Review of my M3 coupe after 5 days of ownership

[S65B40]

Well it's been a blast putting some miles on my new M3 coupe, so I think it's time to give out a brief review of this car and how it compares to my old 06 M3 Competition.

Power/Acceleration: Since I have yet to break her in, I am only able to comment how the power is under 5500rpm. I have been keeping the power mode in normal since I do not want to push it until after 1200 miles. The power is very smooth, the low end torque is much improved from 2000rpm and on. I was able to make some turns in 3rd gear and it still picked up the power pretty fast after that. Under normal mode the car still accelerates fast so I can only imagine it gets even faster in sport mode and sports ultra. The e46 lacks power under 3000rpm which the e92 has plenty, makes your warmup procedure whole lot easier. When you push the throttle on the e46 it pulls your into your backseat, where on this one the power is just so smooth you are going too fast already. Overall the power delivery is smooth comapre to e46 which is very rush.

Tranny/Shifter/Clutch: The clutch pedal is very light when you first drive it. But you get used to it very quick. The engagement point is very predictable so I am able to make smoother shifts compare to some of the 6MT E46 M3's I've driven. The short shifter is very well engineered and not notchy, makes your every shift butterly smooth.

Engine/Exhaust sound: The exhaust is quiet under 3000rpm but makes a wonderful deep rumble tone. You'll really enjoy how it sounds compare to e46's raspy tone which is a bit annoying at times. The exhaust really comes alive from 4000rpm and on. The engine on the other hand is pretty quiet under 4000rpm but comes on alive with the exhaust after 4000rpm.

Handling/Steering/Braking: I've kept my EDC setting on "Comfort" since I don't want to push it during the 1200 miles break in. The road feel is less compare to the e46 and the ride quality is very much improved. But it doesn't mean that you're disconnected from the road. Going through bumpy and rough roads under comfort setting you can still experience a good amount of road feel. The steering feels much much lighter but it is very senstive and reacts pretty fast depending on the road conditions. The grip is thicker but provides good feedback. The turn in is really improved compare to my old e46. Coming into a turn becomes so effortless it feels so netural. Coming out of the turn is also improved due to the improved low end torque. The tires provide really good traction and grip, making every corner so effortlessly. The brake pedal offers really good feedback and the brakes are very much improved over my competition brakes. I have not experienced any signs of brake fades thus far.

Interior: The dash board on my old e46 was awesome and very driver oriented. The new dashboard is just a bit bulky. But the interior quality has improved over the e46 using better materials throughout. The new Novoillo leather has a much better feel and quality to the old Nappa leather in my e46. The new seats hug you in place better than the old ones despite the crappy seat buttoms. The interior is more spacious than the e46 and provide more storge spaces.

Audio: I have the standard HI-FI 10 speaker sound system and I must say it sounds so much better than my friend's HK sound system in his e46. The system offers great bass and treble tuning capability plus the sound is really crisp. I can't imagine how much better the enhanced premium sound will be.

Overall: As much as I love the e46, I must say BMW has done a wonderful job on the e46's successor. It outperforms the e46 in everyway and offers more for your daily needs. I'm giving BMW a lot of credit on this M3.

[asaulo1]

super sweet.... Great looking car great review as well.... how about some interior pics? back seat and stuff that hasn't been posted much.... hope to see you around So Cal. Cheers

[ybbiz34]

Thanks for the review. Enjoy your new car.

[Krueger///M3]

Sweet, I like the mods

[S65B40]

Originally Posted by asaulo1

super sweet.... Great looking car great review as well.... how about some interior pics? back seat and stuff that hasn't been posted much.... hope to see you around So Cal. Cheers

Thanks! As you requested, here are some back seat shots!

[ase2dais]

thks for the review, I've test driven it, and also e46 M owner. There some I like and some I dont between the two, but performance and handling overall takes the cakes from the e46 for sure.
Overall a winner!

[drvai]

Congratulations for the car.

Why aren't you using the different EDC settings?

Breaking the car means also putting it under different conditions. You need to test the car in order to see if everything is working as it should. This doesn't mean you are going to bust the engine all the way to 8k rpm's

[the_stranger]

car looks stunning and nice review too.

[classicalboi]

Very nice car!

I had just noticed the background...do you live in hacienda heights by any chance? The place where you took the pics looks awfully similar to a small, secluded park that I take my dog to every now and then!

[S65B40]

Originally Posted by classicalboi

Very nice car!

I had just noticed the background...do you live in hacienda heights by any chance? The place where you took the pics looks awfully similar to a small, secluded park that I take my dog to every now and then!

Yeah the picstures were taken at Thomas Burton park. But I don't live in HH, though the car is resting inside my parents' garage there. I live in Diamond Bar BTW.

[nusevad]

Very nice review, looks great.

[skierman64]

Nice review and pics. Thanks

I added you to the North American delivery roll call.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=124050

[S65B40]

Originally Posted by skierman64

Nice review and pics. Thanks

I added you to the North American delivery roll call.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=124050

Thanks for adding me to the list. But I actually took delivery on the 15th!

[dawgdog]

Love the combination of Fox Red leather and aluminum trim! Haven't seen that before.

[Jack's dad]

Great review and pictures - thanks! Neptune willing my car hits port on the 29th - write-ups like this are very enjoyable until the real thing gets here...

[S65B40]

Originally Posted by Jack's dad

Great review and pictures - thanks! Neptune willing my car hits port on the 29th - write-ups like this are very enjoyable until the real thing gets here...

Be sure to write us a review when your baby gets here!

[eclipsisNA]

Car looks SEXAY. Congrats S65!

[mhutchins14]

Nice review of your great car!!!!