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      02-03-2011, 11:22 AM   #1
Jon D
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M3 Advice

Hello All,
My first introduction to the joys of BMW motoring was with a 2008 E92 330d M Sport and I instantly understood all the pundit's talk of rear wheel drive and near perfect chassis balance. I thoroughly enjoyed the car and last year decided to change it for a new 335d - that was before they introduced the 2010 LCI changes and degraded a very fine car. Apart from the huge side mirrors and the in-your-face anti theft light, the same size as an aircraft anti-collision beacon, the major retrograde step for me was the lack of that wonderful feel and directness of the steering.
So, instead of another E92, I allowed myself to be seduced by the technology and classy interior of the new F10 and ended up with a 535d M Sport last September. In just about all aspects it's a very fine car, but I cannot adapt to the on-centre steering numbness, which results in a tendency for the car to wander off line due to the lack of road feedback and seeing as it's such a significant issue, I'm now thinking seriously about an M3 coupé.
With that in mind, I be grateful for any pertinent advice such as 18" or 19" wheels, real-world mpg, any rumours of a model change, etc., etc.
I'd also go for the 7 speed DCT - does that have a fully auto mode for relaxed tootling, or can gear changes only be selected manually by the paddles or central lever?
I already have an insurance quote of £450 NCD protected fully comp - just £50 more than I'm paying for the F10, so that's hardly a deterrent!
All opinions welcome - many thanks.
Jon D.
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      02-03-2011, 11:41 AM   #2
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Hey Jon

You'll probably find opinions and preferences for every alternative you can think of and justified reasons why...also loads of threads on each an every alternative.

But from a relative newbie..

wheels - have had 20" with 30 and 25 profile, standard oem 19" and oem 18" on winter tyres. The 20"s looked great but in london the roads are shite especially after recent snow...The 18"s ride well but just don't look as good. So your choice looks vs ride

real world mpg - again am sure there is plenty of discussion already - i do 70 miles a day rush hr traffic and m25...never reset the tripmeter it currently reads 18.9...I've not tried to economise.

dct - is best of both worlds - jekyll and hyde - relaxed auto or ferocious neck jarring manual...but with the v8 sometimes i miss revving and inbetween gear change sound you get with manual...

as I said you will get opinions from both sides - include coupe vs conv....I would test drive especially if you're forking out new or nearly new...

2010 had latest idrive...and lci lights...so depends on budget...best advice would be test drive..


PS - Would love to be able to change my car as much as you - next m3 rumoured in 2012 with a straight 6 turbo...so this will be the last v8 in a 3....hmmm!!!
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      02-04-2011, 02:07 AM   #3
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I too have had both 18 and 19" wheels on mine and noticed hardly any difference in terms of ride comfort.

I own a manual car and get about 24 MPG showing on the trip computer, which is optimistic by about 3 mpg, this is mixed A roads and motorways, not too much town driving.

Although the M3's steering is better than the electric servo BMW's it's is still far from perfect, with it's servomatic weight varying feel, this can be made weightier via the M settings, but it will be defaulted back to servomatic when you switch off.
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      02-04-2011, 03:54 AM   #4
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Thanks for the replies, I'm not in any great hurry, so I'll wait for a bit and see what the forthcoming 6 cyl version looks like and then make a decision before they phase out the V8.
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      02-04-2011, 08:51 AM   #5
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wait for the F10 M5
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      02-04-2011, 08:18 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hugehead View Post
wait for the F10 M5
Not if it has steering like my 535d.
If BMW have any sense they'll revert to hydraulic and I expect it'll be a very capable car.
However, I don't need such a large vehicle and I miss the compactness of the E92, additionally I think the current M3 coupé is one of the finest looking cars around.
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      02-05-2011, 02:21 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon D View Post
However, I don't need such a large vehicle and I miss the compactness of the E92, additionally I think the current M3 coupé is one of the finest looking cars around.
that is very true ....having just come from the E60 M5....i missed the refinements and that V10,but agreed with you regarding the F10 size though
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      03-10-2011, 02:57 PM   #8
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Diesel to petrol

Hi Jon
I have just made the change from a 330D m sport touring,my first BMW,fantastic car speed plus economy,bought an M3 Coupe Melbourne red,speed and power on another level compared to the 330D,economy obviously can`t compare to the diesel,drove to Sheffield fom Swansea and back over the weekend saw a best mpg figure of 27,7 ,and averaged 25.5 over the 500 miles.around town i am getting about 19 mpg,the car is absolutely awesome, no regrets in selling the diesel.

John
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      03-10-2011, 05:17 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LEWISJOHN View Post
around town i am getting about 19 mpg,the car is absolutely awesome, no regrets in selling the diesel.

John
wow i only get 16.6 mpg around town and never average 18+ mpg since i had it from new !!
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      03-11-2011, 03:49 AM   #10
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I get an average of 21.1mpg (OBC reads and average of 21.4) - that's a good mix of town and motorway driving. My best on a single tank is 25.4 (309 miles), worst is 12.8 (150 miles).

I found the 18's a much smoother ride (both on PS2's and Vred winters), but they just don't look as nice.

My running costs are approx £9k per year (including £5.5k for fuel and an extended warranty) - this does not include any depreciation.
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