E60 M5 to E90 M3?

[joscal]

I put this on an earlier post but thought I'd better start a new post rather than jump into someone else's.

Has anyone gone from E60 M5 to E90 M3? I'm seriously considering the move and have a test drive in the M3 arranged for Thursday.

Has anyone driven or owned both who could comment? I have never even sat in the new M3 so have no idea what they are like.

My reasons are: I really like the idea of having a manual car again and the V8 sounds amazing. I would also imagine the M3 is more nimble on twisty bits.

Thanks.

[Makem]

I have driven both and whilst the v10 is epic I wasn't a fan of the smg on the car for tootling round town. The E90 in the manual is a better all rounder I think. Can drive lazily a lot more easier but obviously the power is there. The m3 is not as nimble as you think. It's a decent size car and had more of a muscle car feel then the previous m3's I thought. You will always miss the v10 at full chatt unfortunately.

[ecain63]

Ive driven the E90 M3 and honestly its not for me. As much as its smoother and more practical it just isnt quick enough of involving enough. Once youve got used to the V10 in the E60/61 and learnt the best way to drive it its difficult to find a replacment. Ive now driven 3 E9x M3s, 3 C63 AMGs and an E63 AMG. Neither i feel are as involving as the M5. I love the M5's gearbox (paddle mode), it feels like you are actually part of the car. The M3 feels lacking in pace too. Its grunty down low but the M5 has that rocket ship feel up high that you dont get in the V8.

See how you feel after a good drive.

Eddie

[Contigo]

ecain63 said:

Ive driven the E90 M3 and honestly its not for me. As much as its smoother and more practical it just isnt quick enough of involving enough. Once youve got used to the V10 in the E60/61 and learnt the best way to drive it its difficult to find a replacment. Ive now driven 3 E9x M3s, 3 C63 AMGs and an E63 AMG. Neither i feel are as involving as the M5. I love the M5's gearbox (paddle mode), it feels like you are actually part of the car. The M3 feels lacking in pace too. Its grunty down low but the M5 has that rocket ship feel up high that you dont get in the V8.

See how you feel after a good drive.

Eddie

The only issue for me on the SMG is the downchange and how erratic it makes the car when pushing on and into corners. It unbalances the car for me. I am driving it in flappy mode all the time now but the missus cannot get used to it so uses the D mode and gearbox setting 3/5 (third step up) as we found this has the quickest gearchange and is more similar to an automatic but for me it still hangs on to the revs for too long between changes.

Great motor but I think they could have done so much more with the SMG and it's modes.

[ecain63]

Stick to gear speed 5 mate and you wont go wrong. The paddles dont take long to get used to.

Eddie

[Contigo]

Yes gear speed 5 is fine for flappy paddles but the only way to drive this as an auto is to use D mode and gear speed 3. In D mode speed 5 it hangs onto the revs and wants to be driven really hard to force a gear change.

[ecain63]

So......... dont drive it in auto. D mode is a waste of time in this car. Sure there are a few who seem to get on ok with it but you have to remember this is actually a manual transmission and benefits from being used as a manual.

Eddie

[Contigo]

I am fine with that Eddie honestly, it's just for the missus who really is not getting on well with this and I've explained to her it's a learning curve. I love it in flappy paddle mode, it's brilliant.

[ecain63]

The trouble with women and things like this is, when they decide they dont like it they refuse to accept that if they practiced it for a few days they might actually like it. My missus doesnt drive mine at all these days.

[Contigo]

hahaha so true.

[Somesayhis]

ecain63 said:

My missus doesnt drive mine at all these days.

Bonus! No curb rash for you then!

[dace]

The E90 does take a long while to get used depending on what you have been used to. I have had mine 5 months and am only just feeling comfortable with the car!

Coming from a twin turbo with more power and AWD, the transition is more difficult. They are very rewarding however, even if they do love to devour rear tyres and petrol!

Edited by dace on Monday 19th March 06:21

[ecain63]

dace said:

The E90 does take a long while to get used depending on what you have been used to. I have had mine 5 months and am only just feeling comfortable with the car!

Coming from a twin turbo with more power and AWD, the transition is more difficult. They are very rewarding however, even if they do love to devour rear tyres and petrol!

Edited by dace on Monday 19th March 06:21

I felt the same coming from the RS6 to the M5, took me s good few months to fall in love with its ways.

[jamiesecker]

I went from a E60 M5 to a E 92 M3 and in my opinion as much as the M 5 was blistering I prefere to have gone back to a manual gear change! I find the M3 more fun on the twisters and feel I can be more adventurous on rounder bouts with out the worry of damaging my clutch!
is only my opinion but do not think you would be disappointed !