Back in a Type R!

[Chaplips]

I had a G80 xdrive on order until I test drove one. It didn't do it for me, but I drove the 6MT version and loved it and ended up getting one. I still have my G80 6MT and it pairs well with my FL5! I am now looking for a base 992.

The best shifter I ever felt was the one on my s2000. It's sublime!

Stan, I'm curious on your opinion about the g80 m3 manual vs the FL5. This might end up being my daily because my 317k mile sequoia might need some time off.

I was in the market for a manual sports sedan..... and i bought a FL5 local for MSRP and at the time i figured it was my best buy. My options were the g80 m3, ct4v BW and FL5. IF you had to have only one car what would you chose. Would you spend ~30-40k more for a g80? I know power wise the S58 is a monster and RWD. Just curious on how others would compare theses two cars. Thanks.

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[Stan23]

Stan, I'm curious on your opinion about the g80 m3 manual vs the FL5. This might end up being my daily because my 317k mile sequoia might need some time off.

I was in the market for a manual sports sedan..... and i bought a FL5 local for MSRP and at the time i figured it was my best buy. My options were the g80 m3, ct4v BW and FL5. IF you had to have only one car what would you chose. Would you spend ~30-40k more for a g80? I know power wise the S58 is a monster and RWD. Just curious on how others would compare theses two cars. Thanks.

I'd like to first say that I am a fan of both cars. I am a car enthusiast that is impartial to any brand/model. That said, i've been been a fan of M3s for sometime and had previously owned an E46 and F80. I won't focus on the creature comforts or interior of both cars, as the BMW will blow away the Honda, and as it should, but i'll focus on driving experiences only.

The G80 is a fantastic car, but drives somewhat big and bulky until you are in the twisties, then it will really shine. The grip is incredible and you cannot upset the chassis mid corner no matter how much you lift off the throttle. The S58 is awesome in how it builds power and mates perfectly well to the car. The gearbox, while decent is really lacking once I get of of my FL5 or S2000. The throws are long, but not as rubbery feeling in the past. The clutch pedal is also long and engagement point varies on what the car feels like that day. Myself and everyone who has a G80 6MT complain about the 1-2 shift and how it is very difficult to drive it smoothly. I'd say the G80 6MT is the 'perfect' DD for someone who enjoys rowing gears, and values a very refined driving experience.

The G80 drives very differently than the FL5. The FL5 feels much lighter on it's feet and much more nimble. I'd have to look specifically, but I want to say the FL5 has a quicker steering ratio. The road feel on the FL5 through the steering wheel is also a bit better than the G80--which is a bit numb. The electronics package on the G80 is also really fun. You can induce an electronically controlled oversteer slide to your liking and the car will feel very composed and in control. The FL5 is a bit more 'raw' in this sense as it doesn't have a lot of electronic aids when oversteer does rear its head. The FWD on the FL5 is obviously not as engaging as the RWD platform--as you still get torque steer and acceleration from a dig does not feel very composed. In the twisties, the FL5 can definitely hold its own against the G80 just by chassis feel and grip. Any side-to-side transitions are very quick and feels rock solid. the FL5 just feels more toss-able.

If I had to generalize both cars, i'd say the G80 drives like a small GT car which happens to also handle great. The FL5 while physically pretty much the same size as the G80, drives a bit more 'small/raw' and nimble with great steering feel and gearbox. If I had a free day of twisty driving, i'd grab the FL5. If I had to drive the kids to school and pickup groceries on the long way home, i'd take the G80.

If I had to keep one, it would be the G80, but only because it is a more well rounded package with its upscale interior and much more creature comforts.

With everything said, i'm getting out of my G80 only because I finally decided I need a 992 in my life. Hope my drivel helps in any way.

 

[Chaplips]

I'd like to first say that I am a fan of both cars. I am a car enthusiast that is impartial to any brand/model. That said, i've been been a fan of M3s for sometime and had previously owned an E46 and F80. I won't focus on the creature comforts or interior of both cars, as the BMW will blow away the Honda, and as it should, but i'll focus on driving experiences only.

The G80 is a fantastic car, but drives somewhat big and bulky until you are in the twisties, then it will really shine. The grip is incredible and you cannot upset the chassis mid corner no matter how much you lift off the throttle. The S58 is awesome in how it builds power and mates perfectly well to the car. The gearbox, while decent is really lacking once I get of of my FL5 or S2000. The throws are long, but not as rubbery feeling in the past. The clutch pedal is also long and engagement point varies on what the car feels like that day. Myself and everyone who has a G80 6MT complain about the 1-2 shift and how it is very difficult to drive it smoothly. I'd say the G80 6MT is the 'perfect' DD for someone who enjoys rowing gears, and values a very refined driving experience.

The G80 drives very differently than the FL5. The FL5 feels much lighter on it's feet and much more nimble. I'd have to look specifically, but I want to say the FL5 has a quicker steering ratio. The road feel on the FL5 through the steering wheel is also a bit better than the G80--which is a bit numb. The electronics package on the G80 is also really fun. You can induce an electronically controlled oversteer slide to your liking and the car will feel very composed and in control. The FL5 is a bit more 'raw' in this sense as it doesn't have a lot of electronic aids when oversteer does rear its head. The FWD on the FL5 is obviously not as engaging as the RWD platform--as you still get torque steer and acceleration from a dig does not feel very composed. In the twisties, the FL5 can definitely hold its own against the G80 just by chassis feel and grip. Any side-to-side transitions are very quick and feels rock solid. the FL5 just feels more toss-able.

If I had to generalize both cars, i'd say the G80 drives like a small GT car which happens to also handle great. The FL5 while physically pretty much the same size as the G80, drives a bit more 'small/raw' and nimble with great steering feel and gearbox. If I had a free day of twisty driving, i'd grab the FL5. If I had to drive the kids to school and pickup groceries on the long way home, i'd take the G80.

If I had to keep one, it would be the G80, but only because it is a more well rounded package with its upscale interior and much more creature comforts.

With everything said, i'm getting out of my G80 only because I finally decided I need a 992 in my life. Hope my drivel helps in any way.

Thank you for that reply. I think for now i will continue to enjoy the FL5 and maybe in the future when the g80 M3s have depreciated a bit more i might try and pick one up.

 

[Clark_Kent]

I'd like to first say that I am a fan of both cars. I am a car enthusiast that is impartial to any brand/model. That said, i've been been a fan of M3s for sometime and had previously owned an E46 and F80. I won't focus on the creature comforts or interior of both cars, as the BMW will blow away the Honda, and as it should, but i'll focus on driving experiences only.

The G80 is a fantastic car, but drives somewhat big and bulky until you are in the twisties, then it will really shine. The grip is incredible and you cannot upset the chassis mid corner no matter how much you lift off the throttle. The S58 is awesome in how it builds power and mates perfectly well to the car. The gearbox, while decent is really lacking once I get of of my FL5 or S2000. The throws are long, but not as rubbery feeling in the past. The clutch pedal is also long and engagement point varies on what the car feels like that day. Myself and everyone who has a G80 6MT complain about the 1-2 shift and how it is very difficult to drive it smoothly. I'd say the G80 6MT is the 'perfect' DD for someone who enjoys rowing gears, and values a very refined driving experience.

The G80 drives very differently than the FL5. The FL5 feels much lighter on it's feet and much more nimble. I'd have to look specifically, but I want to say the FL5 has a quicker steering ratio. The road feel on the FL5 through the steering wheel is also a bit better than the G80--which is a bit numb. The electronics package on the G80 is also really fun. You can induce an electronically controlled oversteer slide to your liking and the car will feel very composed and in control. The FL5 is a bit more 'raw' in this sense as it doesn't have a lot of electronic aids when oversteer does rear its head. The FWD on the FL5 is obviously not as engaging as the RWD platform--as you still get torque steer and acceleration from a dig does not feel very composed. In the twisties, the FL5 can definitely hold its own against the G80 just by chassis feel and grip. Any side-to-side transitions are very quick and feels rock solid. the FL5 just feels more toss-able.

If I had to generalize both cars, i'd say the G80 drives like a small GT car which happens to also handle great. The FL5 while physically pretty much the same size as the G80, drives a bit more 'small/raw' and nimble with great steering feel and gearbox. If I had a free day of twisty driving, i'd grab the FL5. If I had to drive the kids to school and pickup groceries on the long way home, i'd take the G80.

If I had to keep one, it would be the G80, but only because it is a more well rounded package with its upscale interior and much more creature comforts.

With everything said, i'm getting out of my G80 only because I finally decided I need a 992 in my life. Hope my drivel helps in any way.

Coming from an E46 and F80 M3, you're a good man for coming to accept the G80 M3. The price point, weight, manual transmission, steering, and appearance are losers for me. I can't think of a performance car in recent times I've been more diametrically opposed to. I dislike everything about it and part of that is because I'm disappointed in what BMW as a brand/company has become.

The F80 was great, so much so that I owned three of them in a relatively short period of time (Base, ZCP, and CS). I thoroughly enjoyed that platform and have fond memories of my ownership journey. The only blemish on that platform, the motor really, is the crankhub issue and it took some time for it to present.

Anyhow, I appreciate you sharing your perspective on the G80 in this setting. Good luck on your pursuit of the 992. I'm thinking you will be pleased with it.

 

[hhkb]

Coming from an E46 and F80 M3, you're a good man for coming to accept the G80 M3. The price point, weight, manual transmission, steering, and appearance are losers for me. I can't think of a performance car in recent times I've been more diametrically opposed to. I dislike everything about it and part of that is because I'm disappointed in what BMW as a brand/company has become.

The F80 was great, so much so that I owned three of them in a relatively short period of time (Base, ZCP, and CS). I thoroughly enjoyed that platform and have fond memories of my ownership journey. The only blemish on that platform, the motor really, is the crankhub issue and it took some time for it to present.

Anyhow, I appreciate you sharing your perspective on the G80 in this setting. Good luck on your pursuit of the 992. I'm thinking you will be pleased with it.

I agreed with every point by @Stan23. I sold my g80 for the fl5 and I couldn’t be happier. They’re both fantastically engineered cars but the fl5 just feels more alive in my hands!

 

[Stan23]

Thank you for that reply. I think for now i will continue to enjoy the FL5 and maybe in the future when the g80 M3s have depreciated a bit more i might try and pick one up.

A lot of G80s are coming off lease, so the market will be flooded! If I had to do it over again, id get the buckets. I didn't on mine, and the stock seats are not that great when driving aggressively in corners.

Coming from an E46 and F80 M3, you're a good man for coming to accept the G80 M3. The price point, weight, manual transmission, steering, and appearance are losers for me. I can't think of a performance car in recent times I've been more diametrically opposed to. I dislike everything about it and part of that is because I'm disappointed in what BMW as a brand/company has become.

The F80 was great, so much so that I owned three of them in a relatively short period of time (Base, ZCP, and CS). I thoroughly enjoyed that platform and have fond memories of my ownership journey. The only blemish on that platform, the motor really, is the crankhub issue and it took some time for it to present.

Anyhow, I appreciate you sharing your perspective on the G80 in this setting. Good luck on your pursuit of the 992. I'm thinking you will be pleased with it.

Definitely a love it or hate it car in the looks dept. I actually love the way it looks -- very aggressive and has such a road presence to it. I liked the F80, but didn't LOVE it. I didn't like the DCT gearbox, and steering. I do think the G80 in Xdrive/ZF8 form is a completely different car than the 6MT I have. I had that config originally on order until I test drove it, and it was just a little too numb for me. For the record, i'm not interested in point and shoot cars. I value steering, chassis communication, and handling. Weight was really not something that bothered me because I also had a 2022 X5M at the time and while that thing was a complete beast, BMW's M magic made it fairly fun to toss around in the twisties and it hid it's weight well.

 

[Evo X]

Another update. Just did a 700 mile roadtrip with the car. Drove to the Driftless region in Wisconsin.

Good balance of comfort and sport. Adaptive cruise was a life saver on highway, especially when I was tired. It’s not exactly an S class in terms of noise isolation. A lot of wind and tire noise at higher speeds, varying on tarmac quality of course. Seats and suspension were fine on long stints. My small niggles vanished when I got to the twisty roads. The manual and handling were so much fun, there were sections I was smiling ear to ear. Whichever journalist described it as a FWD GT3 is right on the money. Tons of grip to carry speed through the corners. You would need to have a crazy supercar and do highly illegal speeds to get away from this thing on backroads. It felt like just enough performance to have fun without losing my license. Much more serious driving experience than say something like a Miata as far pace is concerned.

Looking forward to doing more trips this summer. Might need to pick install an exhaust as that’s definitely lacking stock. Whats a good valved option that won’t have annoying drone?

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