Motor Trend Road Test of BMW M3

[1 BAD 7]

Here is what Motor Trend had to say about new E92 M3 after their test drive. It was a interesting read and they seem to really like the new M3. According to them the new M3 is appx. 3.54 sec. faster per lap arround the ring compared to M5. It easily laps the ring in 8:10. The MT also made this comment " On almost any given stretch of twisting blacktop this M3 is 911-fast.


They also mention that with all this capability on track the M3 is very refined on streets even with the optional 19" wheels. Overall it sounds like the new M3 is seriously fast performance GT coupe that is not as harsh riding as the last generation E46 with similar 19" setup.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/112_0710_2008_bmw_m3/index.html

[Danish]

BMW is the bestest!

Yeah, we get it.

[VetteZ06]

I'm not as enamored with this new M3 as I was with the E46. Besides, if I was looking to spend M3 levels of money, I know what I'd be getting.

[cawimmer430]

Besides, if I was looking to spend M3 levels of money, I know what I'd be getting.

Damn right. 

[JYODER240]

Yeah, we get it.

[JYODER240]

Here is what Motor Trend had to say about new E92 M3 after their test drive. It was a interesting read and they seem to really like the new M3. According to them the new M3 is appx. 3.54 sec. faster per lap arround the ring compared to M5. It easily laps the ring in 8:10. The MT also made this comment " On almost any given stretch of twisting blacktop this M3 is 911-fast.

That is typical BMW fan material. "It goes around a corner 2.3474mph quicker, and it's .97324 quicker to 60mph!!!"

Who cares about the numbers.

[thewizard16]

Numbers certainly matter in that type of car, if for nothing more than image.

[sportyaccordy]

Wow, what progress we have made. This car weighs 100# more than an '87 M6.

I'm sorry, I just can't get into it.

[1 BAD 7]

I agree the numbers matter in any performance oriented car. The new M3 seems to be more roomy, refined, and faster arround the track then the last generation. Both C/D and M/T had good things to say about the overall performance of the car and its capabilities arround the ascari track. The only area for concern was the servotronic steering feel which felt a bit off center and too quick to both of them. I hope BMW takes care of that and fixes the gear ratios and feel to be more natural.

Numbers certainly matter in that type of car, if for nothing more than image.

[1 BAD 7]

No doubt that Z06 is a performance monster and in league of its own. But M3 and Z06 are two totaly different type of cars. Where as Z06 is all about raw performance the M3 on the other hand not only offers performance but refinement, luxury and the ability to take 5 people thanks to its back seats.

The Z06 in my mind is a very capable performance sports car where as M3 is hyper performance luxury GT coupe.

I'm not as enamored with this new M3 as I was with the E46. Besides, if I was looking to spend M3 levels of money, I know what I'd be getting.

[Catman]

Damn right. 

Ewwww!

[SJ_GTI]

It really sounds amazing.

I am looking forward to seeing it in person. As I was driving into the office this morning I was next to a 335i coupe in traffic for a while, and the whole time I had to check it out. It looks so "plain" in pictures, but in person it looks sleek, agressive, and just really cool. Hopefully the M3 will have a similar presence in person. 

[Raghavan]

When is the E90 M3 coming out?

[the Teuton]

Tell me when the 135i ///M Sport or something like that comes out.  This isn't quite making my blood flow any faster right now.

[SJ_GTI]

That is typical BMW fan material. "It goes around a corner 2.3474mph quicker, and it's .97324 quicker to 60mph!!!"

Who cares about the numbers.

In my experience BMW "Fanboys" are usually the least concerned about " mag numbers" (as far as fan boys in general go).

BMW's rarely get the "biggest numbers" in comparison tests. They usually win based on overall balance between fun and refinement. Hence there would be little point for fanboys to glom onto the numbers.

[JYODER240]

In my experience BMW "Fanboys" are usually the least concerned about " mag numbers" (as far as fan boys in general go).

BMW's rarely get the "biggest numbers" in comparison tests. They usually win based on overall balance between fun and refinement. Hence there would be little point for fanboys to glom onto the numbers.

I meant that more asfan boys in general. However I don't think most BMW fanboys are any better than the rest.

[JYODER240]

Numbers certainly matter in that type of car, if for nothing more than image.

It matters for image and bragging rights. I've said it before but how a car goes around a track is far more important than how fast it does.

[Colonel Cadillac]

I'm having a hard time getting attached to this car. I suppose it's a great car, but I think I would rather have a 335i coupe and a Miata or something along those lines.

From the reviews, it sounds too "easy." A lot of the fun in driving fast and taking the turns is the challenge, and it sounds like just anyone can do it. From a business POV, that's great. From an enthusiast's POV, it may not be so good.

[VetteZ06]

No doubt that Z06 is a performance monster and in league of its own. But M3 and Z06 are two totaly different type of cars. Where as Z06 is all about raw performance the M3 on the other hand not only offers performance but refinement, luxury and the ability to take 5 people thanks to its back seats.

The Z06 in my mind is a very capable performance sports car where as M3 is hyper performance luxury GT coupe.

I wasn't referring to the Z06. It would probably cost me quite a bit more than an M3 to get my hands on one of them (as much as I'd love to). Instead, I was simply talking about a "base" Corvette - something like a Z51. With the boost in horsepower and the leather-wrapped interior, a Corvette would be a great M3 alternative (and yes, I realize it doesn't have back seats).

[The Pirate]

I wasn't referring to the Z06. It would probably cost me quite a bit more than an M3 to get my hands on one of them (as much as I'd love to). Instead, I was simply talking about a "base" Corvette - something like a Z51. With the boost in horsepower and the leather-wrapped interior, a Corvette would be a great M3 alternative (and yes, I realize it doesn't have back seats).

+1


I would be more than happy with a base Corvette.  The Chevy V8 burble is only icing on the cake.

[Danish]

Besides, if I was looking to spend M3 levels of money, I know what I'd be getting.

Then, I would buy this kit:


Finally I would use the remainder to increase the quality of this magazine:

[1 BAD 7]

My bad I totaly forgot that the new base Vette is packing a serious upgrade in the power thanks to a engine upgrade. No doubt if you want a 2 seater sports car Vette would be a great bang for the buck. On the other hand leather wraped interior doesnot always add refinement to a car. In my opinion with regards to interior and overall refinement  BMW still has an edge.

Also I think these two cars are not in the same class nor do they compete against one another. In my opinion out of the non luxury cars Mustang GT500 and among luxury brand cars MB CLK AMG and Audi RS4 compete against M3. If you wanna push the boundries maybe you can include a Porsche 911 even though its back seats are not even real back seats. Among Jag the XKR with its supercharged version can compete or Aston V8 vantage but I think the price of Porsche, Aston, and Jag push them more upscale and they seem to be more in line with M6.


In my honest opinion much like how Vette or Lotus Elise are hard to compare with anything else in there respective classes M3 is actually very hard to compare with any car directly. I think at best CLK AMG is the only car it can be truly compared against since even RS4 is a 4 door sedan and not a hyper performance GT coupe.? ?

I wasn't referring to the Z06. It would probably cost me quite a bit more than an M3 to get my hands on one of them (as much as I'd love to). Instead, I was simply talking about a "base" Corvette - something like a Z51. With the boost in horsepower and the leather-wrapped interior, a Corvette would be a great M3 alternative (and yes, I realize it doesn't have back seats).

[1 BAD 7]

But I think when you are talking of a road car that is to be used as a daily driver how a car goes arround the streets is as important factor as how it goes arround a track. So if a car is able to be super quick on track and not punish its drivers on every day use then the misson is accomplished. To some degree the new M3 reminds me of Acura NSX which used to be very easy to drive on the track and off the track most any driver could push it to its limit on track compared to other super cars which were more twitchy and required greater driver effort.

I remember in a recent head to head comparison Porsche Cayman S was thought to be far more easier to drive to its limit on track where as BMW Z4 was thought to require more driver effort to push it to its limit.

Both reviews of C/D and M/T suggest that M3 is very capable car at 10/10th. How you have came to a conclusion that how it goes on track is not up to par is beyond me.


But then again there are plenty of anti BMW fan boys too and that is typical of them to never give credit where credit is due.

It matters for image and bragging rights. I've said it before but how a car goes around a track is far more important than how fast it does.

[Raza]

I wouldn't spend 60+ grand on a car that is just almost as good as a 911. 

[S204STi]

I wouldn't spend 60+ grand on a car that is just almost as good as a 911.?

Even though for $60k you get a car that is almost as good as a 911?  Which you can't buy new for anything near that?   

[Raza]

Even though for $60k you get a car that is almost as good as a 911?? Which you can't buy new for anything near that?? ?

I'd be quite happy saving my pennies, buying used, or just getting a Boxster S.



Maybe a C63 AMG, though...hmm...

[S204STi]

I'd be quite happy saving my pennies, buying used, or just getting a Boxster S.



Maybe a C63 AMG, though...hmm...

I don't blame you.  The 911 is one of those cars that just gets better with age...I would love an older 911 SC Targa...w0w!

[NomisR]

But then for a new 60k BMW, you don't have to pay out the ass for maintainence for the first 3 yrs...

[1 BAD 7]

Why would you want to waste your money on a Porsche Boxster S or 911 when you can buy a used Z06 or Lotus Elise that are both more capable performance machines on track. 

[S204STi]

But then for a new 60k BMW, you don't have to pay out the ass for maintainence for the first 3 yrs...

Good point!