[Sarg33]

bri1042,
Congrats on the new car. I always love your post, very well thought out and written. Enjoy the new addition and keep us posted.

[Economatic]

Originally Posted by bri1042

So, I said goodbye and then said hello. I've spent 4 hours with the new car.

I was asked not to post any pictures on social media until tomorrow (yes, I know...every dealership is interpreting the release day rules differently...) and I've certainly taken a bunch of photos this afternoon.

It's going to take a while before I can really put the experience into words, just like it did with the M2C.

For now:

1. 6MT - Heavier clutch than I was expecting, certainly isn't as good as my memory of my RSX-S's shifter and clutch (or ANY of my Hondas and Acuras)...but I've come home. My gods I missed this....I didn't even realize how much.

2. It does not drive like a boat. Nope.

The new car smell has given me a headache...time to let the Advil do its work. :-)

Today is yesterday's tomorrow. Let's see some pictures!

[Steelguin]

Tomorrow's the name we change from yesterday to blame
When the train just don't stop here anymore

Where are the pics???

[bri1042]

It was a busy day! I'm not sure I'm ready to actually give you guys much of a comparison between the two cars yet. I plan on sharing my experiences with you guys more than I do on the M3 forum at the moment.

A couple of quick points:

1. The ride, in any suspension mode, is vastly more comfortable than the M2C. For better or worse. It's still a sporty suspension feel, certainly nothing like my SO's 530e, but much more comfy than the M2C stock.

2. Grip for days even on brand-new (sigh) P-Zero's, but a slight touch more body roll and the go-kart nature of the M2C isn't there. Not surprising considering the size of the car. I need to get used to the car, and let all the bits of it break in before really being able to put the handling of the car into words.

3. Th S58 - I think you could trick someone into thinking it's an NA engine (if they weren't too on the ball). Power build-up is really linear and it's much more manageable from a stop. I need the break-in period done to really evaluate it vs the S55 but so far I really like it. Staying below 5500 RPM's is HARD.

4. After 2 days, iDrive 7 still won't search my USB-held music collection via voice. Something's up with that, and it's annoying. The HK on this car is the BEST sound system I've gotten in a BMW. Significantly improved from the HK that came in my 340...and no comment vs what we got in our M2C's. It's actually good enough that I may not modify it.

5. I'm really rusty with the 6MT. Getting there, though. :-)

[bri1042]

Working through resizing pics to post-able size.

[bri1042]

Probably my favorite side shot I've taken so far. And no, I haven't really taken any snout shots. I may never.

[JustinHEMI]

That color is gorgeous. Hope it's on the G87.

[Bumpinjeep]

Originally Posted by bri1042

5. I'm really rusty with the 6MT. Getting there, though. :-)

Let me know if you need some tips and tricks, I'm one state up, lol.
Now, normally my buddies and I come down to Portland at least twice a year for Blazers/Lakers games but not this year for obvious reasons.

[bri1042]

Originally Posted by Bumpinjeep

Let me know if you need some tips and tricks, I'm one state up, lol.
Now, normally my buddies and I come down to Portland at least twice a year for Blazers/Lakers games but not this year for obvious reasons.

Appreciated, but it's just a question of getting the 25 years of driving a manual to override the auto-instincts from the last 8 years. And getting used to the differences between BMW's manual implementation and Honda/Acrua's stamp on my instincts. My first impression is that BMW should have spent more time in Integras but I'll get over it.

[BigKutta]

Originally Posted by bri1042

Appreciated, but it's just a question of getting the 25 years of driving a manual to override the auto-instincts from the last 8 years. And getting used to the differences between BMW's manual implementation and Honda/Acrua's stamp on my instincts. My first impression is that BMW should have spent more time in Integras but I'll get over it.

Aaah, the Integra. Best MT I ever owned

[AlpsRider]

Originally Posted by bri1042

Appreciated, but it's just a question of getting the 25 years of driving a manual to override the auto-instincts from the last 8 years. And getting used to the differences between BMW's manual implementation and Honda/Acrua's stamp on my instincts. My first impression is that BMW should have spent more time in Integras but I'll get over it.

You should try all the modes Comfort/Sport/Sport Plus. Shifting can be quite different in each mode because of rpm drop rate.

[bri1042]

Originally Posted by AlpsRider

You should try all the modes Comfort/Sport/Sport Plus. Shifting can be quite different in each mode because of rpm drop rate.

Yep, the difference was pretty clear Comfort vs. Sport. I haven't spent much time in Sport+ yet. Yet. :-)

[Davil]

Drove this on Saturday.

It's the auto one with the mega power engine.

Absolutely brilliant car. It glides over the road. Super fast, super accurate steering, video game like. So so much better than the F82.

The auto is pretty good. I shifted in manual mode. More relaxed and fits the car very well.

It is fast as hell. Looks head turningly beautiful.

More Aston Martin GT style than hard core sporty car.

I absolutely love it.

I still prefer the CS, but I reckon 7 out of 10 would prefer this car.

If you are an old BMW fan then the new M4 is the 80s m635 perfected. The M2CS is the e30 M3 perfected.

They are both at the pinnacle of anything BMW has ever produced.

Brilliant car Bri. I think you'll love it.

[veenut28]

Originally Posted by Davil

Drove this on Saturday.

It's the auto one with the mega power engine.

Absolutely brilliant car. It glides over the road. Super fast, super accurate steering, video game like. So so much better than the F82.

The auto is pretty good. I shifted in manual mode. More relaxed and fits the car very well.

It is fast as hell. Looks head turningly beautiful.

More Aston Martin GT style than hard core sporty car.

I absolutely love it.

I still prefer the CS, but I reckon 7 out of 10 would prefer this car.

If you are an old BMW fan then the new M4 is the 80s m635 perfected. The M2CS is the e30 M3 perfected.

They are both at the pinnacle of anything BMW has ever produced.

Brilliant car Bri. I think you'll love it.

The M3 certainly continues the trend of performance cars becoming more GT cruiser than sports car. I think you're right that 7/10 (and that might be conservative) would prefer the M3 to the M2. The M2 in all its iterations has always been a niche car for that demographic that wants that classic "tossable" RWD sports coupe feel.

The M3 is undoubtedly faster and smoother and more comfortable. The tech and the interior are significant upgrades from the F8x cars. They'll be great daily drivers and track monsters. But I know which one I'd want on a twisty back road.

Bri - hope you enjoy the car. I bought my M2C from your same dealership a few months after you and actually messaged you before to get your impressions when I was briefly cross shopping the m240. I went with the M2C and haven't regretted it. I'm planning to drive it until it gives up the ghost, hopefully many years from now.

[bri1042]

"If you are an old BMW fan then the new M4 is the 80s m635 perfected. The M2CS is the e30 M3 perfected.

They are both at the pinnacle of anything BMW has ever produced."

That sums it up very well. I'm deeply glad I got the manual, the added engagement over the ZF8 is making me smile constantly.

I still owe this forum a real comparison, and I may write it this morning as the coffee takes effect. They are different cars, but in regards to BMW "losing their way", I don't agree with that at all. Snout or not, my M3 feels like a BMW. It feels like what I thought an M5 would be like in the 90's. And that's what I bought it to be.

I never thought of my M2C as anything but a modern M3. I've made a comment here and there as everyone hit BMW for making cars bigger regarding the fact that the entire industry did it. The Civic is the same size as an older Accord. A 2 is a 3. Etc...

[KevinM]

Congratulations and welcome back to the MT fold!

[ChrisK]

Originally Posted by BigKutta

Aaah, the Integra. Best MT I ever owned

I bought a civic si back in the day for a daily. That MT was one of the best I have ever driven. I used to get mad when I got into my 135i MT and said, cmon BMW.

[bri1042]

Originally Posted by ChrisK

I bought a civic si back in the day for a daily. That MT was one of the best I have ever driven. I used to get mad when I got into my 135i MT and said, cmon BMW.

I'm pretty glad that I spent a few years hearing everyone talk about the BMW Manual before I pulled the trigger and got one (and I'd test-driven 6MT F80's twice). I knew what to expect. :-) Loving every shift anyway, but the 6MT isn't anywhere near the perfection of the S2k or RSX-S 6MT.

[baege]

Originally Posted by bri1042

It was a busy day! I'm not sure I'm ready to actually give you guys much of a comparison between the two cars yet. I plan on sharing my experiences with you guys more than I do on the M3 forum at the moment.

A couple of quick points:

1. The ride, in any suspension mode, is vastly more comfortable than the M2C. For better or worse. It's still a sporty suspension feel, certainly nothing like my SO's 530e, but much more comfy than the M2C stock.

2. Grip for days even on brand-new (sigh) P-Zero's, but a slight touch more body roll and the go-kart nature of the M2C isn't there. Not surprising considering the size of the car. I need to get used to the car, and let all the bits of it break in before really being able to put the handling of the car into words.

3. Th S58 - I think you could trick someone into thinking it's an NA engine (if they weren't too on the ball). Power build-up is really linear and it's much more manageable from a stop. I need the break-in period done to really evaluate it vs the S55 but so far I really like it. Staying below 5500 RPM's is HARD.

4. After 2 days, iDrive 7 still won't search my USB-held music collection via voice. Something's up with that, and it's annoying. The HK on this car is the BEST sound system I've gotten in a BMW. Significantly improved from the HK that came in my 340...and no comment vs what we got in our M2C's. It's actually good enough that I may not modify it.

5. I'm really rusty with the 6MT. Getting there, though. :-)

congrats, for us turbo haters that is encouraging to hear about the S58, as it bodes well for the next gen M2. does it pull strong at low rpms? some x3m drivers have said the s58 doesn't have much pull at low rpms...

[bri1042]

Originally Posted by baege

congrats, for us turbo haters that is encouraging to hear about the S58, as it bodes well for the next gen M2. does it pull strong at low rpms? some x3m drivers have said the s58 doesn't have much pull at low rpms...

The low-end is certainly more, uh, civilized than the S55. It does not feel lacking at all from what I've experienced so far, but it isn't quite as "boom" as the M2C's version of the S55.

The X3M is a much heavier animal, which likely changes the equation a bit.

Edit:

This car has so much grip off the line, even with the tire-lottery-fail Pirelli's, that it's a VERY different experience. Especially as I re-acclimate to the 6MT and live within the break-in miles restrictions.

[Davil]

Originally Posted by bri1042

The low-end is certainly more, uh, civilized than the S55. It does not feel lacking at all from what I've experienced so far, but it isn't quite as "boom" as the M2C's version of the S55.

I drove the mega power one. If just wafts you along. The auto fits it so well. So much torque but beautifully controlled.

I got into my M2cs and wondered if it even had a turbo anymore.

[bri1042]

As promised, I finally wrote out my impressions of my M3. At length.

https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...1#post27372241