[chicagoguy0822]

I have driven two BMWs over the past six years (first a 530i and now a 430i convertible, both with xDrive). I will be ordering an M4 convertible once it is available, and it will be my first M.

For those of you that had traditionally driven non-M BMWs, I'd like to know what "changed" when you got into your first M vehicle. How was that first test drive? What were the biggest surprises?

Thanks!

[unfoundnemo]

My first test drive with the F80 (coming from a 428, X6 35i, and X5 35d) was more focused on making sure I could use the car as a DD, and getting a feel for the overall handling and stability at speed. I knew the power was there, and I wasn't worried about determining that from a test drive.

Just beware, once you hold the power, it's hard to turn back. Almost every rental, loaner, or family vehicle I drive just falls so flat now, and almost just doesn't feel safe to me. I don't feel like every car needs to have a ton of horse power and torque, but balance is key. I think a good 300HP/300lb-ft of torque with decent brakes works well for most cars. For example, I'm fine in my X7 40i, but I ended a test drive early on a Telluride when I was shopping for the X7.

I also like driving the M340i, but I could never own an M240i again, here it's because of the amount of body roll compared to it's power/weight ratio, some simple mods could easily address that imbalance without needing to get the full M, though. M550i vs M5 faces a similar issue as seen with the M240i, yet the still somehow M850i works in my head (heavier and lower center of gravity changes the handling characteristics over the 5).

[m630]

First 18 years of many bmws owned were all nonM, and the past 12 years ive had 2 mixed in with other nonMs.

i had driven some prior, but never as my own until the E63 M6. And what could be said about one of the greatest engines ever conceived, the mighty S85 other than it was amazing.

First big difference from a nonM is cold start idle on M cars, and the S85 was the best of the best in this regard. The M6 cold start was mean and loud and awesome. The idle makes the M car in so many ways as you feel its alive and special.
The fit and finish just feels better too, but its the drivetrain that always stood out for me, and unlike many, or perhaps most even, I luved SMG and felt it was perfect for the S85.

I then had the F80 and it was a beast. Not the same growl due to the turbos, but still a nice cold start that was fierce for a big 4door sedan. It had DCT which I also liked alot as its much more engaging to me than the AT in the G...

It was a very fast car on the street, probably faster than the M6, atleast it felt that way, but with the S85 you had to ring out the gears to redline so it was so much more fun than the M3, and nothing compares to a NA 10 cylinder engine at 8400rpms.

The other thing you will find out rather quickly though, is that M cars become very frustrating to drive on the streets. The power is there on demand and in local daily use can become problematic, and the car will literally 😉 make you drive it fast, and that may not be wise all the time.

I like to go back and forth now as the nonMs are just so fast now too that you lose very little performance wise for day to day on local streets.
Just depends on what you use the car for ultimately, and in the case of the G M3/4, the interior is a big differentiator and may make my decision for me.

Good luck and enjoy the M experience

[Scorp!on]

I also come from a 328i F31 and this is my first real power machine as it is the first time I can actually buy a car like this. They are expensive, really really expensive...
But i'm a car guy since i was 6 yrs old, I have petrol in my veins and need the thrill.
Up until now I had for nearly 10 yrs a GSX-R 600 which was my dose of thrill, also I do Kart Racing when I can as I own one. Of course not comparable with a M car, but it's speed and it's fun

long story short:
When I test drove the M4 in January I was totally blown by it's power!
Everything in this car is amazing and they really do offer you power and also comfort at the same time. BMW does a good job regarding this...
And I wanted a MT so this was actually a no brainer.
Altough I like the desing, the F80 is and I guess will be forever the most beautiful car in my eyes...But I wanted a new one, so it is the G80

[BigKutta]

This is my 4th BMW (and M2Comp), and while my test drive (had already technically bought it) was meh because it was around the block and you dont want to abuse your own car. My reaction now: "why did I wait so long?!?!"

I will forever buy the smallest M car BMW makes...

[CklSpeciale]

I have a 435i, and I tracked it a lot in the past year. It is so fun to drive even I only changed the tires and brakes. Now I can't wait for my first M car to arrive for more power, better handling and faster lap times.

[jmg]

After that first drive I felt pretty naive to be honest. I had thought my 340i M Sport at the time was sporty and fast, sort of an M3-lite. I was so, so wrong.

I had no idea how much work had been put into the M3 to transform it into such a different car. Non-M cars and M cars are nothing alike.

I've also driven the M340i at the BMW UDE on their autocross coarse. I was able to break the rear end loose plenty of times, and it's a fun car to drive, but it still feels watered down vs my older M3 CS. Sure, it's fast and has plenty of grip with the AWD, and it's probably just as quick to 60 (3.7s vs 3.8s) but you could feel the weight, the tuning of the suspension, the way the automatic shifts... it's a cruiser, and not a precision tool like even the prior generation M car. It's a bit eye-rolling when M340i owners fly by me on the freeway as if I'm going to take the bait and race them on a public road. I don't see any M340i's on the track.

[M3AWD]

The first BMW I ever drove was my brother's E30 M3 but I was just 16 (in 1996) and still learning how to drive so nothing to report there

The first ///M I really drove was a friend's E46 M3 6sp (in 2002) and at the time I owned a slightly modified E36 325i so I was most impressed by the extra 130+ horsepower.

My brother & I then co-owned an E46 M3 then an E39 M5 for short periods of time (buy used - enjoy - sell for profit). Nice cars and both 6sp.

Then I bought my first brand new ///M car in 2007 which was an Imola Red Z4M Coupe with the M3's S54 engine & 6sp but of course smaller, lighter and feels much better on the road. It's my favorite ///M car ever -- it was so much fun & engaging to drive and really looked unique. Only 1 Sport button. Only 1 traction control button (ON/OFF). When I hear people saying the best ///M car is the 1 series M or M2C or M2CS etc. I laugh and say they've never driven a Z4MC (of course I'm biased). You didn't ask for pics but I don't care

[snareman]

As seen in my sig I had several non M's before having 2 M4's. I think I most notably appreciated the difference after driving 1000mi with my first one in Europe during my ED and then coming home and driving my 435 for a month. The M has such a more stiff ride (in a good way) that the 435 (and any loaner I've had since) feels almost like a floaty Lexus in comparison. The cold start engine is certainly much more impressive and I always wonder if I annoy my neighbors at all when I leave early in the morning. Some of the handling is harder to appreciate as a daily driver. If you can, do a Performance Center Delivery and if you REALLY want to experience it do the 1 or 2 day M School. It's not cheap, but really lets you push these cars as much as you're able.

And, of course the M will likely give you more enjoyment to look at.

[My8thMandcounting]

My first M was an M Roadster. I had rolled out of the first Z3 lease (had the James Bond car for my first BMW), and the Roadster was available. I haven't looked back since (although do have other BMWs). The power and thrill of the M was hard to replicate, but when I had the Roadster it was so different from other cars it wasn't a great comparison. Went from that to an M3 convertible in 2002 and then the difference in driving other cars was apparent. Did a brief stint in an M5 in 2005. Liked the M5, but it was a bigger car than I really wanted and felt more like a sedan to drive. Back to the M3 in 2008 and have been an M3 person ever since.

The power and the handling just don't match up to other cars (including M and M badged) that I have driven. And every time I get one I think it's so much faster and more nimble than the last one, so kudos to BMW for being able to do that. Of course, I have been out of my M since August and the new one can't get here soon enough.

I did the performance school delivery with the first convertible and that was an amazing experience. Really gives you a chance to see what the cars are capable of when you can open them up and lock up the brakes for a skid.

[Keelay18]

It’s like driving a d@mn racecar around town! 😃
(E90 M3)

[Geektechlive]

Thanks for all the posts so far and thanks to th OP for asking the question.
I will be ordering an M3 AWD when available. I have only ever owned m-sports 325xi,135,235,550 (current)

Compared to my m550 xdrive what is the most noticeable?

[chicagoguy0822]

Originally Posted by Geektechlive

Thanks for all the posts so far and thanks to th OP for asking the question.
I will be ordering an M3 AWD when available. I have only ever owned m-sports 325xi,135,235,550 (current)

Compared to my m550 xdrive what is the most noticeable?

I’m the OP. I have no intention of tracking the car and don’t get focused on all of the technical aspects that people are so passionate about on this forum. I was just curious as to what people felt when they got behind the wheel of a M for the first time.

[solstice]

Too long time ago to properly remember but the immediate things I notice now when I switch between a non M and an M is just how much more responsive and better tuned for performance driving every aspect of the M car is, engine, steering, chassis you name it. In the long run it’s the robustness of the car that impresses. It’s over engineered for street use which adds a for me welcome feeling of never needing to baby the car, you feel that’s there’s a huge buffer and you can just beat on it, the car will never feel exhausted or heat up like every non M does after going hard for an extended period.

On the track the difference is even more night and day. The M car feels like it belongs there.

[ChuMpion3]

It’s not the first drive, it’s the first time you think you are pushing the car and you realize how capable it is. There are certain moments where you just realize how much more the car has that you never use. That’s the real moment.

[spuntyb]

- Loud
- Engaging
- Flat in corners
- A bit tricky in the rain
- A blast to keep it high in the rev range

[_E90S65_]

First ///M was also first BMW, so in comparing to non-M's driven…

• the power
• the steering feel & ride
• handling
• throttle tip-in