08-27-2017, 09:15 AM | #1 |
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Hello everyone! Been lurking the forums and really been eyeing either the M3 or M4. Currently, I have a 2015 VW GTI but I'm thinking I need to get out of the boy racer scene (Just turned 39). Getting ready to retire from the Air Force and considering on which car to give to myself as a gift. I've considered a Z06, and a GTR, but now considering the M3/4. I would most likely get a used one with low miles. I've always been a firm believer on letting the original owner take the depreciation. My Father is an avid BMW/Porsche guy. Any advice since I'm a NEWB to the BMW scene? Besides the obvious differences between the M3/4 platform being a 2 door versus 4, is the performance a huge difference? Performance pkg. a must? All I know the exhaust sounds better on the perf. pkg. Thanks in advance! - Shane
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08-27-2017, 09:21 AM | #2 | |
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And yes, definitely get the Competition Package M3/M4, if anything, for those burbles and improved exhaust note alone...
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08-27-2017, 09:31 AM | #4 |
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Thanks for that! Does the Competition Package only come with the larger wheels? I've read it can be a pretty harsh ride due to the lower profile tires and different suspension set up.
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08-27-2017, 09:40 AM | #5 |
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08-27-2017, 09:42 AM | #6 | |
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I've had a 2017 M4 Convertible (without the competition pack) back in March, owned it for 3 months then traded it in for a 2018 but with the Competition Package. There is 0 difference in the ride quality I feel. Put it in comfort mode for the suspension and steering and it's smooth as silk. The suspension has been tweaked but only for the better. I feel it's more manageable and you can take corners with more confidence. Maybe there is a slight difference, but as a casual driver, I don't feel it. It is not as harsh anyway as a GT350 or a GTR so don't worry too much about this, but it's not a Toyota Camry or Lexus as well, you're buying a sports car. Other than the list below, the most obvious change you will really feel as a driver is a) the power delivery, it's more linear now and doesn't just surprise you by not giving you the full power then throwing it all at you in one shot. Now you *feel* the car going fast and the power just keeps climbing gradually it's intoxicating. and b) the exhaust, the previous car with silent like a Honda Civic unless you floored it but now it's much deeper and when driving at low to moderate speeds and lift off your foot from the gas pedal, you hear the beautiful burbles... Don't forget, with the competition package, you get all the blacked out parts as standard like the black side gills, front grille, rear M emblem, so you don't have to spend extra on buying them Here is the complete list - Power output: 444 HP (output increase of +19 HP) 0-60 DCT: 3.8 seconds (sedan/coupe), 4.1 seconds (convertible) - M Sports exhaust system with black chrome exhaust tailpipes - Tuned Adaptive M Suspension (SA 2VF) with new settings - New Springs - New Dampers - New Anti-Roll Bars - Reconfigured driving modes (Comfort, Sport and Sport+) - New Settings for DSC / Active M Differential - Exclusive 20" M light allow wheels Star-spoke style 666M Forged, machine-polished, weight-and rigidity-optimized, multi-spoke wheels (front 9J ×20; rear10 J ×20) Mixed tires sizes (front: 265/30 R20, rear: 285/30 R20) - M Seats with break-through elements in seat back (Coupe/Sedan only); deletion of lumbar support - Seatbelts with woven-in BMW M stripes (Coupe/Sedan only) - BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line with extended content: kidney frame, grill, rear model designation in Black high-gloss, including regular SA760 content $5500 for sedan/coupe, $5000 for convertible
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08-27-2017, 09:48 AM | #7 |
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Drives: 2020 M4 ZCP / 2023 X3 M40i
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Plus you can get the Competition Package with 19" wheels, but most people don't and if you're buying used they'll be almost impossible to find.
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08-27-2017, 09:54 AM | #9 |
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08-27-2017, 09:59 AM | #10 | |
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In fact, they make the car really stand out as the standard 3 or 4 series has the same wheels but a bit smaller than your standard M3/M4. But with the 666M Wheels from the Competition Package, your car will stand out even when someone sees it from a distance, they know it's an M car here's mine:
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08-27-2017, 10:06 AM | #11 |
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Welcome
First of all,,,,,Welcome to the forum,, you will learn real quick that there are the die hard M3 Fans and the die hard M4 fans same with the CP fans and DCT vs the Manual.. good luck with all that..
I have a 2017 M4 Black CP MCT and love it.. One thing you have to remember is these cars are built to pretty much go to the track,, so no matter what car you pick they not going to ride like a luxury car .. They are a lot of fun and everyday drivability is good in normal mode.. The DCT car (dual clutch trans) takes some getting use too if you have never drove one.. But lots of fun once you get comfortable with it... I have not drove the Manual car,, I'm older guy and just done with the shifting thing .. been there done that.. But heard there very nice with the rev matching.. At the end of the day ,, Take your time ,,drive all of them.. pick what you like, not what everybody tells you.. don't get wrapped up on his forum with the do's and don't 's .. This is a great forum with some great advice .. You just have to weed though it.. Good Luck on your ride!,!
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2. I’m not an (EXPERT) I’m just here with an opinion. So don’t hate me. (lukej) Last edited by lukej; 08-27-2017 at 10:07 AM.. Reason: Spelling |
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08-27-2017, 10:15 AM | #12 | |
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08-27-2017, 10:21 AM | #13 |
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That's why they make Neapolitan and Ice Cream flavor for everybody !! LOL
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2. I’m not an (EXPERT) I’m just here with an opinion. So don’t hate me. (lukej) |
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08-27-2017, 10:24 AM | #15 | |
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08-27-2017, 10:26 AM | #16 |
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https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...searchRadius=0
Here is something I saw. Something like this a reasonable deal? |
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08-27-2017, 10:37 AM | #17 |
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I love my M3. Here's some notes for you.
1. There's no BMW dealer in Fairbanks last time I checked, so if you're retiring up near Eielson AFB then a BMW might be annoying to have serviced. I'm pretty OCD about my cars, I would personally have a hard time driving my M3 there with all the frost heaves, and gravel roads / parking lots. 2. I'm guessing M3/4 CP cars aren't very common up there, but the 666 wheels really have to be seen in person to appreciate. The pictures don't do them justice. The biggest issue with these wheels is that there isn't a ton of tire options, and the OEM tires are a bit traction limited for the amount of torque the car has. (I doubt you'll find snow tires that fit the 666's.) 3. The OEM pads dust a lot, and cleaning the 666 CP wheels can be pretty time consuming. (SONAX and a pressure washer is the best way I've found). 4. "The DCT car (dual clutch trans) takes some getting use too if you have never drove one." This is very true. The DCT doesn't creep forward on its own, like a normal automatic, and some of the gear transitions can be pretty jerky. It's an awesome transmission for going fast, but I recommend some research on this if you're thinking about the DCT. M3/4 is a beautiful and fun to drive car. Good luck. |
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08-27-2017, 10:40 AM | #18 |
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The M3/M4 are both great cars. Just really depends on what purpose you need it for. Also I have a 2015 non competition package M4 before all the used 16 comp's started hitting the market. Wheels aside you do get the burbles, a few more horses, and unique suspension to the competition package. But, with a tune (Vf engineering hex tune) or similar you can get 50-80 horse power which is more than what the competition package is. Get the burbles too. You just don't get the suspension and wheels but in all you pay a less and can always upgrade the wheels to what you want. Don't get me wrong the competition package is great! I drove both non and competition package but I wouldn't let that be the deal breaker.
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08-27-2017, 10:49 AM | #19 |
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I would like to share my experience, that would hopefully give you yet another objective perspective. I got a 2017 F80 with the adaptive suspension and the stock 19" wheels but I dont have the Competition package. The ride quality was very good especially in Comfort and in Sport modes, Sport Plus made it a bit tighter but definitely not harsh.
Couple of months into it, I decided to get the M Performance suspension and lowered the car 20mm in the front and 15mm in the rear. Keep in mind that BMW's recommended suspension settings are 20mm and 8mm respectively if I am not mistaken. I do like to point out that I also got the latest software installed at that time, for me that was 3.60.4. Ride quality did not change but the car has been much more composed and less bouncy, a noticable improvement. Then, I started looking at forged wheels and after getting a very lightweight 19" set, decided to get a 20" set. Just like you I was very concerned about the ride quality. I test drove for extended periods of time a friend of mine's M3 with the Competition Package and the ride was definitely harsh in Sport and in Sport Plus modes but not too bad in Comfort. That did not stop me from getting a set of forged 20" wheels on MPS4s, with the typical 265/30 and 295/30 staggered setup. I was extremely surprised by the improvement in ride comfort, it was completely counter intuitive, you would think bigger wheels + thinner tire sidewalls = harsher ride, definitely not the case. Actually, exactly the opposite, cant explain that. Bottom line, my perspective , a 20" set of wheels with good tires will not compromise the ride quality, at least it did not for me. I suspect it is the upgraded suspension parts of the Competition package that makes the ride noticeably different and at times harsh, not the 20" wheels. Going with 19" wheels and the Competition package may not give you the end result you are looking for. Last edited by silverstar335; 08-27-2017 at 10:57 AM.. |
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08-27-2017, 10:55 AM | #20 | |
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Just shop around a little more maybe you can find a competition package with the black style 666M wheels instead of silver but that's not bad at all
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08-27-2017, 10:58 AM | #21 | |
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Thanks to everyone who chimed in. I'm definitely absorbing all the great info! Last edited by AirForceOne; 08-27-2017 at 11:03 AM.. |
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08-27-2017, 11:12 AM | #22 |
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Hey,
Well possibly welcome to CO lol. I'm up near Boulder, but I grew up not too far from Eielson. There's lots of pretty good BMW dealers here in Colorado. Schomp BMW down in South Denver is a pretty chill, high volume dealer (both new and used), so they would be a good place to keep an eye on. Some more notes for you: I could be wrong about this (I bought mine new) but I don't think BMW normally CPO's M-cars, so keep that in mind when you're buying used, so that you make sure you have ample warranty left. Also BMW just changed how their lease system works so that's not nearly as attractive a deal as it was a year ago. Lastly don't get thrown off (discouraged) by MSRP values on the new cars, most people "in the know" are paying closer to invoice for new BMW's. |
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