M4 vs E92 M3 vs 1M

"davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com" (davesaddiction) 03/11/2015 at 10:54 • Filed to: ///m

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Very balanced review of the three here: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

When BMW introduces a new M car it's worth celebrating the moment. For us that means bringing together the old and the new to gain an understanding of where the new M4 falls within the annals of M history. Luckily it all came together one early June day in central Wisconsin. With Road America at our disposal and some of the finest roads in the midwest around us, we found ourselves with low mileage examples of the BMW 1M, E92 M3 (with Competition package) and two M4s – one manual and one DCT.

The F82 M4 (and the F80 M3 which we'll be reviewing soon) represents the final piece of M's long planned transition into a new era. Gone are the celebrated high revving naturally aspirated engines we've known for years. In the engine bays of all M cars for 2014 are more powerful, faster and dramatically more efficient turbocharged engines that are both brutal and brilliant.

But can something that's more modern (and dare we say it – digital) satisfy the intangibles that have defined the M driving experience?

Too many M's > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 03/11/2015 at 11:10

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This was a fun comparo. I do like the statement that the 1M is more a baby M4 than any relation to the E92, totally makes sense. But I always find myself on Autotrader looking for a 1M, then I realize I just missed the boat on them :)

I'm still not totally convinced on the new F8x cars. While they are brilliant engineering I can't get past the video-gamey-ness of them. I've had more seat time since my first drive back in Oct however I have yet to drive an example with a third pedal. For my wants and needs the new car just doesn't seem to tick the blocks just yet. I hope the M2 can change my opinion on the new M-cars.

In the end with these examples, since I can't get a decently priced 1M I find myself back in an E90M. After I sold mine in January I regretted it so much I had to find another one. Not only that but my wife was bored with her X1 and its lack of a third pedal. So, out with the X1 and replace with the E90. I get to keep the wail of the S65 in my garage and my wife is happy with a three-pedal car once again. Win.

Now what to add for myself....hmmmmm.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Too many M's 03/11/2015 at 11:30

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Perfect solution to keep an E90 in the stable for your wife! Awesome that she loves driving a manual as much as you do; my wife can drive my car, but I don't think she prefers three pedals (she's in traffic more than I am). Pictures/details of the new one? There are many people on the forums that leave for other cars and end up coming back to the E9x; it's a very special car, for sure...

I hope the M2 is as good as I think it can be, too.

Good luck on your hunt! Can't wait to see what you choose.

BKRM3 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 03/11/2015 at 11:48

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Wow. Now that's a great piece of writing right there.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > BKRM3 03/11/2015 at 11:52

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Yeah, very impressed, and surprised I hadn't seen it before (posted in June).

The things he wrote about our car made me love it even more...

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 03/11/2015 at 12:05

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The answer is 135i with a JB4

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 03/11/2015 at 12:32

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I hope you're joking.

The E9x M3 was 80% unique, compared with a normal 3-series.

Not sure about the 1M, but it's a whole lot more than a regular 1-series with more power...

BKRM3 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 03/11/2015 at 13:15

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I think the subtext here is that the F8X doesn't represent an attempt to build the "best" M car full stop, but rather the "best" one that could be built and sold in 2015. That's all you can reasonably expect, I think.

Wouldn't it be neat if someone someday decides to Frankenstein together the "best" M car in the way that Singer makes what it thinks is the best and purest 911?

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 03/11/2015 at 13:29

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I'm not joking. You get better torque than an E92 M3, it's cheaper, costs less to insure, makes heaps of power, and is consistently reliable.

The M4 is too synthetic for my tastes.

The 1M is too expensive

The M3 doesn't have the trademark inline 6 soundtrack, though that V8 is great. Also, it's still expensive in Canada.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > BKRM3 03/11/2015 at 13:48

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Exactly. Times and tastes change.

I like where you're going with this... Does the S65 get to be the heart of the beast?

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 03/11/2015 at 13:52

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Got it - the answer for you .

If you're planning to head to the track regularly, that 135i is going to need a lot more than just a tune.

Will be interesting to see if 1M prices fall once the M2 is out.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 03/11/2015 at 13:53

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True. Thow on some EBC pads, DOT 4 fluid, and you're set for light trackdays, though.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 03/11/2015 at 14:04

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Sure. An LSD would help, too. =)

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 03/11/2015 at 14:20

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Yup.

Too many M's > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 03/11/2015 at 14:33

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Yeah, pretty lucky in that respect. Can't wait for her to get into auto-x or other track days :)

Found a 2010, LeMans Blue, 35k miles with most options save for PDC. Not what I preferred but the X1 had all the same gadgets and she actually uses them. And most importantly....the third pedal.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Too many M's 03/11/2015 at 14:36

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Very nice. My wife loves that blue as well.

Great pair - they look good together. "Complementary". =)

BKRM3 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 03/11/2015 at 14:43

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Hell yes! I'm thinking E30 M3 sport evolution body with some wicked carbon fiber worked in, including the roof bubbled up to look like the F8X. Then E46 M3 CSL wheels, pared-down tech goodies from the F8X including the new EDC suspension, traction software and differential. S65 under the hood. Steering rack from the CSL. Steel brakes with calipers from the F8X. Maybe BMW Performance seats from the E9X generation.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > BKRM3 03/11/2015 at 14:46

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Nope. Vaders from the E36! =)

BKRM3 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 03/11/2015 at 14:51

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As much as I love the vaders... I need, like, a way to connect the harnesses to the half cage man.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > BKRM3 03/11/2015 at 15:04

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Ah, yes. I was just trying to throw the E36 a bone... How about we take that little tri-color insert and add it to the Performance seats?

BKRM3 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 03/11/2015 at 16:13

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Perfect!!!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > BKRM3 03/12/2015 at 13:53

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Did you see this? =)

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/sold-the-m3-an…

BKRM3 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 03/12/2015 at 14:15

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Hahaha no I didn't. I saw what he said here about buying another E90 and I thought to myself mmmmhmmmmm! in a very satisfied tone lol. If you have to really TRY to like the F8X, it isn't for you. It's ok to live in the past. Look at us, we're doing it just fine =)

...not to mention that if I had the garage space I'd add an E46 M3 to my collection without hesitation. Always did love that car.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > BKRM3 03/12/2015 at 15:39

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Same here, but I think I'd add an E39 M5 first.

BKRM3 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 03/12/2015 at 16:29

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Good point. I have a friend with one and it's fantastic. Way more fun than a 5 series family car should be. The torque, in particular, from the S62 always wows me since it's so different from the S65.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > BKRM3 03/12/2015 at 16:35

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The video of Tiff flogging one is imprinted on my brain. They always snap my neck when I see one...

BKRM3 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 03/12/2015 at 16:55

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Speaking of neck snapping (god, awful joke - wear your HANS kids!) I got some new chew toys, which you might appreciate: http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/oppo-i-did-a-t…

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > BKRM3 03/12/2015 at 17:00

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Nice! "chew toys" =)