The best BMW M car?
Discussion
ClarkyboyS said:
cerb4.5lee said:
totally agree regards the E92 M3, for me though the Z4M's chassis isn't good enough for greatness in my view.I think the E30 M3 although not my cup of tea as it's a 4 pot most would say is the best I reckon.
ClarkyboyS said:
I dissagree on the Z4M coupe chassis - its the OEM front tyre width thats the problem, a few wee tweeks and the car/chassis/feedback is really good IMO, certainly far advanced from an e46 and just 'better' than the e92
Don't get me wrong I loved mine but the suspension was its biggest problem, the E92 is on a notch up on my favourite roads, where the z4m jumped around and generally felt unsettled especially at the rear the m3 glides along soaking everything up and giving way more confidence to push on.daz05 said:
Don't get me wrong I loved mine but the suspension was its biggest problem, the E92 is on a notch up on my favourite roads, where the z4m jumped around and generally felt unsettled especially at the rear the m3 glides along soaking everything up and giving way more confidence to push on.
As I have said many times I didn't get on with my m3 but I agree totally that the chassis is worlds apart from the Z4M and it had the best chassis I have experienced, for me the zed`s chassis just wasn't resolved but I do still like them lots. This thread is the definition of subjectivity...
I have only driven the below which are ranked in order of preference favourite firat
E39 m5 best all-rounder. Drift wagon, quiet cruiser, amazing gearbox, understated
E92 m3 amazing on track..
E60 m5 with a dct or manual it would be top
F10 m5 stupendously fast but understeers like a 530d..
E43 m3 just a bit too bling and the noise a bit contrived...
Just my opinion....
I have only driven the below which are ranked in order of preference favourite firat
E39 m5 best all-rounder. Drift wagon, quiet cruiser, amazing gearbox, understated
E92 m3 amazing on track..
E60 m5 with a dct or manual it would be top
F10 m5 stupendously fast but understeers like a 530d..
E43 m3 just a bit too bling and the noise a bit contrived...
Just my opinion....
cerb4.5lee said:
As I have said many times I didn't get on with my m3 but I agree totally that the chassis is worlds apart from the Z4M and it had the best chassis I have experienced, for me the zed`s chassis just wasn't resolved but I do still like them lots.
To me, the E92 M3's chassis seemed more exploitable than the Z4MRs. Jumping into both, having never driven either before, the M3 was by far the easier car to power-slide. The Z4 took some learning, but the grip limits seemed higher and that area where you're somewhere between sliding and a spin seemed narrower in the Z4, however once learnt I found it far more rewarding than the M3 as a drive.Re the Op's question though. Subjectively, I think M cars should be a lot about purity, manual control and excitement and should be good to drive on a b-road whilst also never letting you down and not making you look like an animal when you pull up outside somewhere like Le Manoir, thus I'll select:
E30 M3 and E46 M3 (perhaps CSL).
Shim, my M135i doesn't reward like my E46 M3 did. Unless you've scrapped the original open diff in the M135i, replaced all of the suspension including ARBs then it's not going to feel like a proper M car. Don't get me wrong, it's a phenomenal car, but not nutty like an E46 M3 is.
[quote=bennyboysvuk]
To me, the E92 M3's chassis seemed more exploitable than the Z4MRs. Jumping into both, having never driven either before, the M3 was by far the easier car to power-slide. The Z4 took some learning, but the grip limits seemed higher and that area where you're somewhere between sliding and a spin seemed narrower in the Z4, however once learnt I found it far more rewarding than the M3 as a drive.
quote]
Thats funny how 2 people can feel the complete opposite about the same 2 cars,
i always found that on the limit you could slide the Z4M all day long, but the e92 was fiddly, dont get me wrong, its easy to get a good slide on in either, but i always found the zed was better to control through the feedback it gave.
Good God i need another one! should never have sold my z4mc!
here's a wee vid of me in my old e92 - enjoy!
http://youtu.be/6Av05ez64FI
To me, the E92 M3's chassis seemed more exploitable than the Z4MRs. Jumping into both, having never driven either before, the M3 was by far the easier car to power-slide. The Z4 took some learning, but the grip limits seemed higher and that area where you're somewhere between sliding and a spin seemed narrower in the Z4, however once learnt I found it far more rewarding than the M3 as a drive.
quote]
Thats funny how 2 people can feel the complete opposite about the same 2 cars,
i always found that on the limit you could slide the Z4M all day long, but the e92 was fiddly, dont get me wrong, its easy to get a good slide on in either, but i always found the zed was better to control through the feedback it gave.
Good God i need another one! should never have sold my z4mc!
here's a wee vid of me in my old e92 - enjoy!
http://youtu.be/6Av05ez64FI
ClarkyboyS said:
bennyboysvuk said:
To me, the E92 M3's chassis seemed more exploitable than the Z4MRs. Jumping into both, having never driven either before, the M3 was by far the easier car to power-slide. The Z4 took some learning, but the grip limits seemed higher and that area where you're somewhere between sliding and a spin seemed narrower in the Z4, however once learnt I found it far more rewarding than the M3 as a drive.
Thats funny how 2 people can feel the complete opposite about the same 2 cars, i always found that on the limit you could slide the Z4M all day long, but the e92 was fiddly, dont get me wrong, its easy to get a good slide on in either, but i always found the zed was better to control through the feedback it gave.
Good God i need another one! should never have sold my z4mc!
here's a wee vid of me in my old e92 - enjoy!
http://youtu.be/6Av05ez64FI
Why wasn't the E36 driver drifting as well?It may have come from my familiarity with driving an E46 M3 for a long time before test driving the E92. I think being positioned a long way back in the car (a la the Z4) changes things a lot when it comes to how a drift feels. It didn't take too long to adjust to the Z4's different feeling of handling, but for me, the E92 was jump in and immediately find it easy to drift after just a few miles of acclimatisation to it.
I know what you mean about wanting another. Looking at the Z4MR thread and seeing a grey car identical to my old Z4MR really brought it all back.
Edited by bennyboysvuk on Friday 21st November 12:58
bennyboysvuk said:
ClarkyboyS said:
bennyboysvuk said:
To me, the E92 M3's chassis seemed more exploitable than the Z4MRs. Jumping into both, having never driven either before, the M3 was by far the easier car to power-slide. The Z4 took some learning, but the grip limits seemed higher and that area where you're somewhere between sliding and a spin seemed narrower in the Z4, however once learnt I found it far more rewarding than the M3 as a drive.
Thats funny how 2 people can feel the complete opposite about the same 2 cars, i always found that on the limit you could slide the Z4M all day long, but the e92 was fiddly, dont get me wrong, its easy to get a good slide on in either, but i always found the zed was better to control through the feedback it gave.
Good God i need another one! should never have sold my z4mc!
here's a wee vid of me in my old e92 - enjoy!
http://youtu.be/6Av05ez64FI
Edited by bennyboysvuk on Friday 21st November 12:58
Clark you made that look too easy. One handed even!
I guess the same models can drive quite differently especially when the miles grow. I remember driving my friends Z4m back to back with mine and we agreed that they were both felt a little different and even found subtle differences in the way they delivered their power.
I guess the same models can drive quite differently especially when the miles grow. I remember driving my friends Z4m back to back with mine and we agreed that they were both felt a little different and even found subtle differences in the way they delivered their power.
Output Flange said:
Not much love for the E36 here! I like them, and would have (another) one in a flash.
I've had an E36 M3 Evo, an E39 M5 and now have an E92 M3. The E36 was a simple car that was dominated by its engine. It was basic and even in 2004 you could tell it was very 90's. Not a bad thing as it was honest and quite 'raw' to drive. It did however have a slow steering rack and if you buy one now it will probably need mega money to keep it on the road as they are so old now.
The E39 was 2 cars in one. It was so comfortable on the commute and the engine felt very muscular all the time. The power was smooth and just always there when you needed it. The way it could put so much torque down out of corners without really trying was a lovely driving experience.
Your mother-in-law would be very comfortable in the back and yet when you were on your own it was an absolute hooligan. Tight back road corners was not its forte but it was always very well composed and balanced. It had kind elastically to its power and I vivvidly remember executing the odd perfect 3>4 gear change at the top end and being slammed back into my seat.
Initially to drive the E92 felt weak in comparison. You need to really ring its neck to make progress - but when you do it just seems to have a seemingly never ending Rev range. Coupled with a DCT box it is so easy to exploit the power and as its all top end it makes it a very exciting experience.
It feels a lot more tight and direct but part of that will be down to it being only 3 years old.
If I were to choose one as my favourite it would have to be the E39. It really is hard to beat as a package and it was so discreet. I loved the looks of it - it was instantly recognisable as an M5 but subtlety so. Whenever I see one on the roads now I always get a stir.
I think it's got to be in the top running as best M car. Buisness mans express, hooligan and 'ring taxi. It really is the - do anything car.
Cars that I woukd love to have a go in would include a Z3 M coupe, an E46 CSL and an F10 M5.
When I win the lottery I'm going to have a big barn and buy every M car ever made.
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