[BCgeorgia]

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** this is not a troll post. this is a post from a long time fan who is super conflicted and was hoping to start a discussion with other folks who are just as conflicted (and continue to read everything on this forum)**

I'm a long time M3 fan (currently driving a G20 m340i and adore the car) and had been planning to get the new generation M3. However, I just can't get over the look of the front grills. I cringe when I see photos of them online... and I cringe even more when I see them in person. As great as the G80 M3 seems performance wise, it's really hard to stomach the idea of spending close to 100k (USD) on a car when you don't love the way it looks.

So, all that being said, the looks of the new m3 have pushed me toward considering other cars (I will get my next car in 2 years):

- G87 M2: I have high hopes for this car, but also find the new 2 series rear end design to be a little cringe inducing (spy photos seem to suggest the rear end is very similar to the base 2 series).

- new gen audi RS3: awaiting full reviews to see how changes including rear torque vectoring changes driving dynamic and the famous understeer

- 911 (base vs carrera 2s): strongly considering this. They're expensive, but hold value long term. In 2 years (if used market chills out), I might try and buy a several year old current (992) model. rear seats big enough for my 1 small kiddo.

- C8 corvette: z06 seems amazing. but how many years would it take to get off a waitlist to get one? Also, I'm concerned about reliability. Also, 2 seats.

I would love it if there was a huge poll documenting how many folks have been driven away from being new M3 owners because of its looks. Maybe admins here could set something up and pin it to the top of the forum??

So who else out there is being driven away from BMW because of the new generation design. What are you considering?

[bri1042]

You might want to go ask this in the F80 forums. I don't mean to be mean, but most of us in this section are pretty burned out on answering this question, and honestly we answered it by buying a G80 or 82. Some of us fully LIKE the new look, some of us bought the car ANYWAY, and some of us just avoid looking at the front...but at the end of the day not many people on this section of the site are NOT going to be able to answer your question because we DID buy one and we do like our cars.

[TexasEd]

Originally Posted by bri1042

You might want to go ask this in the F80 forums. I don't mean to be mean, but most of us in this section are pretty burned out on answering this question, and honestly we answered it by buying a G80 or 82. Some of us fully LIKE the new look, some of us bought the car ANYWAY, and some of us just avoid looking at the front...but at the end of the day not many people on this section of the site are NOT going to be able to answer your question because we DID buy one and we do like our cars.

I agree. I haven't seen anyone complaining about the new M3/M4. All I see are folks super happy with their cars, myself included. My response to the OP is that I have a Corvette C8Z51 sitting in my garage, have owned Nissan GTR's and Audi R8's. I'm especially thrilled about the new Xdrive in the BMW.

[mgokev]

M2 and RS3: the M3 is better across nearly all objective dimensions.
911 and C8: doesn't have back seat

I was turned off by the M3 photos, then I saw one in person at my local dealer and threw money at my CA's face. Now I look at the F87 and it looks so dated to me. I couldn't be happier. I love how my car pushes the envelope on conventional design. It's bold because it should be. It's not an Audi. Which brings me to…

If you're that intent on avoiding the G80, IMO go RS3. I decided M3 over RS3 as RS3 has much of the same practicality as the M3. Plus you can snag the iconic 5-pot before everything gets electrified.

911 and C8 will be very pricey and IMO the cost:value benefit over the M3 isn't there.

All that said, buy the G80.

[Gfit]

Nope

[barryc365]

I'd say go with the RS3. You need 4 seats realistically with the kid and you don't like the look of the G80 so seems obvious to me

You will be driving an inferior car tho

[chicagofan00]

[DFW_M]

xx

[DFW_M]

Originally Posted by mgokev

M2 and RS3: the M3 is better across nearly all objective dimensions.

And you "objectively" know that because you already drove the G87??

[Kminor2578]

Originally Posted by mgokev

M2 and RS3: the M3 is better across nearly all objective dimensions.
911 and C8: doesn't have back seat

I was turned off by the M3 photos, then I saw one in person at my local dealer and threw money at my CA's face. Now I look at the F87 and it looks so dated to me. I couldn't be happier. I love how my car pushes the envelope on conventional design. It's bold because it should be. It's not an Audi. Which brings me to…

If you're that intent on avoiding the G80, IMO go RS3. I decided M3 over RS3 as RS3 has much of the same practicality as the M3. Plus you can snag the iconic 5-pot before everything gets electrified.

911 and C8 will be very pricey and IMO the cost:value benefit over the M3 isn't there.

All that said, buy the G80.

Did the same exact thing the day I saw it in person, when I hated the photos before seeing it in person

[jpsimon]

Nope!

[Bch53211]

No it’s precisely why I’m getting the car - considered an m5 but looks too boring

['Cane]

This is definitely not posted in the right forum. Most people here have G8X, no? Or are in the process of buying them. Don't think too many people that dislike it have stuck around.

[kjx]

Originally Posted by DFW_M2C

And you "objectively" know that because you already drove the G87??

We already know it's only RWD. And potentially makes only 455 Hp. Keeping with BMW's model scheme, it will be even more downmarket than the M3/M4 which are themselves firmly below the M5 and M8. Its only advantage may be some more agility with a lighter chassis but with only RWD, that may not be true anymore in a greater portion of circumstances.

It may be cheaper to track regularly, and may provide a pathway to M car ownership to more people. But I've never looked at any M2 or 2 series, even the new gen, and thought, 'isn't that a desirable car?' It wasn't remotely on my radar as a cross-shop. I've driven plenty of M2s at multiple BMW M track days, and it was always the least desirable portion of the day for me.

[bmedude]

I hated the grill in the photos, but love it in real life. When I'm on the highway, people get out of the way. It grew on me very fast once I let go of my old school thinking. The car is amazing. Go get one already!

[KnightedBMW]

I’m outside right now enjoying this beautiful weather with my car in view. Love it more and more everyday. As others have said, I’d circle back with the F80 forum.

[mgokev]

Originally Posted by DFW_M2C

And you "objectively" know that because you already drove the G87??

No. Driving impressions would be subjective opinions not objective measurables.

The M2 may very will be subjectively better than the M3 for many. But it will be objectively inferior to the M3 in terms of performance, etc. The M3 is objectively inferior to the M5 but I bought the M3 for subjective reasons.

[akkando]

Originally Posted by DFW_M2C

And you "objectively" know that because you already drove the G87??

He's not interested in subjective things like which is more fun, he's interested in objective things like the g80 has more power.

[Custom Install]

At first I didn't understand the front, but I've learned to appreciate that most things when changed rock the boat but then the penny drops.
Now, to me, Mercedes and Audi cars are like Russian dolls. Same old safe bet material (Audi I'm afraid is a one trick pony, new lights to generate new sales and the lights that they replace actually look better)
BMW, they had the balls to do it and it's worked. Subjective I know but what a modern looking platform that throws caution to the wind.
In photos it makes no sense, but the car I'll be driving soon isn't a photo.

[TexasEd]

Originally Posted by Bch53211

No it’s precisely why I’m getting the car - considered an m5 but looks too boring

Yeah I was number one on the dealers list for the M5 but the looks just didn't do it for me so I had my name removed from #1. Of course the #2 guy was very happy that I changed my mind.

[vetteflier]

Performance, luxury and then looks were the 3 reasons I bought my M4C. Every time I look at it, I like it even more.

[speedmaster20d]

I hated the car in the photos, but in person it was different. After seeing it for 10 min, I ordered one at the dealer.

I am a photographer, the issue with photos is that they are mostly taken with cell phone cameras at very close (unrealistic POV, lot's of distortion) exaggerate the grill too much. kind of like photographing a person 5" away from their nose with a wide angle lens. their nose is going to look huge and disproportional. Also the front of the car is actually not flat like the photos, the slight curvature gives it a nice flow (IMO)

On the street, I've had nothing but positive feedback from both car enthusiasts and random people who aren't necessarily into cars. in one instant one M2 owner came forward to say how much it looked nicer in person to him than he had thought before.

I recommend you see one in person before finalizing your decision if you already haven't