[positiveions]

Good review.

[rotaz]

Wow wasn't expecting such a professional review, awesome job!

[Ezio]

very very good video!

I think the BRZ is the best "cheap" sports car. but i would never ever want one, to me they look terrible. i would rather buy a used Z any day of the week over a new BRZ.

going from a M3 and cayman is almost a insult.

[Nkc]

Very professional and excellent review. 604 represent!!!

[BMW269]

Originally Posted by Ezio

very very good video!

I think the BRZ is the best "cheap" sports car. but i would never ever want one, to me they look terrible. i would rather buy a used Z any day of the week over a new BRZ.

going from a M3 and cayman is almost a insult.

Just like going from a 458 or a 911 GT3 to an M3.

[solstice]

Nice review, would you mind making your own subjective EPS rating list. Seems like you have back to back experience of the BRZ, Cayman and 911 plus long experience with an S2000. Also put the E92 M3 on the list to get an idea how you rate the EPSs vs. an HPS measure known to most of us.

I have an E90 M3 and is planning to get the F80 which is rumored to have EPS which is a big concern of mine. I had an F10 for a while and the steering was one of the worst I ever experienced in almost 30 years of driving. It was over boosted, unpredictable, numb, artificial and wandering.

[buildbright]

There is a great feeling of freedom to having your toy being something affordable for the masses.

[Sam@Bimmerpost]

Originally Posted by solstice

Nice review, would you mind making your own subjective EPS rating list. Seems like you have back to back experience of the BRZ, Cayman and 911 plus long experience with an S2000. Also put the E92 M3 on the list to get an idea how you rate the EPSs vs. an HPS measure known to most of us.

I have an E90 M3 and is planning to get the F80 which is rumored to have EPS which is a big concern of mine. I had an F10 for a while and the steering was one of the worst I ever experienced in almost 30 years of driving. It was over boosted, unpredictable, numb, artificial and wandering.

Thanks for all the wonderful feedback everyone! I really appreciate it and feel inspired to do a few more videos.

I have driven an F30. Unfortunately your comments about the F10 are completely applicable to the F30. Hopefully they rectify this for the M3/M4! Otherwise... hang on to your E9x M3s!!! They might be the last of the great steering feel BMWs.

[Red Bread]

Wait a minute, you've driven an F80, or just an F30?

I test drove a BRZ last week, and I'd forgotten than it has EPS. It's very good steering, certainly better than the HPS on our E84 and better than our old E82 too. Of course some of that is due to the stupid RFT's on the BMW's. I'd put the BRZ steering on par with my E36/8 and the S2000, one HPS car and one EPS.

I wonder how much of the E9x M3 crowd's dislike of EPS BMW's is also the poor feel of RFT's?

[i dunno]

i'm surprised bmw released its new cars with such bad steering. I had an F30 as a loaner, and the steering was devoid of on center feel, weight build up, and road feedback. one of the main selling points of bimmers was the steering feel. they might not be the fastest cars in their price range, but they were very stimulating to drive. now that the steerings gone, I don't see myself getting a new one unless they retune the eps. even just a software update can likely make a huge difference.

[Red Bread]

The E46 was launched with terribly light steering that required a few corrections to get right, this isn't a new problem for BMW to face with a new 3er. I've seen more than one person bemoaning the loss of the E46 steering feel, so clearly they've fixed similar problems before. From the looks of things, ZF is doing a poor job with EPS feel compared to what the Japanese have been doing with it for decades now.

[Sam@Bimmerpost]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Wait a minute, you've driven an F80, or just an F30?

I test drove a BRZ last week, and I'd forgotten than it has EPS. It's very good steering, certainly better than the HPS on our E84 and better than our old E82 too. Of course some of that is due to the stupid RFT's on the BMW's. I'd put the BRZ steering on par with my E36/8 and the S2000, one HPS car and one EPS.

I wonder how much of the E9x M3 crowd's dislike of EPS BMW's is also the poor feel of RFT's?

Sorry about the typo. It's F30 I've driven, NOT F80. Edited.

You're totally right about the BRZ steering, it's easy to forget that it's EPS.

[davesaddiction]

Well done. You've got fantastic taste in cars... I'm looking forward to adding a BRZ (STi?) to the stable one day, but not if I have to give up my M3 to do so!

Missing your E90 at all? What do you think your next BMW will be?

[Sam@Bimmerpost]

Originally Posted by davesaddiction

Well done. You've got fantastic taste in cars... I'm looking forward to adding a BRZ (STi?) to the stable one day, but not if I have to give up my M3 to do so!

Missing your E90 at all? What do you think your next BMW will be?

Hi Dave,

I definitely miss my M3 in many ways. It's impossible to forget the V8. The massive grunt, the glorious sound, the velvety weightless revving from idle all the way to redline. I wish I could have that engine in every car, but in different horsepower output to match the individual car.

I'm still holding out for the new M3 being great... but just in case it's not... I would really really love to find myself a minty E46 M3 Competition Pack in manual. I think it will be remembered as the purest modern M3, even if not the fastest or grippiest. For the NA inline 6, for the reasonable weight, for the old-school looks, for the old school steering feel.

And of course... I've always dreamed of owning a mint E30 M3, but that dream is not an easy one to realize. I would be delighted just to be able to drive one for a weekend. What a treat that will be.

Sam

[LSPowered]

Has there been any concrete info on specs for the upcoming STi yet?

[nicknaz]

OP, any thoughts on brake fade at the track with the BRZ? How much would it take to make the car suitable for 30+ minutes of sustained 10/10ths lapping?

Also, hypothetically if you had no car and someone handed you USD $60k, would you buy your E92 M3 back or would you buy the USD $30k BRZ and pocket the other $30k?

I think that's the true test of the BRZ

[Robert]

let me present this question, used 987.2 vs. brz?

[buildbright]

Originally Posted by Ezio

very very good video!

I think the BRZ is the best "cheap" sports car. but i would never ever want one, to me they look terrible. i would rather buy a used Z any day of the week over a new BRZ.

going from a M3 and cayman is almost a insult.

I disagree the BRZ has a unique look. The 350/370z is one of the ugliest cars ever made.

[Ezio]

Originally Posted by buildbright

I disagree the BRZ has a unique look. The 350/370z is one of the ugliest cars ever made.

i just hate how not aggressive the BRZ looks. the Z has a wide stances at least. and the 200 HP engine..PLZZZZZZZ

people buy the car cuz it looks sporty and dirt cheap. lets be honest. We are on a BMW forum right ?

[buildbright]

Originally Posted by Ezio

i just hate how not aggressive the BRZ looks. the Z has a wide stances at least. and the 200 HP engine..PLZZZZZZZ

people buy the car cuz it looks sporty and dirt cheap. lets be honest. We are on a BMW forum right ?

The Z is wide but it's also fat. Trust me people buy the BRZ because it's a great car. Have you driven one? It's very rewarding and dynamic. The price is not that great as production is limited and demand is high. They sell used for full MSRP.

People have sold their GTR's and bought them so it's obviously more then price.

[Nkc]

Originally Posted by Ezio

i just hate how not aggressive the BRZ looks. the Z has a wide stances at least. and the 200 HP engine..PLZZZZZZZ

people buy the car cuz it looks sporty and dirt cheap. lets be honest. We are on a BMW forum right ?

I think you missed the whole point of what a BRZ or FT86 represents.

[Ezio]

Originally Posted by Nkc

I think you missed the whole point of what a BRZ or FT86 represents.

i know putting everything else aside its a GREAT car for the money. I know it must be a fun car to drive. trust me i am not that ignorant!

Its just another bang for your buck car...... Sorry BRZ is a huge downgrade from a M3/cayman. thats my point from the beginning!