Top Gear: Sadly for the others, the M3 exists. Damn you, BMW

[Wally330]

In the October issue of Top Gear Magazine the new M3 is taken to the Isle of Man along with the following driver’s cars:

Audi R8
Ariel Atom
Caparo T1
Renault Megane R26
Ford GT
Jaguar XKR
Aston Martin Vantage
Lamborghini Murcielago LP640
Ferrari 599
Porsche 911 GT3.

Pretty stiff competition and the different reporters have varied views of the cars.

Sorry, I have no scans and there's not much in terms of performance figures besides the usual but here’s some words on the M3:

Matt Master: What needs highlighting is just how real-world this car is. Everything else we took to the Isle of Man was in some significant way flawed, even Jeremy’s beloved R8 that neither Bill nor I could change gear in comfortably because the clutch travel is hampered. But the BMW is perfect in every respect. Good looking and respectable with the Wanker Factor set low, easily the most usable with four seats, big boot and comfortable ride, and, of course, at any given time or place, astonishingly fast.

Paul Horrell: Yes, the Jag is a mighty GT. And when I was following it in the GT3, the Porsche couldn’t reel it in on a straight. That’s proper all-round talent, though naturally not as rounded as the awesome M3. When you lean it into a bend it gives you usefully more sensation of the road than the old one did. Yet when you’re not flat-out, it’s more refined. How did they manage that? Brilliant. Oh, and the V8 isn’t just about 8k-plus mania. It’s got torque too. I don’t think any other car here gives you so much exotic engineering for every pound sterling. It’s not just a souped-up 3-series – it’s truly fit to touch the hem of any car here, including Ferrari’s.

Matt Master: The M3 is the car I have to end up championing, even with money no object. Beset by image problems as it doubtless will be, and less desirable as it doubtless is against the big guns here, it’d be the car I’d most happily live with, share experience with, fall back on in a crisis, ravage in a rash moment. It’s not perfect, and it’s certainly not the car I most want, but it’s the car that’d let me sleep deepest at night.

Pat Devereux: Was I the only person not to get on with the M3? It’s got tons of power but you’ve really got to thrash it far more than you should have to in a car with a 4.0-litre V8. Actually, it’s not just the engine that has masochistic tendencies. The whole car gets a bit sulky if it’s not being bent sideways into a corner. We all like a car that likes to be thrashed, but I also want one that works with me when there isn’t the space to do so sanely. The M3 doesn’t do that. You dance its tune, or dance alone.


I for one can't wait to dance with it myself

Cheers

[MI6]

No doubt it's a great all- rounder...........we already kinda knew that.

What will really light things up will be the 4dr M3- all that and a proper back seat too..........should turn a lot of heads.......

[Keto]

Where is Juzef to complain that the car is "masochistic" and "sulky?"

[BMW F22]

Deep down inside Im smiling quietly. The new M3 will rock everyone's world.

[Sniz]

good to read those quick comments. Sounds like its going to be one hell of a car! For me though that last comment hit the nail on the head. For an everyday street driven car I dont want to have to rev to 8000rpms and thrash the living daylights out of my car to really see it scream. 335 is a better choice for this gearhead.

[spikes111]

I love the title

[lucid]

Originally Posted by Keto

Where is Juzef to complain that the car is "masochistic" and "sulky?"

He is a celebrity now. He won't deal with the common folk.

[rick berry]

Didn't you just know that someone would again champion the 335. If it is a
budget issue, maybe, yes. But on this forum ,it's no doubt : M3. My money
is down. Just need BMW USA to tell me when to order! Rick

[rvacha]

Yet more reviewers not specifically complaining of numbness. I'm excited (still)!

[ILC32]

Originally Posted by spikes111

I love the title

+1

[Filthy Monkey]

Finally, a review that agrees with mine! I think I need to get a job on Top Gear...

[Sniz]

Originally Posted by rick berry

Didn't you just know that someone would again champion the 335. If it is a
budget issue, maybe, yes. But on this forum ,it's no doubt : M3. My money
is down. Just need BMW USA to tell me when to order! Rick

I didnt champion the 335 and personal opinions are allowed here. I'm sure the M3 would be a great car for me to have as well.

[MI6]

Originally Posted by Sniz

good to read those quick comments. Sounds like its going to be one hell of a car! For me though that last comment hit the nail on the head. For an everyday street driven car I dont want to have to rev to 8000rpms and thrash the living daylights out of my car to really see it scream. 335 is a better choice for this gearhead.

Then get the M-DCT.......very little effort.

[swamp2]

:rocks:

Wow is about all I can say. This is some fierce competition and cars clearly in a league above and beyond the M3. But I guess the lesson from this big comparison is that in actuality they are not all that far outside the M3s league. Great quotes and fantastic results. I continue to be blown away by what folks are choosing to put this beast up against. Can't wait to see the scans!

[MI6]

Originally Posted by swamp2

:rocks:

Wow is about all I can say. This is some fierce competition and cars clearly in a league above and beyond the M3. But I guess the lesson from this big comparison is that in actuality they are not all that far outside the M3s league. Great quotes and fantastic results. I continue to be blown away by what folks are choosing to put this beast up against. Can't wait to see the scans!

Yeah, it amazes me too that they put it up against this stuff but then I hear one scream by on YouTube and go OMG!

[JerezBlue!]

Originally Posted by MI6

No doubt it's a great all- rounder...........we already kinda knew that.

What will really light things up will be the 4dr M3- all that and a proper back seat too..........should turn a lot of heads.......

It will be interesting to see what Jeremy Clarkson has to say about the M3, not that it matters too much, but still. He absolutely loved the RS4 and felt that the M5 was too crappy until he pressed the M button.

[JEllis]

It will be interesting to see what Jeremy Clarkson has to say about the M3, not that it matters too much, but still. He absolutely loved the RS4 and felt that the M5 was too crappy until he pressed the M button

Dont forget Jeremy owns an M5....

I am also interested to see what he has to say. He is probably one of BMW's biggest critics.

Jason

[JEllis]

Hmm.. Better feel for the corner than the previous gen... maybe some journalists are starting to reverse their claims...

Jason

[Robert]

Originally Posted by JEllis

Hmm.. Better feel for the corner than the previous gen... maybe some journalists are starting to reverse their claims...

Jason

I read it as if he was referring that to the Jag.

[Robert]

Originally Posted by Sniz

good to read those quick comments. Sounds like its going to be one hell of a car! For me though that last comment hit the nail on the head. For an everyday street driven car I dont want to have to rev to 8000rpms and thrash the living daylights out of my car to really see it scream. 335 is a better choice for this gearhead.

Some considers one isn't living if one doesn't live on the edge. For others the 335i is a brilliantly balanced car. Especially the modibility of it... AWESOME.

[JEllis]

I read it as if he was referring that to the Jag.

He is talking about the M3..he goest on to talk about the V8 and 8K rpm rev range. That doesnt sound like a Jag to me.

That’s proper all-round talent, though naturally not as rounded as the awesome M3. When you lean it into a bend it gives you usefully more sensation of the road than the old one did. Yet when you’re not flat-out, it’s more refined. How did they manage that? Brilliant. Oh, and the V8 isn’t just about 8k-plus mania. It’s got torque too. I don’t think any other car here gives you so much exotic engineering for every pound sterling. It’s not just a souped-up 3-series – it’s truly fit to touch the hem of any car here, including Ferrari’s.

[Epacy]

Have to say that I am pleasently surprised with the outcome. M3 took down some big cars.

Isn't the Isle of Man where Top Gear took the CSL to give it a proper test?

Originally Posted by Wally330

Paul Horrell: ... That’s proper all-round talent, though naturally not as rounded as the awesome M3. When you lean it into a bend it gives you usefully more sensation of the road than the old one did. Yet when you’re not flat-out, it’s more refined. How did they manage that? Brilliant. ...

Gotta love that statement.

Originally Posted by JEllis

Hmm.. Better feel for the corner than the previous gen... maybe some journalists are starting to reverse their claims...

Jason

Just as the writer for Automobile predicted. And history I might add.