Want to really appreciate your M3?

[midlifecrisis]

I just spent 10 days in California driving two 2012 model cars. I returned home to NJ at 1:30 this morning and after 4 hours of sleep I had to take my M3 for a ride to recover from almost two weeks in the penalty box.

My rental was a 2012 Chevy Cruze. Ugh. Soft seats, numb steering, and uninspired handling. The only thing that impressed me was the drivetrain. It was pretty smooth and refined for an econobox, although not very powerful. Fuel economy was great - I got 36-38 mpg on the highway.

The other car I drove was a 2012 Honda Civic. This was somewhat better than the Chevy in terms of ride and handling, but the drivetrain wasn't as smooth or flexible. This really surprised me. It was also fairly noisy and the interior didn't have a quality feel. I hear Honda has fixed some of the shortcomings for 2013.

All in all, it was great to get back into my 5 year old E90 M3. What a difference! If you want to fall in love all over again, drive a rental for a week or two - it sure worked for me!

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by midlifecrisis

I just spent 10 days in California driving two 2012 model cars. I returned home to NJ at 1:30 this morning and after 4 hours of sleep I had to take my M3 for a ride to recover from almost two weeks in the penalty box.

My rental was a 2012 Chevy Cruze. Ugh. Soft seats, numb steering, and uninspired handling. The only thing that impressed me was the drivetrain. It was pretty smooth and refined for an econobox, although not very powerful. Fuel economy was great - I got 36-38 mpg on the highway.

The other car I drove was a 2012 Honda Civic. This was somewhat better than the Chevy in terms of ride and handling, but the drivetrain wasn't as smooth or flexible. This really surprised me. It was also fairly noisy and the interior didn't have a quality feel. I hear Honda has fixed some of the shortcomings for 2013.

All in all, it was great to get back into my 5 year old E90 M3. What a difference! If you want to fall in love all over again, drive a rental for a week or two - it sure worked for me!

i feel for you. my wife has a civic and i cant stand to even ride in that thing. i have her convinced she needs a 335d.

[Roundown]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

i feel for you. my wife has a civic and i cant stand to even ride in that thing. i have her convinced she needs a 335d.

Had a 335d as a loaner once... it's a monster. When you throw in the towel on "dual purpose" for your E46 (following your build, btw, nice job) ...that 335d will make a great trailer-platform.

[izzyM2]

We have a CRZ as a second car and switching back and forth makes me appreciate my M3 daily.

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by riM3

Had a 335d as a loaner once... it's a monster. When you throw in the towel on "dual purpose" for your E46 (following your build, btw, nice job) ...that 335d will make a great trailer-platform.

thanks. looking at getting a x5d as my tow vehicle.

[Bulb]

My gf has a Jeep Liberty. Anytime I start to get acclimated to the performance of my M3 I just opt to drive her car for a bit, and BAM the M3 is fresh again!

[krnnerdboy]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

thanks. looking at getting a x5d as my tow vehicle.

The x5 35i was a great towing platform for me. I can imagine the x5d being even better as long as it has the 8spd. I was able to pass up the grapevine with 5500lbs in tow. My 5.7 tundra wouldn't have been able to do that...

I recently test drove the m3 again, and after driving an f30 for a month, the e90 chassis will be sorely missed! If could only have one car in my garage it would definitely be an e90 m3.

[M3Carbon]

Been driving a Nissan Altima coupe since Thursday ....what a POS. Can't wait to be back behind the wheel of my M3!!

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by krnnerdboy

The x5 35i was a great towing platform for me. I can imagine the x5d being even better as long as it has the 8spd. I was able to pass up the grapevine with 5500lbs in tow. My 5.7 tundra wouldn't have been able to do that...

I recently test drove the m3 again, and after driving an f30 for a month, the e90 chassis will be sorely missed! If could only have one car in my garage it would definitely be an e90 m3.

i currently have an x5 3.0 and doubt it would be up to the task of a 3100 lb car and 2000 lb trailer but we will see before i get the x5d.

[Dkhan23]

Originally Posted by M3Carbon

Been driving a Nissan Altima coupe since Thursday ....what a POS. Can't wait to be back behind the wheel of my M3!!

I had a Toyota yaris as a rental for 3 months lol

[Rapture]

I've been driving a 2013 528i for the past month. I cannot wait to get the M3 back from service.

[M3Carbon]

Originally Posted by Dkhan23

I had a Toyota yaris as a rental for 3 months lol

Oh no, a Yaris?! You had it worse than me for sure!

[midlifecrisis]

Originally Posted by Rapture

I've been driving a 2013 528i for the past month. I cannot wait to get the M3 back from service.

Yeah, I know what you mean. The new ones aren't as much fun to drive as the old ones. Whether you're talking F10, F25, or F30. A couple of recent reviews have called the current 135is the last "real" BMW. I sure hope they're wrong.

[Rapture]

Originally Posted by midlifecrisis

Yeah, I know what you mean. The new ones aren't as much fun to drive as the old ones. Whether you're talking F10, F25, or F30. A couple of recent reviews have called the current 135is the last "real" BMW. I sure hope they're wrong.

I mean, it's a BMW, no doubting that. But it's an econo box on sloppy 17's with an anemic TT 4-banger.

And it's Alpine White

[bruza]

Timely thread:

I've been away from home for almost a week. Had a Ford Edge and a 528i X Drive. First time getting a Bimmer through Avis which was cool but neither car was even close to the ///M.

[osteome]

Originally Posted by midlifecrisis

If you want to fall in love all over again, drive a rental for a week or two - it sure worked for me!

Or deploy to Afghanistan for year with mid-tour leave in the dead of winter.....

[Green///Hell]

I live and work in Australia now...M3 is at home for when I am back in the states

Worst feeling on the planet...after stepping on a leggo

[LarThaL]

Originally Posted by Dkhan23

I had a Toyota yaris as a rental for 3 months lol

Don't those come in a disposable six-pack?

[///WeissBisBlau]

Originally Posted by Dkhan23

I had a Toyota yaris as a rental for 3 months lol

OMG, worst designed car I've ever seen, hands down! It's like Toyota commissioned design concepts from kindergartners, picked one, scratched their butts, and said "sure, why not?!".

[ThunderMoose]

The Mother In Law has a Yaris that I borrow from time to time. Worst part about her car is when I corner too hard, her cane flies over and knocks me out of D.

[BigTasty]

Originally Posted by Rapture

I've been driving a 2013 528i for the past month. I cannot wait to get the M3 back from service.

I experienced this twice when I had the M3 in for service. The first time I had a F30 328xi and the entire car just felt way too soft and numb. The steering was absolutely awful. The second time I had an F10 528, which was better . . . but still no M.

Definitely happy to return to driving the M.

[yandy]

Good thread, I'm heading out for week of work related travel, that means rental. I've only had the ///M for about 4 days, but already know I'll miss it dearly.