Discussion
Guys, have been sent an invitation by BMW for an 'extended test drive' of the new M3 with DCT gearbox- tempted to take it up just to see how the new car drives and wondered how long you actually get with the car? i.e. is it an hour or something with the car complete with Salesman giving it the hard sell, or a full day, allowing me to really try the car etc? If the former, not sure I can be bothered.
You would need far more than an hour to try out and understand all the modes.
However, I think even an hour would be enough to find the gearbox impressive - you just need a few minutes of ordinary suburban driving in the default D2 mode to discover that it can work like a good auto, a few miles on a twisty to use it manually in S2, and then a little bit of pushing harder to see how it can combine smoothness, speed of change and finger tip control (I use S3).
Friends of mine, very sceptical because not keen on the SMG in CSL/M/M6, have all been most impressed.
It's worth trying - the way high performance car transmissions are going.
BTW I would be surprised if your salesman knew much about it - mine certainly didn't! You might want to read the manual.
However, I think even an hour would be enough to find the gearbox impressive - you just need a few minutes of ordinary suburban driving in the default D2 mode to discover that it can work like a good auto, a few miles on a twisty to use it manually in S2, and then a little bit of pushing harder to see how it can combine smoothness, speed of change and finger tip control (I use S3).
Friends of mine, very sceptical because not keen on the SMG in CSL/M/M6, have all been most impressed.
It's worth trying - the way high performance car transmissions are going.
BTW I would be surprised if your salesman knew much about it - mine certainly didn't! You might want to read the manual.
OK, thanks for the comments on the Gearbox- i'm sure it'll be a nice system.
Edited to add that I've just spoken to the dealer and for anyone else who may be interested in taking this offer up, they will lend the car all day- but not overnight. I'll be doing a back-to-back test of the Manual car tomorrow (as a courtesy car for my E46 having an oil service), then the DCT on Wednesday...
Edited to add that I've just spoken to the dealer and for anyone else who may be interested in taking this offer up, they will lend the car all day- but not overnight. I'll be doing a back-to-back test of the Manual car tomorrow (as a courtesy car for my E46 having an oil service), then the DCT on Wednesday...
Edited by nutcase on Monday 1st September 12:13
ju6121 said:
how did you go about getting a new model as a courtesy car?
Initially I just booked my car in with the Service department and organised a standard courtesy car, but then remembered one of the salesmen left a message when I was on holiday asking whether I was in the market for a new car. They agreed to lend me an M3 manual tomorrow whilst my car is being serviced, and then separately to that I was invited to try the M3 with DCT gearbox- so I'm doing that on Wednesday this week (i.e. back to back).The M3 DCT isn't as a courtesy car, the Manual one is.
I look forward to hearing what you think after Wednesday.
Much has been written about the comparison with the E46. I find the new car more refined when driven in a relaxed style (more torque helps, as does EDC) and fiercer at the top end - better all round. With the DCT gearbox, the only downside is that perhaps it makes everything too smooth and easy.
Much has been written about the comparison with the E46. I find the new car more refined when driven in a relaxed style (more torque helps, as does EDC) and fiercer at the top end - better all round. With the DCT gearbox, the only downside is that perhaps it makes everything too smooth and easy.
Unfortunately had to postpone the DCT test, but thought i'd post some thoughts on the Manual E92 in the meantime:
Drove the E92 M3 manual yesterday- an Alpine White car with black mirrors. In my opinion, the shape isn't as muscular as it should be and it doesn't look a million miles away from some of the 335's with big alloys i've seen on the road. Obviously the bonnet bulge is pretty full-on, but actually hinders visibility of the nearside front bumper from the drivers seat.
Interior is a big step up from my E46 M3 in terms of finish, feel etc- and actually feels like a more 'grown up' car altogether. Absolutely no squeaks or rattles when driving over pot holes, uneven surfaces etc which I was pretty impressed with, less cabin noise than mine too- and also very little bumping/crashing even with the massives alloys and cup tyres (with suspension on normal).
It's wierd sitting in a 3 series and having a V8 soundtrack (I did used to have a 540-engined E36 3 series which some PH'ers know well, but that was v.v.different!), and it makes a fantastic noise, but in my opinion it's too quiet- I want to really hear more of the engine and exhaust note. Much more torquey than the E46, but that's to be expected really- and the great thing is it revs just as high as the 3.2 straight six, so it's not game over at 6500rpm like some V8's. I would say that the steering is nice and direct, but to me the feel is slightly more 'artificial' than my car- has anyone else noticed this at all?
Hadn't used idrive before and I was impressed- very easy to use, and the M button on the steering wheel is a great idea. Basically, by setting up the power and damper settings via the idrive system, when you fancy a hoon, you just hit the M button and the car goes into your preset mode. Much better idea than messing around with several individual buttons and ending up in a ditch...
I don't know what it is with BMW's manual gearbox guys- but there is still noticeable driveline shunt and the actual throw on the lever isn't without resistance, my E46 isn't very nice to use, and I've driven quite a few with exactly the same problem. Don't get me wrong- it's not terrible, but compared to the other engineering aspects of the car, it's not great. I've postponed my testdrive with the M3 DCT for another day due to meetings, but I think it should be a step forwards in comparison to the manual I tried yesterday, and the SMG II gearbox on the E46 before.
Pace-wise, I was impressed. Sort of. It is a 'brisk' car, and it should be with nigh-on 420 BHP- but perhaps because it is very linear, there are no distinct step-ups in acceleration through the rev-range and so therefore in my mind falls short of the 'quick' category. I suspect that the E60 M5 would be firmly in the latter. The E92 is definitely faster than my E46, but it hasn't moved the game on by the margin I expected. At a Vmax last year, I pretty much matched an E92 through the gears and was only 1mph slower through the speed traps (160 vs 161), I suppose the engine could have still needed a few more miles under it's belt before producing it's best??
The beauty about the M3 is that it can do whatever you throw at it- munching motorway miles 4-up, weekends away, early morning hooning, wet roundabouts ;0). I'm on the look out for a more focused car and have narrowed it down to either 997 GT3 or F430, but to be honest will probably stick with the E46 for a while longer as my all-rounder.
I'll post some comments on the DCT once I've tried it.
Drove the E92 M3 manual yesterday- an Alpine White car with black mirrors. In my opinion, the shape isn't as muscular as it should be and it doesn't look a million miles away from some of the 335's with big alloys i've seen on the road. Obviously the bonnet bulge is pretty full-on, but actually hinders visibility of the nearside front bumper from the drivers seat.
Interior is a big step up from my E46 M3 in terms of finish, feel etc- and actually feels like a more 'grown up' car altogether. Absolutely no squeaks or rattles when driving over pot holes, uneven surfaces etc which I was pretty impressed with, less cabin noise than mine too- and also very little bumping/crashing even with the massives alloys and cup tyres (with suspension on normal).
It's wierd sitting in a 3 series and having a V8 soundtrack (I did used to have a 540-engined E36 3 series which some PH'ers know well, but that was v.v.different!), and it makes a fantastic noise, but in my opinion it's too quiet- I want to really hear more of the engine and exhaust note. Much more torquey than the E46, but that's to be expected really- and the great thing is it revs just as high as the 3.2 straight six, so it's not game over at 6500rpm like some V8's. I would say that the steering is nice and direct, but to me the feel is slightly more 'artificial' than my car- has anyone else noticed this at all?
Hadn't used idrive before and I was impressed- very easy to use, and the M button on the steering wheel is a great idea. Basically, by setting up the power and damper settings via the idrive system, when you fancy a hoon, you just hit the M button and the car goes into your preset mode. Much better idea than messing around with several individual buttons and ending up in a ditch...
I don't know what it is with BMW's manual gearbox guys- but there is still noticeable driveline shunt and the actual throw on the lever isn't without resistance, my E46 isn't very nice to use, and I've driven quite a few with exactly the same problem. Don't get me wrong- it's not terrible, but compared to the other engineering aspects of the car, it's not great. I've postponed my testdrive with the M3 DCT for another day due to meetings, but I think it should be a step forwards in comparison to the manual I tried yesterday, and the SMG II gearbox on the E46 before.
Pace-wise, I was impressed. Sort of. It is a 'brisk' car, and it should be with nigh-on 420 BHP- but perhaps because it is very linear, there are no distinct step-ups in acceleration through the rev-range and so therefore in my mind falls short of the 'quick' category. I suspect that the E60 M5 would be firmly in the latter. The E92 is definitely faster than my E46, but it hasn't moved the game on by the margin I expected. At a Vmax last year, I pretty much matched an E92 through the gears and was only 1mph slower through the speed traps (160 vs 161), I suppose the engine could have still needed a few more miles under it's belt before producing it's best??
The beauty about the M3 is that it can do whatever you throw at it- munching motorway miles 4-up, weekends away, early morning hooning, wet roundabouts ;0). I'm on the look out for a more focused car and have narrowed it down to either 997 GT3 or F430, but to be honest will probably stick with the E46 for a while longer as my all-rounder.
I'll post some comments on the DCT once I've tried it.
Edited by nutcase on Wednesday 3rd September 09:35
nutcase said:
Pace-wise, I was impressed. Sort of. It is a 'brisk' car, and it should be with nigh-on 420 BHP- but perhaps because it is very linear, there are no distinct step-ups in acceleration through the rev-range and so therefore in my mind falls short of the 'quick' category. I suspect that the E60 M5 would be firmly in the latter. The E92 is definitely faster than my E46, but it hasn't moved the game on by the margin I expected. At a Vmax last year, I pretty much matched an E92 through the gears and was only 1mph slower through the speed traps (160 vs 161), I suppose the engine could have still needed a few more miles under it's belt before producing it's best??
The beauty about the M3 is that it can do whatever you throw at it- munching motorway miles 4-up, weekends away, early morning hooning, wet roundabouts ;0). I'm on the look out for a more focused car and have narrowed it down to either 997 GT3 or F430, but to be honest will probably stick with the E46 for a while longer as my all-rounder.
Thanks for your comments - I pretty much agree with it all. So far as the pace goes, I think it is pretty quick if you use the top end of the rev range - but because it is quite swift and very pleasant when driven in the lower end of the range you tend not to do this very much. Of course the GT3 will be more focused - but I think the E92 is quicker than a base 911 (have not driven the new version) and probably a good match for the S.The beauty about the M3 is that it can do whatever you throw at it- munching motorway miles 4-up, weekends away, early morning hooning, wet roundabouts ;0). I'm on the look out for a more focused car and have narrowed it down to either 997 GT3 or F430, but to be honest will probably stick with the E46 for a while longer as my all-rounder.
Look forward to hearing what you think of the DCT box in due course.
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