M3/M4 Reviewing the M3 Reviews.

[ILC32]

So far, the only really encouraging review (not counting the informal comments by Steved) is the Top Gear review. The others are all lackluster, in a way damning the car with faint praise.

It is tough to draw any real conclusions without objective testing, which no one has published so far.

Objectively, one thing that strikes me is the difference between the comments on the steering. I wonder if one reason for the different reactions to the steering is a result of M Drive. I know M drive has two or three settings for steering. Perhaps the reviews that claim the steering is too light are based on the mildest/least sporty setting?

 

[Zafiro]

Re: Reviewing the Reviews

there are 3 different modes:

1. Normal
2. Sport
3. Sport Plus

Do you think they missed the sportmode plus setting?

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s218/DoctorD_album/M3 Press Launch/DSC00031.jpg
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s218/DoctorD_album/M3 Press Launch/DSC00032.jpg

 

[ILC32]

Re: Reviewing the Reviews

there are 3 different modes:

1. Normal
2. Sport
3. Sport Plus

Do you think they missed the sportmode plus setting?

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s218/DoctorD_album/M3 Press Launch/DSC00031.jpg
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s218/DoctorD_album/M3 Press Launch/DSC00032.jpg

Some jouralists are better/more thorough/more attentive than others. Car magazine cannot even get simple things like weight correct.

I do think it is possible, even likely, that some of the comments about the M3 being too civilized/less hard core may be a result of the journalists' inattention to what modes the car was in during their drives.

Example: the only writer who really liked the M3 is the guy from Top Gear. He is also the only one who expressed concern after this drive that the suspension might be too firm in sport mode, which means he at least actually tried setting the EDC to sport.

 

[south]

Re: Reviewing the Reviews

there are 3 different modes:

1. Normal
2. Sport
3. Sport Plus

Do you think they missed the sportmode plus setting?

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s218/DoctorD_album/M3 Press Launch/DSC00031.jpg
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s218/DoctorD_album/M3 Press Launch/DSC00032.jpg

No that's the throttle response (POWER) with 3 modes. The steering has two different modes (Normal - Sport). My guess was indeed that some missed the ability to switch to Sport mode since it's only programmable via MDrive.

Best regards, south

 

[south]

Re: Reviewing the Reviews

Some jouralists are better/more thorough/more attentive than others. Car magazine cannot even get simple things like weight correct.

I do think it is possible, even likely, that some of the comments about the M3 being too civilized/less hard core may be a result of the journalists' inattention to what modes the car was in during their drives.

Example: the only writer who really liked the M3 is the guy from Top Gear. He is also the only one who expressed concern after this drive that the suspension might be too firm in sport mode, which means he at least actually tried setting the EDC to sport.

Almost all of the german reviews so far are very enthusiastic! Maybe the UK folks have a aversion against german cars?

Best regards, south

 

[ILC32]

Re: Reviewing the Reviews

Almost all of the german reviews so far are very enthusiastic! Maybe the UK folks have a aversion against german cars?

Best regards, south

Can you provide any links?

I have not seen any german reviews other than the AMS comparison to the E30 M3, but I do not think AMS had actually driven the car.

 

[south]

Re: Reviewing the Reviews

Can you provide any links?

I have not seen any german reviews other than the AMS comparison to the E30 M3, but I do not think AMS had actually driven the car.

Sure:

Fahrbericht BMW M3 - Neuwagentests - autobild.de
A must see is also the first video: Autobild.de - Galerie

The author/driver from Autobild really liked the car. ("the legend lives on")


Two more german links, but that are german newspapers:
Fahrbericht: BMW M3 Donner und Doria - Auto & Mobil - sueddeutsche.de ("great steering" !!!)
WELT ONLINE - Der neue BMW M3 liebt die Rennstrecke - Nachrichten Motor

Best regards, south

 

[romo]

Re: Reviewing the Reviews

Almost all of the german reviews so far are very enthusiastic! Maybe the UK folks have a aversion against german cars?

Best regards, south

That is not all true.

Top Gear ( normaly not a fan off German enginering ) has a verry possitive review;


Top Gear

 

[LaArtist]

Re: Reviewing the Reviews

2 reviews are positive.. TG and Canadian.. both those seems to not have driven the M3 on track..
i belive thats where the problem is..

 

[bmwrules]

Re: Reviewing the Reviews

I think we can blame American car magazines for the softening of the new M3. The last several reviews/comparisons I read about the M3 in magazines like Car and Driver/Motor Trend complained about the car being too hardcore for daily driving against cars like the RS4. Seems like BMW listened to that criticism and softened it up in order to please them. Of course I'm sure they will be among those criticizing the M3 for being too soft.

 

[south]

Re: Reviewing the Reviews

2 reviews are positive.. TG and Canadian.. both those seems to not have driven the M3 on track..
i belive thats where the problem is..

German Autobild has driven the car on track and the guy was really enthusiastic about the car! (see video link above)

Best regards, south

 

[Deutsch]

Re: Reviewing the Reviews

Thing to keep in mind is what the M3 is being compared against in all of these reviews, and that's the previous version, which is a very good car(in non SMG form). Realistically it probably performs as BMW should, with decent controls(note the comparison made by Autocar to the E39 M5), but lacking the intensity of the previous versions handling.

It's also qutie disheartening that BMW M have made this a gizmo car allowing the driver to manipulate so much of the cars character, which doesn't make sense of the M3 concept- a focused, high performance sportscar with track capability- not a car that becomes whatever you want it to, when you want it. This is suppose to be a "take it or leave" kind of car, as all sportscars have been and should be. This car shouldn't have an "POWER" button, it should always have 420hp, what else do you buy a high performance sportscar for? There shouldn't be "EDC", just an M sports suspension. If you can't take the ride, if you need less horsepower, buy something else!!! And now you can adjust how much weight the steering has.... are you kidding me!?!?!? Awful. The M3 up until now has always been a straightforward kind of car, no gimmicks. Now its full of them.

 

[RikfromBelgium]

Re: Reviewing the Reviews

the power button doesn't change a thing about the Bhp

 

[Deutsch]

Re: Reviewing the Reviews

the power button doesn't change a thing about the Bhp

Its obvious you're missing the point. Point is, there shouldn't be one. You buy this car because it has 420hp, not because you can dumb it down to a smaller number. That makes no earthly sense whatsoever. If you want less than 420hp, BUY SOMETHING ELSE that has -420hp.

 

[south]

Re: Reviewing the Reviews

Its obvious you're missing the point. Point is, there shouldn't be one. You buy this car because it has 420hp, not because you can dumb it down to a smaller number. That makes no earthly sense whatsoever. If you want less than 420hp, BUY SOMETHING ELSE that has -420hp.

No, his point is that you always have the full 420hp on the M3, the POWER button only changes the throttle mapping!

Best regards, south

 

[Sunny]

Re: Reviewing the Reviews

Thing to keep in mind is what the M3 is being compared against in all of these reviews, and that's the previous version, which is a very good car(in non SMG form). Realistically it probably performs as BMW should, with decent controls(note the comparison made by Autocar to the E39 M5), but lacking the intensity of the previous versions handling.

It's also qutie disheartening that BMW M have made this a gizmo car allowing the driver to manipulate so much of the cars character, which doesn't make sense of the M3 concept- a focused, high performance sportscar with track capability- not a car that becomes whatever you want it to, when you want it. This is suppose to be a "take it or leave" kind of car, as all sportscars have been and should be. This car shouldn't have an "POWER" button, it should always have 420hp, what else do you buy a high performance sportscar for? There shouldn't be "EDC", just an M sports suspension. If you can't take the ride, if you need less horsepower, buy something else!!! And now you can adjust how much weight the steering has.... are you kidding me!?!?!? Awful. The M3 up until now has always been a straightforward kind of car, no gimmicks. Now its full of them.

You got some of your facts wrong. The car always makes 420HP (unlike the M5 which you can dumb it down to 400hp). As for the EDC, the E34 M5, one of the best M cars of all time imo also had it.

 

[Deutsch]

Re: Reviewing the Reviews

No, his point is that you always have the full 420hp on the M3, the POWER button only changes the throttle mapping!

Best regards, south

Oh, so it's like the "sport" button in the RS4??? That makes sense. I thought the POWER button limited the full HP rating to a lower threshold, as is in the E60 M5. I guess I'm missing something?

The more I'm thinking about the E92 M3, the more I think everyone including myself is overreacting. Fact is the M3 still has the essence of the E30 M3 at its' core, but a carbon copy of the original E30 M3 is something that the market just won't accept. Hence all the features, what seem like unnecessary compromises are included in the new M3 package. Still a sportscar, still an M3, but an M3 people will want to drive on a daily basis. Still somethings I don't understand, like EDC in a car like this, but hey, at least its' optional. I'm also sure larger wheels and lower profile tires will cure the steering issue.

This article puts the evolution of the M3 into prespective :

Three classic M3s driven - First Drives - Carmagazine.co.uk

 

[Zafiro]

Re: Reviewing the Reviews

yes, the sportbutton is like RS4 or M3 E46. Always 420hp, never less or more.

I still wait for Sportauto to drive the car, what HvS says is important to me. I still have faith in BMW but it aint looking good so far IMO.

 

[Deutsch]

Re: Reviewing the Reviews

You got some of your facts wrong. The car always makes 420HP (unlike the M5 which you can dumb it down to 400hp).

LoL, I got that like a hair of a second after you replied, I had the "POWER" button in the M3 mixed up with the one in the M5. Thanks though.

As for the EDC, the E34 M5, one of the best M cars of all time imo also had it.

I didn't know that. Personally I don't understand why'd you'd want a sporting automobile to ride more luxuriously, it brings tnto question just what did the buyer think or she was getting? It's what the market demands of these kinds of cars though. I'm sure if I owned an E92 M3 with EDC I wouldn't mind it after some time, but I'd really do without.

 

[Sunny]

Re: Reviewing the Reviews

I didn't know that. Personally I don't understand why'd you'd want a sporting automobile to ride more luxuriously, it brings tnto question just what did the buyer think or she was getting? It's what the market demands of these kinds of cars though. I'm sure if I owned an E92 M3 with EDC I wouldn't mind it after some time, but I'd really do without.

Well, even GT3 has adjustable suspension these days. The truth is people don't race these cars every day and for a normal commute a softer suspension setting is more desirable.