[PA11L JJ]

Hi all.

So I’ve finally collected my new F80 M3 in Yas Marina Blue and thought I’d pop the post on here as the M3/M4 forum is pretty quiet and I know there are a few people on here looking at the 'man maths' for one of these.
My 3 previous cars have been an E92 M3, F30 335d and F20 M135i so any comparisments are made against these but don’t expect any references to torque curves, over steer etc , this is just a personal opinion of what I think of the car.

Spec:
• Yas Marina Blue
• Black Merino Leather
• Aluminium Blade Interior with Black Chrome Trim
• DCT
• Pro Navigation
• 19 Style 437M Black Wheels PSS Tyres
• Adaptive Xenon Lights with HBA
• Head Up Display
• HK Sound System
• Speed Limit Display
• Adaptive M Sport Suspension
• Electric Seats with Memory
• Power Fold Mirrors
• Heated Front and Rear Seats
• Heated Steering Wheel

Deal:

Like many I’ve been waiting for the discounts to start and managed a decent negotiation with Lloyds in Newcastle. Received a 9% discount and big over allowance on the M135i.

Engine:

Expectations were high having come from the brilliant 335d and the equally as good M135i engines. The S55 just takes it up to the next level, it is ferociously quick. The 1200 miles service has been done so I can now unleash the full rev spectrum and it doesn’t disappoint, this is a very very quick car. The turbo whine is loud and I wasn’t keen on it at first but starting to enjoy it more now, it is massively louder than the M135i turbo.

Gearbox:

This is my first time in a DCT having had the manual version in the E92 M3 and ZF’s in the 335d and M135i. It felt a bit quirky at first with it not being a fully semi-automatic gearbox and having to give the accelerator a quick push to engage the clutch to start the car rolling but it didn’t take long to get used to this. S1 setting is smooth and you can barely feel the gear changes. Take it up to S3 and push the car up the rev range and the only way to describe it is that it feels like the gears are being slammed into place with a rather large hammer, you get a massive kick when up shifting which really does throw you back into your seat. I unashamedly love this feeling!

Steering/Handling/Suspension:

The car turns in brilliantly with pin point accuracy but still lacks a little feedback compared to the E92 M3. Comfort mode is as you expect; comfortable, Sport and Sport+ tighten everything up but are not too harsh that you can’t use for everyday driving, however the steering is a bit heavy in Sport+.

For me, these three are the big differences between a full on M car and the likes of the M135i and 335d, I’ve got so much more confidence when ‘chucking’ it into a corner or bend!

Exhaust/Noise:

I've read lots of comments on how crap it sounds and the E92 sounded much better, it’s not a V8 so is never going to sound like a V8, why make the comparison?? Personally I think it sounds great. Very loud on cold start (especially if you’ve done the actuator mod), nice burbles on the down shift and mightily loud when your pushing it, also it doesn’t sound artificial to me. I did listen to an M4 with the MPE fitted last week and could be very tempted; the carbon tips were very nice too!

Looks:

Speak for themselves really. I needed the 5 seats so the M4 wasn’t an option however I do prefer the look of the M3, the wheel arches make it look a bit more menacing than the M4 in my opinion. (The M4 I saw with the MPE fitted also had the M Performance body kit and this really made it look…….wow!)

HUD:

Still getting used to having this and still using the normal dials most of the time. It’s great when you’re using the nav but the M head up display setting (displays the rev counter) is a bit cheesy for me.

HK:

Good system in my opinion but still spending most of the time listening to the car rather than the ‘choons’.

Miscellaneous Spec:

Adaptive lights with HBA, which I had on the previous cars, are simply magic. Heated rear seats will keep all 3 kids happy in the winter and the heated steering wheel will keep me happy. Speed limit display is actually rather handy and helps in this day and age with the ever changing speed limits when you least expect them to change. Pro Nav as always is great. I was a tad worried about the comfort of the new style M seats but they are just as comfortable as the sport seats in the other cars.

Conclusion:

Quite simply this car is phenomenal.

Is it worth £20-£25k more than a 335d or M135i? I’d have to say it just about is. The M135i and 335d are great cars and I’d be more than happy to be back in either but as you’d expect the M car just takes it that couple of steps further.

Paul.

[PA11L JJ]

Now for the porn:

[Nick the Greek]

Nicely

[polished123]

That's dam right naughty! Lovely car and great spec! Enjoy..

[rocketretro]

I wish these very informative, well written, practical views would stop. I can't take it any more, have decided on an M3 next year, as opposed to getting the M2 which I have provisionally shown an interest. It's the 4 doors and the styling which do it for me over the coupe's. Enjoy your car Paul.

[Observer1122]

Great car mate enjoy. Did you get a good deal on purchase price?

[simon.]

Originally Posted by Observer1122

Great car mate enjoy. Did you get a good deal on purchase price?

Not living up to your name eh? Did you read his post?

Deal:

Like many I’ve been waiting for the discounts to start and managed a decent negotiation with Lloyds in Newcastle. Received a 9% discount and big over allowance on the M135i.

Nice car, love the colour although not sure I'd be brave enough to spec it. You are right about the M3 looking so much more menacing than the M4. It has real wow on the road.

[335i nthehouse]

That my friend, is a lovely looking motor.

Well done.

[Chompers]

I like that, very much enjoy

[ajfoggy]

[roshambo]

What. A. Beauty.

[d4springer]

Excellent, looks the dogs dangle berries, next year for me I think

[FRG]

Beautiful Paul. Great review. Although I love the 335d I know in a year I will be trading it in for one of these (if they've dropped to £40k that is), they look superb.

[Lorcan]

Well played sir

Let me know if you'd like to make it look nicer, handle better or go faster

[simon.]

Originally Posted by Lorcan

Well played sir

Let me know if you'd like to make it look nicer, handle better or go faster

Avoid the ACS wheels then, eh Lorcan

[LordNathanD]

very tasty indeed!

[Hayes21890]

That color is hnnnng!

[teaston]

Well Jel as the retards on TOWIE would say!

[Lorcan]

Originally Posted by simon.

Avoid the ACS wheels then, eh Lorcan

Matter of opinion...

[davybull]

Want one!!

[Kal101]

Gorgeous.

Now pass the Kleenex !!!!!!!

[dopper99]

That car looks awesome!

On the subject of the M3, just came across this post. Apparently an M3/M4 replacement battery is £748!!!!!!!!!!

Because its lithium........

http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?t=129519