Long-Term Test Wrap Up, BMWs M3 "A Discounted Supercar?"

amen.

Yeup!

But you have to consider that the 335i itself is so much better than the old M3 in so many ways although not in all ways. aha

Clearly the best car in the world, at a bargain price. Denyers are delusional. The only thing that could be better is the next M3.

(sp: "Deniers". Sorry)

Or RS4

Interesting. At this time, my comment was voted up +5, but I am not sure if it's BMW fanboiz agreeing with my statement, or others also placing tongue firmly in cheek along with me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ees2aZcDUn8
^^ discounted supercar

M3 is compromise wrapped in a marketing bowtie. You want a true performance car, you get the GTR or Turbo. You need a sedan, you get a second car. Unless, you can't afford it. Then get the M3 and pretend it gives you the best of both worlds lol.

I dont think you need to pretend at all.
The market for M3 is for people who can't or don't want to pay for the actual super cars, and for people who want "the best from both world". It IS a kind of car that sits in between anyway. It has been and always will be.

The "sports sedan" is BMW's claim to fame. It practically defines the brand. Love 'em or hate 'em, BMW has shown that enough peopel actually want a sedan that can perform as well as a sedan can, and actually give dedicated "sports cars" a run for their money.

It is an awesome sports sedan - benchmark for the segment only challenged over the last few years. It will carry a family with ease.

But discounted supercar? What have you been smoking? It's too fat and slow to be a "supercar" for most people. Although I admit the Nissan GTR blurs those lines.

wow like a sentra.....i have more respect for a highschool dropout than you, inline6. im not gonna even bother replying to your comment

like a sentra...hahaha, yur kidding me!

take off yur German jacket and open up to the WORLD of cars...the GTR is a talent on its own, well surpassing the M3 and competing with the likes of Porsche. The GTR handles impressively well, surprising from this heafty monster, and barrels you into your seats on straights. it defies a lot we've come to kno from a car, this weight with this power is not a common thing.

I think on your test drive, you were given a ride around the dealer parking lot! Try and get this thing out on the highways or open roads for a real treat.

If I had to choose a 70-80k coupe, it would be the GTR over the M3 anyday.

70-80k sport-sedan, we'd definitely have to consider the M3



btw, 20k mile is long-term...give me a 30-45k mile test on this vehicle, as this is where most lease deals or bought vehicles would be turned in for a new vehicle

I think you misunderstood inline6 a little bit.
Of course GT-R is a very very fast car, and it beats many super cars with its strong performance. But I think the reason why many people and many magazines still don't think it is an actual super car is because It doesn't have as much character as other supercars. its like ferraris, porsche, lambo all have their own unique feels when you drive them. And I think why many people think M3 as a "discounted supercar" is because it has this "unique feels" like a supercar when you drive it hard.

lol since when was the GTR a $70,000 coupe? I think your off by almost $20,000

Depends on your idea of "discounted". A discount to me would be something under 30k. Of course at that money I would be looking at a early 90's M3 with well over 100k on it.

"A Discounted Supercar?"

- No.

"And so the fanboys have begun to secretly suspect that each new M iteration of the 3 Series has actually been less pure, less driver-focused and less M than the one that preceded it. And when it comes to the transition from the traditional inline-6 to the meaty (yet 33 pounds lighter) V8, the diehards get rabid."

"Purity? Tradition? Forget that, because by changing the equation, BMW has created in the 2009 BMW M3 Sedan what is POSSIBLY the BEST SEDAN EVER MADE."

After two S classes with the last being the 07 600, I grew tired of big heavy and boring despite the substantial thrust of 600lbs of torque.
Bought an 08 M3 vert d/c. After nearly one year of ownership I think this is the best car I have ever owned. In that I mean it is fun no matter what the condition. The steering and "feel factor" are truly the best. I am saying this after owning everything from MB, Porsche, and V8's from Ferrari over the last 20 years.

Speaking of the GTR. I considered that and the 911 turbo as I needed at least some kind of rear seats for young children. Both of those cars while being tremendously powerful and quick lacked that "feel factor" that the M3 offered. Similar to comparing a F430 to a 911T. The Ferrari just has more rawness to it and is never boring. The 911 and GTR didn't offer any special feeling if you were just cruising. The M3 has a special feel even at cruise. If that makes any sense.