M3 impressions after 3 months

Stuntman · M3 impressions after 3 months

Partly in response to franki's GT3/R8 decision thread over in General - here's an update about the M3 Saloon and its older, silver, driveway compatriot.

I have generally been driving one car for a fortnight and then swapping to the other one. I think this gives you enough time to immerse yourself in each car's repertoire but also means that you can build up enough anticipation of looking forward to driving the other one.

So, what do I think of the M3 after 3700 miles?

Well, whenever I get back into it after driving the Cayman, for the first 30 minutes or so I am underwhelmed by its relative lack of tactility and its comparatively high seating position. It's also a much bigger and heavier car than the Cayman.

However, by the end of my first day back in the M3 I am once again impressed. It's very good.

It is very refined and luxurious - easily the most refined and luxurious car I've owned. It's relaxing to drive (especially with the electronic dampers in the Comfort mode) and can be driven very quickly indeed with little effort.

But if you up the effort, the car really does come alive. Wind the revs past 5000 or so and it really flies. Keep your foot in, and the car leaps forward even harder once you pass 7000 and then bellows up to 8000. Change up and repeat!

Corner hard in the dry and the car initially understeers, but you can power straight through this into oversteer. The diff works really well - it's noticeable and effective (and really highlights the absence of one in the Cayman). In medium speed corners, the car can be balanced nicely just on the point where the diff is beginning to work. Very satisfying. When you take a hard 3rd-gear corner just so, it's brilliant. Only done it once, but it made me laugh out loud and that really doesn't happen very often these days.

The steering is a bit too light, and there isn't much feedback at low speeds, but it does weight up and become slightly more talkative when you up the pace. It's OK, and reveals enough about what's going on when you really need it to tell you.

I normally drive it in Normal throttle, EDC in Comfort, and DSC fully on. My M-button settings (for non town and motorway use) are Sport Plus for the throttle (there's Normal, Sport and Sport Plus), EDC still in Comfort (there's Comfort, Normal and Sport), Steering in Normal (I find the Sport setting too glutinous, and artificially heavy) and DSC in M Dynamic Mode (which gives some slip but still sorts you out if the car thinks you're being a bit ambitious).

Surprisingly to me, I prefer the throttle in Sport Plus mode when pressing on. For the E46 M3, I disliked the Sport setting because I felt it made the car much more difficult to drive smoothly. The E9x M3s are more manageable. Equally surprisingly I prefer the EDC in Comfort when pressing on. I think the ride is too harsh on B-roads even in Normal.

The DSC cuts in a fair bit sooner than it does on the Cayman, but therein lies the difference in the two companies' philosophies. Porsche expects its drivers to have a go at sorting it out (particularly if the car has Sport Chrono in Sport mode) whereas BMW expects the car to save the customer from him/herself!

Fuel economy has been 19.4mpg over the last 2500 miles according to the on-board computer. Last week was better at 21.5mpg but the traffic has been busier so I've been doing 75ish on the motorway versus 85-90ish normally.

The optional Logic7 hi-fi is IMO very good, certainly better than the BOSE systems I've had on the TT and Cayman, and (probably) better than the harmon/kardon system on the E46 M3. The satnav appears to work well too, and I'm even coming round to the indicator stalks...

I do like the looks - to my eyes it is sober yet pumped up. I even like the 19" alloys - they are very well-made and not too blingy like the current M5 and the 19" were on the E46 M3 (IMO) and are pleasingly dished.

So, what do I think when I climb back into the Cayman?

First of all I love how low I sit. Initially it feels as though the steering and pedals are far too heavy, but by the end of the first day you're back in the groove. The gearshift is lovely in the Cayman, much better than the M3. And the noise, and the poise of the chassis. It's a cracking little car, and one that I appreciate even more, now that I'm lucky enough to have another one to enjoy too.

Matt

Great write-up, Dan.

M3 engine in the Cayman's chassis - if it were possible of course - sounds like a great car!

Stuntman

That would indeed be great. Probably bloody scary!

Boxer6

Nice write-up. I must confess to preferring the Cayman on looks (well it would have to be, never having driven either!!) but the M3 sounds like a lot of fun.

Lucky you, having the choice to make!!

Wait til I get my Blackbird........

TimR

Stuntman

Be they up that Wurzel tree?

Sav

Great report, it must be a pretty nice decision to choose between the two! I must say, your M3 looks gorgeous.

Parm

Great update Dan. Still don't see many 4 door m3s which is surprising considering how rounded it is in its abilities. I've yet to drive a car on the road that communicates like a porker though. The Scud is an exception.;)

Bryan M

Which keys do you naturally reach for when you are going out for a drive, or is it really an even split?

Blarno

franki68

the only fault I can pick is you could get one car that does the same job s both of those manage between them (I assume you don't need the 4 seats of the m3) ..whats comfortable,exciting,fast,agile,tactile,sexy,useable...hint..I am about to drive it.

I am intrigued as to why you went for the 4 door though over the coupe if you don't have kids.Actually Id still go for the coupe even with kids.

Rodge

franki68

Rodge

Stuntman

You're completely right Franki. I reckon the R8 does a better job than either of them. But it's nice to have the two, to appreciate the contrasts.

Plus, I'm doing nearly 25,000 miles per annum now, which would be a bit ruinous in an R8 I should imagine.

I am cautiously optimistic that if the rumour mill is to be believed about the RS5 having a NA 450 bhp (or PS) V8, that same engine might find its way into the R8 at the same time. I reckon that'd make the R8 absolutely perfect.

I went for the saloon over the coupe because I see the M3 saloon as a de facto replacement for the E39 M5, and also it makes it more of a contrast to the Cayman. Having the extra practicality makes it completely futureproof if I ever did have kids, whereas if I had chosen the coupe I'd probably have lamented its relative lack of sharpness compared to the Cayman, and maybe would need to chop it in, if kids ever did come along.

Man logic in there somewhere!

franki68

'I am cautiously optimistic that if the rumour mill is to be believed about the RS5 having a NA 450 bhp (or PS) V8, that same engine might find its way into the R8 at the same time. I reckon that'd make the R8 absolutely perfect. '

that would piss me off ..not you having an r8,but them putting the power up becuase of the rs5.Mid you I am getting quite convinced that r8+miltek+chip will get 450-460bhp ,which would be nice as a midlife refresh.

ALF

Glad to hear you are enjoying both, Stunters, you have two very nice cars there! Shame you never settled near here, as I'd have pestered you for a ride in both on the local twisties!