Test drive

Test drive

Author
Discussion

Stueyd999

Original Poster:

26 posts

108 months

Thursday 16th April 2015
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Hi guys
Need a bit of info if possible. Just done short test drive in an M3 and found it quite harsh to drive on the road. I have previously driven an M4 round Silverstone and it was fantastic, but I struggled with it at low speed on the roads.
I may appear stupid asking this question but can it be driven in auto without using paddles or gearstick.
Thanks

supertouring

2,228 posts

232 months

Thursday 16th April 2015
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I'd stick to your bicycle with playing cards in the spokes.

Stueyd999

Original Poster:

26 posts

108 months

Thursday 16th April 2015
quotequote all
supertouring said:
I'd stick to your bicycle with playing cards in the spokes.
Very funny, ask a reasonable question get a stupid reply

Wills2

22,669 posts

174 months

Thursday 16th April 2015
quotequote all
Yes it can, in answer to your question, D auto, S paddles/lever.




Stueyd999

Original Poster:

26 posts

108 months

Thursday 16th April 2015
quotequote all
Thank you

MadMarkM3

1,754 posts

148 months

Thursday 16th April 2015
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Harsh as in the gearbox?


Stueyd999

Original Poster:

26 posts

108 months

Thursday 16th April 2015
quotequote all
Harsh as in the ride and comfort. I don't remember it being like that on the track, but then I did have my foot to the floor. I will try it in just auto next time but it just seemed like I shouldn't be in first gear at all. I guess I should have expected it off an m car, but it actually put me off and I wanted to love it.

MadMarkM3

1,754 posts

148 months

Thursday 16th April 2015
quotequote all
Stueyd999 said:
Harsh as in the ride and comfort. I don't remember it being like that on the track, but then I did have my foot to the floor. I will try it in just auto next time but it just seemed like I shouldn't be in first gear at all. I guess I should have expected it off an m car, but it actually put me off and I wanted to love it.
Wow - what are you currently driving? Must be very soft ....

You can turn the M3 into a limo if you stick the dampers in comfort, the engine in efficient and the gearbox in D with it's gearbox shifter in the slowest position ....

Normally I drive with the engine in sport (for the exhaust sound), the gearbox in it's slowest setting and the dampers in sport. (M1 mode). For M2 I have everything in Sport+ and in the the M stability control setting .... then it's an animal.

They can also be very sensitive to tyre pressures - mine was only running 2.0 bar (out of the showroom) and I moved this to 2.4 bar for normal driving although BMW recommends 2.8 bar for high speed work. And then, and only then does the ride go to st. IMHO.

rs4al

925 posts

164 months

Friday 17th April 2015
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I suggest you go and drive an RS4 set up in dynamic mode.

Wills2

22,669 posts

174 months

Friday 17th April 2015
quotequote all
Yes dreadful thing...