So I spent 3 years in a MK7.5 R and upgraded to an F80 M3 in April, but I originally wanted an F87 M2C manual, until I drove it.
Why no M2C? The Golf was super, super practical. The M2C is not. I’ve aged to love having rear doors, and the dog likes them too. The other thing was I didn’t love the short wheelbase feel, it was lively, but I like square wheelbase FWD/AWDs, longer wheelbase RWDs. I found the M2C a bit too loose. For me, the M3 felt right, and there’s no performance decrease for the bonus of practicality. The DSG in the R Vs the DCT in the M3 - I find them both pretty good.
I ended up with a DCT M3C and no regrets, but totally different experience. The R would go anywhere, and always had grip. The M3… less practical when it comes to dirt roads, steep wet driveways. However, waaaay more fun at almost everything else, and you have to “drive” it more, rather than point and shoot like the R.
My missus doesn’t love driving the M3, but she loved the Golf. The M3 is firmer, heavier, less approachable for non-enthusiasts. The power increase is big and noticeable, but you can’t drive it like the R. The R barely stepped out of line, super predictable in any condition… the M3 is not that kinda girl. Get too aggressive on the power and you’ll know about it quick, let alone in the wet. It is a way more intimidating drive I think, where as the R was the opposite.
Yeah, all of this.
I used to have a Skyline with a built RB25, made 450-500hp, and beyond that it was either too laggy or too peaky. Just using a modern turbo and E85, it’d be just as drivable and make 550-600hp now, quite easily.
Nowadays, my stock M3 makes 450bhp, and with not much work will make 550bhp… times have changed