M3/M4 Autocar: M3 testdrive report

[Yperion]

Absolutely right.Whats with your avtar?Audi dumped

I saw Just_me's new avatar and got jealous. There is no reason for the mods to be boring. We can have our moments of fun too.

 

[Zafiro]

I read on mbworld.org that US has sold more M3's than the whole AMG range. Sounds to me like the market want a raw and hardcore M3, I dont see how the market has changed.
Only explanation I see for the M3 becoming softer is becuase of its size and weight and the upcoming M1. I cant see what the market has to do with M3, they could have made it raw as M3 E46 and it would still sell....a lot.

 

[PanterroR]

I saw Just_me's new avatar and got jealous. There is no reason for the mods to be boring. We can have our moments of fun too.

Really? Well, let me see what can i come up with... I ain't gonna touch my avatar, that you can forget, but whining does inspire me i must admit...

 

[bmer]

I'll wait for the other tests (EVO, SportAuto, Auto Zeitung, Auto Bild, AMS, R&T, Motor Trend, C&D, Fifth Gear etc.) before my conclusion but so far it isn't what was expected...

 

[CorpusCallosum]

hmmm. disappointing so far ... But in the end its personal driving experience that matters and I'm sure it will be plenty raw from most drivers around th world

 

[Maximus Decimus]

I have to say I'm a bit disappointed by the initial reviews. I'm hoping its a case of that let down feeling we all get when something gets over-hyped and when you check it out for yourself you're disappointed because your expectations were really unrealistic in the 1st place. Like a new movie. To get a real flavor, the major competitors have to be pitted against one on another on the same track on the same day.

Not surprised by the initial thoughts however, BMW is definitely set on making the 3 series in general a more upscale car and with that comes sacrifices and compromises at the expense of the purist. Sadly the majority of people casting votes with their wallets are not enthusiasts or purists or really using the car for a 1/3 of what it's cable of. You won't find them on forums, or at track days. How many times have we all blown past someone on the motorway and wondered why they even have the car?

Have to say something to whoever said the car has been "Americanized". I resent that remark. Its a broad generalization and a bit insulting. As if to say Americans are soft. The harder, rawer, manual M5 would not exist if it weren't for the American market.

 

[EnI]

I read on mbworld.org that US has sold more M3's than the whole AMG range. Sounds to me like the market want a raw and hardcore M3, I dont see how the market has changed.
Only explanation I see for the M3 becoming softer is becuase of its size and weight and the upcoming M1. I cant see what the market has to do with M3, they could have made it raw as M3 E46 and it would still sell....a lot.

The customers are always asked what upgrades they want from the next generation of the model. I'm sure the research showed most customers want more luxury & more daily car, while still capable of performing excellently. And they got it.

Also ... BMW is determined to get every single M model a specific personality. And ... more CLS models will be available then before. M3 CSL, M6 CSL, maybe even Z4 M CSL & M1 CSL. Who knows ...

 

[Zafiro]

Have to say something to whoever said the car has been "Americanized". I resent that remark. Its a broad generalization and a bit insulting. As if to say Americans are soft. The harder, rawer, manual M5 would not exist if it weren't for the American market.

nothing insulting at all, dont take it wrong. US is BMW biggest and most important market and according to ENi, surveys has been done so if US is the most important market then they have most "saying" in this.

and the manual M5 is a disappointment too, not as raw as M5 SMG, DSC cant even be turned of 100% like the SMG version can. Most reviews from US has been negative about manual M5. A manual M5 wont be available in Europe, I wonder why?

 

[Imhotep Evil]

Re: Autocar: M3 tesdrive report

Ja so? Were we expecting anything better than what Sutters had to say about the car? Given that he is one of the most experienced and talented motoring journo's out there, it's understandable that he's being highly critical of such an eagerly anticipated car.

Steering with a 6 out of 10? Not the end of the world - this could just be a pre-production model and they're using the journalists to gauge dynamic appeal. As with all previous M models, they initially garner a little flak from the motoring press for not being what they might have expected. Then, with time and familiarity the M3 shows its true colours once more.

Of course the fuel consumption was going to be in the high teens - it's basically an eight cylinder S85 for Moses' sake. If you want the horses, you must feed them.

Agreed.
The 335i MT tested was also pre-production if I'm not mistaking.

 

[Imhotep Evil]

nothing insulting at all, dont take it wrong. US is BMW biggest and most important market and according to ENi, surveys has been done so if US is the most important market then they have most "saying" in this.

and the manual M5 is a disappointment too, not as raw as M5 SMG, DSC cant even be turned of 100% like the SMG version can. Most reviews from US has been negative about manual M5. A manual M5 wont be available in Europe, I wonder why?

Yep and Ferrari (with manual vs. the F1 transmission) also suffered from this problem.

 

[tobajara]

New BMW M3 - First Drives - Carmagazine.co.uk

 

[Imhotep Evil]

Have to say something to whoever said the car has been "Americanized". I resent that remark. Its a broad generalization and a bit insulting. As if to say Americans are soft. The harder, rawer, manual M5 would not exist if it weren't for the American market.

Actually it's not.
Americans are like this:

- 99.99% bigger is better (automatic)
- 0.xyz old school enthusiasts (stick boys)
- 0.abc new school enthusiasts (semi-automatics boys)


BMW somehow tries to please all, and IMO it's wrong. And BMW have admitted that in the USA M is now seen as the most upscale BMWs.

 

[warot]

If you guys expected the new M3 to be as raw as the last M3 CSL, then you need a reality check. I'm still waiting for the other reviews to come to make final judgement (too bad we don't get the M3 press cars in SA yet, or else I'll give you guys feedback).

All in all, you have to see what BMW is doing. They are moving the M3 along with its bigger brothers up-market. There will be plenty of other cars to fill the smaller gaps.

I still have 100% confidence in ///M. Notice my avatar, you know where my head is at

 

[martinbo]

Much Ado About Nothing

The perception that a newer generation car is going to be more hardcore, rawer and less refined than its predecessor is completely delusional.

Remember all the criticism that the E36 got for going the 210 kW straight six route in an altogether more civilised and elegant bodyshell, coupled with luxurious appointments and a much better ride? At first it got lambasted, too refined they said... then in practicality an instant it turned the "supercar for the masses", 911-beater, darling of everyone out there...

Oh look here, this one's now gained a V8 in the interests of competitive advantage, some additional refinement and a slightly heavier bodyshell. Strewth, the recipe is destroyed! Burn your BMW apparell, archive your favourite BMW pics and arrange to have that ///M tattoo removed. The end is nigh!

...such superficiality.

Face it: Refinement is synonymous with Progress.

Every consumer out there wants their new car to be better in all aspects over the previous car. No one wants to say that the ride is less supple or the engine delivery is less linear.

Whether it's a 599 GTB, GT3 RS, M3 or C63 AMG - you can be assured that the improvement is applied in all areas and this is perceived as the car coming across as having gone "soft".

 

[ILC32]

Andreas, you are going hysterical!



Take some Valium pills before it's too late, for Lord's sake.

He needs to take something. Maybe a few beers would help!

Just_Me your avatar is hilarious!

But you are dead to me!

 

[Maximus Decimus]

Actually it's not.
Americans are like this:

- 99.99% bigger is better (automatic)
- 0.xyz old school enthusiasts (stick boys)
- 0.abc new school enthusiasts (semi-automatics boys)

BMW somehow tries to please all, and IMO it's wrong. And BMW have admitted that in the USA M is now seen as the most upscale BMWs.

Don't get me wrong, I am fully aware of the bias towards autos in the US. Not at all defending it. I just don't like broad generalizations like that. What would be a more useful stat for me though is of cars that are "performance" cars what percentage of those sold in the US are manual vs auto. Looking at all cars sold is pointless.

and the manual M5 is a disappointment too, not as raw as M5 SMG, DSC cant even be turned of 100% like the SMG version can. Most reviews from US has been negative about manual M5. A manual M5 wont be available in Europe, I wonder why?

Having never driven the E60 M5 can't speak much to that. From what I've gathered from reading the engine was designed with the sequential gearbox in mind.If that's the case, bmw should have stuck to their guns and left it with only the SMG tranny.

Manual M5 isn't available in Europe because there is NO demand for it. But I'm guessing I'm supposed to infer that it's because Europeans know better than Americans. I'm sure those that wanted the manual M5 didn't also say, by the way, please make sure to bump up the annoyance of the electro nanny's as well. That would be a little

Anyways, we're getting off subject, but I had to drop my .02 euros on the americanized comment. Time to go check out the Top Gear review...

 

[LaArtist]

If you guys expected the new M3 to be as raw as the last M3 CSL, then you need a reality check. I'm still waiting for the other reviews to come to make final judgement (too bad we don't get the M3 press cars in SA yet, or else I'll give you guys feedback).

All in all, you have to see what BMW is doing. They are moving the M3 along with its bigger brothers up-market. There will be plenty of other cars to fill the smaller gaps.

I still have 100% confidence in ///M. Notice my avatar, you know where my head is at

hell according to this..its not even as raw as the previous M3 let alone the CSL..
so thats not the point of bitchin here..

but i see much defensive posts here.. so im not gonna say something.. until ive seen more reviews.. but damn this far.. its not sounding nice..

 

[klier]

Holy Moly the board has gone mental [face_shock]

Guys, please. read the Top Gear report or something.

I tell you right now that the M3 will be twice as hardcore than the C63. Either this, or hell freezes over....and that will never happen.

 

[klier]

Re: Autocar: M3 tesdrive report

We should wait. Period. Cars with such immense depth of ability take time to unfurl their great talents - layer by layer.

I'm unfazed.

Finally some sense.... WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A QUICK FIRST DRIVE HERE

 

[RICHBOY]

WHAT!!!



It seems BMW (like Audi with the A5) is going the American way. Softer suspension , less steering feedback , easier to drive overall for the unexperienced driver.

We might end up with Lexus handling standards if they continue this way!

Come on now Yannis we both know the A5 wasn't made to be hardcore like the M3! That's the job of the RS5, and I don't see RS5 disappointing like the M3 has!

Come on now people you can't possible be defecting so easily! These reviews should be taken with a grain of salt, it's not like the car was put through it's paces people. I'm not the biggest fan of recent BMW's but I find it highly unlikely that the new M3 (coupe/sedan) with be anything short of perfect!