2023 BMW M3 Competition xDrive Track Review - Has The M3 Become Too Effortless?

With an as-tested MSRP of nearly $105K, the pre-LCI G80 M3 Competition xDrive is easily one of the fastest sedans I've experienced on track. But in the quest for accessible performance, does this super sedan equipped with the quick-shifting ZF 8-speed and brilliant xDrive AWD system remove too much driver engagement?

#MAMA2024SR #bmwm3 #g80

[dreamdrivedrift]

Constructive feedback: I find these road America reviews to be empty. Too many long straights and never near at or over the limit of traction. I understand it’s the way the event is set up, but it makes for content that is devoid of any original information. It’s impossible to get a good review or sense of a car just in half a lap. Your channel excels at providing information on explaining and showcasing driving dynamics and driver engagement which this event is not suited for. Hope this is valuable feedback for the organizers.

[itspronouncedjello]

I think you can say that about pretty much every new high performance car out in the market today. I mean even an FL5 out of the box can outperform a fully track prepped e46. Technology is impressive.

Having said that, I think a lot of enthusiasts are starting to feel the diminishing returns of constantly pushing for more performance. A lot of us are now going back to the older cars that perform objectively worse, but feel a lot more engaging. It’s in the same vein of what you said regarding the manual transmission holding you back in this car. Ultimately it’s the driver holding back the car, so less driver involvement = more consistent, calculated, and precise ways to get around a track.

Thanks for coming to my TED talk.

[matthewmiller]

“Try to avoid the rumble strips please.” Geez thanks BMW fun police…

[edlorenz]

BMW - “here, test our car.” Also BMW - “don’t use sport plus and avoid the curbs” 🤦

[sdlausen]

When the new GTR came out in 09, EVERYONE made fun of the weight and it being over computerized. Now... everyone using the same formula.

[Aaron-ynbk]

Great review! As a G80 Comp X owner myself, I can't disagree with anything you said. I've owned and raced all of the M3s except the e30 and the G80 is the ultimate evolution of the M3. Although I do miss aspects of other generations, this gen never ceases to amaze me.

[Veyronp]

the speedometer is insane in this thing lmao. i could not believe how fast it hit 90 when you took off from the stop

[edwint]

why would they restrict you to the sport mode only and not the sport+? Makes no sense. You can have everything in the sport+ mode and STILL keep the traction and stability control fully on. Going into the sport+ mode by itself, does not reduce the stability control.

[craigyirush]

Road America, what a track! Got a hot lap before the IMSA race last year in an IS 500.

[MrSuryapratim]

Is it just me or do those downshifts sound really slow by modern standards??

[ShadesofGday]

Loving your content! Your review on the M2CS vs GT4 helped me decide to sell my M3 comp Xdrive for an F87 M2 comp. agreed the M3 is a great daily if it's your only car but if you want to something that is also fun on the track the M2 is a much more engaging and fun drive. The M3 is just too heavy for anything too technical. Steering feels vague but accurate as u said and brakes u get used to. U also get used to the power which becomes more to manage on brakes given the weight.

[thedailyshift]

What about the seats? You prefer comfort or the buckets on this??

[bobbykhan]

I agree that the manual G80 feels like the car is being held back, feels more “relaxed.” This car is optimized in competition form (especially xdrive). I’m all for saving good manuals, but when I drive and shift a G80 I feel more disappointment than satisfaction in the whole experience.

[namir]

Yikes those downshifts sound slow af i'm surpised you said it was close to a DCT

[hamsterbrigade]

I find all the new BMWs boring. Yes, they're extremely capable but that's about where it starts and ends for me.

[MK]

Soulless, good of youre competitive but rather be puting my 2100 lb car around

[Warrior]

I found even the new M3 CS to be too slow, so I sold it after just six months. It’s a car that definitely needs tuning. Upgrading the suspension to coilovers is essential. Including a carbon package (bucket seats, ceramic brakes), it would cost about $115k in total, considering the base price is around $110k. Once you start modifying, it quickly becomes a $160k car. At that point, spending an additional $30k to get the new 992.2 GTS seems like a better option.