[MachinesWithSouls]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

SoManyBlueCars...

That was my name on here for many years, and it was my 10-year, original owner relationship with my Interlagos Blue E92 M3 that made me fall in love with the BMW brand.

I passed over F80 ownership, and sold the E92 two years ago. But, being a pro automotive photographer, I've driven plenty of F8Xs in the interim.

Fast forward to today. Louis from BMW NYC reached out to me and asked for some lens love on the newly arrived production G80. I couldn't drive it (yet), but I did go for a long ride in one as we headed from NYC to CT. Larry from AMMO NYC would be prepping the car for our photo shoot.

If you'd like to know what I really think of the car, my opinion is here, and some pics are attached.

https://machineswithsouls.com/2021/0...g80-m3-review/

It's not all roses and rainbows, but I think I'll be getting one. Please let me know if you guys have any questions, and I'll answer them as honestly as I can.

[snareman]

Great shots!


Evidence that TR and KO don't go together.

[MachinesWithSouls]

Originally Posted by snareman

Great shots!


Evidence that TR and KO don't go together.

TO is leaning on the orange side for sure, and to get KO inside, where it's off just enough from the exterior...no good.

[F85MTuNED]

Dope shots..📸💪🏽

[DecemberStorm]

very nice photography! Love the night shots, feel like they could come straight out of cyberpunk lol

this must be the first tangible review I've read of the thing, thx for sharing your thoughts. Surprised to hear little traction issues in winter, I imagine the car had PS4S on?

[snareman]

Originally Posted by MachinesWithSouls

If you'd like to know what I really think of the car, my opinion is here, and some pics are attached.

https://machineswithsouls.com/2021/0...g80-m3-review/

Nice write up. The only thought though is that you say the previous generation interior never separated itself from the regular 3 series, but then that this one is taken from the G20. Isn't that essentially saying the same thing? Or are the M's a step from from the current regular 3's?

Now that said, having driven the M5 and M8 at M Track Days and then getting into an M2 and back to my M4 its amazing just how much of an upgrade the new interiors are. It made me feel like my M4 was from the 70's compared to them. And I wasn't even looking for the difference. It wasn't anything I had even thought about but it just smacks you in the face how much of an improvement it is.

[MachinesWithSouls]

Originally Posted by DecemberStorm

very nice photography! Love the night shots, feel like they could come straight out of cyberpunk lol

this must be the first tangible review I've read of the thing, thx for sharing your thoughts. Surprised to hear little traction issues in winter, I imagine the car had PS4S on?

Believe it or not, it had Pirellis, not even Continentals. BMW rep says it simply depends on when the car is made, and what's in the factory. As this is a very early production car and headed off to COTA for UDE, that too might play a role.

[duky]

Thanks for writing an enjoyable read. You lost me at this as I simply disagree (and also think the G8x is beautiful): "I can't tell you what your automotive taste should be, but M3s have never been beautiful cars."

Jealous of you getting time with the car!

[MachinesWithSouls]

Originally Posted by snareman

Nice write up. The only thought though is that you say the previous generation interior never separated itself from the regular 3 series, but then that this one is taken from the G20. Isn't that essentially saying the same thing? Or are the M's a step from from the current regular 3's?

Now that said, having driven the M5 and M8 at M Track Days and then getting into an M2 and back to my M4 its amazing just how much of an upgrade the new interiors are. It made me feel like my M4 was from the 70's compared to them. And I wasn't even looking for the difference. It wasn't anything I had even thought about but it just smacks you in the face how much of an improvement it is.

It's really a praise more so for the G20s interior. The G80 is a step up in that it has faux stitching on the dash and doors, carbon trim even on the steering wheel, and no creaks or groans like in the F30/F80.

[MachinesWithSouls]

Originally Posted by duky

Thanks for writing an enjoyable read. You lost me at this as I simply disagree (and also think the G8x is beautiful): "I can't tell you what your automotive taste should be, but M3s have never been beautiful cars."

Jealous of you getting time with the car!

This comes from a car show I was at with my E92 and some friends, who all had different, weird cars lined up. Think Ferrari 348, Supra, 3000GT, Viper, etc.

The E92 sat there looking like the village idiot. In the world of cars and M3s, it's a looker, but next to a low slung sports car, it's not "beautiful" so to speak.

[snareman]

Originally Posted by MachinesWithSouls

TO is leaning on the orange side for sure, and to get KO inside, where it's off just enough from the exterior...no good.

That's what I hear (about it having an orange tint). The frustrating part is that it looks very red in almost every picture on the internet, including here. A lot of car colors seem to have that problem and you can be potentially unpleasantly surprised if you don't try and see it in person first. I'm hoping my Enzian blue G82 looks as nice as it does on the internet.

[TargaM2]

Nice pics. That tacky 1980s painted black strip along the base of the car makes it look like it's screaming out to be lowered (which it is but even more so).
Just colour matching that strip will dramatically improve the looks imo. Which is the reason the black cars look so good.
Edit: just read your article & appears you agree re the 'shadow line' I think you called it.
Not a bad review either.

[bm323]

Originally Posted by MachinesWithSouls

This comes from a car show I was at with my E92 and some friends, who all had different, weird cars lined up. Think Ferrari 348, Supra, 3000GT, Viper, etc.

The E92 sat there looking like the village idiot. In the world of cars and M3s, it's a looker, but next to a low slung sports car, it's not "beautiful" so to speak.

Any rather available proper 4 seater that handles and sounds (engine, and not exhaust) as well as the E92?

[MachinesWithSouls]

Originally Posted by bm323

Any rather available proper 4 seater that handles and sounds (engine, and not exhaust) as well as the E92?

I think it's pretty barren if you want stick right now, but there's the Alfa with it's supposed terrible reliability. The C63, Audi S4...why they don't have an RS4 here currently is beyond me.

I still think, 4-door wise, the M3 is the best bang for the buck. Maybe if Porsche made a smaller version of the Panamera, we'd all be singing a different tune.

[MachinesWithSouls]

Originally Posted by TargaM2

Nice pics. That tacky 1980s painted black strip along the base of the car makes it look like it's screaming out to be lowered (which it is but even more so).
Just colour matching that strip will dramatically improve the looks imo. Which is the reason the black cars look so good.
Edit: just read your article & appears you agree re the 'shadow line' I think you called it.
Not a bad review either.

Thanks. One other thing I should mention is that it was soft like the Shadowline window trim that's typical on these cars, so swirls and scratches will be common.

[snareman]

Originally Posted by MachinesWithSouls

Thanks. One other thing I should mention is that it was soft like the Shadowline window trim that's typical on these cars, so swirls and scratches will be common.

Well, then it's a good thing it's not down near the road where rocks and dirt might hit it often...

[Transfer]

It will definitely be a smaller M5, especially in xDrive. This M3 will not be the M3 of the past which is now the M2. Nice passenger seat review, thanks.

[OF Hero]

Nice review, thanks.

It's interesting that you said the ride was ultra comfortable, even in Sport+ with little to no drone. I imagine that might actually turn a few people away, as the "rawness" is what attracts a lot of M fans. Maybe it feels different behind the wheel?

[MachinesWithSouls]

Originally Posted by OF Hero

Nice review, thanks.

It's interesting that you said the ride was ultra comfortable, even in Sport+ with little to no drone. I imagine that might actually turn a few people away, as the "rawness" is what attracts a lot of M fans. Maybe it feels different behind the wheel?

I think that suspension technology has become so advanced that the ride and handling trade offs needed even 10 years ago are no longer necessary.

That being said, without driving the car and talking about steering feel and turn-in response, it's hard to know if that raw edge you mention is still there.

[solstice]

Well written review in your link. You make a lot of good points in general many of which I share.

It’s good to hear that the cheap interior feel from the F8X that to me feel like varnished cardboard even with full leather as in mine is no more. Likewise that the tire roar no longer make conversations in person or over handsfree a shouting excercise.

It seems like the street part of the dual purpose equation is highly enhanced. On the performance driving side of things including weight impact, no offense but I think we need a few drivers reviews, it’s too difficult to fairly judge from the passenger seat.

Nice job in making it look E30 sized between the two taxis

[MachinesWithSouls]

Originally Posted by solstice

Well written review in your link. You make a lot of good points in general many of which I share.

It's good to hear that the cheap interior feel from the F8X that to me feel like varnished cardboard even with full leather as in mine is no more. Likewise that the tire roar no longer make conversations in person or over handsfree a shouting excercise.

It seems like the street part of the dual purpose equation is highly enhanced. On the performance driving side of things including weight impact, no offense but I think we need a few drivers reviews, it's too difficult to fairly judge from the passenger seat.

Nice job in making it look E30 sized between the two taxis

We definitely need some driver reviews. I might be able to get in one next month, and if I do I'll report what I think about it.

[EXE46]

Thanks for the review I look forward to others because if this truly is like driving an M5 then I am out, perhaps next gen G87 is more my fit. Anyhow, I will know eventually....