Official New M3/M4 (G80/G82) Photos leaked early

Got a fab Agate Grey C2s at Bramley

 

Has to be a C4S Simon. I've got to beat those pesky new G80's off from the traffic lights.

 

OFF BIMMERPOST:

Hi guys, I was lucky to get a first hand track drive on the M3/4 Competition, just want to share some photos and videos.

Edit:
I'll try to be objective as there are lots of controversial debates over the design and weight.

We only had two sessions on the track so not much seating time to really dig every aspect of the car. My first session was in the G80 M3 Competition without all the performance options and second run was in the G82 M4 Competition with Carbon Bucket Seats.

Exterior Design: I have attended the G8x launch event last year and the display car were Isle of Man Green and Sao Paolo Yellow. To be honest, I'm not a type of fancy colour guy so it didn't strike my heart until I first saw the Black Sapphire and Dravit Grey today, probably because these colours make the grille not as obvious as other brighter colours. M3 looks more aggressive and have a better side proportion, I still think the missing Hofmeister Kink and lowered body line on the M4 feels a bit weird but that's just my opinion. Will definitely consider M3 in the future.

Drivetrain & Chassis: The G8x series definitely won't give you a huge step up feeling compared with the upgrade from the E9xM to F8x, mostly because the basic design is so similar with F8x series. I think it's more like the iPhone "S" upgrade. However, the S58 engine does pulls stronger and the exhaust sound more natural like N55 M2 with a deeper, less raspy tone which you can argue is the characteristic of the F8x. The exhaust volume are muffled even more with additional OPF and better sound insulation so you will be disappointed if you want a loud exhaust. We drove the M2 competition immediately after the track test and the G8x feels so much larger and heavier, this is considered that the M2 Competition already weighs almost the same as the F8x series.

The 8-speed ZF gearbox shift fast but not as crisp as the 7-speed DCT in the previous generations, but for daily drive it would be a perfect combination. I found myself always one gear taller compared with the DCT on the track. It's a bit annoying as you forget which gear you are in but I believe once you get familiarised it won't be an issue. The shift paddle looses the metal click feel but it does look cool with carbon fibre base and rubber area.

The whole car's traction is a big improvement over the F8x series with huge front end grip through the corner, it also improves rear end traction and not as easy to loose the grip when coming out the corner in the F8x M3/M4.

Steering feels lighter but more precise, I think the best words to describe are silky smooth.

Interior: The interior design is the biggest improvement, it feels premium and I love every colour except the all black one. The carbon fibre seats looks gorgeous and it hugs you well on the track. For daily use I still prefer the standard seats.

All in all, the G8x series is a whole update with small improvements over F8x in almost all areas, a perfect daily car it you don't mind the grille and weight. For enthusiasts, wait for the CS and GTS.

 

I’m surprised that you are allowed to go on track in these cars already, before the launch in the UK, and before any of the reviews of the cars have landed. Was this in Aus ?

 

Simon BMW’s marketing strategy has been changing over the last few years spending less on motor shows and more on regional focused potential customer events I was told, as they reckoned that was a better cost effective approach m time will tell

 

What BMW need to do Derek, is give us a car to video and review, real life customers and M owners, and we will sell their products for them, not these other vloggers

 

Things are moving in wrong direction I say, I just seen the new interior of new C class and I have to say I love it in car wow video, I just can’t rule that option out either , will be fun trying to get test drives in Scotland with all the politics election game playing going on in Scotland

 

What’s the Wee lady up to ?, Nicky doing her nut here about her

 

Looks like want postal vote , then big carrot opening up stuff week before election, but in mean time no certainty for business to work on to plan one bit, every move is like a big game of let’s confuse everyone, they are going to damage tourism in Scotland big time with this move IMHO

 

Yes, it’s a bit confusing with the wording, we are not sure if we are allowed up there in May or not, says places open, but not allowed to travel into Scotland, outside a certain tier, or something like that

 

Yes it’s a total mess, we are going into level three even though we were in level two boarding level one, but all going into three just to be different, it very damaging approach IMHO
We are same as in level three can’t travel out with your area, just getting a longer power trip that’s just about it

 

It just doesn’t make sense to me. All the vaccines going well and to plan, so let’s make things even harder for folks, it’s all starting to NOT add up again to me.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CLpihQ9p8Ro/?igshid=1kpwy4hr1iwtu

 

Why doesn't the UK do this? The US are doing similar things and all the UK has to offer are cars under covers in showrooms? Or press invites for YouTube influencers.

 

Because the buy the badge more here, BMW know many don't consider the alternative options even to compare they just want the badge, so why waste money if many will buy regardless? , this could come back to bite them and drive customers into other brands for sure.

 

Indeed. Yeah, I'm certainly thinking of moving on and I'm a BMW fanboy.

 

So in summary, it’s quieter, heavier, steering is lighter and gearbox isn’t as involving.

Gotta love that progress. At least it’ll be faster to 60 on draggy though

 

All about the carwow draggy times, it’s what validates a good purchase.

 

That blue is stunning!