[flanast]

I'm really curious how the new M3 performance will compare with my 2020 M5C, particularly on the track. Given the increased weight in the M3, I can't imagine that it would outperform my M5. Come on everyone let's get the comparison videos out there

[willie55912]

I am ready to pull a plug on ordering new M3, but one thing that concerns me is that there are no really good reviews of the new M3 or M4 by any of the car publications in the US, like Car and Driver, Motor Trend, etc. Even more bothersome there are no reviews either by Bild, Car, or Evo in the European publications. This car was released for public information back in Sept. 2020. I see youtube videos of the cars on showrooms in other countries. One would think that BMW would have had the cars available for Car and Driver's 10 best, Motor Trend's Car of the Year for 2021. BMW promised a different driving experience between the M3 and M4. I want to get an objective opinion on this. Makes me wonder what is going on.....if this car is so great, then pre-production vehicles would have been tested already. Just my 2cents...

[M3AWD]

Originally Posted by willie55912

I am ready to pull a plug on ordering new M3, but one thing that concerns me is that there are no really good reviews of the new M3 or M4 by any of the car publications in the US, like Car and Driver, Motor Trend, etc. Even more bothersome there are no reviews either by Bild, Car, or Evo in the European publications. This car was released for public information back in Sept. 2020. I see youtube videos of the cars on showrooms in other countries. One would think that BMW would have had the cars available for Car and Driver's 10 best, Motor Trend's Car of the Year for 2021. BMW promised a different driving experience between the M3 and M4. I want to get an objective opinion on this. Makes me wonder what is going on.....if this car is so great, then pre-production vehicles would have been tested already. Just my 2cents...

We keep saying "should be any day now" but it might end up being closer to the ~mid-March market launch. If I'm not mistaken the M440i driving reviews were published on YouTube +/- a few days from the first customer deliveries.

I'm still hopeful we'll see something for G8x M3/M4 before end of February!

[unfoundnemo]

Some of the auto "journalists" mentioned their press drives were scheduled for January when they did the write-ups on the looks after the official release in September (in that case, many of the people saw the cars in July, and just couldn't release their opinions due to embargos).

I think it's safe to say many of the tests are done or well underway at this point, and they'll likely be released later this month. This is all fairly normal, it might be extended by a few weeks due to COVID/distancing measures. They have to make sure they give everyone a fair shot of being able to release on the same date.

[solstice]

There was a video here, can’t recall which one that eluded to that reviews will come in March. Fully agree though that it’s way to late for those who wanted/want to be early when orders opened up. Kind of going in blind on the driving character of the car.

[Tflong24]

Still no driving reviews. They sure like to put them out there to sit and look pretty......well. Sit there anyway.

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by Tflong24

[COLOR="DarkRed"]Still no driving reviews. [/COLOR]They sure like to put them out there to sit and look pretty......well. Sit there anyway.

Because I'm sure it drives (and feels) pretty much identical to that of M cars it precedes..

You can't quantify handling but they can highlight all the new, shiny carbon fiber parts that are now standard..

[solstice]

Originally Posted by Poochie

You can't quantify handling

Skid pad number and track times from well known tracks are two quantities of handling. Give them to us please

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by solstice

Skid pad number and track times from well known tracks are two quantities of handling. Give them to us please

I'm sure there is not much difference to write home about; that .00000001 variation of G-force is not going to blow up anyone's skirts, hence the reason they don't care to highlight much ado about nothing.

[Mako]

Originally Posted by Tflong24

Still no driving reviews. They sure like to put them out there to sit and look pretty......well. Sit there anyway.

Embargo on them

I am sure they have been driven and reviewed already but BMW determined when they can release those reviews.

They have always waited until deliveries to customers before allowing that.

[PJB215]

Originally Posted by Tflong24

Still no driving reviews. They sure like to put them out there to sit and look pretty......well. Sit there anyway.

Originally Posted by Tflong24

Still no driving reviews. They sure like to put them out there to sit and look pretty......well. Sit there anyway.

US market launch on the m3/4 is mid-March, there may possibly be a hold on driving impression reviews until then.

[VetteGuy]

The internet age has us all overly impatient.

[KoenG]

Originally Posted by Mako

They have always waited until deliveries to customers before allowing that.

What would be the rationale behind this rule?
Early adapters have to buy a cat in the bag?

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by PJB215

US market launch on the m3/4 is mid-March, there may possibly be a hold on driving impression reviews until then.

Or maybe the simplest answer is the right one; not much has change in the way of vehicle dynamics..

After all, mechanical, it's just a slightly revamp version of the identical F8X platform..

Let me save you the suspense and tell you how the reviews are going to go; one auto journalist is going comment how stunning it now drives and how it's the greatest M car ever created[COLOR="DarkRed"]![/COLOR], while giving their two cents on the infamous front end.

Rinse & repeat that hundred times over - and there are your reviews.

[M2Cmtl]

Yeah, I'm not sure why anyone is expecting anything earth shattering from driving reviews.

The M3 is 100% better looking than the M4.

[weingarm]

I have a feeling embargo lifts on the driving reviews sometime next week (February 22-26th). No solid info, just a hunch based on things we were hearing back in September when the first official images came out. Then 1st deliveries in March 2021.

I agree I don't expect anything earth shattering from the driving reviews but it would be nice to hear actual impressions about that rather than just how it looks which is all we've had to munch on since September 2020.

[EXE46]

Originally Posted by flanast

I'm really curious how the new M3 performance will compare with my 2020 M5C, particularly on the track. Given the increased weight in the M3, I can't imagine that it would outperform my M5. Come on everyone let's get the comparison videos out there

It should, if it doesn't then it would be a failure. G80 should be an improvement of the F80 so should also out handle the M5C.

[Bahamut]

These embargos are killing me. I'm assuming they'll be lifted in the next week as well, just one month shy of my delivery date

[solstice]

Originally Posted by Poochie

I'm sure there is not much difference to write home about; that .00000001 variation of G-force is not going to blow up anyone's skirts, hence the reason they don't care to highlight much ado about nothing.

BMW said the G8X is faster than the M4 GTS to some extent. Add to that the new engine, new tire setup, CF seats updated tech, improved rigidity from enhanced bracing, added weight etc. and the car will guaranteed not feel just like the F8X.

[phunky_monkey]

I'm also surprised they're taking this long to break cover. I saw one driving on the road the other day, which I'm assuming is the local dealers. Historically by this stage you'd see some reviews, but I guess it's a bit different now.

[Bahamut]

Originally Posted by phunky_monkey

I'm also surprised they're taking this long to break cover. I saw one driving on the road the other day, which I'm assuming is the local dealers. Historically by this stage you'd see some reviews, but I guess it's a bit different now.

If this was one year ago, you could've said COVID, but I don't even know what the COVID situation is like in regards to giving out test mules for review. Wonder if the cars need to be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before each journalist outlet?

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by solstice

BMW said the G8X is faster than the M4 GTS to some extent. Add to that the new engine, new tire setup, CF seats updated tech, improved rigidity from enhanced bracing, added weight etc. and the car will guaranteed not feel just like the F8X.

You really was expecting the new model to clock a slower lap time than its predecessor?

I have no doubt that the G-gen will crush the F's in its 0 to 60 times. In the alphabet model of succession, that's a given.

My point was, other than that faulty metric of measuring a vehicle's speed and value, my guess is that, mechanically, not contemporary available consumables, there isn't really much enhancements to differentiate the two generations or else BMW's marketing department department would of had a field day with all sorts of colorful collages and articles, highlighting the supposed newfound improvements.

I'm really not complaining either way, as I'm happy with my current vehicle and I'm the type that despises change. So if the new generation remains all the same, I honestly won't lose any sleep. As some dead guy once said; if it ain't broken...

I was merely just pointing to folks that might be expecting a lot more, in the way of mechanical improvements, I wouldn't exactly hold my breath because based on minor, redundant tidbits of information, of which most is just a rehashed, copy & paste from some late F-gen revisions, in which the marketing department has been stretching out thin and trickling-down, thus far, I'm wagering that there isn't much in the way of changes to gloat about, over was has already been offered on the late model F-gen of vehicles.