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      02-02-2021, 11:26 AM   #1
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The manual shifter location and the M3's rear-door/fender transition are bugging me

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I'm about to order a base model M3. These two things are bugging me:

1. Both the absolute position of the shifter and its position relative to the iDrive knob
2. The lower part of the rear doors where it meets the flared fenders

When I look at the pictures of the shifter, I notice two things:

- The shifter looks slanted to the right as if it's in 5th gear and not neutral
- The positioning of the iDrive knob looks like an afterthought

In the F80, the position of the auto and manual shifter relative to the iDrive knob were the same, I believe. In the G20 and G80 auto, the auto shifter is to the left and the iDrive is directly to the right.

On the second point, from the pictures I've seen, the lines are not clean. On the F80, this was very well done. But on the G80, it looks like the door skin is over where the fender starts to flare vs being flush at that point.

Can anyone who has seen a 6MT M3 in person comment on this?
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      02-02-2021, 11:36 AM   #2
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My personal opinion:

1. If you don't shift like a full retard you should be fine

2. It was discussed several times. as they had to increase the track it stands out pretty much as they took the doors from the normal 3 series.
For sure it is a cost question why they didn't develop extra doors for the M3.
I personally like it, looks aggressive. but everyone has different taste...
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      02-02-2021, 11:40 AM   #3
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I am concerned about the iDrive knob being placed directly behind the knob as well...I feel like you and I are the only ones to raise the point!

I raised it in another thread and was called lazy. I have always had a tendency to rest my hand on the shift knob and then relax my arm behind it/on the center console. Sorry my elbow doesn't resist gravity while driving.

That stopped when I got my CS (my first and last automatic car) as the car has neither a 6MT shift knob OR a center console.
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      02-02-2021, 11:45 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scorp!on View Post
My personal opinion:

1. If you don't shift like a full retard you should be fine

2. It was discussed several times. as they had to increase the track it stands out pretty much as they took the doors from the normal 3 series.
For sure it is a cost question why they didn't develop extra doors for the M3.
I personally like it, looks aggressive. but everyone has different taste...


1. Am I the only one who thinks it looks like an afterthought?

2. I understand that the track was widened. I had an F80 and this was well done on the F80. In pictures it looks sloppy on the G80. Is this just another area which this car isn't photogenic but looks ok in person?
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      02-02-2021, 11:56 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by W288SH View Post
1. Am I the only one who thinks it looks like an afterthought?

2. I understand that the track was widened. I had an F80 and this was well done on the F80. In pictures it looks sloppy on the G80. Is this just another area which this car isn't photogenic but looks ok in person?

1. Could be, to be honest I don't know how it is in person as I have seen only the Competition. But yes, could have been placed better by seeing the pictures.

2. I totally liked it in person and I like it also in the pictures. It stands out a lot that is true and they could have designed a door to make it look better, but they didn't...I find it somehow very aggressive looking and I like it. Designer will and are crying about that thing...I don't.
Best thing is you see it in person and decide then if you pull the trigger to buy one or not
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      02-02-2021, 01:15 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by frankiebones View Post
I am concerned about the iDrive knob being placed directly behind the knob as well...I feel like you and I are the only ones to raise the point!

I raised it in another thread and was called lazy. I have always had a tendency to rest my hand on the shift knob and then relax my arm behind it/on the center console. Sorry my elbow doesn't resist gravity while driving.

That stopped when I got my CS (my first and last automatic car) as the car has neither a 6MT shift knob OR a center console.
As a person that has driven manual transmission equipped vehicles for most of my life I was taught never to drive with your hand resting on the shifter so it always seems weird to me when I hear that some people drive with their hand resting on the shifter. I assume this is something one develops from driving a lot of automatic transmissions?
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      02-02-2021, 01:17 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by W288SH View Post
On the second point, from the pictures I've seen, the lines are not clean. On the F80, this was very well done. But on the G80, it looks like the door skin is over where the fender starts to flare vs being flush at that point.
I have an F80 CS outside. The doors seem to be the regular series doors, then there is a massive bulge on the 3/4 panel. I would not call this 'very well done'.

It's clear looking at the car that the doors are not meant to go on that body

I haven't seen the G80 in person, but I doubt I'll be disappointed with this part
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      02-02-2021, 01:30 PM   #8
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1. Not getting MT this time.
2. Don’t bother me one bit.
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      02-02-2021, 01:36 PM   #9
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A bunch of ham fisted shifters in here! Delicate pinky out shifts gents... delicate and the pinky. Don't choke it.
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      02-02-2021, 01:51 PM   #10
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the lines of the G20 do make the rear of the car bulge beneath the shoulder line, akin to the F32 4 series. I loved the F80 rear arches and I love the idea of having them again on the G80, but from the side, the lines make the transition look a bit funky. They still look good from the 3/4 and rear view, but something looks off in the profile... probably something you have to see in person. Certainly not a deal breaker; and like I said before, I'd rather have these than non-widened rear arches at all.

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      02-02-2021, 01:54 PM   #11
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Good catch, I-drive placement was better on the F80 (closer to passenger) rather than directly behind. I think I would get used it quickly, but it might be a little annoying at first.
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      02-02-2021, 02:53 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JTO24 View Post
the lines of the G20 do make the rear of the car bulge beneath the shoulder line, akin to the F32 4 series. I loved the F80 rear arches and I love the idea of having them again on the G80, but from the side, the lines make the transition look a bit funky. They still look good from the 3/4 and rear view, but something looks off in the profile... probably something you have to see in person. Certainly not a deal breaker; and like I said before, I'd rather have these than non-widened rear arches at all.

I just took a look at my G20 in the garage. The rear doors below the shoulder line are wider than the rear quarter panel and fenders. I always thought this was a first year issue that the doors were not flush with the quarter panel. It looks like on the G80 the doors are the same and the quarter panel starts in the same place and then is flared.

To me the doors should close flush with the quarter panel and then the fenders can be flared. I love flared fenders. But what you highlight in that picture is bugging me.

I never noticed this on my F80. The doors closed flush with the quarter panel AND THEN the flare started... it was aggressive and elegant.
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      02-03-2021, 07:38 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by W288SH View Post
I just took a look at my G20 in the garage. The rear doors below the shoulder line are wider than the rear quarter panel and fenders. I always thought this was a first year issue that the doors were not flush with the quarter panel. It looks like on the G80 the doors are the same and the quarter panel starts in the same place and then is flared.

To me the doors should close flush with the quarter panel and then the fenders can be flared. I love flared fenders. But what you highlight in that picture is bugging me.

I never noticed this on my F80. The doors closed flush with the quarter panel AND THEN the flare started... it was aggressive and elegant.
Exactly.. the character lines of the F80 were much more simple. It had a strong shoulder line but not much else going on beneath it; allowing for a much more flat door-rear arch transition. This made the flared rear arches look mega, and much better integrated into the design, IMO.
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      02-03-2021, 08:21 AM   #14
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I don't know about that. I feel the rear door transition to the fender is nearly identical on both cars with G80 having more of a pronounced rear fender bulge like the M2 while the F80 rear fenders are more flared being the only major difference of note. IMO it comes down to personal preference between the F87 and F80 rear fender implementation. I like them both and feel the F80 flare is more subtle while the G80 bulge stands out more against its regular 3 series brother.

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      02-03-2021, 10:40 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by heavyD^2 View Post
I don't know about that. I feel the rear door transition to the fender is nearly identical on both cars with G80 having more of a pronounced rear fender bulge like the M2 while the F80 rear fenders are more flared being the only major difference of note. IMO it comes down to personal preference between the F87 and F80 rear fender implementation. I like them both and feel the F80 flare is more subtle while the G80 bulge stands out more against its regular 3 series brother.

You’re right it’s absolutely 100% identical when you remove bias. I get it people love their F80’s but they need to get over themselves. Change is good.
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      02-03-2021, 11:55 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bimmr7 View Post
Change is good.
Not always.
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      02-03-2021, 02:06 PM   #17
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There is a real reason you never drive with your hand resting on the shift lever with a manual transmission. If there is ANY pressure, the shifting fork currently engaged touches the sliding gear for the currently active gate. You will eventually burn the shifting fork and do serious damage. It is like driving with your foot riding on the brake pedal, but on a larger scale. Transmissions cost more than brakes.
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      02-03-2021, 02:19 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bimmr7 View Post
You’re right it’s absolutely 100% identical when you remove bias. I get it people love their F80’s but they need to get over themselves. Change is good.
Quote:
Originally Posted by heavyD^2 View Post
I don't know about that. I feel the rear door transition to the fender is nearly identical on both cars with G80 having more of a pronounced rear fender bulge like the M2 while the F80 rear fenders are more flared being the only major difference of note. IMO it comes down to personal preference between the F87 and F80 rear fender implementation. I like them both and feel the F80 flare is more subtle while the G80 bulge stands out more against its regular 3 series brother.
I've have/had both F80 and F87 and I'm a fan of the G80 design (just not the weight gain). Like heavyD mentioned, each have a different way of flaring. That said, it is a fact that the rear of the G20 gets wider under the shoulder line as it approaches the rear bumper of the car, similar to the F22/F32/F87/F82 etc. (basically that gradual swelling of the rear under the shoulder line as it approaches the rear bumper). The F30/F80 did not have this coupe-like swelling effect. So with the G80, adding an F80-like rear flare to the G20 body is almost like adding the F80 arch to the F22 to get to the width of the F87, if I'm explaining it right. From the side, it just looks a bit less cohesive than it did on the F80... it's not anything major; just an observation.

To me, I think this "gradual swelling effect", as I'm calling it, needs to start increasing within the rear door in an ideal world. But sine they used the G20 door (just as the F80 used the F30 door) the current transition from door to rear flare looks a bit off from the profile.
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Last edited by JTO24; 02-03-2021 at 02:24 PM..
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      02-03-2021, 02:49 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JTO24 View Post
I've have/had both F80 and F87 and I'm a fan of the G80 design (just not the weight gain). Like heavyD mentioned, each have a different way of flaring. That said, it is a fact that the rear of the G20 gets wider under the shoulder line as it approaches the rear bumper of the car, similar to the F22/F32/F87/F82 etc. (basically that gradual swelling of the rear under the shoulder line as it approaches the rear bumper). The F30/F80 did not have this coupe-like swelling effect. So with the G80, adding an F80-like rear flare to the G20 body is almost like adding the F80 arch to the F22 to get to the width of the F87, if I'm explaining it right. From the side, it just looks a bit less cohesive than it did on the F80... it's not anything major; just an observation.

To me, I think this "gradual swelling effect", as I'm calling it, needs to start increasing within the rear door in an ideal world. But sine they used the G20 door (just as the F80 used the F30 door) the current transition from door to rear flare looks a bit off from the profile.
I like this analysis!

To me I prefer they use the same door as the std 3 series. I like the more "jarring" transition. I think it gives more of a hot rod look vs a bespoke look. I want the M3 to look like a 3 series that was souped up by M not a separate vehicle.
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      02-03-2021, 04:54 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xlover View Post
I like this analysis!

To me I prefer they use the same door as the std 3 series. I like the more "jarring" transition. I think it gives more of a hot rod look vs a bespoke look. I want the M3 to look like a 3 series that was souped up by M not a separate vehicle.
Thanks and I actually agree with you! I love the butch rear arches of the F80.i wish the g20 didn't get this swelling rear door so the G80 rear arch looked even more pronounced! I think BMW tried grafting some coupe-like design onto the 3er sedan this gen.
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      02-03-2021, 08:24 PM   #21
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I too am bugged by the placement of the I drive knob, not because I could hit it, but because it looks so damn out of place!
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      02-03-2021, 08:40 PM   #22
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