Tried an E46 M3...bit disappointed
Discussion
As per the title, looking to change my R56 Cooper S and have always fancied an M3 - friend fo mine took delivery of a very lovely 2004 manual coupe a few weeks ago, has been very well looked after and came from a reputable dealer, 1 owner, 40k miles etc, so its definitely a good example. Went round for a look over the weekend and they really are impressive looking machines aren't they, especially this one which was imaculate.
Took it for a spin and i don't know.... it just didn't feel as special and quick as i thought it would really! Felt a lot softer and more "wallowy" than the mini, really did feel a lot heavier (despite having the sport button on) and only felt marginally quicker if im honest, despite being around 1.5 seconds quicker to 60. I know these are meant to be revved and all the fun comes higher up, and I certainly explored the rev range in various gears at various speeds, but it just never really felt.... wow, as i was expecting. The noise was pretty special though, bliping on downshifts and the metallic exhaust note through a few tunnels was excellent, but i got out just feeling it was a heavier, slower, floppier. Bit of a let down really as i love the looks and the idea of one.
Maybe i have long enough to really get the most out of it, i dont know, but has this been anyone else's experience?
Took it for a spin and i don't know.... it just didn't feel as special and quick as i thought it would really! Felt a lot softer and more "wallowy" than the mini, really did feel a lot heavier (despite having the sport button on) and only felt marginally quicker if im honest, despite being around 1.5 seconds quicker to 60. I know these are meant to be revved and all the fun comes higher up, and I certainly explored the rev range in various gears at various speeds, but it just never really felt.... wow, as i was expecting. The noise was pretty special though, bliping on downshifts and the metallic exhaust note through a few tunnels was excellent, but i got out just feeling it was a heavier, slower, floppier. Bit of a let down really as i love the looks and the idea of one.
Maybe i have long enough to really get the most out of it, i dont know, but has this been anyone else's experience?
Depends on the car, But I can tell you that my bothers E46 M3 when we first gotr it was quick but not mind blowing.
Then he had an inspection 2 about a month into the ownership and its mind range somehow went mental in comparison.
When there's one or two of you in there its actually pretty unsettling at 5k rpm how fast it starts building up.
The evolve map comes highly recommended by some so if it was my car I'd likely get that as well.
It wasn't a vert was it?
Then he had an inspection 2 about a month into the ownership and its mind range somehow went mental in comparison.
When there's one or two of you in there its actually pretty unsettling at 5k rpm how fast it starts building up.
The evolve map comes highly recommended by some so if it was my car I'd likely get that as well.
It wasn't a vert was it?
PopsandBangs said:
As per the title, looking to change my R56 Cooper S and have always fancied an M3 - friend fo mine took delivery of a very lovely 2004 manual coupe a few weeks ago, has been very well looked after and came from a reputable dealer, 1 owner, 40k miles etc, so its definitely a good example. Went round for a look over the weekend and they really are impressive looking machines aren't they, especially this one which was imaculate.
Took it for a spin and i don't know.... it just didn't feel as special and quick as i thought it would really! Felt a lot softer and more "wallowy" than the mini, really did feel a lot heavier (despite having the sport button on) and only felt marginally quicker if im honest, despite being around 1.5 seconds quicker to 60. I know these are meant to be revved and all the fun comes higher up, and I certainly explored the rev range in various gears at various speeds, but it just never really felt.... wow, as i was expecting. The noise was pretty special though, bliping on downshifts and the metallic exhaust note through a few tunnels was excellent, but i got out just feeling it was a heavier, slower, floppier. Bit of a let down really as i love the looks and the idea of one.
Maybe i have long enough to really get the most out of it, i dont know, but has this been anyone else's experience?
also the sport button does nothing really on an e46 other than pedal sensitivityTook it for a spin and i don't know.... it just didn't feel as special and quick as i thought it would really! Felt a lot softer and more "wallowy" than the mini, really did feel a lot heavier (despite having the sport button on) and only felt marginally quicker if im honest, despite being around 1.5 seconds quicker to 60. I know these are meant to be revved and all the fun comes higher up, and I certainly explored the rev range in various gears at various speeds, but it just never really felt.... wow, as i was expecting. The noise was pretty special though, bliping on downshifts and the metallic exhaust note through a few tunnels was excellent, but i got out just feeling it was a heavier, slower, floppier. Bit of a let down really as i love the looks and the idea of one.
Maybe i have long enough to really get the most out of it, i dont know, but has this been anyone else's experience?
PopsandBangs said:
....(despite having the sport button on)....
Sport button does nothing other than shorten the pedal travel, completely useless and IMO the car drives 100% better without it pressed.These cars do lack torque so you need to use all the rev range but they do carry speed rather well and it's quite deceiving at actually how quick you are travelling at times.
If you are used to driving supercharged or turbo charged cars then I can understand your reservations when only taking the car out for a "test drive".
Id try another one if i were you.
Ive driven some good and some bad (needed servicing/HG replacement). Owned a rocketship. Both were quicker than any mini ive ever owned, maybe just the smoothness of the powerband made it seem slower?
It will feel more than a rocket powered truck compared to the go-kart of the mini though.
Less fun at "normal" speeds as well. To be having fun in my M3, i was always at the sort of speed that would make a very large hole in the hedge.
Ive driven some good and some bad (needed servicing/HG replacement). Owned a rocketship. Both were quicker than any mini ive ever owned, maybe just the smoothness of the powerband made it seem slower?
It will feel more than a rocket powered truck compared to the go-kart of the mini though.
Less fun at "normal" speeds as well. To be having fun in my M3, i was always at the sort of speed that would make a very large hole in the hedge.
I was very disappointed too, felt like any e46 316/318/320 etc with a revvy, asthmatic engine. Fairly unexciting power delivery, too quiet, too refined. Steering was quite nice (but slow), very controllable arse end but defifinitely not the scalpel sharp road racer I'd been led to believe it would be.
They're faster than they feel. They are deceptively quick. 0-100 in 12 seconds is respectable still nowadays. I found that the m3 was better the more you pushed it. It was ok to potter about, but it preferred to be absolutely caned everywhere. The manual gearbox was clunky around town, especially when cold but when slamming it through the gears at 8k revs it was great when warmed up. The only issue is that driving it as it was meant to be driven, you won't keep your license very long!!
I loved mine!
I loved mine!
I agree with the OP. Against a light, sharp front driver (in my case a DC2), the M3 was hugely disappointing. OK engine but poor agility, feel, steering and gearbox.
They are not a sports car at all, more a GT cruiser IMO and would make a very good, practical family/shopping car. In that role I assume they would be great and I will be looking for one in a year or so to do exactly that. Don't expect it to thrill if you have owned/driven sports cars in the past.
The E46 M3-jack of all trades etc.
They are not a sports car at all, more a GT cruiser IMO and would make a very good, practical family/shopping car. In that role I assume they would be great and I will be looking for one in a year or so to do exactly that. Don't expect it to thrill if you have owned/driven sports cars in the past.
The E46 M3-jack of all trades etc.
PopsandBangs said:
looking to change my R56 Cooper S, friend of mine took delivery of a very lovely 2004 manual coupe a few weeks ago, Took it for a spin and i don't know.... it just didn't feel as special and quick as i thought it would really! Felt a lot softer and more "wallowy" than the mini, really did feel a lot heavier. i got out just feeling it was a heavier, slower, floppier.
Standard E46 M3 is a relatively heavy car ( 1570Kg ) and weighs 40% more than a cooper S. Might be worth trying a CSL because they are a bit less at 1460Kg. ( 110Kg weight saving figure comes from the team that developed the CSL http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyI... )SidewaysSi said:
The E46 M3-jack of all trades etc.
This, but it makes a better fist of it than any other car I've driven.The thrill of the M3 is braking late for a corner, blipping it down a few gears, turning in and feeling no understeer and then exiting the corner with very little (if any...or indeed opposite) steering lock applied since the rears are doing it for you. All to the soundtrack of a screaming six.
bennyboysvuk said:
SidewaysSi said:
The E46 M3-jack of all trades etc.
This, but it makes a better fist of it than any other car I've driven.The thrill of the M3 is braking late for a corner, blipping it down a few gears, turning in and feeling no understeer and then exiting the corner with very little (if any...or indeed opposite) steering lock applied since the rears are doing it for you. All to the soundtrack of a screaming six.
I owned one (and a Cooper S a few cars prior to that).
Very competent all rounder, but only really excels in the engine department, though for real world use the frantic high nature of it is often less effective than a more torquey turbo engine.
Mine also ran horribly when cold (TADTS) and I found the ride quite crash (though much much less so than the cooper s on its dreadful run flats).
In truth I still thought it was 10 x better than the Mini, and not worse in any way (save for the cold running), but I much prefer my current car (which I wont disclose the details of here for fear of being lambasted).
What I would say is that the M3 DID blow me away on the test drive. If it has not even impressed you at this stage then I would probably avoid as a candidate.
Very competent all rounder, but only really excels in the engine department, though for real world use the frantic high nature of it is often less effective than a more torquey turbo engine.
Mine also ran horribly when cold (TADTS) and I found the ride quite crash (though much much less so than the cooper s on its dreadful run flats).
In truth I still thought it was 10 x better than the Mini, and not worse in any way (save for the cold running), but I much prefer my current car (which I wont disclose the details of here for fear of being lambasted).
What I would say is that the M3 DID blow me away on the test drive. If it has not even impressed you at this stage then I would probably avoid as a candidate.
i think that was the first thing that struck me... the nature of the power delivery. As a lot of you have said, being used to a small, nimble turbo car, you get that surge as the turbo enters the equation after a few seconds, and that combined with the bouncy, almost comedy nature of the Mini is the completely different to how the M3 acted. Just didn't feel as "fun," but then I suppose its not meant to. And I completely agree with the "deceptivness"... i found myself going a lot faster and building up speed a lot faster than it actually felt! I had always imagined them to be just a little bit more savage and raw to match that snarly exhaust. Did look the part though catching its reflection in shop windows 
Its a lovely, evocative car the M3 and i really want to like it, will certainly try and have another extended drive in one.
Its a lovely, evocative car the M3 and i really want to like it, will certainly try and have another extended drive in one.
PopsandBangs said:
and i think a CSL would be the perfect answer to my problem with the standard M3... but i want a manual car! Why they didnt offer that I really don't know, what an absolutely perfect car that would have been.
So you didn't think the gearbox suited the CSL when you drove it?Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff