[peppernick]

Touched based with Hexagon of Highgate to find that they have sold both their demo M3s, the latest one got locked up just this morning. Not good as I was expecting a test drive. However, one very friendly principal Paul Michaels decided to volunteer his own E92 M3 to tickle my tastebuds.

Mr Michaels just picked up his car today, the odometer read 17 miles. Lovely example in Jerez Black with Fox Red interior. This car is fully optioned, the price, 6 large ones.










The E92 M3 is a big car. Probably not as wide as the 6-series, but just as long if not just slightly longer. My Zee seems dwarfted next to it.




The interior is typical BMW. However, a driver orientated dash is not all about that old-styled curvy dash that points towards the driver. In fact, such concept is all psychological and/or one refusing to depart from the days gone by. It's 2007, it's high tech age and the E92 dash is as modern and as driver orientated as it can be. Every important and regularly used adjustment button is well within reach and functions as it should be. Any adjustments that are used less frequently are held in the sub menu of the i-Drive, decluttering the dash. The i-Drive is a fantastic piece of technological advancement. Anybody who is capable of using a PC will be able to operate it. The screen is very well placed and there is no chance of reflections from the windows and windscreen obscuring your view, images and letters displayed are crystal clear. The dash is very driver orientated.




The E92 M3 is a much softer car than it's E46 predecessor. The clutch pedal is light as feather, yet there is progressiveness in it's travel giving you an idea where the bite point is, right in the middle of pedal travel. The steering wheel is very light. In fact I was rather shocked as it reminded me of the Z4, or a Merc. However, unlike the former two, you still get enough communication between the road and steering wheel. It's no Porsche, but for something that feels this light and assisted, the feedback is surprisingly good. Steering is very precise for such a large car, even with a V8 up front.

The V8 is one quick engine. We were given strict instructions not to take it above 5000RPM, but we managed to squeeze in some 6.5k in second and third. On paper the torque figure reads 295lb/ft. In reality it feels much stronger. The new M3 pulls just like the E39 M5, but unlike the older S65 lump, this V8 screams rev! It spins very similarly to the S54, but with added pull, a lot more pull. Hit the sport button and the engine really wakes up. Unlike the 'Sport' button on the E46 M3, the new 'Sport' button actually make the car more drivable around town. The new car doesn't kangaroo and jerk like the old one, it's like a fast forward button that quickens everything up, smoothly.

The E39 M5 is a very accomplished car, other than the re-circulating ball steering, it's mass and hence, it's sideway inertia, there's very little to fault it. The E92 M3 IMO is essentially the best bits of the E39 M5 but without the woolley steering and the mass effect. OK, it's not a light car at 1650kg, but it's extremely nippy for what it is and you don't feel the weight. It has a tendency to go sideways but that's because of the engine power and not weight. This new chassis is a line hugger.


Oh, that noise! :rocks: You can tune the 335i anyway you like, you'll never get this feeling ....






Overall impression, the new E92 M3 is a superb everyday performance car. It's not a sports car you you can chuck round hairpins, it's not a road going race car that offers you amazing feedback. It's not better or worse than the E46 M3, it's completely different! My understanding is correct. Over the years, the M3 has evolved from a road racer to a GT. It's not cheap at £50k for a 3-series; but if you think about it, what other new GTs can you get with a 415BHP V8, rear wheel drive, rear seats that are genuinely usable, the option of a manual gearbox or SMG, a bit of panarch, a respectable badge, for this kind of money? TBH, I can't think of any.

The traditionalist may criticise that it's a revolution instead of an evolution, but I'm glad the new M3 is what it currently represents. It's still the most versatile performance Coupe de Grace that you can comfortably enjoy everyday with your family and friends, with lots of character of a RWD chassis

I look forward to getting mine in March

[peterg1965]

Absolutely stunning. The M3 is definately on my Christmas list (xmas 2015 that is). The black and fox leather looks superb - I want one !!

[Stinger]

I think BMW should abandon The Ultimate Driving Machine and go for this new tag line...

it's extremely nippy

Seriously, thanks for the review and some nice pics.

[squeezebm]

sounds rubbish

[Bumps]

Can you get a towbar on it? For the caravan I will have to buy when I sell the house for a new M3 you see...... Then again, you can live in an M3 but you can't drive a house.

Great review, thanks very much Peppernick. Green with envy for you even having driven it!!!

[Z4 Beemer]

I think all dealers have been supplied with Jerez Black/Novillo Fox Red interior and Melbourne Red/Novillo Black as demonstators. The ones I have seen both look amazing but I personally would go for the Melbourne Red which looks stunning.

[ChrisMWard]

Our dealers demo is Interlagos Blue with Palladium Silver which I thought looked superb. Test drive is booked for Saturday at 2.00.

Regards

Chris

[dxb335d]

my dealers demo is red with black.. looks good saw it in the flesh for the first time today, got invite to the launch this sat! Will test drives be available do you think?


Nick great write up!! that particular car looks awesome! Your AW one will aswell


you are comparing this e92 m3 to the e39 m5, a car which your 335d pulls past easily now, surely you are not saying a re-mapped 335d is nearly as quick as this thing because i just dont believe it


Carlos

[peppernick]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

surely you are not saying a re-mapped 335d is nearly as quick as this thing because i just dont believe it


Carlos

TBH, I don't give a shit about the diesel anymore ....... .........

[mikem]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

my dealers demo is red with black.. looks good saw it in the flesh for the first time today, got invite to the launch this sat! Will test drives be available do you think?


Nick great write up!! that particular car looks awesome! Your AW one will aswell


you are comparing this e92 m3 to the e39 m5, a car which your 335d pulls past easily now, surely you are not saying a re-mapped 335d is nearly as quick as this thing because i just dont believe it


Carlos

Carlos, you need to get the idea out of your head that the 335d is quicker than the E39 M5, it simply isn`t

The E39 M5 will do 0-100 in about 12 secs and if you come across one being driven by someone who`s prepared to use 100% of its performance, they`ll tear you a new arsehole mate.

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by mikem

Carlos, you need to get the idea out of your head that the 335d is quicker than the E39 M5, it simply isn`t

The E39 M5 will do 0-100 in about 12 secs and if you come across one being driven by someone who`s prepared to use 100% of its performance, they`ll tear you a new arsehole mate.

but nick once said that his 335d did 0-100 in 11 something, quite clearly quicker than a e39 m5

Mike, remember we are talking about a re-mapped 335d not stock.

[Johnny Lin]

Damn, love the M3. Amazing!

[red355]

top555 cars (just 8 mile away from me) have one just like that for sale .......price on application

Jerez Black Metallic with Fox Red Novillo Leather

19" M Double Spoke Light Alloys. Satellite Navigation. Bluetooth Telephone Preparation with Telematics and BMW Assist. Adaptive Headlights with Turning Lights. Dab Digital Radio. Hi Fi System Professional Dsp. Electronic Damper Control. Sliding Front Armrest. Front and Rear Park Distance Control. Folding Exterior Mirrors. Heated Front Seats. Usb Audio Interface For Ipod. Storage Compartment Package. High-gloss Shadowline Exterior Trim. Black Carbon-structure Interior Leather Trim. 6 Disc CD Changer. Floor Mats. Tracker Horizon. UK Supplied. Absolutely Stunning. Available Today!


But they also have a F599 ... might have to drop in with the camera (again)

[mikem]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

but nick once said that his 335d did 0-100 in 11 something, quite clearly quicker than a e39 m5

Mike, remember we are talking about a re-mapped 335d not stock.

Re mapped or not, it wont be faster than the M5.

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by mikem

Re mapped or not, it wont be faster than the M5.

i am talking about a v8 m5, on m5board a few guys who used to own v8 m5's said they could never get into the 13's over the 1/4mile i have done a 13.9

anyhow maybe they cant drive and im not saying for one minute a stock 335d is near one (altho i had a tear up with one 4 times and there was nothing it it)

but a re-mapped one i believe would beat one, and peppernick confesses this is the case

[- Paul -]

Nice review Nick - way out of my price range but nice car - hope to see yours (car that is..) at a future meet.

[as7920]

Originally Posted by ChrisMWard

Our dealers demo is Interlagos Blue with Palladium Silver which I thought looked superb. Test drive is booked for Saturday at 2.00.

Regards

Chris

Hey Chris,

Would you mind telling me which dealer has the IB? That would be my choice and may just have to join you in getting a test drive.

Mark.

[silverbmwz3]

I think they could've done a little more to differentiate the interior from standard...I like that combo but from this angle it looks a lot like e92 interior?

The exterior looks better than all the promotional shots etc. - I'm convinced it looks better in the flesh than on a screen although I haven't seen one to prove that.

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by silverbmwz3

I think they could've done a little more to differentiate the interior from standard...I like that combo but from this angle it looks a lot like e92 interior?

The exterior looks better than all the promotional shots etc. - I'm convinced it looks better in the flesh than on a screen although I haven't seen one to prove that.

it is an E92 tho mate

i saw my first one yest, the leather is smooth unlike ur leather, the seats look very sexy, just hope they have the electric bolsters etc.

[silverbmwz3]

You know what I mean, so STFU and RTFM
"ur leather" ? I don't have leather, I have skin. My car has leather though.

[bells0]

Nice review, thanks for sharing!

[remmib]

I bet you don't regret ordering one after that little testdrive