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After a month of living with the G80 M3 Competition, it’s time to share some initial impressions. While a video review for my YouTube channel is in the works, I wanted to provide a written overview highlighting the key aspects of this high-performance sedan. My perspective comes from a background deeply rooted in sports and enthusiast cars, including several BMW M models and a recent Porsche 911 GTS.
My Automotive Background:
My garage has seen its share of performance icons. I’ve enjoyed the precision of multiple E46 M3s, the raw engagement of the E36 M3, and the turbocharged power of an F80 M3 Competition. Beyond the BMW lineage, I’ve also explored other marques, including various turbocharged 3 Series models and the American muscle of a 5.0 Mustang. Most recently, I transitioned from a 991.2 Porsche 911 GTS, a benchmark in sports car excellence, to the G80 M3 Competition. This diverse experience provides a solid foundation for evaluating the latest M3.
G80 M3 Competition – The PROS:
The G80 M3 Competition immediately impresses with its everyday usability and comfort. It’s a car that slots seamlessly into daily life, offering surprising practicality alongside its thrilling performance.
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Exceptional Daily Comfort and Practicality: Getting in and out is effortless, and the driving experience, even in mundane situations, is remarkably comfortable. This isn’t a car that demands sacrifices for its performance pedigree. It’s genuinely easy to live with day-to-day.
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Striking Aesthetics: The G80 M3 Competition is, in my opinion, a beautiful car. The profile is aggressive and athletic, and while the front grille initially sparked debate, I’ve come to appreciate its bold and distinctive design. It adds to the car’s overall presence, conveying both sportiness and luxury. The stance is wide and purposeful, hinting at the performance within.
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Cutting-Edge Technology: The technology suite in the G80 M3 Competition is a significant leap forward, particularly coming from the 991.2 Porsche. The expansive iDrive screen is crisp and responsive, and the customizable lighting options add a touch of personalization. The system’s layout is intuitive, making navigation and control straightforward. While I’ve encountered minor glitches, such as occasional radio source switching or momentary screen unresponsiveness, these have been infrequent and could potentially be user-related.
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Unleashed Power and Performance: The power delivery is simply breathtaking. The engine pulls relentlessly across the rev range. Just when you anticipate the power curve plateauing, the G80 M3 Comp unleashes another surge of acceleration. It’s an absolute beast on open roads and highways, offering effortless overtaking and thrilling straight-line speed.
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Impressive Steering and Handling Dynamics: The steering in the G80 M3 Competition is remarkably well-tuned. It provides a good sense of connection to the road, especially during corner entry and exit. While it may not possess the laser-like precision and feedback of the 911 GTS, it’s exceptional for a car of this size and class. Concerns about numb steering or excessive understeer haven’t materialized in my experience, especially with the car equipped with Pilot Sport 4S tires. For a substantial sedan with a potent engine, the handling is wonderfully balanced and agile.
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Ferocious Brakes: The M brakes on the G80 M3 Competition are incredibly powerful, delivering immense stopping force. They inspire confidence and feel almost over-engineered for everyday driving, in a good way. BMW M brakes have always been renowned for their performance, but these seem to offer an even higher level of capability. (However, the soundtrack they produce is another story, as we’ll discuss later!).
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A Superb Daily Driver with a High “Smile Factor”: Overall, the G80 M3 Competition is a genuinely enjoyable car to live with. It excels as a daily driver, offering a blend of comfort, practicality, and exhilarating performance that brings a smile to your face every time you get behind the wheel.
G80 M3 Competition – The CONS:
Despite its many strengths, there are a few areas where the G80 M3 Competition falls slightly short.
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The Infamous Brake Squeal: The brake squeal is a well-documented issue with the G80 M3 Competition, and unfortunately, it’s a reality. Having owned multiple M cars, I’m familiar with brake bedding-in procedures, brake dust, and aggressive braking techniques aimed at mitigating squeal. I initially thought I had resolved the issue shortly after purchasing the car. However, as many owners have reported, the squeal inevitably returns. For a vehicle in this price bracket, it’s disappointing that BMW hasn’t addressed this with better brake pad materials, especially when aftermarket solutions are readily available. The sound, akin to a school bus screeching to a halt, is jarring and detracts from the premium experience. An upgrade to iSweep brake pads is definitely on my to-do list.
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Fuel Economy – Thirstier Than Expected: While I wasn’t anticipating Prius-like fuel efficiency, the G80 M3 Competition is noticeably thirsty. While perhaps not as fuel-guzzling as the V8 M3 of previous generations, it consumes fuel at a rate that’s higher than expected. My anecdotal estimate suggests it’s around 20% less fuel-efficient than my previous 911 GTS. While fuel economy isn’t a primary concern for most M3 buyers, it’s worth noting that trips to the gas station will be more frequent.
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Transmission Refinement – Not PDK Smooth: The transmission, while delivering rapid and precise shifts under hard acceleration, isn’t as refined in everyday driving as a Porsche PDK. It exhibits a degree of “clunky jerkiness,” particularly when maneuvering at low speeds in parking lots over uneven surfaces or in stop-and-go traffic when gently applying the throttle. It’s not a major flaw, and the transmission performs admirably during spirited driving, but it lacks the buttery smoothness found in some competitors.
G80 M3 Competition – Overall Ownership Score (After One Month):
To provide a summarized assessment, here’s a 1-10 rating across various categories after one month of ownership:
- Power/Performance: 9
- Styling: 8
- Handling: 8
- Brakes: 7.5 (potential 9 if the squealing is resolved)
- Comfort: 8.5
- Technology: 8
- Efficiency: 6.5
- Daily Driver-ability: 9
- Passenger Comfort: 9 (My wife is a big fan)
- Smile Factor: 8.5 (Anticipating an increase post-brake pad swap!)
Overall 1-Month Score: 8.2
In conclusion, the G80 M3 Competition is a truly exceptional car. While it may not be the outright sports car that the 911 GTS is, it excels in its role as a high-performance daily driver. It delivers a compelling blend of exhilarating performance, everyday usability, and modern technology, making it a fantastic all-around package. It’s a car that is easy to recommend and a joy to own.
