"Too many M's" (toomanyms)
10/23/2015 at 16:45 • Filed to: None
8
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"Too many M's" (toomanyms)
10/23/2015 at 16:45 • Filed to: None | 8
| 27 |
In my previous post about my beloved !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , I mentioned I had purchased the new M4 to replace it. This is more of a story leading up to the purchase and my journey through the first six-ish months I’ve owned the car.
Current E90 and my old E46.
I hadn’t planned on getting into the F8x chassis so soon if at all, but with the track season upon me and my E46 out of commission I didn’t want to waste any time. I also have an E90 M3 but at the time it was my wife’s primary DD and kid hauler.
I was shopping around and stopped by one of the local BMW dealers where they had a few of the new cars in stock but didn’t see any with the crucial third pedal, so my thoughts went to custom ordering one. I knew I wanted a manual since a) the DCT is amazing and makes the car a rocket ship, but makes it far too video-gamey for me and b) the transmission, sourced from the previous 1-series M Coupe, is a huge improvement over the 6-speed in the E9x generation M3. The test drives I had done solidified my choice.
I had plans of selling the E90M eventually to find an E92M track car candidate so the new F80 M3 with a 6-speed was the base of my build sheet. Unfortunately I was at an awkward time in production when the factory wasn’t taking any new orders before the model year change and I wouldn’t have been able to get a build slot for another four months. More sads.
Strangely there was a lone M4 sitting hidden in the showroom, away from most traffic, that turned out to be the perfect spec. Mineral White (not my first choice of color, but it’s growing on me), Carbon cloth/leather, six-speed manual (crucial), EDC, 19” wheels in black and whatever else comes standard. Surprisingly it had been sitting for so long that a discount from BMW had been applied to get the thing to move. After some discussion with my wife, I decided to go for the in stock car.
I took delivery and immediately tackled the task of completing the break-in mileage. Any excuse to drive somewhere, I’d take one of my kiddos and we’d be off. After three weeks I FINALLY hit the 1200 mile mark and brought the car in for the first service (oil change and transmission flush). The car was great to drive, but the ho-hum part of commuting didn’t do it any justice. It drives like a BMW. Compliant, nice gadgets, ready to go fast, ready to consistently STOP fast (a new thing for M-cars). More than enough car for street use. Unfortunately for me after the break-in service life happened and I didn’t get to drive the car for almost two months over the summer.
August rolled around and things finally settled down so I could start planning my automotive therapy, track time. The first Touristenfahrten day at the Nurburgring I could make was near the end of the month so I made a promise to myself not to change anything on the car. I wanted to experience it completely stock on the track like I had done with my cars previously.
The day finally came and the anticipation had been killing me! I was so excited to finally get this new toy to the place where it belonged.
Maybe I had hyped the capabilities to myself too much because after just two laps around the Nordschliefe, I had to stop. Not because of any mechanical problems with the car but because I just couldn’t believe what a letdown it was. Let me explain:
1. The Electronic Power steering (EPS) had taken all feel out of the car. I could turn the wheel and point the car around but with zero feedback it was too much like a video game steering wheel. Even with the manual transmission I was disconnected.
2. Electronic-Damper Control (EDC) is fantastic technology, but I just couldn’t find the setting to make me comfortable driving the car on the edge. There was too much bounce at high speeds and in cornering not to mention a lot more roll than the E90 with EDC produced. I experienced more understeer than anticipated and would try to power out but ran into the next problem below.
3. M-dynamic Mode (MDM) was far too inhibitive, the car has a ton more torque than the previous gens and I’ve been altering my driving style to deal with this but the system reels the car in too soon IMO and cuts power like crazy. I’d usually go full off on traction control but I wasn’t ready to do that yet because of the other issues listed above.
4. The only positive was the brakes!! Finally an M-car with a decent set of stock stoppers, they took up the slack when other systems cut in or the suspension was less than confidence inspiring.
After this initial trip I was pretty bummed. So much that I considered selling the car to focus on the E90M and SMG E46M that I had picked up. I took to the next step, focus on the M4’s looks. Solution: lowering the 4x4 mode.
I decided early on that I wanted to keep the EDC system before I went to full coil overs. They are great for the street, where the car spends the majority of its time. So this left some sort of spring kit as an alternative. I considered the H&R and Eibach offerings but decided to go with the KW Height Adjustable spring kit so I can fine tune the drop for summer and raise the car up slightly for the winter months. I ordered it, my trusty mechanic had the system installed in no time and I set to the task of testing.
Verdict: HOLY SMOKES THIS IS WHAT THE CAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN.
I honestly think BMW had a back door deal with KW to develop the kit, because with just this simple modification the car is now the way I had envisioned in my mind. Steering “feel” with the EPS was greatly improved, bounciness at high speed was eliminated, uneasiness in the corners was squashed, MDM even kept its silly trap shut for the most part. Track times dropped more and any novice in a GT3 and even built E92M track cars saw me trying to get by. The confidence was back and so was the love with this new breed of M-car
As winter comes, I only have around 6k miles on the car. I plan to drive it year round so some winter rubber and raising of the suspension is in order. Like my previous post, I’m on the hunt for the perfect E46 again. But this new beast is holding my attention until I find it.
SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman
> Too many M's
10/23/2015 at 16:52 |
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Awesome post!
Next time, try some TC Kline coils. They use Koni shocks and have a great reputation over here in the USA in the BMW community. Not many club racers use KW but they go for TC Kline, JRZ, Moton, MCS normally
RightFootDown
> Too many M's
10/23/2015 at 16:54 |
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Out of curiosity, which KW kit did you go with?
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Too many M's
> SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman
10/23/2015 at 17:00 |
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I love TCKlines, had them on the old E46. I went with the sleeve kit for now to retain the EDC. A LOT of folks prefer KWs since they are TÜV legal.
JRZ, Moton, and MCS are excellent choices though, my next track car will have something along these lines.
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Too many M's
> RightFootDown
10/23/2015 at 17:02 |
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The KW sleeve-over HAS kit, it retains the stock EDC shocks and is still height adjustable.
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SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman
> Too many M's
10/23/2015 at 17:09 |
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Oh awesome! I had no idea was known outside the USA. That’s really cool to know!
TC is actually an acquaintance of mine. He lives just a few minutes away from me. His shop is also close to my house
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RightFootDown
> SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman
10/23/2015 at 17:10 |
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Had TC Klines in the past on a supercharged E36. Great stuff!
Tripper
> Too many M's
10/23/2015 at 17:36 |
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Congrats on all of your M cars but especially your E46, and sorry to hear about it’s demise all at the same time. I had the same set of wants when I bought mine, but I was 22 and ended up getting the first one that I could afford (which was a convertible). So I ended up with and still have my 2002 Phoenix Yellow M3.
I always said that I would trade it for a hard top the first chance I got, but it became such a part of me that when I bought my E90 M3, I had to keep it. I’ve since traded the E90 for an Audi, but I would really have to be in bad shape to give up the E46. One of these days I will scoop up a hardtop, hopefully in PY or LSB.
Cé hé sin
> Too many M's
10/23/2015 at 17:57 |
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American spec car in Germany?
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Too many M's
> Cé hé sin
10/23/2015 at 17:58 |
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I pretend to be American most days. Especially if I can get US prices.
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Too many M's
> Tripper
10/23/2015 at 18:06 |
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That’s a great looking car! I was the same way, I went through two E90Ms and numerous other cars but had to hold on to the E46. It really was going to be my forever car.
Good luck with your search, I already have a couple candidates in mind now I just need to sell the current E90 :D
Spasoje
> Too many M's
10/23/2015 at 18:10 |
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That video-game sensation was precisely what disappointed me in both the F32 (435i manual M sport w/ EDC) and F80 (M3 manual w/ EDC) I drove!
I drove home from both test-drives in my DD Jetta (Bora), which felt more involving to drive (and, when compared to the F32 in particular, more eager) – I can only imagine how I’d feel coming out of an E46 M3. But reading that a simple change of springs fixes all that brings a huge smile to my face!
BTW did you maybe get a chance to drive a F8x with the standard (non-EDC) suspension? I’m curious if the base suspension is any closer to that E46 feel...
M54B30
> Too many M's
10/23/2015 at 18:14 |
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Pretty sure you and I have a mutual friend named Ashley.
She posted some pictures of veeeeery similar looking cars on FB recently
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Too many M's
> Spasoje
10/23/2015 at 18:30 |
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Unfortunately I couldn’t drive any cars without the EDC.
Many laud the F8x for being amazing, which it is. But going from the E46 and even E90 into it I notice two things. One being the size, it is a BIG car compared to the previous gens and second, the steering feel. The stock E90 is so much more involving to drive on the edge.
The F32 is a very nice car as well, but still a step back in regards to the EPS vs the F82. It is leaps and bounds better than the first year F30s, that was like driving the Pole Position game console.
I had a 228i M-sport for a couple days, that was actually more enjoyable to drive than the F32 and more balanced around my favorite back roads. I cannot wait to try the M2 when it arrives.
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Too many M's
> M54B30
10/23/2015 at 18:31 |
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Haha, ah yes Ashley. She was dog-sitting for us while we were on vacation this summer.
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M54B30
> Too many M's
10/23/2015 at 18:33 |
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Small world.
I went to high school with her
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Spasoje
> Too many M's
10/24/2015 at 00:33 |
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Thanks for the reply! Interesting that the 228i was more fun – I’ve heard opinions that suggest the same, but now there’s finally someone who’s actually verified hehe
How would you rank the F82 w/ the new springs, the E90 you have, and the E46 in terms of steering feel?
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Too many M's
> Spasoje
10/24/2015 at 07:23 |
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The 228i was a lot more fun because of the slow-car-fast method if driving. The lighter 4-cyl upfront really allowed the car to turn in quickly. It was equipped with the 8-speed auto and it gave delightful little blurps and burbles on both up and down shift.
Between the three? My previous E46 was the most direct and rewarding to drive. It was also fairly stiff, TCKline coilovers and full poly bushings. The E90s, both my previous and current car were stock only slight brake upgrade, would be second. Finally the F82 with the spring kit. Despite the KW upgrade it still trails in feel if I jump between between the three cars in a day.
ly2v8-Brian
> Too many M's
10/24/2015 at 10:55 |
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Quality read.
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Too many M's
> ly2v8-Brian
10/24/2015 at 11:15 |
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Cheers, thanks.
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Spasoje
> Too many M's
10/24/2015 at 22:27 |
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Thanks again!
I’ve been reading up on the KW HAS in the meantime... What ride height did you set yours up at? Does ride comfort vary w/ the height? Any warranty with these springs (or expected service life)?
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Too many M's
> Spasoje
10/25/2015 at 05:32 |
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I’m all the way down in the front and about 2/3s in the rear. Ride comfort is a bit stiffer at low speeds but high speed stability is so greatly improved it’s worth the trade off.
KW stuff has a lifetime warranty.
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Too many M's
> SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman
10/25/2015 at 05:49 |
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That’s very cool! I had thought about the KWs for the E46 as well but I had heard such good things about TCs on the forums so I stuck with it until I wore them out. They weren't TÜV certified but at the time I didn't have to worry about going through the tech inspection.
Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
> Too many M's
10/25/2015 at 17:26 |
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Hnnnnng brick drivewayyyy
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Too many M's
> Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/25/2015 at 17:45 |
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One part I love about Europe, hand laid brick is far more prevalent than asphalt.
Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST)
> Too many M's
10/28/2015 at 07:08 |
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Are you an American living in Germany? Because you're definitely not referencing the metric system using inches and miles in your review hahaha
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Too many M's
> Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST)
10/28/2015 at 07:16 |
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Haha, yes I’m an American living in Germany. My fleet is full of US Spec cars, but they can go both ways. O_O
Zak86
> Too many M's
12/07/2017 at 00:39 |
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Hey, I’m so glad that I came across this as I’m currently feeling the same with the M4. I see that this was written a couple of years back and I was just wondering what your optimal settings were for my yearly pilgrimage to the ring.
Did you have the geometry set differently from stock or after lowering?
What ride height settings did you find worked best was for fast road/track/Ring driving?
Also, have you re-mapped and if so would you recommend it?
Thank’s in advance.