[e46e92love]

Nice write up…..sorry but the G82 looks like a pig in that action shot thru the S turn.

Cheers,
e46e92

[jmg]

Originally Posted by e46e92love

Nice write up…..sorry but the G82 looks like a pig in that action shot thru the S turn.

Cheers,
e46e92

It's one fast pig!

[Peertwelve]

Originally Posted by e46e92love

Nice write up…..sorry but the G82 looks like a pig in that action shot thru the S turn.

Cheers,
e46e92

I dunno… I'd say it's the best looking car on the Bimmerpost homepage.

[2011ninja]

Originally Posted by e46e92love

Nice write up…..sorry but the G82 looks like a pig in that action shot thru the S turn.

Cheers,
e46e92

Congratulations!

[Sedan_Clan]

Great write-up. It was really informative and formatted simply.

[DaiLyCS]

I wonder if CCB would make a different?

[wesleyan92]

Legit write up and pictures. Higher quality than the crap posted at most of the mainstream automobile magazines like Car and Driver.

[M2Cmtl]

Beautiful CS! I guess for track duty the G80 seems like an obvious choice. It’s really a shame they didn’t make the CS with a stick.

[RyanBMW]

Not a fan of the F80 but always have a thing for the F80CS in Limerock particularly. What a beautiful car!!

[ellipsis212]

Appreciate the detailed write up. Awesome contribution

[M3Dreaming]

That is a hot M4 right there!

[AmuroRay]

Originally Posted by Peertwelve

I dunno… I'd say it's the best looking car on the Bimmerpost homepage.

Agree. It’s a fat pig for sure, but the results are hard to argue. AWD is a huge plus I’m sure for corner exit, but how does it feel at turn in?

[bmrm396]

Originally Posted by Donolotti

Look at that cs though 👀

Originally Posted by Donolotti

Look at that cs though 👀

Amen to this … end thread haha

[jmg]

Originally Posted by AmuroRay

Agree. It’s a fat pig for sure, but the results are hard to argue. AWD is a huge plus I’m sure for corner exit, but how does it feel at turn in?

I've noticed turn in is sharper and more precise. When I swap out tires I'll have a better idea how much of that is due to the excellent star MPS4S. Unfortunately they don't make the RE71R's that we're on my M3 CS anymore so I can't compare them directly.

[wasya152]

Are you driving in D mode? Sounds like your most of the time not in the optimal power band on the willow track video. It seems it's keeping the gearing in the lower rpm range in that video and short shifts in the cs. The g80 sounded like it was doing better job keeping it in power band. The rpm gauge kinda confirmed what I was hearing.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by wasya152

Are you driving in D mode? Sounds like your most of the time not in the optimal power band on the willow track video. It seems it's keeping the gearing in the lower rpm range in that video and short shifts. The g80 sounded like it was doing better job keeping it in power band. The rpm gauge kinda confirmed what I was hearing.

Again, I'm not a professional, but I don't track in D mode. Those are all decisions I'm making, for better or worse.

Which section are you specifically noticing?

I noticed one of my instructors, who has won many a wheel to wheel race, took the wheel of my F80 out, short shifting and was 5 second faster than me and he said he was holding back because it wasn't his car. He was short shifting because he was essentially managing grip by limiting torque where it wasn't necessary.

I don't need 100% torque on a 479 lb-ft car for every single instance, however finding those moments is probably something I can improve upon. The G80 with its significantly improved ability to grip, probably allowed me to be more willing to be in a more ideal power band. This was in the 15th lap of the day, so I had already gotten used to the power delivery of the car.

[wasya152]

Originally Posted by jmg

Again, I'm not a professional, but I don't track in D mode. Those are all decisions I'm making, for better or worse.

Which section are you specifically noticing?

I noticed one of my instructors, who has won many a wheel to wheel race, took the wheel of my F80 out, short shifting and was 5 second faster than me and he said he was holding back because it wasn't his car. He was short shifting because he was essentially managing grip by limiting torque where it wasn't necessary.

I don't need 100% torque on a 479 lb-ft car for every single instance, however finding those moments is probably something I can improve upon. The G80 with its significantly improved ability to grip, probably allowed me to be more willing to be in a more ideal power band. This was in the 15th lap of the day, so I had already gotten used to the power delivery of the car.

It could be just the way the sound was being recorded and not seeing the tech like in the g80 video. Didn't see hand movement and just assumed. I tried one time to use d mode myself and found that it wasn't in the best gear for me sometimes, but I know a lot of people do enjoy it. Either way, respect for using both cars properly. I can't wait for track season to start in April myself.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by wasya152

It could be just the way the sound was being recorded and not seeing the tech like in the g80 video. Didn't see hand movement and just assumed. I tried one time to use d mode myself and found that it wasn't in the best gear for me sometimes, but I know a lot of people do enjoy it. Either way, respect for using both cars properly. I can't wait for track season to start in April myself.

Oh you're talking about the time trial if you didn't see my tach. You can spot what gear I'm in on the cluster. I'm between 2 and 3 most of the time. You can also hear the tires squeal a lot on that track, particularly the sweeper at turn 5. If you notice, I am actually sliding there and there is a bit of counter-steer. I've spun there a few times:

I'm in 2nd in both the F80 and G82 and it's a balance between grip, and speed.

I use the paddles on the track, so the hand movements are not easy to spot.

[e46e92love]

Originally Posted by jmg

It's one fast pig!

Indeed it is🤙🏻

Cheers,
e46e92

[JennyPenny]

Originally Posted by jmg

Hey everyone, it's now been almost 2 months of ownership of my G82 M4 Competition X-Drive. Here's my impression of how it compares to my former F80 M3 CS so far.

A little background, I've had 2 F80's previously, which were my first M cars. I daily drove my 2016 M3 for 3 years and my F80 M3 CS served as a weekend and track car for another 3 years. I am nowhere near a professional. I'm an intermediate at best, somewhat conservative in my driving style, who tracks once or twice a month.

So far I've taken the G82 to two tracks days: Adams Motorsports Park for a Time Attack, and Streets of Willow for a HPDE. I've also previously taken my F80 M3 CS to these tracks in similar conditions. Spoiler: Despite the G82 being stock, it was quicker around each track for various reasons.

But before that, I'll briefly mention street driving. The G82, being all wheel drive, has a smoother power delivery, and is much more composed in the street. The F80 loved to smoke the rear tires and easily kicked the rear end out, while the G82 overall has more grip and is very well balanced. Steering feels sharper and more precise. You can still have fun, but it's just more compliant to driver inputs. Overall it's noticeably faster than my F80 M3 CS and an easier car to drive at the limit.

Interior is a mixed bag. Overall I love the more modern G8X interior styling. My one big complaint is the center console. I still cannot operate the controls by touch. The buttons are too flat and indistinguishable. The standard seats are excellent, although I wish I had gotten the buckets in hindsight. I find the G8X standard seats slightly more comfortable than the F80 Competition/CS seats which weren't as cushioned and didn't have lumbar.







1) Adams Motorsports Park - Time Attack


Adams is a small/medium 3/4mi. track. I would call this a cross between an autocross and small road course. They run GoKart, Supermoto, Time Attack, and Drift Nights. I attend the Time Attack. We run three sessions a night, 9 timed laps per session. Timing is done via stopwatch by the track staff.


G82 M4 Competition X-Drive:
Stock

Date: 2/25/2022
Ambient Temperature: 53°

Fastest lap time for the G82 M4 Comp X: 45.01s

For reference, I ran all three sessions and placed 1st, 2nd, and 1st in each respective session. This fastest time was in the 2nd session, good enough for 2nd place in the second session. 1st place was 45.00 so I was +0.01 slower .

Anyway, that's besides the point. How does this compares to my slightly modded F80 M3 CS?


F80 M3 CS:
RE71Rs
PFC-08 Track pads
GC Camber Plates (F: -3.4, 0 toe, R: -2.3 +0.11 toe in)
M Performance Hight Adjustable Suspension
M Performance Exhaust

Date: 10/17/2021
Ambient Temperature: 59°

Fastest time for the F80 M3 CS: 45.17s

For reference, I placed 2nd, 2nd, and 1st in three sessions, my fastest being in the 2nd session. I was +1.57 in the first session and +0.14 in the second session.


Notes:

In the M4 I ran the first session in MDM mode. After noticing too much interference in letting me throttle steer, and getting a better feel of the car, I turned off DSC completely for the remainder of the day. Times improved from in the 47 second range to consistently in the 45 second range.

Both my F80 and G82 were consistently in the low 45's during my "clean" laps.


Impressions and takeaway:

The G82 is extremely capable even stock. I was running against modded Mustangs, a Lancer EVO X, a Cayman S, G8, prepped Miatas, FRS's, S2000's, STI's, Corvettes etc, all with stickier tires, racing seats, harnesses, etc...

The times are so close, it's enough to dismiss the differences as driver error, or timing error. Both cars were consistently in the mid to low 45 second range, but the F80 had stickier tires, more camber, and race pads. The M4, of course, benefits from X-Drive.

X-Drive allowed for sooner, and harder acceleration from all corners as expected. The G82 is better balanced than the F80 mid-corner. It was easier to manage, the steering is direct and more responsive. It was telepathic in handling oversteer. I felt much more confident that I wasn't going to lose the rear end in the hairpin. I think with more practice, I can break my hesitation based on habits formed while driving the F80 and be even faster. Because of this, despite the stock suspension, the G82 felt gripper than the F80 coming out of the banked bowl and into the esses. However, hooning was still possible even in the G82. I was able to break the rear out for some fun oversteer action on warm up laps.

The ZF8 is indeed a hair less responsive than the DCT. While it was noticeable from the driver's seat, and not noticeable in lap times, it doesn't feel as satisfying as the crisp DCT.

Videos:

I was hoping to directly compare the footage of my fastest laps, but unfortunately, I seem to be cursed with my GoPro. My fastest times for both the G82 and F80 were not recorded due to the battery dying. Also, the telemetry on the G82 lap is not from the OBD, but from the GPS, so it is not as accurate. My OBD adapter was acting up and I think it had something to do with Carplay, as I found out later I had not completely disconnected my iPhone from the system. The new iDrive handles phone pairing a bit differently, so I have to figure that out. Anyhow, I do have the 2nd fastest laps of the night in these cars. I don't know how much insight they will give, but here they are regardless:



F80 M3 CS - 45.36s

G82 M4 CX - 45.13s

Photos:











2) Streets Of Willow - HPDE

My 2nd track day with the G82, this time on a proper track-Streets of Willow here in California. This is a technical track with 2 long straights reaching triple digit speeds, several nice esses, a blind chicane, and a banked turn.

It just so happens that the same time 2 years ago was my fastest in the F80 M3 CS! This is probably due to the ambient temperature of about 58°, which seems to be the sweet spot for fast lap times. Not too hot, but not too cold where the tires and track don't heat up.

The G82 is still STOCK except for a PSI Midpipe which consists of secondary cat delete and resonator delete. At most it's giving 14hp without a tune to the wheels. Reference

The F80 is modified with MPHAS, Camber Plates (F: -2.74, 0 toe, R: -2.4 +1/8 toe in).

Both are on stock brakes and brake fluid. Both are on street MPS4S, with the G82 taking the advantage with the superb star MPS4S developed along side the G82.



G82 M4 Competition X-Drive:
Tires: Factory MPS4S Star
Brake Pads: Factory
Brake Fluid: Factory
PSI Midpipe

Date: 3/13/2022
Ambient Temperature: 58°

Fastest lap time : 01:27.79



F80 M3 CS
Tire: non-factory MPS4S - 265/35/19, 295/30/20
Brake Pads: Factory
Brake Fluid: Factory
MPHAS
GC Camber Plates

Date: 3/6/2020
Ambient Temperature: 57°

Fastest lap time: 01:29.76



Notes:
Again, I'm not a professional, so take this for what it is.
The track has been newly repaved, so I expect that the G82 had a 2 second advantage. However, there was also a lot of headwind on the front straight and I'm 5mph slower in the G82 because of this. How does that impact lap times? I'll leave that up to interpretation, because I have no idea without doing some math.



Impressions and takeaway:
The G82 is impressive. I'm going to basically echo everything I noticed from my first Time Attack. The G82 is better balanced, easier to control, steering is more direct, and more precise. The G82 does not drive like a heavier car at all.

ZF8 vs DCT: I was more impressed with the ZF8 on this track than the shorter track at Adams Motorosports Park. It's super quick, super responsive, and very effective. Maybe I'm just used to it, but also keep in mind that I had started to use DCT mode 2 for the track for smoother shifting, so harsh, fast, shifts weren't necessarily the ideal for my conservative, smooth style of tracking. It might be a different story for others.



Videos:

F80 M3 CS lap:

G82 M4 Competition X-Drive lap:

Photos:

An amazing write up! Thanks sharing!

[BulkBen]

Yeah, great job once again with this.
It' so valuable for people to get some proper comparative data.

Only question I think worth asking is are you a better driver now than when you had the F80?
Made me wonder seeing the lap times 2 years apart.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by BulkBen

Yeah, great job once again with this.
It' so valuable for people to get some proper comparative data.

Only question I think worth asking is are you a better driver now than when you had the F80?
Made me wonder seeing the lap times 2 years apart.

Very good point!

The ADAMS MOTORSPORTS time of 45.17s was done in October 2021. That was one of the last track days I had in that car, and the very last at that track, since I decided to sell the car shortly after. The F80 M3 CS went back to stock and I garaged it until it was sold.

My best time in the F80 M3 CS at Streets of Willow is 2 years old because I had a bad spin at over 100mph that spooked me on the track for a long time. I was hesitant and my lap times suffered for two years. However, the last time I was on that track was February of 2021. My fastest time was a dismal 01:31.04, more than three seconds slower than my G82 time of 01:27.79. I didn't think it was fair to compare these times since that was adversely affected by my driving rather than the car itself.

So the Adams time is more accurate if taking driver skill improvement as a consideration. It's slightly faster, but it's also comparing a stock G82 to a modified F80 with stickier tires.

As far as Streets, I immediately felt more confident in the G82. The rear end was much easier to manage in the G82, which allowed me to get over my hesitations that I had in the F80 M3 CS. So a lot of credit goes to the G82 for its stiffer chassis and improved handling, even while stock!

Which brings us to last weekend, where I visited Spring Mountain Motorsports Resort. It was my first time on the track so I don't have F80 m3 CS to compare it to. It's also the first shake down with the G82 on camber plates, upgraded racing pads, and KWHAS suspension. The car was phenomenal, and I am convinced it's more capable than the F80. No surprise since most reviewers agree, but now I can confirm through first hand knowledge.