Anyone coming out of a F10 5 series?

[NewM3driver]

Hey guys.... I'm a long time BMW driver, currently in a brand new 2015 535i and 2012 328 vert. As you can tell by the name I've owned a 2008 M3 as well.

I love my 5 series, but the truth is as the car has become bigger, heavier and more luxurious, it has also become boring.

Anyone here make the switch from an F10 5er into an F80 M3? Does the new larger 3 feel "that" much smaller? Honestly, the back seat of the new 5 isn't exactly feeling like a car as big as it is. When I compare dimensions, It's just an inch here and there.

In real world use..... how much smaller does it seem?

I know the M3 drive is in a completely different league. Is it worth stepping away from the luxury of a really nicely optioned 5?

Thanks!

[TahoeM3]

There are a few posts on this already. I didn't come from a 5-series really, but I did have an F10 550i M-sport for a while. I only drove it for a little while because it was completely boring and I couldn't stand it. It's like a relatively fast couch. I went back to an X5 50i which was much more fun to drive.

The M3/M4 is much more fun to drive, you don't give up anything in luxury except maybe the seats and suspension are firmer. The M3/M4 interior overall is nicer and feels no smaller to me than the 5 did in the front...I'm sure you give up a bit in back seat and trunk space going from a 5 to a 3. Handling, performance, etc are all not even close.

[NewM3driver]

Wondering why this was moved away from the population of folks I wanted to hear from???

[DBV]

I know it's not the comparison you're looking for, but I'm in the process of moving to an F80 (on order!) from a F01 750i.

The 7 is obviously much more luxury-oriented than the M3, however as I don't NEED a backseat about 90% of the time, it's been an overkill for me. That said, I need a four door sedan, as I do like to put stuff in my back seat from time to time. Personally, the room in the 750i is not THAT much more than in a F10 5 series, and that isn't too much more than afforded in the F80.

Aside from the performance and handling differences, the biggest change will be the dimensions and overall interior "experience". I know I will miss the infinitely adjustable seats (thigh supports especially - I'm 6'3"), but I'm ready for something more fun, and tossable. Not to mention finally getting back into a 6MT...

If you're at all considering the M, I say go for it. You're used to the performance from your previous M3, and that's a memory you can't erase, the bar has been set. Go for the full leather interior, and I don't think you'll be missing much.

[Ghetto2315]

I had a 12' 550Xi M Sport paired with my 12' E92 M3 and that was replaced recently with a 15' 550Xi M Sport that my ass shares seat time with my current 15' F82 M4.

I love every thing about the F10 when I want to take a break from a firm ride and want automatic trans. My M4 (and my previous E92 M3) is a 6MT and both had adaptive suspension. Even in comfort mode, it's still noticeable firmer than my 550's with the 19" wheels. Driving the F10 for a week straight and then switching back to the M4 makes you feel like you're now driving a go-cart around. Or put it this way. Driving the M4 for a week and then hopping in to the F10, it feels like a boat. There is no denying the hefty mass of the F10 compared to my M4 and you feel it on every turn. Sure the dynamics aren't the same since the F10 is XDrive while my M4 is RWD but strictly just daily driving, the M4 is infinitely better and more engaging. Especially with a 6MT.

Honestly, the luxury amenities in my M4 is on par with the 550. My 550 is a sledgehammer. The M4, a scalpel. I guess an M3 with it's rear doors would be a pairing knife. Precision cutting still but a tad bit more usability.

If you do not need the extra space of the F10, I do not see how you would regret getting the M3.

[Needsdecaf]

I had a 2011 535i and will be getting an F80 M3.

I loved a lot about the 535, but one thing I hated was how goddamned big it was. Drove big, felt big, acted big.

I have two kids and intend on using it fully as a sedan. I would not hesitate to pull the trigger. It doesn't just feel that much smaller. It feels a LOT smaller.

Regarding the back seat, the F10 has a poorly sized back seat, especially with the multicontour seats, whereas the M3's buckets are pretty thin. Combine that, and you have more leg room in the F80 than the F10 with multicontours. really.

not as much width though.

[Needsdecaf]

I forgot to add...storage. The f10's door pockets are useless, and so were the pre-LCI cupholders. The trunk is larger, but the F80 trunk is decently sized.

Overall, the F80 is just as usable as the F10.

[Neil McRae]

i have both, they are both amazing cars. F10 is more mobile than people think you just have to be brave.

Cheers,
Neil.