[Burnsey]

Originally Posted by WAHF80M3

So the not as much fun part is ok for me too, comfort has become a factor recently. Thanks for the input!

Don't get me wrong, after getting used to it, the F90 is a complete beast and can be a whole lot of fun, but the F80 is more twitchy, rattly and bumpy, so I suppose it's an illusion in reality...

[WAHF80M3]

Originally Posted by mjr24

M3 is a kid's car.
M5 is a man's car.

Simple as that....

I'm half man half child so this doesn't help haha

[WAHF80M3]

Originally Posted by clutchdj

I have owned both for while then eventually unloaded the f80 as it was my second one at the time. Here are a few of my thoughts.

Truck space is the same.
Actually the m3 has a bit more "usable" space (both cars with the seats up).

The F90 seats with exec pack are the best in class when it comes to the balance of comfort and performance. . 9-10 hours no problem. Very short people may find the headrest uncomfortable. The f80 seats never felt thin and hard until started I driving the cars back to back. The F80 and F90 like to get sideways when provoked but I believe the f90 actually handles better for some reason. BMW M designs these cars with some from of drifting in mind. however even if 2wd mode the f90 is still a pussycat and more predictable than the f80. that car was so rigid and you needed faster hands especially in the wet. . Anyway it sounds like just want a luxury cruiser. The M5 is a no brainer for you I think. The M3 is just a visceral beast. I would be surprised if BMW M anything like it again with such a high chassis rigidity and snappy throttle.

Good call, thanks for the info on handling, this is key.

I have young kids so safety is important, especially the way I drive...

[Burnsey]

Originally Posted by mjr24

M3 is a kid's car.
M5 is a man's car.

Simple as that....

Hope you're ok, back there in 1973

[norbtx]

I think the M2C is the old school M3. At least to me.

[WAHF80M3]

Originally Posted by norbtx

I think the M2C is the old school M3. At least to me.

Oh man the M2 is sick! I took one for a days test drive and it awesome, if I was single. Maybe I should keep the M3 Comp and get an M5 Comp and ditch the X5 M50d lol...

But I do luuuuuuurv the X5

[H33R]

Originally Posted by Mr Burns

Two things I picked out from your post was the 6+ hours round trip and how you found the build quality (especially seats) to be first class in your M3.

Focusing on comfort, I'd 100% expect you to enjoy the F90.

I went straight from F80 M3 Comp to F90 M5 and it is a large step up in terms of quality and comfort.

Is it as much fun? - not for me - it is completely different - do I love it? - hell yes!

Drive one - it's blooming massive compared to the M3!

This is exactly same situation as me. Went from E92 to F80 M3 to M5. They are very different.

Comfort - M5 wins
Power - M5 is different world
Fun - i definitely had more fun in the M3. As mentioned above the M5 is huge so having a country lane blast is no where near as much fun.

Everything else though M5 wins

[acr-c]

Originally Posted by mjr24

M3 is a kid's car.
M5 is a man's car.

Simple as that....

Totally incorrect. Wow. Really an uniformed statement. You must not have owned very many M3s and M5s, let alone many cars in general. Oh well.

Christian

[Pimpsy]

Originally Posted by acr-c

Totally incorrect. Wow. Really an uniformed statement. You must not have owned very many M3s and M5s, let alone many cars in general. Oh well.

Christian

It's true enough in many ways, so lighten up a little.
As a young man I cared more about the nimble fun nature of a car like the M3 and the small size was an advantage.
As an older man I need to run twin child seats in the back with my GF's daughter sometimes sitting between, and I care much more about comfort and luxury, and the quality/feel/styling of the interior.
M3- perfect for me at 30
M5- perfect for me at 50
Many would agree at least somewhat, so again, lighten up.

[acr-c]

First of all, don’t tell me to lighten up. Don’t post if you don’t want a discussion to ensue. Second, I’m 47 and I’ve owned all of them. Over the years, from the late 80s until now, they’ve all had different characteristics, different attributes, different traits. It has zero to do with one being a young man’s car v. an old man’s car. That’s simplistic. Lastly, don’t bother with the straw man arguments of “many would agree”...you sound like the morons in the mainstream media.

[Pimpsy]

Originally Posted by acr-c

First of all, don’t tell me to lighten up. Don’t post if you don’t want a discussion to ensue. Second, I’m 47 and I’ve owned all of them. Over the years, from the late 80s until now, they’ve all had different characteristics, different attributes, different traits. It has zero to do with one being a young man’s car v. an old man’s car. That’s simplistic. Lastly, don’t bother with the straw man arguments of “many would agree”...you sound like the morons in the mainstream media.

You have a bad attitude, friend.
I'd give you shit about it but considering your charming demeanor I'm sure you have it bad enough already, so I'll spare us both.
Good luck with all that. 😛

[acr-c]

Lol. Sure thing, big guy. Let’s compare cars we have actually owned sometime too, just for context. Have a good night.

[BwoodBMW]

Originally Posted by acr-c

Lol. Sure thing, big guy. Let’s compare cars we have actually owned sometime too, just for context. Have a good night.

Easy there...

I drive a F80 M3

Its a wonderful car and its been a blast. It has a million imperfections that add to its charm for me but its been very reliable.

Next to the F90 M5 it kind of feels like a child's play-thing. I feel like I've out grown it a bit. The lack of traction, the cheaper interior, the absurd noises it makes. Its a heckuva good time but leaves plenty to be desired.

What he's saying is a very common sentiment, even amongst those of us that own the car. I'm not offended by it.

[mjr24]

Originally Posted by acr-c

Totally incorrect. Wow. Really an uniformed statement. You must not have owned very many M3s and M5s, let alone many cars in general. Oh well.

Christian

Yep, I’ve only had one car as my signature shows.

The M5 is a step and a half up over the M3. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen anyone over 30 driving the M3. I’m serious. I’m sure it’s a great car....but the M5 it’s not.

[mjr24]

Originally Posted by acr-c

Lol. Sure thing, big guy. Let’s compare cars we have actually owned sometime too, just for context. Have a good night.

But you have an 8 year old M5.....so not sure why your opinion would matter when we are talking a new M5.

[secretariat]

SlowWalker, To drive the e92 fast you had to drive it like you stole it. M5s speed is effortless. And when you launch it... 🔥

Sounds like the e92 was more fun. I think effortless speed sucks there is no driver involvement. Anyone can put their foot down and go 115 on a highway, but the involvement between car and driver has disappeared.

[LSM]

Not exactly what you are asking, but I had a M4 comp and New M5.

The M5 is faster in a straight line but I liked the M4 much much better.

M5 always felt too large and not buttoned down like m4. For me at least the M5 was much less fun to drive

[Greer]

Originally Posted by mjr24

M3 is a kid's car.
M5 is a man's car.

Simple as that....

No need to discuss any further. Plus, take one look at the new M3 and that hideous front grille and you have to go M5.

[weingarm]

I own an F90 M5. What others have said here is true. Bonkers fast. Great comfort. Superb handling but you're traveling illegal speeds to experience it.

That's why I'm considering a G80 M3 pure (6MT) for next car. Yearn for the driver involvement of the MT. And it won't exactly be "slow" with a 0-60 time well under 4 seconds.

Plus, if you're worried about the G80 being too small, don't. 5 series has only 1" more rear legroom, 2" more shoulder room. Front/rear headroom and front legroom are the same 5er vs 3er.

[Greer]

Originally Posted by weingarm

I own an F90 M5.
I'm considering a G80 M3 pure (6MT) for next car. Yearn for the driver involvement of the MT.
.

Have you seen what the new M3 looks like?

[weingarm]

Originally Posted by Greer

Have you seen what the new M3 looks like?

I won't have to look at the front when I'm driving it.

We will see, but I really think the M3/4 front grill (in M-form, not the regular 4 series) will look strong and aggressive. Despite what many of us may feel today, I think the "classic" grill of the F80 will look dated by comparison very quickly once the M3/4 is on the roads.

[somer]

BMW 4D Chess: Make the M3 so ugly to drive people to buy a car 25k+ more.