Thoughts from an M snob. The NEW BPS E92 M3

[Bob@BPS]

Hi guys,

This is a thread I'm starting in response to a question from one of the members of the M3forum.net below:

Originally Posted by PKumarM3

congrats!

i understand you prob got the new m3 from a business perspective --- developing new products

as a former e46 m3 owner, what do you honestly think about the new M3? is it a side step from the e46 m3 or do you actually believe it is a step forward? if a step forward, is it a BIG enough step forward as the E46 was to the E36 (strictly due to competition and the E36 interior looking OLD), to warrant the replacement?

Hi Preeth,

That is a GREAT question. My FIRST impression is OMG!!! This is an amazing car. Stock for stock it is substantially better than an E46 M3. Here are a few thoughts:

• The technology in the car is amazing
• The car is very good stock and will only get better as more performance mods become available.
• DCT is sooo much smoother and faster than SMG
• I haven't experienced any hesitation in shifting like some others have and it make me wonder if those that claim that have ever driven SMG
• It is MUCH better touring car: The car is much quieter. I think quite a bit of the extra 300# comes from insulation and the fact that the car is 5" longer and 1" wider. The fenders are plastic, the V8 is lighter than the S54 motor, and the CF roof looks amazing and does its part to reduce weight. I would definitely NOT buy the car with a sunroof (nor would I buy a cabrio), due to the weight.
• The car is sneaky fast. I haven't taken it over 5500, but it just surprises you how quick it is. Probably due to the quieter cabin, it doesn't have the sensation as being as fast, but it is.
• It IS faster than even some modified M3s. My buddy Mastek told me Steve Millen was .10 faster at California Speedway in an E92 M3 than in his LSB E46 M3 with 4.10s, exhaust, aFe Stage 1, SE air duct, Advanced Design suspension and a few other goodies. Obvisouly, some of the difference could be in the driver, but Mastek is experienced in some open-wheel cars, so it wasn't like a novice in a modded E46 vs a pro in a stock E92 M3.
• iDrive: I don't get why so many people hate it. I'm a real techie, so I think it's great.
• M button: This thing is sooooo cool. You can set the parameters for the sport button (called the power button), how EDC is set, how DSC is set (off, on or M Dynamic modes) and servotronic (the steering sensitivity).
• EDC: I LOVE EDC...the change is almost immediate and the softest setting is like a 330 with sport package and the stiffest setting is VERY sporty. My E92 M3 has 18s because I plan on changing the wheels, anyway. The car has 3 different personalties on the different settings and they are all useable.

That said, the E46 M3 is still a great car. I'm getting a great perspective because the old car hasn't sold yet, and I'm getting to drive both. My E46 M3 is back to stock except for 3.91s, Streamline panel filter and D/A Street Software, and it is still seriously quick. The E46 feels more raw and you feel the difference in the weight. The extra HP from the E92 does a good job of masking the weight difference. I was afraid I would really miss the E46 M3, but the E92 M3 such a cool car. For MY purposes, it's a move up. For guys that want a track car, the lighter weight of the E46 M3 and the bulletproof S54 engine makes the older car still a great choice.

Bob

[Big Windy]

Originally Posted by Bob@BPS

Hi guys,

This is a thread I'm starting in response to a question from one of the members of the M3forum.net below:



Hi Preeth,

That is a GREAT question. My FIRST impression is OMG!!! This is an amazing car. Stock for stock it is substantially better than an E46 M3. Here are a few thoughts:

• The technology in the car is amazing
• The car is very good stock and will only get better as more performance mods become available.
• DCT is sooo much smoother and faster than SMG
• I haven't experienced any hesitation in shifting like some others have and it make me wonder if those that claim that have ever driven SMG
• It is MUCH better touring car: The car is much quieter. I think quite a bit of the extra 300# comes from insulation and the fact that the car is 5" longer and 1" wider. The fenders are plastic, the V8 is lighter than the S54 motor, and the CF roof looks amazing and does its part to reduce weight. I would definitely NOT buy the car with a sunroof (nor would I buy a cabrio), due to the weight.
• The car is sneaky fast. I haven't taken it over 5500, but it just surprises you how quick it is. Probably due to the quieter cabin, it doesn't have the sensation as being as fast, but it is.
• It IS faster than even some modified M3s. My buddy Mastek told me Steve Millen was .10 faster at California Speedway in an E92 M3 than in his LSB E46 M3 with 4.10s, exhaust, aFe Stage 1, SE air duct, Advanced Design suspension and a few other goodies. Obvisouly, some of the difference could be in the driver, but Mastek is experienced in some open-wheel cars, so it wasn't like a novice in a modded E46 vs a pro in a stock E92 M3.
• iDrive: I don't get why so many people hate it. I'm a real techie, so I think it's great.
• M button: This thing is sooooo cool. You can set the parameters for the sport button (called the power button), how EDC is set, how DSC is set (off, on or M Dynamic modes) and servotronic (the steering sensitivity).
• EDC: I LOVE EDC...the change is almost immediate and the softest setting is like a 330 with sport package and the stiffest setting is VERY sporty. My E92 M3 has 18s because I plan on changing the wheels, anyway. The car has 3 different personalties on the different settings and they are all useable.

That said, the E46 M3 is still a great car. I'm getting a great perspective because the old car hasn't sold yet, and I'm getting to drive both. My E46 M3 is back to stock except for 3.91s, Streamline panel filter and D/A Street Software, and it is still seriously quick. The E46 feels more raw and you feel the difference in the weight. The extra HP from the E92 does a good job of masking the weight difference. I was afraid I would really miss the E46 M3, but the E92 M3 such a cool car. For MY purposes, it's a move up. For guys that want a track car, the lighter weight of the E46 M3 and the bulletproof S54 engine makes the older car still a great choice.

Bob

thanks bob, it is always good to get a perspective from somebody with both cars in their garage.

[valeram]

Nice writeup and reviews. The comment on the I-Drive is head-on. I am also a techie and a software developer that I can relate how they intended the I-Drive interface to work.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by valeram

Nice writeup and reviews. The comment on the I-Drive is head-on. I am also a techie and a software developer that I can relate how they intended the I-Drive interface to work.

+3

I enjoy IDrive as well.

[Davinhci]

nice write up!

[JEllis]

Nice write up!

I can say coming from an E36 that the E92 is like a whole new world. This is truly a car that I dont think needs to be modified unless you just enjoy tuning. The car is so good stock I worry that changing the dynamics will only hurt the overall balance of the car. The sound is awesome! Of course you only get a sense of the sound with windows down but I think that is great. The steering is superb....much better than my E36. DCT is a thing of beauty!

Jason

[!Xoible]

Originally Posted by JEllis

Nice write up!

I can say coming from an E36 that the E92 is like a whole new world. This is truly a car that I dont think needs to be modified unless you just enjoy tuning. The car is so good stock I worry that changing the dynamics will only hurt the overall balance of the car. The sound is awesome! Of course you only get a sense of the sound with windows down but I think that is great. The steering is superb....much better than my E36. DCT is a thing of beauty!

Jason

what the??? i didnt know u got ur car already?? was there a thread with pics to drool over please?

[m3larson]

The partial hand built V8 is enough for me. People talk that way that has never driven the car. The engine is the most advanced production V8 on the market today. Look at the Hemi that is a 5.7 litter and only outputs 360HP. Our cars hold a 4.0 that revs to 8,500rpm's. I am sure I am not the only one on this board that smiles from ear to ear when the car gets past 6,500RPM's.