Trading in FL5 for G80 M3?

[optronix]

Surprised by the amount of level headed responses in the thread to be honest. The only issues I have is that everyone seems to forget a G8X costs double what a FL5 costs. An additional $45k spent on a FL5 can get rid of most of the deficiencies except the ones inherent to it being a FWD car.

I understand that most don't have the time, wherewithal or resources to endure such an endeavour though.

Yeah, I guess my read was wrong on G80 owners, at least ones that are enthusiast-level enough to post in forums. Good responses there and kind of echo most of the themes in this thread.

We can all be friends.

The cost factor though is concerning- and I can't remember who it was, some guy on the Integra forums really actually lost his SHIT when I brought up a G80 costs twice as much. I guess he was thinking of going used? But that's just the stark reality... the fucking car costs twice as much. And I guess you could argue you get "twice the car"... but it depends on what your priorities are. We can all pretty much agree based on the responses, the G80 just isn't the same type of car an M3 has been historically.

If your priorities lie in the "driver's car" end of the spectrum, you are actually making the right choice with an FL5- and that is independent of price being a factor. That alone is why I never even looked twice at a G80, and would in fact prefer an F80.

FL5 is still a better driver's car than the F80 too though because the F80 still suffers the same "kinda boring to drive on a typical Tuesday" assessment.

But it does truly come up short in the people-carrier conversation, especially with kids. If my kids still regularly rode in the car with me, I wouldn't go with an FL5. So we're back to the OP probably better off with the G80 lol.

I'd pick the RWD with manual though, again- AWD isn't an M3 as far as I'm concerned. It's something else.

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[Cueyo]

Yeah, I guess my read was wrong on G80 owners, at least ones that are enthusiast-level enough to post in forums. Good responses there and kind of echo most of the themes in this thread.

We can all be friends.

The cost factor though is concerning- and I can't remember who it was, some guy on the Integra forums really actually lost his SHIT when I brought up a G80 costs twice as much. I guess he was thinking of going used? But that's just the stark reality... the fucking car costs twice as much. And I guess you could argue you get "twice the car"... but it depends on what your priorities are. We can all pretty much agree based on the responses, the G80 just isn't the same type of car an M3 has been historically.

If your priorities lie in the "driver's car" end of the spectrum, you are actually making the right choice with an FL5- and that is independent of price being a factor. That alone is why I never even looked twice at a G80, and would in fact prefer an F80.

FL5 is still a better driver's car than the F80 too though because the F80 still suffers the same "kinda boring to drive on a typical Tuesday" assessment.

But it does truly come up short in the people-carrier conversation, especially with kids. If my kids still regularly rode in the car with me, I wouldn't go with an FL5. So we're back to the OP probably better off with the G80 lol.

I'd pick the RWD with manual though, again- AWD isn't an M3 as far as I'm concerned. It's something else.

Usually when I think of maintaining the driver's car aspect and going to a BMW, I think m2. The older m3s were drivers cars, but like most people can agree on, the new on is like most BMW SUVs, isolated and refined.

I had personally considered a used FXX m2 while cross shopping with a bunch of cars. The FL5 was always my priority, but the Nissan Z and used M2s made it harder to decide.

 

[optronix]

Usually when I think of maintaining the driver's car aspect and going to a BMW, I think m2. The older m3s were drivers cars, but like most people can agree on, the new on is like most BMW SUVs, isolated and refined.

I had personally considered a used FXX m2 while cross shopping with a bunch of cars. The FL5 was always my priority, but the Nissan Z and used M2s made it harder to decide.

That's definitely the way to go, but still comes up short vs the FL5! Where it has the advantage is RWD and power though, and they look fantastic- especially the F87 M2 CS. IMHO it's at least tied with the best looking BMW ever built (E46/E90/F80 were all lookers)- but the inputs still aren't as good. At least not without significant effort.

But we are at least in the conversation though. Just talking about this makes me sad. I'm starting to remember about the time I was actually mad about the G80, because it's when I finally lost all hope in BMW. Time heals everything, I guess.

Still wouldn't buy one though.

 

[juslearn112]

@op what did you end up going with? Everything you wrote about is exactly what I’m feeling and going through. As much as I love driving the FL5, my wife isn’t a fan, and being a new father with limited time, we tend to take my wife’s SUV instead of the FL5, which results in it sitting in the garage.

I’m also debating getting rid of the FL5 and jumping into a G80 M3.

 

[optronix]

If you're thinking about it, do it. It's a great car. The FL5 is a better driver's car, at a much better price point. But they don't really scratch the same itches.

I really don't think it makes much sense to try to talk someone out of a G80 who's leaning that direction. If you can swing it financially I see no reason to try to hold you back.

 

[juslearn112]

If you're thinking about it, do it. It's a great car. The FL5 is a better driver's car, at a much better price point. But they don't really scratch the same itches.

I really don't think it makes much sense to try to talk someone out of a G80 who's leaning that direction. If you can swing it financially I see no reason to try to hold you back.

I think the main thing for me is am I ready to give up manual to automatic? Also, the BMW tax for maintenance, etc. I still really enjoy the FL5 for the track only but not as a family car. Which makes me not want to use it haha.

 

[Clark_Kent]

I think the main thing for me is am I ready to give up manual to automatic? Also, the BMW tax for maintenance, etc. I still really enjoy the FL5 for the track only but not as a family car. Which makes me not want to use it haha.

You don't have to. The G80 has a standard transmission option.

 

[Cueyo]

You don't have to. The G80 has a standard transmission option.

Not a cheap one, and I think it's only on a CS with like a few hundred being made.

If the other poster can actually get one it'd be pretty nice tho

 

[juslearn112]

Not a cheap one, and I think it's only on a CS with like a few hundred being made.

If the other poster can actually get one it'd be pretty nice tho

lol, I wish, man. Way too expensive. If I do decide on a g80. It has to be automatic only because of my wife.

 

[Juliusoh]

My g80 does everything better than my fl5 does minus steering feel. I'm actually in the process of selling my fl5 for a s2000 if I want actual raw feeling

 

[spectre186]

@op what did you end up going with? Everything you wrote about is exactly what I’m feeling and going through. As much as I love driving the FL5, my wife isn’t a fan, and being a new father with limited time, we tend to take my wife’s SUV instead of the FL5, which results in it sitting in the garage.

I’m also debating getting rid of the FL5 and jumping into a G80 M3.

Im going to get a G80 M3. Most likely order a Competition X Drive

 

[Clark_Kent]

Not a cheap one, and I think it's only on a CS with like a few hundred being made.

If the other poster can actually get one it'd be pretty nice tho

That's not correct. The Base is offered in manual. Wouldn't make sense for your top trims (CS and CSL) to not feature the ZF Auto. Doesn't really matter as OP must have an auto for SO.

 

[optronix]

My g80 does everything better than my fl5 does minus steering feel. I'm actually in the process of selling my fl5 for a s2000 if I want actual raw feeling

There ya go. The G80 and FL5 are redundant, unless you just required 4 doors and wanted to have a manual and an auto. Still- redundant use case. An S2000 is an outstanding choice; drop top, analog w/arguably the best manual trans ever made, wild screaming N/A engine- and I'd be in the market for one as well, but I decided to go brand new ND3 Miata because I wanted a new car the wife could also enjoy and didn't feel like finding a needle in a haystack with S2000 availability or importing. But it will augment my DE5 because I want both- I miss having a convertible dearly. I'm literally working out logistics to pick it up this week.

That's not correct. The Base is offered in manual. Wouldn't make sense for your top trims (CS and CSL) to not feature the ZF Auto. Doesn't really matter as OP must have an auto for SO.

Well, you're both right. They recently dropped this limited edition CS to bookend the G80 offerings with a manual.

https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/usa/...ff-for-the-sixth-generation-m3?language=en_US

 

[Cueyo]

That's not correct. The Base is offered in manual. Wouldn't make sense for your top trims (CS and CSL) to not feature the ZF Auto. Doesn't really matter as OP must have an auto for SO.

This is what I'm talking about:

https://www.bmwusa.com/limited-edition-vehicles/m3-cs-special.html

The M3 Handschalter is a cs with a manual, I think the only real compromise is that it has less horsepower

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