Is the M3/M4 front end heavy?

[RACEM4TE]

I was just watching ecoty 2014 and they were stating that the M3 they tested was front end heavy? Is it true?

[Sedan_Clan]

If it is, it doesn't feel like it.

[JamesGames]

There is a front weight bias yes, but I agree w/ Sedan_Clan , It certainly doesn't feel like it, the F8X has so much front end grip. Although near the the limit I would bet theres slight understeer, like many other RWD front weight biased cars.

[hlothery]

Glad I have that extra weight in the trunk of my F83

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by hlothery

Glad I have that extra weight in the trunk of my F83

Adding more weight to the rear does not make it more nimble...

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by hlothery

Glad I have that extra weight in the trunk of my F83

Is this the look you are going for?

[Ian1973]

Is there any car out there that doesn't understeer near the limit?

[dantm3]

Originally Posted by Ian1973

Is there any car out there that doesn't understeer near the limit?

porsche..... because the motor is in the rear?

[Ian1973]

Still at the limit, the engine is going to push you off the road.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by dantm3

porsche..... because the motor is in the rear?

Oversteer-understeer is far from being solely dependent on engine placement. It's all about how the overall chassis is tuned.

911 (mostly older gens) can actually understeer pretty bad because they don't have enough weight on the front axle...

[dantm3]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

Oversteer-understeer is far from being solely dependent on engine placement. It's all about how the overall chassis is tuned.

911 (mostly older gens) can actually understeer pretty bad going into corners because they don't have enough weight on the front axle...

I don't know.. I've never raced or pushed a car to the limit. I was more joking

[M2PDX]

It just feels heavy, and that's largely because of the numb, HEAVY, and largely abysmal electric steering. Worst part of the car. One of the few cases in all of world history where technology moves us BACKWARDS.

[Ian1973]

Originally Posted by dantm3

I don't know.. I've never raced or pushed a car to the limit. I was more joking

You should, it teaches you a lot. Obviously it is advisable to do so in a car with much less capability. Like my old 1991 Accord had huge amounts of understeer at very slow speeds, so I could push it easily without much fear of danger.

[Ian1973]

Originally Posted by Mustangquadcam

It just feels heavy, and that's largely because of the numb, HEAVY, and largely abysmal electric steering. Worst part of the car. One of the few cases in all of world history where technology moves us BACKWARDS.

Well blame the government, they are the ones who are putting very extreme rules in that are forcing the manufacturers into this.

[hlothery]

You guys crack me up with the things you come up with to worry about. I love this car!!!!

[neilum]

Originally Posted by Mustangquadcam

It just feels heavy, and that's largely because of the numb, HEAVY, and largely abysmal electric steering. Worst part of the car. One of the few cases in all of world history where technology moves us BACKWARDS.

wow, the sh1t people say on the internet.

This is gold.

The car actually feels very light on its feet with a very responsive front end and is also not front heavy.

The weight balance is 52/48%. Nothing about it is front heavy. Want front heavy? Go drive a WRX or any Audi.

[Fast4d]

heavy? go drive an audi where engine is in front of the axle

[JamesGames]

Originally Posted by Mustangquadcam

It just feels heavy, and that's largely because of the numb, HEAVY, and largely abysmal electric steering. Worst part of the car. One of the few cases in all of world history where technology moves us BACKWARDS.

My steering In the m4 is definitely lighter than my e46 or e60. No question. I swap from e60 to m4 all the time, the hydraulic assisted steering is heavier! To add to that, I'm running 245 UHP tires on e60 and running extreme tires in 265 up front on the m4, it's still lighter.

I don't feel the m4 steering is as bad as some people think. It's perfectly fine but that's my opinion

[Arcades]

[elitex]

Originally Posted by Mustangquadcam

It just feels heavy, and that's largely because of the numb, HEAVY, and largely abysmal electric steering. Worst part of the car. One of the few cases in all of world history where technology moves us BACKWARDS.

I've owned some really nice sports cars over the past few years and your comment makes no sense to me.

Front end on this is actually pretty well balanced for a front engined car. Steering is very good, not much feel but very accurate and responsive.

[996ttelise]

Originally Posted by dantm3

porsche..... because the motor is in the rear?

Motor placement does not cause oversteer in 911. Snap oversteer in early was due to trailing arm rear suspension changing from negative to positive camber if one lifted or throttle oversteer in turbo when it spooled and up in the middle of a corner.

Front end grip or understeer is the problem when you have less or little weight up front. Porsches is perhaps the best company out there out dialing out inherent understeer with chassis tuning.

[M2PDX]

I always love those who blindly defend their BMWs. I've had 21 years of BMWs in a row. They are fabulous cars. But......

I challenge anyone who thinks the F80's steering "isn't that bad" to go find a good condition E36 or E46 M3. I've driven both in the past few weeks. Both give much better feel and feedback. You know exactly what is happening with the road underneath you, and you know exactly what to progressively expect as you turn the wheel and especially if you drive aggressively.

"Light" may be true in comfort. In sport or sport plus it gets heavier, but still doesn't give you much of a feel for the road.

I love my M3. But the steering is simply NOT an improvement over the beautiful and fabulous BMW hydraulic steering that so many of us loved for so many years.

I am not alone in my opinion. Read just about any credible review in any publication over the past two-three years. Just about every single one agrees. BMW has gone backwards with the steering. It's worse on the pedestrian 3 and 4 and 5 series, and better on the Competition package. But it's still not where it should be.

Other manufacturers have managed to give their electric steering systems more feel. Although precious few. Let's hope BMW figures it out.