[stefan]

Originally Posted by M3 Number 86

For reference, my friend, the owner of the M2 who graciously let me take it out did a 1:54:8x at buttonwillow that same day in >100F so it's a pretty capable car overall. His car is equipped with JRZ, Akrapovic, BBS FI on pirelli scrubs and upgraded Alcon rotors. So I would say better suited for the track than stock for sure. I've done a 1:54.7x in my car at the same track.

I've never understood what people meant by numb steering until I drove the Fxx cars (M2/M4). The shifter felt misplaced and was very spongy. My other complaints could apply to turbo cars in general. The throttle control and power delivery were a bit strange. On upshifts there was a weird sensation of either boost cut or something done electronically to maybe deliver torque linearly? Does that make sense? I can't really explain it other than the fact that it wasn't, full power on full throttle. It didn't feel natural. It shouldn't feel different on upshifts at redline whether it's a turbo or not, right? There was some power dampening going on of some sorts. It was at this point I realized this car is probably better suited with DCT, which I've driven at Thermal (lucky for me it was pouring that day so there was all kinds of slides and yelling at my ear through the walkie talkie ). I was surprised that a DCT car would feel better than a manual car, not in terms of speed and ease of driving, but for the feeeeelz.

Handling, speed, and braking power is awesome. Overall a very very capable car. I just didn't like the feels - gimmicky power delivery, mushy shifter, mushy throttle, etc for me as the driver.

I guess you really can't stop the modernization of cars whether we like it or not. Even my e90 felt more connected even though it definitely not known to be a "connected to the driver" car already. It has to be capable as well as comfortable for those who aren't ever going to push it to the limits so there's nothing we could do there really.

I also drove the M4 that day and the power delivery was a bit better, felt natural, etc. But the pedal just seemed so mushy (not the pedal itself but the reaction of the car). I turned in for a 90 degree turn and it did a uturn on me! LOL. Far better turn in than e90 but again, it was just the feels I didn't like.

I also drove a Z4MC and dang, that thing felt so good. I guess I'm getting old?

Feel the same about the power delivery but I had this issue on the M4. Felt like a poorly tuned 335. I wonder if fmic and tune would solve.