And I can say the car is absolutely incredible. It had the carbon fiber roof and SMG transmission 650km on the clock. It felt amazing, solid around turns at high speeds and brakes amazing, solid, solid, solid and very, very well composed. I have only driven a few higher end performance cars and this M3 takes the cake. Pumped a 2010 C63 from a roll. Now for the worst part, after getting into my F, it felt like a Honda civic with a motor swap. I know my car is 8 years old and the BMW is new but that's the best description for the feeling I had After diving the M3. Hats off to BMW for this one, it's an amazing car.

 

Hmm, wow really? I mean everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but that seems outlandish to me.

That said, I'm sure the 2015 M3 is a fantastic car. In fact, I expect it to be a better driver's car than our ISF and would be really surprised if it wasn't. I've driven a lot of fun performance cars (no supercars though) and each car has its own feel and characteristics. But comparing a V8...any V8... to a swapped Civic?

 

the feelings between the cars were night and day.

 

I'd imagine so - 8 years newer technology will do that, in sure the '15 rcf/gsf would feel pretty awesome too :-)

That said I'd venture to say an 8yr old lexus will still be in the shop less than that '15 m3

Lexus isn't about having the most rediculous horsepower, it's about having great power that's relaible. I wish they'd push the horsepower up more but what they do they do relibly and while the m3 is a great car I just know I'd regret it. Spend some time reading on the bmw forums and tally up the repair costs, I was seriously on the fence when I bought my F. I decided I could afford the bmw but the maintenance would bleed me dry if I drove the car. I'm a lexus fan of course, bmw people would disagree and to each there own :-) I have a 2010 F and its incurred zero time at the shop and hasn't cost me anything but has tires and oil. I doubt too many m3 owners can say that.

 

My post wasn't regarding the maintenance of the BMW but rather the performance. I've owned a few BMWs and am fully aware of the repairs and maintenanace associated with them.

 

My friend has an M4. It's an incredible car and blows our cars out of the water in terms of pure power. I still think it's a little bit too wide and long though, but none the less it's a great car.

And I agree with Compthis, the feeling really is night and day. The pull in our cars can't compare to the pull in the new M3/M4.

 

The new m3 and m4 are great cars. Both are turbo-charged and have a wealth of aftermarket support. I hope lexus/toyota would finally allow their ecu full tuning possibilities.

 

I love the new m4.

 

I know what you mean. I haven't driven the new m3 or anything but my last car was an 08 x5 with the 4.8L v8. If you're talking about the pure feel and composure of the vehicles, I feel more confident whipping the x5 around than I do with the isf. The x5 felt so planted at high speeds I can only imagine what a high performance vehicle like the m3 will feel like.

 

They are always better dynamically. If you can handle the issues its always a better drivers car. F is a safer bet but the M is a better drivers car. If I wasnt so OCD about issues with my car I would have been a BMW owner long ago.

 

+1, and the fact that I'm cheap and I don't want to pay for unnecessary maintenance.

 

My vehicle prior to my ISF was an X5M with a 4.4L twin turbo V8 they just do things a vehicle of that size shouldn't be able to do. In the end it was getting up in Milage and off warranty so I got rid of it.

 

I test drove a stock m4 two days ago and drove it in sports plus everything (throttle, suspension, tranny, etc). The car handles, brakes, and accelerates very nice but when I hopped into my ISF, I still love it. Usually when I drive other cars, I hate the F but the F felt better in my opinion. Powerwise, I felt like my ISF could kick the m3's *** but I know thats not going to happen lol.

 

You feel more confident whipping around a 2.5 ton SUV than the ISF? Your shocks must be blown on the ISF, LOL.

To the OP, nice unbiased review. This is what makes F owners unbiased and mature. I am sure the M3 felt amazing, it is brand new after all and more refined.

 

Sounds crazy but like sylvan said, they make vehicles that size do things that they shouldn't be able to do due to the laws of physics lol