E92 M3...disappointed.

[alkemyst]

Test drove one of these. It would push my car budget out to the max I'd think about spending on a car, but I figured with all the talk about them....maybe it would be worth it.

Anyway, the car is nice...just gutless. Reminds me of my 92 Acura GSR. I'd hit 60 and the quarter mile surprisingly quicker than the car felt.

Maybe on a road course or if I was constantly at high rpm the car would be better.

Anyone else drive one of these yet?

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I have, and I completely agree. It's not just the m3 either, it's the entire e90 platform..


I feel like BMW went from "we're going to make a fantastic sporty road car" to "we're going to make a car that fits what 95% of our customers do"

Hard to explain, but IMO the 3 series feels the worst. The 7 is still fantastic, the 5 is a bit bloated but still fantastic, 3 series is overweight and handles like a bigger car (IE it's fast but doesn't feel fast. It handles well but doesn't pass much feedback to the driver)

I guess, to me the 3 and 5 series overlap too much. The 1 series is too small.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Got to keep these mills at 4k and above for max lulz.

 

[alkemyst]

I want to drive an M6 too

 

[KIAman]

Did you actually drive the car rather than just accelerate? The value of the M3 comes in the complete package., not just engine torque. The E9X M3 has actually pretty low torque for being a V8 so you won't feel a punch while accelerating rather a rubber banding feel where you feel more force while accelerating.

Performance - High revving V8 where peak power is generated at high RPM, right where the engine sounds the best.

Handling - Great steering feel, great cornering ability, relatively smooth ride for normal driving.

Daily driver - The M3 is a race car when you want and a normal car when you want. You won't get as tired driving an M3 for 8 hours like driving a ZR1 would. It also has internal comforts and room.

I've got more "complete package" reasons but short on time.

 

[DivideBYZero]

I want to drive an M6 too

It's power delivery will be very similar. Again, you need to keep the revs up.

 

[KDKPSJ]

Well, E9x M3 is all about high-rev. If you want it to pull you from low, I am sure 335, which has higher torque from lower RPM to redline, would do better. Just it doesn't have M3's screaming and power at high-rev.

On the other hand, if you don't high-rev it, you are missing the point of M3 over 335.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

In general I find the E90/92 M3 less appealing than, say, the E46, but I don't agree with SpatiallyAware's condemnation of the whole E90 platform. I have an E46 M3 and an E90 330i Sport, and in some ways I actually prefer the handling of my E90. The turn-in is incredibly quick and the handling feels great from parking-lot speeds to racetrack speeds (and I have driven it 120+ MPH through sweeping racetrack bends). The steering might be a little artificially heavy, but part of me likes that better than the slightly overboosted steering of my M3. They're both awesome cars but it's amazing to me how much the E90 has to offer as an overall package.

 

[alkemyst]

The handling stuff is easy to fix if not there.

The M3 drives great, but light to light is what I find fun. If I was road racing maybe it'd be better.

It does not feel like a sportscar until you push it into a corner.

 

[DivideBYZero]

The handling stuff is easy to fix if not there.

The M3 drives great, but light to light is what I find fun. If I was road racing maybe it'd be better.

It does not feel like a sportscar until you push it into a corner.

Although you don't approve of it, they respond to being driven hard, rather than just pressing Go! and hoping for the best. Rev higher before letting the clutch fly, be more agressive when shifting and the car will come alive. For Dual clutch systems set up the car into the most aggressive mode and try again.

 

[alkemyst]

It a pain in the ass and obnoxious though to rev the fuck out of a car in town. I don't have a problem being in high RPM's, it's just not how I want to drive a car around town.

The M6 is off the list...insurance is double the other cars I have been looking at.

 

[PricklyPete]

I have only driven the E92 M3 on a track and I loved every minute of it. But just like my E46 M3, you need to run 4-5Kish before it really hums. I personally like this, but with all the low torque V8's and turbo engines these days, it might feel slow to some going traffic light to traffic light. Do you honestly try to beat people at a traffic light?

What is fun about an M3 is driving it in the mtns on terrific roads or on a track. If you're trying to race teenagers at a light...not the right car for you..get a SRT8.

 

[KIAman]

But, I do agree that if it comes down to the absolute $$$ for the performance and considering the price of the M3 is right at the top of your scale, I would also be dissapointed with it's performance.

If I could truly afford it, I would get an M3 in a heartbeat.

For you, get a Mustang GT. The gearing on that car makes it feel like its got a lot more low end torque than what it actually has. Save $30k in the process so you feel like you got your money's worth.

 

[alkemyst]

If I wanted a track car I'd get a track car.

You guys old men or something? Only teenagers mess around at a red light?

Lolz, I picture those grey poupon ads.

 

[PricklyPete]

If I wanted a track car I'd get a track car.

You guys old men or something? Only teenagers mess around at a red light?

Lolz, I picture those grey poupon ads.

No, I'm 32 and live in South Florida just like you do. The roads around here are a mess of traffic with horrible drivers and pedestrians everywhere. Stop light racing just seems irresponsible to me. A track car can be just as fun in the mtns and secluded B-Roads where the pedestrian and traffic threats are greatly reduced. I am counting the days until I get to move from South Florida....it sucks to drive down here.

 

[alkemyst]

Messing around at a red light <> street racing

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Try a C63, whole different animal

 

[MagickMan]

It's power delivery will be very similar. Again, you need to keep the revs up.

Agreed. People don't know how to drive these cars to get the most thrills. You keep those RPMs above 4k and mash the throttle like the devil's on your ass. My Red Line's the same way, you get rewarded for driving at >5k RPM.

When you want to bring out the beast, the M3 will deliver. Otherwise, you can just calmly drive around in comfort like any other 3-series.

 

[KentState]

If you really want the low end torque and are looking at M3 prices, then why not a V?

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

It a pain in the ass and obnoxious though to rev the fuck out of a car in town. I don't have a problem being in high RPM's, it's just not how I want to drive a car around town.

The M6 is off the list...insurance is double the other cars I have been looking at.

I don't really see the appeal of the M6. I've ridden in one on a track and it felt desperately out of its element - it felt rather wallowy and they run VERY hot in M (500 bhp) mode (I understand the M6 is not really built for the track, but it is a 500-bhp GT car, so I don't think that's an unreasonable thing to try). I find the design ugly and bloated, and for me the M3 is plenty spacious if one wants a modern BMW GT car. The M6 just feels like a question that nobody (or at least nobody who doesn't live in a McMansion on a golf course) asked.

 

[datalink7]

I've had my M3 a year and still love it. It doesn't "wow" you with a ton of torque, it just performs superbly in every instance.

 

[punjabiplaya]

Try a C63, whole different animal

If you really want the low end torque and are looking at M3 prices, then why not a V?

there we go. Big ass v8 or big ass v8 with a supercharger if you're complaining about low end torque

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

there we go. Big ass v8 or big ass v8 with a supercharger if you're complaining about low end torque

Makes sense. I am a BMW guy and don't really understand the point of ultra-high-powered midsize/large sedans, but the V is really a special car and worthy of great respect, and will almost certainly be less expensive to run over the long haul than, say, an M5 or S6.

 

[zerocool84]

Drive a 335i, much better torque.

 

[fstime]

What you are looking for is more torque.

And who the fuck tracks a $70K luxary sports sedan? You're better off getting something bellow $15K like a Miata and stripping it down, unless $70K is disposable income to you, then by all means... To each his own.

I agree that high revving engines are less enjoyable for daily driving and somewhat obnoxious.

The CTS-V was a good recommendation.