[White340XDriveInCt]

It's been just over a month with the G80 M3 Comp, and I'll eventually post a video review on my fledgling YT channel (I'll edit this post later) but for now I just wanted to hit some highlights...

Previous Sports/Enthusiast Car Ownership/Experience:

-I've owned a couple of different E46 M3's, the E36 M3, and an F80 Comp, and have driven the other generations quite a bit. Several of the later generation TC 3 series, a 5.0 Mustang, etc. Most recently, a 991.2 911 GTS.

G80 M3 Comp PROS(IMHO):


-Immensely comfortable car to get in and out of, drive, live with day to day, etc.
-Beautiful car aesthetically. I love the profile, and I "got over" the front end years ago and now actually think it compliments the car well. Aggressive looking stance, sexy, stylish while also looking luxurious.
-Technology is excellent and a huge step up from the 991.2 Porsche. I love the larger iDrive screen, the lighting options, the layout, etc. I still have occasional weirdness with the radio switching to other options, and/or the screen being a little "possessed" but that could be from my own idiocy
-The power is unreal, truly. When I think it's ready to drop off it just screams for more. An absolute beast in the straights/highway.
-I'm very impressed with the steering, both generally and with corner entry/exit. Now, it's definitely NOT the 911 GTS in terms of precision sharpness, and feel, but for the size of this car and class that it's in, I find it excellent, truly. I've heard some mention they felt steering to be too "numb" or there was too much understeer but for the most part I'm not experiencing it with my car (wearing Pilot 4S). It handles wonderfully for a heavy, large saloon with a whopper engine.
-Brakes (we'll get to the sounds later lol) are incredibly grippy, nearly terrifyingly so M Brakes have always been killer but these seem a bit extra.
-Overall there are a lot of good things to say about this car. Awesome daily driver providing a lot of joy, unquestionably.

G80 M3 Comp CONS:

-The brake squeak I mean, I've seen all the videos, owned a bunch of other M cars, etc., so I'm well-versed in the bedding in process, the excessive brake dust, and the "drive it fast a few times and nearly lock it up," yadda yadda yadda. I thought, after trying the last method, I had "solved" it shortly after buying the car but...nope. As others have posted, it comes right back For a 90k+ car, it just seems absurd that they can't source materials (that other vendors apparently have) and put on a setup that doesn't sound like a school bus coming to a screeching halt at stoplights lol. I will be switching to the iSweeps ASAP.
-Gas mileage is not as bad as I recall the V8 M3 being back when I drove it rather extensively, but it ain't great Having said that (in best Larry David voice), I knew what I was signing up for, however, didn't expect it to be quite this thirsty (I'd say guesstimation is 20% thirstier than the GTS...but that's far from scientific lol)
-The transmission is certainly not PDK precise, but overall it's fine, although I do get a lot of "clunky jerkiness" when exiting parking lots over uneven surfaces or sometimes when I'm in traffic and just tapping the throttle to move forward. Far from butter smooth, but the shifts are precise and quick when getting on it so not a trainwreck

Overall Rating (so far after 1 month of ownership), 1-10 scale for each:

1. Power/Performance = 9
2. Styling = 8
3. Handling = 8
4. Brakes = 7.5 (maybe a 9 if not for the insane squeaks lol)
5. Comfort = 8.5
6. Technology = 8
7. Efficiency = 6.5
8. Daily Driver-ability (storage size, ease of access, etc) = 9
9. Passenger Comfort = 9 (wife loves it overall)
10. Smile Factor (how much do I smile and get excited when about to drive it...a number that will certainly increase when I get the brake pads swapped ) = 8.5

Overall 1 Month Score = 8.2

Absolutely enjoying the car, and although it's not quite the machine that the 911 was, for what I'll be using it for, and just overall day-to-day drivability, it's a wonderful car

[zamboni]

Nice review thanks for sharing.

[M4ord]

Great color choice...thanks for your insights when comparing against GT3. I will likely never own a Porsche, I cant justify the cost. Your comparision adds more to that position. Safe Travels.

[nosbocaj]

Nice review! I can't recommend a set of iSweeps highly enough. They will completely solve your first con. No more squeal, FAR less brake dust (and it's not that ugly rust color) and slightly more bite (on the 2000's). I can't believe I suffered for nearly a year on the stock pads. Should have swapped them out the day I got home.

[bri1042]

Nice review, enjoy your pretty car!

[ash_schwin]

Great review and fully agree with all the pro's and con's you mentioned. I also came from a 991.2 C2 and the technology / daily usability on this car is significantly better. I did feel much more confident in my 911 from a handling perspective.

[White340XDriveInCt]

Originally Posted by M4ord

Great color choice...thanks for your insights when comparing against GT3. I will likely never own a Porsche, I cant justify the cost. Your comparision adds more to that position. Safe Travels.

It was a GTS (TT charged, with slightly larger turbos than the S model, and an awesome car but not a GT3...which is still on my bucket list lol Porsche are amazing cars, seriously...I just wish their dealer network was a little better :/

[White340XDriveInCt]

Originally Posted by nosbocaj

Nice review! I can't recommend a set of iSweeps highly enough. They will completely solve your first con. No more squeal, FAR less brake dust (and it's not that ugly rust color) and slightly more bite (on the 2000's). I can't believe I suffered for nearly a year on the stock pads. Should have swapped them out the day I got home.

I have new VT Forged wheels coming and the iSweeps will go on as soon as they do. Can't wait!!!

[Juanero]

Thanks for sharing. I share some of your insights.
I've driven Caymans and 911s. I have a 991.2 gt3. It really takes driving one, to just know it is a special vehicle.
Because Porsche dealers are way more extra than they should be, I ordered a '23 M3 (xdrive comp).
The M3 is not as confidence inspiring on curvy roads or switchbacks (tail of the dragon at high speed but the M3 power is nuts. GT3 will accelerate even briskly always under control and reliably; I never feel I am about to lose it, and you can feel it when it's getting close. But the M3 will get squirrely in awd mode, and spin out in rwd mode at any time. It is a beast, and I still am surprised there aren't more of them crashed (and therefore videos on yt--hopefully that is never you).
The tech on the 991.2 is ok, as much as I could ask for in a driver, but BMW offers so much more. I got carbon buckets in the porsche, and I 'settled' for the regular seats in the M3 and don't regret them. They are comfortable and the M3 is a comfortable cruiser. I will never sell my GT3, but
The m3 truly is the "all you need car" that can do it all; I've had it for a year, nearing 10k miles and I feel like I'm still learning more about it.

Enjoy it! That blue is beautiful.

[BIGW0RM]

I went from M cars to Porsche and came back to M. But Im leaning towards going back to Porsche. I love my 22 M3 Comp X. But I have a 22 with ID7 and the old screen which I like WAY more than the new tacked on widescreen with ID8. I cant stand how ID8 looks and the soon to be coming LCI headlights are so ugly to me!

[KevinGS]

"Gas mileage is not as bad as I recall the V8 M3"

I still have a V8 M3, and I can literally watch the needle move during aggressive driving.

So yeah, you've simply forgotten... The S58 in the G8X is wayyyyy more efficient, even when I'm driving like a bat out of hell.

[Skyscraper]

Originally Posted by BIGW0RM

I went from M cars to Porsche and came back to M. But Im leaning towards going back to Porsche. I love my 22 M3 Comp X. But I have a 22 with ID7 and the old screen which I like WAY more than the new tacked on widescreen with ID8. I cant stand how ID8 looks and the soon to be coming LCI headlights are so ugly to me!

You need to figure out how to have both.
I don't drive the Porsche that often after getting the G82. But when I do I'm reminded why I'll try to be buried in that car.

The M is just a fantastic, fast and comfortable every day car.

And if you think the Porsche costs too much today. Wait a year. It will cost even more.

[BIGW0RM]

Originally Posted by Skyscraper

You need to figure out how to have both.
I don't drive the Porsche that often after getting the G82. But when I do I'm reminded why I'll try to be buried in that car.

The M is just a fantastic, fast and comfortable every day car.

And if you think the Porsche costs too much today. Wait a year. It will cost even more.

Im running out of car parking room or I would! Ive had 4 911's since 2017. I rotated into a new one almost every year back when financing was basically free. I got tired of daily driving them. And yes the M is such a better car overall for a DAILY driver. But Ive had 2 G80's now and that new screen and ID8 just dont work for me.

Im pretty sure I will be going back to Porsche 911.

[White340XDriveInCt]

Originally Posted by Skyscraper

You need to figure out how to have both.
I don't drive the Porsche that often after getting the G82. But when I do I'm reminded why I'll try to be buried in that car.

The M is just a fantastic, fast and comfortable every day car.

And if you think the Porsche costs too much today. Wait a year. It will cost even more.

The current goal is to get a 991.2 (or maaaaaybe the 992) GT3 in a couple years, while keeping the G80, but we shall see how all that goes. Really would be the dream setup for me

[Skyscraper]

Originally Posted by BIGW0RM

Im running out of car parking room or I would! Ive had 4 911's since 2017. I rotated into a new one almost every year back when financing was basically free. I got tired of daily driving them. And yes the M is such a better car overall for a DAILY driver. But Ive had 2 G80's now and that new screen and ID8 just dont work for me.

Im pretty sure I will be going back to Porsche 911.

100%Ditto.
So glad I have a 23MY. I HATE the new dash.
I got rid of two air cooled to make room for the M. I kept the 997.1 RS

[Rux]

"Pretty....Pretty....Pretty Pretty Good"

Fuck the Stock Brakes. There is nothing normal about how it squeals

+1 for Larry David reference

+1 For the 911.

[White340XDriveInCt]

Originally Posted by Rux

"Pretty....Pretty....Pretty Pretty Good"

Fuck the Stock Brakes. There is nothing normal about how it squeals

+1 for Larry David reference

+1 For the 911.

Every time the brake squealing starts I clamp my hands over my ears and make the same face/noise as Larry did when Susie was riding next to him in the "orgasm car"

[Mark Kez]

Originally Posted by White340XDriveInCt

It's been just over a month with the G80 M3 Comp, and I'll eventually post a video review on my fledgling YT channel (I'll edit this post later) but for now I just wanted to hit some highlights...

Previous Sports/Enthusiast Car Ownership/Experience:

-I've owned a couple of different E46 M3's, the E36 M3, and an F80 Comp, and have driven the other generations quite a bit. Several of the later generation TC 3 series, a 5.0 Mustang, etc. Most recently, a 991.2 911 GTS.

G80 M3 Comp PROS(IMHO):


-Immensely comfortable car to get in and out of, drive, live with day to day, etc.
-Beautiful car aesthetically. I love the profile, and I "got over" the front end years ago and now actually think it compliments the car well. Aggressive looking stance, sexy, stylish while also looking luxurious.
-Technology is excellent and a huge step up from the 991.2 Porsche. I love the larger iDrive screen, the lighting options, the layout, etc. I still have occasional weirdness with the radio switching to other options, and/or the screen being a little "possessed" but that could be from my own idiocy
-The power is unreal, truly. When I think it's ready to drop off it just screams for more. An absolute beast in the straights/highway.
-I'm very impressed with the steering, both generally and with corner entry/exit. Now, it's definitely NOT the 911 GTS in terms of precision sharpness, and feel, but for the size of this car and class that it's in, I find it excellent, truly. I've heard some mention they felt steering to be too "numb" or there was too much understeer but for the most part I'm not experiencing it with my car (wearing Pilot 4S). It handles wonderfully for a heavy, large saloon with a whopper engine.
-Brakes (we'll get to the sounds later lol) are incredibly grippy, nearly terrifyingly so M Brakes have always been killer but these seem a bit extra.
-Overall there are a lot of good things to say about this car. Awesome daily driver providing a lot of joy, unquestionably.

G80 M3 Comp CONS:

-The brake squeak I mean, I've seen all the videos, owned a bunch of other M cars, etc., so I'm well-versed in the bedding in process, the excessive brake dust, and the "drive it fast a few times and nearly lock it up," yadda yadda yadda. I thought, after trying the last method, I had "solved" it shortly after buying the car but...nope. As others have posted, it comes right back For a 90k+ car, it just seems absurd that they can't source materials (that other vendors apparently have) and put on a setup that doesn't sound like a school bus coming to a screeching halt at stoplights lol. I will be switching to the iSweeps ASAP.
-Gas mileage is not as bad as I recall the V8 M3 being back when I drove it rather extensively, but it ain't great Having said that (in best Larry David voice), I knew what I was signing up for, however, didn't expect it to be quite this thirsty (I'd say guesstimation is 20% thirstier than the GTS...but that's far from scientific lol)
-The transmission is certainly not PDK precise, but overall it's fine, although I do get a lot of "clunky jerkiness" when exiting parking lots over uneven surfaces or sometimes when I'm in traffic and just tapping the throttle to move forward. Far from butter smooth, but the shifts are precise and quick when getting on it so not a trainwreck

Overall Rating (so far after 1 month of ownership), 1-10 scale for each:

1. Power/Performance = 9
2. Styling = 8
3. Handling = 8
4. Brakes = 7.5 (maybe a 9 if not for the insane squeaks lol)
5. Comfort = 8.5
6. Technology = 8
7. Efficiency = 6.5
8. Daily Driver-ability (storage size, ease of access, etc) = 9
9. Passenger Comfort = 9 (wife loves it overall)
10. Smile Factor (how much do I smile and get excited when about to drive it...a number that will certainly increase when I get the brake pads swapped ) = 8.5

Overall 1 Month Score = 8.2

Absolutely enjoying the car, and although it's not quite the machine that the 911 was, for what I'll be using it for, and just overall day-to-day drivability, it's a wonderful car

Great review! My first G83 was totaled because of a clueless driver and while I waited three months to get my new G83 I drove a rented Kia Soul. It taught me that any issues I might have had with my G83 (weight, annoying safety features, etc) were minimal by comparison and having to drive a Kia Soul!!

[DFW_M]

Originally Posted by White340XDriveInCt

It's been just over a month with the G80 M3 Comp, and I'll eventually post a video review on my fledgling YT channel (I'll edit this post later) but for now I just wanted to hit some highlights...

Previous Sports/Enthusiast Car Ownership/Experience:

-I've owned a couple of different E46 M3's, the E36 M3, and an F80 Comp, and have driven the other generations quite a bit. Several of the later generation TC 3 series, a 5.0 Mustang, etc. Most recently, a 991.2 911 GTS.

G80 M3 Comp PROS(IMHO):


-Immensely comfortable car to get in and out of, drive, live with day to day, etc.
-Beautiful car aesthetically. I love the profile, and I "got over" the front end years ago and now actually think it compliments the car well. Aggressive looking stance, sexy, stylish while also looking luxurious.
-Technology is excellent and a huge step up from the 991.2 Porsche. I love the larger iDrive screen, the lighting options, the layout, etc. I still have occasional weirdness with the radio switching to other options, and/or the screen being a little "possessed" but that could be from my own idiocy
-The power is unreal, truly. When I think it's ready to drop off it just screams for more. An absolute beast in the straights/highway.
-I'm very impressed with the steering, both generally and with corner entry/exit. Now, it's definitely NOT the 911 GTS in terms of precision sharpness, and feel, but for the size of this car and class that it's in, I find it excellent, truly. I've heard some mention they felt steering to be too "numb" or there was too much understeer but for the most part I'm not experiencing it with my car (wearing Pilot 4S). It handles wonderfully for a heavy, large saloon with a whopper engine.
-Brakes (we'll get to the sounds later lol) are incredibly grippy, nearly terrifyingly so M Brakes have always been killer but these seem a bit extra.
-Overall there are a lot of good things to say about this car. Awesome daily driver providing a lot of joy, unquestionably.

G80 M3 Comp CONS:

-The brake squeak I mean, I've seen all the videos, owned a bunch of other M cars, etc., so I'm well-versed in the bedding in process, the excessive brake dust, and the "drive it fast a few times and nearly lock it up," yadda yadda yadda. I thought, after trying the last method, I had "solved" it shortly after buying the car but...nope. As others have posted, it comes right back For a 90k+ car, it just seems absurd that they can't source materials (that other vendors apparently have) and put on a setup that doesn't sound like a school bus coming to a screeching halt at stoplights lol. I will be switching to the iSweeps ASAP.
-Gas mileage is not as bad as I recall the V8 M3 being back when I drove it rather extensively, but it ain't great Having said that (in best Larry David voice), I knew what I was signing up for, however, didn't expect it to be quite this thirsty (I'd say guesstimation is 20% thirstier than the GTS...but that's far from scientific lol)
-The transmission is certainly not PDK precise, but overall it's fine, although I do get a lot of "clunky jerkiness" when exiting parking lots over uneven surfaces or sometimes when I'm in traffic and just tapping the throttle to move forward. Far from butter smooth, but the shifts are precise and quick when getting on it so not a trainwreck

Overall Rating (so far after 1 month of ownership), 1-10 scale for each:

1. Power/Performance = 9
2. Styling = 8
3. Handling = 8
4. Brakes = 7.5 (maybe a 9 if not for the insane squeaks lol)
5. Comfort = 8.5
6. Technology = 8
7. Efficiency = 6.5
8. Daily Driver-ability (storage size, ease of access, etc) = 9
9. Passenger Comfort = 9 (wife loves it overall)
10. Smile Factor (how much do I smile and get excited when about to drive it...a number that will certainly increase when I get the brake pads swapped ) = 8.5

Overall 1 Month Score = 8.2

Absolutely enjoying the car, and although it's not quite the machine that the 911 was, for what I'll be using it for, and just overall day-to-day drivability, it's a wonderful car

I stepped from the G80 to Macan GTS with upgraded brakes and the Porsche also has the sounds form the brakes...

[Art__Vandelay]

The braking squeaks also drove me crazy. And it just wouldn't stop. However, it did disappear at some point (I can't remember when exactly, maybe after 7-8 months). I didn't do anything about it and I actually have no idea why it's gone now, but it hasn't happened since.

[bri1042]

It is by S58 alone I set my BMW in motion. It is by the juice of Petrol that wheels acquire speed, the brakes acquire squeal, the squeals become a warning. It is by S58 alone I set my BMW in motion.

[KevinGS]

Originally Posted by Skyscraper

You need to figure out how to have both.
I don't drive the Porsche that often after getting the G82. But when I do I'm reminded why I'll try to be buried in that car.

Saving for my GT3 right now, and the Market is still performing strong, so fingers crossed I can start looking next year for a 991. But at this point, I really want the 992 GT3, so I'm willing to wait a bit longer to get a 992 with the swan neck spoiler and the upgraded interior.

My G82 is ideal for long trips and for around town, but for pure, raw emotion, the GT3 checks that box a bit more for me.