M3/M4 M5board.com member testdrive the new M3

[Zafiro]

Drove it again yesterday, had a bit more time then before. The seat controls turn out to be broken, as it will move up and down but will not change rake. Still too high though. Although the suspension has a comfortable and softer edge to it then say an e60 M5, it does have more front end grip then any BMW before it. The bit of roll feels alarming, but one it sets it will grip and grip and grip. The steering is becomes a bit heavier in Sport mode, allowing precise turnin and the rest to be done with the pedal. MDM allows a surprising amount of play, much more then in the M5, and will allow you to tailbrake into a bend, have the wheel straight by the apex and take it out on throttle. Not interfering. And the power of the V8 is addicting, as it provdes much more fun in midrange then the S54 did. EML seems to be programmed off when the Sport button is lit. You'd better match your revs well on downshifts, as it will drag the rear wheels third-to-second immediately under braking if you blip 300 rpm short. On one side this feels ancient compared to SMG, on the other hand it does provide a level of involvement you do have in older cars and miss in the SMG cars where you have two hands on the wheel all the time and focus 90% of your attention on conditions and lines. Both have its merits. The manual is harder and more rewarding to drive quickly, the SMG will flatter more and help you more. You need to program your mind back to driving manual, and not downshift in small spots where you would get away with it in SMG, especialy as the V8 doesn't need it.

Did find some looseness in the rear, felt like the CSL feels when the outer rear arm rubbers are due for a change. Probably accelerated wear and tear on the very hard used press car, not surprising knowing the rate a CSL goes through these if the stock ones are fitted. It's amazing how they combined it bit of extra comfort with a lot more grip. The extra torque is very useful, and makes it ALIVE without the need to wind it up.

The gearbox is extremely close ratio in the higher gears, as 3000rpm in 6th leaves some space with the 8400 max. It's a very physical and mechanical manual tranny, which a lot of you will probably add shortshifters to. I wouldn't, as it's heavy enough as is and the trow is longish but not a nuisance.

As a trackday-only car a CSL still has the edge, as a daily car for hard backroad driving and an occasional trackday the e92 has won me over. The extra torque is addicting, and the front end grip is amazing. Bring on a proper set of seats though..... As faith had it the drive was again cut short with a client calling and me needing get to work because of it, but I'll remember this one, and can't wait for BMW to start running these in Fahrertraining.

The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com) - View Single Post - Drove e92 M3 today.

 

[Deutsch]

Seems like BMW has created somewhat of a robotic "jack of all trades" w/ the E92 M3, endowing it w/ so many gizmos to alter the cars character to suit a variety of tastes. Gizmos aside, I believe DCT will take this cars character to the next level, a level that will perhaps satisfy the enthusiast that seems to have been left out thus far with the existing 6 spd car. You'll get lightening quick shifts that make use of the cars rev happy engine.