Originally Posted by
Triggerf16
The 2011 M3 sedan I'm driving now is a decent example of an analog car. No Nav, no iDrive, no sunroof, cloth and leather seats, 6-speed manual, Competition package with the adjustable suspension. Simple V-8 sedan. Analog dash displays, needle gauges and one small amber monochrome trip computer display with 5 functions. No bluetooth. Just drive.
The 2020 M4CS I'm looking at is the exact opposite, it is a digital (electric jet) cockpit. HUD with multiple displays, the dash display is much more complex, but not a full-color LED display like some of the 5/7/8 series cars. It still has tach and speed needles. It has iDrive/Nav/Apple CarPlay. Pages of menus in the iDrive to set and adjust every function of the car. LED headlights that actively steer, and dim the high beams with oncoming traffic. The euro-version will even steer the high beam away from the oncoming car at night, but keep the high beams on. Not approved yet in the US by the DOT. OLED tail lights, not sure why those are needed, but they sure are unique. Bluetooth, real time traffic, SOS, and there is even a fluffer function buried in the menus ( I jest). The Transmission, suspension, throttle and steering all have three levels of comfort/sport/sport+ settings. Plus shortcut buttons on the steering wheel to activate your desired profiles.
We spent 10 minutes where the salesman explained all the electronic functionality to me. Just getting the transmission out of Park and back into Park is non-intuitive. Those pesky german engineers. On the road it took me a while to understand how to transition the transmission from auto to semi-auto and back while driving. Paddle shifting versus the stick. Supposedly the engines are under-rated for power from the factory. Dinan tested the cars on the dyno, and found greater than the rated 425/444/454 bhp. The M4CS handles very well, with ample power to throttle-steer the car anywhere you want. The tires and brakes were excellent, although the temperature was a sunny 41 degrees when I drove it, so the Michelin Super Sports were cold and lacked some grip.
It is certainly strong contrast between an analog car and a digital one. I'm going to try the digital sports car for a while. I would not be surprised if I like it, but I would also not be surprised if I go back to and analog car (used) in a few years.