Manual F80 BMW M3 Test Drive: Walked Away Surprised

[A4Ultrasport]

Hi All - had the opportunity to take a manual 2017 F80 BMW M3 (Competition Package) for a test drive this weekend, and wanted to share my impressions. Overall, I was expecting the car to be incredible, and while it was good, I walked away somewhat disappointed. For context, I am currently daily driving a 2012 B8 S4.

My biggest surprise was the turbo lag. This car couldn't be more different (at least in manual form) than my S4. Punch the gas anywhere below 2200RPM, and it just sits and waits for the turbos to spool, whereas in my S4, it feels like I'm driving a big displacement V8 - instant torque and power whenever the pedal goes down. Once the turbos come on, however, the M3 is very strong, especially at highway speeds. There's no doubt its a faster car on the highway (and also around town), but around town it didn't seem that the power was nearly as accessible as it is on my S4. I also found the suspension and handling to be somewhat off-putting. I have no better way to describe it, other than to say the car felt somewhat unsettled, which I wasn't expecting. At the same time, it felt much more heavily engineered than my S4, so I have no doubt its a vastly superior suspension set up on the track. For every day driving though, the car just didn't feel very sorted out. I had read several negative reviews of the M3's sound, especially under hard acceleration, but I had no issues with this whatsoever ... I thought it sounded great. I also can't get over how much better the M3 clutch felt compared to my S4 ... wow! The shift action on the M3 was undoubtedly better too ... no doubt BMW still knows how to design and execute a GREAT manual transmission. Finally, I walked away impressed with the M3's interior (this one had full leather package). Overall though, I feel the B8/B8.5 platform is aging much more gracefully than the F30/F80 platform from a design perspective, and ultimately, I think there's a certain degree of elegance/class in my S4's interior design that's definitely lacking in the M3.

My experience makes me wonder if perhaps the DCT really is the way to go on this car, as it may eliminate some of the turbo lag I experienced. There's still a decent chance this will be my next car, as there's not much else out there (new S4 included) that currently peaks my interest besides the M3. If only the RS3 had more interior room.

Curious to get others' opinions on comparing these two cars back to back ...

[scmtkings4]

I've never driven the M3 but aren't they supposed to make peak torque at around 1800rpm or so? So theoretically speaking torque should kick in pretty early on?

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[Xplycko]

Motor Trend dogged the new M3. They went so far as to state the regular m3 was inferior to all of its German counterparts in the same niche. They also drove the Comp pack and said it was a normal M3 or the way it should have came. I wouldn't be so quick to judge its superior to your car. The CTS V destroyed the M3 comp pack car on track as well. I came from M cars and they are outstanding. But IMO they are getting farther away from where they were 10 years ago.

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[Turtle]

I test drove a M3 with the DSG. I know what the OP means about the low end on the M3. I had a B8.5 S4 and it felt better down low and in traffic. Something about the M3... I don't think I like it. Granted, the test drive was nothing spectacular. I'm thinking maybe that kind of car would need much more driving to get to like it. On paper, it seems like my kind of car. And I am still hoping to be able to afford one in a couple years when the prices come down a bit. I am hoping that the dismal reviews that the F80 has gotten will make the cars depreciate a bit quicker , but being a BMW M-car, I doubt it.

[A4Ultrasport]

Maybe the AMG C63 is the way to go ...? Snatch up one of the last great V8s.

[PopTart]

Maybe the AMG C63 is the way to go ...? Snatch up one of the last great V8s.

Terrible Gas Mileage. Great Exhaust.

[Xplycko]

Maybe the AMG C63 is the way to go ...? Snatch up one of the last great V8s.

It's a beautiful car and sounds brilliant. I hate to say it but the Alfa Romeo Giulia has me drooling constantly these days.

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[Turtle]

I know what you mean. When the time comes around, the Quadrifoglio might be the tempting. Although I hear the motor is pretty peaky, and the Alfa is like $10K more than the M3. I look forward to making that desicion.

[Xplycko]

The motor is peaky from what I have heard as well. But every mag or reporter says its thrilling, instead of a v6 it sounds like 2 inline 3's fighting each other. My neighbor has one (not the quad) and the lines are just so clean on that car in person. And the grill is beautiful. I have a grill fetish, lol that's why I love Audi.

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[DGVR6]

Well it sounds like that because that's exactly what it is.. inline 6 with 2 exhaust manifold, 1 per 3 cyl and turbo.
Sounds absolutely horrible lol

[Xplycko]

I think it sounds lovely, but exhaust notes are very different and there are just as many who like or dislike them.

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[Xplycko]

Also wanted to point out it is a v6 not an inline 6. If you were referring to the Alfa

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