Movie: 24 hours and six fueltanks with the new BMW M3 V8! (Now with 10 min video) - Page 2 - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Blockdoc · 5th October 2007, 07:28

Beautiful photography and a beautiful country. Oh yeah, the car is nice too

Brian

Beasty5 · 5th October 2007, 07:51

Nice review Gustav, and comments on the scenery is a nice touch. Beautiful city. IMHO I agree with wilsodh on the aesthetic design of the new M3. I think it was a tad bit overdone aesthetic wise. I feel they should have kept it looking subtle like the 335i coupe, add the quad pipes and just nice little touches to aerodynamics to differentiate the two and/or aid in performance. Just like they did with the e39 M5 and the regular 5 series. BMW has always been popular for its understated styling. They should stick to that. My 02.

Vic

CSBM5 · 5th October 2007, 14:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gustav

Compared to the BMW 335i the BMW M3 looks much more sporty. It also infact looks higher but could be a visual trick.

I don't know...I think the 335i actually looks more sophisticated from the rear. The M3 from the rear looks like a stink bug hunched up ready to be stepped on. The M3 lower valence looks like an over-styled aftermarket piece with all its surfaces going every which way. Seriously, the rear pipes/valence looks like something they forgot to do until the last minute. It doesn’t have that powerful and visually stimulating feeling you get from the E39 M5 or E46 M3 from the rear. Oh well...guess I’m just getting too old.

Thanks for the report Gustav. You did a very nice job!

Chuck

richie_rvf · 5th October 2007, 15:03

Best report I have read so far - not because it was what I wanted to hear but it is genuinely to only non-biased report I have read.

Many thanks!

I too thought that the car looked too fussy - until I say one for real, simply stunning and IMHO I prefer the 18" wheels with the dark finish.

Thanks Gustav!

Richie.

ccm241 · 5th October 2007, 16:08

Wouldnt the M3 actually be higher off the ground with those 19" wheels??? Gustav, incredible write-up. When is Car and Driver/ Road and Track/ Motortrend gonna start paying you for your fine work?

dave_gt · 5th October 2007, 16:14

Thanks for the report Gustav - I'm pleased to see you enjoyed making the most of your time with the car

Looking forward to the vids.

It seems a very impressive car but bearing in mind that I haven't driven it, one thing surprised me - the gearing. To have a car with 6 gears and a derestricted top speed of 180ish (guess) with 3rd gear going to 112mph and 4th to 150mph seems strange.

If they'd have shortened the ratios so that 3rd topped out at just over 100mph and 4th went to 140ish, the actual rate of acceleration in each of those gears would be even better. I'm sure the M-boffins have simulated all sorts of gear ratios and picked the best ones, but it still stikes me as odd.

Just had a thought; I've seen some mighty impressive 0-60mph and 0-100mph times quoted by magazines. If third gear went to 101mph, is it possible that the M3 might equal, or even eclipse the 0-100mph time of the M5, which I don't suppose BMW M would want?

verhagke · 5th October 2007, 18:13

great report on the new M3 Gustav. I really enjoyed it.

omid · 5th October 2007, 20:43

Great write up, loved the scenery and history too. Im still up in the air about the car though. It usually takes me a while for new things to grow on me, but for now I think I'd go used e60 M5.

RevMan · 5th October 2007, 20:58

Gustav, great report on the new V8 M3.

Fabulous scenery to enhance your test drive.

The exhaust note sounds similar the the E39 M5. Is that your impression?

Sounds like a zippy M car with great road feel, fantastic brakes as expected and the the CF roof from the M6.

I am not so sure I dig the rear lower valence as it looks a bit ricey to me.

Overall, thanks for the review, I am sure you had a great time.

SiamAndrew · 5th October 2007, 22:05

Hi Gustav,

Wonderful review; makes me want to drive the car and visit Sweden at the same time! Can I ask though, in what ways is the M3 a much more complete package than the 335i? I've read exactly the opposite; that it's the 335i which is the complete package, and the fuel consumption of the M3 in particular would put me off. The 335i is probably going to be my next car in fact. Appreciate any comments and keep up the good work :-)

A