RE: PH Blog: the best M3? It's the 1 M!

[SidewaysSi]

cloudburstt said:

Ive been a reader for a number of years on this forum. Never posted. Just read.

It always makes me laugh to the point of falling off my chair when the manual v's semi auto argument arises.

Technology moves on.

The problem is, half of these people who post these nonsense comments about manual boxes being better than the DCT have never driven a car or owned a car with a DCT type set up. People quoting such nonsense about 'wheres the fun' blah blah blah. Have you ever driven an M3 DCT? Let me tell you, its fun alright.

Ive owned my E92 M3 DCT for nearly a year now. Both hands on the steering wheel, gear change quicker than you can blink. Safer. I could go on. I was very skeptical about the DCT set up, but let me tell you something, it puts a smile on my face every time i want a tear up.

Ive been a petrol head for 20 years and have all manner of cars. Hot hatches. Big engined cruisers. Would i ever go back to manual over DCT? Not a chance.

Interesting view, however I must admit that I am not a fan of any transmission other than a conventional 3 pedal arrangement. I love the control, the ability to heel and toe etc and the ultimate satisfaction it gives as a result. A DCT etc is, as you say, quicker and safer but I really couldn't care less. Driving should be a challenge. Unfortunately, the SMG 'box was the only thing putting me off getting a CSL.

I can see the appeal in a Jag but not in something remotely focused.

[Baryonyx]

PPPPPP said:

Best M3 was absent from the line-up.

Indeed, but they are as rare as a clean sheet in a nursing home, no?

[Leins]

Baryonyx said:

Indeed, but they are as rare as a clean sheet in a nursing home, no?

600 Sport Evos made. Way more than the GTS or the CRT, or RHD CSL production for that matter, which was about 500

[Mermaid]

Leins said:

..or RHD CSL production for that matter, which was about 500

422 made it to the UK, against 450 for the 1M.

[cpufreak]

ChrisBuer said:

It's personal preference. I drove the latest M3 expecting to be blown away with the engine but I found it a bit meh. To be honest it was probably because after hearing so much praise about the "M engine" my expectations were probably unrealistic. It sounded nice, was smooth, but I didn't see what all the fuss was about.

you've not driven an E92 m3 long enough or hard enough though.

the magic in the engine is from 7500->8400 rpm. It's simply incredible.

[Mermaid]

cpufreak said:

you've not driven an E92.. hard enough though.

the magic in the engine is from 7500->8400 rpm. It's simply incredible.

Isn't that the issue - the traffic & speed environment is not friendly to these sort of cars, people just want more grunt for daily use. Great for driving on track though.

[Leins]

Mermaid said:

422 made it to the UK, against 450 for the 1M.

Yeah, mine is originally one of those 422. I think UK numbers are down to about 270-ish now through write-offs and exports

Any idea what total RHD production numbers were for the 1M?

[drpep]

Mermaid said:

cpufreak said:

you've not driven an E92.. hard enough though.

the magic in the engine is from 7500->8400 rpm. It's simply incredible.

Isn't that the issue - the traffic & speed environment is not friendly to these sort of cars, people just want more grunt for daily use. Great for driving on track though.

Just sounds like a case of 'must try harder'. Same could be levelled at the GT3 engine but that's simply noisier all over the range. I'd definitely consider an e92 M3 as the next steed.

[Mermaid]

drpep said:

Just sounds like a case of 'must try harder'. Same could be levelled at the GT3 engine but that's simply noisier all over the range. I'd definitely consider an e92 M3 as the next steed.

so what sort of speeds would you be doing at 8000rpm in 2nd and 3rd?

[MattCSLnut]

CSLmarson said:

ok SMG may be clunky around town, but SMG paved the way for all your DTC systems you see today, it is ten years old now but in my opinion performs fantasticly if you know how to use it properly, its not somthing you can just pick up strait away i have been mastering mine now for the last 6 months.

yes it does pull hard on the diff and breaks your neck into gear but thats all part of the drama of driving a mythical beast like the CSL that and its ear pearcing bark fron the carbon air box !!!!!!!!!!

What he said

[161BMW]

Leins said:

Yeah, mine is originally one of those 422. I think UK numbers are down to about 270-ish now through write-offs and exports

Any idea what total RHD production numbers were for the 1M?

.... And there were about 241 M3 CS Coupe of which 101 have BMW Manual Gearboxes from what I gather :-)

[Lazygraduate]

Mermaid said:

so what sort of speeds would you be doing at 8000rpm in 2nd and 3rd?

Naughty ones I'd imagine!!!

[cpufreak]

Mermaid said:

Isn't that the issue - the traffic & speed environment is not friendly to these sort of cars, people just want more grunt for daily use. Great for driving on track though.

I beg to differ... I mean for sure to max it out in every gear, you'd be brave (foolhardy) to do it on the road, but you can still exploit the engine properly on UK roads in many of the lower gears, and doing so is something which will make your day simply better.

The crispness of throttle response, the howl up to the final crescendo as you approach the limiter is addictive.

[Mermaid]

Lazygraduate said:

Naughty ones I'd imagine!!!

The M3 brochure has an image of 180kmh (112mph) on the speedo at 7900rpm - I am sure that is a nice place to be.

[mlhj83]

Mermaid said:

drpep said:

Just sounds like a case of 'must try harder'. Same could be levelled at the GT3 engine but that's simply noisier all over the range. I'd definitely consider an e92 M3 as the next steed.

so what sort of speeds would you be doing at 8000rpm in 2nd and 3rd?

Just over 65mph at 8400rpm in 2nd and just under 100mph at 8400rpm in 3rd for M-DCT. Both the 1M and E9X M3 are great cars.

Now for some V8 noise at 8400rpm :

http://youtu.be/ruGnlq2WC0Q

Edited by mlhj83 on Tuesday 29th January 22:39

[aeropilot]

Mermaid said:

drpep said:

Just sounds like a case of 'must try harder'. Same could be levelled at the GT3 engine but that's simply noisier all over the range. I'd definitely consider an e92 M3 as the next steed.

so what sort of speeds would you be doing at 8000rpm in 2nd and 3rd?

6 speed manual version......70 in 2nd and 105 in 3rd......ish.


Must admit I prefered the 135i with DCT over the M3 with DCT when I was having test drives a couple of years ago, which is why I went with the 135.
The 1M with DCT would have been the perfect car for me, but BMW decided they weren't going to make it.

[Rsmatt]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Yes of course you have chap! I could say I've driven every car in the world too doesn't make it true!

[Mermaid]

Rsmatt said:

Yes of course you have chap! I could say I've driven every car in the world too doesn't make it true!

I believe cmoose - you may care to review his many posts over rather long period of time.

[0836whimper]

I'm really struggling with that dull CSL pic with the wrong wheels on.

Here's a better one.

[Slippydiff]

Mermaid said:

I believe cmoose - you may care to review his posts.

I've no doubt cmoose has driven all the cars he says he has, I just wish he'd change the record and accept that some individuals like/prefer DCT/SMG,DSG boxes, and for those individuals it doesn't detract from the driving experience, it actually adds to it.