What is so great about an M3

[TroySmith]

I am tired of my soft riding but comfortable MB. I constantly read how great the M3 is but was also considering the new 550. I test drove both and the 5er seems like the much more refined and comfortable car but also sporty (granted heavy) -- the interior and tech is much better too. The M3 was a rough ride, loud and a little slow off the line.

Maybe it was too cold and the car not sufficiently warmed up? Maybe the M3 did not have the EDC, maybe the testdrive was too short on pot hole ridden northeastern roads? Maybe I am just so used to riding in big comfortable cars in the past several years - not cars that you can feel?

I really wanted the M3 but afraid I would be making a mistake having it as a DD in the NYC Metro area? Am I missing the boat here?

What makes it better than the 550 as a DD? I won't be going to the track.

Thanks

[gblansten]

Get a 550. Responses to your questions are less valuable than what you think about the cars after you test drive them.

[CAPSGOD]

Sounds like the M3 is too stiff for you. Did it have EDC? It is more compliant in comfort mode.


Maybe try a standard suspension C63 AMG. They are just as good if you are not tracking the car.

[CBS]

Originally Posted by SehrSchnell

Something tells me you'd be happier with the 550. ; )

OP: I had the same initial opinion when I read your post. My impression, you would be happier with a 550 because the interior and tech is top notch and you would have a powerful engine / good suspension as well. A true Win/Win.

[I M STIG]

You have to love the M3 as more than a DD car to really enjoy owning it. If I were you, I'd go for the 550i. It's more luxury with a good bit of sport thrown in. The M3 is just all sport, all the time with some luxurious feelings and amenities.

[Doctor J]

Umm you're comparing a car designed in 2006 to one designed in 2010 and like the more expensive and newer one better? duh

[thai357sig]

Not only that doc, he's comparing a luxury sedan to a GT. I a was also considering a 550i vs an E550 when I made my purchase in 09'. The decision to be is, how important is driving performance to you? I took a beautiful 20 YO with me to test both and on both test drives, her butt-o-meter immediately told her the 550i was a much more exhilerAting ride. Unfortunately both models were nearly seven year old and due for a major revision. So the M3 sedan was the next logical choice. I will be purchasing a 550i or X5 in the next year though.

[ES_TRADER]

The 550's seat pushes ur body inwards during hard cornering to compensate for the car's lack of handling.

[BimmerM]

I always find these threads amusing. It's obvious the OP already know what car he wants.

This is like asking why any M car, 1M, M3, M5, M6, X5 M, X6 M, etc. has such a harsh ride and is loud. If harsh (ie. sport suspension) and loud (louder exhaust, louder when hitting pot holes, etc.) is not your thing, that's perfectly fine, just go with a non M car and stay away from any BMW Performance Suspension or Exhaust options.

Easy.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by TroySmith

I am tired of my soft riding but comfortable MB. I constantly read how great the M3 is but was also considering the new 550. I test drove both and the 5er seems like the much more refined and comfortable car but also sporty (granted heavy) -- the interior and tech is much better too. The M3 was a rough ride, loud and a little slow off the line.

Maybe it was too cold and the car not sufficiently warmed up? Maybe the M3 did not have the EDC, maybe the testdrive was too short on pot hole ridden northeastern roads? Maybe I am just so used to riding in big comfortable cars in the past several years - not cars that you can feel?

I really wanted the M3 but afraid I would be making a mistake having it as a DD in the NYC Metro area? Am I missing the boat here?

What makes it better than the 550 as a DD? I won't be going to the track.

Thanks

If I want comfort and a nice quiet ride I take our 2011 MB C350 4MATIC, then again if I want that sporty feeling I take my 2011 M3. Further I find my M3 an all around practical car, I can take it easy with it i.e. don't even make any noise or I can go wild in it and put the pedal to the metal and feel the power. A real fun car if you get my drift. Both Mercedes and BMW build fine cars.

[ksoze]

I also test drove an M3 and 550i back to back. The differences are pronounced in consecutive drives and there are no surprises - the F10 feels big and the M3 feels small. The 550i requires little effort to drive fast, the M3 asks for more involvement to wring out it's power. The M3 seats make the 5 seats feel like grandpas Biscayne wagons bench seat and the 550 has real cupholders, HUD and more cameras than a bodega in the inner city.

If I had not driven both, the 550i could have won on paper. In the end however, the M3 convertible was $5-10K more loaded but something like $200 less a month on a lease. Case closed, but I still was impressed with the 550i and if its financial package was more heavily subsidized like the M3, it could have been different.

[SchnellM3]

I love BMW as much as the next guy but get a new Super Charged XJ. Just got one last week and the thing is AMAZING gobs of power and incredible ride. Mines Liquid Silver with London Tan and Navy piping

[Dannys M3]

Maybe you can't drive, maybe you should get a Prius, maybe you did miss the boat?

[MikeM5]

Originally Posted by TroySmith

I am tired of my soft riding but comfortable MB. I constantly read how great the M3 is but was also considering the new 550. I test drove both and the 5er seems like the much more refined and comfortable car but also sporty (granted heavy) -- the interior and tech is much better too. The M3 was a rough ride, loud and a little slow off the line.

Maybe it was too cold and the car not sufficiently warmed up? Maybe the M3 did not have the EDC, maybe the testdrive was too short on pot hole ridden northeastern roads? Maybe I am just so used to riding in big comfortable cars in the past several years - not cars that you can feel?

I really wanted the M3 but afraid I would be making a mistake having it as a DD in the NYC Metro area? Am I missing the boat here?

What makes it better than the 550 as a DD? I won't be going to the track.

Thanks

Honestly I'd be willing to bet that over half (if not more) of the M3 owners won't be going to the track either and I can't agree that the M3 is "all sport" with all of its plushness. It's a very easy car to live with on a daily basis and a real treat that you could, if you wanted to, drive enthusiastically and get a real reward out of it (not to mention the feeling of 8300rpm).

That being said, the M3 does feel "slow" off the line compared to the 550 and other non-M alternatives. Sure they are both V8s, but they are designed with different audiences in mind and not to mention geared differently. The M3 could feel "rough" (driving-wise) by virtue of its ITBs and a stiffer suspension. But do keep in mind that you are coming from a very lux MB. I'm sure that most people here still consider their M3 to be very cushy - even with aftermarket suspension.

There is no question that the 550 is a more comfortable, refined car. Keep in mind you're comparing a sporty 3 series refinement to that of a 5 and (like has been said in the thread already) brand new tech to "old". This isn't to say that the E9x M3 lacks refinement whatsoever as it is, like I said before, extremely plush and livable by a fairly high standard. I'd suggest taking another test drive if you're still on the fence - try out a DCT M3 most definitely, maybe try one also with EDC and see what you think.

Ultimately, if you are looking for something that will be similar to the MB, but on the BMW side of things, it may be inevitable that you'll end up going for the 5...but the new ones are seriously, seriously awesome cars.

[Poppin Fresh]

Don't get it. I see too many already. Get the 550XI with the M-sport package.

[dave70]

[QUOTE=Dannys M3;9345130]Maybe you can't drive, maybe you should get a Prius, maybe you did miss the boat?[/QUOTE

One thing I did notice, quite a few immature punks do drive M3s...

[UltimateBMW]

The M3 is a nice sports car. The 550 is a fast luxury sedan. On the ride, the M3 won't ever be more comfortable. It will always have some aggression to it, even in soft EDC.

Where the M3 comes alive, and where most owners find true worth is above 6k RPM. On a short test drive, I doubt you even got near it, and certainly not for more than a single gear. (Plus, high RPM in 3rd alone will have you going well over any speed limit)

In the end, as others said. Go with the 550. It will give you what you want, without the raw track inspired bits from the M3. Though, there are some pretty large assumptions made by some people in this thread. I would ignore most of the comments made with a sharp tongue. Welcome to the forums.

Originally Posted by sorinel999

if you want a DD get the 550. why are you considering the m3 if you wont track it?

I hate to burst your bubble, but the M3 owner's manual does not require you to track the car to enjoy it.

[ooowowizstev]

The 5er is the car for you

[LateBraking]

I agree, get the 5. M3 is not the type of car for your intended use.

[ersin]

Test drive the M3 again, but this time rev it up past 8000 rpm. (I hope the dealer lets you do this.) And while you're at it, take some real sharp turns really fast. If the M3 doesn't appeal to you after this then get the 550.


Cheers.

[dave70]

Originally Posted by ersin

Test drive the M3 again, but this time rev it up past 8000 rpm. (I hope the dealer lets you do this.) And while you're at it, take some real sharp turns really fast. If the M3 doesn't appeal to you after this then get the 550.


Cheers.

That was one of the problems, no revving about 5k - I will be test driving again. I have no doubt that the M3 is a great car, the question is what is best for in this suburban/urban area.

[Blotman]

Originally Posted by UltimateBMW

I hate to burst your bubble, but the M3 owner's manual does not require you to track the car to enjoy it.

There is a small mention about racing/tracking in my manual! But mainly it's about how the M3 was NOT designed for competitive motorsports, and that the brake pads were NOT designed for the race track

But don't let that stop you.

To the OP, if you weren't wowed by this car on your test drive the first time around, I think it may be difficult for you to find the same appreciation for this machine even further down the line than everyone else here has. Either that, or test drive it again, but a bit more aggressively than normal. That's where this car really shines!