New Review from SpeedHunters: Jack of All Trades: The New BMW M3

[Accel Junky]

Just stumbled upon this. I don't think anyone has shared this yet.

I think his thoughts mirror my own except maybe the lack of turbo lag (I notice it easily) and the reference to the "subtle" "pumped" fenders. I think they are far from subtle myself

I very much agree with the comment he made on the gauge cluster. I do think it looks a little too uninspiring for an M. That is one area I think they could dress it up a little.

http://www.speedhunters.com/2014/10/...es-bmw-f80-m3/

[damnitBobby]

nice.. didn't care much for his review, I just wanted to see the pictures

[Damasconian]

Thanks for posting but that was a poorly written review. Too choppy, no flow, and pictures cutting off paragraphs.

Weird.

[Carl L]

Haven't read the review but from your comments I will say that I like the gauge cluster as it's finally back to E39 and E46 grey. Never cared for the black dials on the E60 and E92.

[myzmak]

Originally Posted by Damasconian

Thanks for posting but that was a poorly written review. Too choppy, no flow, and pictures cutting off paragraphs.

Weird.

Maybe your browser?

Worked fine on mine.

I thought it was ok. Nothing too much new.

I disagree with him on the gauges. I don't want an RC-F style digital display which looks like something out of a Manga comic. I like the simple/refined display here.

[Accel Junky]

Originally Posted by Carl L

Haven't read the review but from your comments I will say that I like the gauge cluster as it's finally back to E39 and E46 grey. Never cared for the black dials on the E60 and E92.

My F80 cluster is all black. My E39 M5 had the grey dials and black surround though.

[Art__Vandelay]

The gauge is not a deal breaker for me, but it does look kinda dated already. Audi introduced the new TT a few months ago and it's cluster is probably a preview how the cluster of the RS4 and RS5 (direct competitors of M3/M4) is going to look. Sure, some will love it, some won't, but it definitely looks more modern and it's more versatile.

[Schullz51]

Interesting he commented on the gauges, because up until this summer I hated the e9X gauges. I disliked the "flatness" of them and they seemed just not as nice or pleasing to look at for me. In the F8X they still aren't works of art, but the dash and gauges and interior as a whole stepped it's game to up to where I absolutely considered the F8X and ultimately bought one after driving one. Up until around September I thought the M3 would be the absolute last car I would end up choosing, yet it won me over very quickly

[VMRWheels]

Nice, thanks for sharing op!

Wow, that Audi interior makes the F8X look a bit outdated. Though, I've heard similar reviews from those who have compared the RC-F to the M4.

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by VMRWheels

Nice, thanks for sharing op!

Wow, that Audi interior makes the F8X look a bit outdated. Though, I've heard similar reviews from those who have compared the RC-F to the M4.

I guess I am outdated because I like the looks of my M4 interior alot more than the Audi - way too much chrome!

[solstice]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

I guess I am outdated because I like the looks of my M4 interior alot more than the Audi - way too much chrome!

Quilted seats

[Lups]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

I guess I am outdated because I like the looks of my M4 interior alot more than the Audi - way too much chrome!

I would love to see anyone with kids in that Audi. That would be a cleaning nightmare.

Too much going on in that but also, the new amg came up with almost that same style. Germans have a good copy machine at work apparently!

[VMRWheels]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

I guess I am outdated because I like the looks of my M4 interior alot more than the Audi - way too much chrome!

Haha I agree.. well outdated in terms of the cluster. I, too, am a fan of less chrome and more subtle nuances.

I am a fan of the diamond stitching though. Not sure how it would look in a BMW.. but love how the diamond stitch came together in the past on the R8

[Sapper_M3]

Originally Posted by Croatian test driver

The gauge is not a deal breaker for me, but it does look kinda dated already. Audi introduced the new TT a few months ago and it's cluster is probably a preview how the cluster of the RS4 and RS5 (direct competitors of M3/M4) is going to look. Sure, some will love it, some won't, but it definitely looks more modern and it's more versatile.

Wow, didn't think I would like a fully digital gauge cluster, but it looks incredible. I love how it frees up the center of the dash from having an eyesore of a digital display that will undoubtedly look dated in 5 years.

[rubber_ducky]

The HVAC controls on the TT are even cooler than the cluster IMO. With the control knobs residing in the center of the vents themselves

[DrtyJrze]

TBH, I hardly look at the cluster. The HUD tells me everything I need to know.

The Audi one looks cool, but I think taking the center console away is a bad idea. It's more for the passengers.

[Boostin FD]

While we're on the topic of gauges... I'm honestly not sure why we need analog speedometer anymore? In m4 you have the digital one on the HUD, you Can also have it show in the middle of the cluster.. Why then analog one at all? I have yet to look at that one for speed. They could have put Tach In the middle and then boost gauge, oil temp/press around it.

My 90's rx7 had better layout when it comes to gauge cluster.

[SakhirM4]

I am constantly amazed how many people that own the F8X trash mouth it about something. No, it is not perfect, but it doesn't deserve all the nit-picking bad mouthing either.

[2ndlife]

No more center console display in the Audi is a negative. Sometimes my navigator needs to have access to the screen too.