What my 2018 M3 and my 2020 Raptor have in common...

It's funny how many M Car guys also have (or love) the Raptor. Although they are obviously very different vehicles for very different purposes, I do think they are comparable in one respect: The Raptor follows the same basic model of the M Cars. Take a vehicle in the lineup, add bespoke suspension, aggressive body work (flared fenders, power hump, gills, etc.), more powerful engine, and a respectable racing pedigree. Voila: instant car guy magnet.

Well, NO argument that my 2020 will run circles around my traded in 2014. That said, I grew up on V8s. Nothing sounds better, except for a finely tuned Rolls Royce Merlin V12.

I can get used to the new sound as the performance makes up for it. I will always miss the old sound though. I'm just afraid that I bought a G2 with a 6, and the G3 will have the 6.7L big block option... Time will tell.

TopElement said:

For a great drivers car, sound is a huge part of the experience. Go drive a F355 or any year GT3 and you'll get it. Not the fastest cars, but with the glorious sound it doesn't really matter. Driving through canyons or tunnels it's hard to beat.

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I don't disagree with you. just saying its not near my top priority.

I test drove a 2018 Long Beach Blue M2 almost 2-years ago. The car was a blast to drive and had an awesome exhaust note.

BaseRaptor said:

I test drove a 2018 Long Beach Blue M2 almost 2-years ago. The car was a blast to drive and had an awesome exhaust note.

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its a turbo. I think the exhaust note is fake. channeled in the speakers ? as with most turbos these days ?

saym14 said:

I don't disagree with you. just saying its not near my top priority.

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Especially in a truck, let's face it, if you've ever driven a high performance car, the Raptor, as good as it is for a truck, isn't nearly the same from a "driving" perspective, so who cares what it sounds like? It's not like it sounds like a Honda Civic with a fart can on it (or whatever they call those stupid things).

To the F80 owners....what made you choose it over a RS5?

Kaz109 said:

To the F80 owners....what made you choose it over a RS5?

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My buddy is a huge Audi fan and loves the RS5. It’s a nice car to be sure, but it just doesn’t float my boat. Same with the CTSV. I think it’s quite ugly, actually. And I’m really not a GM guy anyway. The Alfa and the C63 were the main contenders, but the M3 won my heart easily. I’ll say this though: the C63 sounds amazing. If that were high on my priority list, it would have come out differently.

Performance numbers and Ring times have their place in the decision tree and make good fodder for car reviews, but ultimately you have to go with what moves you.

saym14 said:

the next M4 is going to be a monster. the chassis is improved and it will have 503 HP. Ive owned about 15 BMW's including a few M's. what kills me is the death of the manual trans.
E36 M3 manual trans
E46 M3 manual trans
E92 M3 manual trans
X3Mc

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Isn't the new M3 still getting a manual in the RWD version? Or is that Europe only?

Droid said:

Isn't the new M3 still getting a manual in the RWD version? Or is that Europe only?

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That's the rumor, but I haven't seen it confirmed yet. I can't believe they discontinued the M3 in 2019. Maybe that will make my 2018 more valuable (mine also has the CF driveshaft--I got in just under the wire)? Anyway, they say the 2021 will have 503 hp and either a DCT or the manual 6.