Ride Quality

Hello, brief circumstances:
I drive 80% highway, commute hour plus each way M - F, some days longer drives. Traffic is typically minimal.

Past M3’s 99 E36, manual, 11 e90 manual, 13 e92 DCT. I personally like having a third pedal. Since then I’ve driven a 12 550i and currently drive a 14 550i. Great seats, good power.

I am considering two things; F80’manual but concerned about ride quality and comfort on the highway. That’s about a $50k swing with my build on a trade in. I am a minimalist, no competition,etc.

The other is an F90 M5, build is $115k, so roughly $85k with the trade.

Thoughts are appreciated.

I am on my second M4. I had a 2015 (no competition pack) with M Adaptive suspension and 18" rims. I currently have a 2018 Competition Pack with M Adaptive suspension and 19" rims. The ride is firm but not harsh on poor surfaces and very good on highways. In terms of ride quality both cars were far superior to my 2007 335i with sport suspension and RFTs. I have not taken the 2018 on a long trip yet but have made the drive from NYC to Lime Rock CT (about 90 miles and a mix of highway and back roads) several times. I drove the 2015 from New York to Georgia and back and found it to be a comfortable highway cruiser.

I purchased my 335i in Palm Beach Florida and it was fine on the relatively pristine South Florida roads. It was not until I got the car back to NYC that I had issues with ride quality. I doubt that you will have issues on Florida roads with an M3 particularly a non ZCP with M Adaptive suspension.

I think the ride quality is just fine, especially if it's not on the harshest setting.

I daily drive my M3 competition (it's a manual) and I've got no complaints (other than I can't drive in this crazy weather in Chicago right now) - I'm coming from a z06 so perhaps I'm a bit biased?

I would appreciate some input. I currently commute 170 miles per day, 90% highway. I'm in a 2014 550i which has incredible seats. The challenge is the lack of fun factor. It's a very nice and comfortable car, just not thrilling to drive. If I moved to an F80 it would be a manual. My primary concern is the seat comfort and overall ride quality, especially spending 3 hours a day in the car. I have owned an E90 M3 and E92 and the ride quality was not great.

it's a sports car, yes on the stiff maybe harsh side at times, but this is why I chose an M3. Fluffy driving bores the hell out of me, M3 for any length of drive. This is why we have choices, good luck

I am not being specific enough...Wondering if the trade-off in multi-contour seats and the ride quality of the 550, day-in, day-out, will be worth the driving experience of the F80 day-in, day-out 40K to 50K miles per year....

Originally Posted by 2002FAN

I am not being specific enough...Wondering if the trade-off in multi-contour seats and the ride quality of the 550, day-in, day-out, will be worth the driving experience of the F80 day-in, day-out 40K to 50K miles per year....

Sounds to me like you've found your comfort zone in the 550. I can only speak for myself, unfortunately. I truly wouldn't drive an uncomfortable auto, just prefer the adrenaline rush of an M3 and willing to sacrifice some of the fluff. Totally understand your position, hope this helps a bit. BTW the ZCP seats might not be soft and cozy but they really are supportive with a locked down feel, love em.

Understood, this is my second 550, been commuting a long distance 12 years... I've been through 3 series, X5's, M3's, even a Cayenne manual and 911 manual. I'm somewhat bored of the 550 even though the comfort is the best of all above. I'm truly wondering if a new M3 (18's) manual will be comfortable enough to offset the 550.

I'm on my second M3 with 6MT as daily drive and the ride is very comfortable since I'm on 19" wheels, the 20" is a bit stiff but you can turn on comfy mode for long distance drive and you'll be fine.

Originally Posted by 2002FAN

Understood, this is my second 550, been commuting a long distance 12 years... I've been through 3 series, X5's, M3's, even a Cayenne manual and 911 manual. I'm somewhat bored of the 550 even though the comfort is the best of all above. I'm truly wondering if a new M3 (18's) manual will be comfortable enough to offset the 550.

No. Get the M5.