Finally made the ///Move

[vladinecko]

After 11 painful weeks and 1 agonizing day, I finally took delivery of my first M3. This is my 4th BMW and 3-series, going from E36 325i -> E90 330i -> E92 335i -> E92 M3. By getting the M3, I've topped the 3er range which makes me worried about what will be my next car as other bimmers are either too impractical or too big/luxurious for my taste.

Here are some of my first tasting notes comparing the M3 (30 miles on the odo at the moment) to my beloved 335i.

Power
The M3 feels noticeably slower than the 335i. The low-end torque gives the 335 an incredible edge over the M3. As none of the components are broken in yet, the power is anything but linear and smooth. I suspect that will improve with age. I also haven't gone over 5000rpm yet due to break-in so I have yet to feel the full spectrum of the power.

Steering
I'm slowly getting used to Servotronic's mighty assistance. With M mode disengaged, I can move the steering wheel with my pinky at low speeds. It's way lighter than the 335i. I imagine it tightens up a bit at higher speeds on track.
One more note about the steering wheel. The lack of texture and the silky smooth leather makes it super slippery. I love how fat it is, the stitching and the overall look of it. But I do kind of miss the feel of the regular Sport wheel found on non-M 3ers.

Novillo Leather
It's really, really soft. Almost too soft for an ///M car. I, unfortunately, chose beige and I can already tell I'll be cleaning that puppy quite a lot.

Engine Sound
I have yet to explore what the engine sounds like over 5,000rpm but the sound of it starting at 4,000rpm is absolutely intoxicating. It put an instant grin on my face and I believe I even kissed the steering a couple of times every time I accelerated above the 4k range.

MPG instant readout
Where is it? I ready the manual from cover to cover, can't find it anywhere. What gives?

Tire Pressure Monitor
Not really sure why it deserves such a prominent position on the dash and why it has a dedicated button the first place. Weird.

Enhanced Audio
By far, the biggest disappointment of all. While the engine sound is heaven to my ears, the sound package in the M3 definitely isn't. I consider myself an audiophile and I realize even the speaker system has a break-in period. However, the overall sound signature I'm hearing is quite dissatisfying and definitely NOT worth the money. I'll have to report back on this after 70-80 hours of playback though. So far, not so good.

Interlagos Blue
I was very reluctant getting my 3rd car in a row in blue. But seeing IB in person instantly put my mind at ease. It's breathtakingly beautiful. Everyone in the dealership was commenting on it (not knowing I was the owner). In an ocean of whites, space grays and sapphire blacks, it's really nice to stand out a bit.

Overall, seeing the final price when I was signing all the papers almost made me faint. But driving off the lot for the first time made me forget about all that right away...

[GOLFFRR]

nice! congrats!

[Crazy Bimmer]

Great color combo, although im biased.

As someone who had a E90 328, modded E92 335i and now an M3 for almost 2 years.. i can tell you the M3 gets more enjoyable with each mile. You will have a blast in it.

[slowman]

That blue and beige really is a nice combo. I'm not one to really pay much attention to that kind of thing, but that last picture really caught my eye.

[tlp]

Congrats!!

Did you test drive an M3 before your purchase?

[1sikbmr]

congrats...

[Bimmerboy888]

Congrats!

[aajami]

Congrats. You'll find the M3's power is in fact very linear and ultimately more powerful than the 335i's. Finish the break-in period and report back.

[dirtyfreebooter]

Did u get those wheels from the factory? I don't recognize that style (though my m3 is my first bmw).

Coming from a turbo car, a wimpy non-sti wrx, i think turbo power is so give it all you got for 3000 rpm. For my WRX, it was like absolutely nothing until 2600-2800 rpm, then blast off until about 5500 rpm, with significant and noticeable power loss after 5500 rpm.

After reaching the break-in period, I was even more amazed at how the m3 keeps pulling hard all the way until 8300. The only problem is, on my daily drive I don't go on roads over 40 mph, so 8000 rpm in 2nd gear and i am already speeding quite a bit.

[GTFan712]

Can't go wrong with Interlagos Blue. Excellent choice.

[ooowowizstev]

Congrats!

[half man half amazin]

Congrats!!!

[Bomis]

Congrats! The fun beginns after 5000 rpm....thrust me, i came from a stg3 modded 335 with 460hp before the m...so report back after break in....

[z00m]

"haven't gone over 5000rpm yet "
and writing about the power of m3?

[aka_phox]

congrats man!

[Inerrant]

Looks sweet!

Is it rude of me to ask what the final price was??? (ballpark figure)

[aajami]

Originally Posted by robackja

Did u get those wheels from the factory? I don't recognize that style (though my m3 is my first bmw).

Those are the Style 260Ms, aka the stock 18" wheels. They used to be gunmetal in the US from MY08-MY10 and were changed to silver in 2011.

[Orjan]

Congrats! Beautiful color combo!!!!!

[immiketoo]

Nice choice. You will grow out of all your doubts. Just get the car broken in

[12:03]

congrats and welcome. Nice color combo too, I agree about the sea of whites greys and blacks. I have a strange request, do you have any pics of the mystic blue E90? I would love to see them if you are so inclined. Thanks and enjoy the new ride.

[creepy coupe]

Nice coluor combo, watch how you clean in though, blue shows the slightest scratches.

The MPG readout can be found by pressing the end button on the left stork.

[DOUT]

Driving into the 8k rpm territory is intrinsic to the true expression of the naturally aspirated monster that the S65 is.
In a few weeks time your feelings for the car will change entirely.