farewell (F80) but not goodbye (Bimmerpost)

[RowanBuds]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

Well, I did it. I sold the 'bucket list' car of mine. The dream I never thought I'd get to reach. And, it's not so great feeling. Before getting the F80 the longest I had held on to a 'nice' car (i.e., not my economy/commuter car) was about 2 years. I kept this one for 7 years and 4 months. The car is...........was?......... my baby for the whole time. It's hard to think how it felt for the past few months seeing my now-hollow garage, there's definitely a deal of regrets in having parted with the best car I've had to date. I never thought I'd be able to purchase myself a new BMW, much less a special ordered individual M-car. Did the Euro delivery - incredible; Bucket List - CHECK. Right now I would probably have a sizeable monthly payment to BMW if the program didn't get shit-canned, but in exchange I'd have another really nice photo-book of Germany; but that's for another time. While I do have sadness there as I can't hop off into the 1-of-2 for a chilly morning drive to work, don't feel bad on my behalf. I'll find my way into another F80 at some point in the future I think, especially if we see a more rapid adoption of bland electric sports cars. Luckily, I've got this new arrival to help dull the pain a bit.

I started writing this well before the 718 arrived. The Porsche forums and associated online communities leave so much to be desired when compared with Bimmerpost. This little set of bits and bytes we all have visited over and over habitually over years, maybe decades for some of us; the community that exists here - it's incredible to have grown in and with. From any type of knowledge base you could think of to aesthetic suggestions and examples galore, the site has given us all much more than we've given it. I'd also like to extend thanks to all of the mods who keep the floors clean around here, and sincerely send a thank you out to all of the people who've played a part in the F8x forum becoming what it is. Lots of those who were frequent visitors and valued contributors have moved on through the years, with a good number keeping their toes in the water so to speak, returning to share valuable insight on whatever topic you'd never think they were paying attention to after leaving the brand ( CanAutM3 , I'm looking at you... )

Before bimmerpost had this dedicated sub really off and running, the spot for discussing the upcoming F8x platform was a different bmw focused page (something that rhymed with BimmerWest) - which has died a slow agonizing death. I am so happy that did not happen here; all of those reading, honestly, think how many times this forum has come to your aid or rescue over your years of ownership. It's just been a great place to be around, thanks to most of you.

You should know that in all my years and cars, I've never owned a manual transmission one in my life. Yes, I've driven them intermittently, and know what to do - but never had my own to drive whenever the desire hit. Now I do. I've had the GT4 back from my detailer for about 48 hours now and all I can say is WOW. I should have jumped ship to a manual car 15 years ago. I don't know why I was so nervous or worried about buying one, the mechanics have come to me as naturally as could be hoped for. These first thousand miles are going to be an exercise in patience, but I'm almost halfway there already. 2 more good-weather days here in NJ and I should be ready for the first oil change!

I plan to stay involved here - even just as a lurker - as I've already got that feeling an F80 will need to come back to live with me eventually, but do know I've appreciated playing a bit part in what I consider one of the gold standard auto forums. The Rennlist forums are.....lacking...to say the least. Maybe its a function of average age/technological ineptitude as the slope climbs....I'm not sure. But the quality of info isn't quite up to snuff, and the snark is somehow even worse at times. I'd love it if all of the first owners of the F8x cars moved to the 718, just for the forums it would bring to me.

Thanks for bearing with my rambling....

-RB

[RowanBuds]

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[MSYm4]

Wow!!!! I’d say that’s a pretty good replacement! Beautiful car!!!

[GERMAN M3]

Originally Posted by RowanBuds

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She looks great RowanBuds ! Congrats on the new ride. Always enjoyed reading your ED. One of the best ones out there.

[RowanBuds]

Originally Posted by GERMAN M3

She looks great RowanBuds ! Congrats on the new ride. Always enjoyed reading your ED. One of the best ones out there.

Thank you! I do appreciate it, the ED writeup definitely had a good bit of time and effort put into it, I'm always happy to hear positive feedback on it. Real shame the program is gone now..

[Arcades]

woah hey, why didn't we see this on the other thread?

[440i6MT]

How do you like the 718 compared to the f80?
I'm contemplating between those two in a couple of years.

[RowanBuds]

Originally Posted by 440i6MT

How do you like the 718 compared to the f80?
I'm contemplating between those two in a couple of years.

Way too early to answer. Immediate reaction is (1) I should have bought a manual car 15 years ago, and (2) I should have added a porsche at least 5 maybe 8 years ago....

It's a hell of an experience so far.

[rosemont83]

Slower than the f80 but much better driving?
I'm considering a gt4, 991.2 gts, 997.2 turbo s, or an M2...

[Arcades]

Originally Posted by rosemont83

Slower than the f80 but much better driving?
I'm considering a gt4, 991.2 gts, 997.2 turbo s, or an M2...

There is a difference between full torque a F8x throws at you at 2,500 RPM and a car that makes you work for it by revving the engine out and actually pushes you to drive it.

A F8x is fast, but it gives you the illusion of speed because of the monstrous amount of torque that early. Once you hit a certain speed with the F8x, it doesn't feel any quicker than any other car after that since that rush of torque & turbo is extremely early on.

718 GT4 doesn't hit full torque until 6k, its full HP is at basically redline, 8k. The car makes you work for it and with the PDK-S, it is nearly as fast, handles like nothing else and sounds far better than that S55 torque monster. These two cars are different things and I will take my GT4 any day of the week over my old M3 and M4. The way the S55 delivers power makes the car hard to use without you blowing past the speed limit all the time. That isn't saying the 718 GT4/Spyder doesn't have any downsides. The tall gearing is an issue for some and the GT4, especially, is very loud inside if you rev past 6,500k all the time.

[LuvMyE92]

The GT4 is a fabulous car, congrats! I've always said that every boy should own a Porsche at some point in his life. And by Porsche, I mean sports car, not the soccer mom SUV.

Nothing wrong with a soccer mom. I married one. And got her out of the SUV and into a BMW...

[NYG]

That's a beautiful spec. It's been a while since I had the M4CS and I still post here. We just drip swagu.

[cotmfk]

Congrats on the car! That's a great pick up. Good luck and enjoy it.

(I'm watching the values of those as well - they've always been a car I'd like to have in the stable...)

[TTM0TION]

Wowww, great pick up and massive congrats man!