Last True M3?

[G80indy]

https://www.hotcars.com/heres-why-th...st-true-m-car/

Enjoy

[sid350]

Good read thanks for sharing. "...it's still a true driver's car."

[slowdown_dan]

Debating whether I should get all philosophical or not. Hmmm.

[slowdown_dan]

I have an e92 M3. I love it. I don't know that I've ever seen the M commandments written out though.

What is a "true" M? Or is it just everyones own idea (opinion) of what qualifies as real M and what isn't?

Is "true M" just the mode of commonly found features and qualities on a select set of M generations?

[njdrive]

thanks for sharing.

[porsche959]

E46 is last true M3

[DanMpower]

Force induction = cheating?
Coupe = Superior on the track?
A real M3 is 2 door?

What a terrible article, was the author 12 years old?

[New2Roundel]

I agree with the title of the article, but I think the distinction is really an academic one. Similarly, it's the same reason why I think the Supra using BMW architecture and not being built in Japan is a disgrace. That doesn't mean the car doesn't drive well however. It's the same with the F8x cars. I gained a lot of respect for these cars after doing a M track day a couple years ago. They're really good cars on the track---and that's in stock form. So in that regard, I think the newer cars still hold up the substance of what it means to be an M car. But are they special? That's the academic part of being an M car. The F8x cars in some regard are like the US market e36 M3, which their engine derived from a regular 3 series. It's why I never was interested in owning one of these cars, despite the superb handling. So where we're heading isn't new. But to me, the M3 shouldn't just be a base model 3 series with more power and a stiff chassis. I do think the e9x cars are the last of a certain mindset within the company. Our cars certainly resemble a standard e9x 3 series, but it also has a lot of items that are unique to this model. It is the epitome of what I've always thought BMW did/does really well---provide an engaging driving experience regardless of how light or hard you're driving. It has that chassis magic where you don't have to make the car board stiff to make it handle well.

[dmk08]

Originally Posted by porsche959

E46 is last true M3

E46 is crap compared to an e92. And they sound horrible.

[akkando]

Some might say the m2 is the last real m3...

[Epoustouflant]

Originally Posted by akkando

Some might say the m2 is the last real m3...

I'd say the M2 is the closest thing to the M3 philosophy in the turbo-era of M cars.

[slowdown_dan]

is an e39 M5 not a true M car? Or are we just talking M3 here? This is such a stupid argument.

Those who have only owned an e46 are likely to say that was the last true M (and thats why they bought it)

Those who have only owned an e9x are likely to say that was the last true M (and that's why they bought it)

Those who have only owned f8x are likely to say either A) this is still a true M car or B) will concede it isn't but who gives a shit, this is the what M cars are TODAY.

The bottom line is everyone can offer their opinion on what makes a REAL M, and which was the last car to fulfill those qualities but at the end of the day, opinions...

as kanye would say "damn, they dont make em like this anymore". And that really sums up the entire debate. They are all different. BE GLAD THEY ARE. If you dont like this new kind of different, you can go buy the older kind of different. What if every generation of M was actually a 100% better version of it's previous iteration/generation, in every way? We'd all have to come up with reasons why we prefer the older, lesser versions (besides financial reasons) and that would suck.

[dmk08]

Originally Posted by butte2butte

is an e39 M5 not a true M car? Or are we just talking M3 here? This is such a stupid argument.

Those who have only owned an e46 are likely to say that was the last true M (and thats why they bought it)

Those who have only owned an e9x are likely to say that was the last true M (and that's why they bought it)

Those who have only owned f8x are likely to say either A) this is still a true M car or B) will concede it isn't but who gives a shit, this is the what M cars are TODAY.

The bottom line is everyone can offer their opinion on what makes a REAL M, and which was the last car to fulfill those qualities but at the end of the day, opinions...

as kanye would say "damn, they dont make em like this anymore". And that really sums up the entire debate. They are all different. BE GLAD THEY ARE. If you dont like this new kind of different, you can go buy the older kind of different. What if every generation of M was actually a 100% better version of it's previous iteration/generation, in every way? We'd all have to come up with reasons why we prefer the older, lesser versions (besides financial reasons) and that would suck.

Title is “Last True M3?”. So yes its just about M3s.

E39 came before the e92 anyway.

What about those of us that have owned an e46, an e90, 2 e92s, an f80, and an f82? Oh and I own none of them now so I have no horse in this race.

[slowdown_dan]

Apologies, I didn't even read the article because I dont care what the author thinks. I understand the E39 came before the E9x I was just trying to include an older larger 4 door sedan to compare against the f gen m3 when someone says a true M has to have 2 doors, but I digress.

As a serial M owner lets hear your opinion on: what makes an M3 an M3, and which was the last one to do so.

[dmk08]

Originally Posted by butte2butte

Apologies, I didn't even read the article because I dont care what the author thinks. I understand the E39 came before the E9x I was just trying to include an older larger 4 door sedan to compare against the f gen m3 when someone says a true M has to have 2 doors, but I digress.

As a serial M owner lets hear your opinion on: what makes an M3 an M3, and which was the last one to do so.

I would say they are all "true M3s" because BMW sold them and put the M3 logo on them.

As far as the best? To me it's the E90 hands down. (yes the sedan)

[Richneerd]

Originally Posted by dmk08

I would say they are all "true M3s" because BMW sold them and put the M3 logo on them.

As far as the best? To me it's the E90 hands down. (yes the sedan)

I agree!

[porsche959]

E36 is last true m3

[SYT_Shadow]

I think all the M3s are 'true M3s'. Besides the badge that shows they are indeed M3s instead of something else, they all share a similar heritage.

I've raced E36s, owned an E46 for 100k miles, own an E90, E92 and F80 CS and they are all very real.
The M division has been quite pragmatic in its approach to performance in every generation, using 4 cylinder engines, inline 6 cylinder, V8, NA and turbo.

They all feel pretty similar on track, fast and forgiving cars which are perfect as a one arrow quiver.

I completely disagree with people who say BMW has lost their way. Perhaps the G8X will suck, but up to now they are all very much real.

My personal favorite for:
-street use, the E9X generation
-track use, the F8X generation

[slowdown_dan]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

I think all the M3s are 'true M3s'. Besides the badge that shows they are indeed M3s instead of something else, they all share a similar heritage.

I've raced E36s, owned an E46 for 100k miles, own an E90, E92 and F80 CS and they are all very real.
The M division has been quite pragmatic in its approach to performance in every generation, using 4 cylinder engines, inline 6 cylinder, V8, NA and turbo.

They all feel pretty similar on track, fast and forgiving cars which are perfect as a one arrow quiver.

I completely disagree with people who say BMW has lost their way. Perhaps the G8X will suck, but up to now they are all very much real.

My personal favorite for:
-street use, the E9X generation
-track use, the F8X generation

My entire point with posing the "what defines an M3" question was exactly because I agree with those who said that all M3's are "true" M3's.

If you like what you like, cool. It doesn't mean your preference is the "true" preference. You're not that cool 😏

If you commented on here with your response to that article with an actual generation, I actually thought to myself "that guy just doesn't doesn't GET it".

[Bartledoo]

Originally Posted by DanMpower

Force induction = cheating?
Coupe = Superior on the track?
A real M3 is 2 door?

What a terrible article, was the author 12 years old?

Yea, it looks like they were saying the E92(/90) is superior to the M5, but it was so poorly written that it ended up being confusing.

[Siajoon]

Anyone have some love for the 1m?

[kskpsu]

Originally Posted by Siajoon

Anyone have some love for the 1m?

Of course, but I’m biased. The debate can rage...not an M engine, so not a real M car? How it came to life, to me, is more M than anything pumped out after the E chassises.

For M3s: Never owned or had material seat time in an E30. I have had the rest, and while each was special, the E9x is my favorite.