M3 Touring - anyone got some miles on one?
Discussion
Absolutely love mine, great daily although I did go for comfort seats for this reason. Otherwise loaded with adaptive cruise etc which make long motorway journeys a breeze. Can get mid 30's on a steady trip (have seen a genuine 37), 25 ish everyday use and managed 11mpg on a spirited dash but I live in a rural area so don't do much urban driving. Camped on the roof at Le Mans and as an only car, if you need some praticality I really can't think of anything better. I still have a hankering for 1 more 911 before I get to old to fall in and out of it but everytime I think of that I come back to deciding the M3 may be a keeper.
Ask matey on here he's over 23k miles now. https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I don't comment on here much, but I do feel qualified on this question. I have had an X3 M40d for the last 125k miles (I still have it with no intention to sell) and I have replaced it with an M3 Touring. I'm now 24k miles in on the M3 after just over a year and it's been fabulous.
Ride wise, the M3 is much firmer but not at all harsh with an initial subtlety allowing great body control without the brittle edge of say a previous gen M4 competition. Steering response and initial turn in can't really be compared, the M3 is miles ahead.
Performance wise the M3 is massively quicker than the already fast M40d, but you do really need more than 3k up to get the best.
Both are great motorway cruisers and I find the M3 comfort seats more comfortable, my girlfriend conversely prefers the X3 seats. For reference I'm 6'3" and she is 5'5".
Passenger space in the back is a clear win for the X3, the boot less so but still a bit better.
I mostly do long distance and the M3 has averaged just over 27mpg and the X3 about 35mpg. I think that's pretty damn good for something so fast,. What is less appealing is the small tank meaning a max of about 350 miles before you need to refill vs 500-550-ish. I suppose what I am saying is the fuel cost difference is unimportant (given the cost of the car) but the range annoys.
For reliability the M3 has been perfect so far. For reference the X3 and my previous M4 both had had some small issues by now.
3rd party response to the M3 is overwhelmingly positive, you get so many thumbs up, nice car comments and people just generally loving the car. However I'd be very reluctant to park it overnight in central London for fear of it not being there when I returned.
Would I recommend the M3? If the cost to use it is acceptable (this is important as you will want to use it) and the (very) small practicality compromises are also acceptable then I'd say jump at the opportunity. When I got mine there was nothing else (new) that was really of any interest and there seems to be nothing on the horizon.
You only live once and they'll stop making them soon.
Ride wise, the M3 is much firmer but not at all harsh with an initial subtlety allowing great body control without the brittle edge of say a previous gen M4 competition. Steering response and initial turn in can't really be compared, the M3 is miles ahead.
Performance wise the M3 is massively quicker than the already fast M40d, but you do really need more than 3k up to get the best.
Both are great motorway cruisers and I find the M3 comfort seats more comfortable, my girlfriend conversely prefers the X3 seats. For reference I'm 6'3" and she is 5'5".
Passenger space in the back is a clear win for the X3, the boot less so but still a bit better.
I mostly do long distance and the M3 has averaged just over 27mpg and the X3 about 35mpg. I think that's pretty damn good for something so fast,. What is less appealing is the small tank meaning a max of about 350 miles before you need to refill vs 500-550-ish. I suppose what I am saying is the fuel cost difference is unimportant (given the cost of the car) but the range annoys.
For reliability the M3 has been perfect so far. For reference the X3 and my previous M4 both had had some small issues by now.
3rd party response to the M3 is overwhelmingly positive, you get so many thumbs up, nice car comments and people just generally loving the car. However I'd be very reluctant to park it overnight in central London for fear of it not being there when I returned.
Would I recommend the M3? If the cost to use it is acceptable (this is important as you will want to use it) and the (very) small practicality compromises are also acceptable then I'd say jump at the opportunity. When I got mine there was nothing else (new) that was really of any interest and there seems to be nothing on the horizon.
You only live once and they'll stop making them soon.
Thanks - that's (obviously) a very interesting reply and I appreciate the time taken to post. As you suggest, it would be no hardship at all to just keep the X3 as it's a damned good car, but I have got serious wants for the M3T.
That configurator is a dangerous thing and you're right; there are relatively few build slots still open going by the conversations I've had so far.
That configurator is a dangerous thing and you're right; there are relatively few build slots still open going by the conversations I've had so far.
marrow said:
Terminator X said:
Love mine, owned since start Oct 25.
Carbon seats though, PITA to get in and out albeit otherwise awesome.
TX.
How does it compare with your old A110 R? Which is more fun?Carbon seats though, PITA to get in and out albeit otherwise awesome.
TX.
The M3 is really really good and a lot more practical of course; both fast but the M3 feels faster, more torque low down afaik. If I had to choose between them though it would be a very close call.
I'm sure I'll get another R again in a few years, miss the lightness.
TX.
Beato said:
Got this coming soon to replace my mega lease deal X3M which I have absolutely loved these last 2 years
Hoping it's as good as the X3M has been. Coming with new ignite engine so interested to see how it compares to old S58
Will do a write up once it's run in!
So, what’s the feeling on this ‘M-ignite’ development for the S58…? A good thing of just more emissions complication to increase bills down the line?
I realise Maserati are doing something very similar and that seems well received… just instinctively wary of ‘new’ engine tech when first rolled out
I realise Maserati are doing something very similar and that seems well received… just instinctively wary of ‘new’ engine tech when first rolled out
Pupp said:
So, what s the feeling on this M-ignite development for the S58 ? A good thing of just more emissions complication to increase bills down the line?
I realise Maserati are doing something very similar and that seems well received just instinctively wary of new engine tech when first rolled out
Not sure to be honest. When my touring comes will be my 3rd S58 variant in a row. Had a 69 plate X3M with the lower torque engine, to my current one with 650nm. Noticed a difference lower down with more torque on the current one.I realise Maserati are doing something very similar and that seems well received just instinctively wary of new engine tech when first rolled out
Whether I even notice a difference with the new engine in the touring we will find out!
Hoping the engine note isn't diluted more! So who knows.
Had mine - 23 plate - for coming up to 12 months now. Modern in the way modern cars are: too many screens, lots of warnings (thankfully easily switched off), some piped in engine sounds and by no means any kind of analogue experience.
But what a machine. The acceleration can only be described as ferocious when it s needed, grip and handling are frankly ridiculous for something with so much power weighing the thick end of 2 tonnes. Then it s a relaxed cruiser when you turn it all back down from eleven. Xdrive with a rear bias and being fully switchable really brings another dimension to an M car.
I ve done 11K miles in mine and can t think what else I d swap it for, especially as it s likely to be the last true ICE M car too.
But what a machine. The acceleration can only be described as ferocious when it s needed, grip and handling are frankly ridiculous for something with so much power weighing the thick end of 2 tonnes. Then it s a relaxed cruiser when you turn it all back down from eleven. Xdrive with a rear bias and being fully switchable really brings another dimension to an M car.
I ve done 11K miles in mine and can t think what else I d swap it for, especially as it s likely to be the last true ICE M car too.
Not a Touring, but I have had my G80 for 19 months, 73 plate bought just over a year old. It had about 4000 miles when I bought it and it's now just over 22k, it's my daily driver and I have a weekly 180 mile round trip to one of the sites for work. Other than the infotainment system occasionally resetting when I use Android, which happens maybe every few weeks - BMW can't replicate the issue, it's been faultless. The ride is a bit harsh on Oxfordshire's terrible roads, but to be honest anything less than a Challenger tank would rattle your fillings on some of our country roads. It's fast when you need it, but happy to cruise on the motorway, and it holds the road more than a car of its size and weight really should.
Been running my new G80 since end of April and clicking 1k a month. Fuel not too bad, but defo thirstier than the previous M340 that I ragged much more. Full fat M feels so much more grown up and I can’t imagine moving it on when it’s paid for in 2029. Every journey is still a dream… as one other poster said, life’s too short and all the time my outrageous car allowance exists this one’s a keeper!
ShortShift811 said:
Had mine - 23 plate - for coming up to 12 months now. Modern in the way modern cars are: too many screens, lots of warnings (thankfully easily switched off), some piped in engine sounds and by no means any kind of analogue experience.
But what a machine. The acceleration can only be described as ferocious when it s needed, grip and handling are frankly ridiculous for something with so much power weighing the thick end of 2 tonnes. Then it s a relaxed cruiser when you turn it all back down from eleven. Xdrive with a rear bias and being fully switchable really brings another dimension to an M car.
I ve done 11K miles in mine and can t think what else I d swap it for, especially as it s likely to be the last true ICE M car too.
That pic really shows off the lines But what a machine. The acceleration can only be described as ferocious when it s needed, grip and handling are frankly ridiculous for something with so much power weighing the thick end of 2 tonnes. Then it s a relaxed cruiser when you turn it all back down from eleven. Xdrive with a rear bias and being fully switchable really brings another dimension to an M car.
I ve done 11K miles in mine and can t think what else I d swap it for, especially as it s likely to be the last true ICE M car too.
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