RussianM3_dude
October 4th, 2007, 14:51
I was invited to the official BMW test-drive event today (for the Swiss members it was in Novotel Lausanne/Bussigny).
So here goes...
First I was very unlucky, the idiots who organized the event did not top up the oil in the car, so half way through the test drive the car went into limp home mode (5000rpm max) and was vibrating strongly. I wanted another go but was told it was not possible since all the cars were already reserved. Idiots. One of the techs had no idea what a "limp home mode was" and told me I was mistaken and the car was simply not warmed up yet.... Yeah right, after 30 minutes driving.
I am not going to post pictures and be too explicit, since I will post the full review on my blog (hi-hi!).
The good.
- Brakes are VERY powerfull. The seemed subjectively to offer better retardation then the RS4.
- The engine is superior to the RS4 engines. It pulls more cleanly from idle and sounds better, more raw, smoother and quicker.
- Traction. Even on a wet road under full power in second gear with traction control half/off I only got chirps from the tires. If you still think you can't drive fast AND safe in the rain with this thing... take the bus or hire a chauffeur.
- It's very refined.
The Bad.
- Steering is bad. It's very vague around the straight ahead and while it then becomes very sharp, it offers very little feedback. The squishy fat steering wheel only worsens the problem it's just too squishy, like one of those rubber balls that you squeeze in your palm to relieve stress. I found that to be a little disconcerting. I would go out on a limb and say that the 335i and my old 130i steering (and my 130i's Msport steering wheel) was a bit better. The RS4 steering is much better around the straight ahead, with zero slack and is more keen initially. However it offers just as little feedback and is inconsistent at low speed (too light, then suddenly loads up). So a very tiny edge to the RS4 here.
- The engine is not THAT special. For that many technical innovations, it sure is not as revvy as a Ferrari engine depite clearly being more hi-tech. It's a bit flat in it's power delivery and you can really feel the lack of torque. There is also no particular rush to the red-line, no last minute explosion beyond 6000rpm, the engine is very polite so to speak. The sound is also not that special. It starts out a bit quiet, then begins to sound exotic, rising in intensity.... but then doesn't really go all the way "pulling out" at the last moment leaving you craving for more.
- The sense of refinement overwhelms the driving experience. Why on earth would you work to make a good sounding engine if you can't hear it? With the windows up, the engine is almost inaudible, like a Lexus. I also felt very disconected from the action, like playing a video game.
- The manual, while a very good unit, just doesn't work in a sports car. It's pretty satisfying to use (at least for me, it's identical to my old 130i) but the throws are just too long and it's a bit arthritic, although it's better then my RS4 due to the fact that I have worn out synchros. Although when new, the RS4 shifter while also too long, can be slammed into gears very very fast.
- Performance is not that exciting. In fact the new M3 subjectively feels a bit on the slow side. I thought I used to love these high revving engines but now I am not so sure anymore. I mean in a motorcycle (I used to have a Honda CBR600RR) the engine just begged to be thrashed and had an addictive top end, however I don't think these engines work in cars, especially that nowdays they are getting very, very heavy. With relatively low torque, there is just no sense of acceleration. The speedo literally explodes, but I didn't feel much excitement, it's the same problem as the M5 that I tried. I think big NA units like the Benz's 6.2 might just be the best compromise between being revvy and powerful.
- The prices are getting ridiculous. With options, the new M3 is just a joke (just like the RS4 in my opinion) it's not as bad in the US where it will cost around 50,000 Euros well equiped, but here in Europe it's just a rip-off/
- The interior just blows. I absolutely loved the E46 interior and think it's actually better then any Audi interior. However the new interior is a let down. The dash plastics especially have become very low-rent (compared with the stellar E46 ones), the "silver" trim is bit cheap looking, the fake leather CF trim is ridiculous. There is absolutely no difference with a regular 3er interior.
- The seats are a let down. They are WAY too squishy and soft. Felt like a Lexus IS250 and were set too high. There was surprisingly little thigh bolstering. In my 130i, sports seat held my bum like a vise and I have gained a little in the backside department since then. In fact I would rate the 130i seats as allround superior as they offered excellent support with the adjustable side bolsters, were pleasingly firm and were very low set.
So I would rate the M3 seats much better then the RS4 Recaros, but worse then the regular RS4 sport seats.
The Ugly.
- I really don't like the body kit. The front lip looks like, well, a guppy fish with it's mouth open, the side "gills" look like door handles from a 1950's fridge, the "power dome" looks very priapic (reminds me of a teenager in tight shorts in his first strip club), the rear is too fussy and exposes the rusting exhaust, the 4 pipes are grouped too close together, making the car seem narrower and there is very little fender flare and the side skirts are a bit weak. The way I see it, the engineers have spent way too much time concentrating on the engine. This is how I see it happening...
///M HQ. 3 days before the Geneva Auto show.
"Congrrrratulation Dieter, ze new M dreier engine is zer fantastich!"
"Ja, Hans, letz celebrate with a bottle of moderately priced Jerman weiss wine. Vee deserve it."
"Oh, sheisse!!!! Dieter, what about ze rest of ze carrrr!!!!"
"Gott im himmel!!!! Hurry!!! Here, take zis cocktail napkin, draw ze new design, I'll build ze new bodykit Tommorow and vee vill install it after tommorow in time for ze auto show, vee can even use zee olde CSL vheels to save ze time."
"But Dieter! Vat about ze interior????"
"Ahh, forgetz it. Vee vill say ve didn't change it because it iz more sporty zis vay."
Conclusion.
The new M3 leaves me a bit confused. I think that BMW engineers have focused too much on the engine and not enough on the rest of the car. Why for example bother offering a CF roof and plastic body panels if the weight has STILL gone up compared to the older models AND the car is more of a GT anyways???? There are occasinal fleeting flashes of greateness, however the fact is, I don't really like the E92 M3 more then the RS4, which means that I don't like it. Perhaps not with the same vehemence as the Audi, but it leaves me completely cold and dissapointed. Oh, how the mighty have fallen. The previous M3 was simply head and shoulders above any comparable competition, but BMW has simply gone lazy on this one. The e92 version will be as forgettable as the e36 version. Worse of all, ///M now stands for ///Marketing and ///Making ///Money.
Soooooo... I guess it's time to begin saving for the E46 M3 CSL. There are a few low mileage examples floating around in Switzerland. So maybe in 18 months.
So here goes...
First I was very unlucky, the idiots who organized the event did not top up the oil in the car, so half way through the test drive the car went into limp home mode (5000rpm max) and was vibrating strongly. I wanted another go but was told it was not possible since all the cars were already reserved. Idiots. One of the techs had no idea what a "limp home mode was" and told me I was mistaken and the car was simply not warmed up yet.... Yeah right, after 30 minutes driving.
I am not going to post pictures and be too explicit, since I will post the full review on my blog (hi-hi!).
The good.
- Brakes are VERY powerfull. The seemed subjectively to offer better retardation then the RS4.
- The engine is superior to the RS4 engines. It pulls more cleanly from idle and sounds better, more raw, smoother and quicker.
- Traction. Even on a wet road under full power in second gear with traction control half/off I only got chirps from the tires. If you still think you can't drive fast AND safe in the rain with this thing... take the bus or hire a chauffeur.
- It's very refined.
The Bad.
- Steering is bad. It's very vague around the straight ahead and while it then becomes very sharp, it offers very little feedback. The squishy fat steering wheel only worsens the problem it's just too squishy, like one of those rubber balls that you squeeze in your palm to relieve stress. I found that to be a little disconcerting. I would go out on a limb and say that the 335i and my old 130i steering (and my 130i's Msport steering wheel) was a bit better. The RS4 steering is much better around the straight ahead, with zero slack and is more keen initially. However it offers just as little feedback and is inconsistent at low speed (too light, then suddenly loads up). So a very tiny edge to the RS4 here.
- The engine is not THAT special. For that many technical innovations, it sure is not as revvy as a Ferrari engine depite clearly being more hi-tech. It's a bit flat in it's power delivery and you can really feel the lack of torque. There is also no particular rush to the red-line, no last minute explosion beyond 6000rpm, the engine is very polite so to speak. The sound is also not that special. It starts out a bit quiet, then begins to sound exotic, rising in intensity.... but then doesn't really go all the way "pulling out" at the last moment leaving you craving for more.
- The sense of refinement overwhelms the driving experience. Why on earth would you work to make a good sounding engine if you can't hear it? With the windows up, the engine is almost inaudible, like a Lexus. I also felt very disconected from the action, like playing a video game.
- The manual, while a very good unit, just doesn't work in a sports car. It's pretty satisfying to use (at least for me, it's identical to my old 130i) but the throws are just too long and it's a bit arthritic, although it's better then my RS4 due to the fact that I have worn out synchros. Although when new, the RS4 shifter while also too long, can be slammed into gears very very fast.
- Performance is not that exciting. In fact the new M3 subjectively feels a bit on the slow side. I thought I used to love these high revving engines but now I am not so sure anymore. I mean in a motorcycle (I used to have a Honda CBR600RR) the engine just begged to be thrashed and had an addictive top end, however I don't think these engines work in cars, especially that nowdays they are getting very, very heavy. With relatively low torque, there is just no sense of acceleration. The speedo literally explodes, but I didn't feel much excitement, it's the same problem as the M5 that I tried. I think big NA units like the Benz's 6.2 might just be the best compromise between being revvy and powerful.
- The prices are getting ridiculous. With options, the new M3 is just a joke (just like the RS4 in my opinion) it's not as bad in the US where it will cost around 50,000 Euros well equiped, but here in Europe it's just a rip-off/
- The interior just blows. I absolutely loved the E46 interior and think it's actually better then any Audi interior. However the new interior is a let down. The dash plastics especially have become very low-rent (compared with the stellar E46 ones), the "silver" trim is bit cheap looking, the fake leather CF trim is ridiculous. There is absolutely no difference with a regular 3er interior.
- The seats are a let down. They are WAY too squishy and soft. Felt like a Lexus IS250 and were set too high. There was surprisingly little thigh bolstering. In my 130i, sports seat held my bum like a vise and I have gained a little in the backside department since then. In fact I would rate the 130i seats as allround superior as they offered excellent support with the adjustable side bolsters, were pleasingly firm and were very low set.
So I would rate the M3 seats much better then the RS4 Recaros, but worse then the regular RS4 sport seats.
The Ugly.
- I really don't like the body kit. The front lip looks like, well, a guppy fish with it's mouth open, the side "gills" look like door handles from a 1950's fridge, the "power dome" looks very priapic (reminds me of a teenager in tight shorts in his first strip club), the rear is too fussy and exposes the rusting exhaust, the 4 pipes are grouped too close together, making the car seem narrower and there is very little fender flare and the side skirts are a bit weak. The way I see it, the engineers have spent way too much time concentrating on the engine. This is how I see it happening...
///M HQ. 3 days before the Geneva Auto show.
"Congrrrratulation Dieter, ze new M dreier engine is zer fantastich!"
"Ja, Hans, letz celebrate with a bottle of moderately priced Jerman weiss wine. Vee deserve it."
"Oh, sheisse!!!! Dieter, what about ze rest of ze carrrr!!!!"
"Gott im himmel!!!! Hurry!!! Here, take zis cocktail napkin, draw ze new design, I'll build ze new bodykit Tommorow and vee vill install it after tommorow in time for ze auto show, vee can even use zee olde CSL vheels to save ze time."
"But Dieter! Vat about ze interior????"
"Ahh, forgetz it. Vee vill say ve didn't change it because it iz more sporty zis vay."
Conclusion.
The new M3 leaves me a bit confused. I think that BMW engineers have focused too much on the engine and not enough on the rest of the car. Why for example bother offering a CF roof and plastic body panels if the weight has STILL gone up compared to the older models AND the car is more of a GT anyways???? There are occasinal fleeting flashes of greateness, however the fact is, I don't really like the E92 M3 more then the RS4, which means that I don't like it. Perhaps not with the same vehemence as the Audi, but it leaves me completely cold and dissapointed. Oh, how the mighty have fallen. The previous M3 was simply head and shoulders above any comparable competition, but BMW has simply gone lazy on this one. The e92 version will be as forgettable as the e36 version. Worse of all, ///M now stands for ///Marketing and ///Making ///Money.
Soooooo... I guess it's time to begin saving for the E46 M3 CSL. There are a few low mileage examples floating around in Switzerland. So maybe in 18 months.