Will I hate an e92 m3

[laingy]

I tried the M4 - found it fast but monumentally boring to drive (no feel or excitement just fast), bought a e92 m3 comp pack. Amazing car - the best bit is the handling, then the engine. Not sure why everyone wants more torque - for me the way it builds speed through the rev range is spot on. You dont need a slug of torque to make driving exciting.

[cerb4.5lee]

laingy said:

I tried the M4 - found it fast but monumentally boring to drive (no feel or excitement just fast), bought a e92 m3 comp pack. Amazing car - the best bit is the handling, then the engine. Not sure why everyone wants more torque - for me the way it builds speed through the rev range is spot on. You dont need a slug of torque to make driving exciting.

You don't need a slug of torque to make driving exciting I agree, but I didn't like how all the performance is at the top end of the revs in the E92, it does make it exciting at high revs but I found it frustrating at low revs.

I guess it depends how you use the car and what journeys you do, I appreciate on tap torque more on my commute, but if the car was used purely for fun...then I would appreciate the performance all at the top of the revs much more.

[Smuler]

cerb4.5lee said:

I believe Wills2 is like that as well and he prefers his old E92 M3's to his F80 M3, I'd love a M4 because I much prefer torque over the high rev V8.

I've only test driven a M4 though(I loved it), but maybe living with one might be different though, and the engine could end up feeling ordinary, and from what I read they get criticised a lot for that when compared to the older high rev N/A engines.

It does make you wonder that when everyone loves the old N/A engines so much...why did BMW stop making them and replace them with Turbo's.

Attached is my fave E92 M3 video. @ 4 minutes he references the (then) future rumors of turbo-charging and the reasons.

Then comes the V8 sound

https://youtu.be/dFva5Z8hio8

AMG kept the V8 when they turbo-charged. Maybe that's the compromise?

[laingy]

cerb4.5lee said:

laingy said:

I tried the M4 - found it fast but monumentally boring to drive (no feel or excitement just fast), bought a e92 m3 comp pack. Amazing car - the best bit is the handling, then the engine. Not sure why everyone wants more torque - for me the way it builds speed through the rev range is spot on. You dont need a slug of torque to make driving exciting.

You don't need a slug of torque to make driving exciting I agree, but I didn't like how all the performance is at the top end of the revs in the E92, it does make it exciting at high revs but I found it frustrating at low revs.

I guess it depends how you use the car and what journeys you do, I appreciate on tap torque more on my commute, but if the car was used purely for fun...then I would appreciate the performance all at the top of the revs much more.

I get that, I dont commute in my car. But i did find the new cars 'inert' with electronic steering, brakes etc. They was little excitement, apart from being amazingly fast. Once i drove the e92 it felt more mechanical and planted. I also preferred it to the 997, which really surprised me.

[stevesingo]

cerb4.5lee said:

It still lacks usable torque though and it also has to drag around 1650kg, it's flat low down and I prefer a car that doesn't need 6k revs to feel quick, granted that is my preference though.

A V8 for me should feel gutsy and powerful, and the V8 M3 just doesn't unless you thrash the life out of it.

How long have you had your V8 M3?

Edited by cerb4.5lee on Saturday 30th December 00:24

Hear we go, "you don't own one so how would you know".

I have had enough experience of the E9* M3 to be able to form an opinion. That opinion is that they are not devoid of torque, but at the same time they are not a diesel, and nor should they be as an M3 is a saloon based sports coupe not a "exec" saloon designed to pummel M Ways.

[cerb4.5lee]

stevesingo said:

Hear we go, "you don't own one so how would you know".

I have had enough experience of the E9* M3 to be able to form an opinion. That opinion is that they are not devoid of torque, but at the same time they are not a diesel, and nor should they be as an M3 is a saloon based sports coupe not a "exec" saloon designed to pummel M Ways.

You're clearly a massive M3 fanboy , but it's definitely a car that when you live it everyday you can change your opinion of it. I see all the 3 series models as cars built to pummel motorways whether it's a M3 or a 318d, and I think that's where we differ.

You love the E92 M3 and I didn't...each to their own.

[lord trumpton]

Ive owned one (got an F80 now) and they are a nice car. For me though it didn't work as an every day car because of it's running costs versus the number of times you can open the taps and drive it in the way it was intended.

They are not gutless low down; far from it. It's just that the engine only really comes alive right up in the rev range. It was a novelty at first, open road and open throttle when I found time to go out on a quiet time.

Once reality and the daily routine kicked in then it just seemed silly owning it. 20 mpg driving at the same speed as the rest of the traffic with no real chance to enjoy it.

Compared to the e46 M3 its a very refined car that feels totally mundane at low speeds with no real sense of occasion. The E46 feels ace no matter what you are doing.

The F80 I have now is like a mix of the E46 and E9X - Very grunty, great place to sit and fun at sensible speeds. You don't have to drive like a balloon to get a smile on your face.When you do press on it rewards even more. It's just the snappy rear end thats an issue.

[MikeGoodwin]

See those two recent opinions is where I'm stuck with the e92 m3 decision. I look at then and question if they will be worth the running costs, servicing costs and and if I'll get to really use it in which case it's just a financial burden. I think the Megane is pushing it considering it does 19mpg but that's because I press the fun pedal at every given opportunity as it's a frustrating car to drive gently. Its fairly inexpensive to run and basically everything is half the cost of an m3. Daily driving when a Vauxhall Mocha in front driven by some type of **** is doing 20mph under the speed limit on a twisty back road is infuriating and makes me wonder if I should get a Mocha myself and just be dead inside. So an m3 would be no different I think, me wanting one is the only opportunity I'll get to experience a high revving v8 I think more than any other reason. Also The meg easily exceeds what's legal as well but it's easy to enjoy what the car is capable of. Megane has to be worked to get the best out of it. If I'd of wanted an 8/10ths car I'd of bought a golf r.

So that's the nagging feeling I have right now. I'm just not sure if it's worth the money.

Going to try test driving one I think as that should give me an idea of what they are like.

I dont want to afford a current gen m3 or m4.

[Kawasicki]

Do you get the opportunity to drive a car hard. If so the e92 is great fun.

[Mr Whippy]

MikeGoodwin said:

See those two recent opinions is where I'm stuck with the e92 m3 decision. I look at then and question if they will be worth the running costs, servicing costs and and if I'll get to really use it in which case it's just a financial burden. I think the Megane is pushing it considering it does 19mpg but that's because I press the fun pedal at every given opportunity as it's a frustrating car to drive gently. Its fairly inexpensive to run and basically everything is half the cost of an m3. Daily driving when a Vauxhall Mocha in front driven by some type of **** is doing 20mph under the speed limit on a twisty back road is infuriating and makes me wonder if I should get a Mocha myself and just be dead inside. So an m3 would be no different I think, me wanting one is the only opportunity I'll get to experience a high revving v8 I think more than any other reason. Also The meg easily exceeds what's legal as well but it's easy to enjoy what the car is capable of. Megane has to be worked to get the best out of it. If I'd of wanted an 8/10ths car I'd of bought a golf r.

So that's the nagging feeling I have right now. I'm just not sure if it's worth the money.

Going to try test driving one I think as that should give me an idea of what they are like.

I dont want to afford a current gen m3 or m4.

A test drive is key.

They're not cars you buy just to get from A to B, they're cars you buy to make excuses for B's to drive to.

Fancy Megane, M3, whatever. It's sold and justified on the driving experience, and that is a thing which is unique per person.

[cerb4.5lee]

lord trumpton said:

Once reality and the daily routine kicked in then it just seemed silly owning it. 20 mpg driving at the same speed as the rest of the traffic with no real chance to enjoy it.

This is exactly the reason why I ended up hating mine.

[laingy]

But isnt that the same with any performance car?

[Welshbeef]

Isn’t the E92 M3’s biggest issue that you only hit max revs and max power in 1st and 2nd legally 3rd is well over 100mph.

So unless you like blipping down to 1st your only ever hitting max power legally in 1 Gear. The fun part of 3rd Gear is 70–108mph

4/5/6 are just there for cruising.

[rassi]

It depends how you will use the M3: I made the mistake of getting a fantastic E92 M3 with competition pack and a lot Individual options for long distance motorway driving (Germany and France, mainly), where the small fuel tank coupled with 20-21 mpg meant a limited range that ultimately highlighted it was not fit for my purpose. Had it been for a more mixed driving with A and B roads, I am positive I would still have it.

As to the lack of torque, it is really not an issue with a DCT equipped car, and while it does make full power high up the rev range, the very linear power and torque curve meant you don’t have to rev it everywhere.

If you go into it with your eyes open to its limitations (which apply to almost all other performance cars) of thirst and limited range, it is a very complete car.

[cerb4.5lee]

laingy said:

But isnt that the same with any performance car?

That is a fair point, but I think because the E92 M3 is all about revs when you're going steady it just feels like any other 3 series. Whereas I'd imagine with the M4 because it's performance is on tap it's less frustrating to drive slowly because it picks up speed much quicker, also it's livelier on it's rear end so maybe more fun at lower speeds too.

The E92 M3 is all about very high revs/high speed, so for me it was massively frustrating as a daily.

[cerb4.5lee]

rassi said:

As to the lack of torque, it is really not an issue with a DCT equipped car, and while it does make full power high up the rev range, the very linear power and torque curve meant you don’t have to rev it everywhere.

I do wonder that if mine had been DCT rather than a manual...then I wouldn't have criticised it as much for being torque light.

[Kawasicki]

cerb4.5lee said:

rassi said:

As to the lack of torque, it is really not an issue with a DCT equipped car, and while it does make full power high up the rev range, the very linear power and torque curve meant you don’t have to rev it everywhere.

I do wonder that if mine had been DCT rather than a manual...then I wouldn't have criticised it as much for being torque light.

I drove both..I don't think your opinion would differ.

[stevesingo]

Aside from people buying the wrong car and then criticising the car, what should be discussed is the OP's question when framed against the OP's predicted use of the car.

OP has Megane 275.

MikeGoodwin said:

the Megane is a car I really love to bits and hate at the same time.

Why?

MikeGoodwin said:

I bring the 320d because of its size. It was so unengaging. The hatches could be thrown about with accuracy in corners where the e92 needed to be lined up like a missile then let the straight line power do the work. It wasn't just the 320d either. Drove allaorts of BMWs thanks to a friend and they were no different. Never even been in an m3 mind. I think I'll try drive one.

The E9* model line was regarded as the best handling car in its class by the motoring press. It will handle differently to a FWD hatch, but not badly. I different driving approach will be needed, even more so when you have 400+BHP.

MikeGoodwin said:

Plus the Megane handles so well i just don't know if an m3 will do what I want it to.

What exactly do you want it to do? It will do things a FWD hatch can't do.

MikeGoodwin said:

I look at then and question if they will be worth the running costs, servicing costs and and if I'll get to really use it in which case it's just a financial burden. I think the Megane is pushing it considering it does 19mpg but that's because I press the fun pedal at every given opportunity as it's a frustrating car to drive gently.

I don't see much difference in use, only cost. Will this increase you frustration, knowing same frustration will be costing you more? Or, will the knowledge that during that frustrating time that when the road opens up you can enjoy a run through the gears (only up to 2nd mind you ) as payback?

WRT cost, you need to do the math on that one. There is a good example on the M5 thread.

So, once you have done the math and taken one for a drive ask yourself would you desired use be a cause of frustration. I dont think the car is the problem, it is how it is used.

[Wills2]

Welshbeef said:

Isn’t the E92 M3’s biggest issue that you only hit max revs and max power in 1st and 2nd legally 3rd is well over 100mph.

So unless you like blipping down to 1st your only ever hitting max power legally in 1 Gear. The fun part of 3rd Gear is 70–108mph

4/5/6 are just there for cruising.

Same for any performance car 2nd/3rd are the gears you use on a spirited run, 4th if you like to gear up coming out of a high speed bend but that's how it is in a powerful car if you want to keep you licence whilst enjoying the S65's incredible response and high rev performance.

[nw942]

Would it be possible to keep the Megane for the daily drive and buy the E92 M3 for the weekend