E92 M3 - been anxiously awaiting this one
Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 12:36 am
Short answer: very impressed. I was surprised actually, to think that the car is more than the sum of its paper specs. But I totally understand it now. Speed irregardless, it is a sublime experience.
Pros:
Best part is the steering. Light at slow speeds and gets progressively heavier the faster you go. Pretty spot-on accurate in telling you its limits. And the limits of grip are very high indeed.
Steering wheel is (and this will sound silly) about the thickness and texture of a woman's wrist, if she had soft skin. Most steering wheels tend to be the thickness of a child's wrist. Bony (plasticky) or hard leather. Not having to wrangle an unruly child makes the excellent steering that much easier. Just take her by the arm.
Chassis movement is so mild that it is hardly worth mentioning. Understeer imbalance was also very mild. I'm listing these as a pro because my time in the car was short, and given enough time learning the car, anyone could probably find the right suspension and tire settings to idealize it for themselves.
BMW's DCG is out-freaking-standing. Smooth and quick. Mixes automatic-like drivability with manual-like brutality. Linear correlation between throttle input and acceleration. Less clutch action in-between shifts than even the Nissan DCG. Its also quiet. I've forgotten what the word 'quiet' actually means.
The rev-matching is also perfect in /M/ mode. Downshifting in those tall gears results in a "whooooop-ummmmm!" from the V8 that smooths out that process as well, and makes it sound and feel like a purpose-built racecar.
Finally got to experience the 7000-8400 rpm powerband of that V8 I've heard so much about. For the better part of a second, its a rocket. Wish it started lower and lasted longer. But that's not a con to want a 'gasm of any type to last longer. Its still a 'gasm, however brief.
295 lb-ft is enough for daily driving. Not a right-foot-steering-beast like some of its competitors, but that's not the point. Its about direct connectivity, not epic powerslides.
BMW seats hug you, end of story. They just work. The rest of the interior is fine, just not as ergonomic as some of its competitors.
Cons:
The LSD this car uses is a welcome addition, but could be improved on.
It did something that felt like axle tramp in 1st gear from a rolling standing start. Very jerky.
In a nutshell:
Pros >>>>>>> cons. If you treat it like a street-able car that could double as an endurance racer, and try not to abuse it, it is a phenomenally put together package.
Pros:
Best part is the steering. Light at slow speeds and gets progressively heavier the faster you go. Pretty spot-on accurate in telling you its limits. And the limits of grip are very high indeed.
Steering wheel is (and this will sound silly) about the thickness and texture of a woman's wrist, if she had soft skin. Most steering wheels tend to be the thickness of a child's wrist. Bony (plasticky) or hard leather. Not having to wrangle an unruly child makes the excellent steering that much easier. Just take her by the arm.
Chassis movement is so mild that it is hardly worth mentioning. Understeer imbalance was also very mild. I'm listing these as a pro because my time in the car was short, and given enough time learning the car, anyone could probably find the right suspension and tire settings to idealize it for themselves.
BMW's DCG is out-freaking-standing. Smooth and quick. Mixes automatic-like drivability with manual-like brutality. Linear correlation between throttle input and acceleration. Less clutch action in-between shifts than even the Nissan DCG. Its also quiet. I've forgotten what the word 'quiet' actually means.
The rev-matching is also perfect in /M/ mode. Downshifting in those tall gears results in a "whooooop-ummmmm!" from the V8 that smooths out that process as well, and makes it sound and feel like a purpose-built racecar.
Finally got to experience the 7000-8400 rpm powerband of that V8 I've heard so much about. For the better part of a second, its a rocket. Wish it started lower and lasted longer. But that's not a con to want a 'gasm of any type to last longer. Its still a 'gasm, however brief.
295 lb-ft is enough for daily driving. Not a right-foot-steering-beast like some of its competitors, but that's not the point. Its about direct connectivity, not epic powerslides.
BMW seats hug you, end of story. They just work. The rest of the interior is fine, just not as ergonomic as some of its competitors.
Cons:
The LSD this car uses is a welcome addition, but could be improved on.
It did something that felt like axle tramp in 1st gear from a rolling standing start. Very jerky.
In a nutshell:
Pros >>>>>>> cons. If you treat it like a street-able car that could double as an endurance racer, and try not to abuse it, it is a phenomenally put together package.