IS-SV

The real owner / back-to-back comparison of -F and M will be great, looking forward to the feedback.

ahlailai

Bimmers are very strong cars to drive / everytime i drive or sit in one, it feels sturdy as hell...
The only thing i couldnt get past was the interior
The interior on the F feels so much warmer.
BMW needs to start upgrading the interior.. IMO
and i also cant get past the push out cup holders..

Cabinetman

Once I get some real wheel time in the M I will be sure to post my feelings. It will be a few months as I order a 2010 that is slated to be built on the 39th week of this year. The wait sucks, but at least I was able to get the car set up exactly how I want.

For those of you that care, this is what I ordered:

2010 E90 M3 Sedan
Alpine White
Bamboo Beige interior
Carbon Leather trim
Premium Package
Technology Package
M-DCT transmission
19" wheels
Heated seats
Park Distance Control
iPod adapter
Smartphone integration

Cabinetman

I agree that the push out cup holders are not the greatest, but I was never a fan of the cup holders in the F either. Having to open the center console to fit a second cup bothered me.

I haven't made my final judgment on the interior of the Bimmer. It doesn't feel as warm as the F for sure, but it doesn't look cheap either. I ordered my car with the beige interior specifically to make it feel less spartan.

ahlailai

i agree with you. the bmw interior isnt cheap at all.. the interior is just like the car/ very sturdy and with high quality. i guess im really use to japanese cars..

good luck with your M.. i am looking forward to a nice review of the comparison of the two.

LeslieRC

What about the HUD and the Convenience Package?

Cabinetman

There is no Convenience package nor HUD that I am aware of on the E90 M3.

LeslieRC

I checked and you're correct. However, you do get the comfort access - keyless entry and push-button start.

geneva

congrats on the bimmer, I owed a Z4 M Roadster and was a great car! The new V8 makes power the same way the straight six did but just more of it. Driving an M car they all have a very familar feel which is one of the reasons I chose the F. Totally different car!!! My car was Black Sapphire with Imola Red interior, looked totally hot IMO! (the Imola color is a softer red and looks very rich) Did you consider that color combo? I've seen it with Alpine White and it's a head turner. Cheers

Initial G

iTrader: (38)

Congrats on your new M3. Alpine white is a very nice color.

Looney100

I'm still shopping and have taken both an M3 and IS-F for test drives. This is how I see the M3:

Positives
-DCT tranny is a small improvement over the 8-speed in the F
-Suspension is not as rough as the IS-F
-A little more room in the backseat

Negatives
-M3 interior is quite spartan
-Doesn't have Lexus reliability
The biggest negative: The M3 is ~$10,000 more (Canadian) than a similarly equipped IS-F. For this reason, its been crossed off my list.

CDNROCKIES

I'm not sure how you can call the DCT an improvement at all over the F's 8 speed. Have a peek over on M3post or Bimmerworld. They have had major issues with that tranny....something that Lexus hasn't had any of.

I'm not sure which dealerships you've been shopping (yes, I know there's only four in the province), but I couldn't find a fully loaded M3 for inside of $15K more than a fully loaded F.

Red Bully

iTrader: (3)

alpine white looks great with the carbon fiber top

Cabinetman

Yes it does, but the sedans don't get the carbon roof. That is okay with me considering the sedans also start about $3k cheaper.

Cabinetman

You are correct about the problems. The biggest issue seems to be a hesitation in second gear if you let the revs drop to about 1500 and then floor it. Apparently the latest round of software updates has fixed the issue in most cars, but not all. This is one of the big reasons I am ordering a 2010. I want to have the latest tranny upgrades from the get go.

I wouldn't rate the M-DCT better than the Lexus 8 speed. They are different and seem to have their pluses and minuses. The Lexus is better and more transparent in auto mode, while the BMW responds faster in manual mode. It really just comes down to what you prefer. I also noticed that the M-DCT downshifts very quickly in the quickest shifting auto mode.

One thing that the M3 has over the F is it is more customizable. There are 5 different setting for auto shifting, 6 different settings for manual shifting, three suspension settings (with the optional ride control) and three (I think) different throttle response settings. The seats also offer more adjustment as well.

Once i have had some time with the M I will have a better idea of how it stacks up to the F when it comes to meeting my wants and desires. I may find out I made an expensive mistake, or I might find out I'm a M guy after all.