I know it's not about the ITR, but I thought those of you w/ interests in another car might like to hear about my brief encounter w/ the new M3. A buddy of mine just picked up a Black on Black w/ the SMG sequential gearbox and let me take it out for a spin.

Despite my personal issues w/ BMW on the whole, wow. This car has a lot of *****/torque in any gear, any RPM. Although I didn't get to do any hard cornering, it was still very evident that the car is tight, and handles much better than the 330 or 325, both cars I've spent considerable time driving. The gearbox is fairly amazing, the shifts are lightening quick, and if you elect not to remove your foot from the gas, are jerky just as if you did the same thing w/ a true manual.

Although the US model doesn't come w/ a setting for "launching" the car like the European models do, it really isn't necessary. Put the car in the sport mode, turn off the slip-regulator, and you will spin the tires w/ no problem. For my money I think I would still get the 6 speed manual, but even a pro can't shift as quickly as the sequential. Fastest car I've driven in a while, and definetly one I would keep on my "maybe" list for the future.

BTW-80mph in second gear at redline makes me wonder what 5th would have felt like

 

80mph second gear redline!!! thats nuts. My cousin is getting a new m3 6 speed and I can't wait to take that out for a spin. He told me he drove a smg and said it launches like a maual gearbox.

I actually had a run with a new m3. I dont know if he was trying, but i passed him. slowed down because we were going over a 100mph and didnt want to get a speeding ticket. M3's=

 

yes it does

 

those Ms are sweet. I would opt for the manual tranny though. that other stuff is slower and too complicated for me

 

m3

 

its still an overwieght pig. Evidently BMW changed what "M" stood for, from 'Motorsport' to 'Marketing'

 

The "overweight" pig will still do a high 12 second 1/4 stock. Want an "R" version?
Pony up and get the upcoming M3CSL with a carbon fibre roof and hood and all striped down.
You obviously don't know anything technical about the engine and how it is built. There is plenty of trickle down 'Motorsport' technology in that car.

 

LOL, 12 second? thats funny. I've forgotten more about BMWs that most people know, so dont lecture me please. Compared to the real M3 (e30) the E46 M3 is nothing more than a 330 with a hot motor, slight body kit, and about a 10k price bump.

 

I'd still pimp the ******... its a chick magnet

 

ha i bet you would. S54's sound great with no exhaust too, even better

 

As far as the "launch" mode, my buddy said it didn't come on the US model. He may have been lying so that I wouldn't use it, or it may be he just is uniniformed. My guess would be a little of both. This is his 3rd BMW since he started driving, and he is only 23. (He's also had a 323 convertible & M roadster, as well as a Boxster, Boxster S, Integra, Cherokee, S4, TT, Lincoln Navigator, SLK AMG, Compressor, etc.). Point is, he doesn't even have the cars long enough to know what the hell the options are. Too ridiculous for me. His dad is worse, i.e. NSX, M5, SL 55, Carerra 4, 911 Turbo, etc. etc...........

 

isn't SMG faster?


this might've already been covered...

 

Straight line no. I thought it was a little harder to modulate a good launch than the 6 speed. Around a track, I think it may be faster, or at least easier to drive faster around a road course as the rev matches are perfect all the time.

I will agree that the E30 M3's were the 'purest' of the lot. We did get a 40 or so Euro Spec E36's back in '94 with 282HP that were pretty sweet though too.

 

I've seen an M3 run a 12.9 in person, tied an M5 that was there as well. Not trying to 'lecture', just some facts. You could also say the same about the Type R's...It's just a GSR with a hot motor, slight body kit and about a 5k jump in price.

 

I drive one around SB pretty regularly and I am quite pleased with it. When you want it to respond, it does, as long as you have everything properly selected. If you don't have it in the correct modes for everything the tranny shifts smoother than most would care for...especially in an aggressive situation. Handling characteristics are no different than the standard 6-speed M3. I happen to really like the paddle shift though, I think that around the track you could turn in some good times, probably better than the 6-speed, simply becuase you don't have to loose two-hand steering input at any time, and you don't have to worry about any type of throttle matching on downshifts becuase the motor/tranny does it for you perfectly and smoothly. Just my .02

 

No

 

context man, compared to the E30 M3 vs the E30 325is, the E46 M3 is a helluva lot closer to the E46 330....

i'm impressed you saw one run a 12.9.....


as for launch control, YES US M3'S have it!!!!!! its toned down, launches at 2xxx rpms, but it is definately there, i've witnessed it with a friends e46

 

Exactly my point.....

 

IMO the E30 M3 is the most "driver/performance" oriented car I've ever been in/driven. The R in second place. I can't see how a boat like the E46 can be considered a "sports car". I would put it in the same class as the M5 and SL500...4000+ lbs is NOT a sports car...it may be undoubtably fast, and it may handle well, but I can't see how it can offer the feeling the E30 or R transmits to the driver. It is a fine car, and I havn't even been in one, but it seems BMW is aiming more for the upper class CEO's so they can rocket to work and back rather than the driver enthusiest market like previous M3 models. Again...IMO.

 

I prefer to say that the newer 3 series are closer to the current M's than previous generations Besides who says that is a bad thing?

 

[/QUOTE]Compared to the real M3 (e30) the E46 M3 is nothing more than a 330 with a hot motor, slight body kit, and about a 10k price bump.[/QUOTE]

Gee that is interesting, the new M3 differs from the standard 3 in many ways:
Wheels & tires, sport tuned suspension w/extra chassis bracing at pickup points, 13 inch vented discs, aluminum hood, bigger fender flares, functional air slotws on either side of the engine, M steering wheel, sport seats, a 3mm thick aluminum thrust plate, really the list goes on and on.

To say that the M3 is nothing more than a 330 w/a huge motor, body kit and 10k price bump is just like saying the ITR is a gsr w/a body kit, few more hp and price bump. But I guess you must have forgotten about all that stuff.

 

What about this and this?

 

i wanna see a m3 run 12's..............stock!........my a$$

 

M3 is a great car... If you do not like it don't buy it, there have been some very untrue info being tossed around. this topic has been beaten to death!


-nate (should have just let this post die)

 

Excellent point. Bottom line the M3 is a bad *** sportscar with paddle shifters. Not the exact kind Juan P. Montoya shifts on Sunday but definitely derived from them. Most of the people that are taking slaps at the new M3 have never driven one and obviously haven't read any professional driver reviews of this car. I haven't not seen one bad thing written about this car. OK maybe one. My brother got one of the first ones delivered and BMW had to replace his engine after 8,000 miles. All is now good.