E92 M3...disappointed.

[ayabe]

It's funny as the years go by and we all get a little older and our tastes change.

I sort of grew out of the narrow powerband, high-revving motors and crave easy, effortless acceleration while putzing around town - with a healthy dose of "GO!" in reserve for when I need it. 8K+ redlines aren't as cool to me as they were in my early twenties - I'm more concerned about what's going on from 2-5K - where's the beef?

This being the last generation of the NA M cars I'm sure we'll all be lamenting their demise and pining for the days of the peaky screamers in a few years.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

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.

If I had to own only one car, I might buy a 2-year-old M3 and take it on a track (not for racing but for a few HPDE events a year). I did that with my 330i until recently picking up an E46 M3 as a weekend/fun car (though I have been surprised by how practical and comfy the M3 seems as a daily driver).

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

It's funny as the years go by and we all get a little older and our tastes change.

I sort of grew out of the narrow powerband, high-revving motors and crave easy, effortless acceleration while putzing around town - with a healthy dose of "GO!" in reserve for when I need it. 8K+ redlines aren't as cool to me as they were in my early twenties - I'm more concerned about what's going on from 2-5K - where's the beef?

This being the last generation of the NA M cars I'm sure we'll all be lamenting their demise and pining for the days of the peaky screamers in a few years.

I agree to a point - I had an Integra GS-R and found it incredibly fatiguing to drive because it was really buzzy and gutless unless you really hammered it. That said, the E46 and E90/1/2 M3 have a reasonable amount of torque and can be enjoyed without really being caned.

 

[DivideBYZero]

I agree to a point - I had an Integra GS-R and found it incredibly fatiguing to drive because it was really buzzy and gutless unless you really hammered it. That said, the E46 and E90/1/2 M3 have a reasonable amount of torque and can be enjoyed without really being caned.

This. The E46 M3 has 80% of maximum torque(269ft/lb Euro spec.) available from 3000RPM. It's a very easy car to drive smoothly when cruising local streets.

 

[PricklyPete]

It's funny as the years go by and we all get a little older and our tastes change.

I sort of grew out of the narrow powerband, high-revving motors and crave easy, effortless acceleration while putzing around town - with a healthy dose of "GO!" in reserve for when I need it. 8K+ redlines aren't as cool to me as they were in my early twenties - I'm more concerned about what's going on from 2-5K - where's the beef?

This being the last generation of the NA M cars I'm sure we'll all be lamenting their demise and pining for the days of the peaky screamers in a few years.

So you've grown out of how a Ferrari's V8 delivers power? I can understand not enjoying a peaky 4 cylinder from a Civic Si, but there is plenty of torque in an E92 M3 to get you where you need to without constantly shifting.

 

[dirtboy]

The 335i is an excellent car with a ton of low end torque. Not sure a M3 is worth the price premium.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

The 335i is an excellent car with a ton of low end torque. Not sure a M3 is worth the price premium.

Absolutely a legitimate point. I'm not sure I'd buy either as a new car, but the 335i and is are awesome cars and arguably better than the M3 for most people's real world use.

 

[halik]

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.

Definitely check your toe-out. I had the same sort of sensation (steering being twitchy) and realigning the car fixed 95% of it.

 

[alkemyst]

Try a C63, whole different animal

The guy that owns the tire shop I go to had one. It's smaller inside than it looks. I didn't care for it. It is quick though.

 

[alkemyst]

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

I mentioned the CTS-V in my other thread. It didn't offer enough, like the M3, to justify the price jump over other vehicles I am looking at.

The CTS-V would definitely need an exhaust IMHO, it's not really sporty sounding. It's a nice car though.

 

[KentState]

I mentioned the CTS-V in my other thread. It didn't offer enough, like the M3, to justify the price jump over other vehicles I am looking at.

The CTS-V would definitely need an exhaust IMHO, it's not really sporty sounding. It's a nice car though.

Exhaust is something I will be doing. The Vette was much louder with the dual mode exhaust.

 

[AMCRambler]

0 - 60 in 3.9 seconds doesn't throw youback in the seat enough? Or is it just that you don't like having to rev the engine to do it? If its the latter then you shouldn't be shopping euro sports cars. Like others have said get big ass lazy american V8.

Not for nothing but should you even be shopping BMW if you're underwater on your house? Id be saving up to gtfo that neighborhood. Rent your house out to pay the mortgage and get into a cheap place in a better locale. If a new car is needed, get a used Vette to blow your hair back. 2005's had 400hp stock. Throwing a little money at them will get you up to around 400-450 at the wheels.

 

[SSSnail]

1. Turn of DSC.
2. Learn launch control
3. ...
4. Profits.

It's very surprising to me that not a lot of people know how to drive a BMW properly. The gas pedal alone has two levels, most don't even know.

 

[Throckmorton]

According to the the professionals on this forum, the Mustang is better anyway.

 

[jteef]

The C63 is everything the M3 is not. that is to say, a blast. Still, the M3 is a better performance car and holds more resale value.

I've driven an E36 M3 for 10 years now and regardless of the E36 hate, it's an awesome car to drive. I want so much to get a new M3, but they are just so uninspiring. I still can't decide which to buy. probably a C63 with the AMG performance package (LSD, forged pistons, speed limiter delete). The 1 series M Coupe would have been a winner if they weren't selling for $10K over MSRP.

Also, a lot of people race $70K+ "luxury" cars. see: BMW CCA and Porsche Club of America.

 

[AMCRambler]

Meh I just read your other thread dammit. Charger or G8 then. Id go for the slightly older one though. 2008 or 2009. The depreciation on a 2 year old car just isn't worth it.

 

[Doggiedog]

If you haven't driven a 335i, you really can't condemn the 3 series line. Sure, the 328i's are bit slow especially with a slushbox but the 335i will definitely throw you in your seat. Chip it with a JB3 and you will out accelerate M3s. The 335i is known to be underrated as well.

 

[DougoMan]

Get the 1 Series M Coupe. It's turbocharged and still has the M suspension/brakes/etc.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/11q2/2011_bmw_1-series_m_coupe-short_take_road_test

 

[Apex]

The M3 is a pretty nice track car, especially when done right. For just straight line driving though, there are plenty of good choices to choose from.

 

[alkemyst]

0 - 60 in 3.9 seconds doesn't throw youback in the seat enough? Or is it just that you don't like having to rev the engine to do it? If its the latter then you shouldn't be shopping euro sports cars. Like others have said get big ass lazy american V8.

Not for nothing but should you even be shopping BMW if you're underwater on your house? Id be saving up to gtfo that neighborhood. Rent your house out to pay the mortgage and get into a cheap place in a better locale. If a new car is needed, get a used Vette to blow your hair back. 2005's had 400hp stock. Throwing a little money at them will get you up to around 400-450 at the wheels.

You do know the E92 M3 is a V8 right? Many euro cars don't require revving the engine.

Funny how V8's = lazy.

What does having a house that's underwater equate to car payment? I am not looking at cars older then 2008 and more than 10-15k miles.

To clarify this, I have no problem running an engine near redline. I am not one of these people that think more than 3000rpms is bad. It's obnoxious though esp. in the city if you just want the car to drive nice.

I have looked more into it and apparently many feel the same way about the E92.

BMW is targetting more and more the 'Honda' crowd and getting further away from it's roots in the M series especially.

 

[alkemyst]

Get the 1 Series M Coupe. It's turbocharged and still has the M suspension/brakes/etc.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/11q2/2011_bmw_1-series_m_coupe-short_take_road_test

It's going to be at the very top of what I would consider spending and not really what I want to spend ($600 or so a month). Also it has no usable back seat which is one of my needs to at least have.

 

[alkemyst]

For those talking 335i vs M3...that's a debate that's older than time. The new 335i has only 5 more torque...less peaky maybe, but you aren't changing physics.

The deal changer is always funny when asked would you trade your 335i for a M3...almost none wouldn't.

 

[DivideBYZero]

It's going to be at the very top of what I would consider spending and not really what I want to spend ($600 or so a month). Also it has no usable back seat which is one of my needs to at least have.

LOL wut? Back seats are fine unless carrying Giraffes.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

The C63 is everything the M3 is not. that is to say, a blast. Still, the M3 is a better performance car and holds more resale value.

I've driven an E36 M3 for 10 years now and regardless of the E36 hate, it's an awesome car to drive. I want so much to get a new M3, but they are just so uninspiring. I still can't decide which to buy. probably a C63 with the AMG performance package (LSD, forged pistons, speed limiter delete). The 1 series M Coupe would have been a winner if they weren't selling for $10K over MSRP.

Also, a lot of people race $70K+ "luxury" cars. see: BMW CCA and Porsche Club of America.

I don't think anyone hates the E36 - it's one of the best-handling cars of all time. It's a little disappointing that BMW kind of hosed the US market by shipping only the 240-bhp variant here, but that probably makes it a more reliable car, so I guess you have to take the bitter with the sweet . . .

 

[ayabe]

So you've grown out of how a Ferrari's V8 delivers power? I can understand not enjoying a peaky 4 cylinder from a Civic Si, but there is plenty of torque in an E92 M3 to get you where you need to without constantly shifting.

I try to limit my comments to cars I have driven or can at least afford, I will never own a Ferrari or Lambo nor will I probably ever drive one. Not to mention that if I did own a supercar, it wouldn't be my DD.

Plenty is a relative term and it seems our definition differs. I have roughly 80% of my TQ available from 2000rpm - which is higher than an E46 or E92 offers at peak. My WRX hit peak TQ at ~3000rpm but would pull strong from 2500+ once it started to spool - again at higher levels than either of the M's.

So I'm spoiled somewhat by my last two cars, I enjoy spirited passing without downshifts at highway speeds and can be lazy and use third gear for almost all of my fun driving from 40-100+ mph.