E92 M3 - first impression

Cannysage · 11-28-2008, 04:31 PM

went and checked out the new M3 coupe. Kinda disappointed overall. The interior wasn't as great as I imagined from a 60k+ car. Engine sounds like asz. There's some timing chain clinging sound of some sort.. dunno what it was.
Didn't get to test drive it, though. It just didn't feel like a 60k car. Benz around the same price range is far superior in terms of interior. I drooled over it for months but wasn't all that cracked up to be.

spf4000 · 11-28-2008, 04:54 PM

Not much of a first impression if you don't drive the darn thing. Not sure what you're talking about because the engine is probably the best thing about that car. It's sounds fantastic when being wound out. Interior fit and finish is excellent; not a single squeak or rattle (unlike my cars).

It feels like a substantial car. Solid is the word I'd use. But after owning true sports cars (not the Z), big GT cars just don't offer the same visceral feel.

MR_X · 11-28-2008, 06:34 PM

I wasn't impressed by the E90s at all. Feels more like a Accord to me. E46s were better.

skaterbasist · 11-28-2008, 07:03 PM

The car itself is suppose to stand out from any 3-series from the drive itself.

...And you didn't drive it? Not much of any impressions there

spf4000 · 11-28-2008, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MR_X

I wasn't impressed by the E90s at all. Feels more like a Accord to me. E46s were better.

I know you're exaggerating, but come on, you gotta be kidding me. You're comparing the new M3 to an Accord? They shouldn't even be mentioned in the same sentence.

SirSpeedyZ · 11-28-2008, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spf4000

Not much of a first impression if you don't drive the darn thing. Not sure what you're talking about because the engine is probably the best thing about that car. It's sounds fantastic when being wound out. Interior fit and finish is excellent; not a single squeak or rattle (unlike my cars).

It feels like a substantial car. Solid is the word I'd use. But after owning true sports cars (not the Z), big GT cars just don't offer the same visceral feel.

Thats what I would have thought. How can you have much of any feeling for anything other than overall looks without driving.

MB used to not have any manuals, don't know if they do now, but auto sports cars FTMFGDL IMO.

72_Hour_Ban · 11-28-2008, 08:35 PM

From someone who works in BMW service, let me tell you that the E90 M3s are potent performers and MB should not even be in the same sentence. Until you actually drive an M3, you have no place to make judgements. Interior may be important to some, but overall driving experience is top of my list and the M3 is worthy of top honors IMHO. Either drive one, or STFU about things you're speculating on.

ashram · 11-28-2008, 09:53 PM

Everyone is entitled to there opinion. I like the new m3 but i still prefer the looks of the e46m. Regarding the interior I actually think the e46m interior looks better,especially the ones with the chrome smg shift nob. but hey just my opinion.

gatti-man · 11-28-2008, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MR_X

I wasn't impressed by the E90s at all. Feels more like a Accord to me. E46s were better and btw i dont know what im talking about.

fixed

gatti-man · 11-28-2008, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashram

Everyone is entitled to there opinion. I like the new m3 but i still prefer the looks of the e46m. Regarding the interior I actually think the e46m interior looks better,especially the ones with the chrome smg shift nob. but hey just my opinion.

Now this i can see. Sure the e46 is iconic and has styling that will look great for the next ten years. But as far as which car is superior? Has to be the e90 series. The tranny is better/faster, more power, updated idrive, faster etc.

Cannysage · 11-29-2008, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72_Hour_Ban

From someone who works in BMW service, let me tell you that the E90 M3s are potent performers and MB should not even be in the same sentence. Until you actually drive an M3, you have no place to make judgements. Interior may be important to some, but overall driving experience is top of my list and the M3 is worthy of top honors IMHO. Either drive one, or STFU about things you're speculating on.

you STFU, butt breath, if you don't know where I'm coming from

I already read all the performance data and I know it performs well. I already have a car that's a lot faster than the slow ass m3, so I don't care too much about that, at this point. If you guys haven't already, go listen to how it sounds. IT SOUNDS LIKE ASZ! 60k car should also have a lot more 'prestige' than what I witnessed. If it was in the 40k, then I got no room to talk.. but at 60k+ I have a lot more expectations. I will test drive it next weekend and see how it goes. This is my initial impression, but that may change.

p.s. I've driven every series of the BMW except the M3, 5 and 6. They all seem to have a very smooth feel with good linear acceleration.

badkarma85 · 11-29-2008, 03:40 AM

I'm pretty sure your impressions will change when you take it out for a drive.

MR_X · 11-29-2008, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spf4000

I know you're exaggerating, but come on, you gotta be kidding me. You're comparing the new M3 to an Accord? They shouldn't even be mentioned in the same sentence.

yeah may be I did exaggerate a bit but what I meant was that the interior quality went to sh*t compare to my old E46.

MR_X · 11-29-2008, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatti-man

Now this i can see. Sure the e46 is iconic and has styling that will look great for the next ten years. But as far as which car is superior? Has to be the e90 series. The tranny is better/faster, more power, updated idrive, faster etc.

I would definitely give you that. My E46 sh*t the tranny at 40K miles.

faris13 · 11-29-2008, 10:38 PM

Sounds like ass? it's pretty much consensus from every review that the car sounds pretty amazing.

btw went to see a ferrari today...sat in the car and don't get what all the fuss is about? car didn't have a nav system or ipod hookup WTF! Also seats were uncomfortable as hell. Don't know how they can charge $200,000+ for it? BTW i didn't get to drive it.

I mean i have a 700Hp Civic that is faster than that slow asz Ferrari.

rouxeny · 12-02-2008, 11:17 PM

Um, I have the stupid luck of having both a 03 350Z and a 08 E93 M3 convertible sitting in my driveway and while I only have 800 miles on the M3, I have 60K on the Z, so I figure I can speak with some knowledge.

Sitting in a car and not driving it doesn't really allow one to form a very substantive impression.

However, I agree with you that the engine, when cold, does not sound entirely "pleasant." The same has been said of the M5, many have described it as sounding like a diesel. Personally, I like the chatty, lumpy sound. Besides, once the engine is warm and pulling 5500 rpm (I'm still limited during break in), it sounds pretty damn good. Really really good actually.

I also partly agree with you in terms of the interior. Keep in mind that the car does NOT have the interior of a 60-70K car. It basically has the interior of a 40K car, ie. the 328. The leather is better quality and there may be more of it, but the plastics on the dash I believe are the same, as are the instruments. The wheel and trim are different though. I think a similar analogy would be that (I presume), the ZR-1 has pretty much the same interior as a base Corvette.

Regardless, the Z and the M are entirely different. I have never driven an E46 M3, although I have ridden in one so I cannot really say how the two are different. I have driven a 335 which supposedly compares well to the old M3 and I can say that the 335 and E93 are very different.

I would recommend that you make a second opinion after driving the car, or better yet, after driving somebody's car that's been fully broken in. I imagine it would be a different one.

Chineseguy · 12-03-2008, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by faris13

Sounds like ass? it's pretty much consensus from every review that the car sounds pretty amazing.

btw went to see a ferrari today...sat in the car and don't get what all the fuss is about? car didn't have a nav system or ipod hookup WTF! Also seats were uncomfortable as hell. Don't know how they can charge $200,000+ for it? BTW i didn't get to drive it.

I mean i have a 700Hp Civic that is faster than that slow asz Ferrari.

I have to agree with the OP. I've test driven the M3 and yes it performs like no other, but the interior looks 98% like my $30k 3-Series for a car that cost $60K+ at least give me some sporty looking seats and if it weren't for the little M badges inside the car i wouldn't be able to tell if i was in a M3.

And the Ferrari comment... sit in one before you bad mouth it.

Kwame@z1Auto · 12-03-2008, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chineseguy

And the Ferrari comment... sit in one before you bad mouth it.

I think the Ferrari analogy completely went over your head.

Low J. · 12-03-2008, 04:09 AM

Yeah, I'll take a new S4 instead.....Quattro + twin turbo + chip = FUN!!!!!!

Kwame@z1Auto · 12-03-2008, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Low J.

Yeah, I'll take a new S4 instead.....Quattro + twin turbo + chip = FUN!!!!!!

Huh? Twin Turbo S4? There is no NEW S4 with twin turbos. The newest revision, the B8, will be supercharged.

11-28-2008, 04:31 PM	#1
Cannysage Registered User 2004 Nissan 350Z Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: SO_CAL Posts: 7,334 iTrader: (25)	E92 M3 - first impression went and checked out the new M3 coupe. Kinda disappointed overall. The interior wasn't as great as I imagined from a 60k+ car. Engine sounds like asz. There's some timing chain clinging sound of some sort.. dunno what it was. Didn't get to test drive it, though. It just didn't feel like a 60k car. Benz around the same price range is far superior in terms of interior. I drooled over it for months but wasn't all that cracked up to be.

12-03-2008, 04:09 AM	#19
Low J. Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: N.C. Posts: 12,768 iTrader: (0)	Yeah, I'll take a new S4 instead.....Quattro + twin turbo + chip = FUN!!!!!! __________________ '08 VW R32 \| '08 Audi A4 2.0T Quattro S-Line

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11-28-2008, 04:54 PM	#2
spf4000 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: 1/2 in Japan, 1/2 in SF. Guh.. Posts: 1,978 iTrader: (0)	Not much of a first impression if you don't drive the darn thing. Not sure what you're talking about because the engine is probably the best thing about that car. It's sounds fantastic when being wound out. Interior fit and finish is excellent; not a single squeak or rattle (unlike my cars). It feels like a substantial car. Solid is the word I'd use. But after owning true sports cars (not the Z), big GT cars just don't offer the same visceral feel.

11-28-2008, 06:34 PM	#3
MR_X Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Norfolk, Va. Posts: 3,520 iTrader: (5)	I wasn't impressed by the E90s at all. Feels more like a Accord to me. E46s were better.

11-28-2008, 07:03 PM	#4
skaterbasist Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: . Posts: 1,634 iTrader: (0)	The car itself is suppose to stand out from any 3-series from the drive itself. ...And you didn't drive it? Not much of any impressions there

11-28-2008, 08:35 PM	#7
72_Hour_Ban Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: USA Posts: 10 iTrader: (0)	From someone who works in BMW service, let me tell you that the E90 M3s are potent performers and MB should not even be in the same sentence. Until you actually drive an M3, you have no place to make judgements. Interior may be important to some, but overall driving experience is top of my list and the M3 is worthy of top honors IMHO. Either drive one, or STFU about things you're speculating on.

11-28-2008, 09:53 PM	#8
ashram Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: columbia, South carolina Posts: 163 iTrader: (0)	Everyone is entitled to there opinion. I like the new m3 but i still prefer the looks of the e46m. Regarding the interior I actually think the e46m interior looks better,especially the ones with the chrome smg shift nob. but hey just my opinion.

11-29-2008, 03:40 AM	#12
badkarma85 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 2,200 iTrader: (1)	I'm pretty sure your impressions will change when you take it out for a drive.

11-29-2008, 10:38 PM	#15
faris13 Know it all Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 565 iTrader: (0)	Sounds like ass? it's pretty much consensus from every review that the car sounds pretty amazing. btw went to see a ferrari today...sat in the car and don't get what all the fuss is about? car didn't have a nav system or ipod hookup WTF! Also seats were uncomfortable as hell. Don't know how they can charge $200,000+ for it? BTW i didn't get to drive it. I mean i have a 700Hp Civic that is faster than that slow asz Ferrari.

12-02-2008, 11:17 PM	#16
rouxeny Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Honolulu Posts: 2,767 iTrader: (0)	Um, I have the stupid luck of having both a 03 350Z and a 08 E93 M3 convertible sitting in my driveway and while I only have 800 miles on the M3, I have 60K on the Z, so I figure I can speak with some knowledge. Sitting in a car and not driving it doesn't really allow one to form a very substantive impression. However, I agree with you that the engine, when cold, does not sound entirely "pleasant." The same has been said of the M5, many have described it as sounding like a diesel. Personally, I like the chatty, lumpy sound. Besides, once the engine is warm and pulling 5500 rpm (I'm still limited during break in), it sounds pretty damn good. Really really good actually. I also partly agree with you in terms of the interior. Keep in mind that the car does NOT have the interior of a 60-70K car. It basically has the interior of a 40K car, ie. the 328. The leather is better quality and there may be more of it, but the plastics on the dash I believe are the same, as are the instruments. The wheel and trim are different though. I think a similar analogy would be that (I presume), the ZR-1 has pretty much the same interior as a base Corvette. Regardless, the Z and the M are entirely different. I have never driven an E46 M3, although I have ridden in one so I cannot really say how the two are different. I have driven a 335 which supposedly compares well to the old M3 and I can say that the 335 and E93 are very different. I would recommend that you make a second opinion after driving the car, or better yet, after driving somebody's car that's been fully broken in. I imagine it would be a different one.