[V-Eight]

Originally Posted by Habber

Hi Guys,

I’m just wondering if anyone else felt like the M3’s are not as sporty as you expected after your purchase. I had a 23’ and 24’ (manuals RWD and always in SP+) and ended up selling both. Don’t get me wrong, excellent cars (first one was a great situation whereby dealer paid me so much to sell it after 6 months) but overall, the car felt big and not as “tight” for lack of a better word.

I’m curious is anyone else had similar feelings after their purchase.

Yeah...to me my first impression has been "something to suit the majority of common drivers", but with the right, cheap adjustments, it becomes a real drivers machine.

My car has been "adjusted" in the suspension geometry, Engine ECU, Exhaust, Gearbox ECU. Now it's something delightful to drive....even if really demanding to drive fast to be honest, but to me, a real sport car must be demanding and "entertaining" to drive to be fun. If not....it's ajust a common "assisted" car.

I've never had the occasion to drive a CS or a CSL, but I think they're sporty enough.

I usually have track fun with racing Porsches and racing BMWs.....and I repeat...with the right adjustments....your M3 would transform itself from Dr Jekyll to Mr Hyde. But then...remember....the more "sporty" it becomes.....the more "demanding" and less "daily" it is in the other hand.

[jas165]

Originally Posted by Habber

Have any of you tried the G87 M2 manual? I took out some automatics last fall on the track and loved them.

I’m contemplating maybe trying the 25’s that are coming out this year.

Have a look at https://g87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...6#post30875046.

I own a manual G80 and agree that it could be sportier. I think this is mostly due to the size and weight of the car, which have reached M5 proportions.

The driving experience in the new M2 is not fundamentally different, so you may need to get an F8X if you want something more raw.

[Bimmer5]

I feel like my M3 is the perfect car, I love the sportiness of the car along with the practicality. I have 23000 miles on it and still love it like the first day.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by jas165

Have a look at https://g87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...#post30875046.

I own a manual G80 and agree that it could be sportier. I think this is mostly due to the size and weight of the car, which have reached M5 proportions.

The driving experience in the new M2 is not fundamentally different, so you may need to get an F8X if you want something more raw.

The best garage is one of each. Carbon buckets and a 6MT help the M3 feel more sporty - more communication through the chassis which is the only way to feel the road anyway. The objective performance is outstanding by any measure in the M3. The M2 has a shorter wheelbase and would be more playful and a bit lighter as well. But a gorgeous manual M2CS with 5k miles just sold for $81.5k on BAT- that would be a bit better than the G87 M2.

[wasya152]

I think the biggest thing we did that changed the car from not sporty and soulful enough to yes, this is what I want is 2 majors things.

1. Add AA equal length midpipe
2. Bimmercode off the load (exhaust) noise and speaker burble

These 2 simple things completely transformed the car. It's now just as exciting and fun as the f80 CS was.

The car is now loud enough and with the fake speaker noise of, feels organic and exciting, and makes all the right natural noises. Just sucks you in more and more, especially the harder you push, which is exactly what you want from "sporty" driving. Didn't realize just how much change this would cause, but it was huge. Went from being disappointed to loving it with just that.

[DFW_M]

Originally Posted by 50shadesofhockenheim

No not exaggeration, it feels like shit. Kinda like a plunger in a toiler

You must be some super driver! the Fangio of Boca!
Been driving manuals for over 35 years now and this one is one of the best on this type of a car. The only complaint I’d say is a need for 7th gear for long drives…though the main purpose for the car is not the Highway cruiser

[50shadesofhockenheim]

Originally Posted by DFW_M

You must be some super driver!

No I’ve just been able to own and drive manual transmissions that didn’t feel like shit

[fl1by]

"define sporty"... hummm A Miata tuned will twist your head off on twisty roads and embarrass most drivers on a tight track.

[McLaren720s]

Originally Posted by Habber

Hi Guys,

I’m just wondering if anyone else felt like the M3’s are not as sporty as you expected after your purchase. I had a 23’ and 24’ (manuals RWD and always in SP+) and ended up selling both. Don’t get me wrong, excellent cars (first one was a great situation whereby dealer paid me so much to sell it after 6 months) but overall, the car felt big and not as “tight” for lack of a better word.

I’m curious is anyone else had similar feelings after their purchase.

You should have upgraded to the M4

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by wasya152

I think the biggest thing we did that changed the car from not sporty and soulful enough to yes, this is what I want is 2 majors things.

1. Add AA equal length midpipe
2. Bimmercode off the load (exhaust) noise and speaker burble

These 2 simple things completely transformed the car. It's now just as exciting and fun as the f80 CS was.

The car is now loud enough and with the fake speaker noise of, feels organic and exciting, and makes all the right natural noises. Just sucks you in more and more, especially the harder you push, which is exactly what you want from "sporty" driving. Didn't realize just how much change this would cause, but it was huge. Went from being disappointed to loving it with just that.

You’re missing #3- CS coding

[Mar48]

Originally Posted by Habber

I have a Carrera S and I didn’t want to compare it to that for obvious reasons hence why I didn’t want to even go there.

I just felt like for example the clutch pedal felt a bit on the “cheap”. Again, the car was great but like another poster mentioned, it was missing more of the raw power. It felt more refined and polished and I was maybe hoping for a more “unrefined” feeling.

Again, great car but was curious to how others felt after some decent seat time in their cars.

Everyone is different, it's good to have many options.... to me you sound a little more purist where an older gen may be more up your alley. You need something lighter and more connected vs today's cars with today's tech.

[TrentMeister]

Think you need intake and exhaust for more drama.

And drive the car in the lowest Mdrive pro setting you’re comfortable with.

[mirob]

Originally Posted by IDKBRO

Now for my definition , ( I want to add , I ordered my G80 without having the ability of test driving one )

A sporty car is one that is loud and feels like you’re dragging your ass on the floor while the suspension is so stiff that your jaw vibrates as you drive but in a good way lol. The steering is incredibly precise as well as very stiff , no numbness whatsoever and road feel is natural.
You feel every little bump through the steering wheel as well as suspension but it adds to the enjoyment because that provides confidence in any road environment.
The transmission throws you back HARD and you feel it under your bum with every shift and downshift.
It just brings a smile to your face every time you let it rip.
Every turn you make whether you’re driving 35mph or 100mph feels like you’re on rails ; absolutely glued and it’s just exciting at any speed.

I can make a few other points but I think you get the point ?

If that isn’t your definition of sporty , then our sportys are vastly different.

Is it fair to judge an M3 against this criteria when this doesn't apply to 99% of the new cars for sale? It's not something you're going to get unless you opt for something niche like an Ariel Atom or KTM X-Bow. People think they want a GT3RS until they drive one and then leave the dealership in a GTS.

[Limegrntaln]

One of the things I don't like about the G8X is the brakes. I have the CCBs, but, I feel like the brake by wire, just has no feedback. It doesn't matter how hard you depress the pedal, it still feels the same.

The second thing is, the absolute worst. The low speed maneuvering. Not moving, not moving, not moving, 5mph.

[IDKBRO]

Originally Posted by mirob

Is it fair to judge an M3 against this criteria when this doesn't apply to 99% of the new cars for sale? It's not something you're going to get unless you opt for something niche like an Ariel Atom or KTM X-Bow. People think they want a GT3RS until they drive one and then leave the dealership in a GTS.

I’m not thinking of an Atom or Xbow lol when I describe that.

As you saw in my post , I compared it against an F8x as one example.

[mirob]

Originally Posted by IDKBRO

I’m not thinking of an Atom or Xbow lol when I describe that.

As you saw in my post , I compared it against an F8x as one example.

I know. None of those things apply to the F80 either. They don't apply to any factory M3. You might get close with the E46 M3 CSL. What you're describing is something highly specialized like a GT3RS or an STO or something niche, build for track use.

I may be in the minority here but I never expected anything close to what you described from an M3.

[SQ5]

Originally Posted by weingarm

2025 M3/4 will both have iDrive 8.5 but it will basically still “look” like 8.0 from the outer skin.

Can you tell us why you sold your M5 for an M3? What did you not like about the M5?

[LuvMyE92]

The term "sporty" means something different to most people, so I won't try to address it here.

I will say that I sold my manual G82 for a manual CT5-V Blackwing and haven't regretted it once.

[StunOne]

First BMW, and though I loved it at first, just a tiny bit less after 18 months. Had manuals up until now so maybe a switch back would do me well. I do over 1G in the corners occasionally driving around town. The want for something faster/different is hitting but feel like I'd be getting into hypercar performance arena to satisfy the urge. Probably better to just stay for me per$onally.

[jms23]

Coming from a Type R, the car doesn’t have that same fun factor or feel like a sports car. I feel like they tried to balance too much with it and can see how somebody could get bored with it. I miss the manual in type r and how tossable was in corners. I’m still getting use to the size of the car. Overall, I do like car tho.

[GolfCoyote]

I think the M3 is plenty sporty, what I think makes it feel a little bland is the mediocre steering. CS flash should fix most of that, at least that’s my hope.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by GolfCoyote

I think the M3 is plenty sporty, what I think makes it feel a little bland is the mediocre steering. CS flash should fix most of that, at least that’s my hope.

It makes a huge difference.