E92 M3 vs. i8

[CravingBavaria]

I tried searching for a thread, but couldn't find anything.

I know some people that think the i8 smacks the E92, but I couldn't find anything on it.

Has anyone seen a comparison on the drag strip or track? If anything, I would think the i8 would be faster in a drag race, but I have my doubts it would walk away from the E92 on the track.

[roastbeef]

its pretty much garbage. there was one at a sonoma track day a few years back and it was shit. ok in the straights, but cornered terribly and was just in the way.

[CravingBavaria]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

its pretty much garbage. there was one at a sonoma track day a few years back and it was shit. ok in the straights, but cornered terribly and was just in the way.

I always considered the i8 to be the car for those non-enthusiasts that think a price tag justifies performance. Glad to know they're as shitty as I hoped.

[14_deltaM3]

They’re relatively unique and interesting cars. Definitely not the same mission or type of car as an M3.

[mapster37]

IMO, the i8 looks cool but definitely does not "out perform" and m car. The rear view of the narrow tires is hideous as well...

[BanjoPaterson]

Well - as the lucky owner of both an E92 M3 and BMW i8 I think I can provide some kind of answer.

The i8 is confusing to what it is, and more particularly what it isn't. What it isn't is (as Roast Beef points out) a track monster or, despite its appearance, a supercar like a Lamborghini or McLaren. What it is, though, is a tour-de-force in looks and technology. It's also a very capable GT, if one uses the back seats to house onboard luggage style bags. I've driven a number of miles across Australia in mine and, in comfort mode, it's more relaxing than my E92 M3 which, even with EDC in comfort, can be jarring.

The i8 is more a work of art. It has some performance: 0-62mph in 4.4 seconds isn't too shabby and, as Roastie points out, it's capable enough in straight line performance. But its true top speed is about 155mph - not much more - unlike the E92 M3 which gets more.

The i8 has a low centre of gravity, but its stupidly thin tyres make it understeer at the limit, and the steering is as numb as sleeping on your arm.

But as a good looking, albeit expensive, GT with limited luggage space, the i8 is perfectly fine.

The M3, on the other hand, is a driver's car. I can't emphasise this enough. The M3's steering is communicative and involving, and the sound of that V8 engine... oh, Mozart never wrote a symphony as sweet.

So different cars for different purposes. One thing the i8 has cured me of, though, is that fantasy of buying a Ferrari [McLaren/Porsche 911 GT2RS etc.] should my powerball numbers come in. They only sold 155 i8s in Australia, and it still gets attention -- both good and bad -- and, as a driver, I hate that. I love the way the E92 M3 slides through the traffic.

But - and here's the funny thing - I love both cars. Different reasons... I love the i8's aesthetics, which makes it more like mobile art than a car, and its GT qualities; and I love the M3's driving experience, which always reminds me why I love driving in the first place, and its visceral experience.

I'm fortunate enough to have both, but if I had to keep one, it'd probably be the M3. My wife would choose the i8. Ah, well.

A picture of both: the i8 from a drive down to the coast with the BMW club; and the M3 from my annual journey from Canberra to Brisbane and back (the picture is the Windmill Motel at Coffs Harbour)

[SAMM3Y]

@BanjoPaterson I enjoyed that! Cheers

[CravingBavaria]

Thanks for the post Banjo! Great input. Seeing the i8 from an enthusiast point of view is much different and I haven't really seen it that way. The i8 owners I have met don't understand the visceral experience of driving an E9X, and are the same people that argue that Tesla's are better than any other car because they will beat you in a 0-60

[GeorgeA]

I raced one 2 weeks ago and was head to head up until around 150mph, then the M3 pulled. My car is tuned with test pipes, the i8 was stock. We ran it many times and it was the most even race I've had.

[TrAcK TRaP]

Originally Posted by GeorgeA

I raced one 2 weeks ago and was head to head up until around 150mph, then the M3 pulled. My car is tuned with test pipes, the i8 was stock. We ran it many times and it was the most even race I've had.

Do until 200 mph next time..

[GeorgeA]

Originally Posted by TrAcK TRaP

Do until 200 mph next time..

M3 will take it at that speed, granted I've only managed to go 192mph in mine

[BanjoPaterson]

Originally Posted by CravingBavaria

Thanks for the post Banjo! Great input. Seeing the i8 from an enthusiast point of view is much different and I haven't really seen it that way. The i8 owners I have met don't understand the visceral experience of driving an E9X, and are the same people that argue that Tesla's are better than any other car because they will beat you in a 0-60

It's funny, but less speed and more control is what I'm considering these days. I've been looking at prices of manual, late model E46 M3s. Slower straight line speed, but people I respect tell me it's a blast around a track. The thing is, I'm not Schumacher so the 911 GT2RS would be wasted on me.

.... an E46 M3, well...

[BanjoPaterson]

Originally Posted by GeorgeA

I raced one 2 weeks ago and was head to head up until around 150mph, then the M3 pulled. My car is tuned with test pipes, the i8 was stock. We ran it many times and it was the most even race I've had.

Interesting. The i8 isn't bad as a responsive car, but my M3 gives me more confidence. I've not taken the i8 to a track (insurance and warranty), and I think it'd be capable without being outstanding. Whereas, when I've taken my M3 to the skid pan, the level of feedback and control is next level. It even makes me look like a good driver.

i8 has a low centre of gravity, but the tyres are too thin for on the edge control.

Going for another Canberra BMW drive tomorrow, so will post a picture (unless I hit a roo...)

[br2wdc]

Great post, and it's hard to classify the i8 given it has so many capabilities: I would argue it's a an attempt to cross breed a McLaren with a Tesla, and while it does not have the best capabilities of either car, the mix proves to be difficult to beat as a GT/"super" commuter.

From my research it appears to be an excellent long range GT, eating up the miles effortlessly and driving all day becomes a pleasure and not a chore. But when combined with the ability to go all electric for 20-25 miles, you now have the ultimate short range "super" commuter car!

The interesting question for those of us in the USA is the prices of used i8 have come down to $70k range, with some as low as $57k.

I concur that our E9x M3's are the ultimate "drivers" cars, so I'm not suggesting anyone run out and buy a used i8 over an E9x M3; but that I can even put them in the same sentence from a price perspective is hard to imagine!

Originally Posted by BanjoPaterson

But as a good looking, albeit expensive, GT with limited luggage space, the i8 is perfectly fine.

[TrAcK TRaP]

Originally Posted by GeorgeA

M3 will take it at that speed, granted I've only managed to go 192mph in mine

Stock m3 (E9X) cant do 200 mph you are dreaming..

[GeorgeA]

Originally Posted by BanjoPaterson

Interesting. The i8 isn't bad as a responsive car, but my M3 gives me more confidence. I've not taken the i8 to a track (insurance and warranty), and I think it'd be capable without being outstanding. Whereas, when I've taken my M3 to the skid pan, the level of feedback and control is next level. It even makes me look like a good driver.

i8 has a low centre of gravity, but the tyres are too thin for on the edge control.

Going for another Canberra BMW drive tomorrow, so will post a picture (unless I hit a roo...)

Yea the M3 is a precise instrument. I’m sure the i8 will hold its own too on the track.

[GeorgeA]

Originally Posted by TrAcK TRaP

Stock m3 (E9X) cant do 200 mph you are dreaming..

I agree, mines not stock and couldn’t do it. Not sure why you thought I said it can..

[roastbeef]

start this vid at 12:30 and you can see an i8 get light at the crest of a turn and almost drift off the track twice.

[pbonsalb]

I8 is pretty good for older hybrid electric and they look cool. Running with an old E9x M3 to 150 is great for that era of hybrid electric tech.

[BanjoPaterson]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

start this vid at 12:30 and you can see an i8 get light at the crest of a turn and almost drift off the track twice.

Good video and pretty much as I expected. It's not to say the i8's slow, say, like a Prius, but that's goal isn't the same as that of, say, a BMW M3.

Now, if BMW had made an i8-M... well, now that would be something else.

[GeorgeA]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

start this vid at 12:30 and you can see an i8 get light at the crest of a turn and almost drift off the track twice.

The issue with track days is the driver. It varies SO much. The i8 in more capable hands could have had different results. And let’s be honest, most drivers aren’t exactly great during these events.

[roastbeef]

Originally Posted by GeorgeA

The issue with track days is the driver. It varies SO much. The i8 in more capable hands could have had different results. And let’s be honest, most drivers aren’t exactly great during these events.

i agree. i think that car is always going to tend to understeer no matter who is driving it though. i'm only guessing how the car handles because i don't have any experience driving one. the i8 was out of it's element is all i was trying to say.