My 2008 M3 Review + E46 Comparison + Pics

[eclipsisNA]

So here I am, exactly one week into the ownership of my 2008 M3. I was on the waiting list for this car for about a year and a half, and to finally have it in my hands is quite an experience. I've been fortunate enough to own both this car and the E46 M3 (2005 Comp. Package), so I'll be able to give some insight into the differences between the two cars.

After the aforementioned wait time, have my admittedly high expectations for this car been met or exceeded? They've actually been exceeded, even after stepping out of a great car like the E46. The exhaust/engine note, steering sensations, and overall driver involvement in the E46 feels either rabid or unrefined compared to the E92. The E46 had a whiny and metallic exhaust note. It was known as 'the rasp,' and after stepping into the E92, the E46 sounds rather annoying and not what a desirable sports car should sound like. The first reviews of the E92 pointed to the steering being light and disconnected. While the steering is lighter on the E92 compared to the E46, it makes for a smoother overall driving sensation, even when the M settings are all set to the max. The steering actually feels more intuitive and connected than the E46, which felt heavier and more cumbersome. At first I said the clutch on the E92 is tremendously light, which is true, but after 400 miles I'm liking it better than the rubbery feel of the E46.

Now as for the feel of the car when you're behind the wheel, this is what sets the E92 far apart from the E46. When I was little, my father attached a whole bunch of knobs and buttons to this long FedEx tube and I pretended like I was piloting an aircraft. When I first drove the E92, I had this nostalgic feeling that I was back in my childhood. The mood lighting, the angular nav screen, the purposefully positioned buttons throughout the cabin, and the bulge on the hood gave me the impression that I was an eight year old again piloting a jet fighter. It's a very special place to be sitting, which in comparison makes the E46 feels bland and dull.

If you guys have any questions, post them up. I'm tired and the GF is sick so that's enough for now. These pics were taken with my GF's fairly lousy camera, but I'm getting a new camera soon and I'll have better pics then.

[OzStriker]

Thanks for the writeup, if thats your GF in pic # 3 the poor thing does look sick!!

[S65B40]

Great review and comparison! Sick looking SG M3, same color as my E60 535i daily!

[KonigsTiger]

Very nice write up!! Thanks for the pics and hope you don´t have any trouble with your GF!!!! Lol!!!!

[MelsM3]

Between the tint and the front plate, the police will "love" your car.

[KonigsTiger]

Hahahaha!!! Hope you don't get too many tickets!!!

[schnell325]

Looks good....can I assume the clear bra is on the whole hood?

[PortoM3]

car looking great. hope GF feels better.

[jtown]

Are painted reflectors not looking so hot to anyone else?

[MrHarris]

Thanks Xcellere. How much did you pay? MSRP?

[Big Windy]

Originally Posted by jtown

Are painted reflectors not looking so hot to anyone else?

yeah, the color match doesn't look to good. maybe its just the camera. damn, that thing is tinted crazy. nice...also, what a clear day over LA! don't see that too much anymore.

[asaulo1]

awesome pics X. Hannah looks better and better black kidney grills look hot.

[Epacy]

Originally Posted by jtown

Are painted reflectors not looking so hot to anyone else?

Yeah, I noticed that. Are they not factory paint matched?

[devo]

Congrats again! Your car looks absolutely menacing. I love the dark theme, with the Roundel, grilles and tint, which match nicely with the hood vents and lower vents. Nice job.

Now that you have more miles, how do feel about low end to mid-range power at partial throttle? Do you ever think that it needs more low end?

I tried to get a test drive for myself but that did not work out.

[JEllis]

Originally Posted by Xcellere

So here I am, exactly one week into the ownership of my 2008 M3. I was on the waiting list for this car for about a year and a half, and to finally have it in my hands is quite an experience. I've been fortunate enough to own both this car and the E46 M3 (2005 Comp. Package), so I'll be able to give some insight into the differences between the two cars.

After the aforementioned wait time, have my admittedly high expectations for this car been met or exceeded? They've actually been exceeded, even after stepping out of a great car like the E46. The exhaust/engine note, steering sensations, and overall driver involvement in the E46 feels either rabid or unrefined compared to the E92. The E46 had a whiny and metallic exhaust note. It was known as 'the rasp,' and after stepping into the E92, the E46 sounds rather annoying and not what a desirable sports car should sound like. The first reviews of the E92 pointed to the steering being light and disconnected. While the steering is lighter on the E92 compared to the E46, it makes for a smoother overall driving sensation, even when the M settings are all set to the max. The steering actually feels more intuitive and connected than the E46, which felt heavier and more cumbersome. At first I said the clutch on the E92 is tremendously light, which is true, but after 400 miles I'm liking it better than the rubbery feel of the E46.

Now as for the feel of the car when you're behind the wheel, this is what sets the E92 far apart from the E46. When I was little, my father attached a whole bunch of knobs and buttons to this long FedEx tube and I pretended like I was piloting an aircraft. When I first drove the E92, I had this nostalgic feeling that I was back in my childhood. The mood lighting, the angular nav screen, the purposefully positioned buttons throughout the cabin, and the bulge on the hood gave me the impression that I was an eight year old again piloting a jet fighter. It's a very special place to be sitting, which in comparison makes the E46 feels bland and dull.

If you guys have any questions, post them up. I'm tired and the GF is sick so that's enough for now. These pics were taken with my GF's fairly lousy camera, but I'm getting a new camera soon and I'll have better pics then.

Great write up man.. I really appreciate hearing reviews like this!

[nusevad]

Nice review, keep us updated with pics and any news!

[KonigsTiger]

I think he means light in that the car reacts very quickly to imputs!

[SS32]

How did you get away with tinting the front windshield?!

[!Xoible]

attaching a few pics so i can see at work.

nice review btw... yes i read it

edit: nice car! congrats

[KonigsTiger]

He hasn't!!!!

[the_stranger]

Nice write up, thats exactly how I felt about the clutch as my car has done 600miles now. What kind of tint is it? Did you paint the reflectors or did you buy them painted? Car looks awesome by the way.

[ChrisFastM3]

Thanks for your review (from 1 e46 M3 dude to another)

I really liked when you brought up your nostalgic childhood memories. I'm glad to hear that the M was able to bring that back for you.

In short, the M3 makes you feel like a kid again, GREAT