Coming from a higher torque car...? [opinions]

I am looking for some opinions on the e9x M3.

Just wondering what those of you who like torque think of the M3 motor which is SO linear and smooth, I find it (although impressive) kind of boring. I guess I am a big fan of torque and the kick in your butt feeling. Do you learn to love the smoothness? Do you get used to and learn to love the "mature" feeling of this car? I hope I'm asking the right questions and make sense here.. I am still on the fence about a new M3 because I am concerned that it will... bore me. FWIW, the car I'm comparing it to has 400ft/lbs of torque.

Generally when I buy a car I know its right, I've driven it, I get goose bumps and then I jump on it and I don't have to think too much. But in this case, its strange and I'm having trouble deciding... I guess a series of events have occurred which is making me look at a M3:

-I like the looks and BMW gadgets
-I like how its world renowned and recognized as the best of the sports sedans
-I've always wanted an M3 - one of those cars I said to myself I should own before dying
-With a baby, this car makes sense (rear seat)
-The economy makes it affordable for me to lease a new one, and possibly this is the last time in a long while I'll be able to afford it.
-Leftover '08's are plentiful with the options I want.

So is there anyone else like me that was on the fence, bought a new M3, and kind of wish they didn't because it was boring or wished that it felt faster? Listen, I know the car is fast, I've read the stats, but I guess its that seat of the pants, visceral feeling that I love about sports cars, that I think the M3 is a little soft on. I'm not sure I'm ready to sacrifice pure driving enthusiasm for more comfort and grace yet.

I guess what I'm trying to say is this.. is the M3 too good to be exciting?

I have to say I felt the same way when I first drove the E90, felt so smooth (almost too much so) and a bit less connected than my E46. I went and test drove other cars (M5, RS4, etc.) and then drive the M3 again. While you won't hit some big "shelf" in the power curve and get the associated thrill, I found that I have grown to appreciate and enjoy the car as much as the E46 or more. The force of the power delivery is something else, particularly impressive when you dip into it at higher speeds - the thing just never seems to run out of punch. No, it will not feel like a C63, RS6, or any other brute force car, but I found it to be more rewarding in the end (and would suspect it will be more enduring appreciation over time.)

Maybe wait a bit and drive some other cars for comparison (if you haven't already), prices certainly aren't going up... then go back and drive it again. I am happy with the purchase but I have to say I wasn't blown away by it when I bought it. Glad I did.

I definitley love my M3, but I do wish it had more torque on the low end. It's not too impressive on the low. On the high end, it's an absolute beast that keeps pulling and pulling...and trust me, it doesn't stop. Think of the M3 more as nascar type instead of dragster. All in all, no regrets in my purchase.

My best description of the car is vanilla.

Nothing wrong with vanilla. It's a very good vanilla. Probably the best vanilla you can get. But it's still vanilla.

I wanted something between my highly modded e46 M3 and my RS6 (The Audi had more torque than you can imagine.). If I didn't spend so much time on the highway with it, I would have kept the e46. But I need one car, and the technology was appealing in the e90. It's just not very engaging.

A loaded e90 was the right choice for me, at this time. You have to make that decision for yourself. I can easily live without the torque. I'm happy with my choice, but have only had it four weeks. Like signes said; Wait a little while and drive a few others. The more time you take, the more likely you are to make a decision you'll be happy with.

BTW, I don't miss the RS6 very much (and it's an awesome car). I miss the e46 more each day.

I came from a B5 S4 that had over 350 ft lbs of torque. I don't miss it at all. I just had to adapt my driving style to take advantage of the M3s power band. Once you learn how to drive this car, its will be just as much fun (and more) as your old one. I'm not sure what kind of car you're coming from but the problem with turbo cars is they either peak very high with huge lag or they peak low and fall off on the high end. The fact that the M3 has a peak down low that extends pretty much until redline is what makes it different from everything else out there. Even though the number is lower than other cars out there, the area under the curve make the power more usable on an everyday basis.

HIS4 wrote

I came from a B5 S4 that had over 350 ft lbs of torque. I don't miss it at all. I just had to adapt my driving style to take advantage of the M3s power band. Once you learn how to drive this car, its will be just as much fun (and more) as your old one. I'm not sure what kind of car you're coming from but the problem with turbo cars is they either peak very high with huge lag or they peak low and fall off on the high end. The fact that the M3 has a peak down low that extends pretty much until redline is what makes it different from everything else out there. Even though the number is lower than other cars out there, the area under the curve make the power more usable on an everyday basis.

I also owned a B5 S4 with chip that brought up the torque and power drastically. The torque for my S4 car was present immediately compared to my E92M3 but from the mid to top end of the RPM it tells a different story. Both cars are driven differently and both cars have some merits. For me now, I prefer the more civilized approach of the M3 but I know for the fact that I have an ample torque and power if I want to push it.

I came from a 400 ft. lb. car too. Before my M3 I drove a '05 GTO (because I couldn't afford an E46 four years ago). This M3 is so exciting to drive. It's definitely different without the huge engine and torque I was used too. But it's way faster because you don't need to slow down to take a turn. Not sure which would win in a drag race, the GTO was pretty fast. But it was so boring to drive. I never got in my GTO and just went for a drive for no reason at all. I find myself jumping in my M3 and just driving for the fun of it all the time.

hes coming from a 335i... Anyways are they many 08s left????

Whos coming form a 335i?! Not me!

Thanks for all of the replies.. I was expecting to see a least a few replies about how they miss the torque. Keep 'em coming if you want to chime in!

Torque at the shaft is not meaningful. That's not what you feel. 400 ftxlbs of torque at the shaft doesn't really tell any specific story. Torque at the wheels is what you feel. The width of the rev range, which determines how the car should be geared, is a major factor. Compare torque at the wheels numbers vs speed curves for both cars, and you'll have a basis.

Mixja has done that for some cars here:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=157633&highlight=torque+wheel

J08M3 wrote

I came from a 400 ft. lb. car too. Before my M3 I drove a '05 GTO (because I couldn't afford an E46 four years ago). This M3 is so exciting to drive. It's definitely different without the huge engine and torque I was used too. But it's way faster because you don't need to slow down to take a turn. Not sure which would win in a drag race, the GTO was pretty fast. But it was so boring to drive. I never got in my GTO and just went for a drive for no reason at all. I find myself jumping in my M3 and just driving for the fun of it all the time.

I also came from an '05 GTO, and pretty much echo your sentiments here. The GTO hauls *** in a straight line, but the M3 is a lot more fun to drive.

Kadarin wrote

The GTO hauls *** in a straight line, but the M3 is a lot more fun to drive.

Stock vs. stock, the M3 should be faster than a GTO on the drag strip. By a little under a second for the 1/4 mile I believe.

Why do people buy cars simply for the numbers it produces? Are you for real? Buy what you like. There are hundreds of other cars to choose from in this price range and beyond but only you can live with the compromises. For me, if the car didn't put a smile on my face I wouldn't buy it.

that's why i go on the freeway in 3rd gear

If you like torque and enjoy that gut pulling feeling when you step on the gas, THIS IS NOT THE CAR FOR YOU. I came from a 550i 6MT sport and have a GTR along with the M3. The 550i felt like it had the most torque down low. Granted after passing 3-4k rpm, it fades but it's one of those cars that just feels torquey like the 540 6MT before it. Jab the pedal and everyone's neck snaps back. The M3 has none. It's has great sound and at 4k-6k it has power and sound and you have fun making the tail whip around but taking off from lights or tolls, it's just not there. I love the car though. I just wish it had more torque dammnit!!!!

s4awd wrote

If you like torque and enjoy that gut pulling feeling when you step on the gas, THIS IS NOT THE CAR FOR YOU. I came from a 550i 6MT sport and have a GTR along with the M3. The 550i felt like it had the most torque down low. Granted after passing 3-4k rpm, it fades but it's one of those cars that just feels torquey like the 540 6MT before it. Jab the pedal and everyone's neck snaps back. The M3 has none. It's has great sound and at 4k-6k it has power and sound and you have fun making the tail whip around but taking off from lights or tolls, it's just not there. I love the car though. I just wish it had more torque dammnit!!!!

Methinks you never drove the M3 at all.

s4awd wrote

If you like torque and enjoy that gut pulling feeling when you step on the gas, THIS IS NOT THE CAR FOR YOU. I came from a 550i 6MT sport and have a GTR along with the M3. The 550i felt like it had the most torque down low. Granted after passing 3-4k rpm, it fades but it's one of those cars that just feels torquey like the 540 6MT before it. Jab the pedal and everyone's neck snaps back. The M3 has none. It's has great sound and at 4k-6k it has power and sound and you have fun making the tail whip around but taking off from lights or tolls, it's just not there. I love the car though. I just wish it had more torque dammnit!!!!

Ya this is my concern! Hmmm...

Subw00er wrote

Ya this is my concern! Hmmm...

If you actually take that guys advice I will have to laugh at you. I can make my neck snap in my 530iA so his comparison doesn't mean anything at all and his post is, quite literally, dumb. A real car enthusiast doesn't talk in that manner.

Welcome to the world of variable valve timing. It is not that it doesn't have any torque, it is that the torque curve is so flat. It doesn't feel as fast as it is.

J08M3 wrote

I came from a 400 ft. lb. car too. Before my M3 I drove a '05 GTO (because I couldn't afford an E46 four years ago). This M3 is so exciting to drive. It's definitely different without the huge engine and torque I was used too. But it's way faster because you don't need to slow down to take a turn. Not sure which would win in a drag race, the GTO was pretty fast. But it was so boring to drive. I never got in my GTO and just went for a drive for no reason at all. I find myself jumping in my M3 and just driving for the fun of it all the time.

I actually raced a moddified GTO a while back from a rolling start and it was dead even the entire time..he had modded exhaust among some other stuff though

s4awd wrote

If you like torque and enjoy that gut pulling feeling when you step on the gas, THIS IS NOT THE CAR FOR YOU. I came from a 550i 6MT sport and have a GTR along with the M3. The 550i felt like it had the most torque down low. Granted after passing 3-4k rpm, it fades but it's one of those cars that just feels torquey like the 540 6MT before it. Jab the pedal and everyone's neck snaps back. The M3 has none. It's has great sound and at 4k-6k it has power and sound and you have fun making the tail whip around but taking off from lights or tolls, it's just not there. I love the car though. I just wish it had more torque dammnit!!!!

Hmm I would agree do disagree...whenever I give rides to people I usually "show off" a little bit but not too much:) and they always end up saying "Wow, it really puts me back in my seat" in another shape or form

ihyln wrote

If you actually take that guys advice I will have to laugh at you. I can make my neck snap in my 530iA so his comparison doesn't mean anything at all and his post is, quite literally, dumb. A real car enthusiast doesn't talk in that manner.

Just had to throw this in.. a real car enthusiast doesn't buy a DCT car either. lol. OH god, I'm sorry, dont mean to be insulting, but I just had to rebut!

He hits on a few points and owns the right cars to make a judgment call, IMO. I love power sliding.

Subw00er wrote

-The economy makes it affordable for me to lease a new one, and possibly this is the last time in a long while I'll be able to afford it.

So you can afford only a lease right now, and think your financial situation will worsen in the future and you won't be able to afford it???