Auto Express: M3 comparison test against its rivals

[ruff]

Interesting write up on each contender and nice photos:

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carrevi...ivals.html#top

[southlight]

Thanks for posting.

Best regards, south

[bulletproof]

To each his own, but I cant agree with the exterior styling verdict here.

The S5 looks too bulky and awkward and the wheel arches are so big that anything less than 19's make it look foolish. It does look good in motion though, especially with the LEDs. And whats up with the terrible gas mileage? 14 city/ 21 highway is terrible for a 350 HP V8.

The M3 is total symmetry where nothing looks out of place. Other than the damn mufflers, all items compliment each other perfectly to me.

[13eastie]

In what promises to be one of the most explosive tests of the year, we see if BMW’s new M3 can beat supercar rivals from Audi, Porsche and Vauxhall...

"explosive"!
"supercar"!
"Vauxhall"!

Hilarious.

[rvacha]

Hum. I wonder if today's "supercars" have gotten so strong that they are actually scary? It seems that there have been more than a few M3 reviews that have said something along the lines of this article:

"That criticism can also be levelled at the smaller and less practical Porsche, although the Cayman S is wonderfully involving and all the components work in perfect harmony, rather than the engine dominating. It takes the victory."

Is it that the M3 is less involving, or is it the engine is so strong and dominating that it is unnerving?

[devo]

Originally Posted by bulletproof

To each his own, but I cant agree with the exterior styling verdict here.

The S5 looks too bulky and awkward and the wheel arches are so big that anything less than 19's make it look foolish. It does look good in motion though, especially with the LEDs. And whats up with the terrible gas mileage? 14 city/ 21 highway is terrible for a 350 HP V8.

The M3 is total symmetry where nothing looks out of place. Other than the damn mufflers, all items compliment each other perfectly to me.

Ruff, thanks so much for posting.

As far as symmetry goes, I'd have to say that the M3 kind of lacks a little in that department. I find the car nice to look at -hot at many angles- but symmetry certainly wouldn't be my first choice of words.

I actually find the S5 to be excellent at what it is suppose to be. My only exception is the horrible mileage. Although the M isn't far behind, at least it makes enough power to justify it. Now, "symmetry" would definately describe the S5 for me.

I'm still buying the M, but the review is not all that exciting.

Imo, these cars are in an entirely different class and have much different intended roles; as we all know here.