Autocar first drive of the M3

[edb49]

Just read it on autocar.co.uk - they didn't really like it much, did they?

[daveco]

CAR Magazine gave it 4 stars and rough time too, the brakes squealed like pigs apparently!

[PK328]

Looks like E46 values may hold up after all, especially CSLs!

[edb49]

It depends how many enthusiasts are buying the M3, and how many people who just want a fast BMW. The fast BMW crowd sound like they'll be happy, Autocar said extremely comfortable and very quick. Sounds like an AMG?

[Geneve]

The new M3 will be flavour of the month for a while, but it's a highly competitive market and the competition isn't standing still.

BMW seldom get it wrong, and their products have an enviable reputation, but they are rarely the class leaders. The current M5 hasn't exactly set the world on fire.

Developing a top of the range sports saloon/coupe from more humble origins will inevitably mean some compromises.

[Pugsey]

It will suit me as I just want a fast everyday road car. I won't be tracking it - well, maybe just the once to see what it's like at the extreme limits. I have been wondering about looking more closely at Merc. and Audi though. I find that for making quick progress on road nowadays I quite like an auto or semi auto - wish they did one in the RS4 tbo - so maybe the new BM box due in the spring will do the trick.

Edited by Pugsey on Friday 6th July 12:46

[PK328]

Given that expectations have been so high and that the car appears not to have lived up to them then I suspect that the car will struggle to carry its £55k price tag and that there will be a big 'correction' in the used market a la V8 Vantage.

[carl_w]

I recall that Autocar didn't much like the Z4MC either.

Might be better to wait until we have more opinions.

[AsianMpower]

carl_w said:

I recall that Autocar didn't much like the Z4MC either.

Might be better to wait until we have more opinions.

can you blame them? z4mc built in america...how many british roads does america have? or for that fact how many bendy roads?

[carl_w]

AsianMpower said:

can you blame them? z4mc built in america...how many british roads does america have? or for that fact how many bendy roads?

About the same number of British roads as they have in Munich, so your point is...?

[cheburator]

AsianMpower said:

carl_w said:

I recall that Autocar didn't much like the Z4MC either.

Might be better to wait until we have more opinions.

can you blame them? z4mc built in america...how many british roads does america have? or for that fact how many bendy roads?

Next, you will be saying that the E46 M3 is a better driver's car than the Z4M Coupe...

A little birdie tells me that the Z4M Coupe was developed at the Nurburgring and that there it is significantly faster than the E46 M3. That little birdie tells me that the Ring has something like 73 bends too...

[taffyracer]

cheburator said:

AsianMpower said:

carl_w said:

I recall that Autocar didn't much like the Z4MC either.

Might be better to wait until we have more opinions.

can you blame them? z4mc built in america...how many british roads does america have? or for that fact how many bendy roads?

Next, you will be saying that the E46 M3 is a better driver's car than the Z4M Coupe...

A little birdie tells me that the Z4M Coupe was developed at the Nurburgring and that there it is significantly faster than the E46 M3. That little birdie tells me that the Ring has something like 73 bends too...

The Z4MC is far superior to the M3 for driving pleasure IMO, the steering, braking, suspension and weight saving see to that

[cheburator]

taffyracer said:

cheburator said:

AsianMpower said:

carl_w said:

I recall that Autocar didn't much like the Z4MC either.

Might be better to wait until we have more opinions.

can you blame them? z4mc built in america...how many british roads does america have? or for that fact how many bendy roads?

Next, you will be saying that the E46 M3 is a better driver's car than the Z4M Coupe...

A little birdie tells me that the Z4M Coupe was developed at the Nurburgring and that there it is significantly faster than the E46 M3. That little birdie tells me that the Ring has something like 73 bends too...

The Z4MC is far superior to the M3 for driving pleasure IMO, the steering, braking, suspension and weight saving see to that

I am biased, but having owned / driven extensively the following M Power cars - E24, E30 M3, E30 320iS, E36 and E46, I would agree with you completely and go on to say that the Z4M Coupe is the second most focused machine behind the E30 M3 IMHO.

Somehow on this one the accountants have been given the short shift and the engineers let loose... What a car! 7,500 miles and 80+ laps of the Ring in and I am still smiling!

[MrOnTheRopes]

AsianMpower said:

carl_w said:

I recall that Autocar didn't much like the Z4MC either.

Might be better to wait until we have more opinions.

can you blame them? z4mc built in america...how many british roads does america have? or for that fact how many bendy roads?

LOL! Hello? It's BUILT there, not designed there. They build to a specification..

[taffyracer]

AsianMpower said:

carl_w said:

I recall that Autocar didn't much like the Z4MC either.

Might be better to wait until we have more opinions.

can you blame them? z4mc built in america...how many british roads does america have? or for that fact how many bendy roads?

I think it's a simple case of someone wathcing too much top gear rather than any real experience, seem to remember a certain JC saying something similar but with more credibility

[baz1985]

Another M car goes all 'cruisy'.

[costanzo427]

obviously you've never been to america (or this continent) to make such a general comment. There are a whole lot of roads here, and plenty of them are curvy.