E92 M3...disappointed.

[Don Vito Corleone]

In terms of looks alone, I don't think it's hard to argue that the E46 M3 CSL is the best so far.

Strictly aesthetically I like the normal M3 better than the CSL, mostly because the asymmetry of the ram-air intake on the CSL - I think the normal fog lights look better. I am also ambivalent about the CSL bootlid - I kind of like the plain bootlid and tiny lip spoiler of the stock car. That said, they are both absolutely beautiful IMO. The CSL wheels are especially handsome.

Some time ago a website had a single-elimination prettiest-BMW tourney running in Flash. I had to eliminate the gorgeous 507 in the semi-finals, and my finals ended up being the M3CSL (the standard M3 was not included as a choice) versus the original 3.0CSL. I ended up voting for the M3. I think it's one of the most perfectly-designed modern cars. The underlying E46 coupe is a very handsome car, and the M3 touches really make it something very special.

 

[DivideBYZero]

If I wasn't on a student's budget and/or had a better job, I probably would have bought a 3 pedal e46 instead of the ms3. I think it's fantastic looking unless it's in that baby diarrhea yellow.

Deal with it

 

[alkemyst]

I love the looks of the E46...where I am let down is the interior isn't very "M" IMHO but more like what you'd find in a Lexus.

Also the 'sound' of the M3 has always been part of the experience. The E46's engine is just craptasic sounding.

The E36 was where BMW started losing it's direction bringing only an 'adequate' engine to the states. It proved people still bought them though.

The E92 at least is back on track, I just don't know why they didn't give it a little more down low.

Most of my driving is now just a highway commute and in between red lights something where high rpm power is never realized unless you want to look like a fucktard with 4000rpm launches and hitting the next light at 6500rpms+

 

[DivideBYZero]

I love the looks of the E46...where I am let down is the interior isn't very "M" IMHO but more like what you'd find in a Lexus.

Also the 'sound' of the M3 has always been part of the experience. The E46's engine is just craptasic sounding.

The E36 was where BMW started losing it's direction bringing only an 'adequate' engine to the states. It proved people still bought them though.

The E92 at least is back on track, I just don't know why they didn't give it a little more down low.

Most of my driving is now just a highway commute and in between red lights something where high rpm power is never realized unless you want to look like a fucktard with 4000rpm launches and hitting the next light at 6500rpms+

The engine dynamics of an M car have been driven by the "[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]M high-speed engine concept" for years.

http://www.worldcarfans.com/10703224692/new-bmw-m3-v8-engine-in-detail
[/FONT]

 

[Kadarin]

The E92 at least is back on track, I just don't know why they didn't give it a little more down low.

Most of my driving is now just a highway commute and in between red lights something where high rpm power is never realized unless you want to look like a fucktard with 4000rpm launches and hitting the next light at 6500rpms+

The funny thing about driving an E92 M3 is that from a light if you keep the rpms where you normally would in any other car, you'll have hondas and camrys pulling away from you right from the start.

 

[Howard]

Yeah, I would cry. Don't you want to make me cry?

So alkemyst, you gonna buy the M3 or what? My glands are waiting expectantly.

 

[alkemyst]

So alkemyst, you gonna buy the M3 or what? My glands are waiting expectantly.

Well the E46 is still a distant consideration...the E92 I am not sure on. I want to drive the S5 still.

Outside of those the 2010 (or an 2009) Charger SRT8 is a high choice.

My wife found out about the Audi A3 now and may go that way over the GTI 4 door...her car I am buying new. She was like maybe they can just do a deal for two new cars and you can get a break on a new one....I showed her the MSRP on that S5 First thing she said was "you can buy two of my car" lolz

Outside those I liked the Jeep SRT8 esp since I carry my dogs shot gun...but 13MPG at best is far too much a premium.

The Mercedes I like, not crazy about the C series..but the CL's are nice however, really more conservative than I'd like.

Corvette is not totally off the list...definitely a C6 over a C5 now that I have been thinking more about how much the C6 has improved as an everyday car...maybe like a 2008 or so Z06. Insurance is going to be the worst on this too...more than likely a $60-75 per month premium over the Audi and $30-45 over the SRT8 Dodge. The biggest issue is no back seats which hasn't been a HUGE need, but 3-4 times over the last 6 years I couldn't fit people I sort of needed too and we had to make alternate arrangements. The gas mileage of the Corvette is the best of what I am looking at.

I had been thinking of the Element actually, but to like the car I'd have to throw $5-10k into it to make it perform the way I'd be happy and then it's more of just a total cruiser at that point...I don't think I'd be happy. Plus the gas mileage sucks.

Any of the cars above I will more likely modify if needed usually brakes and suspension (the S5 responds well to suspension mods)...then probably exhaust and some bolt ons at first. Then just Audio/Alarm and maybe wheels and tires. I think this time around I going to go much higher end on the wheels. It just makes sense now that I am dropping $250+ easy on a tire at the 17" size and will be going to $350+ a tire once I go 19" or whatever.

I worry about my dog being harder on a more 'plush' interior as well. I will have to consider that...they ride shotgun in harnesses

 

[alkemyst]

The engine dynamics of an M car have been driven by the "[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]M high-speed engine concept" for years.

http://www.worldcarfans.com/10703224692/new-bmw-m3-v8-engine-in-detail
[/FONT]

Right...and with the E36 the US really didn't get that...the E46 I like, just not the 'sound'.

The E92 although faster on paper than either, just didn't feel like that to me.

Back around 1994 I owned a 92-93 Acura GSR. The thing was around mid-6's 0-60 and at Moroso down here and I was right near 15.0 flat in the quarter mile with hardly anything done. The car just never felt fast...my 1997 VW GTI VR6 after it felt like a rocket ship compared to it, but wasn't as quick almost a half a second slower in the quarter.

I compare the GSR to a motorcycle, but with a motorcycle you get more feeling since you are right out in the open and close to the road.

Now that E92 would trounce my GSR, don't get me wrong...I am not saying they are equals. Just the feeling I get from the two.

 

[DivideBYZero]

I cannot imagine having dog claws on my lovely soft Nappa leather. :shudder:

 

[Imported]

I can finally see why people love the E46 M3. Just went out for a cruise with a co-workers E46 M3 convertible with the SMG. First time driving one, and even though it wasn't a manual, it was still a ton of fun to drive.. and just felt so much better than even my modified G35. Maybe I ought to shop around.. :hmm:

 

[Throckmorton]

Can you fit those dogs in the cargo area of a Corvette?

 

[alkemyst]

Can you fit those dogs in the cargo area of a Corvette?

???

 

[DivideBYZero]

 

[alkemyst]

dude you do realize garage isn't for trolling. Stay out of my threads if you are going to be an asshat.

I am not sure what the freaking doubts are about. I just passed another certification yesterday, have 3 more to finish by September. I am traveling now not only 3 weeks out of the next 2 months, but all next week is tenatively scheduled as of my morning email.

I am not planning on buying my wife's car until July.

I am in no rush for a car and I definitely don't want to buy something I am not 100% happy with.

I am leaving this comment in the other post you trolled.

 

[Arkaign]

You'll probably enjoy the C63 more, as others have noted in different ways. As for the current M5, I think you'll feel the same. The old E39 with the 6-speed manual is a lot more "fun" imho. The new M5 *might* get some of that feel back, but I'm not sure. CTS-V will also have a nice kick in the pants as well. The current M series seems fantastic for lap times, but their power delivery and noise is not as visceral as you might want.

 

[Arkaign]

Oh, and if you thought the E92 M3 was disappointing, you'll cry after driving an S5. It's a wonderful car, but it's considerably more sedate than the M3.

 

[Howard]

dude you do realize garage isn't for trolling. Stay out of my threads if you are going to be an asshat.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?p=31780199&postcount=16

You should stop your relentless pursuit of trolling perfection, because you're not even close to the halfway mark.

Stop instigating. You're pushing his buttons and you damn well know it.

Zenmervolt - AnandTech Moderator

 

[Koing]

The funny thing about driving an E92 M3 is that from a light if you keep the rpms where you normally would in any other car, you'll have hondas and camrys pulling away from you right from the start.

People know that the M3's are all high revving and not the most torquey below 5k rpm. If you early shift or your not in the power band your f0cked! lol

I keep mine in the powerband when I want to be on it, if I don't I just shift early. No biggie.

It's all relative and you got to find a car that 'you' like and enjoy.

If you don't enjoy the high revving engine that needs to be kept in the power band it's not for you. The C63 is a monster of a car that pulls from anywhere!

Steering in my E46 M3 doesn't feel as good as my S2000 or how the car leans if you turn hard and fast in to a corner, odd at first, but it does hold and hold for a while until you really push it on the track

Like an Exige owner said the S2000 felt really soft for him and the steering feel lousy compared to what he was use to.

Koing

 

[alkemyst]

http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?p=31780199&postcount=16

You should stop your relentless pursuit of trolling perfection, because you're not even close to the halfway mark.

Not sure why you quoted that post. Do you agree putting non-distilled water in any metallic system that sees heat is a good idea? Surely you can't be that stupid, yet I think by the quote you are defending it.

And like I said in that post, if you are dealing with old engine technology like a 1975 pickup...go ahead and use tap water.

 

[Howard]

Not sure why you quoted that post. Do you agree putting non-distilled water in any metallic system that sees heat is a good idea? Surely you can't be that stupid, yet I think by the quote you are defending it.

And like I said in that post, if you are dealing with old engine technology like a 1975 pickup...go ahead and use tap water.

Your defense is poor and transparent.

 

[alkemyst]

Your defense is poor and transparent.

wrong thread for this asshat. I don't think anyone could convince you otherwise when you think grinding down brake pads to fit are part of a proper brake job.

If it's the wrong thread, then let it be the wrong thread and stop bickering about it. Enough with the name-calling and tangents. Get back on topic.

Zenmervolt - AnandTech Moderator

 

[Howard]

wrong thread for this asshat. I don't think anyone could convince you otherwise when you think grinding down brake pads to fit are part of a proper brake job.

Your diversion fails to win any points.

 

[EightySix Four]

You'll probably enjoy the C63 more, as others have noted in different ways. As for the current M5, I think you'll feel the same. The old E39 with the 6-speed manual is a lot more "fun" imho. The new M5 *might* get some of that feel back, but I'm not sure. CTS-V will also have a nice kick in the pants as well. The current M series seems fantastic for lap times, but their power delivery and noise is not as visceral as you might want.

Yes, the C63 and CTS-V were immeasurably more fun to drive than the M3 or S5. The S5 was comparatively a fucking pig.

 

[amish]

you probably still couldn't afford one sadly.

you are such a piece of shit. you freely give your 2 fucking cents but piss on anyone that doesn't agree with you. it is clear you have already made up your mind with the SRT8s and are just jacking around for attention.

please, buy a car and drive off into oblivion.

OK, this is now the third time I've had to muck around in this thread. If I have to deal with this again, I'm just locking the whole damn thing. We're now well off the original topic and the thread is devolving into name-calling. Either clean it up or it's getting locked. This is for everyone.

Zenmervolt - AnandTech Moderator

 

[alkemyst]

you are such a piece of shit. you freely give your 2 fucking cents but piss on anyone that doesn't agree with you. it is clear you have already made up your mind with the SRT8s and are just jacking around for attention.

please, buy a car and drive off into oblivion.

You may want to catch up with the people I reply too and their past replies to me.

IMHO linking to a 'My Hooptie' video as a comment.

I am actually debating the E46 M3 still, but you aren't obviously paying attention.