Anyone ordering a G80 M3?

[kith]

Surprised that there’s so little chatter about the new M3 on here, could this be their first flop?

Whilst initially disliking it, I’m coming round to it and am considering ordering one, largely on the strength of the photos of the brooklyn grey one in a car park that’s been posted widely, looks far better than the PR shots.

Anyone else thinking of, or already with, an order?

[Smuler]

kith said:

Surprised that there’s so little chatter about the new M3 on here, could this be their first flop?

Whilst initially disliking it, I’m coming round to it and am considering ordering one, largely on the strength of the photos of the brooklyn grey one in a car park that’s been posted widely, looks far better than the PR shots.

Anyone else thinking of, or already with, an order?

If my need, come Jan 2021, is firmly on a one car that does it all, then I would consider the M3. I skipped the F8X generation as I was drawn to at least a CP or.a CS, but was in the minority who suffered without the adjustable lumbar support. Plus I did like the M2C, which muddied the waters in 2019 when I was looking seriously.

The grills detract from the looks, compared to the F80 ; but I think as it's the last ICE M3, it's a bold design and I admire that.

My concerns would be whether the the increase in size/weight and a move to a ZF8 auto from a DCT mean the driving experience, as a whole, doesn't move the M narrative forward. So I'd try extensively before ordering.

[JMBMWM5]

Looked at these, did not like the looks, went F90 M5 Comp LCI, absolute Monster.

[jm doc]

JMBMWM5 said:

Looked at these, did not like the looks, went F90 M5 Comp LCI, absolute Monster.

Total monster, I agree

[kith]

JMBMWM5 said:

Looked at these, did not like the looks, went F90 M5 Comp LCI, absolute Monster.

I agree that it looks way better than a G80, it's the size of the F90 that puts me off, its a lot of metal to be hustling down country roads.

[rassi]

kith said:

I agree that it looks way better than a G80, it's the size of the F90 that puts me off, its a lot of metal to be hustling down country roads.

It really isn't that much bigger than the new 3 series, at least width wise. And it hides its weight supremely well, and just feels so utterly unstressed with that V8. My all time favourite car now

[JMBMWM5]

kith said:

I agree that it looks way better than a G80, it's the size of the F90 that puts me off, its a lot of metal to be hustling down country roads.

You will be surprised, and the new LCI is quicker than the older versions , blistering with the new M8 gearbox.

[garystoybox]

JMBMWM5 said:

You will be surprised, and the new LCI is quicker than the older versions , blistering with the new M8 gearbox.

Actually the gearbox upgrade appeared in Sept 19 builds onwards (8HP76 from the M8) when OS7 and new live cockpit introduced. This is also when the GPF was fitted. I find the launch control rock solid how (really poor with the older gearbox) hence why we will see quicker figures. To be fair though you’ll use launch once to try it and then never bother.

[PorkInsider]

The new model was never a favourite for my next car, once the leaked photos came out, but I really hoped it would be better in reality, or at least might grow on me, as I sold my M4 CP earlier this year (which I'd had from new) and haven't replaced it yet.

It's so disappointing that they've gone ahead with this new look front end. I know new models always take a bit of getting used to but none of the previous M3s were so unpalatable.

If someone comes out with a high quality front end modification to sort the grilles then I could possibly be swayed but I don't usually mod' my cars these days and I'd be reluctant to shell out in the region of £80k on something I'm not happy with standard.

Perhaps they'll become less offensive with familiarity but it doesn't feel that way just now...

I think there are a lot of current/past F8x owners thinking the same and I know some wise-crackers will pop up on here saying 'if you don't like the G8x you're not the target market for it', but if those of us who've previously shelled out on brand new Ms aren't the market, then who exactly is it aimed at..?

Edited by PorkInsider on Monday 16th November 17:16

[rassi]

PorkInsider said:

The new model was never a favourite for my next car, once the leaked photos came out, but I really hoped it would be better in reality, or at least might grow on me, as I sold my M4 CP earlier this year (which I'd had from new) and haven't replaced it yet.

It's so disappointing that they've gone ahead with this new look front end. I know new models always take a bit of getting used to but none of the previous M3s were so unpalatable.

If someone comes out with a high quality front end modification to sort the grilles then I could possibly be swayed but I don't usually mod' my cars these days and I'd be reluctant to shell out in the region of £80k on something I'm not happy with standard.

Perhaps they'll become less offensive with familiarity but it doesn't feel that way just now...

I think there are a lot of current/past F8x owners thinking the same and I know some wise-crackers will pop up on here saying 'if you don't like the G8x you're not the target market for it', but if those of us who've previously shelled out on brand new Ms aren't the market, then who exactly is it aimed at..?

Edited by PorkInsider on Monday 16th November 17:16

Evolve is developing a new front end https://youtu.be/cWr0INLEa34

[andyeds1234]

Need a 500hp medium sized saloon? The Alfa Guilia QF is the only car I would be looking at.
If the new M3 drives as well as the Alfa then hats off to BMW, but the M3 styling definitely doesn't come close.
All in my humble opinion of course

[kith]

andyeds1234 said:

Need a 500hp medium sized saloon? The Alfa Guilia QF is the only car I would be looking at.
If the new M3 drives as well as the Alfa then hats off to BMW, but the M3 styling definitely doesn't come close.
All in my humble opinion of course

Everything being equal, I would go for a Giulia above an M3, but they are not taking UK factory orders at the moment (pending Brexit) and there's no dealer in Nottingham where I live so service etc would be a real pain. As an daily, 3-4 year ownership proposition, I think the M3 wins. Having said that, if I could stretch to an Alpina B3, I would have one above anything else.

[stewie177]

I have the M5 Comp (pre-LCI) and was considering a shift to the G80/82, as I think the 4wd system is absolutely superb. Having had the F82, when pushing on slightly rough country roads, it always seemed to struggle; the M5 just grips and goes (even on the same corner).

However, my reticence is that will a Competition model appear within a few months and that's the one to have?

Also, the estate may be of interest...

[nickfrog]

stewie177 said:

However, my reticence is that will a Competition model appear within a few months and that's the one to have?
.

We only get the Competition at launch in the UK.

[andyeds1234]

kith said:

andyeds1234 said:

Need a 500hp medium sized saloon? The Alfa Guilia QF is the only car I would be looking at.
If the new M3 drives as well as the Alfa then hats off to BMW, but the M3 styling definitely doesn't come close.
All in my humble opinion of course

Everything being equal, I would go for a Giulia above an M3, but they are not taking UK factory orders at the moment (pending Brexit) and there's no dealer in Nottingham where I live so service etc would be a real pain. As an daily, 3-4 year ownership proposition, I think the M3 wins. Having said that, if I could stretch to an Alpina B3, I would have one above anything else.

The dealer thing is an issue, but the Alfa comes with a 5 years warranty and service plan in most instances, so that may makes up for some of the dealer patchiness.

[kith]

nickfrog said:

stewie177 said:

However, my reticence is that will a Competition model appear within a few months and that's the one to have?
.

We only get the Competition at launch in the UK.

Also, the xDrive version is being launched until mid-2021, so that's quite a wait. Having read some of the prototype drives of the RWD version and given the experience with the F80, I suspect that the RWD G80 could be a bit of a handful. Fun maybe, but this will also be the car I send the Mrs and kids in when they visit the in-laws and I'm a bit wary of putting them in a tail happy 500bhp beast on a streaming wet motorway.

[stewie177]

nickfrog said:

We only get the Competition at launch in the UK.

Thanks, I didn't know that.

[wastedyouth86]

andyeds1234 said:

Need a 500hp medium sized saloon? The Alfa Guilia QF is the only car I would be looking at.
If the new M3 drives as well as the Alfa then hats off to BMW, but the M3 styling definitely doesn't come close.
All in my humble opinion of course

I know it is frightfully snobby but I would feel an Alfa even with all that bhp would feel like a step down from a BMW in my opinion.

[rassi]

wastedyouth86 said:

I know it is frightfully snobby but I would feel an Alfa even with all that bhp would feel like a step down from a BMW in my opinion.

I think the interior fit and quality of the Giulia was on par with the F30 3 series, but the G20 clearly moved things on.

However, a Quadrifoglio is really rare and to me at least much more exiting than an G80 M3/M4, so not sure it is a "step down" but if you need to keep up with the Joneses...

[wastedyouth86]

rassi said:

I think the interior fit and quality of the Giulia was on par with the F30 3 series, but the G20 clearly moved things on.

However, a Quadrifoglio is really rare and to me at least much more exiting than an G80 M3/M4, so not sure it is a "step down" but if you need to keep up with the Joneses...

No no we are much more multi-cultural around here.... trying to keep up with the Singh's.

It is less about the Quadrifoglio and more about the brand in general especially as the Alfa garages around here are joint ventures selling Fiats as well.