M3/M4 Detroit News - BMW M3 Challenges Rivals with a Fun, Sporty, Luxurious Combination

[Merc1]

It's a sweet tone: a small little bell echoing through the cockpit of the 2008 BMW M3.

The problem was I didn't know what it meant. Bings, bongs, and little beeps always mean something, and usually it's something wrong: check your seat belt; your door is ajar; the engine is about to explode. I didn't know what this particular unobtrusive bing meant in the greater scheme of warning signals, so I took my foot off the accelerator and looked over the sleek black leather dashboard.

Not a sign, but wow, the M3 is sweet.

Some cars can impress with their performance, others with their posh touches and cool technology; the M3 manages both. It has to with so many other high-end sports sedans vying for the No. 1 spot with American racers. The Audi RS4, Lexus IS F and C63 AMG all beat the M3 in one area or another -- but none offer as complete a package.

The C63 AMG offers more luxury (and power) than the M3 in terms of comfort and quiet ride. The RS4 can outperform the M3 in extreme cornering and in bad weather. But that's not taking anything away from the M3, which wins the triathlon of fun, sporty and luxurious without taking first in any of the events.

Of course, with any of these cars, you'll need more than $50,000 available just to be given a free cup of coffee at the dealership. The M3 sedan starts at $55,875, which includes shipping and a $1,300 gas guzzler tax or the same amount my 401(k) lost while you're reading this.

All that money won't buy you great gas mileage. The M3 hits 14 miles per gallon in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. Then again, if you have the cash for this car, you're more concerned with performance and leather-wrapped exclusivity than gas mileage.


Full Article:


(TRI)umphant: BMW M3 challenges rivals with a fun, sporty, luxurious combination | The Detroit News | detnews.com


M

 

[klier]

I disagree. There are other areas where the M3 is better han the rest than just 'overall'. Like handling and track performance.

 

[Zafiro]

I disagree. There are other areas where the M3 is better han the rest than just 'overall'. Like handling and track performance.

"The Audi RS4, Lexus IS F and C63 AMG all beat the M3 in one area or another -- but none offer as complete a package."

 

[klier]

"The Audi RS4, Lexus IS F and C63 AMG all beat the M3 in one area or another -- but none offer as complete a package."

Yea, what?????

I was saying they DON'T beat the M3 all in one area or another. Not in areas like handling and track performance.
The article says they do.

 

[Zafiro]

Not in areas like handling and track performance.
The article says they do.

Where do I read this?

 

[Tarek]

"The Audi RS4, Lexus IS F and C63 AMG all beat the M3 in one area or another -- but none offer as complete a package."

Was just gonna say that,Klier calm down man

 

[warot]

"But that's not taking anything away from the M3, which wins the triathlon of fun, sporty and luxurious without taking first in any of the events"

 

[Tumbo]

The RS4 can outperform the M3 in extreme cornering..

Who would have thought that 10 years ago

 

[klier]

"But that's not taking anything away from the M3, which wins the triathlon of fun, sporty and luxurious without taking first in any of the events"

Seriously, some people here appear not to be able to read sometimes

One more, but this time I highlight another part, and not the one Just_Me bolded:

"The Audi RS4, Lexus IS F and C63 AMG all beat the M3 in one area or another -- but none offer as complete a package."

 

[Zafiro]

Seriously, some people here appear not to be able to read sometimes

One more, but this time I highlight another part, and not the one Just_Me bolded:

I read and read and read it again but I dont find anything saying the others are better on the track.

 

[klier]

They say the others are better in one area or another, and if we talk about M3 and C63 like cars, I assume track performance is part of the 'one area or another', wouldn't you agree?

 

[Mr Robert]

Who would have thought that 10 years ago

Hehe, good point. Of course there must be tracks where the RS4 is faster and in bad conditions 4wd is always favourable. One more thing, it might be faster but never as fun to drive.

This magazine also find the C63 more comfortable than the M3, so their view might differ in many ways from that of the majority.

 

[Mr Robert]

I read and read and read it again but I dont find anything saying the others are better on the track.

They do not say that. However, they say that the RS4 outperforms the M3 in "extreme cornering" and bad conditions, I read that "very tight, slow corners" and "in the wet" - which both would be perfectly suited for a 4WD car.

Ergo - not much has changed, the M3 was never neither the most powerfull, nor was it the most 4WD compared to the competition

 

[chonkoa]

I wonder if there is a definition for "extreme cornering"...

 

[warot]

I wonder if there is a definition for "extreme cornering"...

Exactly, very weird. Cause in my definition, a track is full of extreme cornering, and the M3 has always come out on top. However, I will say that my hat is off for the RS4. That's a car that's held up very well even though it's the "oldest" car out there.

 

[VroomVroom]

Exactly, very weird. Cause in my definition, a track is full of extreme cornering, and the M3 has always come out on top. However, I will say that my hat is off for the RS4. That's a car that's held up very well even though it's the "oldest" car out there.

I still miss a heart beat every time I see one

 

[bmwownage]

C63 more comfortable is something new, i thought the C63 is the most harsh C63 ever and is even harder than the new M3.
As for wet conditions, surely a 4wd is better. For very twisty roads (extreme cornering), while M3 probably has faster overall corner entries and exits, but you can't exploit them so much in twisty roads and perhaps a 4wd has an advantage. They probably didn't mean a track when they talk about 'extreme cornering'. In fast sweeping corners, or even slower ones, M3 is an absolute monster.

 

[Mr Robert]

I would go fo an Audi RS4 as a winter car...