The best m3?

[KPB1973]

cerb4.5lee said:

What attracts me to the Convertible is the noise and how much better you can hear the exhaust with the roof down. The Coupe is 1650kg and the Convertible around 1800kg so not a huge difference.

Oddly enough, I tried another one yesterday for that exact same reason (EDC, high spec). It's been some months since I sold my last E92 and about 12 since I last drove an E93.

I came away thinking that the convertible ONLY makes sense with the roof down and with the engine really spinning. The rest of the time it felt heavy, rattly, really dated and ponderous.

Even with the power button pressed, the extra weight really dulls that initial step off from stationary. Shame.

[cerb4.5lee]

KPB1973 said:

cerb4.5lee said:

What attracts me to the Convertible is the noise and how much better you can hear the exhaust with the roof down. The Coupe is 1650kg and the Convertible around 1800kg so not a huge difference.

Oddly enough, I tried another one yesterday for that exact same reason (EDC, high spec). It's been some months since I sold my last E92 and about 12 since I last drove an E93.

I came away thinking that the convertible ONLY makes sense with the roof down and with the engine really spinning. The rest of the time it felt heavy, rattly, really dated and ponderous.

Even with the power button pressed, the extra weight really dulls that initial step off from stationary. Shame.

If the Coupe weighed only 1200kg then I would understand the complaints about the weight of the Convertible. The Coupe is hardly a darty lightweight so I don't see a problem with an extra 150kg or so.

If weight is a priority for people then the E92 M3 is the wrong car to go for in the first place for me. It pretty much weighs the same as a 5 series which is renowned for being a very nice cruiser.

Agree with the dated bit though for sure, and I looked inside my brother in laws E93 M3 the other day and it does look vintage now(to be expected for a 11 year old car).

[KPB1973]

cerb4.5lee said:

If the Coupe weighed only 1200kg then I would understand the complaints about the weight of the Convertible. The Coupe is hardly a darty lightweight so I don't see a problem with an extra 150kg or so.

If weight is a priority for people then the E92 M3 is the wrong car to go for in the first place for me. It pretty much weighs the same as a 5 series which is renowned for being a very nice cruiser.

Agree with the dated bit though for sure, and I looked inside my brother in laws E93 M3 the other day and it does look vintage now(to be expected for a 11 year old car).

That sounds almost like you're defending it!

For some reason, the reputation of 'having to thrash it before it comes alive' seems disproportionately magnified in the drop top despite it only being about 180kgs heavier.

Either way, my E92s have both felt much, much faster in gear than the E93s i've driven - especially at lower revs.

To me, the E93 - even with EDC and DCT - doesn't drive nor feel like an M-car.

[Ramona]

KPB1973 said:

To me, the E93 - even with EDC and DCT - doesn't drive nor feel like an M-car.

I've owned two M5's (E34 and E39) and a Z4M (E85) as well as my E93 M3.

Not only is it very much a true M-car, it's probably the most complete package of all of them.

[KPB1973]

Ramona said:

I've owned two M5's (E34 and E39) and a Z4M (E85) as well as my E93 M3.

Not only is it very much a true M-car, it's probably the most complete package of all of them.

Fair enough. I've only owned 2 M-cars, but driven several others - and still think the E93 is a big disappointment to drive. It's probably the one that feels the most akin to its humble donor car.

But vive le difference etc.

[helix402]

I’m quite a fan of these:

[cerb4.5lee]

KPB1973 said:

cerb4.5lee said:

If the Coupe weighed only 1200kg then I would understand the complaints about the weight of the Convertible. The Coupe is hardly a darty lightweight so I don't see a problem with an extra 150kg or so.

If weight is a priority for people then the E92 M3 is the wrong car to go for in the first place for me. It pretty much weighs the same as a 5 series which is renowned for being a very nice cruiser.

Agree with the dated bit though for sure, and I looked inside my brother in laws E93 M3 the other day and it does look vintage now(to be expected for a 11 year old car).

That sounds almost like you're defending it!

I think the reality for me personally is that I wish I had gone for the Convertible instead of the Coupe when I was looking to buy mine.

My biggest issues with the E92 M3 were the lack of noise and its weight, whereas I can accept the extra weight of the Convertible(because the Coupe for me is already a heavy car) and roof down fixes the noise issue.

I don't buy into the belief that the E92 M3 is the be all and end all...and the E93 M3 is the poor relation(although I appreciate that the majority do think that way about it).

[zainster]

cerb4.5lee said:

My biggest issues with the E92 M3 were the lack of noise and its weight, whereas I can accept the extra weight of the Convertible(because the Coupe for me is already a heavy car) and roof down fixes the noise issue.

I don't buy into the belief that the E92 M3 is the be all and end all...and the E93 M3 is the poor relation(although I appreciate that the majority do think that way about it).

Interesting and I completely agree. I went from a 981 Boxster S Pdk to my current car, an E92 M3 CP DCT and imho too, the M3 sounds muted, feels cumbersome and heavy. It just can't reach the driving experience compared to the Porsche I had, the 981 S is simply far more talented than the M3 in every area bar straight line pace once well into silly figures when on a decent dry surface.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. although the M3 is a very good performance car, it's no sportscar.

[Aggamemnon]

It was the arrival of children which made the decision for me - an E90 M3. I was dead set on a 981 Cayman before.

[acme]

Is there anyone out there who's had all variations, right the way from E30 to F80, would be good to hear. I guess in many respects they follow the trajectory of the car over the same time, from delicate 4 pot to complicated massively powered turbo. The lovely thing about the M3 is that as they're not too tied to one particular engine type there's one for each particular taste, lovely.

[Stever]

zainster said:

Interesting and I completely agree. I went from a 981 Boxster S Pdk to my current car, an E92 M3 CP DCT and imho too, the M3 sounds muted, feels cumbersome and heavy. It just can't reach the driving experience compared to the Porsche I had, the 981 S is simply far more talented than the M3 in every area bar straight line pace once well into silly figures when on a decent dry surface.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. although the M3 is a very good performance car, it's no sportscar.

Eh?? It doesn't set out to be a sportscar, it's a performance saloon car, it was available with 4 doors

[zainster]

Stever said:

Eh?? It doesn't set out to be a sportscar, it's a performance saloon car, it was available with 4 doors

Yes, I know it's no sportscar. This is my 7th M car but my first E92. Spending too much time on the forums and hearing terms like 'Sports coupe', or other terms of adulation like it handles like a sportscar etc. I fell for the hyberbole and less than 24hrs after the test drive, it home hard. It is a good performance car, just didn't deliver the driving experience I wanted at any level for me that's all.

[Stever]

zainster said:

Yes, I know it's no sportscar. This is my 7th M car but my first E92. Spending too much time on the forums and hearing terms like 'Sports coupe', or other terms of adulation like it handles like a sportscar etc. I fell for the hyberbole and less than 24hrs after the test drive, it home hard. It is a good performance car, just didn't deliver the driving experience I wanted at any level for me that's all.

Oh OK sorry to hear that what a disappointment for you, it's easy to be swayed by others opinions on forums but ultimately it's got to float your boat. Will you be moving it on for something else? My first proper M was the E63 M6 and what a disappointment the gearbox was on that car which ultimately made me sell it. A test drive is sometimes not enough!!

[zainster]

Stever said:

Oh OK sorry to hear that what a disappointment for you, it's easy to be swayed by others opinions on forums but ultimately it's got to float your boat. Will you be moving it on for something else? My first proper M was the E63 M6 and what a disappointment the gearbox was on that car which ultimately made me sell it. A test drive is sometimes not enough!!

Yeah, fully agree. Especially in my case with the E92 Haha ... Yep, I have put it up for sale on another forum, will add it on AT too when I get round to that on the weekend/early next week. Pity really but it is what it is and hopefully I learn from it but you are right, test drives invariably are never truly enough although when I drove my 981 Boxster S, I was instantly grinning from ear to ear and that feeling never left me even when I sold the car on after 13 months (That's twice as long as any of my 7 M cars I had).

[survivalist]

I’ve driven them all, but only owned 1 (plus the Z4M Coupe that has a chunk of the M3 running gear).

Also driven boxters, caymans and 911.

Current sweet spot for me is the E92
M3, mainly because I have 2 kids and the rear seats mean I’ve got a fighting chance of using the car. Definitely some flaws that need addressing - exhausts needs opening up and the brakes are a bit basic for a performance car.

On the other hand I can’t think of a better car for the use case. Looked at at Audi RS4, but it felt a detached. Tried a few C63 AMGs and felt even more detached (great noise though). Even tried a Lexus and it felt numb.

I completely get the downsides of the E92
M3, but I just can’t come up with a better option if you need rear seats. Good news for buyers is that values are tanking because running costs,
Age and the fact that a chipped 135i can probably outrun it.

Finally, I did want to consider an E46 coupe, but rust issues largely put me off,
.

[custardkid]

My first performance car was a TVR tuscan .. All about the engine, sitting on the rear wheels and manageing tail wag

So I just dont get on with, the no weight on the front end scalple like Porsches .. Even owned Boxster S for 18mths

So.. BMWs
A Z4M replaced the Tuscan (written off) felt more special than the e46 M3, std or CSL, even when driving back to back in a friends CSL in the french alps .. I dont buy into the CSL hype

E36m3 3.0 - owned for 7 yrs mostly used on track, amazing handling balance, but ultimately abit slow

Latest is a e92 M3 - driving back to back at bedford against brother inlaws c63 4.0 turbo (non S) its not as torquey or bombastic, but doesnt feel as heavy and the front end grip and turn in are much sharper in the M3. C63 brakes are better tho..

Only test drvien the f80 & M2

Overall M3s arent sports cars in a Z4, boxster, elise way
They are great everyday cars
They handle better than other saloons
They are robust enough to not fall apart after hard use on track (alot of sports cars arnt)

Best one...
E36 most fun going relatively slowly
E46 more planted and best straight 6
E92 best for V8 sound - best value?
F80 probably best overall car to live with .. And fastest

[fido]

Ramona said:

And that is just one of the many reasons why the correct answer to "the best M3" is indeed the E93.

I'm a bit biased towards the LCI E92 as I own one. Glad I held off on an M2 - just can't beat the V8 sound (I have no issues with the engine note with the windows half down in the coupe, carbon roof looks great as well). To those complaining about torque (not aimed ay anyone in particular!) .. try the DCT .. it has lower 2,3,4,5,6 gears than the manual - once you factor this in it will feel much much quicker than a E46.

[NBTBRV8]

The CSL, and rightly so.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Snhb4tIwhww

[Schermerhorn]

I have an E36 M3 convertible. I changed the airbox and it totally transformed the sound. Tunnel runs are a complete blast now with the roof down especially in 2nd and 3rd gears.

Handling is quite tight and direct but at this age they do suffer from the classic convertible flex and creak. Very minimal roll though so you can really throw them around and carry good speed through wide sweeping corners, even in a convertible.

However, they're very basic (no electronics, manual only etc) compared to newer stuff but still pretty capable when going through the rev range. They'll probably struggle to keep up with a modern hot hatch to be honest but the flipside is you get admiring glances, a very nice sound and still pretty decent performance.

I just wish they would go up in price like the other older classic BMWs.

Edited by Schermerhorn on Friday 16th August 14:17

[V1nce Fox]

Schermerhorn said:

I have an E36 M3 convertible. I changed the airbox and it totally transformed the sound. Tunnel runs are a complete blast now with the roof down especially in 2nd and 3rd gears.

Handling is quite tight and direct but at this age they do suffer from the classic convertible flex and creak. Very minimal roll though so you can really throw them around and carry good speed through wide sweeping corners, even in a convertible.

However, they're very basic (no electronics, manual only etc) compared to newer stuff but still pretty capable when going through the rev range. They'll probably struggle to keep up with a modern hot hatch to be honest but the flipside is you get admiring glances, a very nice sound and still pretty decent performance.

I just wish they would go up in price like the other older classic BMWs.

Edited by Schermerhorn on Friday 16th August 14:17

Glad to see you've still got it. Wouldn't part with mine now. It's actually got to the stage where people properly look at it.