19s but I do have a soft spot for the 18s and will pick up a set for spares I think.
Early days for a review but here are my thoughts so far.
Looks are subjective, the MC wins on specialness but the M3 has it beat for aggression and i don't feel the need to fiddle so much this time around. Fit and finish and general quality seem a bit higher, obviously newer tech but it feels like a real BMW, lots of little luxuries, and nice interior and exterior lighting features giving it a premium feel. I always felt the MC was lacking in this department but there is an argument that M cars should be a rawer experience.
My first experience of the Idrive was that it was fiddly and difficult to use, I loved how I could change settings and switch audio on the MC fairly quickly, this isn't so easy on the new system. I've since discovered that you can set shortcuts to make things that bit easier and worth noting that the later system is meant to be an improvement. I also like the mode where you can set up damping, throttle response and steering to suit your mood, full attack mode completely changes the nature of the car. At the touch of the fully customisable M button it can go from a comfortable cruiser to a time attack car very quickly, as such EDC is definitely a must have for me.
The driving position and steering are an improvement both making it easier to position the car, I was expecting to prefer the MC but somehow despite it being electric I seem to get more feel. In town when using normal mode it's very artificial but once up to speed it works, of course I would prefer it stayed in sport all the time you don't need soft steering in an M car IMHO.
The gear change and controls have a familiar feeling of the MC, the throttle is weighted more to my taste and the brakes feel much the same but more travel before the bite.
I had a similar geo set up to the CSL on the Zed, making it far less understeery, less planted at the rear but more progressive removing the distant feeling between front and rear. At first the M3 feels far less reluctant to play (has more tyre tread remaining) and I miss the sharpness and feel of sitting over the back axle, I loved steering with the throttle so this is something I may look into over time. The MC is a much rawer experience but the M3 in full attack mode is no slouch and I really felt like the car was working with me rather than against me, it seems to shrink around you, soaking up the bumps and pushing and pulling you in the right direction. Not something I always found in the MC, the suspension needs work for UK roads I would have gone down the same route as Exdos, the ride and dipping front end was starting to grate.
Now the bit you have all been waiting for...... It didn't take long for me to fall for the V8, on start up it makes similar noises to the S54, but the roar on acceleration is on another level and I knew I had to have one right there and then. Interestingly the new DCT demo I drove didn't sound as loud as the car I have bought. It pulls hard and you don't need to rev as high to get the same performance as the s54. I do however, miss the sharpness of the S54 in the MC, I notice the extra weight at lower speeds and some more low down wouldn't go amiss. I almost bought the DCT for that very reason, it is brilliant and it has that extra cog and it makes it easier to switch gears but I was worried the car was already a bit too refined and figured I might get bored. Nothing like matching the revs perfectly and the price differential supports the manual option.
The car is ultimately the ultimate all rounder but with one problem, the MPG, it really is as bad as you've read, so far I'm 4mpg down. As such I won't be using it for daily duties but there really was nothing else I wanted for similar money, the 997 C2S is the better sports car but after driving one I didn't think it justified the extra coin, the M3 offers considerable value must like the Zed in that respect and the V8 is the better engine IMHO.
Really glad I owned my MC, it was my favourite car and has made me a better driver teaching me the art of smoothness. I don't think the M3 gets so much attention either but for me it was either more upgrades or change....... I chose change.
pics well received here 
1066 Country
