E92 M3 test drive - Left feeling cold?

[3ananaPie]

Greetings,

So I've been mulling over getting an E92 M3 for a while. I've now had a test drive and have been left feeling a little disappointed. The noise was good, but everything else seemed a little... well, boring.

The interior for instance just felt really dull and somewhat low-rent. The seats were too high and felt really weird, and the steering was really vague and disconnected. Now I've read the competition pack sortes the steering out but those cars are out of budget. I've always wanted the M3, I prefer the look of the E92 over the E46, and the engine too. But it just doesn't seem all that specail now that I've tried it. Of course this was all on road so maybe on a track it comes more alive.

If it matters, I currently have a GT86 so perhaps that made it a little harder because it is a great car to drive. Anyone else felt the same way? Or perhaps i'm missing the point here.

[3ananaPie]

turboman786 said:

Did you drive it in m mode with settings turned up to max?

Yes, it was in M dynamic mode with the traction off.

turboman786 said:

Was it a dct car, and fid it have the oem exhaust mod?

It was indeed a DCT car. I prefer manuals, but DCT seems a much easier bet to live with on a daily basis, and I reckon about 80% of my driving is around town/commuting. I've had a try in two cars, one stock and one with an aftermarket Milltek system (which didn't sound all too different to me except being louder).

turboman786 said:

I found the m3 boring on the first drive....boyght one anyway......slowly fell in love with it.....bought abother obe the next year

they griw on you and once you learn them they are pretty special machibes

I suppose that's a fair point. Perhaps I just expected to like it straight away. I'll give a manual car a shot, things may be different. Is the BMW M Performance exhaust any good?

[3ananaPie]

martin mrt said:

You cannot fully appreciate the depth of an E9x M3s talents from a test drive, unless you are able to fully exploit the car.

When I first drove a manual E92 M3 I wasn't too impressed by it, but I knew one thing, I didn't want a manual or a coupe.

I ended up with a DCT Saloon, and it was without a doubt the most complete car I've ever owned, it took a good couple of months to get to grips with it, but once I did, it was an immensely enjoyable experience.

Initial mindset was to go for the DCT because it is easier to live with. Don't want a convertible because of the weight, and I feel I would look a prat with the roof down. And I don't neccessarily need a saloon and fancy the coupés styling better although saloon style is much harder to come by.

bennyboysvuk said:

The E92 is hugely refined, so perhaps compared to the GT86 it just feels a lot more sensible/less exciting?

The difference in overtaking ability must be night and day though, was it?

I think that is a very good point. And yes, there was a substantial difference when overtaking, although I think the GT86 is still a relatively swift car. Not the same league though.

crazy about cars said:

The E92 M3 takes a little while to get under your skin.

Coming from a GTR I did have my doubts but now I'm slowly starting to appreciate the car and how it fits into my lifestyle.

I would definitely recommend test driving a Comp Pack if you can. You need to try some bends to experience how well balance the car is.

That's interesting, which GTR did you have. The other alternatives I have in mind are actually the GTR (R34 or R35) and a Lotus Evora S. Or a Honda NSX. Of course they are all a little dearer than an M3, so it would mean waiting longer. I've always wanted an R34 (Playstation generation and all that), the R35 just has presence about it (and is fast). I've not had any experience in an R35 however.

The Evora also looks like a junior supercar and the NSX is probably the oldest and least practical of the lot, is much harder to find one in decent spec/condition and would likely cost more by the time I can buy, and much more if the modding itch starts, but then it has appeal and likely only appreciate in value.

Kawasicki said:

I drove one on some deserted roads that snaked through a forest. It was a lot of fun. I simply do not have the self control to drive an E92 M3 at a pace that would please the average member of the public. Driven normally, I think a 320d is just as good, except for the noise.

Sadly I live in West London and there aren't really any good roads close enough so no place really to fully experience it. May have to borrow one (or rent) for a day to see if it changes my mind.

Anyone know of a dealer around that would consider giving one on an extended test drive as I've been down to Berry Chiswick and they just weren't interested. Perhaps I wasn't the typical estate agent after a 320d or something, or maybe I looked quite young. Whatever the case, absolutely appalling. Even the receptionist hung up mid-conversation during the times I called.

Edited by 3ananaPie on Monday 21st July 09:32

[3ananaPie]

I'll be trying to get one for the day so I can perhaps go down south a little and see what it is really like. Hopefully it wins me over. I really want to like the car.

gaz1234 said:

I drove one for 2 seconds and I agree the seats are too high, plus it's so easy to drive and felt boring. I can imagine it's not biting at high revs.

And the steering wheel is so thick, like in all M Sport BMWs. Thhat is a little annoying too.

[3ananaPie]

I suppose sometimes things don't always meet people's expectations. I can't really consider an Audi. I think the interior is a little unappealing (certainly better than the BMWs) but mostly I dislike the Quattro AWD. Would prefer to just drift around everywhere. That said, I wouldn't mind considering an Audi R8 but those are considerably out of budget, and I would much rather get a nice Honda NSX or V8 Vantage/Maser GT instead. Not the same things, but yea.

JMBMWM5 said:

ith most of your driving being in town, give the E92 a miss, it will bore you to tears , it needs to be worked and there are not many in town places for that. Fuel costs are high in town for no net gains in performance.
I sold mine after 9 months, I bought mine new and got good money thankfully for it.
BUT Steering was great on it, the best road feel I have had, better than My LCI M5 by a mile.

Edited by JMBMWM5 on Tuesday 22 July 16:54

I mostly use my GT86 and Corsa so a car like the M3 would likely be used more rarely. The M3 does have much more rear space so it would mostly be used for longer journeys. Not too worried about fuel consumption as again it wouldn't be driven all the time.

[3ananaPie]

Having given it more thought and what some of you guys have said, I'm inclined to agree with some comments about it not being 'special' enough because of how capable it is as an everyday car. I suppose it just ticked all the boxes being quite modern, usable rear seats, high power, RWD, NA etc. Perhaps subconsciously what I'm looking for is something that is just a bit more impractical, raw and harder for regular use.

Too bad the M6 economy is so st. And the rear.

cerb4.5lee said:

You don't even need to venture onto a track to realise the brakes an a M3 are not up to the task I never tracked mine but they scared the life out of me on the road so that was enough for me but most upgrade them and its easy to see why.

During my test drive even the dealer told me to avoid using the brakes "too much" but rely on engine braking where possible.