My new 2018 SMB F80 (European Delivery)!

[CachacoF80]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

Hi All.

I wanted to introduce myself as I am the proud owner of a new SMB ZCP 6MT F80 with Amaro Brown interior. I picked it up last Monday at the Welt and dropped it off on Friday in Frankfurt after 820 miles of great fun.

This car has a special significance for me beyond being a great sports sedan. I started battling a lower back problem 10 years ago and had a major injury 3 years ago. I could barely walk or sit for one year and I still have a lot of physical limitations. The cause remains largely unknown despite visiting global "gurus", having all sorts of images taken, pain management, shots, prolotherapy, acupuncture and chiropractors.

Needless to say, I had to sell my fun car (2010 Lotus Elise) and my daily driver (2013 Golf GTI). I could not get in or out. In a rush, I bought a used Jeep Grand Cherokee that was tall and ample enough to go by on a daily basis. Before the injury I was thinking about selling both the Lotus and the Golf and getting an M2. In hindsight, given I have a 6yr old, I think the F80 will prove more user friendly.

Fast forward 3 years, after a lot of physical therapy, posture improvement, improved and conscious movements and tons of research and knowledge about backs, I'm able to feel more human. I'm able to get in most cars (Ferraris, McLarens and the like are probably still too low), sit/drive for longer periods and be slightly more active . But I'm still 5/10 of who I used to be and I'd be happy if I get to 8/10.

As soon as I started seeing progress I was set on getting an M3 before EoP and doing European Delivery with my wife. I was torn between Sakhir Orange and SMB, especially given the extra cost, but oh boy...SMB is unreal. I think it fits the F80 slightly better than the F82 and especially the M6. Then the choice of the transmission...I grew up in South America driving fun European hatchbacks in twisty and narrow roads, and I knew manual was the way to go. But my left leg bothers me (consequence of the back) and I wasn't sure how bad would it get. I took the plunge regardless and I'm really happy I did. It bothered me a bit for a couple of days but after literally 800 miles playing with seat adjustments, the discomfort became manageable. I liked Amaro Brown from dealer samples and pictures and went down that route. Added ZCP and Executive Package.

I ordered the car in February, it was manufactured in late March/early April. I'm in the SF Bay Area but ordered through LA dealer. Shout out to Steven Marx at South Bay BMW - knowledgeable, helpful, transparent and fair price. We did everything over email/mail.

I picked up the car last week. The delivery process was top notch (wife and I agreed we'd have to repeat going forward), museum and factory tour both really worth it. Drove south from Munich and then along the alpenstrasse towards Füssen; then into Stuttgart to check out Mercedes and Porsche museums (missed Porsche though, arrived a bit too late); then Baiersbronn for amazing food, then from Mainz to Koblenz along the Rhine (very special area full of castles); then the Nürburgring and finally the Rheingau wine region.

The Nürburgring was unbelievable. Thought long and hard about driving the car but the risks outweighed the benefits in my humble opinion, especially in light of the recent post by a member regarding lack of insurance coverage. It was drizzling too. Ring Taxi F80 more than made up for it. Oscar, the driver, was pushing hard, or so we thought, and it made me appreciate the capabilities of the car. Astonishing. Stock car with upgraded brakes (Oscar said they are not using carbon ceramic due to cost) and stickier tires. Felt like a roller coaster...don't know how 24h races are held there.

My impressions so far: 1) the torque is exceptional; 2) engine note is not amazing but not bad as some suggest; 3) relative to the Lotus, the car is a 7 series as it relates to suspension. In comfort, it almost feels like a regular sedan and my back does not complaint. Sport or Sport + makes it a bit too jittery and nervous and in my opinion gives less confidence; 4) front grip is unreal; 5) front wheel arch gap is large, rear seems quite flush to me; 6) steering is a lot better than I thought after reading comments here; 7) engaging Reverse is a pain? Needs some muscle; 8) the color is rarely well captured in cell phone pics and the proportions of the car too.

Planned mods: rear spoiler, spacers and CF splitters. Unsure about lowering front and adding lip since my driveway is quite steep.

Complaints so far (aside from engaging reverse): 1) annoying squeal from right rear tire/wheel at very low speeds (not under braking). You hear it when parking. Any thoughts?; 2) leg bolsters a little tight for bigger persons like me (6'1" and 200lb). Maybe it's the pedal offset position.

So that's it! I hope to contribute in some shape or form to the forum. Some pictures below.

Oh, and take care of your backs. Knees, shoulders, elbows...they an all be fixed 90pct. But backs are no joke.

[CachacoF80]

Pics below

[818M3]

Nice color combo. SMB will never get old

[KevinM]

Great color combination; congratulations! European Delivery is fantastic; every time a read a post about it I can't wait to do it again.

Sorry to hear about your back issues and glad to hear that you are getting better - and went for the 6MT!

[RowanBuds]

First, congratulations, I am happy to hear you've improved to the point you could do this, now keep up the progress!!

Next, absolutely perfect spec.

Then, great call doing final production, individual, euro delivery, manual. If/when you decide to move on, resale should treat you well.

Some replies;

seats; give it 2-3,000 more miles. They'll loosen up and mold to you more comfortably. At least my leather non-ZCP seats have.

lip; I ran the mode s1 on factory height and was very happy. I also have driveway concerns for clearance and that lip perfectly suits the car as oem suspension sits. The 20"s show the front gap more than 19, but it's bad either way. A larger rubber profile in front can help as well as offset. I run 275/35/19 up front on a 9.5" ET25 wheel which visually minimizes the gap from stock. I also run a 265/35 on the oem 437 wheel (RE-71R) and that wider/taller profile tire also helps the gap from oem a bit.

Lastly, thanks for sharing the photos here. I hope the car gives all you ask from it in your ownership. Stay safe.

[CachacoF80]

Originally Posted by 818M3

Nice color combo. SMB will never get old

Thanks, agree with that!

[CachacoF80]

Originally Posted by RowanBuds

First, congratulations, I am happy to hear you've improved to the point you could do this, now keep up the progress!!

Next, absolutely perfect spec.

Then, great call doing final production, individual, euro delivery, manual. If/when you decide to move on, resale should treat you well.

Some replies;

seats; give it 2-3,000 more miles. They'll loosen up and mold to you more comfortably. At least my leather non-ZCP seats have.

lip; I ran the mode s1 on factory height and was very happy. I also have driveway concerns for clearance and that lip perfectly suits the car as oem suspension sits. The 20"s show the front gap more than 19, but it's bad either way. A larger rubber profile in front can help as well as offset. I run 275/35/19 up front on a 9.5" ET25 wheel which visually minimizes the gap from stock. I also run a 265/35 on the oem 437 wheel (RE-71R) and that wider/taller profile tire also helps the gap from oem a bit.

Lastly, thanks for sharing the photos here. I hope the car gives all you ask from it in your ownership. Stay safe.

Thanks.
Appreciate the insight on the seats and the lip, will look into it. And I certainly hope resale value will hold a bit.

[IM2C]

[Tommy L Garage]

Love it - 2 miles!!

Happy motoring!

[CachacoF80]

Originally Posted by Tommy L Garage

Love it - 2 miles!!

Happy motoring!

2.4 to be exact! I estimated based on the trip odometer which showed full decimals. I was expecting 5 or so. And the car was parked for a couple of months waiting for pick up...no joyrides it seems!

[bmxcamel]

I believe we met briefly in the Welt parking garage right after you took delivery. I was in a black M2, just finishing my ED. It looks like you had a great trip! Hope to see your car around the area

[saveywil1]

Congrats on an awesome colour combination.

[CachacoF80]

Originally Posted by bmxcamel

I believe we met briefly in the Welt parking garage right after you took delivery. I was in a black M2, just finishing my ED. It looks like you had a great trip! Hope to see your car around the area

Hi! I certainly remember, glad you reached out. Your M2 looked so badass! Let's certainly organize a few drives and maybe go to Sonoma speedway, etc.

PM me your details.

[geroz1]

Congratulations!!

[itachi_d]

Congrats on a lovely car!!!

[GOLFFRR]

nice color combo, congrats

[325iExecutive]

Congrats on the car

[shay2nak]

Congrats! Shame you had to sell the Elise. Were you on LotusTalk?

[CarbonFiberCo]

Congrats! Love the color combo

[HRE_Wheels]

Perfect combination!! Congratulations!

[CachacoF80]

Some additional pics form the Welt and Ring. That mandarin color was beautiful.

[CachacoF80]

Originally Posted by shay2nak

Congrats! Shame you had to sell the Elise. Were you on LotusTalk?

I was indeed. Not too active though. That car was unreal, the steering and the handling. Not too practical though. I hope they launch new realistic models under Geely ownership. Perfect track cars!