New M3 Review

[csmith319]

In this months Car magazine - not read it all yet but summary of last couple of paragraphs is that whilst the sound can't compete with the cars of old - it's faster, better handling and also more involving, responsive and satisfying...

[x5x3]

the review is a nice read, and the conclusion is what you would expect from a car magazine, but at the end of the day when a model replaces a car 7 years older then it really should be all of those things and more.

[SeeSaw]

Not seen the latest review in Car magazine myself - but this looks an interesting vid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuVa4Saw4XI

I'll take the M4 please in Hellrot or Sapphire Black

[0836whimper]

M4 for the CSLesque slight ducktail bootlid
M3 for the better flared rear arches.

Wonder if the bootlid will go on the M3.

Either way those performance figures are seriously quick.

[carpov]

When does the car go on sale? Thinking of chopping in my M135 for one.

[Wills2]

Article quotes 0-125mph time of 13.6 secs for the manual DCT will be closer to 13 dead, that makes it pretty quick indeed.

[cerb4.5lee]

carpov said:

When does the car go on sale? Thinking of chopping in my M135 for one.

Middle of June I believe

[Chipper]

Has anyone got a good discount on these?

[Wills2]

I've seen 4% offered on broadspeed, give a few months and they will be doing deals. ETA I've just checked and that has come off now saying no discount.

I'd be willing to swap but would need 10% off the list to change.

[Timbergiant]

Mine is due in June, looking like being built on the 2nd last I heard.

[NORTS]

Names down on the list for a go in the demo when the local dealer gets it. I'm sure it will drive well but will the lack of noise and engine note add to the lack of character? We will see...

[ratty6464]

csmith319 said:

In this months Car magazine - not read it all yet but summary of last couple of paragraphs is that whilst the sound can't compete with the cars of old - it's faster, better handling and also more involving, responsive and satisfying...

Is it worth chopping in the e92 for though, or would losing the v8 sound and character mean you regret the change?

[csmith319]

ratty6464 said:

Is it worth chopping in the e92 for though, or would losing the v8 sound and character mean you regret the change?

I'm unfortunately yet to own an M3 - but I would go for the V8... I'm a naturally aspirated Luddite at heart. Fast forward 7 years and I wonder if there will then be a similar debate about the first hybrid M3... The F80 could be a classic as the last purely petrol M3!

There is a thread on BimmerPost about the review discussing to what extent Car have actually driven it, it's not an in depth review and it doesn't seem to make much if such a huge exclusive (EVO don't have it this month and Car are usually quite tabloidy in boasting about exclusives if any type)... Not sure what to make of it - but I think they've had some sort of drive which enabled them to provide the review they did.

This months EVO does have a review of an M235i against an e92 M3 - the M3 walks it as you can imagine, I know new to second hand comparisons are tricky - but they said 'an approved used M3 does a better job of being a new car than the m235i does of being an M car'.

[ratty6464]

I've not read the car review but I have read the Evo one about the e92 and in my view they're bang on. Shame they didn't use a competition pack car though.

[Wills2]

csmith319 said:

There is a thread on BimmerPost about the review discussing to what extent Car have actually driven it, it's not an in depth review and it doesn't seem to make much if such a huge exclusive (EVO don't have it this month and Car are usually quite tabloidy in boasting about exclusives if any type)... Not sure what to make of it - but I think they've had some sort of drive which enabled them to provide the review they did.

Quite a few people saying they haven't driven it, having read the review it's written in an odd way for a review even a first drive, most of the article is given over to specs and whether Vettel would like it all very strange.

A forum member I trust has a contact in BMW who has stated that they haven't driven it as the press tests are in May, I know BMW have done passenger rides for the press so I think it's a cleverly worded review of that.

Poor form from Car if this is true, but they have form when the e92 M3 was near to release they ran a piece on the car which turned out to be bks.

[-Z-]

Wills2 said:

Quite a few people saying they haven't driven it, having read the review it's written in an odd way for a review even a first drive, most of the article is given over to specs and whether Vettel would like it all very strange.

A forum member I trust has a contact in BMW who has stated that they haven't driven it as the press tests are in May, I know BMW have done passenger rides for the press so I think it's a cleverly worded review of that.

Poor form from Car if this is true, but they have form when the e92 M3 was near to release they ran a piece on the car which turned out to be bks.

Par for the course for that mag.

I still remember the fake RS5 twin test against the M3 in 2008.

http://www.a5oc.com/forums/audi-lounge/4758-car-ma...

I mean Evo gets slated on here but I still prefer it as they never sink this low.

[ndj]

Semi interesting M3 history lesson in the same edition. Very complementary to the E90 (4-door).

The usual suspects on M3 Cutters won't be amused

[Palmball]

I've just read this review and on the whole, it doesn't read like anyones driven it for any distance. They've likely seen it, heard it, sat in it and even driven it momentarily, but the whole review reads almost like bloody brochure!

The V8 M3 is a great piece of kit and despite having some nice cars since, it's still to this day one of my favourite cars I've had. I know the new one won't sound as good but I don't have a problem with how my M6 sounds (it has it's own unique appeal, and actually sounds quite exotic from the outside) and I'd imagine the M3 will demonstrate BMW's further refining of the 'symposer'.

I do wonder if the new Turbo engine will encourage ringing it out like the old N/A engines did? In my M6, you just can't do this very often - not because it doesn't like to rev (because it actually feels at its best being rung-out as much as any M-car) but because it's so long geared that you can't do it beyond 2nd gear for fear of losing your licence! Shame, because it's great when you can do it (invariably, abroad ) The article says the M3 has a lower final drive than the Turbo V8's in the M5/6 so this should hopefully mean a more accessible top-end.

In all other respects and with the weight reduction, other drivetrain advances and what reads to be a superb driving environment (great seats and a low driving position, things which weren't the e92's strongest aspects), it should be a cracking car and I'm really looking forward to getting ours, which will hopefully arrive on launch week

[Wills2]

-Z- said:

Par for the course for that mag.

I still remember the fake RS5 twin test against the M3 in 2008.

http://www.a5oc.com/forums/audi-lounge/4758-car-ma...

I mean Evo gets slated on here but I still prefer it as they never sink this low.

V8 Turbo indeed....chancers.

[FastNReliable]

Ok, so there's clearly some BMWUK footage in that video. The licence plates are interesting; 'M4 Coupe', ok there will no doubt be an M4 Convertible but 'M3 Saloon'? I wonder if this is a sign that an M3 Touring is on the cards?...