[zenohua]

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Hi guys, I was lucky to get a first hand track drive on the M3/4 Competition, just want to share some photos and videos.

Edit:
I'll try to be objective as there are lots of controversial debates over the design and weight.

We only had two sessions on the track so not much seating time to really dig every aspect of the car. My first session was in the G80 M3 Competition without all the performance options and second run was in the G82 M4 Competition with Carbon Bucket Seats.

Exterior Design: I have attended the G8x launch event last year and the display car were Isle of Man Green and Sao Paolo Yellow. To be honest, I'm not a type of fancy colour guy so it didn't strike my heart until I first saw the Black Sapphire and Dravit Grey today, probably because these colours make the grille not as obvious as other brighter colours. M3 looks more aggressive and have a better side proportion, I still think the missing Hofmeister Kink and lowered body line on the M4 feels a bit weird but that's just my opinion. Will definitely consider M3 in the future.

Drivetrain & Chassis: The G8x series definitely won't give you a huge step up feeling compared with the upgrade from the E9xM to F8x, mostly because the basic design is so similar with F8x series. I think it's more like the iPhone "S" upgrade. However, the S58 engine does pulls stronger and the exhaust sound more natural like N55 M2 with a deeper, less raspy tone which you can argue is the characteristic of the F8x. The exhaust volume are muffled even more with additional OPF and better sound insulation so you will be disappointed if you want a loud exhaust. We drove the M2 competition immediately after the track test and the G8x feels so much larger and heavier, this is considered that the M2 Competition already weighs almost the same as the F8x series.

The 8-speed ZF gearbox shift fast but not as crisp as the 7-speed DCT in the previous generations, but for daily drive it would be a perfect combination. I found myself always one gear taller compared with the DCT on the track. It's a bit annoying as you forget which gear you are in but I believe once you get familiarised it won't be an issue. The shift paddle looses the metal click feel but it does look cool with carbon fibre base and rubber area.

The whole car's traction is a big improvement over the F8x series with huge front end grip through the corner, it also improves rear end traction and not as easy to loose the grip when coming out the corner in the F8x M3/M4.

Steering feels lighter but more precise, I think the best words to describe are silky smooth.

Interior: The interior design is the biggest improvement, it feels premium and I love every colour except the all black one. The carbon fibre seats looks gorgeous and it hugs you well on the track. For daily use I still prefer the standard seats.

All in all, the G8x series is a whole update with small improvements over F8x in almost all areas, a perfect daily car it you don't mind the grille and weight. For enthusiasts, wait for the CS and GTS.

[Sim simma f80]

yea buddy

[Sim simma f80]

All right hand drive? in the US?

[AndroidRobot]

Originally Posted by Sim simma f80

All right hand drive? in the US?

looks like Australia

[Scorp!on]

Wow lucky you ! congrats !

Alpine White looks a lot better than I thought..crazy!

[zenohua]

Just updated the driving impression, CF seats looks so nice and hugs you well, definitely need to try one before order. For daily use and long distance driving, I don't recommend as I feel F8x ZCP seats are a pain in the ass.

[zenohua]

Originally Posted by bm323

Good! pls give your review vs your cars 08 E90 M3, 17 F82 M4

The e90 manual is still my favorite

[bm323]

Originally Posted by zenohua

...
Drivetrain & Chassis: The G8x series definitely won't give you a huge step up feeling compared with the upgrade from the E9xM to F8x, mostly because the basic design is so similar with F8x series. I think it's more like the iPhone "S" upgrade. However, the S58 engine does pulls stronger and the exhaust sound more natural like N55 M2 with a deeper, less raspy tone which you can argue is the characteristic of the F8x. The exhaust volume are muffled even more with additional OPF and better sound insulation so you will be disappointed if you want a loud exhaust. We drove the M2 competition immediately after the track test and the G8x feels so much larger and heavier, this is considered that the M2 Competition already weighs almost the same as the F8x series.
The 8-speed ZF gearbox shift fast but not as crisp as the 7-speed DCT in the previous generations, but for daily drive it would be a perfect combination. I found myself always one gear taller compared with the DCT on the track. It's a bit annoying as you forget which gear you are in but I believe once you get familiarised it won't be an issue. The shift paddle looses the metal click feel but it does look cool with carbon fibre base and rubber area.
The whole car's traction is a big improvement over the F8x series with huge front end grip through the corner, it also improves rear end traction and not as easy to loose the grip when coming out the corner in the F8x M3/M4.
Steering feels lighter but more precise, I think the best words to describe are silky smooth.

...

All in all, the G8x series is a whole update with small improvements over F8x in almost all areas, a perfect daily car it you don't mind the grille and weight.

A few questions pls:

I suppose you would say it is an upgrade vs the F8X?

Did you feel any lag in the S58 vs the S55?

The comment re the steering is somewhat concerning. It is more precise but is the steering feel better? Is its or F8X steering feel closer to the E90?

Did you feel its weight more vs the F8X and the E90?

edit: Is its handling better than the F8X?

[M-Enthusiast]

@zenohua: Thank you for your vids and write ups !!

The "higher weight & bigger size feedback" I think is kind of expected when comparing with the M2 at least I would think so. Isn´t it?

Were the white cars really the white uni color tones: "Alpine White"? I liked them...

Thanks!

[zenohua]

Originally Posted by bm323

A few questions pls:

I suppose you would say it is an upgrade vs the F8X?

Did you feel any lag in the S58 vs the S55?

The comment re the steering is somewhat concerning. It is more precise but is the steering feel better? Is its or F8X steering feel closer to the E90?

Did you feel its weight more vs the F8X and the E90?

edit: Is its handling better than the F8X?

I would say it is an upgrade mostly in interior and a small amount of performance.

On the track you won't feel any lag as the gearbox ratio fits perfectly at full power band. Not sure about daily use.

Steering is not artificially heavy in the F8x, if E90 steering feel is rated at 10 and F8x is 5, G8x would slot in around 6.5-7.

It definitely feels big and heavier like there's one more passenger in the car, however more horsepower, improved traction and better steering remedied some of the heaviness.

It handles a bit better, but not much.

[zenohua]

Originally Posted by M-Enthusiast

@zenohua: Thank you for your vids and write ups !!

The "higher weight & bigger size feedback" I think is kind of expected when comparing with the M2 at least I would think so. Isn´t it?

Were the white cars really the white uni color tones: "Alpine White"? I liked them...

Thanks!

Thanks for the reply, it is indeed Code 300 Alpine White.

[bm323]

Originally Posted by zenohua

I would say it is an upgrade mostly in interior and a small amount of performance.

On the track you won't feel any lag as the gearbox ratio fits perfectly at full power band. Not sure about daily use.

Steering is not artificially heavy in the F8x, if E90 steering feel is rated at 10 and F8x is 5, G8x would slot in around 6.5-7.

It definitely feels big and heavier like there's one more passenger in the car, however more horsepower, improved traction and better steering remedied some of the heaviness.

It handles a bit better, but not much.

Thanks, Zenohua, you're the man with the first track and real (track) review of the G8X

[OF Hero]

Is that portimao blue in the first pic?

[Transfer]

Nice very complimentary photo of Portimao Blue G80. The entire car including the nose actually looks quite good. Thanks for photos, vids, and impressions! I've owned E90 M3, E92 M3, G20 M340i, and spent plenty of time in M2 and F82 - your impressions are about what I'm expecting. Handling capability will be further improved in xDrive models although handling "feel" might be lessened.

[solstice]

In summary it sounds like a greatly improved street car with much improved traction and mechanical grip with a stronger engine as performance/track upgrades. More data points are needed but this is what I expect the RWD to be. Also, wider track, longer wheel base, more grip and better suspension can attribute to a more stable, less lively/heavier feel.

The more revolutionary change should be the AWD.

[FormulaMMM]

Originally Posted by zenohua

The whole car's traction is a big improvement over the F8x series with huge front end grip through the corner, it also improves rear end traction and not as easy to loose the grip when coming out the corner in the F8x M3/M4.

Thanks for posting feedback.

Can you provide some traction control association to the improved rear grip comment, as in, what mode you were in? And is this in relation to DSC off in F8X on track?

As far as front axle, superior turn in characteristics? Is the car more sharp on turn in, or can you feel the added weight there?

Or are you talking more mid-corner/roadholding type of grip?

[JTO24]

Thank you for your summary... a bit underwhelming so far but yea to be expected it seems. I do like the PB w/ silver 825s and the AW G80!

[GOLFFRR]

super cool!

[Sedan_Clan]

That Alpine white looks really good.

[IND-Distribution]

Threads like these are making us pretty excited for everyone deliveries!

[stevehifi]

Originally Posted by zenohua

Just updated the driving impression, CF seats looks so nice and hugs you well, definitely need to try one before order. For daily use and long distance driving, I don't recommend as I feel F8x ZCP seats are a pain in the ass.

How was the suspension compliance and did you happen to try comfort/sport/sport plus modes and have any feedback to share?

[Cadillac]

Originally Posted by Sim simma f80

All right hand drive? in the US?

Looks like Phillip Island about 2 hours out of Melbourne, Australia.
Great track have had the pleasure of some hot laps in the V8 Super cars there.