Hmmm... E92 M3
Discussion
Well...
I have read much on various car forums...
I have read lots in magazines...
I have heard lots from present owners...
Heard much from former owners...
So I thought with mostly positive feedback it was time I drove a 4.0 M3 to make up my own mind.
Never having even been a passenger in one before I managed through my local BMW dealer to take one out for a test drive.
It was a DCT Comp Pack car and whilst manual's are more my thing, putting the transmission aside, I have to say... WHAT AN ENGINE!!!
BMW this is without a doubt one of your most notable achievments. It needs the Power button activated to find its voice and show its design function to full and best effect, but do that and WHAT AN ENGINE!
It revs as keenly as a large capacity sports bike engine with the power and sound piling on as the revs climb with ever increasing force and urgency.
It has a good spread of torque for 4-6/10ths efforts, but when you want to open the taps a bit more asking for 7-8/10ths of the engines ability, it is engagingly brisk and at this level, the sound hardens and the whole experience becomes more visceral.... 9-10/10ths of the engines capability is truly stunning. It feels most at home when up here, spinning effortlessly fast and developing great power and pace, without ever feeling/sounding in any way strained or uncomfortable, like it is deep into it's design envelope and revelling in being there - It loves to rev (like a sports bike).
Yes, I have driven quicker cars with more powerful engines, yes there are more attractive cars, cars with more torque, better build quality, make you feel more special to be in, but if we take the engine in isolation and evaluate it on an engineering basis, I can honestly say, thus far, I haven't experienced a better engineered performance engine.
For me an engine isn't just about power and torque it is about how that engine goes about its work and makes you feel as it toils away - I am impressed BMW.
As for the whole package: A manual box would have lifted the experience for me as I would feel more connected and involved in commanding that fabulous engine. The car (for me) the M3 doesn't look special enough and is too common a sight on our roads.
The handling; in OE form pretty good... I tend to fettle suspension/geo because for me I haven't yet come across an OE set up that delivers what I want. As a result My Z4M in its current set up would out-corner a std M3 4.0 and it is therefore perhaps unfair to compare against an OE set up.
Would I buy one?
I would like that engine in a sub 1450kg aggressive looking 2 seater sports coupe please BMW (I know that will never happen now - Shame!). BMW you missed an opportunity!
I have read much on various car forums...
I have read lots in magazines...
I have heard lots from present owners...
Heard much from former owners...
So I thought with mostly positive feedback it was time I drove a 4.0 M3 to make up my own mind.
Never having even been a passenger in one before I managed through my local BMW dealer to take one out for a test drive.
It was a DCT Comp Pack car and whilst manual's are more my thing, putting the transmission aside, I have to say... WHAT AN ENGINE!!!
BMW this is without a doubt one of your most notable achievments. It needs the Power button activated to find its voice and show its design function to full and best effect, but do that and WHAT AN ENGINE!
It revs as keenly as a large capacity sports bike engine with the power and sound piling on as the revs climb with ever increasing force and urgency.
It has a good spread of torque for 4-6/10ths efforts, but when you want to open the taps a bit more asking for 7-8/10ths of the engines ability, it is engagingly brisk and at this level, the sound hardens and the whole experience becomes more visceral.... 9-10/10ths of the engines capability is truly stunning. It feels most at home when up here, spinning effortlessly fast and developing great power and pace, without ever feeling/sounding in any way strained or uncomfortable, like it is deep into it's design envelope and revelling in being there - It loves to rev (like a sports bike).
Yes, I have driven quicker cars with more powerful engines, yes there are more attractive cars, cars with more torque, better build quality, make you feel more special to be in, but if we take the engine in isolation and evaluate it on an engineering basis, I can honestly say, thus far, I haven't experienced a better engineered performance engine.
For me an engine isn't just about power and torque it is about how that engine goes about its work and makes you feel as it toils away - I am impressed BMW.
As for the whole package: A manual box would have lifted the experience for me as I would feel more connected and involved in commanding that fabulous engine. The car (for me) the M3 doesn't look special enough and is too common a sight on our roads.
The handling; in OE form pretty good... I tend to fettle suspension/geo because for me I haven't yet come across an OE set up that delivers what I want. As a result My Z4M in its current set up would out-corner a std M3 4.0 and it is therefore perhaps unfair to compare against an OE set up.
Would I buy one?
I would like that engine in a sub 1450kg aggressive looking 2 seater sports coupe please BMW (I know that will never happen now - Shame!). BMW you missed an opportunity!
dele said:
Im going to go out on a limb here and say that the S65 is one of the greatest NA engines out there
Also if you want it in a small body sports car may i point you towards the Wiesmann MF4-S which i understand uses the same S65 Engine as in the M3
I thought that only had the 5.0 V10 but I see they have fitted the 4.0 V8 too. Shame it's so ugly and expensive, and only available with the DCT box.Also if you want it in a small body sports car may i point you towards the Wiesmann MF4-S which i understand uses the same S65 Engine as in the M3
Good knowledge though Dele
Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff