Chris Harris' G81 M3 Touring First Impressions: It's Predictably Brilliant

jmg · 02-18-2023, 04:36 AM

Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

Apparently Harris got a nice new G81 Wagon last week, and finally found the courage to show the front end! He was a big critic of the looks when it first came out, but it looks like he’s coming around.

Edit: apparently Chris is softening his opinion on the front grill:

Quote:

The front is starting to grow on me. How does BMW always manage this??!!

playswcars · 02-18-2023, 08:25 AM

Everybody ended up eating their words on the G8x, it’s actually hilarious.

wavyyyy · 02-18-2023, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by playswcars

Everybody ended up eating their words on the G8x, it’s actually hilarious.

He really hated it more than most, I was surprised at how negative his review was.

bri1042 · 02-18-2023, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wavyyyy

He really hated it more than most, I was surprised at how negative his review was.

Like so many of our fine British friends, he loves wagons more than they deserve. I'm not saying wagons are bad in any way, but the depth of British love for wagons is huge and adorable.

I like to imagine Chris in a dark room, plundering the depths of his soul trying to reconcile how much he hated the grille and how much wagons own his soul.

MCM4 · 02-18-2023, 09:38 AM

I find it amusing when a man tosses aside his once powerful convictions and does an about face.

My favorite expression from my Dad has always been "consider the source". There you go.

yousefnjr · 02-18-2023, 09:57 AM

LOL this guy

IanW555 · 02-18-2023, 11:06 AM

This is not his car, it is a BMW press car on loan.

jmg · 02-18-2023, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanW555

This is not his car, it is a BMW press car on loan.

This actually dawned on me this after I posted. Regardless, looking forward to his review! Besides the grill, his review of the G80 was favorable.

IanW555 · 02-18-2023, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmg

This actually dawned on me this after I posted. Regardless, looking forward to his review! Besides the grill, his review of the G80 was favorable.

All the reviews to date have been very favourable, I am very much looking to mine being delivered in May. 🫶🏻

EatThatLunchBaby · 02-18-2023, 11:35 AM

Am I the only one from the US who lusts after this? I would trade my G80 in for a wagon in a heartbeat! That being said, I might be more interested in a coupe if I didn’t have to daily the car.

I’m definitely of the camp that saw the grill and thought something horrible went wrong, but now I really love how it sets itself apart from the normal 3-series. To each their own! I think BMW is doing a pretty good job of providing some type of vehicle for everyone in their lineup

chicagofan00 · 02-18-2023, 01:41 PM

I’d trade my G80 in for a Touring in a heartbeat. Would love to own one.

Depending on price, I might trade the M3 in for the M5 Touring once it’s released. That is if rumors are in fact true that it will be coming stateside.

Zamorskii · 02-18-2023, 05:19 PM

Who is Chris Harris and why should I care what he thinks?

Higgs Boson · 02-18-2023, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zamorskii

Who is Chris Harris and why should I care what he thinks?

welcome to earth

Zamorskii · 02-18-2023, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Higgs Boson

welcome to earth

Lol, ok I googled him. A British journalist and car reviewer on Youtube with under 500k subscribers. Am I supposed to be impressed?

Higgs Boson · 02-18-2023, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zamorskii

Lol, ok I googled him. A British journalist and car reviewer on Youtube with under 500k subscribers. Am I supposed to be impressed?

Did someone say you should be impressed or do you normally have strong emotional reactions to men named Harris? I don't think anyone cares if you're impressed or not...

What exactly are you looking for here?

vbb · 02-18-2023, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zamorskii

Lol, ok I googled him. A British journalist and car reviewer on Youtube with under 500k subscribers. Am I supposed to be impressed?

You're trolling, right?

Not that YouTube subscriber count is the be-all, end-all, but in addition to his own channel Chris Harris is the main guy on Top Gear, which has over 8.5M subscribers. But that's besides the point... he is one of the most well known car reviewers/journalists in the world, and he has driving chops to back up his journalism. None of that means you should care what he has to say or be impressed by him.

As for the G81 as a whole, I have always liked sport wagons but my wife absolutely hates them. I like the RS6 Avant more than the G81 if I were to go that route, but I'd consider a G81 if they were offered here.

Zamorskii · 02-18-2023, 06:00 PM

Not a troll here, just don’t watch Top Gear as I never took it for a serious car show. Never felt compelled by any of their reviews either whenever I stumbled on them.

sierrat13 · 02-18-2023, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DM5PAV

Never going to be a fan of these.
I do not get the appeal.
Ugly.

Glad they don’t sell these in the states lol. I don’t wanna look at em. Station wagons are dead and should stay that way ha ha.

Don't speak too soon, you'll be seeing M5 Wagons everywhere soon, including mine

Forzanerazzurri · 02-18-2023, 06:15 PM

Why would anyone prefer the heavier, slower, uglier, less sporty, more awkwardly proportioned version of the M3? The British have always had weird fetishes with certain cars (Land Rover, anything in estate form, Ford Cortinas, GTIs, etc) but is this a case of Americans just wanting something they can't have? If i ever saw anyone with the estate version I would immediately think they had to choose it as a compromise with their wife.

Higgs Boson · 02-18-2023, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forzanerazzurri

Why would anyone prefer the heavier, slower, uglier, less sporty, more awkwardly proportioned version of the M3? The British have always had weird fetishes with certain cars (Land Rover, anything in estate form, Ford Cortinas, GTIs, etc) but is this a case of Americans just wanting something they can't have? If i ever saw anyone with the estate version I would immediately think they had to choose it as a compromise with their wife.

Tahoes aren't really a big thing over there, much more space limited. The wagon gives them extra utility with their sporty car. Just a different market with different needs.

The people in the states that like them just have a fetish. I LOVE the RS6 but haven't bought one because I'm on a "cars that only do one thing" kick.

Nettles · 02-18-2023, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zamorskii

Not a troll here, just don’t watch Top Gear as I never took it for a serious car show. Never felt compelled by any of their reviews either whenever I stumbled on them.

You still sound like you’re trolling. Say you don’t know who Clarkson is next.

clutchdj · 02-18-2023, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanW555

This is not his car, it is a BMW press car on loan.

I was thinking.. he wouldn't buy that shit after an M5cs that he owns.
pointless unless fitting skis on the roof.

02-18-2023, 08:25 AM	#2
playswcars Major 4802 Rep 1,126 Posts Drives: 24 M3 CS Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: Zurich iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 BMW M3 Competi ... [10.00]	Everybody ended up eating their words on the G8x, it’s actually hilarious. __________________ Current: 2024 G80 M3 CS BSM, Gold 827M, Red CCB
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02-18-2023, 09:38 AM	#5
MCM4 Lieutenant 1112 Rep 571 Posts Drives: 2020 GMC AT4 Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	I find it amusing when a man tosses aside his once powerful convictions and does an about face. My favorite expression from my Dad has always been "consider the source". There you go.
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02-18-2023, 09:57 AM	#6
yousefnjr salty cowboys fan 6711 Rep 3,594 Posts Drives: ‘06 Z4MR, ‘20 X7, ‘22 M4x Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (2)	LOL this guy __________________ she’s home! '22 M4 Comp xDrive
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02-18-2023, 11:06 AM	#7
IanW555 Second Lieutenant 506 Rep 227 Posts Drives: G81 M3T / X5 F15 30d Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: WILTS iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 BMW M3T G81 [10.00] 2015 BMW X5 30d M S ... [0.00]	This is not his car, it is a BMW press car on loan. __________________ Proud owner of G81 M3 Touring
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02-18-2023, 11:35 AM	#10
EatThatLunchBaby First Lieutenant 396 Rep 312 Posts Drives: ‘23 M3 Comp xDrive Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: Minnesota iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 BMW M3 Competi ... [7.50]	Am I the only one from the US who lusts after this? I would trade my G80 in for a wagon in a heartbeat! That being said, I might be more interested in a coupe if I didn’t have to daily the car. I’m definitely of the camp that saw the grill and thought something horrible went wrong, but now I really love how it sets itself apart from the normal 3-series. To each their own! I think BMW is doing a pretty good job of providing some type of vehicle for everyone in their lineup
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02-18-2023, 01:41 PM	#11
chicagofan00 Major General 20128 Rep 8,298 Posts Drives: 2024 X5 M60i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Phoenix iTrader: (1) Garage List 2024 BMW X5 M60i [9.75]	I’d trade my G80 in for a Touring in a heartbeat. Would love to own one. Depending on price, I might trade the M3 in for the M5 Touring once it’s released. That is if rumors are in fact true that it will be coming stateside. __________________ Instagram: @Phxrisingphotography Current - 2024 G05 X5 ///M60i in Java Green Past - 2005 E53 X5 3.0i in Titanium Silver; 2008 E92 335i in Montego Blue; 2019 G01 X3 M40i in Glacier Silver; 2022 G80 M3 Competition in Twilight Purple
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02-18-2023, 05:19 PM	#12
Zamorskii Lieutenant 192 Rep 480 Posts Drives: '23 M3CX Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bloomington, MN iTrader: (1)	Who is Chris Harris and why should I care what he thinks? __________________
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02-18-2023, 06:00 PM	#17
Zamorskii Lieutenant 192 Rep 480 Posts Drives: '23 M3CX Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bloomington, MN iTrader: (1)	Not a troll here, just don’t watch Top Gear as I never took it for a serious car show. Never felt compelled by any of their reviews either whenever I stumbled on them. __________________
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Forzanerazzurri Banned 6967 Rep 3,275 Posts Drives: E46 M3 Coupe/G80 M3CX Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Alberta iTrader: (0) Garage List 2003 BMW M3 Coupe [0.50] 2022 BMW M3 Competi ... [5.12]	Why would anyone prefer the heavier, slower, uglier, less sporty, more awkwardly proportioned version of the M3? The British have always had weird fetishes with certain cars (Land Rover, anything in estate form, Ford Cortinas, GTIs, etc) but is this a case of Americans just wanting something they can't have? If i ever saw anyone with the estate version I would immediately think they had to choose it as a compromise with their wife.
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