E92 M3...disappointed.

[PricklyPete]

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.

I haven't driven a Ferrari either, I'm just noting that the high revving V8 found in the E92 M3 is very similar in power delivery to a high revving Ferrari engine. Your comment in your earlier post seemed to point that this kind of power delivery only appealed to a younger audience (more specifically you when you were younger). I disagree as lots of middle aged men are designing and engineering Ferrari's, BMW's, and other similar cars for other middle aged men to buy and enjoy...and they have "peaky" engines.

The rest of your comments sound like you've gotten bored with shifting your car. You state that you enjoy being able to pass without having to shift. Do you not enjoy shifting? Maybe you'd rather have an automatic?

I'm honestly not attacking you...it just appeared that your initial post insinuated that "peaky" engines appeal to teenagers and your last post appears to insinuate that engines with lowdown torque appeal to adults because you don't have to shift as much. You are probably statistically correct that people seem to enjoy loads of torque down low with automatics. My disagreement with you is that enjoying peaky engines is for teenagers and enjoying torque and not having to shift is for adults. If I took your statements the wrong way, sorry.

 

[amdhunter]

I've only been a passenger in a new M3. It felt OK, but I couldn't really judge. I've sat in an older 2003 (or 2) SMG M3 and I was actually scared to death at how violent it was.

I've driven a 335i automatic Coupe, and it was nice, but felt "old people'ly." I've driven a 328xi Coupe manual, and I liked it, but it was underpowered.

I loved the 135i Automatic, especially the brakes. Kinda mad I didn't get it (manual, of course.) My insurance would have been less, and if I leased it, probably would have only cost a bit more than my RX-8.

 

[alkemyst]

First, I have driven a few Ferraris and that is not it. Just forget about posting in this as you are ATTACKING: "Maybe you just don't like to shift" "maybe you need an automatic" (which BTW wouldn't make a difference as most a manually shiftable transmission at this level).

I never said teenagers...I said driving in high rpms is obnoxious. I mentioned Hondas...you are projecting now...possibly defensive.

A peaky engine like this is best suited for the track...that was what I said.

If you love the M3 so much you should buy one.

 

[alkemyst]

LOL wut? Back seats are fine unless carrying Giraffes.

I was talking about the 135.

 

[alkemyst]

I saw an Audi S5 parked next to me this morning...I thought they were much more expensive, a 2010 is in my budget.

 

[Zargon]

the s5 is pretty sweet looking and seems to perform well

 

[ayabe]

I haven't driven a Ferrari either, I'm just noting that the high revving V8 found in the E92 M3 is very similar in power delivery to a high revving Ferrari engine. Your comment in your earlier post seemed to point that this kind of power delivery only appealed to a younger audience (more specifically you when you were younger). I disagree as lots of middle aged men are designing and engineering Ferrari's, BMW's, and other similar cars for other middle aged men to buy and enjoy...and they have "peaky" engines.

The rest of your comments sound like you've gotten bored with shifting your car. You state that you enjoy being able to pass without having to shift. Do you not enjoy shifting? Maybe you'd rather have an automatic?

I'm honestly not attacking you...it just appeared that your initial post insinuated that "peaky" engines appeal to teenagers and your last post appears to insinuate that engines with lowdown torque appeal to adults because you don't have to shift as much. You are probably statistically correct that people seem to enjoy loads of torque down low with automatics. My disagreement with you is that enjoying peaky engines is for teenagers and enjoying torque and not having to shift is for adults. If I took your statements the wrong way, sorry.

I didn't take it as an attack and wasn't trying to respond in a snarky way. I just musing based on personal experience, many people I know who have been into cars for a long while end up going from I-4, to turbo-4, to V-8, myself included and cite torque as a major factor. I wasn't trying to infer that high-revving engines were for teenagers but I can see how it could have been interpreted that way.

I don't mind shifting but I never had to shift from 5-->4 to pass real quicklike in my WRX, in fact it was better to stay in 5th for the better TQ. My C55 is an automatic and yes I actually miss real shifting........

 

[alkemyst]

I have had V8's and high rpm 4 bangers. The M3 reminds me of my 92 Acura GSR.

 

[amdhunter]

I saw an Audi S5 parked next to me this morning...I thought they were much more expensive, a 2010 is in my budget.

I thought the same when I was car shopping. The only problem is they are a dime a dozen here in NY. Every well off businessman is in one here, and there are a LOT of well off businessmen in NY.

My next car is going to be a TT-S, or AWD Turbo version of the FT-HS. I like small and flashy.

 

[amdhunter]

Also to the OP - Have you considered an IS-F? I've seen a few hovering in the low 40s. Might be worth a test drive at least.

 

[SSSnail]

Also to the OP - Have you considered an IS-F? I've seen a few hovering in the low 40s. Might be worth a test drive at least.

Please know that trolling is not allowed in ATG.

 

[Throckmorton]

I have had V8's and high rpm 4 bangers. The M3 reminds me of my 92 Acura GSR.

That must be why the fast & furious crowd are such M3 fanboys

 

[amdhunter]

Please know that trolling is not allowed in ATG.

lolol.

 

[Doggiedog]

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.

I wouldn't trade my 335i + $15-20K for a 13MPG M3. If I really wanted that performance, I would chip my car, get a Quaife LSD and tune the suspension. It may or may not be "M" level but it's close and still a BMW.

 

[teatime0315]

Please know that trolling is not allowed in ATG.

notsureifsrs...
the newer is-f is just as good as an m3.

bmw fanboys are the worst.. m3>all amirite?
lets be real here. m3=isf=c63=rs5 all have their own perks.

it would honestly be a tough decision if i could have only one of them.

 

[satyajitmenon]

e46 m3>all

ftfy

 

[Kadarin]

Having owned an '08 E92 M3, I agree that it feels like it's a lot slower than it actually is; off the line it feels like it has to work a lot harder to get going due to the lack of low end torque. On the other hand, on the freeway or on twisty mountain roads (or on a track lol) it really begins to shine, even if you do have to wind the piss out of the engine to get it to do so. Otherwise, the M3 is a very solid feeling car that can hit 150+ mph without breaking a sweat or feeling the slightest bit unstable.

Right now I have the opposite problem; the '12 Shelby GT500 has entirely too much torque (550hp @ 6200rpm, 510lb-ft @ 4250rpm) and can easily overpower the suspension in the first couple of gears if I'm not careful. To me, however, it's more fun to drive than the M3.

 

[exdeath]

notsureifsrs...
the newer is-f is just as good as an m3.

bmw fanboys are the worst.. m3>all amirite?
lets be real here. m3=isf=c63=rs5 all have their own perks.

it would honestly be a tough decision if i could have only one of them.

No the worst are the ones who won't stop dropping "BMW bombs" in every other sentence and think they can do 1g and 12 sec 1/4s and talk like they own a M3... And they actually own a old ass 325i or 328i that they picked up on craigslist for $5000 ... with a loan.

 

[alkemyst]

No the worst are the ones who won't stop dropping "BMW bombs" in every other sentence and think they can do 1g and 12 sec 1/4s and talk like they own a M3... And they actually own a old ass 325i or 328i that they picked up on craigslist for $5000 ... with a loan.

QFT...you don't even want to know all the people in RL that are "M3 or nothing!" mindsets. They fucking roll around in cars I could buy for less than a laptop.

 

[alkemyst]

notsureifsrs...
the newer is-f is just as good as an m3.

bmw fanboys are the worst.. m3>all amirite?
lets be real here. m3=isf=c63=rs5 all have their own perks.

it would honestly be a tough decision if i could have only one of them.

IS-F for $40k? pay attention son.

 

[DivideBYZero]

I was talking about the 135.

Yeah, me too.

 

[SSSnail]

notsureifsrs...
the newer is-f is just as good as an m3.

bmw fanboys are the worst.. m3>all amirite?
lets be real here. m3=isf=c63=rs5 all have their own perks.

it would honestly be a tough decision if i could have only one of them.

I was telling the guy with the black man avatar that if OP thinks the M3 is a high rev gutless wonder, then recommending the is-f surely is trolling.

Youtube > search for is-f vs m3 top gear. Did everyone forgot that episode? But to be honest, it is Bmw's detriment that they designed their cars that way, most drivers, and I use that term very loosely, only care about off the line acceleration. You know, the kinda cars that would look perfect next to a trailer.

 

[alkemyst]

Yeah, me too.

Only a fanboi would say the 135 has a roomy backseat.

 

[KentState]

I saw an Audi S5 parked next to me this morning...I thought they were much more expensive, a 2010 is in my budget.

You are all over the place. I think no matter which car you get, you will be thinking about something else.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

You are all over the place. I think no matter which car you get, you will be thinking about something else.

True. I've never seen such a crazy-quilt of potential choices - they're all over the map.

FWIW I think the S5 is one of the sexiest cars on the road, but I'd never buy one because dynamically the M3 will eat it for lunch. It really depends on one's priorities.