MOTOR TREND Says New M3 is Best Ever

I see. I'm starting to see his point here.

A BMW PR.

Cannot beat the old gun RS4. How good it can be?

The M3 is better on the limit and for track work. For those wanting a track car the M3 is the best. For those wanting and allrounder the RS4 is the best. Either way, which ever car you pick, you end up with a bloody great car - isn't that all that really matters?

of course, it's all BMW PR when a review has something good to say, and all "BMW sucks" when they say something negative. There's no truth anywhere, unless of course the truth is that BMW sucks. Because that's all BMW is actually good at, right? Sucking and paying off magazines to say they don't suck?

Incidentally if you go to Motor Trend's site, right by the link to this article saying this M3 is the best M3 ever there is a link to a comparison where Motor Trend gave the G37 coupe the win over the 335i Coupe. I guess that BMW PR money you speak of wasn't enough?

No, I was not saying MT is a BMW's PR machine, but rather saying the main content of the article is from BMW PR directly.

Yeah, I'm so tired of people crying bias whenever BMW wins a comparison. Maybe, just maybe, they produce some spectacular cars.

it looks great in white.

Did someone mention the RS4? Here's a quote from Car and Driver:

"Check out the torque peak differences: the V-10, 6100 rpm; the V-8, 3900. This makes the M3’s engine feel far more flexible and it often doesn’t even need a downshift for passing, responding so strongly on the highway that a couple times we mistakenly thought we were in fourth gear when we were still comfortably in sixth. Throttle blips under heel-and-toe downshifting are spectacular and happen almost naturally. But, not surprisingly, the best part is the shrieking crescendo from 6000 rpm all the way up to the 8400-rpm sweet spot. Sorry, 420-hp Audi RS 4; this one sounds better and pulls harder.

Dropping the hammer from a standstill, we blasted to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, 0.4 second quicker than the previous car, with the quarter-mile dispatched in 12.9 seconds at 111 mph, an even larger, 0.7-second gain. The surface wasn’t ideal, however, and we expect even better numbers once we get one to our usual test track. Even so, that’s already enough to outrun the $69,785 Audi RS 4."

and another from Car & Driver, this time regarding the chassis:

"Amazing Chassis

The heavily massaged M chassis, on the other hand, is brilliant; even better than we expected. The rather brittle ride from the last-generation M3 is replaced by one that is amazingly supple considering the M3’s ever-planted suspension and utter lack of body roll, squat, and dive. We spent a couple hundred miles in the M3’s comfortable and supportive saddles, tearing up the tangled mountain roads in Spain—many of which have 50 km/h (31 mph) speed limits that we may or may not have exceeded by large factors—in a fruitless search for imperfections."

What engines are you comparing, Rob? C&D was writing about BMW's V10. Both the new M3 and the RS4 have V-8 engines, and C&D seemed to have equally favorable reviews of the Audi engine. Read their September 2006 report of the RS4.

The torque curve on Audi's 4.2l V-8 is practically flat from 3300 RPM up to 6500. Reference: http://www.rri.se/popup/performancegraphs.php?ChartsID=281

Car & Driver wrote about the Audi's engine, "The engine pulls smoothly from idle, with abundant thrust available from 2300 rpm. In fact, 90 percent of the car’s peak torque is available between 2250 and 7600 rpm." That's every bit as tractable as the BMW engine, even if the BMW has a slightly higher redline. Until the cars are compared head-to-head, we won't know which is the "better" engine. C&D tested the Audi at high altitude in hot conditions, the BMW near sea level this spring. C&D's reference to the "8400-rpm shriek from BMW’s highest revving (and best) engine" doesn't make it the superior engine by my standards. Performance driving requires shifting just past the horsepower peak, not at redline. NOBODY should be redlining their engines on the street.

The new BMW V8 is almost certainly a fantastic engine. But that alone is not enough to separate it from the competition. Power has to be put to the ground. On a dry track, the better-balanced BMW coupe should handle better than the heavier RS4 sedan, whereas the better grip in the Audi lends it better track times on a non-ideal surface. The more telling comparison will be the forthcoming Audi 5-series coupe against the BMW 3-series.

Both are phenomenal cars, and although I have always prefered Porsche for the track, you can't go wrong with any German or high-end car on the road. American makes, too, are getting their stride back. The sport compact car market is better than it ever has been. But please let's stop posting biased, cherry-picked quotes in an attempt to discredit another vehicle. Both Audi and BMW offer very sharp cars with slightly different formulas for achieving the performance that would only be realized at the limits by a professional driver on a closed track. I personally choose the Audi for driving on the public roads in 4 seasons. Congratulations for enjoying your BMW.

"Sorry, 420-hp Audi RS 4; this one sounds better and pulls harder."

Considering BMW has A LOT more experience with the high-revving engine concept I think this is pure logic.

moto, I'm just providing some counterpoints to the several threads about how the new M3 is a disappointment. As for which engine I was comparing, I wasn't comparing either, someone else mentioned the RS4 first. Since C&D mentioned the RS4 as well I included the entire C&D quote, which started off comparing the new V8 to the M5/6 V10, but ended with "Sorry, 420-hp Audi RS 4; this one sounds better and pulls harder." And then "that’s already enough to outrun the $69,785 Audi RS 4."

and the brakes, which folks were saying faded:

"And the brakes—massive single-piston units with huge cross-drilled 14.2-inch front and 13.8-inch rear discs (significantly larger than even the brakes on the E46 Competition Package)—are phenomenal, with progressive feel and never once fading during our track time or extended mountain-road abuse."

and one last C&D quote, a really good one:

"With V-8 competitors like the upcoming 451-hp Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG and 400-plus-hp Lexus IS-F, and the 420-hp Audi RS 4, we’re leading up to one heck of a showdown—one that, based on our drive, the M3 has a very strong chance of winning."

I just read a German review about the M3 and they say it is nothing short of amazing. At first they were a bit dissapointed because of the 'softer' side of the M3 but that's just an illusion. The M3 has grown-up but still can be driven with the very same madness!

The M3 is back, and it is as good as ever.

Not trying to bash but I still think E46 is the king of all M3's.

JRobUSC

thanks alot. :)

Some people here like SupraNeverBack thought that because it doesnt have a sharp steering that matches the e46, it means its rubbish.

New M3..... the return of the king :)

haha... C&D and BMW, no need to say more.

Maybe you can tell me abit more since I dont know C&D as much as you seem to know?

Props JRob, these people going on and on about the flaws on the E92 M3 have every right to be so scared and insecure. The M3 is king, has been, and always will be. The car keeps getting better with each generation.

I cant wait to drive one of these monsters.

Do some damn research before you make retarded assumptions. For your ignorant C/D-BMW association:

-Test between M5-S6-E63, places:
1. e63
2.s6
3.m5

-Test between bmw 750, audi a8, m-b s550, and others:
1.s550
2.a8
3.750...

-Test between bmw 550, lexus gs450h, infiniti m45, mb e550....
1.m45
2.550i
3.e550

You idiots ruin this site.

Who was blasting the new M3?

I mean intelligent points not fanboy BS.

Every M3 has been special and fun. That's why it sucks so much to see morons slap an M badge on their regular 3.

New M3 is very cool. Not as cool as that new GT2 911, but cool.

"There are those who want to be challenged by a car: those who want to conquer white knuckles and sharp intakes of breath; those who take pride in taming the beast and swallowing their fear."

...that's what I think a true sports car is. All luxury makes, Audi, BMW, etc. are "taming" their cars it seems. Not in performance, but in actual driving experience. I'm only 23 so this car is not in my sights. It's interesting that they comment on how it's not as 'edgy' as it has been in the past. Somewhat of a shame, I always loved that about the M3.

they'll have a CSL for folks who want hardcore. This new M3 might be less edgy but it's a lot more capable than the old one and much more comfortable, and it'll appeal to a larger audience.

WOW a finally two good reviews

1. from MT - the most credible automotive source out there!
2. from C&D - didn't C&D just propose to BMW? Where are they getting married - Tokyo? NOT!

and, presto, we're back to the "if someone says something good about a BMW it's BS from a BS source and if they say something bad it's because BMW screwed up." That didn't take long.

But they forgot to tell the boss that the M3 is slower than 335i sometimes. ;)

335i is the new king, at least among BMW ... Chip it and you have the new M3 with a 335i badge on its ass.

Rice- You are an idiot. Nothing of substance to add to the dialogue...go play with your Transformer collection and don't come back until you grow some....

rq12345

Thats a retarded comment. The 335i doesnt handle better than the M3, doesnt look as good, and doesnt have an 'M' engine.

BMW 335i 5.1 0-60
BMW M3 4.6 0-60
MT numbers.
What you see is that for Bimmerphiles if MT is saying something good then the magazine is good, but if it is bad, then the magazine sucks.. >:-(...

At the end as I told before, we need to wait for the compares and we will know the true.
You will get what you enjoy, An screaming track star performer (M3) or a Jikel and Hide (the quiet monster) C63. Those cars have a personality, and I feel that even than we know that Lexus ISF will be good, in the deep of our hearts we know that it lacks of the Human part that we see in the Benz and the Bimmer due Japanese are always puting function over all and a computer will create almost the whole design.

Comparing that 6.2 liter V8 to an American pushrod is almost as bad as comparing it to a Toyota 'performance' engine. Pure blasphemy.

IMO only one real flaw in the new M3.
The linkage of the manual 6 speed trans.
Travel is too long and the feel is notchy.
Solution: A couple of very good aftermarket short-shifter kits are/will be available soon.
My son installed one on his 330i with sports pkg. and it transformed the car.

Transformed into what? A Honda civic?

BMW will have a short-throw kit. Shorters up the linkage with about 30%, just like you can get on Porsches.

i really dont know what to think of the new m3, i wait till i actually see it in person but from all these judgements of one review saying that it is good the other that it is not just makes me realise of how little some people know how to test cars that they cant even base their review on a same opinion instead it has to be totally different

http://www.caranddriver.com/carvideos/?bcpid=627028702&bclid=686997774&bctid=1111621669

Nice video. I love the way this V8 sounds. Just like the old straight-six you can hear the induction screaming. Just perfect.

BMW continues to kick butt.

Time to update your assumptions. BMW's don't fall apart anymore, old-timer.

You DID NOT mention Lexus again on M3 thread.

How pathetic.

I don't see your point either.

Fuckbush, you are talking absolute rubbish! I know plenty of people who still drive an original 635 CSi or E27s, E28s, ..etc and NOT one is falling apart!

"where i'm from you can get a 13 year old 5 series for free."

Yes, and I'm sure where you're from 1994 Lexus's sell for huge money and are made out of rainbows cast from the Holy Grail itself.

Here's a tip smart guy, unless it's a collector car, any 13 year old vehicle is worth very little compared to what it was new.

I just browsed through C&D's first drive. Don't understand why some of you fan boys get so excited about that.

Basically, they said the car has dead steering feeling (even felt dangerously light for high speed driving) and the M3 is a seriously gas sucker, 14mpg for non track driving (hopefully that was not UK mpg).

It reads that C&D love 335i even more only if it could come with LSD.

The steering is not dead, it just has a numb point on initial turn-in. Setting it to sport mode solves this for the most part. Again the E46 M3 and E36 M3 all had different steering columns than their normal siblings and they were all critisized for it. Yet now we all think those M3s had brilliant steering. History is repeating itself, but offcourse you weren't even born back then.

And 14 mpg US for hardcore track use AND brand-new preproduction cars isn't actually that bad. The new V8 is actually slightly more fuel efficient than the old L6. I except 12-13 litre per 100 km to be a realistic figure.

true, but you're going to see when the 2008 RS4/5, C63, IS-F, etc. come out and they have to carry the new EPA ratings that none of these cars are going to be winning any awards for gas mileage.

IS-F will be the only one in the segment that has no gas guzzler tax. I guess its FE should be around 18city/27highway.

yes...gas mileage is the primary purchase criteria for a high performance coupe. i guess we'll all get the IS-F. oh, wait, it doesn't come in a coupe...or a convertible....oh, and nobody has ever driven a lexus performance car....

The combined fuel economy figure for the new M3 is 22.8mpg, higher than the RS4 at 20.9. That gives it an 15.8urban/30.7extra-urban figure. Pretty impressive.

This article is pointless. We all know that when Lexus introduces the LS-F it will smoke everything. My proposal to MotorTrend is that they stop publishing this rubbish and postpone all reviews until the Lexus comes out and can be crowned champion of the auto world.

With the LS-F being driven by every rationale enthusiast, the LS-450H driven by all rich Sierra Club members, Tundra's hauling tractor trailers full of groceries instead of obnoxious Kentworths and the Prius becoming the car of the masses because of governement regulation, my life will be complete.

i would still take a regular carrera...

...while everyone else takes his M3. :)

that's great if you have the extra $25,000. a reasonably well equipped 911 runs around $90,000

Best ever? Perhaps, but still inadequate leg room for rear passengers. It might as well have been designed strictly as a two-seaater.

The rear leg room is quite acceptable compared to other cars in this class.

you have obviously not sat in the new 3-Series coupe. The backseat isn't huge but it's certainly usable, more so than the A5 or G37. And if you want more rear seat room get the four door.

at $48k, people wanting the performance of a porsche without the high cost were able to pick up a new e46 m3. consider that at an estimated $62k, people now also have the option of actually getting a porsche.

so in addition to the competition of the rs4, rs5, c63, isf, and soon to be skyline, consumers now can choose from a 997.

its gonna be a lot harder to be king now that there are more players, eh?

have you looked at porsche prices lately?

the stripped down 911 starts at $72,000 with plastic manual seats, a generic stereo, non-metallic paint, manual climate control, etc. etc.

a reasonably well equipped BASE 911 runs $90,000. prices fly over $100,000 once you get into the the 4s and Ss.

I will take the 911 carrrera. E46 is the king of all m3's

I would think the original e30 M3 is the king of all M3's, seeing as it started the whole genre of performance saloon cars. Plus it's the most successful saloon car racer of all time. :)