Another "I'm back" thread, plus some comparisons and thoughts

[minn19]

About a week and half ago I picked up an 18 manual BSM ZCP M3. It is loaded except for full leather and CCBs. Also it doesn't have a sunroof which is perfect as I love the carbon roof and barely ever use the sunroof in any of my cars. It also came with some M packages which included the 763m with Cup2s and the M Performance exhaust (with carbon tips) plus M performance spoiler. Last it included the M Performance splitter/lip. I know the murdered out look is played out as this is black on black on black, but I really like how it came together. I'm going to save the 763m set for track days and got a 19 inch 437m black/silver set for DD. The little bit of silver in those help break it up and it looks awesome to me. Eventually those are going to be my winters and I ordered a set of 19 inch HRE FF01 in midnight blue that I'm going to put MP4S tires on. I hope the color works out with those as I feel I'm taking a bit of a chance, but I love the midnight blue (satin/matte) color.

A couple things brought me full circle back to BMW and the F80. A big one was I was tired of my GT350 (more on that later) and my wife took a new job that has her working out of home full time for the foreseeable future. I only drove the GT350 in late spring, summer and as far into fall as I could. Then it was stored in the garage and I drove my F150 through the winter. Since my wife didn't need her 428 anymore and I grew tired of the issues with my GT350, we decided to get rid of both and go back to a four door something.

A quick warning before I continue, I'm likely going to offend a lot of people here and that is not my intention. These are my opinions and mine alone. If you agree with me cool, if not I'm cool with that as well. Again no disrespect is intended with my thoughts here. Also, this will be a long post with only one crappy picture. TL/DR, the M3 is still the best dual purpose all around car, especially if you want a RWD manual IMO.

After my standard suspension 15 M3 and then my adaptive suspension 15 M4 (both DCTs) that I ended up pretty much despising, I swore off BMW until the next generation M3/4. The two things I really hated about those cars was the suspension tuning over anything except perfect roads and the MDM programming. I grew very tired of how both cars either with the standard suspension riding on 18 inch 513ms or the adaptive suspension riding on 19 inch 437m crashed over bumps and not even big ones......every damn one IMO. I also didn't like the unsettled feeling in the corners and how MDM killed the power when it sensed any version of slip at all. It really killed the fun and I still don't feel comfortable having the nannies fully off in any car even though I have a lot of experience in personal driving (over 1,000,000) and a decent amount of track experience now (10-15 track days including M School and Fords GT350 program). Those were the big deal breakers for me, which got me to look elsewhere. There are some other issues, but the only other notable one was the DCT. The DCT is as most of you guys know an amazing transmission. But for me it got a bit boring, especially during DD.

So I moved on to a GT350. My 16 was a tech pack that would overheat after only a few laps. I knew this going in, but my dealer/Ford Performance and others said a fairly cheap plug and play fix was coming for the problems and not to worry. Against my gut instinct I believed them and it ended up being a very expensive and not plug and play fix. I felt bad for my contacts at the dealer as I've dealt them over many other cars both personal and through work. I know they had no intention to deceive me. As for others at Ford I'm not so sure. The point became moot anyway as a host of issues kept me from the track. It ended up being at the dealer for roughly 4 out of the first 7 months I had it. Ultimately they replaced the engine due to excessive oil usage (a quart roughly every 300 miles at the end). It took my dealer and my constant calls too get them to replace it, which was obviously fun as most would think.

Last year it still wasn't completely right so my dealer helped with an unofficial trade assist into a 17. That summer (17) the new one ran perfect with zero issues. Unfortunately this year I had a host of issues again. A couple of blown rear drivers side CV boots (might of been three), which required the entire axel to be replaced. The last time they were on national backorder which caused me to park the car for two weeks otherwise it makes a nasty mess to clean up. The last straw was around 10,000 miles it started using a bunch of oil again to the tune of about 650 miles a quart and climbing. I knew where this was heading so I was done with it. It really really got me down as I truly loved the car and the way it drove/sounded and looked, but enough was enough. When toys become too much of a pain in the ass they cease to become toys. Just like all boats, but that is an entirely different discussion.

I still wasn't thinking about returning to the M3/4. I contemplated a host of other cars and my wife wanted a bigger 4 door than her 428 GC. We drove a 540 and really liked it so that got me thinking about an M550 or a new M5. We went and tried to drive a CTS-V, but they wouldn't let us even though the thing had been sitting there for about 9 months (they told me this). I've had odd experiences the two times at Caddy dealers when I was seriously looking at their cars. Both were really cocky and neither let me test drive the ATS-V or in this case the CTS-V. I actually liked how it looked inside out and I really wanted check out how it drove with all the raves of the chassis and Z06 supercharged engine. I was already on the fence about them so we wrote them off without a test drive again. We also drove an S5 and S6, which I really liked both and thought about waiting for the 4 door RS5 version or the new S6. Finally I drove the Alfa QV and I loved it. The thing pulls like crazy and deserves all of the praise it gets for the suspension tuning. I wasn't fond of the sound, the iDrive copy was ok and would've been fine plus I really liked how they looked inside and out. Especially the metallic white with white/black interior and BBS FI/763m looking silver wheels.

So, what brought me back to the M3? I couldn't decide what I wanted as I had too many choices running through my head. My wife asked what I really needed/wanted to have out of a car. I came down to I didn't want a bigger car than the Alfa or M3 and it had to be a RWD manual. That obviously limited my choices greatly as most of you know.

A couple of months ago when we test drove the 540 my CA saw me checking out the current car I bought. He said I should take it for a test drive, but I had driven a DCT 16 ZCP I think (maybe a 17?) and really wasn't that impressed. He called recently and asked how my search was going. I told him not great and what I was looking for. He said to come drive this car for an extended test drive as he was sure I'd love it and that BMW had fixed the issues I didn't like about my previous cars. I wasn't expecting much, but we have a great multi year/car relationship so I figured I owed it to him and to me to rule it out. My CA had it gassed up waiting for me and it was gorgeous, looks have never been these cars problems . He said take as long as I want/wherever I want. I ended up driving it for 200 miles and brought over every surface/situation I could think of while observing the break in rules. He had already given me the numbers on everything and it was an awesome deal before I took off. It fixed everything that drove me away from the previous cars. I came back and bought it that night after a minimal bit of negotiation on a few things. I got the 5/100k platinum warranty as I plan to drive it through winter and about 20k miles a year. It goes in next week for clear bra and tint. Then off to my detailer for full CQuart finest reserve over everything.

I very well may have bought the Alfa if it came in a manual. But, there were far to many questions about the car and Alfa. Reliability is a big unknown IMO (two things in the Demo car already weren't working on the test drive). Unknown dealer support network and from what I've been reading it sounds like maintenance costs are very high and dealers charge very different rates from what I've read. This goes back to my last point about dealer dependability. Which, shouldn't be to surprising considering it is a Ferrari derived engine (this also didn't give me warm fuzzy feelings about reliability) and it is an Italian car after all. I'll give them props though as it is an amazing car. As amazing as it is, I thought he M3 ZCP was a better all around car and it wasn't that far behind in suspension/chassis tuning or power.

Last thoughts, while the current M3/4 may not be the best in any one category, I find them to be the best overall car still from a dual personality standpoint and dealer support/reliability etc. I know what to expect from BMW and that was comforting feeling after two years with Ford and the GT350. This is ultimately why I'm back in my third (which I swore I'd never do with any car) F8X.

Thanks for reading, let me have it with whatever, especially you Thescout13

[Thescout13]

Finally!!!!!

Edit: I really don't have anything to bash you for. You kind of hit all the main points and thought processes I had. While I loved my Camaro for the 2 years I had it, by then end I ended up hating it more and more everyday and wanted a four door. So here I am. Congrats!

[Kevin M]

Fantastic write up. Thanks for taking the time to write it all out.

[IB M]

Enjoyable to read about ur journey and thought process. Too bad on Ford. I've really had an itch for a GT350 but stories like this make me glad I haven't purchased one.

The 763 wheels are they 20s rear / 19s front?

[SakhirM4]

Congrats and welcome back

[zamboni]

Congrat Minn19 which exterior color did you get?

[Thescout13]

Originally Posted by zamboni

Congrat Minn19 which exterior color did you get?

The first sentence says BSM = Black Sapphire Metallic.

[minn19]

Originally Posted by IB M

Enjoyable to read about ur journey and thought process. Too bad on Ford. I've really had an itch for a GT350 but stories like this make me glad I haven't purchased one.

The 763 wheels are they 20s rear / 19s front?

Thanks and yes they are. It’s hard to see since they are black, but I like it.

Originally Posted by zamboni

Congrat Minn19 which exterior color did you get?

What Scout said.

[paliknight]

I need those wheels fml

[Arcades]

I'm waiting for a certain Alfa fanboy to jump over this post because of reasons.

Don't get me wrong. I actually do like the Alfa QV quite a bit. I can bite the maintenance cost for the QV since the engine is a Ferrari made (ehhh) but it will NOT happen on a regular Giulia w/ 4-cylinder.

[dkhm3]

I haven't been on the forums a lot these days, but lo and behold I nearly fell off my chair reading this.

Welcome back, though you never really left us.

Make sure you code EURO MDM, and get some wider rears this time around. I'm riding on 295's and I have rarely ever seen my traction light come on with mdm mode, launches can still be a bit tough sometimes though. I love it because it requires skill vs the stupid awd x5m.

35k miles and no issues, knock on wood. almost 4 years now. best car i have ever owned, I love it like day one.

glad to have you back. post some more pics of your new beauty, man! Murder it out, fuck ya. Love the wheels.

Edit: since you are getting a set of 19 437m wheels like mine, get the prev gen M5 tires 295 like mine, they fit perfectly on the rears, no rubbing.

[IB M]

The Cup 2 tires will give it a different feel from what I've read.

Does it have rear sunshades ? I think that gets added on full leather but not otherwise.

What was sticker price on the wheel upgrade?

Love the black - sinister looking

[jc05e46m3]

Welcome back! Car looks great!

[JamesMA]

Nice write up, I had been thinking about the GT350 and you experience helps settle this in my mind. My car is very close to what you bought, I am surprised you were able to find one, every time myself or my dealer found anything close to these specs in my area the car was spoken for, ended up just ordering it (6 sp just does not get ordered by dealers like the DCT in MA for whatever reason).

[minn19]

Originally Posted by dkhm3

I haven't been on the forums a lot these days, but lo and behold I nearly fell off my chair reading this.

Welcome back, though you never really left us.

Make sure you code EURO MDM, and get some wider rears this time around. I'm riding on 295's and I have rarely ever seen my traction light come on with mdm mode, launches can still be a bit tough sometimes though. I love it because it requires skill vs the stupid awd x5m.

35k miles and no issues, knock on wood. almost 4 years now. best car i have ever owned, I love it like day one.

glad to have you back. post some more pics of your new beauty, man! Murder it out, fuck ya. Love the wheels.

Edit: since you are getting a set of 19 437m wheels like mine, get the prev gen M5 tires 295 like mine, they fit perfectly on the rears, no rubbing.

Thanks for the post and the tips. It is good to be officially back. I do want to get a couple of things coded so I'll look into that. So far though even the normal MDM seems much better than the older version. And right now I'm on the crappy 19 inch Continentals.

Originally Posted by IB M

The Cup 2 tires will give it a different feel from what I've read.

Does it have rear sunshades ? I think that gets added on full leather but not otherwise.

What was sticker price on the wheel upgrade?

Love the black - sinister looking

Thanks and no shades, I think you are right about full leather/shades combo.

Yah, I was getting spoiled driving on those as they are very sticky. To sticky for the street though as the rocks getting tossed around at the back of the car was crazy. I switched to my 19 inch 437m set.

763m wheel upgrade was $5495 per the sticker (same as full retail). Thank you for reminding me, I need to start another PSA a thread on that subject tonight.

[minn19]

Originally Posted by JamesMA

Nice write up, I had been thinking about the GT350 and you experience helps settle this in my mind. My car is very close to what you bought, I am surprised you were able to find one, every time myself or my dealer found anything close to these specs in my area the car was spoken for, ended up just ordering it (6 sp just does not get ordered by dealers like the DCT in MA for whatever reason).

For some reason my dealer had a ton of manuals the last couple of years. They have a LSB manual specced out like my car on the show flow right now. It is gorgeous and the pics don't do it justice.

https://www.bmwofminnetonka.com/new/...18bb17f0a2.htm

It really is a shame about the GT350 and Ford not following through. They built one of the best drivers car available today attracting a bunch of crossover buyers such as myself. And then they proceed to lose a bunch of us through really bad quality and reliability. There is a very long thread right now on one of the Mustang forums that is dedicated to tracking blown or replaced engines. I will miss a lot of things about that car and how it drove. I'll obviously not miss a lot of other things.

[mthon7]

Excellent write up and welcome back!

[shortseller]

She’s a beauty and the prize at the end of your journey. Not sure what the M G-series will bring but the ‘18 F80s are easy to stay in love with!

[minn19]

Originally Posted by shortseller

She’s a beauty and the prize at the end of your journey. Not sure what the M G-series will bring but the ‘18 F80s are easy to stay in love with!

If BMW does what they usually do, I won't be looking at one until a couple of years in. So 2022ish about?

I'm sure it's gonna be a hell of a car though.

[MaynardZed]

Welcome back. More details on the suspension sorting between the ‘15 and the ‘18 ZCP. That was one of the things that bothered me about my ‘15 too.

[Kief]

Welcome back!
It seems like yesterday we were all trying to figure out what winter setups would work when the F8x was first introduced. I remember you posting your Apex EC7 setup. Speaking of winter...I'm back at it again. Too bad you weren't in the market for my mint 19" liquid silver FF01 instead of midnight blue:
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1525769

[minn19]

Originally Posted by MaynardZed

Welcome back. More details on the suspension sorting between the ‘15 and the ‘18 ZCP. That was one of the things that bothered me about my ‘15 too.

The best way I can describe it is that it is very close to the mag ride on my GT350 that I loved and will miss. It is still firm, but compliant over bumps now. It stays on line/flat through corners and doesn't get nearly as nervous as the 15s did, which led to MDM stepping in. I obviously haven't tracked it yet as it is still in the break in so I can't speak to that part yet. I'm hoping to get one more in before winter with this car.

I always loved the turn in on the M3/4 it was after that things went to shit IMO. It appears they have truly fixed those issues. The GT350 was heavier and didn't like to turn in as easy. So this feels more tossable and lively, I can't remember if my 15s felt like that, but it I definitely like it.

Next week, I get my break in done and I'll take on a more spirited drive and dig in to the changes more. I hope that helps a little bit. If you get a chance take a 18 ZCp for a longer test drive over broken roads etc, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.