Nearly but not quite
Discussion
I've owned a few BMWs now and mostly they've been the 'biggest standard engine that's not an M' variant eg E30 325i, E34 540i, E36 328i. Now generally these cars are cheap plentiful and good performers and usually cost about a third of what the M-variant of the same body style does.
From those in the know is the M premium really worth it day-to-day?
From those in the know is the M premium really worth it day-to-day?
Yes, if thats what YOU want. If you are happy with less of a sporting drive at the lower cost then stick with the standard cars. Get an M and you will see they are special.
I'd disagree that they are 3x the cost though. For example I have my eye on e39 M5's, should be able to get a decent one for £9-10k but a decent 540i Sport would set you back £6-7k.
I'd disagree that they are 3x the cost though. For example I have my eye on e39 M5's, should be able to get a decent one for £9-10k but a decent 540i Sport would set you back £6-7k.
declasm said:
From those in the know is the M premium really worth it day-to-day?
for day-to-day use, probably no - regular top line models do day-to-day driving perfectly well.M-variants vary from model to model in terms of marginally how much more special they are compared to the equivalent regular cooking models.
Finally, depends on what your referential is if you've owned other motorsport brands before, or not.
spareparts said:
Finally, depends on what your referential is if you've owned other motorsport brands before, or not.
before my 540i and 328i sport I owned a 320bhp twin-turbo RX-7 it was lower, tighter, harder and more accelerative than any of my BMWs (obviously). It wasn't a day to day car tho. The ride suffered on the coilovers, the wide wheels would tramline and you couldn't relax at the wheel.My 328i is a surprisingly fun package - civilised and drivable as any 'normal' car but really good fun on a track (when I took it to silverstone) or on a wet roundabout
Would for example an M3 be more in the same camp as the RX-7 or more like my 328i but with ~100bhp extra?
declasm said:
spareparts said:
Finally, depends on what your referential is if you've owned other motorsport brands before, or not.
before my 540i and 328i sport I owned a 320bhp twin-turbo RX-7 it was lower, tighter, harder and more accelerative than any of my BMWs (obviously). It wasn't a day to day car tho. The ride suffered on the coilovers, the wide wheels would tramline and you couldn't relax at the wheel.My 328i is a surprisingly fun package - civilised and drivable as any 'normal' car but really good fun on a track (when I took it to silverstone) or on a wet roundabout
Would for example an M3 be more in the same camp as the RX-7 or more like my 328i but with ~100bhp extra?
The 328 is of course an excellent car in its own right.
declasm said:
I've owned a few BMWs now and mostly they've been the 'biggest standard engine that's not an M' variant eg E30 325i, E34 540i, E36 328i. Now generally these cars are cheap plentiful and good performers and usually cost about a third of what the M-variant of the same body style does.
From those in the know is the M premium really worth it day-to-day?
I've owned BMWs for the last 35 years ranging from 2002 , various 3 series including an M3 EVO3 and latterly a brace of 5 series. Without a doubt the 'M' series cars have that indefinable quality that endows them with capacilities beyond the everyday. Having owned a handful of 5 series, 528, 535 and 540 before owning an E39 M5 I can tell you that the M5 is the complete car, it does everything very well just as the previous 5 series did, but when you want that extra something, it is there in a heartbeat. It is the perfect combination of a luxurious middle sized car coupled with massive grunt when needed.From those in the know is the M premium really worth it day-to-day?
Dave
Depends which model you’re looking at. The difference between a E46 330 and an E46 M3 is greater than the difference between a Z4c and a Z4Mc for example.
In terms of if it's worth it depends on the kind of driving you do. You need to rev M cars to use the power so it's not an everyday kind of power delivery nor can it be used at everyday speeds. If you do a lot of motorway driving you’re also not going to notice the improved suspension or brakes.
In terms of if it's worth it depends on the kind of driving you do. You need to rev M cars to use the power so it's not an everyday kind of power delivery nor can it be used at everyday speeds. If you do a lot of motorway driving you’re also not going to notice the improved suspension or brakes.
[quote=(steven)]Depends which model you’re looking at. The difference between a E46 330 and an E46 M3 is greater than the difference between a Z4c and a Z4Mc for example.
In terms of if it's worth it depends on the kind of driving you do. You need to rev M cars to use the power so it's not an everyday kind of power delivery nor can it be used at everyday speeds. If you do a lot of motorway driving you’re also not going to notice the improved suspension or brakes.
[/quote]
Not all M engines have to be revved, the S62 V8 used in the M5 delivers it's torque in a very linear manner, completely different in character to the old 2.5 litre mill in my old EVO3 M3.
Dave
In terms of if it's worth it depends on the kind of driving you do. You need to rev M cars to use the power so it's not an everyday kind of power delivery nor can it be used at everyday speeds. If you do a lot of motorway driving you’re also not going to notice the improved suspension or brakes.
[/quote]
Not all M engines have to be revved, the S62 V8 used in the M5 delivers it's torque in a very linear manner, completely different in character to the old 2.5 litre mill in my old EVO3 M3.
Dave
Surely the simple answer is to go test drive one and see how you find it. You will either think it is worth it or you wont. Loads of people do use them as daily drivers with no problems. Theres more to an ///M car then just the engine anyway.
To some people, the M cars just arent worth the extra money. Thats fair enough, they are not for everyone.
To some people, the M cars just arent worth the extra money. Thats fair enough, they are not for everyone.
declasm said:
I've owned a few BMWs now and mostly they've been the 'biggest standard engine that's not an M' variant eg E30 325i, E34 540i, E36 328i. Now generally these cars are cheap plentiful and good performers and usually cost about a third of what the M-variant of the same body style does.
From those in the know is the M premium really worth it day-to-day?
Of the normal variants I've had / own a 328ci, 330ci, 320d and 2 X5s. Of the M cars I've had a E46 M3 and currently own a M6. There is a massive gulf between the normal variants and the M cars. In day to day driving can you really use a M to full benefit? No. In fact if we're totally honest 95% of the time journey times would be much the same in a 116d or a M6. That's not the point though the M cars feel sepecial, put a smile on your face and really entertain when the time is right. Whether or not it's worth it is down to you. For me it's worth it. From those in the know is the M premium really worth it day-to-day?
In terms of winter use I'm told that even a 500bhp+ M5/M6 is fine in the snow with winter rubber on it. On standard rubber my M6 couldn't deal with the snow last year and hence had an extended break over the winter whilst I used a different car will probably do the same again this year when the snow comes.
[quote=(steven)]Depends which model you’re looking at. The difference between a E46 330 and an E46 M3 is greater than the difference between a Z4c and a Z4Mc for example.
[/quote]
Says the man with a Z4 3 litre......
as Jonty says ... the M does the day to day in an entirely capable manner but it's the other times...and that is why some make the value judgement ... the stock car is just never, never, going to give the thrill the M can, sorry. Tidy as 3.0 is, an M going from NSL to double that is just so much more, in the appropriate environment and then thrown in the brakes, the suspension to the mix as well.
Each model has its niche - my 528i was never a M5, likewise a sweet 3.0 6 cylinder is not an M.
[/quote]
Says the man with a Z4 3 litre......
as Jonty says ... the M does the day to day in an entirely capable manner but it's the other times...and that is why some make the value judgement ... the stock car is just never, never, going to give the thrill the M can, sorry. Tidy as 3.0 is, an M going from NSL to double that is just so much more, in the appropriate environment and then thrown in the brakes, the suspension to the mix as well.
Each model has its niche - my 528i was never a M5, likewise a sweet 3.0 6 cylinder is not an M.
DVandrews said:
declasm said:
I've owned a few BMWs now and mostly they've been the 'biggest standard engine that's not an M' variant eg E30 325i, E34 540i, E36 328i. Now generally these cars are cheap plentiful and good performers and usually cost about a third of what the M-variant of the same body style does.
From those in the know is the M premium really worth it day-to-day?
I've owned BMWs for the last 35 years ranging from 2002 , various 3 series including an M3 EVO3 and latterly a brace of 5 series. Without a doubt the 'M' series cars have that indefinable quality that endows them with capacilities beyond the everyday. Having owned a handful of 5 series, 528, 535 and 540 before owning an E39 M5 I can tell you that the M5 is the complete car, it does everything very well just as the previous 5 series did, but when you want that extra something, it is there in a heartbeat. It is the perfect combination of a luxurious middle sized car coupled with massive grunt when needed.From those in the know is the M premium really worth it day-to-day?
Dave
KENZ said:
BMW make take 2 types of cars, stock and the M division. M Division cars are a completely different animal.
That's a good definitive answer I guess. My suspicions were raised because looking at the E36 models (I just bought one so was interested) they made engines from 1.6 to 2.8 in non-M and then the M3 was a 3.0 and it seemed logical to think of it as a 330i but with a marketing premium.
I guess I'll just have to drive some M cars then!
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