Help me, I'm afraid to buy an F8x M

spmd11 · 02-01-2016, 08:25 PM

I have only had BMW in my garage for the last 17+ years. We currently have 4 BMW's including 2 e92 M3's. I really want to like the new M car but dislike the engine/exhaust note. What has happened to BMW M? Are there any other past generation M owners that feel lost with this new crop of cars? When the e46 M and e9x M launched they received far better universal feedback over the first 24 months than I think this car does. Am I overreacting? We tried a test drive of an M4 last month and I was underwhelmed.

IM2C · 02-01-2016, 08:32 PM

It's all good man. You are overreacting a bit. We all do. Being a pilot and all, lets first fly the airplane and call for the QRH second.

Just kidding, its a great car. It may be an overstatement nice I've only put 600 miles on it.

SakhirM4 · 02-01-2016, 08:32 PM

I have owned nothing but BMWs since 1977 - a total of 18. My M4 is the best BMW that I have ever owned. It is a fantastic automobile, but that is subjective and my opinion. Sorry that you were underwhelmed.

pikkagtr · 02-01-2016, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spmd11

I have only had BMW in my garage for the last 17+ years. We currently have 4 BMW's including 2 e92 M3's. I really want to like the new M car but dislike the engine/exhaust note. What has happened to BMW M? Are there any other past generation M owners that feel lost with this new crop of cars? When the e46 M and e9x M launched they received far better universal feedback over the first 24 months than I think this car does. Am I over reacting? We tried a test drive of an M4 last month and I was underwhelmed.

You should hang on to the e9x M then
Nothing beats the feeling of reving it out to 8k to pass the new accord v6
I'll just have to settle for my 550+ lb ft of tq on my f8x with the terrible engine and exhaust note

dkhm3 · 02-01-2016, 08:36 PM

if you love your e9x then by all means keep the car.

if you think the exhaust sound is such a big deal, you would've passed on the e46 and e36, because the exhaust sound was very uninspiring.

as an owner of the e36, e46 m3's and a e90 335i, this f8x m3 is the best one yet.

if you love exhaust sounds, you should look into getting an AMG. I had a w204 6.2 liter c63 and i can tell you that the exhaust sound was great. the rest of the car was not.

dinonz · 02-01-2016, 08:38 PM

A fellow pilot!? Looks like you fly twins? So do I - just baby ones though

I think sadly we have to accept that it's the way of the modern world. Most manufacturers are going to smaller turbo engines which inherently have a lesser exhaust note, but that doesn't diminish the car - just the audible experience of it.

Never Convicted · 02-01-2016, 08:39 PM

Maybe you're just happy with the inferior performance of your E92, which is fine. You've just found your limit, and when you drive around town revving over 5-6k, it makes it feel faster. Horses for courses. At least you admit it.

RowanBuds · 02-01-2016, 08:39 PM

Yesterday, I drove my car for the first time this year aside from a local gathering and a short traffic filled trip to the detailer. Took it on a 5.5-6 hour trip doing maybe 80 miles of great backroads over the span. This car is phenomenal all around. The exhaust note can be modified - it will never sound like the S65, but it can be made better. I went out yesterday with another F80 running the Active system, and I have the AWE. Neither car sounded bad at all when the wood was being put to them.

The entirety of the package is a 9/10. Yes, the steering could be more communicative, but in comfort or sport it is acceptable. I wish there were a midpoint between the two. Comfort, to me, provides the most feedback but the weight of the steering is light for my taste. The weight of sport is perfect, but feedback is slightly numbed.

Did you have the car set in attack mode on your test drive? This platform really is Jekyll/Hyde in that when set to all efficient/comfort it's a bit lazy, but never incapable. Set up with Sport+/Sport+/Sport, and if DCT go to shift program 2 or 3, and the nasty comes out. If you didn't mess with this I think you may benefit from another test drive.

* I apologize; I somehow missed your sentence looking for prior owners reviews. I didn't have an E9x M, but did get some seat time in a couple non-vert's over the years. The torquey nature of this powertrain yields a different monster altogether from the E9x's. It's a beast as soon as you want it, not needing to be wrung out. I've always preferred NA cars so this purchase was a leap of faith for me. Every time I get to take the car on a technical road I fall 100% in love all over again (Yesterday is fresh in mind, leading me to this entire post).

spmd11 · 02-01-2016, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f80

It's all good man. You are overreacting a bit. We all do. Being a pilot and all, lets first fly the airplane and call for the QRH second.

Just kidding, its a great car. It may be an overstatement nice I've only put 600 miles on it.

LOL

spmd11 · 02-01-2016, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

I have owned nothing but BMWs since 1977 - a total of 18. My M4 is the best BMW that I have ever owned. It is a fantastic automobile, but that is subjective and my opinion. Sorry that you were underwhelmed.

We are in Austin, too. Perhaps we could have our M's meet and we could get a better feel for the new car in person. Short test drives on brand new cars makes it difficult to get a true feel of the car

nene · 02-01-2016, 08:41 PM

My .02 pence:
When I ride her hard, any sound note while she moans is pure bliss to my ears.

9SECDD · 02-01-2016, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spmd11

I have only had BMW in my garage for the last 17+ years. We currently have 4 BMW's including 2 e92 M3's. I really want to like the new M car but dislike the engine/exhaust note. What has happened to BMW M? Are there any other past generation M owners that feel lost with this new crop of cars? When the e46 M and e9x M launched they received far better universal feedback over the first 24 months than I think this car does. Am I overreacting? We tried a test drive of an M4 last month and I was underwhelmed.

Had an E36 M3 & then an E46 M3 before getting my F82 M4. By far, the best of the bunch and the best car I have ever owned. So fast. So good-looking. You can improve the exhaust note with downpipes and exhaust flap module, which make it sound pretty awesome.

This car is a beast. Have no fear.

auf Deutsch · 02-01-2016, 09:06 PM

Don't be afraid to buy it. Just don't buy it. Leave the allocations available to those who truly appreciate the most badass M3 to date.

Sassicaia · 02-01-2016, 09:13 PM

MPE?

Sounds good to me. Honestly I don't even mind the stock sound.

ThomasM4 · 02-01-2016, 09:13 PM

Sorry, I don't miss my E92 M3 at all. Went aftermarket on the exhaust and have zero complaints. F8X is in a different league.

gprgeorge · 02-01-2016, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spmd11

I have only had BMW in my garage for the last 17+ years. We currently have 4 BMW's including 2 e92 M3's. I really want to like the new M car but dislike the engine/exhaust note. What has happened to BMW M? Are there any other past generation M owners that feel lost with this new crop of cars? When the e46 M and e9x M launched they received far better universal feedback over the first 24 months than I think this car does. Am I overreacting? We tried a test drive of an M4 last month and I was underwhelmed.

I think many of us had our doubts if this f80 could live up to the past icons. I had the M E46, M roadster, and recently my beloved E92 coupe. I got a 2016 M3 with MPE and Dinan software. City gas mileage is almost 20 mpg, car interior is classy, torque makes car quick, etc. I have not missed my E92. This M3 is the best all around vehicle I have ever owned.

nicknaz · 02-01-2016, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spmd11

We tried a test drive of an M4 last month and I was underwhelmed.

How hard did you drive and what settings were you in?

Do a performance center day for an extended test drive of M3/M4 and it should let you make a more conclusive decision

climax_e92 · 02-01-2016, 10:32 PM

Buy it. You won't regret it!!! I just bought mine last week. Still has under 300 miles. First thing i did when i woke up in the morning was disconnect the flaps. Sounds soo good that i don't even think i'm gonna go with an aftermarket exhaust. Unless i find a really good deal on a MPE.

spmd11 · 02-01-2016, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicknaz

How hard did you drive and what settings were you in?

Do a performance center day for an extended test drive of M3/M4 and it should let you make a more conclusive decision

Since the car was new with less than 30 miles on it, I did not want to exceed break-in requirements. I'm not sure what settings it was in.

AW BMW · 02-01-2016, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by climax_e92

Buy it. You won't regret it!!! I just bought mine last week. Still has under 300 miles. First thing i did when i woke up in the morning was disconnect the flaps. Sounds soo good that i don't even think i'm gonna go with an aftermarket exhaust. Unless i find a really good deal on a MPE.

Were you the one I sold my E92 m-performance spoiler to last year for the 335?

AW BMW · 02-01-2016, 11:24 PM

Like everyone is saying, test drive again. This car is an animal in sports plus and all the nannies off, and with an aftermarket exhaust even better. If you left it in the default settings then I see why you were underwhelmed. I have driven 2 E92 m3s n/a and supercharged, while I love the sound of those cars the F8x just feels like a different beast.

RobbyMack · 02-01-2016, 11:26 PM

So if I'm reading this right your complaints are:
1) exhaust sound: fair point especially on cold start but otherwise I have no issues with valves forced open. Plus there are plenty of other options.

2) that a few journalists didn't like it: who cares

3) that you felt underwhelmed: well I think we've gone as far as needed. If it doesn't stir your soul the way any good car should I don't think this is the car for you.

02-01-2016, 08:25 PM	#1
spmd11 Major 291 Rep 1,079 Posts Drives: 2020 X3MC Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (4)	Help me, I'm afraid to buy an F8x M I have only had BMW in my garage for the last 17+ years. We currently have 4 BMW's including 2 e92 M3's. I really want to like the new M car but dislike the engine/exhaust note. What has happened to BMW M? Are there any other past generation M owners that feel lost with this new crop of cars? When the e46 M and e9x M launched they received far better universal feedback over the first 24 months than I think this car does. Am I overreacting? We tried a test drive of an M4 last month and I was underwhelmed. __________________ 2020 X3MC, 2018 Porsche Macan, 2019 X3 3.0i, 2016 981 Cayman S Last edited by spmd11; 02-01-2016 at 08:38 PM..
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02-01-2016, 08:32 PM	#2
IM2C Major General 2069 Rep 5,373 Posts Drives: ∞ Improbability Drive Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: FL iTrader: (9)	It's all good man. You are overreacting a bit. We all do. Being a pilot and all, lets first fly the airplane and call for the QRH second. Just kidding, its a great car. It may be an overstatement nice I've only put 600 miles on it. __________________ ///\| g87 \| f87 Comp \| g29 M40i \| f97 Comp \| f80 Comp \| f80 \| f30 \| e92 \| tt \| S5 \| e92 \| 350z \| e90 \|
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02-01-2016, 08:32 PM	#3
SakhirM4 Major General 10785 Rep 8,852 Posts Drives: '15 SO M4/'20 Z4 M40i Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW Z4 M40i [10.00] 2015 BMW M4 [8.76]	I have owned nothing but BMWs since 1977 - a total of 18. My M4 is the best BMW that I have ever owned. It is a fantastic automobile, but that is subjective and my opinion. Sorry that you were underwhelmed. __________________ Tejas Chapter, BMW CCA, mem #23915, President 27 years, www.tejaschapter.org
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02-01-2016, 08:36 PM	#5
dkhm3 Brigadier General 1882 Rep 3,341 Posts Drives: 991.2 GT3 2020 X3MC Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Orange County iTrader: (0)	if you love your e9x then by all means keep the car. if you think the exhaust sound is such a big deal, you would've passed on the e46 and e36, because the exhaust sound was very uninspiring. as an owner of the e36, e46 m3's and a e90 335i, this f8x m3 is the best one yet. if you love exhaust sounds, you should look into getting an AMG. I had a w204 6.2 liter c63 and i can tell you that the exhaust sound was great. the rest of the car was not. __________________ Currently: 2018 GT3 2020 X3MC Previously: 1999 M3 2002 M3 2005 S4 2008 C63 2015 M3 2016 X5M 2019 911S
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02-01-2016, 08:38 PM	#6
dinonz Banned 3216 Rep 2,385 Posts Drives: 2016 M3 MWM ZCP Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Austin iTrader: (0)	A fellow pilot!? Looks like you fly twins? So do I - just baby ones though I think sadly we have to accept that it's the way of the modern world. Most manufacturers are going to smaller turbo engines which inherently have a lesser exhaust note, but that doesn't diminish the car - just the audible experience of it.
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02-01-2016, 08:39 PM	#7
Never Convicted Lieutenant Colonel 1108 Rep 1,497 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Charlotte NC iTrader: (0)	Maybe you're just happy with the inferior performance of your E92, which is fine. You've just found your limit, and when you drive around town revving over 5-6k, it makes it feel faster. Horses for courses. At least you admit it.
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02-01-2016, 08:39 PM	#8
RowanBuds Colonel 1709 Rep 2,053 Posts Drives: 3 pedal 718, G05, MkVII GTI Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bergen County, NJ iTrader: (0)	Yesterday, I drove my car for the first time this year aside from a local gathering and a short traffic filled trip to the detailer. Took it on a 5.5-6 hour trip doing maybe 80 miles of great backroads over the span. This car is phenomenal all around. The exhaust note can be modified - it will never sound like the S65, but it can be made better. I went out yesterday with another F80 running the Active system, and I have the AWE. Neither car sounded bad at all when the wood was being put to them. The entirety of the package is a 9/10. Yes, the steering could be more communicative, but in comfort or sport it is acceptable. I wish there were a midpoint between the two. Comfort, to me, provides the most feedback but the weight of the steering is light for my taste. The weight of sport is perfect, but feedback is slightly numbed. Did you have the car set in attack mode on your test drive? This platform really is Jekyll/Hyde in that when set to all efficient/comfort it's a bit lazy, but never incapable. Set up with Sport+/Sport+/Sport, and if DCT go to shift program 2 or 3, and the nasty comes out. If you didn't mess with this I think you may benefit from another test drive. * I apologize; I somehow missed your sentence looking for prior owners reviews. I didn't have an E9x M, but did get some seat time in a couple non-vert's over the years. The torquey nature of this powertrain yields a different monster altogether from the E9x's. It's a beast as soon as you want it, not needing to be wrung out. I've always preferred NA cars so this purchase was a leap of faith for me. Every time I get to take the car on a technical road I fall 100% in love all over again (Yesterday is fresh in mind, leading me to this entire post). __________________ Moved to the darkside: '23 718 GT4; 11-10-2022. Le Mans Blue F80 - Munich 5-22-2015 / US 7-7-2015 / SOLD 9-17-2022 ED Recap Arctic Grey G05 - Spartanburg 8-29-2019 X5 PCD Recap
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02-01-2016, 08:41 PM	#11
nene Second Lieutenant 137 Rep 236 Posts Drives: Various Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW M4c [9.00]	My .02 pence: When I ride her hard, any sound note while she moans is pure bliss to my ears. __________________ M5C:G550:RS6:Macan-T:911TT :: (M4:P90D:XKR:550ix:M3:TT:545i:CLK:S4)
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02-01-2016, 09:06 PM	#13
auf Deutsch Colonel 1913 Rep 2,210 Posts Drives: '17 jackrabbit on crystal meth Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Philly burbs iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW M2 [0.00]	Don't be afraid to buy it. Just don't buy it. Leave the allocations available to those who truly appreciate the most badass M3 to date. __________________ 2017 BSM M2\|6MT\|Exec\|black kidneys and gills\|full alcantara wheel\|CF spoiler\|Dinan Stage 4\|Dinan COI\|Dinan free flow exhaust with resonator delete\|Fabspeed sport cat DP\|BMS clutch stop\|465 bhp\|4.75/5 stars retired: 2014 435xi\|MPPK\|335 bhp\|3/5 stars
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02-01-2016, 09:13 PM	#14
Sassicaia Brigadier General 4453 Rep 3,308 Posts Drives: SMB F80 6MT Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Vancouver, Canada iTrader: (0)	MPE? Sounds good to me. Honestly I don't even mind the stock sound.
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02-01-2016, 09:13 PM	#15
ThomasM4 Private First Class 42 Rep 186 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Sorry, I don't miss my E92 M3 at all. Went aftermarket on the exhaust and have zero complaints. F8X is in a different league.
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02-01-2016, 10:32 PM	#18
climax_e92 Lieutenant 148 Rep 563 Posts Drives: E92 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Los Angeles 661 iTrader: (6)	Buy it. You won't regret it!!! I just bought mine last week. Still has under 300 miles. First thing i did when i woke up in the morning was disconnect the flaps. Sounds soo good that i don't even think i'm gonna go with an aftermarket exhaust. Unless i find a really good deal on a MPE.
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02-01-2016, 11:24 PM	#21
AW BMW Lieutenant Colonel 1429 Rep 1,984 Posts Drives: 15 SS2 F80/18 AVUS BLUE F80 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: 818 SoCal iTrader: (0)	Like everyone is saying, test drive again. This car is an animal in sports plus and all the nannies off, and with an aftermarket exhaust even better. If you left it in the default settings then I see why you were underwhelmed. I have driven 2 E92 m3s n/a and supercharged, while I love the sound of those cars the F8x just feels like a different beast.
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02-01-2016, 11:26 PM	#22
RobbyMack Captain 739 Rep 696 Posts Drives: '16 F80 Sakhir Join Date: May 2014 Location: The Left Coast iTrader: (0)	So if I'm reading this right your complaints are: 1) exhaust sound: fair point especially on cold start but otherwise I have no issues with valves forced open. Plus there are plenty of other options. 2) that a few journalists didn't like it: who cares 3) that you felt underwhelmed: well I think we've gone as far as needed. If it doesn't stir your soul the way any good car should I don't think this is the car for you.
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