M3/M4 E46 M3 inital review vs. E92 M3 initial reviews

[EnI]

Just to prove you that history repeats itself ...

Do you guys agree M3 E46 is one superb machine & sports car?

You do?

But the initial reviews back then in 2000 were not so great:

"...But we get the feeling BMW's M division could have gone one step further. In faster bends, there's a tad too much body roll, and a safe and secure nose-led stance which won't get you into trouble. The steering could also be slightly sharper and do with more feel, while the chassis would benefit from being set up to be even tauter and more agile to combat the inertia of this 1,570 kg machine. These are all 'ifs' and 'buts', though. BMW has sought to build the ultimate all-around super coupe, and to that extent it has succeeded, as the M3 is an eminently usable everyday car despite it's fantastic performance potential. What seems to be needed is some sort of stripped-out 'RS' or 'Club Sport' pack, like Porsche offers, with less toys, less weight and more focus to tighten everything up for serious enthusiasts who may like to take their pride and joy to the odd track day or two. ..."

So, now you know the E92 M3 is one just fine car.

E46 M3 steering was also "not as sharp" with "not enough feel", suspension allowed "too much body roll", chassis was "not set up well to combat the weight inertia", the car was built to be "all-rounder", a "sharper package for true enthusiasts" was needed.

Sounds familiar?

 

[wltsm]

Looks like you're right Eni, I'm sure the new M3 will be a huge success!

 

[Mr Robert]

I could have read that article seven years ago but it could just as well have been written last week...

 

[NarutoRamen]

Thanks for the proof eni. That's what I've been saying from the beginning. Don't let the initial reviews fool you. Wait until actual reviews on track. simple.

 

[PanterroR]

I could have read that article seven years ago but it could just as well have been written last week...

Knowing Eni, i give my hand to be cut if he tried something lame like that...

 

[EnI]

Knowing Eni, i give my hand to be cut if he tried something lame like that...

I remember many initial reviews of E46 M3 saying M3 was not flawless, too refine, too all-round, not as direct as expected, that more hardcore package is needed etc.

Yet it is hard to find them. Magazines from 2000 are already recycled, there are no online reviews from 2000 available on net, ...

The quote is from AutoExpress review of E46 M3.

I hope we found more similar reviews from 2000 - to prove that initial reactions to M3 E46 were not as good as the further reviews & tests. And I'm sure it will the the same case with E92 M3.

 

[Mr Robert]

I hope we found more similar reviews from 2000 - to prove that initial reactions to M3 E46 were not as good as the further reviews & tests. And I'm sure it will the the same case with E92 M3.

Well, to some extent i feel that the things that was often pointed out as the E46's weak point - dead steering feel at 12 o'clock - has suddenly been forgotten. Maybe because of the competition package featuring the steering rack from the CSL?

But at the end I think it is just a classic case of just remembering what was great of what was before.

 

[bmwownage]

Back then there just wasn't enough electronics for those variable suspension stiffness and ride height, it doesn't take much to change the M3's suspension to something else that makes it feel more stiff. I mean for normal E46s, without the sports suspension the car is simply too soft for what is capable for, and the dealer here has sports suspension springs for E46s for sale for people demanding more than just a sports sedan, but a very sporty sedan, or coupe.

 

[Guibo]

Here's TopGear, Oct 2000:
"across rough roads this new car offers more compliancy than the last M3. Even over sharply-angled cambers, the steering resists being twitched all over the place. Yet that isn't to say that it's perfect. Although a smidge quicker than a standard 3-Series' set-up, perplexingly - at least with the optional wheels in place - there's a reduction in communication through the wheel."

Car and Driver, Dec 2000:
"the new car keeps the rear end so well planted that only the front tires slide in the turns. Yep, it understeers -- badly. Considering how much we loved the old car's neutral handling -- you could call up under- or oversteer at will -- the realization of this trait almost brought tears to our eyes, but the fact remains that without some major driver heroics, the M3's rear end stays emphatically put. Understeer is a safe, if unexciting handling trait, and the new car masks its speed as well as the old."

C&D from 2003:
"A hormone-injected 3-series BMW sounds as if it would be a frisky, flingable sportster. In fact, the M3 feels heavy and reserved. Steering effort increases very little as you bite into a turn. Some drivers read that as 'effort too low.' All agree that communication is a bit aloof...This car is reliable for its understeer, and it’s not at all twitchy as you probe for its limits. It always feels trusty, but hardly spirited."

 

[EnI]

Yes, E46 M3 was a horrible car!

Most automotive journalists are such bullsh***ers.

I bet the following reviews over the next seven years will be quite positive, while the initial ones bitch over the car.

Like said before: it was the same case with E46 M3 - initial reviews were lukewarm, the following ones praised the car.


EG. I still do not understand the bitching over iDrive by journalists. OK, it is not as graphic as eg. MMI, but definitely not "too complicated", "a distraction", "a move backwards in ergonomics". As was mentioned onece: BMW had done a survey among BMW owners, and the reaction on iDrive had been very positive.

 

[Yperion]

When (for example) the S5 got mediocre reviews it was because the car didn't live up to the hype.

Now that M3 is getting mediocre reviews it's because journalists went crazy.

EnI you are a true BMW fan.

 

[Mr Robert]

When (for example) the S5 got mediocre reviews it was because the car didn't live up to the hype.

There was no hype regarding the S5 I far as I can tell. Everyone knew it was not going to be a true sports car and it was'nt. It was just damn good at what it does.

Regarding the reviews on the new M3 i think the journalists were even harder on the E46 than on the E92. Judging from the old reviews the E46 was plain rubbish...

 

[EnI]

When (for example) the S5 got mediocre reviews it was because the car didn't live up to the hype.

Now that M3 is getting mediocre reviews it's because journalists went crazy.

EnI you are a true BMW fan.

Why are you pushing Audi into this thread???

We are talking about E46 vs E92 M3 reviews here. BMW vs BMW. No place for Audi here.

We have several BMW vs threads open ( http://www.germancarforum.com/internal-combustion/16319-ohh-snap-audi-vs-bmw-1-0-a.html ) - no need to start the same debate here.

 

[NarutoRamen]

For reals man...why are people bringing AUDI into this? We are not discussing that. This is about how so many people are blindedly beleiving the initial reviews of the E92 M3, yet the reviews of the last one was the same.

It takes time for people to get used to something new. Open your eyes people.