Comments:
like a German dinosaur myself and driving an M440i Coupe, now I know what I'm in for should I choose to upgrade. (Actually I'm fine with what I have.)
Cheers
Marc
That may be the case…
The Touring was launched later and quite possibly some of the artificial sound was dialed out - if the feedback was as you describe (sadly do not have an older M4 to compare).
As for the Blackwing, read gushing reviews of it - also from the British press, which hardly ever happens when it comes to US cars. Unfortunately not easily available here (not sold officially and not sure there’s an importer) 🤷🏻♂️
As for the Blackwing, read gushing reviews of it - also from the British press, which hardly ever happens when it comes to US cars. Unfortunately not easily available here (not sold officially and not sure there’s an importer) 🤷🏻♂️
Superb owner review👍🏻👍🏻
Having gone thru 2 gens of lexus LS, i wanted to give the germans a try and test drove Audi RS6, S8; BMW M5; Alpina B7; and Benz S63.
In the end it was between the S8 and B7 considering my family needs and my want for something that has to surpass the lexus in terms of power and driving dynamics. I also took in input from my wife as a passenger, not a driver in the decision process😂. B7 it was and i am truly happy with it😁
Very interesting 👍🏻
First of all you probably mimic the experience of quite some Lexus owners - the product started disappearing, forcing the customers to look elsewhere. We used to be a Lexus family for a long while but the ones my parents drive now are probably the last ones (in Europe the portfolio available is even slimmer).
And the choice of Alpina is an interesting one. I wanted to write in the review that an Alpina B3 might be a great alternative to the M3, having much subtler looks based on the M340i and being practically equally capable but possessed of a calmer character.
What was the difference between the B7 and S8 that made you decide on the former?
And the choice of Alpina is an interesting one. I wanted to write in the review that an Alpina B3 might be a great alternative to the M3, having much subtler looks based on the M340i and being practically equally capable but possessed of a calmer character.
What was the difference between the B7 and S8 that made you decide on the former?
That it most certainly is 😁👍🏻
With probably one not hundreds having been built of any generation 🙌🏻
A great review~ thank you. A car which will always have a following. I drive an F10 M5 and it is unique in what it offers.
Thanks - and glad you enjoyed it 😊👍🏻
If you have a moment I would be very interested in your opinion of the F10 M5 - that one somehow passed me by (came out when I was not living in a car friendly place) 🤞🏻
What would you like to know?
I have had mine for 5 years. Flawless reliability and a great family car as well. I have the competition pack so a bit lower, more hp (575) and a sports exhaust. It’s a twin turbo and you do notice the turbos. The gearbox is sublime.
It’s a great all rounder and now holdings it’s value, albeit a fraction of the new cost!
Thanks so much - was just looking for your impressions 👍🏻🙏🏻
When you say you do notice the turbos, do you mean lag, or a turbo kick, or the noise? First BMW with the hot V turbo setup, right?
A generation I have not been looking at so far but maybe going some years back is the solution 😊👍🏻
A generation I have not been looking at so far but maybe going some years back is the solution 😊👍🏻
It is the turbo kick you notice. There is no lag. Essentially each turbo is a 100 hp bolted on to the 400 hp unit. The power is immediate and immense. You have to be careful in the wet. It’s the last of the rear wheel drive models so an entertaining drive for the brave. The good part it will tick a long at 30 mph all day long and generally gives me 30 miles per gallon which for a car of this weight and power is decent. The sports exhaust is a symphony every time you start. An occasion.
Thanks so much for these additional details - much appreciated!
As said - from an era when cars were not keenly followed by me 😊👍🏻🤷🏻♂️
Thanks for the great write-up! Something
like a German dinosaur myself and driving an M440i Coupe, now I know what I'm in for should I choose to upgrade. (Actually I'm fine with what I have.)
Cheers
Marc
As written in another response…
There’s still the Alpina B3 or B4 that will look a lot more like yours yet have the performance of the M.
Glad if you felt the review was helpful 😊👍🏻🙏🏻
What a fantastic review not to mention all these artistic photos
This is definitely not out of place in a Top Gear publication.
I have a soft spot for BMW 3 series station wagons. My first BMW was a 2000 323i in burgundy. I loved that car. I still think it is one of the best looking 3 series ever. It had around 185 hp, but a lot of fun to drive. How time has changed.
I like this new M3 design overall and am warming up to the front facia with that giant kidney grill. I am not sure about the interior specifically with that giant screen without physical buttons. For a performance focused car, I'd rather have simpler dials showing essential information, like what's in Lexus LC500.
One question I have is, how many owners of M3 can utilize even 75% of its capabilities. I always want to fast car but I admit I don't know how to drive fast responsibly. I have a friend who races motorcycles and drives a 2022 330i told me that most people would never be able to exploit the full power of a 340 not to mention M3, and if I just need fast acceleration, may as well get a Tesla model 3.
(not my picture, but exactly the same car I had)
It’s a very valid point 😊👍🏻
The car certainly has more performance than can safely be exploited on most roads and definitely more than all but a handful of owners will be able to command.
There used to be an adage that if you feel you need a faster car, a driving course will probably accomplish more in a much cheaper fashion 😉 True that I guess.
In the meantime we’re probably past peak car - sure, new generations keep getting better but performance wise this is hardly a benefit for the majority of users anymore as it can neither be exploited on the road, nor would it in most cases be legal to do so.
Your aforementioned Tesla also plays a small role - in order to not be outshined by the relatively humdrum car some manufacturers invest a lot into areas that ultimately bring little in terms of long term prospects for them - especially in light of eventual automated driving. In essence it’s perfecting the type writer in the mid 1980s type of endeavor. Sure, some of us will enjoy it and be grateful for it and it will help the bottom line for a while but progress will come from elsewhere 😊🤷🏻♂️
Great review 👍…
Thanks for this genuine owner review !
I find most car reviews are written by people that don’t own them and live with them over a long enough period.
BMW’s have always had an interesting reputation in the wet but I was hoping that the four wheel drive M3 would be a little more reliable in dubious conditions. Do you feel it’s tire choice or traction control systems that are the issue ?
Did you consider an RS6 ?
Not quite sure…
I would assume the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S* it originally came with should be a solid choice and the Merc does significantly better with the Pirelli, which have a somewhat wonkier reputation 🤷🏻♂️ Putting it on the Conti SC7 would probably clarify that - those are generally as stable in the wet as you get 🧐
Overall I find the car does well enough in a light drizzle, just not in a heavier rain with more water coming down.
As for the RS6, would love to try it, let’s see if I manage to bag one of the last ones. That one would most likely replace the Merc, though - my wife finds it too large 🤷🏻♂️😊
Interesting…
The Michelin Pilot Sport 4S is a good tire. I spent a day hammering an M3 round a circuit in mixed conditions and playing with the traction controls. I came to the conclusion that the car relied heavily on “the systems” to keep the car heading in the right direction and as soon as the rain increased things got very busy at the helm 😂
The RS6 is an interesting proposition but can be vulnerable to theft.
So it’s not only me then? 😁
As for the RS6 I am surprised. But then the whole theft thing is a non-issue here and the insurance companies also don’t hike the premium to the impossible for specific vehicles as a result 🤷🏻♂️
Talking of handling in the wet …
I kept a Golf R, amongst others, as it was superb in the wet. It always felt in any conditions rock solid, pivoting beautifully around your hips. I remember a particularly wet late night drive home, I was in a hurry and it was an epic demonstration of just how good that car was.
Considering what to get as a second car at the moment 🧐
It needs four seats and should be fun. Beyond that pretty open 😂
This could be a good challenge …
I’m looking for another daily that will be a fun drive 🤔
The Civic Type R and Yaris GR both appeal…
Probably being the last of their kind, as does the Giulia QV. But some left field choices have also started exerting a draw 🧐 Could end up being a CLA45S, haven’t tried that one yet, either…
On the electric front I would like to check out the Alpine A290 and the Hyundai Ionic 5N (the latter the recipient of some rave reviews) 😊
Anything on your shortlist yet?