Switch from E90 M3 to an F80 or no?

[kerkiraios00]

Just looking for some suggestions.. I'm currently selling my E90 M3 and looking to get into an F80.. My question is whoever made the switch from the e9x to the f8x are they happy glad they did or regret the move??? The reason I ask is bc I here some mixed feeling on that issue don't sell it you'll regret it!!! Sell it you'll love the f80 so I'm torn lol can't keep both so I'm not sure what to do.. Any advise or help would be great thanks!!!

[mike@x-ph.com]

I recommend you test drive an F80 and see how you like it.

[kerkiraios00]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

I recommend you test drive an F80 and see how you like it.

I tried no dealer lets you test drive it they give me some bullshit story..

[socal619]

Try carmax... that's how I got to test drive one.. I'm coming from 335is convertible e93.. Im debating getting into f80 or f83..

[kerkiraios00]

Originally Posted by socal619

Try carmax... that's how I got to test drive one.. I'm coming from 335is convertible e93.. Im debating getting into f80 or f83..

Did you like it?

[mtr3s]

I test drove mine at the dealership. I traded in my E90 M3 as well. I have to say, I enjoyed driving the E90 M3 more, but like the looks and tech of the F80 more.

I feel the E90 M3 looks very outdated at this point.

[Super Spartan]

Originally Posted by kerkiraios00

Just looking for some suggestions.. I'm currently selling my E90 M3 and looking to get into an F80.. My question is whoever made the switch from the e9x to the f8x are they happy glad they did or regret the move??? The reason I ask is bc I here some mixed feeling on that issue don't sell it you'll regret it!!! Sell it you'll love the f80 so I'm torn lol can't keep both so I'm not sure what to do.. Any advise or help would be great thanks!!!

The moment you feel the extra 100 lbs-ft of torque on the F8x you will be sold. period.

[dmboone25]

I've never owned the E9X M3, but have driven several - I also came from a 981 --> ZCP F80, so probably some similarities on that end compared to your situation.

I love the ZCP F80 - it is hands down the best BMW I have owned to date. I love the look, the big ass/hips, the tech, the ZCP seats, and the power is especially addictive. There's only one area where it struggles, in my opinion - that's the sound department. The ZCP has the sports exhaust, which I prefer over the standard F80 exhaust, but it is still too quiet and lacking of character in my honest opinion.

The quality of the sound, as you look towards upgrading to the M performance or other aftermarket options, is also not super-obvious. They are all louder for sure - but better? Very subjective.

The E9X M3 didn't sound great stock (in my opinion), but there were many aftermarket options that made it sound GREAT. The F80, to me, is better on every other level - power (obviously), handling, tech, quality of materials, etc. But the sound of a NA engine, a V8 no less in your E90 M3, is something that you might miss.

[shakenbake11]

Originally Posted by kerkiraios00

I tried no dealer lets you test drive it they give me some bullshit story..

Is this common? How can you make your mind if they don't allow you to test drive it lol

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by shakenbake11

Is this common? How can you make your mind if they don't allow you to test drive it lol

It's a little weird for a car that's been out this long - most larger dealerships have a used one that you can drive, or at least one new one that has a few more miles on it from test drives.

I could see a dealer saying no to a GTS test drive, for example, unless you could prove that you're a serious buyer...but not the standard car, no.

[kerkiraios00]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

It's a little weird for a car that's been out this long - most larger dealerships have a used one that you can drive, or at least one new one that has a few more miles on it from test drives.

I could see a dealer saying no to a GTS test drive, for example, unless you could prove that you're a serious buyer...but not the standard car, no.

Originally Posted by mtr3s

I test drove mine at the dealership. I traded in my E90 M3 as well. I have to say, I enjoyed driving the E90 M3 more, but like the looks and tech of the F80 more.

I feel the E90 M3 looks very outdated at this point.

I agree also that it's kinda out dated look wise.. was it a good decesion?

Originally Posted by Snappy Phoenix

The moment you feel the extra 100 lbs-ft of torque on the F8x you will be sold. period.

I agree that will make me be sold on it..

Originally Posted by dmboone25

I've never owned the E9X M3, but have driven several - I also came from a 981 --> ZCP F80, so probably some similarities on that end compared to your situation.

I love the ZCP F80 - it is hands down the best BMW I have owned to date. I love the look, the big ass/hips, the tech, the ZCP seats, and the power is especially addictive. There's only one area where it struggles, in my opinion - that's the sound department. The ZCP has the sports exhaust, which I prefer over the standard F80 exhaust, but it is still too quiet and lacking of character in my honest opinion.

The quality of the sound, as you look towards upgrading to the M performance or other aftermarket options, is also not super-obvious. They are all louder for sure - but better? Very subjective.

The E9X M3 didn't sound great stock (in my opinion), but there were many aftermarket options that made it sound GREAT. The F80, to me, is better on every other level - power (obviously), handling, tech, quality of materials, etc. But the sound of a NA engine, a V8 no less in your E90 M3, is something that you might miss.

Originally Posted by shakenbake11

I know that's my only worry not liking the sound of it..

Is this common? How can you make your mind if they don't allow you to test drive it lol

Idk I called a few and they all told me the same.. one dealer was selling used one with 700 miles on it and they told me they didn't wanna put miles on it!!! lol I wasn't gonna take it to cali lol

[Thescout13]

Originally Posted by shakenbake11

Is this common? How can you make your mind if they don't allow you to test drive it lol

Not get common at all. For me I usually deal with the online sales people or find the managers email and email him directly letting him know this is what I want. When they start negotiating that?s when I ask to test drive to be sure and Im good to go. However I have gotten to test drive which much less work. For example every time I have pulled up in the nicer one of our cars (so an M3 for example) they always let me test drive the newer car no questions asked. Maybe its the dealers in your area? This is my experience in Florida, Georgia, NC, and CA from the ages of 21-now. Not that this matters but I also dont look like a white preppy rich kid. Very much the opposite, and still no issues. Maybe find another dealer.

Also, I kind second the carmax idea. Thats how I test drove an M3 manual because all the dealers by me only had DCTs.

[Super Spartan]

Originally Posted by shakenbake11

Is this common? How can you make your mind if they don't allow you to test drive it lol

Even here in Dubai, the dealer will not allow you to test drive any M car. I had to buy it and see the surprise before I experienced how it is

[Draper]

I've owned both.

Aside from the sound, there is nothing you will miss about the E90.

[dmboone25]

To the OP - you might also try posting in the requisite regional sub-forum - I am sure there's someone in your neck of the woods who will at least let you ride with them.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by Snappy Phoenix

Even here in Dubai, the dealer will not allow you to test drive any M car. I had to buy it and see the surprise before I experienced how it is

You know, I just can't stomach the 6K for the M performance exhaust retrofit - I was thinking about giving the AA midpipe a try - curious if you've heard that and liked it?

For the OP, this is one of the more "economical" ways to change/improve the sound, and I think you might even get a little power bump if I remember correctly.

[FlyingLow78]

A lot of the compromises of the E90 are gone with the F80. You might miss the sound of the engine revving to 8400 and the feel of the steering, but the extra torque, fuel range, practicality, and looks should sell you on the new model. I don't miss my E9X a bit.

[FirstF80InSpace]

The only thing that's kind of sucky with the F8x is the exhaust note. Swap out the midpipe with an AA to get rid of some of the rasp, and go with an Akra or Remus axel back to get the deeper tone.

Yeah it still won't sound like a V8, but at least it won't sound like a riding lawnmower anymore.

[gatorfast]

Tough call OP. I had an E90 M3 and it was my favorite car I have ever owned. The sounds and feel of the car cant be replicated in the F80.

That said, the F80 has more usable power for a daily driver and gas mileage is significantly improved over the E90. If you have mixed feelings my advice would be to keep the E90 longer. The F80's arent going anywhere and will be there if/when you decide its time.

[KevinM]

Agree with going to your geographic sub-forum and asking a member if you can take a test drive. Just be aware that there appear to be significant differences between early 2015s and later cars, especially after the ZCP was released in 3/2016 (with reported differences even in cars produced after this date that did not have the ZCP).

In terms of test drives at dealerships, I have never seen a dealer who will not allow tests drives IF they truly believe you are going to buy that car from them or order the car from them. All the "no test drives" BS goes out the window if you mean it. Of course, conversely, many dealers (especially smaller ones) start out with a "no test drive" policy on limited edition cars to prevent casual browsers from putting miles on the car without intent to buy (or without intent to buy from that dealership). I have even test-driven limited-edition cars from inside the showroom floor that had "no test drive" policies - because I was a serious buyer.

[AIRHEIR]

Originally Posted by Snappy Phoenix

The moment you feel the extra 100 lbs-ft of torque on the F8x you will be sold. period.

This. I switched from e90 as well.

[Super Spartan]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

You know, I just can't stomach the 6K for the M performance exhaust retrofit - I was thinking about giving the AA midpipe a try - curious if you've heard that and liked it?

For the OP, this is one of the more "economical" ways to change/improve the sound, and I think you might even get a little power bump if I remember correctly.

for me here in Dubai, the only option is the MPE or the AC Shnitzer exhaust as they stock them as well at the dealership, anything else would void my car's warranty and I'm not planning on voiding a 5 year warranty that I get with my brand new car.

so that leaves me with the MPE, I ordered it and I'm going to take my chances, what sucks though is they are only giving me 2 years warranty on the exhaust not carrying it over as the car's warranty like people in the USA get if they bought the MPE with the car at the time of purchase. I know it sucks and kinda risky but I'm willing to take that risk just to not have to hear the stock exhaust lawnmower kinda sound ever again! I had a 2017 M4 4 months back and I cannot tell you enough how much I hated the sound on the stock exhaust.