I gotta appreciate Harris’ take on the G87. God I miss Top Gear.
I think the parts that resonate with me the most as a G87 owner are:
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The car is more of a successor to older M3 models, rather than the F87. The current M3/M4, while very capable, are just getting too big for me. I also recognize the M2 might be too big for others.
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Ride compliance - it handles rough roads so much more comfortably than a F87, this was important for me in my situation. The downside here is the extra weight to accomplish this.
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The vitrol and hate from some F series owners. I like the F series cars, I like the G8x, and I also like the E series cars. Liking the G87 isn’t a condemnation of the F series. I think you can like and respect both without being a dick.
I completely agree. I bought my g87 as a replacement for my e46 m3. I felt it was the most comparable m car that I had ever driven to the e46, and that included the f87 as well. I live in Denver and the roads here are atrocious, and the g87 does an amazing job at making the road conditions less dramatic feeling than the f87. But at the same time I don’t feel I’ve lost any performance while having a much plusher ride. I completely agree with the unnecessary hate from the f series owners. I understand the looks aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but the fact of the matter is they are both fantastic cars. I realistically feel the g87 is a better driving car in virtually every way. And I think the f87 is one of the best looking bmws ever made
Agreed 100%, I originally was going to buy an F87 Comp but hated how it drove. The main reason I bought the G87 was because of all the reviews saying how it drives nothing like the F87, and it was an instant sell after I test drove it.
The F87 feels like an expensive tuner car, the G87 feels like a budget Porsche
Yeah, i kind of get the sense that there are sort of two lineages that get mixed up with one another when we talk about small BMW performance coupes.
There’s the “precise driving machine” lineage and the “this is a tiny hoon-mobile ” lineage.
Cars like the E46 M3 and the E92 M3 fit into the former category while stuff like the 1M, the 2002 turbo and the M2 Comp fit into the latter. The G87 appears to be more the former than the latter. I think that’s part of why it feels so “M3 like” to a lot of people.
The car gets way too much hate. I don’t love the styling, but it’s not awful to my eyes either. I’d definitely consider one someday if the price were right.
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I bought my e82 as a successor for a e46 m3, they got too big in 2008
i fully concede is a better road car. i just dont feel its looks are good enough to justify 20k over the last gen comp.
Sit in the interior for half a second and it will all make sense.
The sequence of shots from 10:38 - 11:01…
I’m blown away here because it’s such a strong visual of BMW wizards keeping the chassis flat.
I mean, you can see it catching its own weight then instantly settle down. The DHP on my G30 does the same and I geek at it every damn time. That much vehicle staying flat…can’t tell me there’s no sorcery involved!
Brilliant review of the car. I too don’t think it’s ugly enough to warrant so much hate. I truly believe some of the F Gen folks are trying to talk it down to keep their cars relevant and values up. It’s a great car, I have/had E, F and G generation M cars and ordered one of these recently as I’m sold on it.