M3/M4 The Car Enthusiast First Drive - BMW M3

[south]

Man, do I love critics with little background.

The R8 had a "famous" test in german sportauto with some disappointing test results. Maybe everybody's expectations are too high for the R8. It's not a wonder car at all. It's just a good Gallardo based Audi at a quite attractive price, they didn't reinvent the wheel...and there is a car that will match the driving dynamics of the R8 - it will be the M3!

Best regards, south

Very nice South, The above is a nice little rip on me from another forum for complimenting the R8 and its incredible "driving dynamics", which BMW claims to have a monopoly on. And of course, no response from you when I tried to defend myself. What now, you had a revelation and see the light and are jumping on the "little background" bandwagon? Very nice. The M3 is an incredible value for the money. IMO the Cayman and R8 will handle better than the E92 M3 mainly due to it's lower weight and mid engine design, but both are way behind the M in bang for the buck performance. But you are right, value won't make the M3 perform better. Like I referred to in the other forum, You are an invaluable source of information on the forums. Keep up the good work.

Hi Ruff!
Is that the one I have to bear that you're even with me?

I overlooked your reply on the other forum (check there for my reply).
All I'm willing to say here is that the R8's weight is not that lower. I really expect a head-to-head race between R8 and M3. The Cayman is another kind of car, as you said with a significant lower weight, but also less power.

Best regards, south

 

[ruff]

Hi Ruff!
Is that the one I have to bear that you're even with me?

I overlooked your reply on the other forum (check there for my reply).
All I'm willing to say here is that the R8's weight is not that lower. I really expect a head-to-head race between R8 and M3. The Cayman is another kind of car, as you said with a significant lower weight, but also less power.

Best regards, south

South, it's all good. I appreciated your reply on the other forum. You can read my response there.

 

[Matt]

interestingly enough, the new M cars have traditionally had lighter steering than there normal" counterparts-the m5 steering was noticeably lighter than the 550i's when i drove them-however i didnt make the judgement on feedback which i thought was better on the M5.

 

[Poverty]

Hi Ruff!
Is that the one I have to bear that you're even with me?

I overlooked your reply on the other forum (check there for my reply).
All I'm willing to say here is that the R8's weight is not that lower. I really expect a head-to-head race between R8 and M3. The Cayman is another kind of car, as you said with a significant lower weight, but also less power.

Best regards, south

IMO the R8 would make the M3 look silly and easily at that. Completely different beasts.

 

[Sunny]

IMO the R8 would make the M3 look silly and easily at that. Completely different beasts.

I don't know how you define silly - but if you are talking about performance, I doubt it. M3 will probably give you 90% of the performance at 60% of the price (but then so do the RS4). Heck, if the initial numbers are to be believed, it M3 is even faster in 0-200kmh - I won't call that making it look silly by any stretch of imagination.

 

[RICHBOY]

I don't know how you define silly - but if you are talking about performance, I doubt it. M3 will probably give you 90% of the performance at 60% of the price (but then so do the RS4). Heck, if the initial numbers are to be believed, it M3 is even faster in 0-200kmh - I won't call that making it look silly by any stretch of imagination.

M3 faster then the R8 0-200km? Not likely! You might want a see if the M3 can take down the C63 and RS4 before jumping over the moon to where the R8 dwell's! Let's not forget all the major players the R8's embarrassed in it's short life span, there's no need to name names now is it?

 

[south]

M3 faster then the R8 0-200km? Not likely! You might want a see if the M3 can take down the C63 and RS4 before jumping over the moon to where the R8 dwell's! Let's not forget all the major players the R8's embarrassed in it's short life span, there's no need to name names now is it?

BMW claims 15,8s for the M3 (0-200km/h), R8's best result so far was 16,2 on competition tyres. This also makes sense since the M3 has a slightly better drag coefficient than the R8 (CdA M3:0.684; R8:0.7).

Best regards, south

 

[Poverty]

BMW claims 15,8s for the M3 (0-200km/h), R8's best result so far was 16,2 on competition tyres. This also makes sense since the M3 has a slightly better drag coefficient than the R8 (CdA M3:0.684; R8:0.7).

Best regards, south

BMW is heavier with less torque. But then the R8 is 4wd.

 

[Matt]

BMW claims 15,8s for the M3 (0-200km/h), R8's best result so far was 16,2 on competition tyres. This also makes sense since the M3 has a slightly better drag coefficient than the R8 (CdA M3:0.684; R8:0.7).

Best regards, south

Its that 8300 red line that makes it so. Even with less power and more weight (i believe) the M3 is faster at top end speeds because the engine revs to hell-once the engine is at 6000-8000 rpm torque has minimal role.

btw-im falling back in love with the M3 after seeing the videos-what a gorgeous sound coming out of the exhaust!

 

[RICHBOY]

BMW claims 15,8s for the M3 (0-200km/h), R8's best result so far was 16,2 on competition tyres. This also makes sense since the M3 has a slightly better drag coefficient than the R8 (CdA M3:0.684; R8:0.7).

Best regards, south

I guess I'll have to take your word on the whole 16.2 claim you've made, I don't have enough time to go through all the reviews. In regards to BMW's 15.8 claim, well will see soon enough! I've read test data that claimed the R8 took as much as 4.7sec 0-60mph and as low as 3.9, something tells me the R8 can top 15.8sec.

 

[Matt]

Bmw uses pretty conservative figures as well^

 

[Sunny]

I guess I'll have to take your word on the whole 16.2 claim you've made, I don't have enough time to go through all the reviews. In regards to BMW's 15.8 claim, well will see soon enough! I've read test data that claimed the R8 took as much as 4.7sec 0-60mph and as low as 3.9, something tells me the R8 can top 15.8sec.

All we have is initial numbers, the R8 might be quicker by a few 10ths or may be the M3, I frankly don't know, but the R8 definitely doesn't make the M3 look silly like some one claimed, especially given the price tag and that was my point.

 

[south]

I guess I'll have to take your word on the whole 16.2 claim you've made, I don't have enough time to go through all the reviews. In regards to BMW's 15.8 claim, well will see soon enough! I've read test data that claimed the R8 took as much as 4.7sec 0-60mph and as low as 3.9, something tells me the R8 can top 15.8sec.

16.2 was the time at SportAuto Supertest. I didn't find a better one!?
AutoMotorSport had a test where the R8 needed 16.7s. Audi itself claimed a 14.9 anyway!

Best regards, south

 

[RICHBOY]

Bmw uses pretty conservative figures as well^

That's true, the only German car company that's factory times tend to be suspect is Mercedes. Audi, BMW, and Porsche's factory claims are pretty modest to say the least!

 

[RICHBOY]

BMW claims 15,8s for the M3 (0-200km/h), R8's best result so far was 16,2 on competition tyres. This also makes sense since the M3 has a slightly better drag coefficient than the R8 (CdA M3:0.684; R8:0.7).

Best regards, south

I was searching through some RS6.com forms and found these 0-200 times posted. I'm not sure of the source, but if true the new C63 is the top sprinter in this segment, and by a land slide even if the new M3's doing it in 15.8sec!

RS4 does 0-200 @16.6
C63 AMG does 0-200 @ 14.7

 

[Zafiro]

C63 has much better torque and much more horses, so C63 should be the fastest here in german trio or Its a failure imo.
DCT for M3 is going to produce better acceleration times than manual version, but I dont think its going to touch the C63. C63 cetainly has the power advantage.

 

[RICHBOY]

C63 has much better torque and much more horses, so C63 should be the fastest here in german trio or Its a failure imo.
DCT for M3 is going to produce better acceleration times than manual version, but I dont think its going to touch the C63. C63 cetainly has the power advantage.

I'm not buying Mercedes 14.7 0-200 claims, I'd add a second or so!