembo]

Originally Posted by wisesoul

Not sure why "ricer" is being used to describe the sound. Seems like anything less than 8 cylinders is automatically ricer lol. It is certainly raspy and has its own character! I like it, can't wait to hear more!

+1000

[Dave2011M3]

That CSL exhaust is not stock...the exhaust is unchanged from the regular E46 M3.

[RMB]

Originally Posted by Mr.Metak2you

In this NA fantasy of mine this engine would have an entirely new lighter block, new material(not cast iron), so if Porsches can deliver 350/287lbs(3.4l) and 400hp/325lbs in the 991s(3.8l) and still meet emission requirements you know it can be done. But the 911 is and has been the pursuit of perfection to the point of obsession through innovation. Keeping what they have and improving on it, not starting from scratch with every generation. This applies to the exterior design as well. I like that philosophy.

+1

[SilentAttack]

Sounds good but not as good as a v8

[OverDriven]

The exhaust on the F80 sounds A LOT like the Supersprint Race exhaust, which is what is on that M3 CSL in the video above. It's just somewhat quieter, but certainly has the same sort of tonality. I'm actually surprised BMW is making the car that loud/aggressive sounding in stock form. I'm not complaining though. I bet this thing will sound absolutely ridiculous with a few exhaust mods.

[Roundown]

Originally Posted by Mr.Metak2you

In this NA fantasy of mine this engine would have an entirely new lighter block, new material(not cast iron), so if Porsches can deliver 350/287lbs(3.4l) and 400hp/325lbs in the 991s(3.8l) and still meet emission requirements you know it can be done. But the 911 is and has been the pursuit of perfection to the point of obsession through innovation. Keeping what they have and improving on it, not starting from scratch with every generation. This applies to the exterior design as well. I like that philosophy.

Don't get me wrong, I'm with you. But a Porsche flat 6 has a lot more room between cylinders than a BMW I6.

[Remonster]

Originally Posted by bmwm3redblack

I hope you are right KKM3, i just don't understand how this thing can be louder than stock e92 m3????

My 335is is already louder than the E90 M3 my brother had, especially with the exhaust flap open. The M3 only really gets loud at full throttle, but at partial throttle the 335is' exhaust really screams. The F80 sounds pretty great to me, it seems like a lot of people are watching these videos on typical laptop or computer speakers and complaining that it sounds ricey or too similar to a 335i with an aftermarket muffler but on a proper speaker system, this thing sounds like a beast.

[justin_boy]

wow! I was chasing this guy through the canyon with my friend a week ago or so, he lost me before I was able to take a vid