[RcktMan77]

I was just curious what were some of the reasons that enthusiasts here opted for the M5 F90 over the G80 M3. Did you prefer the larger body style, the upgraded options available, or something else?

[NoMods]

The ugly pig nose of the M3/4 made me get the M5

[DavidXJ]

Originally Posted by RcktMan77

I was just curious what were some of the reasons that enthusiasts here opted for the M5 F90 over the G80 M3. Did you prefer the larger body style, the upgraded options available, or something else?

I'm sure there are bespoke threads devoted to this very comparison, but all I'd say is that I was in the market for a G80 until it became clear my build would receive the horrendous ID8 binnacle-less platform. I then reassessed the whole prospect, while also doing justice to my own long-standing admiration of M5s. A new one was out of my monetary league, but I'm now driving a 2020 Comp and couldn't be more content--indeed, relieved--with my decision. (Here in the UK, the pre-LCIs sound notably more aggressive anyway.) It's far and away a more epic machine than the M3, and it attracts a kind of respect and awe that its smaller sibling just can't match, at least in my experience of taking it to a few shows/displays. In daily driving, the V8 is mind-blowing, and the torque band is enormous, whereas I've heard that the new M3 lacks low-down torque (perhaps most tellingly in comparison to the B58, which I really enjoyed in my M340i).

Now, if I was a trackday aficionado, chasing regulars' personal-best times every weekend, then a M3 Comp would undoubtedly be attractive. But for my own purposes, I'd rather have more luxury, cabin quality, engine note charisma, and outright breathtaking pace. Hope these impressions help!

[Justao]

V8

[Rippy]

V8

[LouK]

More room for the kids in the back… and also V8

[jnotrom711]

For me it was the ability to have 2 cars in one. An absolute beast when you want it, and a quiet smooth luxury car when you dont.

The materials, the options, the feel, the refinement, the torque, the front of the new m3 is horrendous, although its growing on me, not to the point that I like it, just hate it a little less than I used to.

Sure the m3 is better maybe for track days, but those are few and far between if ever. The m5 is by far the best daily driver/performance car ive ever owned. And I routinely put some pretty fast cars in their place.

As it happens, for comparison sake... A good friend of mine has a g80 M3 Xdrive, really cool car...

He has a JB4, Eventuri intake and exhaust on his M3, we ran the 1/2 mile together a few times yesterday.... His best was 142mph, with a few runs around 140.

He has pulled a few sub 3 second 0-60 times with his car... However yesterday at the event we ran 3 times against each other, and it wasn't even close.

We launched together, and for the first 60-100 ft he was there with me, with the AWD, but then I just walked away and continued to put car lengths on him.

I trapped between 157-160mph, with only a racechip and charcoal delete. For comparison sake.... a car with us yesterday Ferrari F8 Tributo with a tune, pulled between 162mph-167mph 1/2 miles. 710 HP stock, and I dont know how much with the tune, and 1000 lbs lighter. I didnt run directly against him, but I wouldnt be surprised if we had I would have been ahead most of the run until he reeled me in with better aerodynamics, more power, and lighter car.

The M5 has the power, the prestige, the look and feel I wanted, the daily driving capabilities, and can put MOST cars in their place. Exceptions being Tesla Plaid, 911 Turbo S, and a few other high end exotics.

However from stop light to stop light and rolling pulls, I routinely surprise, or destroy 458, 488, huracans, hell cats, GT3s to name a few.

[norbtx]

Car seat, V8 power, roomier interior, Q-ship.

[jm490]

Pre-LCI F90 M5 AWD vs G80 M3 Comp AWD https://e89.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1927492


Thread above shows my thoughts on this having had both the G80 for 2 months and just recently traded it for the LCI F90.

To summarize: V8, Luxurious, More room, very few sacrifices in comparison. The M5 imo is just better for my use and situation. Hope that helps!

[FSHNGRY]

V8
Smaller ownership circle
Larger more respectable saloon versus G80
I already spent 6 years in an F82
Luxury not comparable
Did I mention the V8?

[Rafichicago]

I just can not get over it's looks. If the car approaches six figures or more I need to like the way it looks. Every other positive becomes irrelevant and doesn't need explanation. If I don't like the way car looks I will not buy it no matter how good it is. What matters is if I like it and nothing else. I hate that front end. Period. Whatever bmw's designer was taking during design process needs to take twice the amount or half the dose.

[shawnhayes]

All
Wheel
Drive

2018

[EM5C]

Quicker, better looking, more comfortable, better sounding. I mean the list can continue. The new M3/4 has a face only a mother could love, in my opinion. I'm sure it's a great machine. Just not my cup of tea

[Greer]

Originally Posted by EM5C

The new M3/4 has a face only a mother could love.

I see one at my office every day and it continues to always look bad.

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by armoredsaint

The ugly pig nose of the M3/4 made me get the M5

Same. Can't stand the G8x design language. Great platform it seems, but would hate to be seen in it personally.

Never mind the V8. It's intoxicating.

[UglyBuzzard]

Because I always wanted a M5 and not the M3. And, I can fit my amp, 2 cabinets, pedal board, gear bag, and a couple of basses in the M5…

[ResIpsaLoquitur]

Reasons the M5 is better than the M3, in no particular order (and probably not grouped the best):

— It's probably the best sport sedan on the market; it created the category it's competitors compete in/against.
— Though not a super car by any means, certainly keeps up with super cars in several metrics; i.e. 0-60.
— Extremely practical size; large enough to be comfortable, without being a land yacht, but still pretty commodious considering the SUV age we're in now.
— Very easy to enjoy in stock condition.
— Though not specifically designed for the track, very trackable — in comfort, carrying all your track gear (including tires!) in the car (just ask shawnhayes).
— Numerous cars in one; want a nutso fast car with lots of driver input? Check. Want it to basically drive itself instead? Check. All the various stages across that spectrum? Check. The best point made by jnotrom711, though I agree with everything he said.
— V8, obviously.
— You can keep it very low key; IYKYK.
— More luxurious interior feel.
— Though subjective, generally lauded as an extremely beautiful car (I'm looking at you M3/M4 grilles).
— No empirical data on this, but anecdotally can report significantly less turbo lag.
— Doublelink wishbone suspension instead of strut suspension, awesome when coupled with active dampers on LCI models with upgraded suspension.
— Though for me the M5 is all about the driver, and I've almost never had any one in it, the back seat experience isn't miserable.
— Though subjective, no terrible afterthought looking iDrive 8 system and screens, which IMO just seem out of place on such a performance oriented vehicle.
— Need to go with xDrive option for AWD on G80.
— Nimble for its size and weight.
— It's a freakin' missile.

[asmazda]

No hideous grille, much faster, sounds more ballsy (V8), better suspension, more luxurious quality. For a street car I don’t see any downsides of an M5 over M3 AWD besides price.

[ResIpsaLoquitur]

Originally Posted by jm490

Pre-LCI F90 M5 AWD vs G80 M3 Comp AWD https://e89.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1927492


Thread above shows my thoughts on this having had both the G80 for 2 months and just recently traded it for the LCI F90.

To summarize: V8, Luxurious, More room, very few sacrifices in comparison. The M5 imo is just better for my use and situation. Hope that helps!

I knew there was a recent thread about this, but I forgot whose it was. Thanks for posting.

I don't mean to recycle, but I've pasted a few of the relevant portions of my comment there below, without duplicating anything from my earlier post on this thread:

— There is a huge delta between the M3 and the M5. No disrespect to M3 owners, but you just cannot compare the two cars. The M3, while a fantastic car, has nothing on the M5.

— There's also the mere presence of an M5.

— Im no BMW fanboy; in fact I've admitted on here I don't even generally like BMWs. But the M5 is the best daily driver I ever had.

— I've heard many people contemplate the two, and many have on this forum, you'll likely always wonder if you settled with the M3. Let me tell you pointedly that you would be. Many whisper the sentiment even if they're not openly exclaiming it on these boards (though some have).

— I don't feel enough of a difference between a 3 series and an M3. Again, I'm going to (unintentionally) piss some people off, and I'm admittedly oversimplifying here and painting with a broad brush, but the M3 feels like a really high end 3 series when compared to the F90.

— In the interest of fairness, if you came here and said your budget limited you to an M3, and you weren't sure if you should get it, I'd tell you it's the best car in its category, and a fine machine (and it is)! But comparing the two? There is no comparison.

[Kstoff125]

V8

[shawnhayes]

Originally Posted by ResIpsaLoquitur

Reasons the M5 is better than the M3, in no particular order (and probably not grouped the best):

— Though not specifically designed for the track, very trackable — in comfort, carrying all your track gear (including tires!) in the car (just ask shawnhayes).

Driven down on stock tires. Switched over to R888R's that came down in the back seat. This is my Pre-LCI 2018 straight M5. My 2022 M5 CS is even better.

Shawn

[ResIpsaLoquitur]

Originally Posted by shawnhayes

Driven down on stock tires. Switched over to R888R's that came down in the back seat. This is my Pre-LCI 2018 straight M5. My 2022 M5 CS is even better.

Shawn

Intoxicating!