2011 m3 substantially faster than previous e9x?

[drvai]

Originally Posted by ss134

I'm trading in my 2010 E90 DCT in 6 weeks time for a 2011 E90 DCT -this will be one of the last E90's to be produced as i believe production ends in October - so in effect i am swapping exactly like for like. If my 2011 feels any different i will post up!

Why would you get the same car? You are loosing a lot of money

[sensi09]

Originally Posted by 4sevens.com

If you think C&D is objective then it's not merely about how it feels - whether you feel it's faster or it's the same - the facts show it's faster 0-60. By nearly half a second.

I wouldn't take that one test to mean all 2011s are faster. That one car could have had a stronger engine coupled with other variables like temp and traction which can all contribute to that .4 sec.

Oh and another car being faster shouldn't take away from someone's enjoyment. I mean M3 is quick, but it's certainly not the fastest car.

[FASTTOYS]

The 2011 engine note has a more aggressive sound not sure why. I also get better fuel economy in the 2011. With-Out using engine stop/start mine averages 19.2+ combined The 2011 mirrors creak all the time, my door sounds like a cheap YUGO. Waiting for the mirror covers to fall off.

2011 DCT/EDC/ZCP/PREM

[aus]

Originally Posted by 3XTR3M3

I recently traded from 2008 to 2011 ZCP... Overall, the car is way more refined. This is expected with any first year production car compared to a few years down the line. My steering does feel better, engine somehow feels a little nicer, the car does in fact "feel" faster but that's because every aspect of it has now been refined as much as possible within the last 4 years of production.

I agree with the car feeling more refined. It's tighter. It could just be the 2008 had 3 years of use on it. The steering is also a little tighter too, but I now have the adjustable steering, where I had the standard steering before.

The engine is a LOT LOUDER at start up compared to my- I prefer the old engine's start up, otherwise it seems about the same through my exhaust. The DCT seems to be REALLY reluctant to downshift in D3- obviously trying to get better mileage in the default setting.

What's really strange is, the coilovers on the 2008 car had issues where they were only able to give me -2 camber on the passenger side front (I wanted -1.75), so no big deal. But on the new car, they said it lined up just fine.

.

[ChrisK]

The DCT software update released around last summer (cant remember the exact date) was a game changer. Everyone I know that got it thought their cars felt quicker. ZCP had nothing to do with it, since the update was for all DCT cars.

[sensi09]

Thinking the car feels faster is one thing, but more refined as well? I'd think a car that was more refined wouldn't feel as fast.

[gthal]

Originally Posted by sensi09

Thinking the car feels faster is one thing, but more refined as well? I'd think a car that was more refined wouldn't feel as fast.

I think this perception is due to going from a 3 year old car (with creaks, rattles, a little looser in most respects, worn suspension, etc) to a brand new one that is tight as a drum.

[ss134]

Originally Posted by drvai

Why would you get the same car? You are loosing a lot of money

I am lucky enough to be able to change my cars every year without losing much money - won't bore you with the details but the cost to change the cars for me is very low. The reason i am getting another E90 M3 is that when the time came to order a new car there was no other car that suited my needs better than the M3 - its perfect for me at this point in my life.

[Kayani_1]

That is due to the engine turning off and starting back up due to automatic engine stop and go feature. As the 2008 model's did not have it.

Originally Posted by FASTTOYS

The 2011 engine note has a more aggressive sound not sure why. I also get better fuel economy in the 2011. Mine averages 19.2+ combined The 2011 mirrors creak all the time, sound like a cheap YUGO.

2011 DCT/EDC/ZCP/PREM

[Kayani_1]

Unless it is less then $500 dollars. It would make no sense to change for the exact same identical car just a newer year.

But in your case it might make some sense as they are about to introduce some special version of E90 M3's. Also, I think you can also get the competition pkg on 2011.

Originally Posted by ss134

I am lucky enough to be able to change my cars every year without losing much money - won't bore you with the details but the cost to change the cars for me is very low.

[Titanium Silver]

Originally Posted by El_Duderino

It is placebo effect which can be pretty convincing as multiple randomized drug trials have shown.

I have driven the '11 ZCP. It does not feel any faster and engine responsiveness is identical. I will say that it does seem somewhat tighter around corners than older models but this is not a hugely significant difference in my opinion.

And, in answer to the hopefully sarcastic post above, the ZCP does not add HP or torque relative to the non-ZCP M3.

+1

This is called the placebo effect. No difference in the motor or weight so it is not faster. It probably just feels that way because the shifts are faster.

Steering probably feels 'tighter' because of the small drop and because the car is new. New suspension components, bushings, etc.

We should just turn this one into another 6MT vs DTC. BTW, The DCT is WAY faster than 6MT

[Titanium Silver]

Originally Posted by ss134

I am lucky enough to be able to change my cars every year without losing much money - won't bore you with the details but the cost to change the cars for me is very low. The reason i am getting another E90 M3 is that when the time came to order a new car there was no other car that suited my needs better than the M3 - its perfect for me at this point in my life.

Please bore me with the details...

[aus]

The oil cap is different, as is the gas cap. Both look cheaper, but the old oil cap didn't seal well, so maybe the new one will work better.

[KKM3]

Dct is way faster than 6mt. It's accleration is far more effortless and seamless. But the difference between my 2011 dct and 2008 6mt is more than just the difference in transmission and acceleration. The car overall feels way better. It's louder, meaner, more responsive, more alive. It just feels like a whole different animal. It even feels faster than my 997.2 c2s in some way.

[gthal]

Originally Posted by Titanium Silver

+1

This is called the placebo effect. No difference in the motor or weight so it is not faster. It probably just feels that way because the shifts are faster.

Steering probably feels 'tighter' because of the small drop and because the car is new. New suspension components, bushings, etc.

We should just turn this one into another 6MT vs DTC. BTW, The DCT is WAY faster than 6MT

A DCT doesn't just feel faster... it is, in fact, faster. It has different gearing and faster shifting without losing throttle. Both result in better acceleration so, in this case, it is NOT just placebo effect. From a dead stop, a DCT would pull on a 6MT and that statement is not trying to start a DCT v 6MT thread... it is just a fact and what the OP is feeling.

DCT does NOT make the car better necessarily (transmission is a preference) but it does make the car faster. There is no argument in that and even die hard 6MT guys would agree.

[ChrisK]

Originally Posted by KKM3

Dct is way faster than 6mt. It's accleration is far more effortless and seamless. But the difference between my 2011 dct and 2008 6mt is more than just the difference in transmission and acceleration. The car overall feels way better. It's louder, meaner, more responsive, more alive. It just feels like a whole different animal. It even feels faster than my 997.2 c2s in some way.

Didn't BMW also adopt the Euro air filter setup after 2009? That could give the newer cars a more aggressive sound, and maybe a few ponies?

[quads]

I prefer later years in a series simply because they've had a chance to work out any issues. Remember windows 3.0? total flop. 3.1 was a much bigger success because they worked things out.

I did my research on the forum and various issues in 08 was resolved in 09. Of course many were taken care of by the dealerships in 08 but by 2011 you'd figure they got most of the "bugs" out. I bought my 2011 a little too early and missed out on the iphone integration.

[ss134]

Originally Posted by Kayani_1

Unless it is less then $500 dollars. It would make no sense to change for the exact same identical car just a newer year.

But in your case it might make some sense as they are about to introduce some special version of E90 M3's. Also, I think you can also get the competition pkg on 2011.

You are wrong - Even if it cost you $2000 it would still be worth it - your M3 will lose a lot more than that in depreciation after 12 months. You could have 3 M3's over 3 years and it will cost you in total only $6000 in total depreciation over a 3 year period - now have a look at how much depreciation a 3 year old M3 will have suffered. So in my position it makes total financial sense.

Originally Posted by Titanium Silver

Please bore me with the details...

I get my cars tax free (19% in Europe) and with a large discount on top due to my work - when i sell the car after a year the car is normally worth what i paid for it give or take.

[gthal]

Originally Posted by ss134

I get my cars tax free and with a large discount due to my work - when i sell the car after a year the car is normally worth what i paid for it give or take.

OK... what do you do, I want your job!

[ss134]

Originally Posted by gthal

OK... what do you do, I want your job!

Trust me you don't!

[F82_SID]

Originally Posted by cmk227

I got a 2011 manual comp package. They are the same. It just that you are driving DCT and it shift better/faster than you.

+1!

Originally Posted by cmk227

I still like my manual though.

+2!

[Bart@AUTOcouture]

2008 6MT sold
2011 6MT delivery next month.. I will update this thread with my thoughts

As far as DCT vs 6MT.. the DCT cars 'feel' a ton faster and having raced a few stock vs stock DCT cars, they in fact "are" faster because of the shifting speed.