Car and Driver is, "Not crazy about the new M3."

[Ezio]

Originally Posted by Powerslide

Could not disagree more with the above points. F8x has lots of soul. Will most people think the E9x has better sound? Yes. But the interior of the F8x is much nicer looking, looks and feels higher quality, and the tech is light years beyond.

Steering? This has been way overblown. Like Chris Harris said in his review - barely perceptible change in steering feel - and BTW - the new steering is definitely more precise.

As to "why BMW did not just put a small turbo on the S65 and tune for better MPG's?" I don't know - I'm not an engineer. Are you?

As a former E9x owner - I absolutely adored that car - still do even though I don't have it anymore. But this overblown, F8x has no soul is utter nonsense. Notwithstanding whatever negative comments the F8x has received in the automotive press - don't forget that at least a couple of magazines have even proclaimed the F8x as "the best M product in years."

Oh - and fun to drive? Hell yes - anyone who thinks the F8x is "numb" or "has no soul" ought to take one to the track and I guarantee you that you will not feel that way anymore... The E9x was an incredibly fun car - but so is the F8x...

I wont debate which are car is more fun, or about steering feel. IMO the F80 hits me the right way, beside the engine sound.

I do think the F80 has more tech in the interior. but after sitting in F80s and F30s. I without a doubt per a fully loaded E92 interior. putting aside the quality, i really hate the new layouts of a lot of German cars. I think free standing navigation screens do not look good. The new Idrive button is bigger, and off to the side more. the F80 keys are to big also. E90 keys were perfect IMO

The F80`s cluster gauges are also kind of boring looking. the F80 seats do look nice though. overall though when people say its a huge upgrade from the E90 interior, they must have been driving a base M3 with the wrong trim or something.

At the end of the day the F80 is still a nice car. If it had a different engine, active sound, the interior, the hood line, the keys, ETC would not stop me from buying the car.

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by Ezio

overall though when people say its a huge upgrade from the E90 interior, they must have been driving a base M3 with the wrong trim or something.[/B]

You also may have been in the F8X with the wrong trim also. The reason the iDrive knob is bigger is that it has a touch pad in the center.

F8X vs E9X

[Ezio]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

You also may have been in the F8X with the wrong trim also. The reason the iDrive knob is bigger is that it has a touch pad in the center.

F8X vs E9X
Attachment 1131789

ya and the touch pad is barely used.

I am telling you i prefer the E9x M3 interior more. pictures cannot express it. again its not a quality thing, its the layout. In any car i prefer the nav screen to be more built in. Even friends agree with me on this. The E9x interior is luxury, and simple. everything is balanced.

but like i said, i would still buy the F80 regardless

[Ezio]

i love the 911 interior a lot. this is the way the a nav screen should look.

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by Ezio

i love the 911 interior a lot. this is the way the a nav screen should look.

Yes, that looks nice, but you have to look down to see the nav screen - taking your eyes off the road. The F8x screen is much better placed to avoid looking away from the road. Not as pretty, but more functional. JMHO.

[FogCityM3]

Interior wise it's almost like BMW went to two extremes… spartan and flat (E90) vs complicated and overwrought (F80). I much prefer the double-hump NAV screen in the E90, as the hump acts as a "reflection" to the hood hump as an artistic statement. The F80 screen though is much easier to read while you're driving. Either way, interior is not a deal killer to most. Though usually over time, simple tends to age better. I love the way the E46 interior is..has really stood the test of time.

[Ezio]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

Yes, that looks nice, but you have to look down to see the nav screen - taking your eyes off the road. The F8x screen is much better placed to avoid looking away from the road. Not as pretty, but more functional. JMHO.

you are probably right on that part.

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by FogCityM3

I love the way the E46 interior is..has really stood the test of time.

I really liked my E46 M3 interior also, but I personally like my M4 interior much better. Again, just MHO.

[Rupes]

Originally Posted by Powerslide

OK - let's get some more facts down here...

The S55 is largely based upon the N55 - true.

HOWEVER, the differences are much greater than anyone on these E9x forums is willing to admit. Differences include:

1) Revision of cylinder head gasket allowing for higher coolant flow rate;
2) totally new closed deck design crankcase vs. N55;
3) crankshaft new design and 4 lbs lighter than N55's crankshaft;
4) piston and wrist pins entirely new design vs. N55;
5) cylinder walls LDS arc-spray coated instead of cylinder liners on N55 - also resulting in 5 lb. weight savings vs. corresponding components on N55;
6) two monoscroll turbochargers vs. one turbocharger on N55;
7) new air intake duct vs. N55;
8) new exhaust system vs. N55
9) new heat shields vs. N55
10) new high pressure double pump vs. N55
11) new cooling system vs. N55

I don't get the defensive statements on the engine and how unique it is. From BMW: "The S55 borrows 75% of its parts from the N55." Listing out the 25% of parts not shared with the N55 does not change that fact. Also according to BMW - The e9x M was 80% new parts compared to the series car while the F8x is 50% new parts compared to the series car.

This doesn't make the new car suck. It just makes it more like the series car than the previous generation.

[G80indy]

Love my e46 interior but e92 is step up. E46 is about 3200 lbs but feels like quality.
When I close the door on the M3 it is like a bank vault. So solid.
More importantly I feel safe in that 3575 lb car

[Powerslide]

Originally Posted by Rupes

I don't get the defensive statements on the engine and how unique it is. From BMW: "The S55 borrows 75% of its parts from the N55." Listing out the 25% of parts not shared with the N55 does not change that fact. Also according to BMW - The e9x M was 80% new parts compared to the series car while the F8x is 50% new parts compared to the series car.

This doesn't make the new car suck. It just makes it more like the series car than the previous generation.

So wait - I'm just stating facts and that's defensive? Please explain...

[Powerslide]

Oh - and BTW - I recognized in my original post that the S65 was much more unique compared to a "series" engine than the S55... I was simply illustrating that calling the S55 a "tuned" N55 was not factually correct.

[modkrazy]

Originally Posted by FogCityM3

Interior wise it's almost like BMW went to two extremes… spartan and flat (E90) vs complicated and overwrought (F80).

"Complicated and overwrought" describes their design language for the exterior, too.

[Alex07M3]

Originally Posted by modkrazy

"Complicated and overwrought" describes their design language for the exterior, too.

I share your view on this, the design is a bit too over the top for my taste, mostly front and rear bumpers! A sleeker design a la 2016 C63 is more to my taste, except it's missing some fenders!!

[Ezio]

Originally Posted by Alex07M3

I share your view on this, the design is a bit too over the top for my taste, mostly front and rear bumpers! A sleeker design a la 2016 C63 is more to my taste, except it's missing some fenders!!

the missing fenders are beyond annoying.

[Alex07M3]

Originally Posted by Ezio

the missing fenders are beyond annoying.

I still have my fingers crossed for the coupe!!

[soberin]

Originally Posted by Powerslide

Could not disagree more with the above points. F8x has lots of soul. Will most people think the E9x has better sound? Yes. But the interior of the F8x is much nicer looking, looks and feels higher quality, and the tech is light years beyond.

Steering? This has been way overblown. Like Chris Harris said in his review - barely perceptible change in steering feel - and BTW - the new steering is definitely more precise.

As to "why BMW did not just put a small turbo on the S65 and tune for better MPG's?" I don't know - I'm not an engineer. Are you?

As a former E9x owner - I absolutely adored that car - still do even though I don't have it anymore. But this overblown, F8x has no soul is utter nonsense. Notwithstanding whatever negative comments the F8x has received in the automotive press - don't forget that at least a couple of magazines have even proclaimed the F8x as "the best M product in years."

Oh - and fun to drive? Hell yes - anyone who thinks the F8x is "numb" or "has no soul" ought to take one to the track and I guarantee you that you will not feel that way anymore... The E9x was an incredibly fun car - but so is the F8x...

Did three test drives in F80. The steering feedback and feel is a mess. There is no way BMW got this EPS correct. Not close to my E90.

C&D, R&T, EVO etc all agree, as have many on this forum. It may not bother some folks as much as me, but I would much prefer to have better feedback and feel than the extra HP and torque.

[TrevorM3]

all this arguing over subjective shit.


nice.

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by TrevorM3

all this arguing over subjective shit.


nice.

Agreed let's get back to fighting over football.

[TrevorM3]

in all seriousness though, in post 178.. all i can see that is drastically different in the interior is bmw putting clearcoat on those trim pieces. lmao


nice upgrade bmw

[Eau Rouge]

Originally Posted by TrevorM3

in all seriousness though, in post 178.. all i can see that is drastically different in the interior is bmw putting clearcoat on those trim pieces. lmao


nice upgrade bmw

Some folks like pieces that glint in sunlight while others do not. My preference has always been for and interior graced with non reflective surfaces. ymmv Audi and MB do the best job, IMO, of appointing interiors if that's what it takes to seal the deal; which it doesn't for many including myself.

[TrevorM3]

Originally Posted by Eau Rouge

Some folks like pieces that glint in sunlight while others do not. My preference has always been for and interior graced with non reflective surfaces. ymmv Audi and MB do the best job, IMO, of appointing interiors if that's what it takes to seal the deal; which it doesn't for many including myself.

I personally like the m4. But not with that horrid sounding motor.

Bmw should take notes on how to make a FI motor sound good from MB.