RE: BMW M3: UK Review
Discussion
When will the manufacturers finally realise only Keyboard warriors & rich people who are more concerned with their image care about ring lap records + outright speed?
I would have thought the emissions regulations would have mean less WEIGHT and focused their efforts on drivability + character, rather than actual pace or trying to iron out the issues turbo charging creates.
This is the first M3 I have no desire to own.
I would have thought the emissions regulations would have mean less WEIGHT and focused their efforts on drivability + character, rather than actual pace or trying to iron out the issues turbo charging creates.
This is the first M3 I have no desire to own.
kambites said:
g3org3y said:
I suspected as much and had in the back of my mind the various complaints laid at the door of the E92 M3.
I've no objection to this sort of torque curve for a car designed to spend 90% of its time on the motorway but for something that's meant to be "fun" it's appalling, IMO. It almost might as well be a diesel.
t on this don't you.....If you couldn't have 'fun' in a car like this, you shouldn't even have a driving licence.
Whilst you may 'prefer' the characteristics of a n/a engine, it's just b
ks to say the M3/M4's engine is appalling and not fun because of it's power/torque curve. Your personal preference doesn't constitute a 'fact'.
Still want one but far to much money and lost alot in my eyes so quickly. Waiting to see if they have some offers going soon as I found it a very fun car to drive on both my shortish test drives. More fun than the M5 i drove just before, but the M5 is a different car altogether with less fuss and the car being mega quick and smooth, just not as fun as the M4
Guvernator said:
However people complained that the fabulous V8 in the previous M3 was too peaky and lacked low down torque so be careful what you ask for and all that.
This pops up every time when the previous M3 is mentioned. No matter how peaky it is, a 4.0 V8 always delivers more than enough torque for everyday driving.It sounds like taking 2000 quids to buy groceries may not be enough, and you are more comfortable with, let's say, 4000.
optimal909 said:
This pops up every time when the previous M3 is mentioned. No matter how peaky it is, a 4.0 V8 always delivers more than enough torque for everyday driving.
It sounds like taking 2000 quids to buy groceries may not be enough, and you are more comfortable with, let's say, 4000.
Precisely. It also comes up for the E46 but in actual fact it too is very responsive at the lower end compared to the other models in the range.It sounds like taking 2000 quids to buy groceries may not be enough, and you are more comfortable with, let's say, 4000.
aeropilot said:
You just love trotting out the same old sh*t on this don't you.....
If you couldn't have 'fun' in a car like this, you shouldn't even have a driving licence.
Whilst you may 'prefer' the characteristics of a n/a engine, it's just bks to say the M3/M4's engine is appalling and not fun because of it's power/torque curve.
Your personal preference doesn't constitute a 'fact'.
Appalling is a harsh term, and while he is exaggerating the point a little I get what he is saying and I personally found the same to be true. This M3 appeals to a different type of enthusiast.If you couldn't have 'fun' in a car like this, you shouldn't even have a driving licence.
Whilst you may 'prefer' the characteristics of a n/a engine, it's just b
ks to say the M3/M4's engine is appalling and not fun because of it's power/torque curve. Your personal preference doesn't constitute a 'fact'.
I had an F20 118 the 4 pot turbo one on loan not so long ago and that had a better feel to the delivery somehow. The M4 I drove was different.
Edited by daz05 on Wednesday 7th January 15:25
I think it basically comes down to the fact that people expect different things from an M car these days. There are some who feel that the M version should feel special but also make you work for your enjoyment with a unique engine that encourages you to "play" and then there are those who just think the M car should be the version which is the easiest to drive quickly, has the best figures\stats, give you a terrific thump in the back as you accelerate up that slip road from 30-70 without having to faff around with that old fashioned changing gear malarkey and is loaded with every conceivable toy.
I'm not sure how or why this division has occurred but it seems those in the former category are now in the minority and everyone wants the M car to be the biggest, bad-est daily commuter car on the planet. Weird when there are plenty of other cars in the BMW range that already fill that criteria like the excellent 335d but then they don't have the Kudos of that M badge to show off in the work car park.
To be fair this M3 would probably make an ideal family car in a few years when they've come down in price to a reasonable level but would I pay £70k for one now and is it likely to set my world on fire on a early morning drive when I had the chance to leave the family at home, probably not.
I'm not sure how or why this division has occurred but it seems those in the former category are now in the minority and everyone wants the M car to be the biggest, bad-est daily commuter car on the planet. Weird when there are plenty of other cars in the BMW range that already fill that criteria like the excellent 335d but then they don't have the Kudos of that M badge to show off in the work car park.
To be fair this M3 would probably make an ideal family car in a few years when they've come down in price to a reasonable level but would I pay £70k for one now and is it likely to set my world on fire on a early morning drive when I had the chance to leave the family at home, probably not.
Was beginning to really gel with mine until I got the 'do not drive' call from BMW due to a component recall on a small number of engines... about 18 reached the UK
Currently looks like this, but hopefully back by the end of the week with a new engine... and the winter wheels on it... looking at the size of the front disks I rate they are big enough to drive just on those
Currently looks like this, but hopefully back by the end of the week with a new engine... and the winter wheels on it... looking at the size of the front disks I rate they are big enough to drive just on those
RossP said:
As nobody else has said it yet...
This makes the M135i/M235i look like superb value...
Which is why when I got rid of my E92 M3 I bought an M135i
Interesting change but I have couple of questions. I have had a M135i for 16 months now but I really like the new M3 and considering buying one, although I haven't test driven one yet so I suppose the question is, is it worth the extra money - bear in mind you can buy an ex-demo for approx £50 - £55k so it will cost me £30k to change? Is it £30k more fun?This makes the M135i/M235i look like superb value...
Which is why when I got rid of my E92 M3 I bought an M135i
How do find the baby BMW compared to the E92 in terms of performance/fun & running costs?
robsouthern said:
When will the manufacturers finally realise only Keyboard warriors & rich people who are more concerned with their image care about ring lap records + outright speed?
When the latter group in particular stop comprising the majority of their sales market.Enthusiasts are pretty firmly in the minority when it comes to buying most even "sporting" and "performance" stuff IMO.
mwstewart said:
optimal909 said:
This pops up every time when the previous M3 is mentioned. No matter how peaky it is, a 4.0 V8 always delivers more than enough torque for everyday driving.
It sounds like taking 2000 quids to buy groceries may not be enough, and you are more comfortable with, let's say, 4000.
Precisely. It also comes up for the E46 but in actual fact it too is very responsive at the lower end compared to the other models in the range.It sounds like taking 2000 quids to buy groceries may not be enough, and you are more comfortable with, let's say, 4000.
A bottom end can be strong in isolation, but with a sparkling top end it tends to make the low end feel like it has less sparkle, despite it still being very strong.
Really these engines are just what you want. Strong and powerful for day to day work, linear and responsive for delicate work, but with a top-end worth exploring when having fun.
Torque laden, low rpm power peak engines are just bland.
Dave
aeropilot said:
Whilst you may 'prefer' the characteristics of a n/a engine,
I didn't mention turbocharging at all? There are plenty of turbocharged engines with nice linear torque curves (there's also naturally aspirated engines with torque curves very much like this). Edited by kambites on Wednesday 7th January 16:37
Makes me laugh you get a lot of people commenting on cars that they have not driven. When my 2009 alpina b3 biturbo was in for some work at Williams Stockport I was given the opportunity for test drive in the new m4 an offer that I could not refuse lol I thought the car was good I was given a proper go in the car motorways country lanes round the back of Manchester airport knursford styal area I found the car to be really fast a proper weapon a lot faster than the e90 m3 but the engine to me seemned similar to the Alpina b3 I sold before Christmas would I buy a new m3 m4 no I would not to me the experience noise and sound + the shed load of money you would save owning a e90 m3 does not had up for me the finance package were crazy £800 a month outrageous that was putting a deposit down aswell and no service pack included I think of the top of my head it was over four years then you still owed £20k on the car sounds like a deal to me lol to me it seems some of fun has gone out of performance M cars that's why Iam now looking for a e46 m3 manual lose some of performance for more fun
All those people defending the new M3/M4 and slagging off the detractors can't get away from the fact that the normally BMW mad specialist motoring press are not keen on it and that is very unusual. It last happened with the E36 M3 which is probably these days the most unloved M3 of all. Look at the various car of the year results for 2014, EVO had it down in last but one place and they normally love M3s, CAR similar position, Top Gear didn't rate it either. Only good old Autocar seem to like it, but again it came nowhere on their drivers day test. The new car seems to be much faster than the old one and more economical but that's it. Its not like the old car was slow and I will never forget seeing Tiff Needell drift an M3 V8 around Thruxton all day long when I was doing my track day. It sounded and looked epic! Sorry guys, but it sounds like the new M3/4 needs some work to make it a classic like the E46/90.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff