New ///M Owner - Noob Questions

[HiFi]

Just picked up a 2018 F80 Competition Pack - Always wanted an M3 since growing up. 600kms so far, and loving the car more and more. I actually didnt like it on first test drive, but after more time in it I found i began to compare everything else i was looking at to it...

Looked at a bunch of other cars:
1.C63s - not driver focused and sharp enough, but man it sounds fantastic
2.Guilia - like the styling, love the suspension, didnt like the interior and some of the reliability issues popping up dissuaded me
3.997 911 CS - Great car, would have bought it but have kids and the practicality of the M won me over. 991 911 will happen someday, once kids are out of car seats.

Overall the M3 is a great jack of all trades, despite not being perfect it is a bloody good overall package. Coming out of an F30, it is a night and day difference - they are not even remotely the same car despite looks.

I have a couple of questions as a noob M3 owner:

1. I have a strange vibrating/grinding that is present on low speed takeoffs especially when cold - seems to be coming from the underneath rear of the car. any ideas if this is normal behaviour (will get it checked by the dealer regardless)

2. On coldish start, i also have a momentary metallic rattle on startup - read it could be the wastegates, i assume this is normal?

3. Has anyone done BMC filters to stock airbox - has it added more induction noise? From US-based forum members it has, but they also have charcoal filters so keen to know experiences in Oz

[Aapparition90]

Not sure about no 1 but dont worry about 2 and 3
What i can tell you from my experience is that dct clunks and thumps for me when I leave for work early in the morning but its fine after that.Was similar for my dct in the audi s6 before so could be a dct thing ?

[MOSTRO]

Issue #1 seems very similar to that I experienced when my car was a couple of months old.

Horrible grinding noise coming from under that car as if I was dragging an old metal wire or something.

What the forums suggested in fact was the issue in my instance. A small rock or stone can get flicked up and get caught between the rear brake disc and the metal backing plate behind the disc. There was not enough clearance for the stone to dislodge, so it would scrape between the metal plate and the rear brake disc.

My dealership checked it and confirmed that my vehicle was fitted with the older disc backing plates and promptly swapped it over to an improved design. I haven't heard that scraping sound since.

What worries me is that your vehicle is a 2018 and so should have had the updated plates fitted at production. But you never know. Better get the dealer to look at it.

[MOSTRO]

BTW Congrats on the M3. You have exactly the same list of alternate cars you were considering. And you chose the same car as me as I have 3 young kids.

Swiss Army knife of a car indeed.

We should have a "dad's run" for the Melbourne M3 Dads :-)

[HiFi]

Thanks for the responses guys. I will definately get the dealer to check it out when i go in for the 2000k service.

Other than that the car is fantastic, albeit a little stiff in peak hour traffic in the inner city.. Will change to P4S tyres soon and get the US suspension coding done also to see if it improves.

Definitely should get out for a run, im keen! Im based in the eastern suburbs - already done a few runs through warrandyte/research/kangaroo ground with big smiles on my face...

Are there any "must-do" mods i need to look at?

[MOSTRO]

I am in Doncaster so a few motoring friends (eclectic group with Giulia QV's, A45's, 1M, Abarth 500) go out to Reefton, Lake Mountain and King Lake runs once a month or so.

Once a quarter we go for a 2 day run through alpine region including Mount Hotham, Buffalo, Falls Creek etc.

My M3 CP is still unchanged apart from fitting the race lights Steering wheel. I have toyed with the idea of mods but I am loathed to change the car from its original spec. I'll leave the mods to my Alfa 156 GTA.

[Aapparition90]

Originally Posted by HiFi

Thanks for the responses guys. I will definately get the dealer to check it out when i go in for the 2000k service.

Other than that the car is fantastic, albeit a little stiff in peak hour traffic in the inner city.. Will change to P4S tyres soon and get the US suspension coding done also to see if it improves.

Definitely should get out for a run, im keen! Im based in the eastern suburbs - already done a few runs through warrandyte/research/kangaroo ground with big smiles on my face...

Are there any "must-do" mods i need to look at?

If your going to do the coding may as well get the GTS dct flash done.I know am repeating the same thing but in hindsight its the best mod i have done.

[MOSTRO]

Would it be possible to request a little more repeating Aapparition90

Can you tell me what the main advantages of the GTS DCT flash is, as compared to the standard M3 ZCP?

[Aapparition90]

Well assuming the software is unchanged it should make the gearbox better overall mate. Its hard to put your finger on just one area of improvement based of a software but its the overall experience, the downshifts are sharp and pronounced now.. it just feels crisp overall and a lot of low speed hesitation and lurching is gone for me. Just try it you can always revert back.

[MOSTRO]

Yeah......The lurching in Sport+ off line is killing me. Can't get a clean slow take off at all. The car feel like it bunny hops off the line in Sport +


OK.....I need this done......Now who can do it :-)

[HiFi]

Thanks for that. I've been looking at gts dct as I also use it as a daily commuter. Did you just do GTS Dct or did you do gts diff, steering and mdm as well?

[Aapparition90]

http://www.alpinemss.com/ProductDeta...oductCode=FMT4
yeah i have the cs map with all of the other stuff done . I got stuart@bmr to do the gts flash but the result will be the same.
All these things can be done remotely if you have the right cables and not to mislead you guys even for me with a CS map which improves the torque mapping over zcp there is still a slight lurch in 2nd for me in sport + .. apparently its got something to do with boost etc who knows :S .

[HiFi]

Originally Posted by MOSTRO

I am in Doncaster so a few motoring friends (eclectic group with Giulia QV's, A45's, 1M, Abarth 500) go out to Reefton, Lake Mountain and King Lake runs once a month or so.

Once a quarter we go for a 2 day run through alpine region including Mount Hotham, Buffalo, Falls Creek etc.

My M3 CP is still unchanged apart from fitting the race lights Steering wheel. I have toyed with the idea of mods but I am loathed to change the car from its original spec. I'll leave the mods to my Alfa 156 GTA.

Sounds great, Im also in manningham - please let me know when you head out if you guys are happy with another to tag along.

I also dont think i will do too much - some minor M performance carbon bits (Front splitters, rear diffuser, rear spoiler) US Edc coding, GTS DCT, and eventually would like to go with an Akrapovic or MPE exhaust and that will be it.

Aapparition90 - how have you found the CS map compared to the competition map?

[Aapparition90]

I wouldnt bother atm.. maybe 6 months down the track for a change mate. Its all very simple you can do it from your lounge watching netflix and revert back to stock just as easily from home.

[MPoweRo]

Congratulations and enjoy.

I looked at a Cayman S but with young kids the M4 was the way to go. Plus I think it's more of an uncultured animal which I like.

Get it on the track it's the only way to stretch its legs.

[HiFi]

Originally Posted by MPoweRo

Congratulations and enjoy.

I looked at a Cayman S but with young kids the M4 was the way to go. Plus I think it's more of an uncultured animal which I like.

Get it on the track it's the only way to stretch its legs.

Thanks mate - yeah i like the Cayman S (and the GT4) but kids arent compatible unfortunately...

yeah ill hit the M dynamic day first and after about 10,000k ill start to hit the track. Planning on buying some 437Ms with Nitto or Toyo semi slicks + brake pads and that should be enough for some serious fun i think

[domino_z]

+1 on stiff ride

been one of my main gripes daily driving inner melb

i switched to the ps4s immediately, takes the edge off, but not night and day in terms of nvh

i've now bought a set of tractive coilovers through TT Suspension in NSW, pretty fancy mag tech with the end result of a more compliant ride and zero bodyroll in comfort mode

will be going on within next couple weeks

in the meantime, this is what they did for a focus rs

https://www.facebook.com/TractiveSus...8540692873634/