997 to M3

997 to M3

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crystalmethod

Original Poster:

1,146 posts

178 months

Monday 16th May 2016
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Interesting. Many thanks. Definitely worth the journey there I think.

Wills2

22,669 posts

174 months

Monday 16th May 2016
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Slippydiff said:
Maybe not a benefit as such, but another facet/level to accessing the car's potential and thus makes the process/car more engaging/enjoyable to drive.

I owned a CSL and Mk1 996 GT3 back to back, I always thought the GT3 faster, in reality there was little in it on the road, the GT3 was more visceral, more of the time, and whilst my initial time behind the wheel of the CSL made me think it lacked traction, the reality of the matter was, it could carry every bit as much corner speed as the GT3, but some modulation of the throttle was required to keep things tidy.

As for the new M3, I thought (Wills2 will know better than me) there were software updates available for the TC ECU on the early cars ?

If all else fails, get the car over to Rossiters (UK Schnitzer dealer) and have a chat with Lorcan, they have a suspension set up that cures all the foibles of the early (pre 2015) ? and non-Competition pack equipped cars. They also have an M4 demo you (and your daughter) can try...

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-driven/bmw-m4-a...
Yes there have been software updates for the current M3, mine was built Feb 2016 and doesn't have those but it does have the CP rear dampers (which came with the model year change) and is very planted and does have plenty of traction for a RWD car and isn't any where near as unruly as some of the launch reviewers would have you believe so improvements have been made.

What can upset the car is hitting bump/hump in the road when changing gear under load the DSC doesn't like it and cuts everything when from the drivers seat you really don't think it's needed (but who knows)

What I would say is that the current M3 can be leaned on more than any other m3 I've owned and is closer to offering that mid corner grip that is so wonderful in a 911, but not the traction afforded by the rear engine layout.

The front end is far better than my old 997 but you'd expect that, the way it goes into a corner is very impressive (I had to recalibrate my steering inputs coming from an M5) but that does load up the back instantly and if you thought you could plant the throttle mid way through you'd be in trouble.

Agree on the ACS M4, I've driven that and it's wonderful.






Edited by Wills2 on Monday 16th May 21:36

Slippydiff

14,744 posts

222 months

Tuesday 17th May 2016
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The M5 does look tempting at circa £35k (for decent spec, decent colour, non ex-lease car with FSH), but it's a big car, and though 560+ hp is mightily alluring, there's just something indefinable that would stop me going the M5 route. Strange as whenever I see one on the road, I automatically think "must have one of those".

Can you explain the differences in feel/feedback, initial tun in and overall "grippiness" between the M5 and the M3 steering ? My guess is the F80/82 chassis feels more biddable ?

dufflecoat

944 posts

229 months

Tuesday 17th May 2016
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Slippydiff said:
The M5 does look tempting at circa £35k (for decent spec, decent colour, non ex-lease car with FSH), but it's a big car, and though 560+ hp is mightily alluring, there's just something indefinable that would stop me going the M5 route. Strange as whenever I see one on the road, I automatically think "must have one of those".

Can you explain the differences in feel/feedback, initial tun in and overall "grippiness" between the M5 and the M3 steering ? My guess is the F80/82 chassis feels more biddable ?
Same boat here. Love the idea and look of an M5, lovely place to sit.

However, I dont think I could throw it down a B Road with a smile on my face. I would miss that.

Hence, my current thinking is a 2016 M3. Driving a Comp Pack on Friday.

Slippydiff

14,744 posts

222 months

Tuesday 17th May 2016
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dufflecoat said:
Same boat here. Love the idea and look of an M5, lovely place to sit.

However, I dont think I could throw it down a B Road with a smile on my face. I would miss that.

Hence, my current thinking is a 2016 M3. Driving a Comp Pack on Friday.
Look forward to your review beer

New Comp pack owner's review :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZplhlsYnaQ

Wills2

22,669 posts

174 months

Tuesday 17th May 2016
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Slippydiff said:
Can you explain the differences in feel/feedback, initial tun in and overall "grippiness" between the M5 and the M3 steering ? My guess is the F80/82 chassis feels more biddable ?
They are chalk and cheese, the M3 feels like a featherweight compared to the M5, much sharper/tighter and responsive, the M5 is an Imperial star cruiser to the X-wing fighter M3.







MWM3

1,759 posts

121 months

Tuesday 17th May 2016
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Wills2 said:
They are chalk and cheese, the M3 feels like a featherweight compared to the M5, much sharper/tighter and responsive, the M5 is an Imperial star cruiser to the X-wing fighter M3.
This is very much true and having owned both I would definitley choose the X Wing.

crystalmethod

Original Poster:

1,146 posts

178 months

Sunday 22nd May 2016
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Managed to test drive an M3 today, not Comp Pack. Very impressed. Not as sharp as the 997, but much more fun that I'd expected, and much much more refinement than I'd thought.

Now in the market for a Comp Pack one, or may go for a nearly new 'normal' one and save some money. So many decisions...

mb26

219 posts

162 months

Tuesday 24th May 2016
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I drove (my) e90 M3 and (a friend's) 911 (991) GTS back to back on track last week at Bedford.

Perhaps not entirely fair comparison...but much as I love the M3 for the noise and sideways hooliganism in the first 4 gears, the 911 is all together in a different league.

The 911 is brilliantly engineered. The damping and spring rates are perfect, the body control impeccable, (standard) brakes brilliant. The engine noise is fantastic. It handles and responds like a well set up race car. MUCH easier to drive than an M3 on the limit and delivers MUCH faster lap times.

I was VERY impressed - and am looking at 997 prices which appear to be going up....!




bigtime

513 posts

138 months

Tuesday 24th May 2016
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I agree with mb but there'll be quite a bit of difference in performance between a 991 gts and a 997.

vagmag

55 posts

160 months

Saturday 4th June 2016
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crystalmethod said:
No, it's a coupe. She's 13, and can fit in OK, but it's pretty tight for long journeys. She complains about the limited space and the noise, but also doesn't want to change the car. Very helpful.
She just wants to sit next to you .....

dufflecoat

944 posts

229 months

Saturday 4th June 2016
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mb26 said:
I drove (my) e90 M3 and (a friend's) 911 (991) GTS back to back on track last week at Bedford.

Perhaps not entirely fair comparison...but much as I love the M3 for the noise and sideways hooliganism in the first 4 gears, the 911 is all together in a different league.

The 911 is brilliantly engineered. The damping and spring rates are perfect, the body control impeccable, (standard) brakes brilliant. The engine noise is fantastic. It handles and responds like a well set up race car. MUCH easier to drive than an M3 on the limit and delivers MUCH faster lap times.

I was VERY impressed - and am looking at 997 prices which appear to be going up....!
I'd expect their to be a gulf. The 991 GTS is a league above and twice the price.

I think the closest comparison here is a new M3 to a 997.2 S price wise.

Squeezing to an appreciating 997 GTS would be the non BMW way to go around this price I think.

Wills2

22,669 posts

174 months

Saturday 4th June 2016
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bigtime said:
I agree with mb but there'll be quite a bit of difference in performance between a 991 gts and a 997.
Not a huge gulf if you're comparing the 997 GTS vs. 991 GTS 408hp plays 430hp with a similar weight etc...991 feels more friendly to drive with a keen front end if you're not used to having an anvil hanging out over the rear axle.