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      09-17-2010, 08:20 AM   #67
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I'm pretty new to this forum, but not car forums in general. This has to be one of the best honest reviews/comparisons that i've ever read and it beats car magazines easily because you can put in your first hand ownership view across.

I've wasted far to much work time already reading this now, im just wondering if you can change your cars more often so we can have more comparison posts

Great post.
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      09-18-2010, 12:46 PM   #68
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Freethy View Post
I'm pretty new to this forum, but not car forums in general. This has to be one of the best honest reviews/comparisons that i've ever read and it beats car magazines easily because you can put in your first hand ownership view across.

I've wasted far to much work time already reading this now, im just wondering if you can change your cars more often so we can have more comparison posts

Great post.
Thank you for you kind words, im glad you enjoyed reading it.......and welcome to the forum
I normally change cars every year so in July/Aug 2011 i might have something else.....might be another M3 or a 320d who knows!
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      09-18-2010, 01:06 PM   #69
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wow, very comprehensive!
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      09-20-2010, 05:07 PM   #70
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Fantastic write up... I got to get a job and get back into a petrol beast!
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      09-21-2010, 09:32 AM   #71
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Originally Posted by hmi1750 View Post
Fantastic write up... I got to get a job and get back into a petrol beast!
I'd take no job to worry about and a 330d TBH!
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      09-21-2010, 04:44 PM   #72
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doughboy View Post
Remember the next M3 will be a turbocharged unit, so more akin to a tuned 335i drive nowadays, but with the added M3 special factor, be interesting to see how they keep the M sparkle though?

The current M3 is the last of the NA era, the M5/M6 V10 is no more (out of production for good) and the M3 V8 will be next for the chop.
I was reading an article recently with BMW Motorsport Division and the next M3 may again be NA. If it does turn out to be a FI unit, I very much hope the throttle response is instantaneous.
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      10-12-2010, 07:01 PM   #73
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ant Man View Post
I was reading an article recently with BMW Motorsport Division and the next M3 may again be NA. If it does turn out to be a FI unit, I very much hope the throttle response is instantaneous.
Would be fantastic if this turns out to be true but sadly i think FI is on the cards for the next M3 - I'm sure M Div will bring some advancements to current FI technology though and come up with a fantastic engine regardless.
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      10-13-2010, 02:26 AM   #74
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As already said, a great write up Steve, I have to agree re the low speed steering weight, or lack of it. I'm really struggling with this, it seams to change every time I use the car, I'm very surprised the M boys let it go like it is.

I also find road tyre noise to be much more noticeable from the front of the car, almost like they stripped out sound insulation, in either a weight saving exercise or the stiffer bushes transmit more vibration.
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      10-13-2010, 07:17 AM   #75
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ss134 View Post
Would be fantastic if this turns out to be true but sadly i think FI is on the cards for the next M3 - I'm sure M Div will bring some advancements to current FI technology though and come up with a fantastic engine regardless.
I'd be disappointed if the next M3 wasn't FI - I found the power at the top end on the S65 was almost too difficult to enjoy/access/exploit to the full potential on our roads... mind you, when you do get the rare chance...

I do love the immediate hit of oooooomphhhhh you get with the 335i...
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Last edited by themetz; 10-13-2010 at 07:24 AM..
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      10-13-2010, 03:21 PM   #76
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Quote:
Originally Posted by creepy coupe View Post
As already said, a great write up Steve, I have to agree re the low speed steering weight, or lack of it. I'm really struggling with this, it seams to change every time I use the car, I'm very surprised the M boys let it go like it is.

I also find road tyre noise to be much more noticeable from the front of the car, almost like they stripped out sound insulation, in either a weight saving exercise or the stiffer bushes transmit more vibration.
I suspect its the LCA bushes Del.
I noticed a big increase in road noise from the rear of my 335 after fitment of the M3 subframe rubbers.
I'll get to the front soon as I want more camber and stiffer bushes - the M3 lower arms are the easy way to acomplish it.
So will let you know :~)
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      10-15-2010, 03:33 AM   #77
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Been meaning to say for ages, awesome comparison dude, especially meaningful for someone like me who is always toying with the idea of switching from the 335i to the M3, only difference is mine would be the Coupe versions nit the saloon/sedan but the comparison still stands. Thanks!
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      10-16-2010, 01:44 PM   #78
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Quote:
Originally Posted by creepy coupe View Post
As already said, a great write up Steve, I have to agree re the low speed steering weight, or lack of it. I'm really struggling with this, it seams to change every time I use the car, I'm very surprised the M boys let it go like it is.

I also find road tyre noise to be much more noticeable from the front of the car, almost like they stripped out sound insulation, in either a weight saving exercise or the stiffer bushes transmit more vibration.
Its one of my few complaints with the car Del but get the car upto speed and it feels very tight.........on the right roads. What tyres and pressures are you running mate ? I've heard that the PS2's give even lighter steering than the Conti's which i have. Did you test drive the M3 with M DCT or not?
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Last edited by ss134; 10-16-2010 at 02:39 PM..
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      10-16-2010, 02:07 PM   #79
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Quote:
Originally Posted by themetz View Post
I'd be disappointed if the next M3 wasn't FI - I found the power at the top end on the S65 was almost too difficult to enjoy/access/exploit to the full potential on our roads... mind you, when you do get the rare chance...

I do love the immediate hit of oooooomphhhhh you get with the 335i...
I had only been in the UK for a week with the M3 when i wrote this review and i have to admit that the combination of s**t roads and speed camera's/fear of losing licence etc really limited my enjoyment of the car. I felt like the car had had its wings clipped, as you correctly said in the UK it is very difficult to enjoy the car at the higher rpms. I returned back to Germany for 6 days (having spent 5 weeks in the UK with the M3) and am now back in the UK again (been here for the last 4 weeks) - i left the M3 in Germany this time.
On the drive back to Germany going through S England i realised that this car (or any high performance car) is almost wasted in the UK. It was the first time i had been back for a prolonged period for a number of years and was genuinely shocked at how little enjoyment i had in the car for those 5 weeks.
As soon as i hit German roads though my love of the car came back instantly - the road surface was far better and the car just felt 'at home' - going through the rev range for the first time back on the autobahn was awesome and i averaged between 130 and 170 all the way home befor taking in some German country roads (better surface than our motorways and no cameras!) for the last 30 or 40 miles - my conclusion is that when i return to live in the UK full time i doubt i will keep the car....or even buy a high performance car at all. Going back to Germany next week and am looking forward to driving the car again but i am glad i didnt bring it back with me to the UK this time -this country sucks for driving in
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Last edited by ss134; 10-16-2010 at 04:25 PM..
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      10-16-2010, 02:18 PM   #80
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sarjoo View Post
Been meaning to say for ages, awesome comparison dude, especially meaningful for someone like me who is always toying with the idea of switching from the 335i to the M3, only difference is mine would be the Coupe versions nit the saloon/sedan but the comparison still stands. Thanks!
Thank you very much, but you may want to read my reply to 'themetz' above
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Last edited by ss134; 10-16-2010 at 02:28 PM..
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      10-16-2010, 02:25 PM   #81
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ss134 View Post
Its one of my few complaints with the car Del but get the car upto speed and it feels very tight.........on the right roads. What tyres and pressures are you running Del ? I've heard that the PS2 gives even lighter steering - i have the Conti's. Did you test drive the M3 with M DCT or not?
I'm on Michelins, running as per door card 34 front 35 rear

Yes took out two DCT's and both were slightly ponderous in town, they were both 2008 cars,if that makes a difference SS
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      10-16-2010, 02:28 PM   #82
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Quote:
Originally Posted by m1bjr View Post
I suspect its the LCA bushes Del.
I noticed a big increase in road noise from the rear of my 335 after fitment of the M3 subframe rubbers.
I'll get to the front soon as I want more camber and stiffer bushes - the M3 lower arms are the easy way to acomplish it.
So will let you know :~)
Interesting Steve, I did wonder if it might be something like that, strangley though the rear end seams as quite as the 335, although with front end noise increased, it might be masking the rear.
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      10-16-2010, 04:26 PM   #83
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Quote:
Originally Posted by creepy coupe View Post
I'm on Michelins, running as per door card 34 front 35 rear

Yes took out two DCT's and both were slightly ponderous in town, they were both 2008 cars,if that makes a difference SS
There were quite a few problems with DCT (lag) in earlier cars but the new ones have been resolved (older ones can be sorted via software)
Check out this thread regarding tyres Del, may interest you:

[url]http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=411709[/url
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      10-18-2010, 09:52 AM   #84
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Originally Posted by ss134 View Post
Thank you very much, but you may want to read my reply to 'themetz' above
Ah yes I did catch that comment and I guess it makes sense. I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts again next time u get to drive it in the UK and whether your opinion changes.

If the M3 is essentially limited due to our roads then maybe its an expensive upgrade I could actually be better off without! Shame as have always felt I'd love it regardless of how its driven. Maybe thats still the case. For me its just as important how the car looks and its exclusivity compared to other 3 series coupes, not just the performace thing. I've always had a liking for the M3 designs
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      10-19-2010, 04:59 PM   #85
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Originally Posted by sarjoo View Post
Ah yes I did catch that comment and I guess it makes sense. I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts again next time u get to drive it in the UK and whether your opinion changes.

If the M3 is essentially limited due to our roads then maybe its an expensive upgrade I could actually be better off without! Shame as have always felt I'd love it regardless of how its driven. Maybe thats still the case. For me its just as important how the car looks and its exclusivity compared to other 3 series coupes, not just the performace thing. I've always had a liking for the M3 designs
In that case you will probably love the car. The sound and the driving experience really is fantastic. Maybe i was just too cautious driving in the UK as i was in unfamiliar territory and was always concerned about cameras etc etc - Probably wont drive it again in the UK until i bring it back in Sept next year to sell. The truth is that the M3 V8 comes alive at the top of the rev range and the steering is at its best when youre pushing the car - in Germany you can experience the M3 to the full every single day legally if you want to, in the UK you can do the same but not with the same peace of mind - you are risking your licence and freedom!! I really felt like the car was wasted on UK roads.
Take a test drive and post up your thoughts
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      10-20-2010, 09:04 AM   #86
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Originally Posted by ss134 View Post
In that case you will probably love the car. The sound and the driving experience really is fantastic. Maybe i was just too cautious driving in the UK as i was in unfamiliar territory and was always concerned about cameras etc etc - Probably wont drive it again in the UK until i bring it back in Sept next year to sell. The truth is that the M3 V8 comes alive at the top of the rev range and the steering is at its best when youre pushing the car - in Germany you can experience the M3 to the full every single day legally if you want to, in the UK you can do the same but not with the same peace of mind - you are risking your licence and freedom!! I really felt like the car was wasted on UK roads.
Take a test drive and post up your thoughts
There seem to be one of two solutions here, move to germany, or don't get the max out of the enjoying the car. I think option B will work for me more for now anyway

So you say the sound is amazing...but how much better as I find the 335i engine and exhause note is pretty darn good at all speeds, when the windows are down especially!

How does the M3 sound at low revs/low gears and at idle? The 335i I find sounds pretty average at standstill idle, but upon cold start up or at low revs is nice. The higher the revs go the nicer it gets.

I've been meaning to take a test drive for a while but the dealers themselves seem to be a barrier. On 2 occasions I've been let down where theyve said they'll call to arrange a car to test and never got the call. Maybe they think I'm not serious!!! lol You'd think a 335i is enough evidence that I might actually be a real buyer! I'll sort one out at some point though!
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      10-20-2010, 09:54 AM   #87
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IMO the M3 is too quiet at all but gunning it throttle position, the 335i had a much deeper richer sound the exhaust, my Missus commented the other day, she doesn't hear me leave for work anymore.
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      10-20-2010, 03:44 PM   #88
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Good write up you forgot one thing...and its probably because your M3 is a DCT:

Naturally aspirated engine.

I'm a big stickler for pure driving experience...and 335i is ok...its not great, turbo charged engine is laggy and slow, doesn't rev up fast or drop down slow (My 1991 Honda accord drops and picks up faster...super responsive)...its steering does lack feel.

With 6 MT...335 doesn't feel natural, the torque is available in a non linear manner...and the lag...when you press down on the gas pedal to free rev, and try to play wit it...you realise the N54 is not as responsive as a naturally aspirated engine...even an average 330 is more responsive.

So the M3 is natrually aspirated, and with 6 MT woudl be a more pure driving experience.

But yea, the killer is the fuel cost...as someone clocking 30 K Kms a year + ...v8 is not neeeded, its a good weekend car; but here in North America....we do 1000 KM trips constantly....distances are far.
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