by "Poor_Sh" (ar4x)
Published 11/27/2017 at 09:42
by "Poor_Sh" (ar4x)
Published 11/27/2017 at 09:42
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Edit: Think I timed this publishing wrong to catch attention last night so just bumping it once, apologies. I’m really looking for what I can’t get from the automotive journalists, just your experiences that drive your passion. Also ANYONE ELSE CAN ANSWER!! :) thanks to Spasoje for stepping up.
Otherscan answer too, but in my current research for my next car it has been pointed out to me that an M4 would be an equivalent option to my others. I’ve heard a ton obviously about how great they handle, but I just can’t imagine they’re as nimble as a Corvette or Cayman. I’m judging a book by its cover I know, but also I’m annoyed at how ubiquitous BMWs and even the M cars are around my work so that’s part of my hesitation to look at them.
So, what are BMW Ms actually like to drive? I assume my judgement is somehow wrong. But, can you compare the experience to say a Corvette, or a Cayman? What are some trade-offs?
"Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner" (gavinharter30)
11/27/2017 at 09:47, STARS: 0
From what I’ve experienced (driven an m5 once) steering has a good amount of feel, loads of power (575 in the m5) yet it’s comfortable enough to be your daily
"E90M3" (e90m3)
11/27/2017 at 10:05, STARS: 1
I responded to your other article, but here is what I wrote:
I haven’t driven a Corvette or a Cayman. I went for a test drive in both a 997 Carrera 4 and a 996 Turbo, both manual as is my M3. The steering in both cars was pretty phenomenal, I also think the steering in the M3 is pretty spot on, well at least for my generation. It still feels pretty nimble, despite being almost 4,000 lbs. I hated the clutch in the 997, it was way too heavy; I couldn’t imagine DDing it. The M3 was bad after an hour in ATL traffic, but the 997 had me disliking the car after 2 minutes. I’ve also been for a test drive in a 6MT F82 M3 and a DCT M4. They’re very quick, but I liked the feel of mine more. I don’t think they’re bad, I just think the E90 is better, even if it is slower. As far as DDing one, there really isn’t a situation that flummoxes an E9X M3. I don’t DD mine because I drive too much, I’ve put almost 20,000 miles on my E92 328i since March. If I lived closer to work and made more money, I’d DD it no problem.
"E92M3" (E46M3)
11/27/2017 at 10:07, STARS: 3
The M4 is a “sports coupe”, the Corvette and Cayman are “sports cars”. The M4 is not as raw as those 2, but think of it as 80% of the fun, but 100% more practical. It’s the better all-arounder. It’s like wearing soccer cleats vs a sneaker. The cleats will perform better on the field, but you don’t want to walk around all day in them.
That said, you really have to drive one to understand how good they are. I used to think, “really how much better can it be compared to a 350Z, or a Mustang/Camaro/etc?” I rented one when I went to Germany almost a decade ago just to see what all the fuss was about. After a week with that E92 M3 I knew I had to have one someday. As soon as I got home I put my S2000 up for sale.
"davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com" (davesaddiction)
11/27/2017 at 10:12, STARS: 0
The F8x is whole-cloth different from the E9x and previous generations of M cars...
What M does very well is making great-performing cars that are actually usable as cars. If handling is the most important thing to you, go with the smaller, lighter option. If practicality matters at all to you, consider M (especially the E9x, which is near the bottom of its depreciation curve - great value!).
(haven’t driven an F8x or Corvette, own an E90 and have driven a couple first-gen Caymans)
"Flynorcal: pilot, offshore sailor, car racer and panty thief" (flynorcal)
11/27/2017 at 10:12, STARS: 1
I own an M5 and a Corvette, albeit an older one (1992 C4 with an LT1 engine). I like driving the M5 way more than the Corvette. You also mentioned Porsche in there and I used to own a 911 as well, and I have taken all the above to the track and on road trips as well.
Best handling from Best to Worst:
911, Corvette, M5. That big V10 has a lot of mass up front and it doesn’t like to change direction. This is also why Porsche cars are magical. All of that mass is at the back.
Fastest? Easily the M5. Easily. However we’re talking in a straight line or a fast track with long straights.
Most useful? M5.
Best looking? M5.
The one I’d own if I could only own one? M5.
I’ve driven the M5 back and forth across the country and the thing inhales pavement at incredible speeds in total comfort.
If I needed a car for track duty only and had more to spend than what I paid for my C4 I’d get a modern Corvette most likely as aside from some known cooling issues it’s the most ready for track work right out of the box but if I wanted to be able to commute to work as well... That M4 is well worth a test drive.
What are you planning to do with the car?
"E90M3" (e90m3)
11/27/2017 at 10:13, STARS: 1
The F10 M5 retains hydraulic steering, whereas the new M3/4 has electric power steering; it’s good, but it’s not as good as the rack in the F10.
"davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com" (davesaddiction)
11/27/2017 at 10:16, STARS: 2
Yup. When I test-drove one, it was $10k more than I was really planning to spend at the time, but a few minutes into the drive, I knew I had to make it mine... 5+ years and 70k miles later, there’s still nothing (with four doors - important with 3 kids) that I’d rather have.
Great analogy with the shoes.
"Azrek" (azrek)
11/27/2017 at 10:25, STARS: 3
As the other E92 M3 owner on Oppo, I like the steering so much more in my older M3 than the current versions. It has more...feel.
Generally, I always tell folks that your car is like the Millennium Falcon. It can be as fast or as slow as you want, but you need to love it. If you are having concerns over the M4 then that is an instant pass. Find something that fits you.
As a sidenote, because of how boring BMW has gotten with some cars this will likely be my last BMW.
"davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com" (davesaddiction)
11/27/2017 at 11:04, STARS: 0
As the other E90 M3 owner on Oppo, yes to pretty much all this.
If they make an M2 GC, I’d have to at least check it out.
"E90M3" (e90m3)
11/27/2017 at 11:35, STARS: 0
If they make an M2 GC, I’d have to at least check it out.
It’s probably more of a when than an if.
"Poor_Sh" (ar4x)
11/27/2017 at 12:00, STARS: 1
Thanks for taking the time, exactly what I’m looking for.
"Poor_Sh" (ar4x)
11/27/2017 at 12:01, STARS: 0
I just prefer coupes, but an M5 sounds awesome. I remember pulling up next to one in high school and it just roared away probably at half-throttle... That will always stick with me.
My typical use is stop sign to stop sign thought the work week, highways on the weekends, occasional road trips and occasional autocross.
"Poor_Sh" (ar4x)
11/27/2017 at 12:03, STARS: 0
Much appreciated, and great analogy. I think I can handle some struggle to DD, but idk how much yet. I took my mustang to FL and back with 3 friends scuba diving for a week. It fit all our gear and is comfortably and I think the Vette could at least do that for 2. The M4 therefore could probably match the mustang.
"Tripper" (tripe46)
11/27/2017 at 12:06, STARS: 1
As a current E46 M3 owner, and former E90 M3 owner, I’m going to also “yes” to all of this. I loved my E90, but it cost me a ton of money. I traded it for an Audi.
"davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com" (davesaddiction)
11/27/2017 at 13:25, STARS: 0
Well, I hope you’re right. Good to have options if my car ever decides to give up the ghost...
"E92M3" (E46M3)
11/27/2017 at 13:25, STARS: 0
Yeah, the main problem with the Vette is being so low, the doors and not having a backseat. If you don’t need a backseat, then that won’t bother you. The long doors, and wide door sills makes getting in and out of the vette a chore unless no one parks beside you. You have to also be very careful entering some driveways/entrances to avoid damaging the front bumper/lip. There’s no way I could own a Vette with my current driveway. But there are plenty of people that DD Corvettes.
"davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com" (davesaddiction)
11/27/2017 at 13:27, STARS: 0
This says FWD. Fail! http://www.bmwblog.com/2017/09/26/bmw-f44-2-series-gran-coupe-reportedly-coming-u-s/
"E90M3" (e90m3)
11/27/2017 at 13:34, STARS: 0
Well damn it!
"Poor_Sh" (ar4x)
11/27/2017 at 13:45, STARS: 0
Yeah the doors aren’t too different from my mustang situation, and I’ve already told my friend I’ll likely have 2 less seats haha But, as much as I want the Vette or Cayman I have yet to fully accept that I’d have to drive THAT MUCH more carefully in my every day galavanting just to be safe. I might rent a Stingray when I go to FL soon so that might help. Now how do I rent an M4? Turo?
"davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com" (davesaddiction)
11/27/2017 at 13:59, STARS: 0
Hopefully that’s just for the normal 2-series and we still get a GC based on the current M2...
"E90M3" (e90m3)
11/27/2017 at 14:33, STARS: 1
Hopefully they just stick with RWD. Remember the rumors about the current M3 going to a V6? Hopefully it’ll be like that.
"average user" (avgusr)
11/27/2017 at 15:06, STARS: 0
If it is a more direct feel you are going for the M2 is probably a better choice.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
11/27/2017 at 15:57, STARS: 0
The F8x generation is missing something previous generations had. It’s hard to understand without driving a few. E46 was the pinnacle in my opinion, with E9x being excellent as well. My main issues with E9x is the exhaust note and reliability, call me weird but I think they only sound okay at best, and like shit with exhaust mods.
F8x sounds like shit, steering is good, but numb and just not as great as they’ve done in the past. Interior feels subpar to me (but still miles ahead of the Vette) and frankly I didn’t like the ergonomics.
I love a Cayman. It’s been a while since I’ve driven one, but I had no big complaints when I have in the past. They’re my favorite Porsche south of a CGT or 918 in the last 30 years.
Like others have said, drive some stuff to figure out what you like. Try an RS5 and C63 while you’re at it, just to get a feel for the market segment even if you’re not interested in them. But finding something to compare against a Cayman... ... I should say SLC but we all know there’s no contest there. Ooh ooh ooh! CLK black series!
"E92M3" (E46M3)
11/27/2017 at 17:58, STARS: 0
Turo, or go to Europe and rent one from Sixt. Guess you could also do a ///M Driving Experience at the BMW Performance Center.
Or go the free route and just test drive one at a dealership, but it’s hard to get a feel for a car doing their 6 mile test loop.
"Poor_Sh" (ar4x)
11/27/2017 at 18:22, STARS: 0
Yeah I’ll keep an eye out on Turo but man some of those prices are eye popping. Otherwise I can just spend my time on the computer researching everything to try process of elimination. I want to test drive lots of cars before making a choice, but man the dealership tango stresses me out.
Thanks.
"Poor_Sh" (ar4x)
11/27/2017 at 18:35, STARS: 1
Awesome thanks! I’d definitely need to get the Cayman S at least given the bench numbers of the non-S. I certainly would love to test drive tons of cars, and I’ll try, but I’m just bad at dealerships lol
"Poor_Sh" (ar4x)
11/27/2017 at 18:36, STARS: 0
I added it to the list a bit ago, but care to elaborate? What makes it a better direct feeling?
"E92M3" (E46M3)
11/27/2017 at 20:02, STARS: 0
Try Turo, 2 days should be enough. Just think of it as a xmas present. Lol