Motortrend Review

[JEllis]

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...10_2008_bmw_m3

This is the review to read with actual insight into the many "layers" of the new M3. Also, mentions the sub 8:10 time!

Probably a repost but awesome!

Jason

[M3onTwomps]

Very good review. Sounds like a winner.

I'm sure some will only see the negatives of course.

[FifthStreetz]

sweet another US review~

It sounds like they were very impressed.

[Hans Delbruck]

Wow.... Best written article yet!!

[Epacy]

I have to say, the review is basically exactly the kind-of car I am looking for. The "best M3 yet" comment is nice as well. Just love hearing how well-rounded the car is. Which is part of what makes it the best M3 yet.


Side note: The 0-60 time EST of 4.6sec is interesting.

[consolidated]

Good review, I like the talk about the cars depth of performance. did you catch the estimated base price...$63K, ugh.

[Epacy]

Originally Posted by consolidated

Good review, I like the talk about the cars depth of performance. did you catch the estimated base price...$63K, ugh.

Just can't see a $14k increase. That is insane.
E92 M3 better come standard with some ceramic composite brakes.

[JEllis]

I am also doubting the 63K base. I am still hoping, praying, and doing animal sacrafices for a 57K base price!

Jason

[FifthStreetz]

Im curious to know what influenced MT to give it a 63K price tag estimate. Maybe because it was so good? I guess they could have been very impressed and guesstimated its worth based on its performance.

[gtr]

After hearing that the normal setting feels more natural and best from MT, is the M drive worth the $$?

[FifthStreetz]

Originally Posted by gtr

After hearing that the normal setting feels more natural and best from MT, is the M drive worth the $$?

+1,
Speaking of M drive, i wonder how much that option will be, the optional EDC is included with M drive right?

Anyone care to share their thoughts on M-drive?

[JEllis]

In the Car magazine article about the M division they implied that you would be able to order an M3 without Idrive or Mdrive and that the settings would then be push button controlled. I am sorta hoping this is possible. Give me a sport button for throttle response and another for EDC and I am fine...

Jason

[FifthStreetz]

Originally Posted by JEllis

In the Car magazine article about the M division they implied that you would be able to order an M3 without Idrive or Mdrive and that the settings would then be push button controlled. I am sorta hoping this is possible. Give me a sport button for throttle response and another for EDC and I am fine...

Jason

Interesting, so basically its the same principal but you wouldnt be able to store your favorite custom settings. It be like a light switch with either on or off, instead of one of those light switches that let you dim the lights to your preference.

[JEllis]

Well thats what I got from the article...

From the CAR article

"Technophobes who couldnt even start an M6 will feel instantly at home here. Specify MDrive, however, and you can pre-programme your ideal settings through the standard IDrive. I'd save the cash; DSC off, power on, EDC Sport-how hard can it be?"

I guess you can take that how you want it but its sounds like getting the car without IDrive and MDrive is possible....I hope

Jason

[FifthStreetz]

Originally Posted by JEllis

Well thats what I got from the article...

From the CAR article

"Technophobes who couldnt even start an M6 will feel instantly at home here. Specify MDrive, however, and you can pre-programme your ideal settings through the standard IDrive. I'd save the cash; DSC off, power on, EDC Sport-how hard can it be?"

I guess you can take that how you want it but its sounds like getting the car without IDrive and MDrive is possible....I hope

Jason

Thanks, i think it will be highly possible to not get both. But it could affect resale, if you plan on selling it in the future (which i dont).

IDrive could be standard, like the 5 series but i doubt it... unless BMW is going to give us Nav. standard like UK (which i doubt).

[nechronics]

First Drive: 2008 BMW M3

By Angus MacKenzie

he must despise his parents.

[Robert]

The only thing I didn't like is the price tag. Give me affordable price and I will make this my next car otherwise goodbye M3 hello some other car.

[consolidated]

if the fun starts at $63K and ends somewhere over $72K then sadly I'll have to look elsewhere, for not much more I'd rather have a $43K 335i sedan daily driver and a $35K dedicated track coupe.

[FifthStreetz]

[quote=consolidated;1167800]if the fun starts at $63K and ends somewhere over $72K then sadly I'll have to look elsewhere/QUOTE]

Same here.

[swamp2]

And not great just becuase it says the car is good and the best yet. It is good because it was written with a bit of passion, depth and illuminated many new details. The four most novel/interesting IMO are:

-The car beats the M5 on the ring. It is quoted, by doing the simple math, at 8:09. However Richter also claims he can extract an 8:10 while holding a conversation in the car. This nebulous answer leads me to believe (as I've stated earlier) that we will see a time of 8:05 or so.
-Nice explanation of why others (and they initially) feel the car has "gone soft". It is very easy to drive really fast and takes some peeling back of it's layers to find its real soul of core performance
-Again steering boost criticized. Should be an easy fix, maybe in year 2 ()
-EDC actively/continuously controls the shocks in both comfort and normal modes whereas in sport mode it just sets it up stiff (highly damped) and does not intervene past that. COOL!
-Estimated 0-60 of 4.6 (we all knew it would be better than the quoted figure of 4.8) and I'm still betting on sub 4.5 when pushed really hard by a good driver.