e92 m3...best car ever?
Discussion
cerb4.5lee said:
I've been thinking about this, and my 330i/Z4M/E92 M3 and my 370Z all feel like they don't have much torque. But I think the problem isn't the torque it is the weight of the cars(none of those cars are lighter than 1485kg) and the actual power delivery of the NA engines. All of those cars have max power right at the top of their rev ranges, so they give a feeling(to me) of being gutless.
Cog down a few gears and get the revs right up and they are fine, but in general driving they mostly feel like heavy cars to drive and they feel flat in terms of performance for me. Plus I've also been spoilt with turbo cars and that only elevates it even more I reckon.
I've had 3 years with my E92 M3 now and still love it. Our family car is an X3 35d, which clearly trumps the E92's torque output, but I still don't feel the M3 is low-torque. It's only low by numbers when compared with modern turbo cars, which by comparison can't touch the E92 in terms of a more analogue feel and authentic noise.Cog down a few gears and get the revs right up and they are fine, but in general driving they mostly feel like heavy cars to drive and they feel flat in terms of performance for me. Plus I've also been spoilt with turbo cars and that only elevates it even more I reckon.
Recently, I felt the urge to try the G80 M4, but I already know that it's pointless trying cars from BMW post E92 since they have more electronic nannies to either help the driver drive it or make the car quieter or more digital in some way (e.g. noise), neither of which I'd enjoy. I prefer a more driver-orientated car (that can still fit two kids in the back).
So, coming full circle, I don't think the E92 M3 is the best car ever, but my god can it cover a lot of bases that few other cars can.
bennyboysvuk said:
cerb4.5lee said:
I've been thinking about this, and my 330i/Z4M/E92 M3 and my 370Z all feel like they don't have much torque. But I think the problem isn't the torque it is the weight of the cars(none of those cars are lighter than 1485kg) and the actual power delivery of the NA engines. All of those cars have max power right at the top of their rev ranges, so they give a feeling(to me) of being gutless.
Cog down a few gears and get the revs right up and they are fine, but in general driving they mostly feel like heavy cars to drive and they feel flat in terms of performance for me. Plus I've also been spoilt with turbo cars and that only elevates it even more I reckon.
I've had 3 years with my E92 M3 now and still love it. Our family car is an X3 35d, which clearly trumps the E92's torque output, but I still don't feel the M3 is low-torque. It's only low by numbers when compared with modern turbo cars, which by comparison can't touch the E92 in terms of a more analogue feel and authentic noise.Cog down a few gears and get the revs right up and they are fine, but in general driving they mostly feel like heavy cars to drive and they feel flat in terms of performance for me. Plus I've also been spoilt with turbo cars and that only elevates it even more I reckon.
Recently, I felt the urge to try the G80 M4, but I already know that it's pointless trying cars from BMW post E92 since they have more electronic nannies to either help the driver drive it or make the car quieter or more digital in some way (e.g. noise), neither of which I'd enjoy. I prefer a more driver-orientated car (that can still fit two kids in the back).
So, coming full circle, I don't think the E92 M3 is the best car ever, but my god can it cover a lot of bases that few other cars can.
bennyboysvuk said:
I've had 3 years with my E92 M3 now and still love it. Our family car is an X3 35d, which clearly trumps the E92's torque output, but I still don't feel the M3 is low-torque. It's only low by numbers when compared with modern turbo cars, which by comparison can't touch the E92 in terms of a more analogue feel and authentic noise...
I disagree, and having owned previous M3s it was the low bottom end that put me off buying another. For instance both a 2009 M3 and 911 Carrera share approximately 290 lb/ft of torque. The Carrera however is a two door sports car that weighs only 130 kg less than the M3, and even that feels undertorqued (?). The M3 is great when pushed, but sluggish and became irritatingly unresponsive at slow speeds IMO.I've had an E92 M3, before that an E46 and now an F10 M5.
The E92 is less fun than an E46 - too heavy , too refined.
The E92 is less refined than the F10 - less comfortable, lower torque
or to look at it another way
The E92 is more fun than an F10 - lighter, rawer
The E92 is more refined than an E46 - more comfortable, better gearbox
In short, as with all cars, the E92 is a compromise. It's not perfect but a damn good all rounder.
I'd happily have all 3 again if I could wind back the years.
The E92 is less fun than an E46 - too heavy , too refined.
The E92 is less refined than the F10 - less comfortable, lower torque
or to look at it another way
The E92 is more fun than an F10 - lighter, rawer
The E92 is more refined than an E46 - more comfortable, better gearbox
In short, as with all cars, the E92 is a compromise. It's not perfect but a damn good all rounder.
I'd happily have all 3 again if I could wind back the years.
Anybody in the Yorkshire area want to give me a go in their E9x M3? I really want one but all this talk of torque might be an issue for me.....but I doubt it because the sound will trump everything.
The thing I love about my crusty old mapped e92 330d is the torque, instant shove from low rpms has become very addictive.
The thing I love about my crusty old mapped e92 330d is the torque, instant shove from low rpms has become very addictive.
I'm not sure it's the best car ever but I certainly love mine! Albeit mine being an E90.
I think BMW just made them cover too many bases as standard and there's a bit too much softness in the standard chassis for them to be really serious driver's cars. But with a bit of tuning and tweaking they can be turned into real monsters. The inherent handling balance is really good and the high-speed stability is spot-on.
Some suspension tweaks, big, sticky tyres, some bucket seats and a diff and they really fly.
I just can't think of anything that offers as good a drive train for the money and that also boasts decent handling as well.
They are also reliable on track too provided you look after them. I've been tracking mine for four years now and nothing has ever gone wrong with it on track, ever. I can pound around the Ring all day long and it doesn't overheat, it doesn't judder, nothing.
I'd love an Exige Cup 380, but then I can't get all my tools, my camping chair, my cooler box, my tyre pump, my helmet and all my other kit in that, can I?
I think BMW just made them cover too many bases as standard and there's a bit too much softness in the standard chassis for them to be really serious driver's cars. But with a bit of tuning and tweaking they can be turned into real monsters. The inherent handling balance is really good and the high-speed stability is spot-on.
Some suspension tweaks, big, sticky tyres, some bucket seats and a diff and they really fly.
I just can't think of anything that offers as good a drive train for the money and that also boasts decent handling as well.
They are also reliable on track too provided you look after them. I've been tracking mine for four years now and nothing has ever gone wrong with it on track, ever. I can pound around the Ring all day long and it doesn't overheat, it doesn't judder, nothing.
I'd love an Exige Cup 380, but then I can't get all my tools, my camping chair, my cooler box, my tyre pump, my helmet and all my other kit in that, can I?
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