Discussion
I’ve had one of these cars for a year now, have done about 12000 miles (mostly through the highlands of Scotland) and half a dozen track days.
I’d agree with a lot of the review (although how anyone could like that revolting colour defeats me – it’s like someone accidentally dropped a can of green paint into a vat of custard).
Steering does lack feel – but I’d forgive this car most things for the fabulous engine (third gear is a dream up to and past 100 mph). I also agree with some of what ‘Noodle’ says re build quality – by the way, I have 18” wheels which are a lot more comfortable over bumpy roads (I'm told).
What I did want to share with anybody that was thinking of getting one – that had thoughts of using on track – is to get the brakes sorted, for although they really are excellent for road use – they are pathetic for track. Drive it hard and you’ll have fade after a few laps and will start to destroy the pads shortly after. (I’ve been through several sets). One thing it doesn’t mention in the manual (and the dealers don’t seem to know either) is that at the back of the ‘air intakes’ (by the front fogs) there are two removable panels that let the air flow directly onto the brakes. Take them out for track use!
Better still, AP racing (who do the brakes for BMW touring cars) are currently working on a set of 6 pots that will apparently not detrimentally affect road performance – I’d invest in these if you want to thrash it on track.
Overall, I have to say - it eats miles up here in the highlands, and I'm well pleased with it. (And it does average 25 mpg!)
Great site guys… keep up the good work
Steve
I’d agree with a lot of the review (although how anyone could like that revolting colour defeats me – it’s like someone accidentally dropped a can of green paint into a vat of custard).
Steering does lack feel – but I’d forgive this car most things for the fabulous engine (third gear is a dream up to and past 100 mph). I also agree with some of what ‘Noodle’ says re build quality – by the way, I have 18” wheels which are a lot more comfortable over bumpy roads (I'm told).
What I did want to share with anybody that was thinking of getting one – that had thoughts of using on track – is to get the brakes sorted, for although they really are excellent for road use – they are pathetic for track. Drive it hard and you’ll have fade after a few laps and will start to destroy the pads shortly after. (I’ve been through several sets). One thing it doesn’t mention in the manual (and the dealers don’t seem to know either) is that at the back of the ‘air intakes’ (by the front fogs) there are two removable panels that let the air flow directly onto the brakes. Take them out for track use!
Better still, AP racing (who do the brakes for BMW touring cars) are currently working on a set of 6 pots that will apparently not detrimentally affect road performance – I’d invest in these if you want to thrash it on track.
Overall, I have to say - it eats miles up here in the highlands, and I'm well pleased with it. (And it does average 25 mpg!)
Great site guys… keep up the good work
Steve
I would agree that it can be great fun to drive but when I first drove an M3 it was the convertible and I found that the existing note was just to raspy for a convertible.
Stick with the TVR at least it sounds good (especially at lower speeds)
M3 only sounds great when you are gunning it and that only can be done on a track. On the road the speeds just get too much.
Stick with the TVR at least it sounds good (especially at lower speeds)
M3 only sounds great when you are gunning it and that only can be done on a track. On the road the speeds just get too much.
Of course you are right.... usually.
But not in this case.
I have been offered more than it cost on two occasions. It's a good enough car however, for me to turn down both offers.
I do, however, take your point.. It's just the long waiting list and the great reviews that elevated the cost. (Doubtless the price will plummit as soon as they find some more to import!)
>> Edited by getcarter on Sunday 14th April 19:33
But not in this case.
I have been offered more than it cost on two occasions. It's a good enough car however, for me to turn down both offers.
I do, however, take your point.. It's just the long waiting list and the great reviews that elevated the cost. (Doubtless the price will plummit as soon as they find some more to import!)
>> Edited by getcarter on Sunday 14th April 19:33
I would take the M3 over any car called Trevor.It has the greatest streight six of all time,what TVR will do 150000 miles and still perform perfectly.The M3 will also seat 4 in comfort with their luggage,and have all the saftey aids needed to protect them in an accident.A useble supercar!
You're not worried about this then : www.pistonheads.com/trackdays/index.asp?storyId=5790
ian carboy said: I would take the M3 over any car called Trevor.It has the greatest streight six of all time,what TVR will do 150000 miles and still perform perfectly.The M3 will also seat 4 in comfort with their luggage,and have all the saftey aids needed to protect them in an accident.A useble supercar!
Incidentally, is it really necessary to post an inane pro-BMW comment on the bottom of just about everything you read? I wouldn't mind, but you're bloody prolific for one evening!
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=10510&f=70&h=0&p=2
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=57&h=0&t=7031
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=71&h=0&t=19841
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?p=3&f=57&t=6469&h=0
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?p=2&f=57&t=13231&h=0
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?p=21&f=23&t=8401&h=0
ian carboy said: No I am not worried at all!Iam not worried because thats an individual case,how many others have had the problem?
I think you will find the outcome of this incident will effect every single person with a new M3 that wishes to use it to its full capacity. To write it off as a one off incident is downright stupid, how can a 'motorsport' badged vehicle be sold as such and not meet the demands of a motorsport environment? The whole reputation of the M-BMW range is at stake here.
Hmmm I believe there is a website for people who have blown up their M3, it has been that common......let's try a little web search......
ian carboy said: No I am not worried at all!Iam not worried because thats an individual case,how many others have had the problem?
Here we go - look here
Pretty sad reading!
Edited to say I've read more - over 70 documented M3 engine failures so far
>> Edited by craigalsop on Wednesday 13th November 22:04
I think it's because many Americans understand the power of the internet better than many of us Brits.
The fact that you say "Seems odd to me......" proves my point.
In a minor way, there was a similar thing happened here on PH about Tamora niggles.
They are also less likely to accept something that they see to be unjust or unfair.
In UK we tend to accept & then whinge about it later in the pub that our car manufacturer just refused to honour it's warranty. Americans don't have many pubs, so this isn't an option open to them.
There's also the notion of a class action lawsuit
The fact that you say "Seems odd to me......" proves my point.
In a minor way, there was a similar thing happened here on PH about Tamora niggles.
They are also less likely to accept something that they see to be unjust or unfair.
In UK we tend to accept & then whinge about it later in the pub that our car manufacturer just refused to honour it's warranty. Americans don't have many pubs, so this isn't an option open to them.
There's also the notion of a class action lawsuit
ian carboy said: I would take the M3 over any car called Trevor.It has the greatest streight six of all time,what TVR will do 150000 miles and still perform perfectly.The M3 will also seat 4 in comfort with their luggage,and have all the saftey aids needed to protect them in an accident.A useble supercar!
I think you're missing the point...
...or perhaps quite a few points!
I ran a 318is from 60k to 150k over four and a bit years. I had very little trouble with it - I think it let me down once, maybe, and that was nothing terrible. It was nicely run in when I parted with it!!
I am now on a Griff. Started out at 34k, looking forward to passing 100k, currently c65k.
Let's try and summarise:
Beemer: Good, but not perfect, acceptable cost, no intention of smashing it up, carries enough.
TVR:
fcuking incredible, but not perfect, more than acceptable £££ for the experience, no intention of smashing it up, carries enough. A "useable supercar"? No competition.
Funny that, it's down to individual perception.
I agree with TVR boy up to a point.TVR in general are unreliable there is no escaping it, the tecnology is also dated.But as always the British charm wins it all back.The M3 is a tremendous car with no compromises and it does have an incredible engine.It just depends what your perception of a "supercar" is,compromise or no compromise!
I believe they are all members of the BMW Car Club of America. It is a car club for people with BMWs in America. I bet they have a magazine & meetings, where they chat about BMWs. I don't find it odd at all that they would talk about blown up engines if this had happened to them. It is probably more a surprise to them than it would be for TVR owners at a TVR meet to talk about blown engines. (no that would never happen
RWDlover said: It seems odd how all the owners of these blown engines got together on this website.Are they all freinds.
) Well that's not exactly true is it. I gave you the link & you said anyone could put up a website. There are even pictures, audiofiles & VIN numbers FFS!!!
There have been no cases of blown engines in this country or any other,even in Germany the land of de-restriction.Fact is there is no real proof of this.
Yes it could be faked if you had enough time & money, but I'm sure BMW would have got it closed down PDQ if there was that much libellous material on it.
Also, some of the people there are in fact from UK, who obviously heard about the BMWCCA web site.....
The people on it are all BMW enthusiasts who have just become annoyed that their engine blew up in their new M3.
So in summary: yes BMW M3s are good cars, but they have their faults including engine fragility (or at least some of them)
And yes there are cases of them blowing up in UK. If you don't believe me, why don't you email some of the people on the site (see here for an example of a UK M3 engine failure.
P.S. I only spent 20 minutes looking for evidence. It wasn't that hard! (and I'd already had anecdotal evidence from people)
All cars are compromises - it just depends where you want to accept them.....
RWDlover said:The M3 is a tremendous car with no compromises and it does have an incredible engine.It just depends what your perception of a "supercar" is,compromise or no compromise!
Cost?
Size?
Economy?
Performance?
Serviceability?
Space?
Speed?
Handling?
Bespokeness/off-the-shelf, one trim fits all?
I have 2 cars that are better than an M3 in some areas & worse in others (both in different ways).
I made my choice using the compromises that I was prepared to accept....
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