09-16-2013, 02:29 PM | #1 |
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M3 Sedan softer than M4 Coupe?
It seems that the consensus among journalists is that the standard (meaning non-M) F32 is a sharper, more sporty drive than the standard F30. I've also read that the current M6 is an around better drive than the M5.
I'm wondering whether BMW will follow suit with the M3 and M4. . . |
09-16-2013, 02:46 PM | #2 |
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Since there will be no M4 GC the F80 will be the only 4 door F8X. It would be a hard slap in the face of us who need/want 4 doors if this is the case. I really see no reason to do this since there is no higher priced choice as is the case with the M5 vs M6 GC. The result if the M3 is softer is just an increased risk of alienate and losing customers. M3 buyers are looking for the best BMW has in terms of sportiness, not the 2nd best.
I don't think the M3 would get the CF roof if it was planned to be less sporty. Chances are it will actually have an edge over the M4 with the added structural rigidity from the B-pillars. Last edited by solstice; 09-16-2013 at 02:52 PM.. |
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09-16-2013, 02:53 PM | #3 |
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I think BMW have decided that along with separating the coupe's from the saloons and tourers in the way they have in creating a new series they will be making the coupes a bit more performance oriented rather than just a different body style, early reviews of the 4 series say it is already apparent but it doesn't sound too extreme, possibly leaving room for the M4?..
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09-16-2013, 03:34 PM | #4 |
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With the sedan having to have the fender flares it does to accommodate the underpinnings of the M4/4 Series, would that not suggest they'd be effectively the same?
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09-16-2013, 04:40 PM | #5 |
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Historically, the e36 M3 sedan was stiffer than the coupe. The sedan was slightly harsher and handled slightly better in stock form due to more rigid rear chassis and reinforcements from the extra set of doors.
If that's any indication, then the F80 M3 may feel stiffer than the coupe. People often wrongly assume that coupes offer better performance than sedans. And this couldn't be further from the truth when talking about BMW's. |
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09-16-2013, 04:48 PM | #6 |
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I agree totally that historically, BMW's sedans were on par with its coupes. Based on what I've been reading about the F80/F82 and the M5/M6, that does not seem to be true now, however.
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09-16-2013, 11:03 PM | #8 |
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I read some interview with a BMW representative who said that the F32 4 series coupe is more rigid than the F30 3 series sedan and 60% more rigid than the old E92 3 series coupe.
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09-16-2013, 11:41 PM | #9 | |
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09-17-2013, 08:11 AM | #11 | |
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Anyway, even if the M5 and M6 differ in suspension or steering setup or whatever else, I would expect the M3 and M4 to share just about all chassis components. Despite the name split, the 3 and 4 themselves have kept the commonalities that existed from last generation, and the M3 and M4 appear to be following suit. I should add - differences these days can obviously be achieved with software due to active suspensions and variable steering assist. If those things prove to be different between the two cars, the aftermarket coders should be able to step in and give you what you want. |
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09-17-2013, 08:17 AM | #12 | |
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09-17-2013, 10:29 AM | #13 | |
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09-17-2013, 11:53 PM | #14 | |
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09-18-2013, 06:46 AM | #15 | |
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That being said, the fact that the M3 receives the M4 front end has really put a wrinkle in things. Recall that the M5 features a front end treatment similar to the 5 Series counterpart rather than sharing one with the M6 range. Also, while the M5 has no CF roof, the M3 does. So this is a further place that could have allowed for differentiation between an M3 and M4 GC, but instead it will not be. Still, clearly the lack of M4 GC will leave an artificial hole in the lineup. I suspect that BMW will get a lot of customers asking them to build one. We'll have to see if they respond. |
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09-18-2013, 10:07 AM | #16 |
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By comparing the M5 / M6, the two are very similar in terms of performance. They didn't have to differentiate performance too much simply because the M6 is more unique / different than the M5.
I'm guessing since the M3 / M4 will look similar, they'll differentiate a little in terms of standard features on the M4 vs the M3. Maybe wheels? I can't imagine BMW going out of their way in change the performance of the two cars. They already have the ZCP to think about. |
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09-18-2013, 12:17 PM | #17 |
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i would think m3 will be already stiff enough. if they make m4 even harder it would be too harsh. if anything maybe they might program "extra firm" mode on adaptive suspension set up on m4.
chasis wise im sure m4 is bit stiffer by design. |
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09-19-2013, 08:56 AM | #18 |
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Obviously everything's a guess, but M4's lower center of gravity plus the minor (like 25lb) lower weight would give it a slight edge in performance even if the underpinnings and tech are identical. I also think the difference would be negligible to most drivers.
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09-19-2013, 02:44 PM | #19 | |
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BMW would be scoring an epic own goal if they differentiated performance between the M3 and M4. The only real difference between M4 and M3 drivers is that there are those of us who have families or other practical concerns that make a coupe a non-starter. But still want all the performance the M3 is famous for. I emphatically believe they will not engineer any performance difference in but the coupe will have a slight edge due to the factors mentioned by nonagon. |
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