Discussion
d_a_n1979 said:
Fantastic cars for those roads 
Honestly, I am gobsmacked at just how good the E90 is. So well balanced, it really feels like such a well sorted car.Brakes got a bit hot but didn't fade. I had some vibration through the steering wheel after some very heavy stops but after letting them cool down that disappeared (even from high speed braking again).
I was tempted to upgrade them but they're fine. When they need replacing I'll upgrade, but not before, seems pointless. Car is utterly brilliant and plenty fast enough
Edited by E90_M3Ross on Monday 22 May 22:03
stickylabels said:
Thanks. Upon reflecting a little more with this M3 and the G82 M4 I had a while ago. I think the "how much power is too much?" is an interesting question, and one I think is a case of "it depends".
There can be times on the motorway when you really want to go for it where having more than 420PS can be very useful. However, I drove on some absolutely cracking Scottish A and B roads today, not once did I ever think "I wish I had more power". In fact, I think the M4 would have been one of two things.....Either you use all of the power and it becomes terrifying. Or you don't use all of the power, probably not be much faster than the E90, and be frustrated because you can't really rev it out.
This trip, and today especially, has made me realise just how utterly magnificent the car is. It is not just about that engine, either. The chassis is brilliantly composed, the steering is very well weighted, and brake pedal has good feel.
Not bad for a reps car
I don't think I have ever had such a good time driving a car as I did today. I did get through 1/2 tank in 100 miles though
Edited by E90_M3Ross on Monday 22 May 22:04
RS Grant said:
E90_M3Ross said:
There can be times on the motorway when you really want to go for it where having more than 420PS can be very useful. However, I drove on some absolutely cracking Scottish A and B roads today, not once did I ever think "I wish I had more power". In fact, I think the M4 would have been one of two things.....Either you use all of the power and it becomes terrifying. Or you don't use all of the power, probably not be much faster than the E90, and be frustrated because you can't really rev it out.
Totally agree. I’d always much rather drive a slower car harder than feel like I’m barely scratching the surface of a faster car and/or be wary of putting my foot down.I spend my (increasingly rare!) occasions going for drives on the exact roads you’ve been travelling on the past day or two. The last time I was in my 8P S3 (~265bhp) with friends in a MK7 GTI PP (~320bhp), F31 335d Touring (~313bhp) and a C7 RS6 (~720bhp).
We weren’t going particularly fast but were having great fun in the hatchbacks, the 335d guy found it a bit floaty but was also enjoying himself and my mate in the RS6 was saying how it is just too big and too powerful for the type of roads we were on to really enjoy himself. Obviously get it on a more open A-road or motorway and there’s very little which will accelerate like that thing, it’s a monster.
cerb4.5lee said:
E90_M3Ross said:
I must say I think the power for these roads is spot on with the M3. Fast enough to be a thrill, but not obscenely so. I have done about 830 miles so far, today will add around 100, not sure about tomorrow, Thursday will be about 250 miles. I think all in I'm looking at 1700-1800 miles for the week. Certainly giving it a "good run"
I'm lucky enough to have some lovely roads right on my doorstep, and I always remember the first time I took the M3 down them, and like you I fell in love with how the car felt going across them. The car just felt so right in that environment with its lovely chassis/ride and the great induction noise for sure. It was mainly on my commute where I fell out with the car though, and the low mpg and the lack of opportunities to stretch its legs just got to me too much in the end to be fair.
Well after a pretty horrendous drive, I'm home! The first 360 miles were nice and clear but just above Stoke-on-Trent the traffic was bad. Stop/start and on/off for over 100 miles. It took approx 2 hours longer to get home than it did to get there.
Overall mileage today was 616 - have never done more in a day before. Car took it all in its stride aside from asking for a 1L top up of oil! I did wonder whether this would happen on the trip as they usually like 1L of oil every 1500-2k miles. Fortunately the "top me up" message appeared 0.5 miles before a planned stop so that worked out well.
Overall holiday mileage was 1972.
Some pics from Thursday when I went over the Applecross Pass, then across to Torridon - the scenery was incredible. I did, however, hit a nasty pothole which caused an almighty crash through the cabin but seemingly no damage done. It'll be going for the new front tyres soon as well as those minor advisories, plus I'm going to get them to give it a thorough health check.
And now it needs a clean
The car was fantastic over the week away and I thoroughly enjoyed using it. It's definitely not as relaxing as my LS460 was, there is significantly more wind noise above 100mph or so, and there is also more tyre noise, but it's perfectly fine for long drives, and when the mood takes you, it is absolutely sublime to chuck around.
Overall mileage today was 616 - have never done more in a day before. Car took it all in its stride aside from asking for a 1L top up of oil! I did wonder whether this would happen on the trip as they usually like 1L of oil every 1500-2k miles. Fortunately the "top me up" message appeared 0.5 miles before a planned stop so that worked out well.
Overall holiday mileage was 1972.
Some pics from Thursday when I went over the Applecross Pass, then across to Torridon - the scenery was incredible. I did, however, hit a nasty pothole which caused an almighty crash through the cabin but seemingly no damage done. It'll be going for the new front tyres soon as well as those minor advisories, plus I'm going to get them to give it a thorough health check.
And now it needs a clean
The car was fantastic over the week away and I thoroughly enjoyed using it. It's definitely not as relaxing as my LS460 was, there is significantly more wind noise above 100mph or so, and there is also more tyre noise, but it's perfectly fine for long drives, and when the mood takes you, it is absolutely sublime to chuck around.
Edited by E90_M3Ross on Saturday 27th May 20:35
BenS94 said:
E90_M3Ross said:
The car was fantastic over the week away and I thoroughly enjoyed using it. It's definitely not as relaxing as my LS460 was, there is significantly more wind noise above 69mph or so, and there is also more tyre noise, but it's perfectly fine for long drives, and when the mood takes you, it is absolutely sublime to chuck around.
FTFY The limiter works.....
BenS94 said:
I'm very envious - I really do love these, and the sound they make, you're rather fortunate!
I know we're talking literal chalk and cheese here, but reading this thread about your trip has me seriously looking forward to my X3. At least it's a 3.0 6 cylinder, anyway. Just need to decide if I'm selling the plate it's coming with, then which plate of mine is going on!
You'd certainly spend far less on fuel I know we're talking literal chalk and cheese here, but reading this thread about your trip has me seriously looking forward to my X3. At least it's a 3.0 6 cylinder, anyway. Just need to decide if I'm selling the plate it's coming with, then which plate of mine is going on!
The noise is reallly amongst the best, it's all about induction! If you're ever my way you're welcome to drive it.
Final trip data from today. Considering the awful traffic, it could have been far worse. Considering I really wasn't hanging around when it was clear, and the awful traffic at times the economy wasn't TOO bad. Despite having close to no traffic on the way up, my economy on the way back was better
Court_S said:
Sounds like a great trip. There are sone bloody savage potholes on the Applecross Pass.
I think these are a great package; having driven my uncle’s old one a bit I never thought it was underpowered and now did he coming from RS cars. They just deliver their power a slightly different way and need revs…..lots of them.
I like the size if the E9x cars which is why I keep buying the damn things.
Funny you mention the size. When I was up there I was thinking about the M4 I was driving a while ago and thought that it may be too wide to properly enjoy. I did some overtakes that were a bit tight (in terms of width of road) and suspect I couldn't have made them in the M4.I think these are a great package; having driven my uncle’s old one a bit I never thought it was underpowered and now did he coming from RS cars. They just deliver their power a slightly different way and need revs…..lots of them.
I like the size if the E9x cars which is why I keep buying the damn things.
But then I've also been thinking "what would I replace this with in a few years" and an F90 M5 appeals more.... But that's even bigger, so I'm not sure!
t. For noise I think I'd rather an E63S, but I gather the M5 is a significantly better steer. It's all irrelevant at the moment anyway, I won't be selling this any time soon!So I actually had the opportunity to drive an Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio today. This was interesting because it was on my "possible next car" list, alongside a current gen M3/4 or M5.
overall I was actually a little underwhelmed, perhaps because of all of the hype.
Firstly, I must say it looks great. The suspension/ride was definitely a bit better than the E90 and, of course, it was faster in a straight line. I liked the fact it had traditional dials/instrument cluster. It was more quiet and refined on the motorway which was nice.
However.....Like most cars these days with electric steering, it had very little feedback, it was no better than the M4 I drove in that regard. The noise was "OK" at full throttle but definitely no S65 (although to be fair, not many engines are!). Under light throttle it was almost non-existent but full throttle it was all exhaust, there was no induction noise at all. I guess this is just a case of because it's turbocharged. The throttle response was also not a patch on mine, and felt a little slower than the M4 too, and there was seemingly more turbo lag than the M4. Once spooled up it was plenty fast enough but I felt the M4 was that bit faster, from memory. Interior was OK but nothing special (same with the E90 to be fair).
Given the choice, despite its looks, I would definitely choose a current M3 or M4 over it, it just felt that bit sharper in my opinion.
Would I have the Alfa over mine as a daily? Yes. Would I consider spending an extra £20k to change? Nope.
It was a good experience but, if anything, it's made me love the little E90 M3 even more.
overall I was actually a little underwhelmed, perhaps because of all of the hype.
Firstly, I must say it looks great. The suspension/ride was definitely a bit better than the E90 and, of course, it was faster in a straight line. I liked the fact it had traditional dials/instrument cluster. It was more quiet and refined on the motorway which was nice.
However.....Like most cars these days with electric steering, it had very little feedback, it was no better than the M4 I drove in that regard. The noise was "OK" at full throttle but definitely no S65 (although to be fair, not many engines are!). Under light throttle it was almost non-existent but full throttle it was all exhaust, there was no induction noise at all. I guess this is just a case of because it's turbocharged. The throttle response was also not a patch on mine, and felt a little slower than the M4 too, and there was seemingly more turbo lag than the M4. Once spooled up it was plenty fast enough but I felt the M4 was that bit faster, from memory. Interior was OK but nothing special (same with the E90 to be fair).
Given the choice, despite its looks, I would definitely choose a current M3 or M4 over it, it just felt that bit sharper in my opinion.
Would I have the Alfa over mine as a daily? Yes. Would I consider spending an extra £20k to change? Nope.
It was a good experience but, if anything, it's made me love the little E90 M3 even more.
bolidemichael said:
A good and unbiased review. At least you scratched that itch...
Is there perhaps something that leaves you wanting more with the M3... perhaps you've made it too perfect too soon and now there's no prospect of interesting titivation?
I have no intention on changing any time soon. There is plenty of titivating and upgrades I could do, but I want to keep it standard for the time being.Is there perhaps something that leaves you wanting more with the M3... perhaps you've made it too perfect too soon and now there's no prospect of interesting titivation?
Court_S said:
Interesting to hear your thoughts on the Quad; I’m a big fan although I’ve never driven one. I think they’re very pretty and have lovely paint finishes which seem to really pop in the sun. I think they’re a bit better looking than the equivalent M3.
Nothing modern will have the same induction noise as your car; they’re all exhaust. My 335i is quite noisy but it’s all exhaust which is fine.
Do you think you’ll ever add anything like a carbon plenum to add to the induction noise? Big money, but they sound epic.
No I doubt I would. They do sound fantastic but I'm more inclined to keep it original. I'd rather spend that on something like having the subframe removed, sandblasted and powder coated, for example, to ensure the longevity of the car. Nothing modern will have the same induction noise as your car; they’re all exhaust. My 335i is quite noisy but it’s all exhaust which is fine.
Do you think you’ll ever add anything like a carbon plenum to add to the induction noise? Big money, but they sound epic.
cerb4.5lee said:
I'd love a go in both the G82 M4 and the Quad Ross, so I've enjoyed your experience share with them both cheers. Induction noise wise the E9x M3 does take some serious beating for sure.
I wasn't able to push the Alfa as hard as I did the M4 but even at moderate speeds I just felt the M4 that bit more fun. I think the engine in the M4 is better too, but it doesn't sound great.Despite its looks I'd consider a G80/G82 M3/M4 next. I haven't driven an F8x series but I gather the current gen is a significant step forwards. I'd like the F8x looks with the current Gen's everything else!
d_a_n1979 said:
I'd do everywhere for peace of mind! Have Bilt Hamber / Lanoguard at the ready 
I've enquired about the cost for having the rear subframe dropped, all rust removed, powder coated etc and replace subframe bushes etc..... So it may be worth doing it all at once. RE the subframe it isn't desperate so will see what the quote is. Any idea what I should roughly expect?!?! Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff