I'm going to sell my M3...
Discussion
Vixpy1 said:
I have a broken spring on mine, and have not noticed any squirming
you'll probably notice when you finally drive it 
Petrolhead76. M3's are pretty planted unless you provoke them so there's something wrong with the car.
as has been indicated above a good specialist will be able to sort it for not much money, you'll then have a car you'll enjoy driving.
if you want to compare, email me through the site and we'll sort out a comparison drive ok?
Petrolhead,
Without being at all snide, I note that the tread on one of your tyres was down to 3mm. Is this correct? Also you mention that the other tyre had 6mm of tread remaining?
I would explore this avenue first. 3mm of tread is a little less than I'd be happy with at this time of year.
If your bushes are out, you'll hear a very distinct clonking whenever you go over a bump.
Other than that, I can only suggest that your wheels are pointing in the wrong direction
Without being at all snide, I note that the tread on one of your tyres was down to 3mm. Is this correct? Also you mention that the other tyre had 6mm of tread remaining?
I would explore this avenue first. 3mm of tread is a little less than I'd be happy with at this time of year.
If your bushes are out, you'll hear a very distinct clonking whenever you go over a bump.
Other than that, I can only suggest that your wheels are pointing in the wrong direction
Harsh said:
Vixpy1 said:
I have a broken spring on mine, and have not noticed any squirming
you'll probably notice when you finally drive it Petrolhead76. M3's are pretty planted unless you provoke them so there's something wrong with the car.
as has been indicated above a good specialist will be able to sort it for not much money, you'll then have a car you'll enjoy driving.
if you want to compare, email me through the site and we'll sort out a comparison drive ok?
If only there was a big abandoned airstrip or car park near me where I could really push the car to be able to fully understand / be able to explain the symptoms.
PS To the other poster I purchased this of a small trader who does not have a workshop. At the time I got the AA to check it. I don't think I've got any recourse back to the trader as there is not a warranty with the car.
ASBO said:
Petrolhead,
Without being at all snide, I note that the tread on one of your tyres was down to 3mm. Is this correct? Also you mention that the other tyre had 6mm of tread remaining?
I would explore this avenue first. 3mm of tread is a little less than I'd be happy with at this time of year.
If your bushes are out, you'll hear a very distinct clonking whenever you go over a bump.
Other than that, I can only suggest that your wheels are pointing in the wrong direction
Hi Abso, appreciate your comments. I'm going to get the front tyres changed as everytime I look at them they seem really low ! My car does NOT make any noises when I go over a bump.Without being at all snide, I note that the tread on one of your tyres was down to 3mm. Is this correct? Also you mention that the other tyre had 6mm of tread remaining?
I would explore this avenue first. 3mm of tread is a little less than I'd be happy with at this time of year.
If your bushes are out, you'll hear a very distinct clonking whenever you go over a bump.
Other than that, I can only suggest that your wheels are pointing in the wrong direction
Right spoke to my local specialist who basically serviced the car last thursday - he said if something was wrong with RTABs / suspension they would have picked that up.
Now shoot me down if you want, but I'm posting this as I'm honest...
His take on it is that given I've gone from a "normal" car to a "performance car" I am still using my existing "normal car" driving style which is causing the car to move the way it is. He suggested taking the car around a track, or getting an experienced performance car driver to show me how to get the best from the car.
In essence I think I'm a very competent "normal" car driver, but I must be a poor "performance car" driver. I didn't realise the skill required to drive a performance car was so high - I thought providing you could drive a normal car fine then providng you didn't go mental it would be relatively straight forward to drive the M3 - but obviously not.
Not sure I want to hold onto the car now though - I don't want to risk life and limb everytime I go to the shops !
Now shoot me down if you want, but I'm posting this as I'm honest...
His take on it is that given I've gone from a "normal" car to a "performance car" I am still using my existing "normal car" driving style which is causing the car to move the way it is. He suggested taking the car around a track, or getting an experienced performance car driver to show me how to get the best from the car.
In essence I think I'm a very competent "normal" car driver, but I must be a poor "performance car" driver. I didn't realise the skill required to drive a performance car was so high - I thought providing you could drive a normal car fine then providng you didn't go mental it would be relatively straight forward to drive the M3 - but obviously not.
Not sure I want to hold onto the car now though - I don't want to risk life and limb everytime I go to the shops !
petrolhead76 said:
Right spoke to my local specialist who basically serviced the car last thursday - he said if something was wrong with RTABs / suspension they would have picked that up.
Now shoot me down if you want, but I'm posting this as I'm honest...
His take on it is that given I've gone from a "normal" car to a "performance car" I am still using my existing "normal car" driving style which is causing the car to move the way it is. He suggested taking the car around a track, or getting an experienced performance car driver to show me how to get the best from the car.
In essence I think I'm a very competent "normal" car driver, but I must be a poor "performance car" driver. I didn't realise the skill required to drive a performance car was so high - I thought providing you could drive a normal car fine then providng you didn't go mental it would be relatively straight forward to drive the M3 - but obviously not.
Not sure I want to hold onto the car now though - I don't want to risk life and limb everytime I go to the shops !
I think what you need to do is find someone on here local to you who has a similar car and let them drive your car to get an opinion from someone who knows what it should drive like...Now shoot me down if you want, but I'm posting this as I'm honest...
His take on it is that given I've gone from a "normal" car to a "performance car" I am still using my existing "normal car" driving style which is causing the car to move the way it is. He suggested taking the car around a track, or getting an experienced performance car driver to show me how to get the best from the car.
In essence I think I'm a very competent "normal" car driver, but I must be a poor "performance car" driver. I didn't realise the skill required to drive a performance car was so high - I thought providing you could drive a normal car fine then providng you didn't go mental it would be relatively straight forward to drive the M3 - but obviously not.
Not sure I want to hold onto the car now though - I don't want to risk life and limb everytime I go to the shops !
Edited by john_r on Monday 17th December 13:44
ing knobber. It has nothing to do with your driving style!!!I think someone is pulling you plonker…..
Admittedly not an M3 owner (yet), but I have a little Italian number which is a RWD performance car and I drive it exactly the same way as I do my Focus and I haven’t had any rear end squirming (well unless I want too of course…..)
Get an independent inspection done if its is something serious as it sounds then warranty or not the dealer you got it from will have to sort it out (not fit for purpose when sold).
Admittedly not an M3 owner (yet), but I have a little Italian number which is a RWD performance car and I drive it exactly the same way as I do my Focus and I haven’t had any rear end squirming (well unless I want too of course…..)
Get an independent inspection done if its is something serious as it sounds then warranty or not the dealer you got it from will have to sort it out (not fit for purpose when sold).
m12_nathan said:
You don't hear noises when RTAB have gone, the back just moves all over the place, especially on long sweeping corners with the car loaded up on the outside wheels IME.
You sure?My RTAB's are on their way out on the M3 and whilst the noise wouldn't wake the dead, it's certainly noticable. Stands to reason that if you eventually get metal hitting metal then you'd hear it.
I'm thinking of getting a 2nd opinion.
All I wanted was car like my 325i but quicker and better handling. Instead I've got a car that I don't drive as fast or as hard as my 325i for fearing of visiting the local hedge !
They only tendency I do have when it full automatic is to push the accelerator say 2cms down and then the M3 will decide to change gear and thats when I get acceleration - maybe this is the wrong driving habit and I should wait for the M3 to catch up under very gentle acceleration? Just doesn't sound right though to do that - takes all the fun out of driving
All I wanted was car like my 325i but quicker and better handling. Instead I've got a car that I don't drive as fast or as hard as my 325i for fearing of visiting the local hedge !
They only tendency I do have when it full automatic is to push the accelerator say 2cms down and then the M3 will decide to change gear and thats when I get acceleration - maybe this is the wrong driving habit and I should wait for the M3 to catch up under very gentle acceleration? Just doesn't sound right though to do that - takes all the fun out of driving
OK guys, let's play a little game.
RTABs cannot be inspected in place. They are hidden away and can only be visually inspected when removed from the car
They wear out at around 50K miles.
Worn RTABs are not possible to diagnose by pulling+pushing on a wheel when it's on a ramp - many many owners report massively improved handling after replacing RTABs, even when techs say they are fine.
Worn RTABs really only become an issue in certain driving situations, it is most probable that your techs on working on the thing didnt really take it out+hammer it.
No M3's should really lose traction WOT in a straight line unless there is lots of dust/ice/standing water.
My take on this is that you are being most bizarre in your attempts to recify the fault. Just go and instruct a garage to replace the darn RTABs and do a geo, this will cost you max 500 quid and will almost certainly cure the thing, despite what they tell you. Even if it does not, recent RTAB replacement will be a boon on resale as it would have been coming up for the next guy soon anyway.
If you don't like the M3 fine, sell it, but this is the weakest excuse I have ever heard to get out of one. Get it fixed, then reasses. Take up the offers of owner who can take you out+compare cars. Christ, just let them take yours out too and ask their opinion if you want. The front 3mm tyres are NOT the issue here, not in a straight line. They probably arent 100% ideal, but they really won't cause this.
Get this sorted, then worry about the tyres etc. if they limit your turn in/braking/balance.
It's a couple/few hour job total, so stop wasting time on Ph and jsut get it done, IMO.
RTABs cannot be inspected in place. They are hidden away and can only be visually inspected when removed from the car
They wear out at around 50K miles.
Worn RTABs are not possible to diagnose by pulling+pushing on a wheel when it's on a ramp - many many owners report massively improved handling after replacing RTABs, even when techs say they are fine.
Worn RTABs really only become an issue in certain driving situations, it is most probable that your techs on working on the thing didnt really take it out+hammer it.
No M3's should really lose traction WOT in a straight line unless there is lots of dust/ice/standing water.
My take on this is that you are being most bizarre in your attempts to recify the fault. Just go and instruct a garage to replace the darn RTABs and do a geo, this will cost you max 500 quid and will almost certainly cure the thing, despite what they tell you. Even if it does not, recent RTAB replacement will be a boon on resale as it would have been coming up for the next guy soon anyway.
If you don't like the M3 fine, sell it, but this is the weakest excuse I have ever heard to get out of one. Get it fixed, then reasses. Take up the offers of owner who can take you out+compare cars. Christ, just let them take yours out too and ask their opinion if you want. The front 3mm tyres are NOT the issue here, not in a straight line. They probably arent 100% ideal, but they really won't cause this.
Get this sorted, then worry about the tyres etc. if they limit your turn in/braking/balance.
It's a couple/few hour job total, so stop wasting time on Ph and jsut get it done, IMO.
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