EDMUNDS: 2005 BMW M3 Competition

[Apex]

Meh. Reasonably nice cars, but not all that.

 

[z0mb13]

Originally posted by: V00DOO

Originally posted by: Keyvan
i didn't like beemers much til this last summer.
i visited relatives in germany, and they own a 320 which i got to drive for a bit. it's not even the high end of BMWs, and it was a blast to drive, the car was so responsive, and it felt so light, powerful, but always in control. i can only imagine what the M3 must drive like!

Most people don't appreciate BMW engineering until they driven one for extended period of time. I bet you most of the BMW bushers haven't even driving a Bimmer.

agreed ... my 330ci is just a blast to drive

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Oh, and one more thing concerning the E90 M3: BMW may try to sell it with only an SMG tranny as they attempted to do with the latest M5. SMG = shite. DSG = maybe. But neither compare to a real 6-speed manual.

Again, I agree - sequential manuals are probably better for racing, but inferior on the road IMO. Motor Trend reported about a month ago that BMW may produce a 6-speed manual version of the M5 for the US market, based on popular demand; I guess we'll see . . .

 

[Fenixgoon]

im sorry, but my brother's A4, even if slower, is way sexier than any bimmer i've ever seen.. every aspect (as far as exterior goes) from headlights/grill, to the ass end

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

And as far as I'm concerned, the day the last E46 M3 rolls off the assembly line, my ideal car will cease to exist. The E90 M3 will attempt to do just a little more with a lot more BS between the car and driver: iDrive, Adaptive Steering, V8 replaces I6, etc.

Sad indeed

The problem with I6's is that they're long and heavy. They're all block... the block on them is huge. At least on a V6 and V8, 2 banks of cylinders share the same amount of block.

I know the Datsun 240Z's 2.4L inline 6 is only slighter lighter than the iron small block chevy, and the LS series engines are lighter. Also, the Skyline and Supra have very heavy engines.

I bet that BMW can put a physically smaller, lighter, and more powerful V8 in the new M3.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon
im sorry, but my brother's A4, even if slower, is way sexier than any bimmer i've ever seen.. every aspect (as far as exterior goes) from headlights/grill, to the ass end

You're on your own on that one. Actually I've been trying to talk my mom into buying an A4 (she lives in Minnesota, where AWD is a real boon), but the A4 is a pretty generically handsome car IMO, and it no more competes with the E46 M3 aesthetically than it does dynamically (which is to say, not at all - it gets its ass handed to it on both counts).

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: DonVito

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Oh, and one more thing concerning the E90 M3: BMW may try to sell it with only an SMG tranny as they attempted to do with the latest M5. SMG = shite. DSG = maybe. But neither compare to a real 6-speed manual.

Again, I agree - sequential manuals are probably better for racing, but inferior on the road IMO. Motor Trend reported about a month ago that BMW may produce a 6-speed manual version of the M5 for the US market, based on popular demand; I guess we'll see . . .

The 6-speed M5 has already been given the go-ahead from what I've read. The US market will be the only market to get one...adding to its exclusivity.

 

[andylawcc]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ
I bet that BMW can put a physically smaller, lighter, and more powerful V8 in the new M3.

aren't they putting the M5's 4.9L V8 instead of developing a new whole engine?


anyway, does anyone find this package pointless?
19' wheels: you are can those without the package; and imo, the stock one looks nicer
the Leman blue paint job: a plain if not ugly color imo.
stiffer shocks and springs: can I get even better ones myself (Bilstein or Tein)?

the only things that I found worth going for are the steering wheel, and bigger brake and stronger rotors. but for $4000 more?


oh well, if the car cost 50k, an extra 10 percent doesn't seem too bad afterall.

 

[pray4mojo]

Originally posted by: andylawcc

Originally posted by: 91TTZ
I bet that BMW can put a physically smaller, lighter, and more powerful V8 in the new M3.

aren't they putting the M5's 4.9L V8 instead of developing a new whole engine?


anyway, does anyone find this package pointless?
19' wheels: you are can those without the package; and imo, the stock one looks nicer
the Leman blue paint job: a plain if not ugly color imo.
stiffer shocks and springs: can I get even better ones myself (Bilstein or Tein)?

the only things that I found worth going for are the steering wheel, and bigger brake and stronger rotors. but for $4000 more?


oh well, if the car cost 50k, an extra 10 percent doesn't seem too bad afterall.

the package is for those that wished they could own a CSL.

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: andylawcc

Originally posted by: 91TTZ
I bet that BMW can put a physically smaller, lighter, and more powerful V8 in the new M3.

aren't they putting the M5's 4.9L V8 instead of developing a new whole engine?


anyway, does anyone find this package pointless?
19' wheels: you are can those without the package; and imo, the stock one looks nicer
the Leman blue paint job: a plain if not ugly color imo.
stiffer shocks and springs: can I get even better ones myself (Bilstein or Tein)?

the only things that I found worth going for are the steering wheel, and bigger brake and stronger rotors. but for $4000 more?


oh well, if the car cost 50k, an extra 10 percent doesn't seem too bad afterall.

yup, that's the word. it will be 400 HP, reports C&D. The new RS4 will make 415, though.

 

[dethman]

i'm torn between getting an 03 M3 or a new 05 competition. not sure whether to fork up the extra cash or not.....argh

 

[DoOLiE11]

sigh...oh wells...glad i got my M3 to drive

just waiting to see what the next bangle creation will be like

 

[James3shin]

sigh...no more i6 M3 and no more NSX..*SNIFF* I will miss the M3 as we know it today, hopefully the next iterations won't be "bangelized" too badly. I wish BMW would bring the CSL over for a last hurrah, but this M3 Comp sounds sweet.

 

The m3 is played, and even bmw knows it.

This $4,000 package that is available is a total rip off.