New M3/M4 reviews are out, thoughts?

[ChrisF]

Back in Jan when I bought my E92, I thought very seriously about the F80 and M235. The F80 would probably have been 80K spec'd out and the M235 I found out only comes with a slushbox (no DCT). For $50K, I wound up with an amazing car, with 3+ years of warranty that I think has a lot more character than any car with electric steering and a boosted 6. I love my E92. Only car that I might consider to replace it would be an M2, provided it has a great motor, DCT and doesn't go into limp mode on lap #3 at the track

[redpriest]

M4 convertible will probably be in the running when it comes time for me to replace my current convertible in a year or two, and I'll run that along side my E92 M3.

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by Prowess Symphony

A used GTR is similar in price range and being that kids are far off in my future I don't consider not having a backseat as a bad thing. The M3/M4 is probably going to turn out to be a great overall package as it always is but I don't want a great overall package I want a pure sports car which BMW doesn't currently offer. And as a BMW and M fan I'd like my sports car needs to be filled by BMW but they are stuck making grand tourers. Is it too much to want a car from BMW that competes with the 911, GTR, Stingray, etc and hauling around a bunch of kids/groceries isn't a factor in it's construction? The M3/M4 is the minivans of sports cars. Still gonna be my next car most likely! I just wanted something visceral and more of a pure sports car.

Right so the M3/4 isn't targeted to you. Why compromise and buy one anyways? There are so many better sports cars out there. Life is too short to just keep driving M3's if there are other cars that would satisfy your needs/wants better. I feel like a lot of people here keep buying M3's mainly for the community...which I suppose can be a valid reason too?

[325rider]

Originally Posted by fuddman

The reviews I've read are positive and the car is being well received. From the comments, the car is stacking up to be what BMW has said it would be - the most track ready M car they've ever built. But these are only the first test. There are more to come and, to me, the most important is it's earned reputation. That's going to take awhile.
One reviewer noted the car was a good successor to the E9x Ms. To me, that conclusion is a very premature. Through repeated testing over the years, the E9X M cars have earned a strong and enviable reputation. Looking back, it seems to me, many cars have attempted to make a public impression by comparing their performance against the E9X. Even after the 6 years of production. Whether the new M cars can withstand the long term testing is an open question, which, when answered, will determine whether or not it is a worthy successor.

well put. The reputation of the e9x M is immense. A lot of great competition and great cars out there and the M is def one of them in all respects

[deletedelete]

Originally Posted by radiantm3

Right so the M3/4 isn't targeted to you. Why compromise and buy one anyways? There are so many better sports cars out there. Life is too short to just keep driving M3's if there are other cars that would satisfy your needs/wants better. I feel like a lot of people here keep buying M3's mainly for the community...which I suppose can be a valid reason too?

Yeah the community is great plus I've watched M Division race on tv for years plus have owned and want to continue to own their cars. I like BMW and M and I don't want to have to go to another brand just to get a pure sports car although I think all generations of M's are sports cars there is just something missing in M Divisions line up. I still have years of track driving before I get close to using all my M3s potential but it would be nice to know that there was a worthy upgrade in the future when I'm ready. There are so many complaints about the M5/M6 and now the reviewers are saying the M3/M4 is cold and not as engaging as previous gens. Is a purpose built M sports car really too much to ask to compete with the ZR1/Z06, Z28, etc? When an M Division cars greatest asset is not the engine or sound but that it's a great grocery getter and good all around car then there is a problem. BMW should make the BMW Performance brand about great overall cars as a middle ground between sport and luxury and have M as real sports cars.

I'm an M fanboy with shirts, hats, keychains, etc and I'm trying to find a e30 to buy so I'm not hating on the M4 I just want M to be able to compete in all areas and maybe the M4 will. It's really too early to tell anything yet.

[M3-S65]

Originally Posted by zamboni

Too early to tell if M3/M4 live up to their expectation.

This...but I want to believe it is a downgrade.
Nonetheless, we own the icon: naturally aspirated going down in history!

[325rider]

Just leaving this here...

[GVIFlyer]

I'll keep my E92 DCT ZCP at least until the LCI M4 comes out (maybe longer, the car still has <5,000 miles on the odo). Then I'll look at the M4, but I will also consider the Audi RS5 and the Mercedes C63 AMG Coupe if they're still sporting V-8s. I like the niche these cars fill.

[briancl]

really liking the headlights on the car as well. wish we had updated halos like on the new bmws.

[Sered]

You mean previews. Every single one of them have given no numbers or anything other than what BMW states. They even state the M3 weighs 80kg less than the E90, which is false, they weigh about the same.

[Alex07M3]

Originally Posted by Prowess Symphony

Yeah the community is great plus I've watched M Division race on tv for years plus have owned and want to continue to own their cars. I like BMW and M and I don't want to have to go to another brand just to get a pure sports car although I think all generations of M's are sports cars there is just something missing in M Divisions line up. I still have years of track driving before I get close to using all my M3s potential but it would be nice to know that there was a worthy upgrade in the future when I'm ready. There are so many complaints about the M5/M6 and now the reviewers are saying the M3/M4 is cold and not as engaging as previous gens. Is a purpose built M sports car really too much to ask to compete with the ZR1/Z06, Z28, etc? When an M Division cars greatest asset is not the engine or sound but that it's a great grocery getter and good all around car then there is a problem. BMW should make the BMW Performance brand about great overall cars as a middle ground between sport and luxury and have M as real sports cars.

I'm an M fanboy with shirts, hats, keychains, etc and I'm trying to find a e30 to buy so I'm not hating on the M4 I just want M to be able to compete in all areas and maybe the M4 will. It's really too early to tell anything yet.

If you really want a sports car with a BMW badge on it, why don't you just build one, budget does'nt seem to be a problem for you!? 20-25k of mods in a used e92 will get you one of the coolest and fastest beast out there! I'm talking about Ohlins, Brembos, ESS, Performance seats, ect... A V8 that revs to +8000rpm is a keeper!

[Hyperjack]

Originally Posted by 325rider

Just leaving this here...

it's a nice looking car. i like the lower, wider look of the new M3/M4.

but, from just a body design standpoint, i think they dropped the ball on the way the hood, front and rear bumpers look.

overly complicated, with multiple angles that i think fight a strong shape. and the new power dome looks emaciated.

in these areas, the E9X still comes out on top comparatively.

[325rider]

Originally Posted by Hyperjack

it's a nice looking car. i like the lower, wider look of the new M3/M4.

but, from just a body design standpoint, i think they dropped the ball on the way the hood, front and rear bumpers look.

overly complicated, with multiple angles that i think fight a strong shape. and the new power dome looks emaciated.

in these areas, the E9X still comes out on top comparatively.

While I agree, I don't think the front and rear bumpers look any less attractive than the e90 bumpers. I like both, but some may like the new overstated over engineered look as it is more flashy and more at the forefront of M "looks".


Kinda like saying I like the simple flares and bumpers on the e30m, the e90m lost it so I prefer the e30….

Designs evolve…. They look dope but are a bit flashy

[Hyperjack]

Originally Posted by 325rider

While I agree, I don't think the front and rear bumpers look any less attractive than the e90 bumpers. I like both, but some may like the new overstated over engineered look as it is more flashy and more at the forefront of M "looks".


Kinda like saying I like the simple flares and bumpers on the e30m, the e90m lost it so I prefer the e30….

Designs evolve…. They look dope but are a bit flashy

i get liking the "over engineered" or "flashy" look of the front and rear bumpers...but they don't flow with the design of the rest of the car as well as the E9x's bumpers do.

while aesthetics are subjective, i do believe this point is not.

[Hyperjack]

i don't think the E30 or the E36 are particularly good looking cars. my respect for them comes from more of what they can do. i think most people feel that way about those designs. yeah, there are elements that they both have that are attractive....but no one can deny that there are better looking cars out there.

the E46, IMO, is where BMW first excelled with it's design....body wise.

the E9X, is where BMW made the M3 became that much better looking.

the E9X is far from perfect , looks wise....but it'd design undeniably flows better from it's nose to it's tail end better than the new M3/M4.

again, i'm only taking about looks here.

and that goes to you E30 and E36 fans out there, too!

[CSanto]

Originally Posted by radiantm3

The GTR is not a good daily driver at all by definition (not to mention it's about $30-40g more). The Stingray only has 2 seats which is a no-go for many, and none of those cars you mentioned have the fit and finish of the M3/4. It's always going to be about the whole package when purchasing a car and The M3 has always been a great overall package.

I priced an M4 with ceramics and it was 85. 2014 GTRs are going for 89-90 NEW.

Dealers cant get rid of these things. I found a dealer in NY giving 10% off GTRs right off the bat!. so the new 2015 GTR stickers at like 107. So thats 96 with no negotiation.

They are closer than it seems. 96 vs 76-80 is still a big jump though.

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by CSanto

I priced an M4 with ceramics and it was 85. 2014 GTRs are going for 89-90 NEW.

Dealers cant get rid of these things. I found a dealer in NY giving 10% off GTRs right off the bat!. so the new 2015 GTR stickers at like 107. So thats 96 with no negotiation.

They are closer than it seems. 96 vs 76-80 is still a big jump though.

Wow different markets I guess. Around here they start at around $110k (always a black edition) and I never see any in the lots.

[M3-S65]

Just watched the video...
Sounds great, 0-60 in what? under 4 seconds? .....I hate it.
Defending my purchase: The hood,...the "powerdome" looks weak, what? no air apertures? ...not even the fake one that offers optical symmetry?? WTF...

[Hyperjack]

Originally Posted by M3-S65

Just watched the video...
..... no air apertures? ...not even the fake one that offers optical symmetry?? WTF...

air apertures ...are those the hood vents? if so, i agree. those offer an aggressive look to our E9Xs that i really like.

[dreamspeed]

I've found non comparison reviews to be pretty weak since it's not being "compared" to anything. The next gen C63 and RS5 aren't out yet so it'll be awhile before we find out if the M4 is still king of the hill

[nagisak31]

Liking the E92 better right now. But I can be convinced otherwise

[FormulaMMM]

Sutcliffe full of praise but doesn't love the engine. See ~5:07.