RE: The new BMW M3
Discussion
I love the press misdirection by saying the engine is 15kg lighter. Like that means anything.
The facts are there if it makes the car look lightweight.
They are too embarrassed about the total weight.
Our press need to be better at their job and not just swallow the press release.
15kg lighter engine, 215 kg heavier car!
The facts are there if it makes the car look lightweight.
They are too embarrassed about the total weight.
Our press need to be better at their job and not just swallow the press release.
15kg lighter engine, 215 kg heavier car!
Wooot!
Motoring Press in new M3 bashing shocker!
The grumbled about the E36, and it sold by the shedload. Seem to remember grumblings about the E46, and that sold even more. They grumble about the new one, and doubtless it'll sell faster than they can slap 'em together.
Why?
Because BMW have this terrible habit of building cars that the majority want to buy - not everyone wants something that behaves like an E30 M3. Probably because if they did they'd go and find one. The purists will stick to E46 CS and CSLs, and the bulk of people who buy new M3s will go out and buy one, probably never drive it hard, rarely have a warranty claim, swap it in for another one in three years, and then buy the 5th generation M3 when that comes out in seven years time.
The thing I love about the motoring press love-in on the E30 M3 is that if you read reviews from '86, most journos preferred either the more neutral handling Mercedes 190 2.3-16, or the faster/hairier 3dr Cosworth. I've got one from a 1986 Performance Car group test of the three mentioned above, and the M3 came last.
Motoring Press in new M3 bashing shocker!
The grumbled about the E36, and it sold by the shedload. Seem to remember grumblings about the E46, and that sold even more. They grumble about the new one, and doubtless it'll sell faster than they can slap 'em together.
Why?
Because BMW have this terrible habit of building cars that the majority want to buy - not everyone wants something that behaves like an E30 M3. Probably because if they did they'd go and find one. The purists will stick to E46 CS and CSLs, and the bulk of people who buy new M3s will go out and buy one, probably never drive it hard, rarely have a warranty claim, swap it in for another one in three years, and then buy the 5th generation M3 when that comes out in seven years time.
The thing I love about the motoring press love-in on the E30 M3 is that if you read reviews from '86, most journos preferred either the more neutral handling Mercedes 190 2.3-16, or the faster/hairier 3dr Cosworth. I've got one from a 1986 Performance Car group test of the three mentioned above, and the M3 came last.
Edited by Dunk76 on Saturday 7th July 20:47
Dunk76 said:
Wooot!
Motoring Press in new M3 bashing shocker!
The grumbled about the E36, and it sold by the shedload. Seem to remember grumblings about the E46, and that sold even more. They grumble about the new one, and doubtless it'll sell faster than they can slap 'em together.
Why?
Because BMW have this terrible habit of building cars that the majority want to buy - not everyone wants something that behaves like an E30 M3. Probably because if they did they'd go and find one. The purists will stick to E46 CS and CSLs, and the bulk of people who buy new M3s will go out and buy one, probably never drive it hard, rarely have a warranty claim, swap it in for another one in three years, and then buy the 5th generation M3 when that comes out in seven years time.
The thing I love about the motoring press love-in on the E30 M3 is that if you read reviews from '86, most journos preferred either the more neutral handling Mercedes 190 2.3-16, or the faster/hairier 3dr Cosworth. I've got one from a 1986 Performance Car group test of the three mentioned above, and the M3 came last.
Spot on I'd say. They seem to have lost touch with the public. They don't seem to realise that an M3 is about as hot as most people will ever drive. Suggesting that those same people would not feel excited by it or would detect weekness is missing their target audience IMO. Motoring Press in new M3 bashing shocker!
The grumbled about the E36, and it sold by the shedload. Seem to remember grumblings about the E46, and that sold even more. They grumble about the new one, and doubtless it'll sell faster than they can slap 'em together.
Why?
Because BMW have this terrible habit of building cars that the majority want to buy - not everyone wants something that behaves like an E30 M3. Probably because if they did they'd go and find one. The purists will stick to E46 CS and CSLs, and the bulk of people who buy new M3s will go out and buy one, probably never drive it hard, rarely have a warranty claim, swap it in for another one in three years, and then buy the 5th generation M3 when that comes out in seven years time.
The thing I love about the motoring press love-in on the E30 M3 is that if you read reviews from '86, most journos preferred either the more neutral handling Mercedes 190 2.3-16, or the faster/hairier 3dr Cosworth. I've got one from a 1986 Performance Car group test of the three mentioned above, and the M3 came last.
Edited by Dunk76 on Saturday 7th July 20:47
as someone who is a BMW driver and has had a deposit down for a long time on the new M3 I feel completely under-awed by all the reports to date.
Sure I accept all the caveats on the reviews but is this car really worth £20K over my current 335d (which is a very competent car)?
I do not do track days at the moment, but I do spend a lot of time in my car, I do not spend too much time posing either (well maybe a bit
).
As people have said, I think we need to see a review on UK roads before we consign this one to the bin, but for me it is not looking like my next car.
Sure I accept all the caveats on the reviews but is this car really worth £20K over my current 335d (which is a very competent car)?
I do not do track days at the moment, but I do spend a lot of time in my car, I do not spend too much time posing either (well maybe a bit
).As people have said, I think we need to see a review on UK roads before we consign this one to the bin, but for me it is not looking like my next car.
I dont think I am negative, just that for me it is not worth £20k extra (based on current reviews - but I will drive it before I commit or drop out), I can see that for those who will have it as a toy then they will love it - I had a TVR a few years ago and the V8 rumble is fun at any time, at any speed, anywhere.
I wonder why it has put on so much weight, even with a lighter engine, carbon/plastic roof & lightweight suspension etc..? Can't really say 'safety' as the old one had all bags n braces as well. Perhaps it's the extra dimensions (I did hear that the new coupe is the same size approx as an 8 series coupe!).
Anyhow, I was considering the new one but I'll stick with CSL thank ye...
Anyhow, I was considering the new one but I'll stick with CSL thank ye...
robm3 said:
(I did hear that the new coupe is the same size approx as an 8 series coupe!)
It is a bloody big car when you get upto it (E92), standing next to the E36 the other day and thinking how small and compact they are for the 300bhp that was in the Evo's, but 400bhp in an E92 doesn't sound so special, especially as the E39 M5 had 400bhp 8 years ago in a very similar sized/specced car, just with two more doors.Going back to my comments on an old thread, would have been nicer to have seen BMW do something different and new with this car. The 335Ci does the wafty fast well kitted poseur and pace BMW 3 series, the M3 should have been a 'less is more' than a just more more more car.
6 pot CSL motor and a total emphasis on weight reduction!
Dave
Edited by Mr Whippy on Sunday 8th July 00:11
Thom said:
article said:
295lb ft of torque at 3,900rpm
In pure BMW fashion they have forgotten to put some torque in there. Hopefully Alpina will quickly correct this with a turbocharged engine.
Edited by Thom on Sunday 8th July 11:25
x5x3 said:
as someone who is a BMW driver and has had a deposit down for a long time on the new M3 I feel completely under-awed by all the reports to date.
Sure I accept all the caveats on the reviews but is this car really worth £20K over my current 335d (which is a very competent car)?
I do not do track days at the moment, but I do spend a lot of time in my car, I do not spend too much time posing either (well maybe a bit).
As people have said, I think we need to see a review on UK roads before we consign this one to the bin, but for me it is not looking like my next car.
Dont be under awed at all!Sure I accept all the caveats on the reviews but is this car really worth £20K over my current 335d (which is a very competent car)?
I do not do track days at the moment, but I do spend a lot of time in my car, I do not spend too much time posing either (well maybe a bit
).As people have said, I think we need to see a review on UK roads before we consign this one to the bin, but for me it is not looking like my next car.
It will be worth waiting for full and comprehensive reviews before making any assumptions!
No car has yet to be tested on 19 wheels and the slightly softer ride will suit the uk roads better than the old car.
pistonbroak said:
Think I'll save £5000-odd and buy an Alpina B3
....once I've saved up £45000, that is
Unfortunately that 5 grand will have to contribute to your year on year increase in insurance costs. Alpina's are rarer and treated like some kind of speciality so the premiums are usually higher and you have fewer insurers to choose from. My Z4M is more powerful and more expensive than the Alpina Roadster S, yet i had to turn the the latter down because it was much more expensive to insure than the Z4M.....once I've saved up £45000, that is
Great cars though!!!
I don't like the way they are deliberatley making a space for the CSL, its the same building down to a price which Porsche have done with the Cayman in order that irs slower than a 911. An M3 should be at the pinacle of BMW's engineering - ok the E46 CSL was the previous benchmark but it was a limited run and cost a huge premium.
Stu R said:
Overcomplicated fat ugly mess summed my thoughts about the new M3 up having glanced at the previous pictures. Sadly I still feel the same.
As much as I wanted to like it, having loved it's previous incarnations, I don't. Utter bilge.
reminds me of the E36 when that came out.As much as I wanted to like it, having loved it's previous incarnations, I don't. Utter bilge.
Dunk,
I've no doubt this is an extremely capable and rounded car, but I'd go for a manual E46 M3CS, I think (If I was to go for any M-car).
adam said:
...distinct minority when they contain phrases about ‘steering feel’ and ‘driver feedback’. Such things increasingly have little value in a marketplace obsessed with power.
The article MAY be M-car bashing to a degree, but IMHO the statement above is increasingly true today. I've not driven ONE car (with more than 2 seats) designed since 2000 that's had good steering feel. But even hot hatches need >200bhp nowadays to get any press at all. WTF?!?I've no doubt this is an extremely capable and rounded car, but I'd go for a manual E46 M3CS, I think (If I was to go for any M-car).
Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff