[rojer]

I’ve owned a 15’ F80 M3 for about 3 1/2 years now, and it’s been an awesome car. That said I’ve been debating the idea of looking into an F90 M5 for something different. Mainly the AWD system and higher power output interest me in an M car.

I’ve owned higher horsepower cars before (built/tuned a turbocharged manual 2010 Camaro SS and it was pretty powerful), so I’m not a stranger to high horsepower cars. My first ride was a high 12 second 98’ AWD Talon when I was 17 (which was wicked fast to me being a kid at the time and the AWD is probably why I never put it into a ditch), so I have a love for AWD and being able to put the power down very reliably 10.0.0.0.1 192.168.1.254 .

Here’s my dilemma though, I love manual transmissions and would rather own a manual if possible. Granted, my F80 is a DCT (got it for a deal I couldn’t pass up), but it’s engaging enough manually shifting it in sport mode to give me some fun still and not feel like a stale experience. Especially the seemless shifting up and down on windy roads is something I have a lot of fun with in it. I’m concerned the auto would get boring really fast with the F90.

Has anyone here jumped from an F80 to an F90 and never wanted to go back?

[Ex_Stig]

I kinda have experience with what you are talking about. I went from an F80 M3 CS to the F90 M5 CS. The power of the M5 CS was absolutely intoxicating, but I did miss the 'tossability' of the M3. Also, the 8spd auto gearbox in the M5 is great, but I really preferred the DCT gearbox in every way.

However, if you are set on a manual transmission, I would suggest you look into a manual gearbox G80 M3. It might be the combination that you are looking for.

[Seanpatio]

I had an F80 M3 for 3.5 years. It was tuned with BM3. Car was cool, it was a biiiig step up from my FBO e92 335i, but was not anything "special," to me. After 24 hours of owning my F90, I forgot the previous two cars existed. The jump to V8 is amaaaazing. Love the sound. Having all wheel drive is also awesome. I no longer struggle to catch traction or am bogged by traction control when I want get up and go. The added luxury is a plus too. It does not feel as boat-esq as I figure it would. I feel very in control on the windy roads, surprisingly. I drive mine in sport plus maxed out on all functions 24/7 in manual mode. The car is crazy fast and a completely different animal.. I think you will love it. I am 2 months shy of 2 years on my F90. I am going to tune it first of the year. The fact I waited this long shows the car is bad ass on its own.

Do it!

[fastlanedriver]

Really happy to see someone posting this article. I had a 2015 manual f80 with a stage 2 bm3 tube for 8 years. I loved that car and didn't want to get out of a manual car. I've had a manual car as my DD since I was 15 and I'm 33. But I found a 2021 lci m5comp and finally sold my m3 2 months ago.

I love the executive feeling about my m5 and the v8 power. I wanted something that is fast and doesn't need any major mods. But I will one day own a manual again and will probably be a Cayman GT4.

[chrisshev]

New here.
I just traded my 18 M3 6-speed in for a 20 M5.
I thought I would miss the stick, but with the power the M5 has, I do not see that happening.

[JRF90]

Do it.

I went from an F80 Comp to F90 Comp. No looking back. This car is the daddy

[Stlthnmrdrd]

not m3 but, came from a fbo f30 335i, tuned, gutted, spl arms, coils, xhp stage 3, etc. Felt light, small, fun to drive, and amazing steering feel.

Now im in a 2020 m5 comp in Nyc.

The car is amazing, fast, intoxicating sound. It really feels like an arrow, u point and it goes. Steering feel is extremly light at very low speeds. At higher speeds above 60mph the steering gets heavier.

The downside for me is i can really feel the weight and length of the car.
it feels too comfortable at times and miss the raw feeling that I got in the F30.
With the F30 it made me want to go out on drives and i would just go out to drive.
With the F90 it makes me think about going out for a drive, but I end up not going out for a drive, bc its "boring".

Part of me keeps looking back at f80 cs or g80 comp/cs bc i miss the tighter car, but the sound of the idle/WOT, comfort, power, looks, makes me want to keep it.
Its literally a super car thats dressed up as a sedan.
Plus the sound of the f90 with x pipe is literally a low pitch ferrari 488 tone, and doesnt get old.

The F90 is definitly a good and better car, but not as fun as a F80 m3.

Yeah, u can have fun with the power from the ttv8, but u get used to it, which is why people end up tuning them. Then they sell the car a little after, bc of the amount of times u have to do maintenance just so it doesn't misfire.

If u are looking for "fun" I dont recommend the F90

I also flashed xhp stage 3 on the m5, its aggressive, and has fast response. The downshifts are ok, not as aggressive as dct.

[JSal335is]

I love all this feedback; currently thinking about parting ways with the F80 and onto the F90.

[FSHNGRY]

Went from a 2015 f82 m4 that I bought new. Loved it for that period of my life. Yas marina blue. Loaded. Epic car. Got the m5 in April of 2021

The f90 is a completely different animal. You will not look back. Not once.

*if you have 1 car and need something to do EVERYTHING and still pin you to the seat- this is it. Other factors may vary

[pbonsalb]

I line AWD for big power because it puts the power to the ground under circumstances where RWD would be spinning or engaging traction control and reducing power. RWD with big power is OK with sticky tires in warm and dry weather, but weather is not always warm and dry where I live. The F90 is bigger and heavier and feels that way, but that is OK with me. I want more comfort and space and practicality. A young guy might feel differently — I did not want a big 5 series when I was in my 30s; I had an M3.