E92 M3 roadtests

[edb49]

Got the new Evo through the post yesterday. It has a panel saying that next month they'll have the road test of the new M3. When's the earliest we'll start to see road tests on the net, perhaps two weeks time or so?

[StuB]

There's an E92 in the UK at Bracknell I believe for press work, which has been in the country for a few weeks.

[DoctorD]

edb49 said:

Got the new Evo through the post yesterday. It has a panel saying that next month they'll have the road test of the new M3. When's the earliest we'll start to see road tests on the net, perhaps two weeks time or so?

We are heading off to do that test in less than a week, but you will have to wait until the 25th for the published article. I will be collecting as much factual information as I can from the press launch, so happy to share more details once published. Also will see if we can capture some accurate clips of how it sounds in the real world.

[edb49]

Do we have to wait until 25th due to a BMW embargo, or publishing dates?

[DoctorD]

Publishing dates. It would be pretty daft to post findings on the interweb before the mag was actually published. Some of the weeklies will be able to publish their views a week or so earlier. I would reckon therefore the earliest you will see a review in print media will be around 2nd week in July onwards.

Edited by DoctorD on Monday 25th June 22:24

[Pugsey]

DoctorD said:

Publishing dates. It would be pretty daft to post findings on the interweb before the mag was actually published. Some of the weeklies will be able to publish their views a week or so earlier. I would reckon therefore the earliest you will see a review in print media will be around 2nd week in July onwards.

Edited by DoctorD on Monday 25th June 22:24

Is that the forthcoming EVO test you're refering to and if so what's you connection with the mag? (Apologies, I'm a nosey sod).

[PK328]

DoctorD said:

Publishing dates. It would be pretty daft to post findings on the interweb before the mag was actually published. Some of the weeklies will be able to publish their views a week or so earlier. I would reckon therefore the earliest you will see a review in print media will be around 2nd week in July onwards.

Edited by DoctorD on Monday 25th June 22:24

Will Evo be taking any other cars along for comparison eg RS4, 335i M Sport?

[DoctorD]

Pugsey said:

Is that the forthcoming EVO test you're refering to and if so what's you connection with the mag? (Apologies, I'm a nosey sod).

Dear Nosey Sod, yes the EVO test. I contribute every now and then and get invited to join some of the tests.

I'm sworn to the official secrets act (something about balls will be placed in crusher...), so cannot tell you what we have planned but rest assured it will be a fascinating article to read and more than just your usual 'car was launched' diatribe.

[Pugsey]

DoctorD said:

Pugsey said:

Is that the forthcoming EVO test you're refering to and if so what's you connection with the mag? (Apologies, I'm a nosey sod).

Dear Nosey Sod, yes the EVO test. I contribute every now and then and get invited to join some of the tests.

I'm sworn to the official secrets act (something about balls will be placed in crusher...), so cannot tell you what we have planned but rest assured it will be a fascinating article to read and more than just your usual 'car was launched' diatribe.

That's cool (although I already have a good idea!). Having contributed fairly regularly (in a small way) to the mag. for the last six or seven years I didn't recognise the name on your profile - hence my being nosey! Enjoy the car - I think you'll like it!

Edited by Pugsey on Tuesday 26th June 14:00

[oola]

DoctorD said:

Pugsey said:

Is that the forthcoming EVO test you're refering to and if so what's you connection with the mag? (Apologies, I'm a nosey sod).

Dear Nosey Sod, yes the EVO test. I contribute every now and then and get invited to join some of the tests.

I'm sworn to the official secrets act (something about balls will be placed in crusher...), so cannot tell you what we have planned but rest assured it will be a fascinating article to read and more than just your usual 'car was launched' diatribe.

I've just been on holiday with Jethro's cousin, Ben, and he wouldn't tell me anything about anything ....... mainly because he doesn't know anything (Ben that is, not Jethro!)

[DoctorD]

oola said:

I've just been on holiday with Jethro's cousin, Ben, and he wouldn't tell me anything about anything ....... mainly because he doesn't know anything (Ben that is, not Jethro!)

Ignorance is no excuse..

[DoctorD]

Pugsey said:

That's cool (although I already have a good idea!). Having contributed fairly regularly (in a small way) to the mag. for the last six or seven years I didn't recognise the name on your profile - hence my being nosey! Enjoy the car - I think you'll like it!

A newbie eh? I've been kicking tyres with EVO (and PC before that) for over 15 years now. I guess I should have learned by now...

[Pugsey]

DoctorD said:

Pugsey said:

That's cool (although I already have a good idea!). Having contributed fairly regularly (in a small way) to the mag. for the last six or seven years I didn't recognise the name on your profile - hence my being nosey! Enjoy the car - I think you'll like it!

A newbie eh? I've been kicking tyres with EVO (and PC before that) for over 15 years now. I guess I should have learned by now...

Blimey - you are an old codger then. Those PCs were in b&w weren't they? Careful how you go in the M3 - IMO really suprising different to the old car, even taking in to account the new lump.

[edb49]

Pugsey said:

Careful how you go in the M3 - IMO really suprising different to the old car, even taking in to account the new lump.

Pugsey, does that mean you've had a drive in the new M3? Is it as good as a £55k car should be?

[DoctorD]

Pugsey said:

Blimey - you are an old codger then. Those PCs were in b&w weren't they? Careful how you go in the M3 - IMO really suprising different to the old car, even taking in to account the new lump.

I started driving when still in short trousers. Honest.

Sounds like it will be an interesting test, especially if there are noticeable differences from the E46.

Did I mention I was driving down? (i.e. 1500 miles) That's my excuse for when my feet are so numb that I cannot tell the difference betwen heel-and-toe and foot-in-mouth..

[m12_nathan]

Are you by any chance driving down in one of your s54 engined cars for a comparison?

[Pugsey]

edb49 said:

Pugsey said:

Careful how you go in the M3 - IMO really suprising different to the old car, even taking in to account the new lump.

Pugsey, does that mean you've had a drive in the new M3? Is it as good as a £55k car should be?

Yes I have mate - although more than a blat round the block it wasn't a full test so I'm loathed to say too much. However I thought it felt a more 'special' car than the outgoing model. More clearly defined from the rest of the range than the E46 was IMO. More as if the standard M3 has been missed out and BMW have gone straight to a CSL. And boy it's got grunt - where, to me, the old model feels a bit 'thin' the new one has depth to it's power delivery. It's much more than an evolution of the old model IMO. On the basis of an initial drive I'd choose it over the base 997 and unless the unique 911 feel is important then maybe even over the S version too. I guess that does make it worth £55k. Certainly I've double checked and made bxxxdy sure that I'm still No.1 on my dealers list! I'm just praying that they've remembered to give it brakes this time round - they seemed pretty good but time will tell.

I'm sure the weeklies will get there first but in all honestly their first drives always seem to read like advertising pap so I'll be waiting for EVO with my fingers crossed! Lucky DoctorD!

Edited by Pugsey on Tuesday 26th June 21:30

[edb49]

Pugsey, what work do you do, and how do I get into it? I'm in turmoil about whether to get a manual then trade her in for a DCT, but I think you've helped me make up my mind..

[DoctorD]

m12_nathan said:

Are you by any chance driving down in one of your s54 engined cars for a comparison?

Nope.

[Pugsey]

edb49 said:

Pugsey, what work do you do, and how do I get into it? I'm in turmoil about whether to get a manual then trade her in for a DCT, but I think you've helped me make up my mind..

PLEASE bare in mind that those were just one persons, personal, views based on a good drive but not a full road test. Not long to wait for EVO's full test before making up you mind. I think you're right in your thinking though. If I fall for my early car then I'm sure I'll be able to sell it at six months old and change to a trick gearbox model for very little, if any, loss. Only works with very early cars though before too many other used ones start appearing.

Work? Too boring to tell you about frankly. Running my cars in the Longterm sections of mags like EVO and Purely Porsche has helped life tick along though.

Good luck whatever you choose - not a bad decision to have to make is it?

Edited by Pugsey on Wednesday 27th June 09:28