I Set Up a Test Drive With an e90 M3

[Mr. 5]

I'm going this Friday, so I was curious about what to look out for.
I haven't been too active over here and I was curious about the complaints and the props.

What are the remmendations with the SMG and manual?
An M3 with 19" or 18". Is the ride that different?
EDC--Is it worth it?

So, I have a fully modified 335 now, but the M3 is an M3.
I had an e46 M3 and the throttle response was amazing!
In addition, it was pretty nice going into the dealer without worrying about any sort of warranty claim.
Yes, I ran a 12.3 in the 1/4, but I'm getting more and more serious about tracking, and let's face it, the M3 is faster on the track!

I'm looking forward to your responses.
Thanks!

[Year's_End]

Hate to thread jack, but do you have a thread dedicated to your car? I'd like to see mroe about it.

[Mr. 5]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Loyalist

Hate to thread jack, but do you have a thread dedicated to your car? I'd like to see mroe about it.

No but I have the following mods:

JB3
AFE Intake
Ultimate Racing catless DPs/High flow cats in the place of the secondaries/Borla Single Muffler
Active Autowerke Intercooler
19" gunmetal CSL reps (staggered)
Rotora 6 piston/4 piston Caliper kit
Nitto 555R Drag radials for the strip

[E. Honda]

You're a moderator...and you don't have an M3?! Immedite ban!


I test drove an E92, would expect the E90 to be slightly slower. I'm in a dilemma with the EDC problem, as I created a thread earlier.

[Mr. 5]

Originally Posted by E. Honda

You're a moderator...and you don't have an M3?! Immedite ban!


I test drove an E92, would expect the E90 to be slightly slower. I'm in a dilemma with the EDC problem, as I created a thread earlier.

I'll search for it then. Thanks.
Yep, zpost mod as well.
We're all tied in to one another.
One big happy family.

[Mr. 5]

No more responses?

[UltimateBMW]

If you are going to test drive a DCT (not called SMG anymore as the technology has evolved) then there are a few things you might want to know about before you go in.

I'm not talking about any mechanical issues. This is more just behavioral from my experience test driving a few. When you first get into a DCT car and put the car in gear to move it, the throttle has a little bit more of a dead zone before the gas kicks up and the car begins to move. Pushing the 'Power' button on the center console will help reduce this because it tightens up the throttle responce across the entire range, but the 1/2 inch of dead pedal movement is noticable. And the first time I depressed the pedal I wondered for a split second if I was in gear. After a half inch depress of the gas pedal the car will pick up. My guessed explanation for this is that the clutch had to kick in and it just felt different because you weren't the one manipulating said clutch. Basically, you have to think of it as a manual when you press the pedal.

Thats about it as far as a test drive goes. The rest is pretty straight forward and cherry.

You might want to make sure you can get the seat exactly where you want it. Alot of early reviews said the seating position was wrong. However, I haven't heard any complaints about this in the last year so I'm not quite sure what happened there. But just make sure you fit nice. The side bolsters on the backrest can also be moved in and out if you need the extra room or lack there of.

If your test driving a MY09, make sure to try out the new iDrive! Other than that, have fun.

[UltimateBMW]

Yes, some owners have commented that the 18s are a smoother ride.

And the transmission is mostly up to your preference. If you can, just ask to test drive both and choose for yourself.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Mr. 5

No more responses?

A lot of your questions are best answered by reading the forum because so much has been said about 6MT vs. M-DCT and 18s vs. 19s. There's a lot of great discussion so search around and you'll gain a lot of knowledge. Also, since you are going to test drive you'll get to answer the questions first-hand, so there's little more that needs to be said. As UltimateBMW said, try out both transmission if you can. If you can only do one though, try M-DCT since the 6MT should feel just about like the one in your 335i since they are the same transmission. Of course the M3 has a different final drive though.

One more comment on the M-DCT. If you are in doubt about whether its in gear, just tap the gas slightly and it will creep. Hitting the brake and comming to a stop turns off the creep until you tap the gas again. Sometimes I will put the car in creep mode just before taking off (as long as there's a little space in front of me) so that I know the clutch is already engaged and thus the car will launch immediately.

[Perpetrator]

To the OP:

You'll see and hear great things about the DCT. As a 6MT owner yourself, the decision on transmission would be up to you. I believe either choice would be a win. The manual tranny is pretty much on par for bimmers, so you can pretty much expect how it'll feel.

Can't comment on the difference in feel between the 18's and 19's, since I haven't personally compared the two. Seeing your posts in E90, you're well-versed in cars, so you know the general answer to this. The difference in ride would be subjective to the critic's tolerances. I have the 19's, and it rides pretty smooth. They run 35 series on the rears, so it's a little softer than your usual aftermarket 19" set up.

Since you previously had an E46 M3, the E9x M3 will rekindle that love. At least that's how it was in my case. I have an E90 with 19's, 6MT, and EDC. If you don't get to try out these options at the dealer, you're more than welcome to take mine for a quick spin. I'm in Fullerton, so just lemme know.

[Mr. 5]

Thanks guys for the input.
Yah, I know how the SMG (DCT) vs MT discussions get out of hand and they always will.
There will always be the which is better/faster and bla bla bla.
I've always been a manual guy but the technology of the new DCT is amazing, and it's very tempting.
I just wanted to get the inputs as far as test driving goes, so now I at least have an idea with what to look out for.

Thanks again guys, and I may take you up for that ride Perpetrator.

[V1.47fan]

If you're more serious about tracking,I recommend the manual and from what I've read the DCT is erratic at the track.
Follow the recommended engine break-in procedures,not to give BMW NA an excuse to make you jump through hoops for your warranty if something was to happen.
The M3 feels slower than a tuned 335i...
I don't have EDC and my car's ride isn't harsh at all, as good as a sport pack 335i.
Test both EDC and non EDC cars,a lot of people here would tell you EDC is better,yet never even drove a non EDC car.

[dawgdog]

I owned an e90 335 with Vishnu V3, KW coilovers, H&R sways, BBS wheels, etc. and loved the car. The M3 is different. I wasn't too impressed with my first or second test drives. The 335 had so much torque and it was just a different feel. The M3 just gets better and better the more you push it. I've had both cars on the track, and though I am just a C group driver, I am very impressed with the M3. It is so smooth and linear and the throttle response is terriffic. I also owned an e46 M3 and this car is a significant improvement.

I like the 19" wheels for the street and I'm planning on purchasing dedicated 18" track wheels and tires. I just do not like the look of the 18" wheels and they are not particularly light. As far as DCT goes, one of the instructors at the track (BMW CCA event) owns an e90 M3 6 speed. He drove my car and was convicned he was faster with the DCT and loved the gearing. I heard second hand that he says he regrets not getting the DCT, and he has been driving on the track for 20 years.

Loved the 335 but not that concerned about straight line speed. The M3 is plenty fast, and is just put together very nicely. It is my favorite BMW to date and is a keeper.

[sparkyg]

Hey Mr. 5.

I have a E90 Stg III Dinan and you are going to be surprised how diff our cars are from the M3. The M3 is pretty tame down low but as the revs build it is a friggin' symphony and then you look down and it is only 6000 rpm and from there it is a F1 car to 8000 rpm. It is truly and emotional experience for a car guy.

In comparison our 335s are stealthy and fast but not the same emotions.

I drove a 6mt yesterday and it is awesome. Rev mathching is so easy and the engine spins up like a Honda 4 but pulls like an American V8.

Enjoy.

Give us feedback on the drive.

I have a AT in my car and although it is nice I dont like it when I am driving hard, you feel disconnected and not as involved. The MT brought back all those feelings. Plus it just is so complicated, the DCT is an engineering marvel but F1 teams have someone service and tweek and tune their tranny.
What we are getting is a dd car. I am not so sure. I wish BMW had more history with the DCT before dropping it in the M car.

I drove a car with 19s and it rode better than my stock 18" 335xi with non-rfts. The suspension is way better than the xi. Cant comment on the sport i cars.

xi suspension FTL!!

[sparkyg]

Bump

Mr 5 what is the verdict?