just drove the e 92 m3
Discussion
i have been out in an e92 m3 today. my local dealer let me have a spin in one and give it some thrash. i currently own an e46 m3 smg and have previously had an e36 m3 evo,any one who says the new m3 is not as driver focused or as fun is talking ****. i have read all the reviews and while i agree that it doesnt look as nice as an e46 it goes like an absolute rocket. i actually think it is too fast for british roads(something that i think the e46 is pushing the limit of) to get the engine in the sweet spot you have to be doing rdiculous speeds which was fun but i think i would lose my license in a week if i had one. it doesnt sound as good in my opinion low down ie the raspy sound of the e46 but once you get going it roars beautifully.the car feels a fair bit bigger than the e46 but it still feels as balanced round the bends. i am not in a position to buy one just yet but i have a new goal in life!!
i wonder how long it will take before they are 30k or less. either that or a lottery win/bank job.
all these journos who say they felt somewhat let down with the e92 should come and look at the ridiculous smile on my face as i dont think it will be going for a while
i wonder how long it will take before they are 30k or less. either that or a lottery win/bank job.
all these journos who say they felt somewhat let down with the e92 should come and look at the ridiculous smile on my face as i dont think it will be going for a while
That's the problem these days with taking too much notice of road tester verdicts.... In isolation (which is how most of us experience our cars), most cars feel fantastic. We drive in real 'normal' conditions, not on extended 'Welsh trips' or handling circuits - we also don't have the privilege of direct comparison with rivals.....
IMVHO..... I still think the new car is too big, and at the risk of contradicting my previous remarks, this months 'M' power test in EVO actually puts the small, light and underpowered E30 above all else - Which just goes to show, power isn't everything. We need to put the 'fun' back into driving. Unfortunately most manufacturers seem to think the only way to do this, is to go faster, whereas I think the majority would have a better time in smaller, slower, lighter cars....! Also IMHO, the new M3 is virtually the old M5 - it needs to be smaller!
IMVHO..... I still think the new car is too big, and at the risk of contradicting my previous remarks, this months 'M' power test in EVO actually puts the small, light and underpowered E30 above all else - Which just goes to show, power isn't everything. We need to put the 'fun' back into driving. Unfortunately most manufacturers seem to think the only way to do this, is to go faster, whereas I think the majority would have a better time in smaller, slower, lighter cars....! Also IMHO, the new M3 is virtually the old M5 - it needs to be smaller!
DoctorD said:
mbutchers said:
Also IMHO, the new M3 is virtually the old M5 - it needs to be smaller!
I realise people keep drawing this comparison, but they really feel nothing like eachother. The E39 M5 feels bigger, feels heavier (which it is) and the engine's behave and sound very differently.Out of interest, how does it compare to the CSL?
When I first drove the E92 M3 at the launch event in Spain I thought it compared favourably to the CSL in terms of the way it sounded and how quickly it accelerated. However the UK press car that I drove a few weeks ago was muted by comparison and much smoother and less explosive to drive. It is still slightly quicker than the CSL at higher speeds, but they feel similarly quick on the road.
Ultimately the E92 M3 carries its weight very well and does not feel heavier than the E46 M3, but when you're throwing it about on a narrow twisty welsh mountain road it cannot stay with something so fleet of foot as a CSL. I would still argue that the E92 M3 feels like an M3 (an evolution on from the E46) although it has a more rounded personality.
Ultimately the E92 M3 carries its weight very well and does not feel heavier than the E46 M3, but when you're throwing it about on a narrow twisty welsh mountain road it cannot stay with something so fleet of foot as a CSL. I would still argue that the E92 M3 feels like an M3 (an evolution on from the E46) although it has a more rounded personality.
Edited by DoctorD on Monday 17th September 12:22
I had a drive in the new M3 last week and was very impressed with the V8 (I used to have a TVR so have a soft spot for V8 power!).
It drove as expected, quick, sure-footed, balanced, etc but I did come away from it thinking something is missing.
I can't quite put my finger on it (apart from the fact they appear to have only changed the steering wheel and the idrive controller inside the car) but I do suspect that it has a lot to do with the fact that comparing it to the 335D it does not deliver that much extra for the additional £20K.
And before I get shot to pieces I do mean for me, I do not do track days (although I would dearly like to drive one round a track) and I fear for me so much of its potential would remain untapped doing the motorway runs to work (and yes I would like an auto) and the weekend taxi runs for the kids (I just do not ssem to find the time to get out for a fun drive these days!).
I have decided to keep my order in and hopefully get one of the first DCT versions next year.
Please dont take anything I have said as an attack on the M3, it is an impressive car, just not quite right for me just now.
It drove as expected, quick, sure-footed, balanced, etc but I did come away from it thinking something is missing.
I can't quite put my finger on it (apart from the fact they appear to have only changed the steering wheel and the idrive controller inside the car) but I do suspect that it has a lot to do with the fact that comparing it to the 335D it does not deliver that much extra for the additional £20K.
And before I get shot to pieces I do mean for me, I do not do track days (although I would dearly like to drive one round a track) and I fear for me so much of its potential would remain untapped doing the motorway runs to work (and yes I would like an auto) and the weekend taxi runs for the kids (I just do not ssem to find the time to get out for a fun drive these days!).
I have decided to keep my order in and hopefully get one of the first DCT versions next year.
Please dont take anything I have said as an attack on the M3, it is an impressive car, just not quite right for me just now.
ive never been there either but would love to go one day, the only things that stop me are the cost for new tyres,pads, discs etc on top of the cost of the journey itself. also theres the risk of crashing it or worse some clown smashing into me.
id be interested to know what it costs someone in an e46 m3 and what they have to replace after a few hard laps when they get back.
id be interested to know what it costs someone in an e46 m3 and what they have to replace after a few hard laps when they get back.
m3dan said:
ive never been there either but would love to go one day, the only things that stop me are the cost for new tyres,pads, discs etc on top of the cost of the journey itself. also theres the risk of crashing it or worse some clown smashing into me.
id be interested to know what it costs someone in an e46 m3 and what they have to replace after a few hard laps when they get back.
I've been twice before but only to watch the 24hr race not drive the track. I won't be able to help you on the cost as they are all BMW's cars that will be taking the punishment!id be interested to know what it costs someone in an e46 m3 and what they have to replace after a few hard laps when they get back.
The nice chaps are BMW are flying me out, putting me up for the night & feeding me, letting me thrash around, no sorry drive the cars for the day & fly me back. Jolly nice too!
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