BMW M3 farewell diary: Tuesday
M3 goes back to BMW but not before we get to shoot it together with the M4
Not only the last true M3 coupe but also, in all likelihood, the last normally aspirated M car too. That fabulous V8 needs a proper send-off. And over the next week that's what we'll be doing.
So, I've had to give the M3 back. And with a heavy heart too - it's been quite a week. All good stories should end on a cliffhanger though and in the case of this one it's the question of what the M4 has to measure up to.
To complete this send off in suitable style and knowing that BMW UK has both a new M3and M4 in the country (because I'd seen them only the other week) I rang the press office on the off chance we might be able to shoot the E92 beside its F82 successor.
It's always interesting putting cars of succeeding generations together and musing on the differences and similarities. The first thing that hits you is the M4's size; we know cars are getting bigger but the E92 looks like a 1 M Coupe against the M4. This was just a static shoot so unfortunately comparisons will have to remain aesthetic for now but it's clear the M4 carries over the M3's pumped up looks and is significantly more aggressive looking than 'our' M Sport embellished 435i long termer.
The F82 is indeed longer overall than the E92 but only by 26mm - the 50mm wheelbase stretch and 16mm lower roof together with significantly increased width (43mm for the non-M 4 Series over the equivalent 3 Series Coupe) all adding up to a greater difference to the eye. Impressively though for all that extra metal and the added complexity of the twin-turbo engine the M4 is a significant 83kg lighter than the M3, comparing like for like manual coupes. It's a smidge under 1,500kg as a result - the DCT M3 like 'ours' is a porky 1,655kg - and that and the 38 per cent increase in torque should answer those who've complained about the V8 car only really coming alive in the top end of the rev range.
But, boy, when it does... Those fleeting moments when you do get a chance to extend the V8 remain something truly special, perhaps the more so because they are hard won and require a determined effort. The M4's considerable talents are going to be much easier to access but the fact you have to work the M3 is, to me, what makes it special.
Looking back at yesterday's comparison with the C63 it'll be interesting to see whether its turbocharged replacement is closer in character to the M4 or whether the M division has maintained some of that more manic power delivery that's traditionally separated products from M and AMG.
So yes, we're excited about the M4 and M3 saloon. But it's also been a real treat to rediscover the V8 car and savour what makes it so unique. If all this has whetted your appetite we've got a full buying guide coming later in the week but for now I'll sign off with a few more pics from this morning's brief encounter.
Dan
Previous updates:
Tuesday - M3 gets dropped off, Dan gets excited
Wednesday - Sideways fun in the M3 at a skiddy Bedford Autodrome
Thursday - Our M3 versus the bright orange M3 GTS
Friday - M3 owning PHers share the love
Weekend - Comparing the market at M experts Munich Legends
Monday - M3 versus C63 AMG, decisions decisions
The engine is a masterpiece though & its chassis is the best I have experienced in any car I have owned or driven & took by the scruff of the neck the M3 is to be enjoyed but for the rest of the time I didn't feel it offered much more over lesser models if used as a daily driver.
I think if I had used mine as a second car it would have felt a little more special but it soon became very ordinary to drive for me but I still adore the M3 lineage & I cant wait for the next one but the E92 for me will be remembered as the grown up comfort version of the M3.
My bro in law still has his & he loves it to bits & no matter what I say to him makes any difference! I still love seeing them on the road too...I think its me on my own with my views!!
Still cant wait for the next one to launch but I appreciate I must sound like a broken record as Wills has already stated...I apologise for not saying the E92 M3 is the best car in the world.
I sold my E92 M3 after 2 years in search of something more. Having been via a tuned C63 AMG and a Porsche GT3... i have since returned to an E90 M3, as nothing comes closed to it as an all rounder. What else can you drive every day with so much performance, with so few limitations? The only thing it needs in my opinion is an Akrapovic! (Maybe a BBK if you track it).
Sure it does not have much torque low down, but if you are low down in the revs you are not driving it properly! It needs to be revved hard; the DCT box will tell you the same; if you suddenly require more power, just stamp on the gas, and the DCT will leap straight to 5000 rpm, where you will have plenty!
We all like different things & there isn't anything wrong with that imo, I do agree with you regards the DCT because mine was a manual & even though it pains me to say it the V8 is better suited to the DCT gearbox I reckon.
I preferred the power delivery in my V8 4.8 X5 more than I did in my E92 M3...I cant see me being a big fan of Honda`s VTEC engines either but that's not to say there is anything wrong with them i just generally prefer a lively low end rather than having to wait for an epic top end.
I predict the M4 will be technically very good but I think it will be missing that certain something.... I could be wrong, time will tell but I guarantee that the Playstation crowd will be over the moon with it.
Its why I carried out the OEM exhaust modification and bought myself a 175K mile E34 Touring. I drive the touring most days. The M3 could never compete with comfort factor offered by the E34 which is like driving your living room down the motorway. That said, when I do drive the M3 with the M button settings dialled into stiff and responsive I get a real kick out of it. I love it!
If anyone likes the engine note but thinks the exhaust noise is a bit tame then I seriously suggest you check out the OEM modification. It doesn't disappoint! I can't imagine my neighbours feel the same way as its a bit asbo on a cold start cycle but its worth the embarrassment.
I loved the cold cycle even on the standard exhaust I bet it does sound lovely & offensive with the OEM mod!!
Would be interested to get his opinion on living with it as a daily.
I am not a fantastic driver by any means but the most exciting cars I have owned in the past are my old 200sx & Cerbera & they never bothered with traction control just a LSD & I managed to keep them out of a field in over 10 years combined ownership...
The M3 is a different beast nowadays to what it once was I feel & I have experienced that first hand but that certainly isn't to say it cant be an exciting car when it wants to be.
I am not a fantastic driver by any means but the most exciting cars I have owned in the past are my old 200sx & Cerbera & they never bothered with traction control just a LSD & I managed to keep them out of a field in over 10 years combined ownership...
The M3 is a different beast nowadays to what it once was I feel & I have experienced that first hand but that certainly isn't to say it cant be an exciting car when it wants to be.
I drove a C63 AMG a day later and that engine felt far more muscular with a more uniform and useable power band. The M3 also had very poor steering feel. All in all it did not feel like a very special car.
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