RE: BMW M3: PH Carpool
Discussion
Benzo26 said:
Avus Blue said:
I'm happy using mine as a daily driver, but it depends on what your commute is like. I'm lucky in that mine takes in a few nice stretches of dual carriageway with some awkward roundabouts in that I can chuck it around and then stretch its legs a bit on the straights so I do get to enjoy the performance most days. Second gear gives you proper shove in the back, plus you can ring it out to the limiter and still be just about within the speed limit. Even if you gun it in third, as long as you are over 3k it will still pull nicely and short shifting it to stay under licence losing speed doesn't feel like you're wasting it. Just don't try to pull from below 3k, because it will feel flat and take a bit of time to get moving at any sort of exciting pace. Plus you always have the noise of that V8 snarling up front to keep you entertained! If you're in a high gear and plant your foot to the floor it makes a proper, deep V8 burble before it starts to pick up revs and then it loses the noise a bit The induction noise is epic on them, the standard exhaust note less so, apparently because the exhaust gases cross in the X pipe, and then again in the transverse mounted back box it doesn't sound like a proper old school V8. If you go for something like a Remus or Akrapovic system you get two individual longitudinally mounted boxes, so the exhaust gases only cross once and you get more of the V8 noise. The downside is they don't come cheap. The Akrapovic slip on (CAT back) system is over £1600, the full evolution line system with high flow CATs etc is nudging 3 grand.
On those days where you just want to get home they are a nice place to be and being the top of the range model they come well spec'd, good leather, comfy seats, USB audio, blutooth etc. They have 4 decent sized seats, a big boot and can perform the mini GT car function well, bit range limited due to the thirst but can cover the ground in comfort and refinement, and then switch into full mad man mode in an instant if the mood/opportunity takes you.
I would drive mostly country roads that have some nice twists and turns and sweeping left and rights along a coast road. I want a V8 for the epic noise and sense of occasion that owning a car like this brings. I'd probably go DCT as a personal preference and I do want something comfortable and that has a nice high end feel to the interior. I don't do a lot of miles and earn a good wage but your very informative posts have me wondering if I might stretch myself just a little too much going with a specialist motor like this. I only keep my cars for about a year so I suppose a well sorted one from BMW with the warranty might give me peace of mind.On those days where you just want to get home they are a nice place to be and being the top of the range model they come well spec'd, good leather, comfy seats, USB audio, blutooth etc. They have 4 decent sized seats, a big boot and can perform the mini GT car function well, bit range limited due to the thirst but can cover the ground in comfort and refinement, and then switch into full mad man mode in an instant if the mood/opportunity takes you.
As for the roads you drive, they sound perfect for an M3. I've done a lot of miles on twisty country roads this year and I've discovered a new side to it. The balance and handling is so much better than I realised, there's a lot more to them than just being a straight line warrior and like I said earlier on, if you set them up to suit your tastes via the M button and keep them in their sweet spot in 3rd/4th the pace you can cover the ground at is astonishing
You say that it's not much to excited about.
But we're talking about a car that with a few simple mods, can lap Spa in 2:55 in the hands of an amateur on their first visit and 2:48 in the hands of a pro on their first visit.
55 seconds around Brands Indy
2:14 around Snetterton
and 2:21 around Donnington
All in the hands of a novice.
They are very well sorted if you ask me and quite far removed from simply being based on a diesel rep car that's nothing to get excited about. For a car that can still carry four people and their luggage quite comfortably over hundreds of miles, I think that's quite impressive, personally.
I think some people simply do not get to exploit them properly or expect them to be a different kind of car.
But we're talking about a car that with a few simple mods, can lap Spa in 2:55 in the hands of an amateur on their first visit and 2:48 in the hands of a pro on their first visit.
55 seconds around Brands Indy
2:14 around Snetterton
and 2:21 around Donnington
All in the hands of a novice.
They are very well sorted if you ask me and quite far removed from simply being based on a diesel rep car that's nothing to get excited about. For a car that can still carry four people and their luggage quite comfortably over hundreds of miles, I think that's quite impressive, personally.
I think some people simply do not get to exploit them properly or expect them to be a different kind of car.
mpit said:
You say that it's not much to excited about.
But we're talking about a car that with a few simple mods, can lap Spa in 2:55 in the hands of an amateur on their first visit and 2:48 in the hands of a pro on their first visit.
55 seconds around Brands Indy
2:14 around Snetterton
and 2:21 around Donnington
All in the hands of a novice.
They are very well sorted if you ask me and quite far removed from simply being based on a diesel rep car that's nothing to get excited about. For a car that can still carry four people and their luggage quite comfortably over hundreds of miles, I think that's quite impressive, personally.
I think some people simply do not get to exploit them properly or expect them to be a different kind of car.
As I mentioned I think it's just each to their own really, I have constantly spoken very highly of its chassis and it's the best car I've had for that for sure. But we're talking about a car that with a few simple mods, can lap Spa in 2:55 in the hands of an amateur on their first visit and 2:48 in the hands of a pro on their first visit.
55 seconds around Brands Indy
2:14 around Snetterton
and 2:21 around Donnington
All in the hands of a novice.
They are very well sorted if you ask me and quite far removed from simply being based on a diesel rep car that's nothing to get excited about. For a car that can still carry four people and their luggage quite comfortably over hundreds of miles, I think that's quite impressive, personally.
I think some people simply do not get to exploit them properly or expect them to be a different kind of car.
I just prefer a car to be built from scratch as a performance car rather than one that's based on a family car and then modified to suit that's all, I just see it as a 3 series made good rightly or wrongly...hence not that exciting.
Avus Blue said:
As a friend of mine keeps telling me, we only pass this way once! If you change your car's regularly and you buy with a warranty you should be fine, and would you rather look back and regret spending a bit too much money on a fun car, or regret not doing it? I know what my approach is. They aren't cheap, but performance per pound they're right up there with the best. If it gets too much at the end of the day it's just a lump of metal that can be moved on for something else.
As for the roads you drive, they sound perfect for an M3. I've done a lot of miles on twisty country roads this year and I've discovered a new side to it. The balance and handling is so much better than I realised, there's a lot more to them than just being a straight line warrior and like I said earlier on, if you set them up to suit your tastes via the M button and keep them in their sweet spot in 3rd/4th the pace you can cover the ground at is astonishing
I definitely agree with those sentiments. I work damn hard long hours and see enough to make me not want to live with regrets. As you say, I can always sell it on if it gets too much for me and I shouldn't lose much the way the market is right now. As for the roads you drive, they sound perfect for an M3. I've done a lot of miles on twisty country roads this year and I've discovered a new side to it. The balance and handling is so much better than I realised, there's a lot more to them than just being a straight line warrior and like I said earlier on, if you set them up to suit your tastes via the M button and keep them in their sweet spot in 3rd/4th the pace you can cover the ground at is astonishing
Definitely sounds the ticket, I'll be going for a test drive on Monday me thinks! Cheers.
cerb4.5lee said:
mpit said:
You say that it's not much to excited about.
But we're talking about a car that with a few simple mods, can lap Spa in 2:55 in the hands of an amateur on their first visit and 2:48 in the hands of a pro on their first visit.
55 seconds around Brands Indy
2:14 around Snetterton
and 2:21 around Donnington
All in the hands of a novice.
They are very well sorted if you ask me and quite far removed from simply being based on a diesel rep car that's nothing to get excited about. For a car that can still carry four people and their luggage quite comfortably over hundreds of miles, I think that's quite impressive, personally.
I think some people simply do not get to exploit them properly or expect them to be a different kind of car.
As I mentioned I think it's just each to their own really, I have constantly spoken very highly of its chassis and it's the best car I've had for that for sure. But we're talking about a car that with a few simple mods, can lap Spa in 2:55 in the hands of an amateur on their first visit and 2:48 in the hands of a pro on their first visit.
55 seconds around Brands Indy
2:14 around Snetterton
and 2:21 around Donnington
All in the hands of a novice.
They are very well sorted if you ask me and quite far removed from simply being based on a diesel rep car that's nothing to get excited about. For a car that can still carry four people and their luggage quite comfortably over hundreds of miles, I think that's quite impressive, personally.
I think some people simply do not get to exploit them properly or expect them to be a different kind of car.
I just prefer a car to be built from scratch as a performance car rather than one that's based on a family car and then modified to suit that's all, I just see it as a 3 series made good rightly or wrongly...hence not that exciting.
mpit said:
Why does everyone keep suggesting they are really thirsty.
20+ is easily achievable on the road
30 is achievable on a run
Seems pretty good for an M3 and actually slightly better than my E46 was.
I agree I managed a constant 30mpg doing 180 miles on the motorway at a constant 70mph only going up to 80mph when over taking. I was using the cruise control all the way as well and I didn't hit any heavy traffic . Soon as I left motorway the mpg dropped down to early twenties but it was winter and the roads were icy so had to be careful.20+ is easily achievable on the road
30 is achievable on a run
Seems pretty good for an M3 and actually slightly better than my E46 was.
I think one of the best things about the e9x M3 is its adaptability.
It can bimble and you can enjoy the v8 rumble to a degree or enjoy the revvy nature of it when conditions allow.
I bought a convertible in the spring and have really enjoyed the summer with it. It is a car i take for a drive just for the sake of it. Monday was very balmy here in Surrey so I went out with the roof down at about 9pm for some quieter roads and had a mini blast. With the dampers in comfort because of the poor surfaces and the dct box in its fastest shift setting it works really well.
Yes it's heavy and there's some scuttle shake over bad bumps but I accept that for the ability to cruise with the family on board on sunny weekend days and you can hear more of the engine with the roof down. On smooth roads with the roof up it is still stiff enough to handle quite well with a slow in, fast out approach.
However I use a scooter for my commute and if I used the M3 everyday in traffic I might get fed up with the fuel consumption and cost of general wear and tear.
Overall I can see myself keeping it quite a while. I usually change every year but I can see it staying at least two...
It can bimble and you can enjoy the v8 rumble to a degree or enjoy the revvy nature of it when conditions allow.
I bought a convertible in the spring and have really enjoyed the summer with it. It is a car i take for a drive just for the sake of it. Monday was very balmy here in Surrey so I went out with the roof down at about 9pm for some quieter roads and had a mini blast. With the dampers in comfort because of the poor surfaces and the dct box in its fastest shift setting it works really well.
Yes it's heavy and there's some scuttle shake over bad bumps but I accept that for the ability to cruise with the family on board on sunny weekend days and you can hear more of the engine with the roof down. On smooth roads with the roof up it is still stiff enough to handle quite well with a slow in, fast out approach.
However I use a scooter for my commute and if I used the M3 everyday in traffic I might get fed up with the fuel consumption and cost of general wear and tear.
Overall I can see myself keeping it quite a while. I usually change every year but I can see it staying at least two...
mpit said:
What's funny is that when mine was corner weighted, it was around the 1520 mark - less than 100kg heavier than the book weight for an Evora S, that seems mental to me!
£500 a set of tyres would be nice, what are they and what size?
That's interesting, I have a 325 E90 saloon and it weighed spot on 1500kg on a public weighbridge.£500 a set of tyres would be nice, what are they and what size?
That was with 1/4 tank of fuel & heavy on options such as sunroof, navagation etc.
Not a bad weight for the M3 then....
johnwilliams77 said:
BigLion said:
What car would you suggest instead?
Caterham I wouldn't be jumping into the family car that's for sure, if I wanted a pint of milk from the shop then the M3 would do nicely but as a thrilling drivers car I don't think it fits the remit.
The M3 is a car that tries to do everything but because of that it's massively flawed, appreciate all cars have a compromise of some sort though.
I just prefer a car that's designed as a drivers car from the outset, and not one based on an ordinary car originally.
cerb4.5lee said:
Imagine if you had a Caterham/Cayman/M3 in the garage and it was a lovely sunny Sunday morning and you wanted to just go for a drive for the sake of it...
I wouldn't be jumping into the family car that's for sure, if I wanted a pint of milk from the shop then the M3 would do nicely but as a thrilling drivers car I don't think it fits the remit.
The M3 is a car that tries to do everything but because of that it's massively flawed, appreciate all cars have a compromise of some sort though.
I just prefer a car that's designed as a drivers car from the outset, and not one based on an ordinary car originally.
I often think about this. However;I wouldn't be jumping into the family car that's for sure, if I wanted a pint of milk from the shop then the M3 would do nicely but as a thrilling drivers car I don't think it fits the remit.
The M3 is a car that tries to do everything but because of that it's massively flawed, appreciate all cars have a compromise of some sort though.
I just prefer a car that's designed as a drivers car from the outset, and not one based on an ordinary car originally.
How often do you get to go out for a drive on a Sunday morning with no purpose?
Don't get me wrong, I know what you're saying - this is why I'm all but sold on an Exige as my next car, but that's just as much about the on-track running costs as anything else. A Caterham, though? I think a roof is a necessity.
I can't remember the last time I got the opportunity to enjoy driving on the road, to be honest.
cerb4.5lee said:
Imagine if you had a Caterham/Cayman/M3 in the garage and it was a lovely sunny Sunday morning and you wanted to just go for a drive for the sake of it...
I wouldn't be jumping into the family car that's for sure, if I wanted a pint of milk from the shop then the M3 would do nicely but as a thrilling drivers car I don't think it fits the remit.
The M3 is a car that tries to do everything but because of that it's massively flawed, appreciate all cars have a compromise of some sort though.
I just prefer a car that's designed as a drivers car from the outset, and not one based on an ordinary car originally.
that's why the M3 is a great proposition. For those people who only have the ability to have 1 car. Its a master of none but a great all rounder. I wouldn't be jumping into the family car that's for sure, if I wanted a pint of milk from the shop then the M3 would do nicely but as a thrilling drivers car I don't think it fits the remit.
The M3 is a car that tries to do everything but because of that it's massively flawed, appreciate all cars have a compromise of some sort though.
I just prefer a car that's designed as a drivers car from the outset, and not one based on an ordinary car originally.
mpit said:
How often do you get to go out for a drive on a Sunday morning with no purpose?
I can't remember the last time I got the opportunity to enjoy driving on the road, to be honest.
I agree on both points and now I've got two young kids I do look back fondly at when I did just jump into my TVR for a blast on a Sunday for the sake of it lol! I can't remember the last time I got the opportunity to enjoy driving on the road, to be honest.
It's pretty difficult to have fun on the roads now for sure...with all the cameras and traffic volume and it drives me mad to be fair.
yonex said:
If you do get one then look up Paul @ pauls car welding. For £300 he'll modify your silencer to the noise level you wish. I would suggest the 2.5 mod, but go the 4 if you live far enough away from others 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMJ5sg0XTks
Now that is the ticket. Went to see a white one today. Has the carbon fibre roof and trim along with EDC and DCT box. Looked great on the outside but wasn't overly thrilled with the interior although I think it was more to do it it ring grubby and the leathers were shiny. The exhaust note didn't excite me as much as I'd hoped but I understand that can be remedied. Test drive on Monday all being well.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMJ5sg0XTks
cerb4.5lee said:
johnwilliams77 said:
BigLion said:
What car would you suggest instead?
Caterham I wouldn't be jumping into the family car that's for sure
It's like complaining that the 997 GT3 is crap as it doesn't do off-road as well as a 4x4 - you buy a car in a certain class/type vis-a-vis the reason for that class of car - e.g. the m5 as a super saloon.
You don't buy a helicopter and then complain it doesn't sail as well as a boat
Please engage brain first !!!
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