Automobile Magazine reviews the E92 M3

XeroK00L submitted on 07/14/2007 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 11:34 PM
from: www.automobilemag.com

Tags: bmw m3 e92 automobile review test drive

bmw m3 e92 automobile review test drive

Automobile Magazine reviews the E92 M3

The biggest letdown - and it's a huge one - is the steering. Whereas other 3-series (and all previous M3s) read the road surface to your fingertips, the M3 is frustratingly numb on center. It transmits only the largest of messages, and effort is too light and doesn't build naturally. The ratio is wonderfully quick but, to add insult to injury, the M3's turning radius feels vastly larger than any other 3-series.

Brake feel is excellent, but pedal effort rose precipitously during lapping of the 26-turn Ascari racetrack in Spain despite aggressive (read: noisy) pads. Even though we had to pull into pit lane for a few minutes after each lap, brake fade set in after a few laps. The M3's hefty curb weight is to blame - we expect it to weigh more than 3,700 lb when it arrives stateside. And while BMW has gone to great lengths to keep curb weight down - the carbon fiber roof, a huge cost item, saves eleven pounds - the fact is that the M3 has gained almost a half ton in twenty years.

The list of 3-series parts redesigned and re-engineered for M3 use is staggering - the V-8 car shares surprisingly few parts with those with a six-cylinder under the hood. BMW isn't known for frivolous modifications, and all of the changes serve a performance purpose. Unfortunately, they seem to also dilute the driving experience. Once a direct, raw, and frenetic monster, the M3 has morphed into a polished and refined grand tourer.

The original M3 was a track-ready, high-strung performer that made no excuses in its performance. As fun in a 15-mph school zone as it was at ten-tenths on a race track, it dominated everything that came its way. And while it's likely that the new M3 is faster around the Nordschleife than its competitors, it's lost a good bit of the driver involvement that has made previous Ms legends.

At the end of the day, we don't just expect fast lap times from an M3, we expect it to put a big smile on our faces. And this time around, the smiles just aren't as big. Read Article

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minimalist - 7/14/2007 11:49:39 PM

+3 Boost

3700lbs is very heavy. the 39 m5 only weighs 3900, has almost the same hp plus torque and is way bigger.

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ashramboy - 7/15/2007 3:26:15 PM

-1 Boost

yeah i guess that carbon fiber roof can help the car.
always a common theme, "steering feel is not there" I will take the 997.

SupraNeverBack - 7/15/2007 1:12:43 AM

+2 Boost

Magic feeling was just killed by the M3 but the soul is still there.

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SupraNeverBack - 7/15/2007 1:16:21 AM

+1 Boost

Even though they babied it by pitting for several minutes after running each lap, the brakes still faded badly. Isn't it supposed to be "track-ready"? ;)

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SevorbeupstryIsBack - 7/15/2007 3:04:06 AM

+4 Boost

You can get any brakes to fade (except ceramic brakes). On a hardcore track like the Ascari race resort, the M3s are driving more than 30-40 laps a day with very little pauze in between. The rule is after 10-15 laps any steel brake will fade.

Other than that they're astoning brakes (single-cal.) that provide the typical BMW feel and progression.

mini22 - 7/15/2007 1:28:56 AM

+2 Boost

There has been a consistency to all the reviews of the new M3. All say it's not as involving to drive as the previous version and that it's not as hard core but with a better more refined ride. BMW has clearly decided to go mass market with this car. Obviously a Cayman S or 911 is the better drive here.

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henbmw - 7/17/2007 9:28:16 PM

0 Boost

Until the CSL comes out

SevorbeupstryIsBack - 7/15/2007 2:55:07 AM

+2 Boost

The M3 has just grown up, it became more of a duality. One can race it on the track and take it home without having to worry about the ride.

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SevorbeupstryIsBack - 7/15/2007 2:55:30 AM

+5 Boost

"Thanks to our tester's Electronic Damper Control, ride quality is phenomenal."

SevorbeupstryIsBack - 7/15/2007 2:55:11 PM

+3 Boost

Shut up.

SevorbeupstryIsBack - 7/15/2007 2:59:17 AM

+2 Boost

"The original M3 was a track-ready, high-strung performer that made no excuses in its performance. As fun in a 15-mph school zone as it was at ten-tenths on a race track, it dominated everything that came its way. And while it's likely that the new M3 is faster around the Nordschleife than its competitors, it's lost a good bit of the driver involvement that has made previous Ms legends."

Overall the M3 is a spectacular car that reflects the soul of the M-Division yet it is not that hardcore anymore. Some will like it, other won't. For those just wait for the CSL version.

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bmwpowerf1 - 7/15/2007 7:59:25 AM

+1 Boost

who are automobile magazine?

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IS3andME - 7/15/2007 8:57:51 AM

+1 Boost

I guess can we need to stock up on E46 M3's, because it was the last hardcore M3. It will truly be a collector's item. So those who have one, hold onto it.

This one reminds me of a German interpretation of the current Pontiac GTO (Vauxhall). It almost weighs as much and has a 400+ HP engine (minus the huge torque that the Corvette engine in the GTO has)
3700 pounds, that is too much, and when it comes over here, it might be pushing 3800. Sounds more like a Mercedes brief than a BMW...If The IS-F comes in under 3500 pounds. The M3 might be dead.

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SevorbeupstryIsBack - 7/15/2007 3:01:57 PM

+3 Boost

No you're missing the whole point of the E92 M3. There will be a hardcore version. It will be called the M3 CSL. 3700 pounds is one thing. It's not just a figure. What really matters is how and where the point of gravity is with this car, and thanks to its carbon fibre roof it's still VERY low, lowest in class accord to M GmbH. It has more power, new twin cluthces with all-new ratios, much better brakes (a bad point on early E46 M3s) and much more torque.

So why are you complaining? Fuel consumption has gone down too.

Some people here really have no idea what they're talking about, just suggesting silly and totally false conclusions (like saying a car is faster through a slalom test means that it handles better...)

Start thinking for crying out loud!

Kinger - 7/17/2007 9:57:28 AM

0 Boost

Also the new V8 engine is lighter than the previous 3.2 litre straight six, seeing as the IS-F has a larger displacement engine I can't see it being lighter than the M3, although i'm not sure as such what weight-saving techniques, if any, the IS-F has.

henbmw - 7/17/2007 9:39:19 PM

0 Boost

Well said Sevor... Weight is very important for driving dynamics but COG (center of gravity) has become just as important. The F430 has been criticized for being slightly overweight for what it is (a 3200lb mid engined supercar) however that criticism quickly vanishes once the journalist gets in and drives. Audi has done similar wonders with their S6, with a severe front heavy bias that seems destined for disaster. The S6, however, is an excellent performer and handles beautifully. It isn't always the weight that matters but what you do with it.

To reiterate, weight is just a number. As is horsepower, torque, brake size and so on; what it comes down to is how it feels when you drive it. And this is what the M-division excels at. Good job BMW at producing another brilliant piece of engineering.

JUGNU - 7/15/2007 10:49:35 AMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

Actually it should be

It's formula1, means nobody cares

BTW after hearing from so many different magazines that M3 is not like before,I am really upset

JUGNU

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SevorbeupstryIsBack - 7/15/2007 3:06:45 PM

+1 Boost

That's because the magazines were directly comparing it to the E46. This one is more solid, more expensive to drive and more engineering has gotten into it. It's also more refined for those days you don't want hardcore action.

It's different alright, but it's still an M3. It really is. 2 days ago I went to see a BMW dealership in my neighborhood and he booked a testdrive for me as soon as it gets delivered.

You know, the same happened in '92. People loved the E30 2.3 M3 and the E30 2.5 Evo and hated the new E36 M3. But after a while they started loving it as much as they did before.

xj13 - 7/15/2007 10:54:02 AM

-1 Boost

Lexus is a piece of shit that should never be mentioned in the same vein as the masters of car creation.

I would buy a Hyundai a million times before I looked at an overpriced Camry box, they have already nailed the RXCrap SUV, and it’s only a matter of time before the whole fleet is devoured by Hyundai’s better value.
Let's face the only reason retards buy Lex cars is because "Value for money stories" Now Korea and China will give you even cheaper cars while maintaining A HIGH STANDARD.
In the meantime our stunners over at Benz, BMW, Aston,Bently,Audi,Lambo,Ferrari will still be a sign that you have made it and Lexus will only be a distant memory of a brand that could have made it, but they got too greedy and died.

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SSP350 - 7/15/2007 12:03:03 PM

+5 Boost

xj - <-- isn't that a Jaguar brand? I heard they're a piece of shit, too.

GermanNut - 7/15/2007 11:04:19 AM

+2 Boost

The reviews have all been the same. While Motortrend called this new M3 the best M3 ever, it still admits that it is not as involving as previous M3s.

We have poor reviews when compared to the E46 M3 from Automoible Magazine, Car and Driver, Autocar, Autoexpress and Car

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amazinBimmer - 7/15/2007 12:09:22 PM

+2 Boost

german nut.. how is the VW?. get your 335 yet?? hehehe

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investor27 - 7/15/2007 12:31:09 PM

+2 Boost

It's definitely sounds like the E92 has a more compliant ride quality, which may be what a lot of people are looking for, me included. But I am concerned about the light steering "that doesn't build with speed" comment. Light steering is okay as long as it tightens up with speed to give you a more involving feel.

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SevorbeupstryIsBack - 7/15/2007 3:08:30 PM

+2 Boost

Press the sport button.

M316 - 7/15/2007 2:23:39 PM

+1 Boost

Did you guys finish reading this review, cause I found this quote under engine info... "So which is the better engine? On paper, at least, it looks like the BMW wins this round. But we'll have to wait until we drive the E92 M3 to know for sure." Did they actually drive this car?

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SHOWTIME - 7/16/2007 11:48:41 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

formula1, ur right about when a car is that good all it takes is a test drive to be convinced instead of seeing it on paper...Before I bought my BMW, I was interested in the Acura TL because it had more power and options for the money and all the salesman said to me was ok ok just drive this car and then tell me what you wanna do...and of course I bought the BMW.

henbmw - 7/17/2007 9:42:56 PM

0 Boost

Good choice, show

IS3andME - 7/15/2007 4:22:47 PM

+3 Boost

Formula1, POS Lexus or Infiniti? wasn't it Mercedes that had problems with the ML class and BMW that had major problems with the X5, and backend suspension problems with the E36. The problems with the ML and X5 are what drove many people to the original RX300. By your comment it would stand that the BMw's and Merc's would be the POS

Now, back to the M3, the E46 M3 got glowing reviews, but this one has not. And if you have not noticed, many of today's cars have gotten heavier and heavier, even the Enzo is a porker, weighing over 3,000 pounds, as opposed to the F50.

BMW has announced that in the future, they will concentrate on making cars lighter. Hmmm, they too have noticed that cars have gotten heavier and heavier, and the M3 is no exception.

I'm guessing that the brief for the M3 CSL is like that of the 911 GT2--lighter, faster, and more hardcore than the Turbo, which has now become a very fast luxury GT. And like the 911 Turbo, the standard BMW M3 has become less hardcore, and more tamed...

When I test drove a E46 M3, it was the proverbial, "not too hot, not too cold, but just right".

I doubt that will be said of the E92 M3.

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Will_ - 7/16/2007 7:38:47 AM

+1 Boost

That interior is so much better than the new C-Class interior, that this isn't even a sarcastic remark...

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BMW4me4ever - 7/16/2007 12:02:30 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

Will, have a questiong for you and the rest of the Lexus finatics . when was the last time any magazine said something as phenomenal as this about the sound of a Lexus engine ?

"Mash the loud pedal, and the quiet V-8 turns into a screaming demon. Thrust builds gradually until 3900 rpm (the torque peak), but never falls off. In fact, the engine's note becomes more and more hysterical as the tach swings clockwise. From 6000 to the 8400-rpm rev limiter, it sounds angrier and more ferocious than any V-8 you've ever heard this side of Maranello. The soundtrack is nothing short of magic. "

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Kinger - 7/17/2007 6:49:55 AM

0 Boost

Yes but I wonder will that exhaust sound make it to the production version.

M316 - 7/16/2007 9:02:48 PM

0 Boost

Will never ceases to amuse me!

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ccaarmeerciill - 7/28/2008 5:54:21 AM

+1 Boost

BMW is just conforming...
my past 3... 89 325i > was like a go kart, fun to drive all the time
95 M3, quick, great gearing, and nimble
current > 01' M3, It has good power for the money, but is starting to feel more like a daily driver...
I don't see myself getting an E92, After owning two 944's I see the E46 M3 getting replaced by a 911 if it's in the budget. I don't like anything (new) that BMW has to offer.

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