[CanAutM3]

AM&S M4 6MT Tested

Conclusion:
Negative: the high weight and the wide body. Apart from that, we celebrate the feedback-friendly chassis, the inspiring handling, the tight six-cylinder - and the manual transmission.

Weighed in at 1,675kg

Interestingly, the car they tested is slower than the F82 6MT they tested back in 2014:

[PLF69]

That red press car is sure to come out abused of all those reviews

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by PLF69

That red press car is sure to come out abused of all those reviews

It has to be said that this particular 2014 test car was unusually quick

[dialogical]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

AM&S M4 6MT Tested

Conclusion:
Negative: the high weight and the wide body. Apart from that, we celebrate the feedback-friendly chassis, the inspiring handling, the tight six-cylinder - and the manual transmission.

Interestingly, the car they tested is slower than the F82 6MT they tested back in 2014:

Curious - although if pure speed is your top concern then the manual is not the right pick.

[akkando]

Originally Posted by dialogical

Curious - although if pure speed is your top concern then the manual is not the right pick.

It does beg the question though, if speed isn't your thing, why not an f82 or f87 in MT? You would save a buck, they're lighter and smaller too.

[BimmerMat135]

Originally Posted by dialogical

Curious - although if pure speed is your top concern then the manual is not the right pick.

Still it's should be better than the previous car. Otherwise they should just lower their MSRP.

[seis-speed]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

It has to be said that this particular 2014 test car was unusually quick

I have driven a lot of F80’s....The 2014-2015 cars felt faster.

People on here complained about the car being too raw, too stiff, and hard to control (could not put the power down). So BMW changed the power band significantly and added adaptive suspension as a standard option.

[dialogical]

Originally Posted by akkando

It does beg the question though, if speed isn't your thing, why not an f82 or f87 in MT? You would save a buck, they're lighter and smaller too.

The impact of the G80's larger size is negligible in the real world, and the F80s interior is seriously deficient by comparison.

The G80 also has the better chassis.

The M2 is a great car, but too small for my needs.

[akkando]

Originally Posted by dialogical

The impact of the G80's larger size is negligible in the real world, and the F80s interior is seriously deficient by comparison.

The G80 also has the better chassis.

The M2 is a great car, but too small for my needs.

Interior quality is never really what attracted me to platform over competitors but maybe I'm just out of touch.

[dialogical]

Originally Posted by akkando

Interior quality is never really what attracted me to platform over competitors but maybe I'm just out of touch.

Eh, it's preference. Interior quality is definitely less important than driving dynamics, but if I'm spending $85k on a car then there's a minimum quality level the interior needs to reach.

[02M3ForMe]

The G8x goes around corners way better than the non-CS F8x. The delta over the excellent F80 CS is smaller, but still significant. The G8x gives you practically all of the F87 handling improvements over the F80/82 and more without the 2-series compromises. If you're OK with the look, the G8x is the easy choice, especially with used cars being overpriced relative to 'outdated' MSRP pricing set during very different market conditions.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by 02M3ForMe

The G8x goes around corners way better than the non-CS F8x. The delta over the excellent F80 CS is smaller, but still significant. The G8x gives you practically all of the F87 handling improvements over the F80/82 and more without the 2-series compromises. If you're OK with the look, the G8x is the easy choice, especially with used cars being overpriced relative to 'outdated' MSRP pricing set during very different market conditions.

As a reference below what AM&S wrote about the F82 in the same categories. Notice how they describe the F82 neutrality as a positive while the understeering nature of the G82 is put as a negative. It's not the first time that the understeering nature of the G8X is criticized.

[02M3ForMe]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

As a reference below what AM&S wrote about the F82 in the same categories. Notice how they describe the F82 neutrality as a positive while the understeering nature of the G82 is put as a negative. It's not the first time that the understeering nature of the G8X is criticized.

In this review, the G8x was praised for its “fun factor” and “turning pleasure” despite the noted understeer (which must be at the limit since I have yet to feel it on the street). These are 2021 impressions contextualized by 2021 expectations; we all know the F8x was a great car for its time. In 2014, we were all impressed.

Contrary to the speculation, the bigger, heavier G8x is sharper, grippier, and more agile than the F8x. Far from a “mini M5”, the new M3/4 is as close to the benchmark 911 as any generation has ever gotten.

Anecdotally, we’re seeing several M2C -> G8x migrants. Most consciously passed over the bigger, more powerful F80/82 to get at the M2C’s significantly better handling. These are the folks who really care about sport driving pleasure and spend accordingly. Some have overcome intense dislike of the exterior design to make the switch. I think the trend should be interesting to those who have yet to test drive the new car.

[LOW4LYF]

Originally Posted by 02M3ForMe

In this review, the G8x was praised for its “fun factor” and “turning pleasure” despite the noted understeer (which must be at the limit since I have yet to feel it on the street). These are 2021 impressions contextualized by 2021 expectations; we all know the F8x was a great car for its time. In 2014, we were all impressed.

Contrary to the speculation, the bigger, heavier G8x is sharper, grippier, and more agile than the F8x. Far from a “mini M5”, the new M3/4 is as close to the benchmark 911 as any generation has ever gotten.

Anecdotally, we’re seeing several M2C -> G8x migrants. Most consciously passed over the bigger, more powerful F80/82 to get at the M2C’s significantly better handling. These are the folks who really care about sport driving pleasure and spend accordingly. Some have overcome intense dislike of the exterior design to make the switch. I think the trend should be interesting to those who have yet to test drive the new car.

Spot on!

After driving the F90 AWD and G80 RWD in Sonoma... I can just lol over this mini M5 nonsense.

[mzcp]

Originally Posted by 02M3ForMe

In this review, the G8x was praised for its “fun factor” and “turning pleasure” despite the noted understeer (which must be at the limit since I have yet to feel it on the street). These are 2021 impressions contextualized by 2021 expectations; we all know the F8x was a great car for its time. In 2014, we were all impressed.

Contrary to the speculation, the bigger, heavier G8x is sharper, grippier, and more agile than the F8x. Far from a “mini M5”, the new M3/4 is as close to the benchmark 911 as any generation has ever gotten.

Anecdotally, we’re seeing several M2C -> G8x migrants. Most consciously passed over the bigger, more powerful F80/82 to get at the M2C’s significantly better handling. These are the folks who really care about sport driving pleasure and spend accordingly. Some have overcome intense dislike of the exterior design to make the switch. I think the trend should be interesting to those who have yet to test drive the new car.

I am one of those migrants and no regrets so far

[VIERsr]

Originally Posted by 02M3ForMe

In this review, the G8x was praised for its “fun factor” and “turning pleasure” despite the noted understeer (which must be at the limit since I have yet to feel it on the street). These are 2021 impressions contextualized by 2021 expectations; we all know the F8x was a great car for its time. In 2014, we were all impressed.

Contrary to the speculation, the bigger, heavier G8x is sharper, grippier, and more agile than the F8x. Far from a “mini M5”, the new M3/4 is as close to the benchmark 911 as any generation has ever gotten.

Anecdotally, we’re seeing several M2C -> G8x migrants. Most consciously passed over the bigger, more powerful F80/82 to get at the M2C’s significantly better handling. These are the folks who really care about sport driving pleasure and spend accordingly. Some have overcome intense dislike of the exterior design to make the switch. I think the trend should be interesting to those who have yet to test drive the new car.

Just by reading the spec sheet, you would really be led to think that the new M3 is really a mini M5 and far from the old M2/3/4, then you drive it and realize how damn fun, fast and engaging it is! And how far it is from the 'soulless rocket' conception of the M5.
People should drive the cars before talking about them

[mn_bmw]

Originally Posted by VIERsr

Just by reading the spec sheet, you would really be led to think that the new M3 is really a mini M5 and far from the old M2/3/4, then you drive it and realize how damn fun, fast and engaging it is! And how far it is from the 'soulless rocket' conception of the M5.
People should drive the cars before talking about them

100% agree. My G80 feels nothing like the M5 I test drove before deciding to go with the M3.

[PLF69]

I find funny some comparison I find on M3/M4 specific forums, does the 3 series feel like a 5 series ? No so why would the M3 feel like an M5...

It's like M3/M4 buyers or commenters never drove the regular series cars lol

[VIERsr]

By Motortrend

Popular internet opinion says the new M3 is now really an M5. The reality is that's in the M5's dreams. Aside from the fact that the G80 M3 is more than 400 pounds lighter than the current F90 M5, the G80 M3 is also around 200 pounds lighter than the legendary E39 M5. Even the 311-hp E34 M5 weighs 100 pounds more than this car. No M5 has ever felt this fleet, this exact, this sporting. Sorry, internet, but that's the truth. Sure, the original 282-hp E28 M5 was much lighter, but that one had nowhere near this sort of power-to-weight ratio. No, the G80 M3 is something else entirely.

[EXE46]

Originally Posted by PLF69

I find funny some comparison I find on M3/M4 specific forums, does the 3 series feel like a 5 series ? No so why would the M3 feel like an M5...

It's like M3/M4 buyers or commenters never drove the regular series cars lol

Bingo! I drive a 3 series and would never in a million years consider a current or modern 5 series. 3 series is as big a car I will ever need or want to drive. These cars appeal to opposite demographics.

Today's 5'er is a land yacht and they drive nothing like the the old 5 series most of us knew. On the other hand, a 2 series is always a likely contender again due to its size and agility.