Discussion
cerb4.5lee said:
In truth the manual(mine was a manual) is very long legged(110mph in third at 8400rpm), so the DCT does seem to suit the engine much more. Most seem to agree regarding that as well.
It was a pretty poor manual to use the action was rubbery and notchy at the same time which was a pity as the engine deserved a better box than it got, yes MDCT better as you say, although I liked the long legs in 3rd of the manual. I'm going to nip to the shops now to be disappointed by my current 3l diesel....
Owned an E36 EVO and an E46 M3 from new....for me the E46 was a much better car. Hadnleing significantly better and the engine was just in a different league from memeory, I also owned an E36 328i Sport before the M3 and I remember thinking at the time that it was a better more rounded car for the money. The M3 was £40k and the 328i Sport was £28k...just didn’t think the % price difference justified it. I test drove an F80 about three years ago...IIRC the suspension was updated shortly after I drove it. I thought it was poor TBH...the engine at idle sounded terrible and the suspension/chassis was poor over country lanes.
Never driven an E30 but would love to...I am sure it feels a bit pedestrian these days but that car is all about the chassis and steering from what I have read.
I think when you are thinking about “The best M3” I alsoi think you need to remember how the older ones were head and shoulders above the competition. E30/E36/E46 were all much better cars than anything Merc or Audi made....maybe the original RS2 is the exception to that but that’s the only car that rivalled the M3 in those generations for me.
Never driven an E30 but would love to...I am sure it feels a bit pedestrian these days but that car is all about the chassis and steering from what I have read.
I think when you are thinking about “The best M3” I alsoi think you need to remember how the older ones were head and shoulders above the competition. E30/E36/E46 were all much better cars than anything Merc or Audi made....maybe the original RS2 is the exception to that but that’s the only car that rivalled the M3 in those generations for me.
I’ve owned an E46 and E30 and have driven an E92 a few times. The E46 is a superb do-it-all daily driver but was never special enough for me as a car to be cherished. I didn’t have many regrets when I sold it. The E92 was similar for me but again not something I’d aspire to have in the garage for a Sunday morning drive. Very accomplished as an everyday useable sports car though no doubt.
I’ve still got the E30 and wouldn’t have sold it for the relatively cheap price I purchased it for, let alone what it’s current value is. Like a lot of owners I was initially underwhelmed but they really grow on you. Whether that’s rose tinted glasses or the hype is true I can’t say but I’ll only sell mine if forced to. Having had a few E36 Alpinas I’d love an E36 M3 but don’t have the room for one.
The modern stuff leaves me cold but I’m sure they’re epic.
I’ve still got the E30 and wouldn’t have sold it for the relatively cheap price I purchased it for, let alone what it’s current value is. Like a lot of owners I was initially underwhelmed but they really grow on you. Whether that’s rose tinted glasses or the hype is true I can’t say but I’ll only sell mine if forced to. Having had a few E36 Alpinas I’d love an E36 M3 but don’t have the room for one.
The modern stuff leaves me cold but I’m sure they’re epic.
Edited by benny.c on Saturday 10th August 19:43
R33FAL said:
I would say they all have their own unique appeals, with the exception of the E36 for me. Looks exactly like a 328i from the same era.
Which is why I found mine one day minus bumpers, skirts and wing mirrors ! All would go straight on an 318i. E46 was a big step on in terms of differentiation...wider arches, 4 exhausts, bonnet hump....all those little things that differentiated it. V1nce Fox said:
Nice to see some love for the E36 starting to come through 
The one I'm most fond of - and spotted a 3.0 M3 GT today whilst at Mr Vanos in Darlington, alacantara looked to be fresh, in fact I think the leather centres were black not green come to think of it. Looked great anyhow, bit gutted I didn't jump on the original 3.0 car when they were knocking around as worthless!cerb4.5lee said:
As time has gone by I'm now really warming to the E9x M3 again though, and my mistake was using it as a daily. On my commute it just led to massive frustration for me(17mpg and not being able to use the performance).
I'm very tempted now with a E93 M3 as an occasional car though, because you can really enjoy the engine/exhaust noise with the roof down. The Coupe is very muted in the cabin exhaust wise but you do get the lovely induction noise though for sure.
Oh god.....I'm very tempted now with a E93 M3 as an occasional car though, because you can really enjoy the engine/exhaust noise with the roof down. The Coupe is very muted in the cabin exhaust wise but you do get the lovely induction noise though for sure.
He used to be indecisive, but now he is definitely not sure....
And if you are concerned about “lack of torque” why on Earth would you go for the version that is 300kg heavier?
Tony B2 said:
Oh god.....
He used to be indecisive, but now he is definitely not sure....
And if you are concerned about “lack of torque” why on Earth would you go for the version that is 300kg heavier?
That is a fair point. He used to be indecisive, but now he is definitely not sure....
And if you are concerned about “lack of torque” why on Earth would you go for the version that is 300kg heavier?
As an occasional car though you can seek out the quiet roads and enjoy what the S65 is really good at(really high revs, and then the torque isn't so much of an issue as it is day to day imo).
What attracts me to the Convertible is the noise and how much better you can hear the exhaust with the roof down. The Coupe is 1650kg and the Convertible around 1800kg so not a huge difference.
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