As some of you know from my posts I have an '08 M5. Before that I had two E46 M3's. Just test drove a new M3 back to back with my M5. Here are my impressions:
1. Steering feel and steering response in the new M3 are surprisingly good (great I should say). I say surprisingly because all the magazine reviews were dissapointed in the steering calling it somewhat numb and without feel. My experience is that the steering in the M3 is fantastic, maybe transmitting slightly less feel to the driver than the M5.
2. The M3 is definitely more tossable and nimble than the M5. Although the M3's advantage in this area is noticeable, the M5 is close.(I continue to be amazed by how nimble the M5 is, especially for a big car).
3. The M5 is definitely faster as the RPM's increase. Again, noticeable but the M3 is quite close.
4. The V-8 in the M3 sounds great! However, nothing sounds as great as the V-10 in the M5!!! Think of the M3's V-8 sounding like Beethoven's 5th Symphony, and the M5's V-10 sounding like the "Ode to Joy" in Beethoven's 9th Symphony.
5. Two options that I would miss in the M3 would be not having a HUD, as well as not having the active seats (the active seats in the M5 are really a cool option when cornering hard).
6. I don't like the bulge on the hood in the M3. I do like the vents in the hood however.
7. I definitely prefer my SMG to the regular 6 speed, though I can't wait to test the new dual clutch transmission in the M3 when it is available in afew months.
8. The servotronic steering in the M3 takes some getting used to. At intermediate speeds in tight turns (like on and off ramps) the steering ratio seems to change a bit too much. I almost hit the curb (I recall a recent magazine review saying the same thing).
In summary the new M3 is a FANTASTIC car, even better than what I had expected based on the early magazine reviews. Would I trade my M5 for one? The answer to that is no (but maybe a CSL version of the M3 would change my mind
I am curious to know how others think these two cars compare. All comments welcome.
1. Steering feel and steering response in the new M3 are surprisingly good (great I should say). I say surprisingly because all the magazine reviews were dissapointed in the steering calling it somewhat numb and without feel. My experience is that the steering in the M3 is fantastic, maybe transmitting slightly less feel to the driver than the M5.
2. The M3 is definitely more tossable and nimble than the M5. Although the M3's advantage in this area is noticeable, the M5 is close.(I continue to be amazed by how nimble the M5 is, especially for a big car).
3. The M5 is definitely faster as the RPM's increase. Again, noticeable but the M3 is quite close.
4. The V-8 in the M3 sounds great! However, nothing sounds as great as the V-10 in the M5!!! Think of the M3's V-8 sounding like Beethoven's 5th Symphony, and the M5's V-10 sounding like the "Ode to Joy" in Beethoven's 9th Symphony.
5. Two options that I would miss in the M3 would be not having a HUD, as well as not having the active seats (the active seats in the M5 are really a cool option when cornering hard).
6. I don't like the bulge on the hood in the M3. I do like the vents in the hood however.
7. I definitely prefer my SMG to the regular 6 speed, though I can't wait to test the new dual clutch transmission in the M3 when it is available in afew months.
8. The servotronic steering in the M3 takes some getting used to. At intermediate speeds in tight turns (like on and off ramps) the steering ratio seems to change a bit too much. I almost hit the curb (I recall a recent magazine review saying the same thing).
In summary the new M3 is a FANTASTIC car, even better than what I had expected based on the early magazine reviews. Would I trade my M5 for one? The answer to that is no (but maybe a CSL version of the M3 would change my mind
I am curious to know how others think these two cars compare. All comments welcome.