Wull

Anyone got one? Had one?

I’m narrowing down my next vehicle as I think I’ll move the Evo on, probably at the end of this year start of next.

What I’m wanting to know is the real world fuel economy! In fact, more the economy whilst doing motorway miles. I’m wanting to do more serious road trips and Europe with the family and the Evo ain’t going to cut it, I’m wanting something that can do decent mpg when called upon, but I want a car that’s daft when needed.

My current thoughts are the A45 AMG or F80 M3, apparently the Merc will do 35-40 mpg with the latter being claimed, I think the M3 is 34mpg claimed.

Brun

Hadn’t neither but personally couldn’t consider an M3 as my driving talent doesn’t fancy 425bhp through the rear wheels.
An A45 was high on my agenda but when it came to the crunch, the sound track of an RS3 won the day

RS Grant

M3 Cutters is the place to go for more info.

For what it's worth, I've driven an F80 LCI (facelift) regularly over the past 2.5yrs and with the OE fit Continentals that came on it new the traction was limited; it would spit the rear out under power in 2nd and occasionally 3rd in the dry and even in 4th gear with the traction control off when things were damp/wet; so it was a choice of either get ready to catch the snap or suffer the traction control light blinking and restricting power instead.

We switched to some Michelin Pilot Sport 4S and the difference has been massive, you can get the rear wheels to spin in 2nd gear with traction control off in the damp/wet but in the dry it hooks up and takes off. I cannot believe the difference between two 'premium' sports tyres.

It's also worth getting an LCI model because the twitchy and spikey suspension/handing that everyone moaned about when the car was initially launched has been addressed. Ours is a manual car and while DCT box is undoubtedly faster in ideal conditions and a no brainer if you use your car in traffic regularly, I think the manual is a definite step up from my old E46 M3 and E92 M3 which were longer throw and less precise... I find that it also helps control the car a bit better when 'on it' and trying to manage the huge midrange torque in MDM or Traction Off situations, rather than the DCT which changes so ferociously that it can unsettle the car in my experience.

Oh and on a cold start, it sounds like someone has stolen your exhaust, the noise is absolutely unacceptable.

john banks

I reckon the German 4 litre class V8s of the last 5 years or so are about 5mpg better than a 2 litre Evo at cruise, the 3 litre sixes are about 10mpg better, 2 litre fours are about 15mpg better. You can easily get mid 30s from a 3.0L BMW N55 at 80mph indicated cruise, same as a 10 year old VW 2.0TFSI.

scoobydooooo

I've had 2 E92s and loved them , the power was linear and it pulled and pulled to the red line I know its not the F80 but I much prefer the sound of the V8 compared to the turbo straight 6 , just thought I'd throw that in

zip106

Had one of the early F80 M3’s - Oct 2014.
Had it for 3 years and 31k trouble free miles.

Wasn’t overly impressed with the traction either.
Ours had Pilot Sports from the factory, not Continentals.
Quite a harsh ride too, even in the comfort settings.

Looking at the horrendous depreciation on them now, it’s possibly one of the last cars I’d buy new or nearly new....

Never really looked at the mpg - it needs fuel, I put it in.
Certainly, it was better than the 11-20 mpg I get out of the F-Type R

MelTypeR

iTrader: (4)

I've had my F80 now for 2 years and is an LCI model.


Its a quality car but is totally different from driving an Impreza or evo.
As people have said there are tractions issues if driven silly in the wet, but in the dry never had any issues.



Economy wise, I average about 23-24mpg around town but can get up to 30mpg on a run.

On the plus side you car get an earlier 2014 car and have the software updates applied to it for about £200 to get all the latest settings that the CP or GTS cars have.


Also now they can be remapped via OBD to 520hp for about £600, which will make it fun.

bighead

iTrader: (1)

Had mine F80 M3CP for 2 months now ...not had the run in service yet (only done 600 miles), so far so good average around town is 20mpg.

Wull

E90 m3 in the background? You like it?

bighead

iTrader: (1)

yes ...but the temptation for a newer model got the better of me , had the E90 since new ...only done 30k miles in it .. sold it to a family member ,was a bargain , but the F80 has more power lower down the rev range ..but miss the V8 if I could of kept both I would of, but the other half said I have too many toys !!, so it was either sell the E90 or my P1 (that is never going anywhere !! ).

the E90 M3 is a bargain now if you can pick up a well cared for one .

Wull

I’m now considering the e9x m3 as a stepping stone before going the f80/82 route, once the Evo has gone that is.

bighead

iTrader: (1)

if I was you I'll keep the Evo (only going up in value )

S204Darren

Love mine, I've gone BMW Mad! Still got my Bugeye RA though

bighead

iTrader: (1)

very nice ...not seen many white M3CP

Simon@AST

We had one,The ride is as has been mentioned a few times, pretty unforgiving. We developed a road kit to address that and make them much more compliant and aid that grip level. If you purchase one and find it too hard. give us a call.

B0DSKI

iTrader: (17)

I've just ordered a M3 CP in San Marino Blue with full M Performance interior and exterior kits, carbon mirrors and pretty much every extra except full leather.

Less than £500 a month with £15k down and 4 years 0% APR.

Should be here late next month

MelTypeR

iTrader: (4)

Good choice - good job you could find one in SMB. As I understand there isn't anymore factory orders available now on the M3 until the new model comes out.


Nice you got the 0% too! Looking forward to pictures when you get it!

B0DSKI

iTrader: (17)

Cheers buddy
No no more factory orders at all now. There’s just under 100 RHD cars being built for the UK and that’s it.
I gave Vines a list of what I wanted and SMB and preferably a few other bits and he came up with pretty much the ideal car.
A friend of mine is also getting one but in Tanazanite Blue so we managed to work out a cracking discount for buying the two together.