Test drove an M3 today

eidolon

eidolon

eidolon

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With all this talk of BMWs on the forum I thought I'd have to see what all the fuss is about so I found a local dealership and gave them a ring this morning to arrange a test drive.

They were very helpful, I just turned up an hour later and was given the keys to the M3 and told to not drive like Miss Daisy (like I was going to anyway!)

I had about 5 mins of regular town driving before I managed to get onto the motorway and open it up properly. It pulled quite nicely into 3 figures and was still very refined whilst doing so. It did however feel like it needed to be driven properly to get the best out of it, 5th and 6th gears were pretty pants and I had to drop it a few cogs to get any sort of decent acceleration. I then came to a few roundabouts so it gave me a bit of a chance to test the handling. For a heavy car it was impressive, nice and planted but the weight obviously wasn't going to do it any favours when it comes to quick changes in direction. (I kept DSC switched off and sports mode switched on at all times)

It does exactly what it says on the tin. It's a fast car, handles well and is comfortable but I just wasn't all that impressed. It didn't blow me away with acceleration nor did the handling leave me breathless. I'm not sure if I was just expecting too much from it or what after all the hype I've read.
Sure it's a good car but, certainly very capable but I can't help but feel a bit disappointed as nothing about it made me think "wow!"
I asked the salesman about the CSL but he'd only driven one for an hour so couldn't really compare the two. He also said that they almost never get them in stock anyway so the chances of me being able to test drive one myself are pretty slim.

Maybe I'm just not ready for something so sensible quite yet. Time to find my nearest TVR dealer and try and scare myself.
 
eidolon said:
With all this talk of BMWs on the forum I thought I'd have to see what all the fuss is about so I found a local dealership and gave them a ring this morning to arrange a test drive.

They were very helpful, I just turned up an hour later and was given the keys to the M3 and told to not drive like Miss Daisy (like I was going to anyway!)

I had about 5 mins of regular town driving before I managed to get onto the motorway and open it up properly. It pulled quite nicely into 3 figures and was still very refined whilst doing so. It did however feel like it needed to be driven properly to get the best out of it, 5th and 6th gears were pretty pants and I had to drop it a few cogs to get any sort of decent acceleration. I then came to a few roundabouts so it gave me a bit of a chance to test the handling. For a heavy car it was impressive, nice and planted but the weight obviously wasn't going to do it any favours when it comes to quick changes in direction. (I kept DSC switched off and sports mode switched on at all times)

It does exactly what it says on the tin. It's a fast car, handles well and is comfortable but I just wasn't all that impressed. It didn't blow me away with acceleration nor did the handling leave me breathless. I'm not sure if I was just expecting too much from it or what after all the hype I've read.
Sure it's a good car but, certainly very capable but I can't help but feel a bit disappointed as nothing about it made me think "wow!"
I asked the salesman about the CSL but he'd only driven one for an hour so couldn't really compare the two. He also said that they almost never get them in stock anyway so the chances of me being able to test drive one myself are pretty slim.

Maybe I'm just not ready for something so sensible quite yet. Time to find my nearest TVR dealer and try and scare myself.
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Hi there

I guess your referring to the E46 M3 and not the new V8 model?

When I test drove an E46 M3 manual some time ago I too left with similar feelings to yourself. It did not feel particular quick at all but like you say it does not struggle to hit 3 figures but does it in quite a civilised manner.
An E46 M3 is 0-100mph in 11.9-12.5s dependent on who's done the testing I believe. With 30-70mph taking 4.7s so its not actually slow by any accounts but coming from an Elise its not gonna feel quick because of all its weight and noise reduction. For me an M3 was how you found it a good all round car, but nothing to get hugely excited over, in comparison to my Stang at the time it felt considerably slower and the handling of the M3 was not better if even on par.

This was why I never even considered looking at M3's again but thanks to Elliot he told me to have a go in the CSL because the CSL is night and day different to a run of the mill M3. So I took him up on his offer, had a go in his car and now I own an M3 CSL.

The CSL handles better than the Mustang, wheras I found the standard M3 did not. The CSL also does not feel hugely slower, the gear changes in S5 or S6 certainly help with this. The CSL has a whole host of advantages over the M3, most important factor is the huge weight reduction, its somewhere between 110-185kg not sure on the exact figure because 5th gear quoted 185kg and some places quote 110kg, either way its quite a large weight reduction. The CSL has more power, think it has more torque too and the noise that comes from the CSL makes it feel so much quicker than an M3 alone, its very addictive. The CSL also has much wider tyres too, 265/30/19 on the rear plus the wheels are lighter too and hence reducement in unsprung mass. So the tyres alone provide a larger footprint and obviously one with CUP tyres has more grip in the dry. Obviously the CSL has SMG2 as standard which was an option on M3's and now I've got used to it I really like it. It makes changing gear effortless but fun at the same time. Then if you do find yourself on a long journey and want a relaxing drive then the AUTO mode is fantastic and works well. I believe the CSL also has different suspension setup, better brakes amongst other improvements, one most important factor is the superb seats, they are very comfy but also extremely supportive. In comparison to a standard M3 I believe the CSL can reach 0-100mph in 10.5s and when I tested mine 30-70mph took 3.9s but thats speedo indicated, I saw an official figure of 4.1s so seems rather accurate.

Then there is also the point that many M3 owners have noticed is that regular M3's only make 320-330BHP on dyno days and not there quoted 340BHP. Wheras CSL's always tend to hit 355-370BHP on same days which definetely leads one to believe BMW definetely gave the CSL's the better engines.

Give a CSL a go, in comparison to an M3 it really is night and day different and coming from an Elise it will still have a little rawness that you like but in saying that I find the CSL to be a great cruiser, its certainly not crashy, firm yes but comfy enough to do long journeys and have plenty of fun at the same time. :)

Dealers are supposedly crying out for CSL's and as such they are rare finds on the dealer network and when one does appear its normally sold that very day. It is claimed that the CSL is the best M3 of all time bar maybe the older E30 model. Prices are holding and actually seem to be increasing, a quick look on the autotrader shows that any sub 30,000 miles example to be in 34-36k region. Wheras 6 months ago similar cars were selling for 30k so needless to say there values are going up.


P.S. One of the previous owners of my CSL got in touch to just say congratulation on buying the car and also had the following to say - "I had the geometry setup done by Wellsway Bath. They dialled in 2 degrees negative camber if I remember. Steering felt sharper but a tad lighter. Had to be careful on turn in as it became so sharp." So needless to say mine is no doubt a little sharper than a stock CSL due to the GEO setup and you can certainly see the camber and yes turn in is sharp/quick. :)
 
eidolon said:
Maybe I'm just not ready for something so sensible quite yet.
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Only on OcUK can 320bhp, RWD Coupes with highly string 3.2 litre engines, ridiculously expensive servicing costs and 0-60 in 5 seconds be described as 'sensible'.
 
[TW]Fox said:
Only on OcUK can 320bhp, RWD Coupes with highly string 3.2 litre engines, ridiculously expensive servicing costs and 0-60 in 5 seconds be described as 'sensible'.
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Only 320bhp? Nearer 340 isn't it?
 
Ev0 said:
Only 320bhp? Nearer 340 isn't it?
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HI there

Think BMW quote 343PS, which is circa 340BHP, but like I said on most dyno days, they rarely see close too 340BHP, most churn out between 320-330BHP.

Bit like the old M5, BMW quote 400BHP yet most were 380BHP area. However on the new M5 it was the other way round as BMW's 507BHP is conservative and most are higher.
 
[TW]Fox said:
Only on OcUK can 320bhp, RWD Coupes with highly string 3.2 litre engines, ridiculously expensive servicing costs and 0-60 in 5 seconds be described as 'sensible'.
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Well it is true isn't it
 
I see mine as a sensible car, reasonably refined, comfortable, reliable and not too expensive to run ( for the performance level )
 
[TW]Fox said:
Only on OcUK can 320bhp, RWD Coupes with highly string 3.2 litre engines, ridiculously expensive servicing costs and 0-60 in 5 seconds be described as 'sensible'.
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Its got back seats and can sit 4 comfortably, there all over the roads and they weigh a fair bit, there pretty sensible compared with an Elise, TVR or a Noble.
 
Gibbo said:
HI there

Think BMW quote 343PS, which is circa 340BHP, but like I said on most dyno days, they rarely see close too 340BHP, most churn out between 320-330BHP.

Bit like the old M5, BMW quote 400BHP yet most were 380BHP area. However on the new M5 it was the other way round as BMW's 507BHP is conservative and most are higher.
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Remember, BMW get their figure from bolting the engine onto an engine dyno.
Everyone else gets their figure from RWHP then multiplying with some vague mathmatics.
always treat flywheel figures from a RR with a smidgeon of salt.
 
eidolon said:
Time to find my nearest TVR dealer and try and scare myself.
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I took a Griffith 500 for a quick test on Saturday morning. That was... interesting :D

I drove a chim 500 and the griff. The chim was quite refined and pleasant to drive with power steering and a relatively light clutch. The throttle was smooth and progressive ad the car felt powerful, but never too unpredictable (I was taking it fairly easy, to be fair)

The griff, on the other hand, was a right hooligan. The throttle was short and very snappy, while the clutch was heavy (and this one had a very high bite point, which didn't help) which meant that my early gearchanges were very snatchy and I left a bit of rubber at every junction. No power steering made the steering very heavy at low speed, but helped the feel at speed, leaving you feeling more involved.

Put it this way, when I got back from the Chim drive I felt happy and relaxed. When I got back from the Griff drive, I felt like I'd gone three rounds with Big Daddy :D

It has ruled out a Griff for me anyway. I want the car as a daily drive and the griff was just too much hard work for that. The Chim, however, would be much more... tractable, as an every day car. Having said that, a Griff with power steering and a better set up clutch could still be on the cards if I can find one.

I still need to have a drive in a Cerbera yet, as I still fancy one. I've ben told the Cerb is more of a handful than the chim, (more in line with the Griff) but I'll reserve judgement until I've driven one.
 
I'd love to have a go in a car that felt OMG WTF fast..

I don't think it's down to power (or power to weight) is it?

Having ridden sportsbikes for a few years, I still find 1st and 2nd on the GSXR1000 to be a bit 'quick' and that feeling of uncontrollability coupled with the speed the scenery is coming at you is a bit of a 'rush'..

If I jump into my brothers M5 (E39 422BHP) I just don't ever feel overwhelmed, it's all a bit 'sanitised', although at ludicrous speeds, the inescapable effects of a barge with over 400BHP does leave you feeling 'nervous' but more in a 'it's gonna let go in a minute' kind of way.. saying that, it's one hell of an engine, it handles well enough, but it just feels 'heavy' when you push on..
 
Demon said:
I'd love to have a go in a car that felt OMG WTF fast..

I don't think it's down to power (or power to weight) is it?

Having ridden sportsbikes for a few years, I still find 1st and 2nd on the GSXR1000 to be a bit 'quick' and that feeling of uncontrollability coupled with the speed the scenery is coming at you is a bit of a 'rush'..
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i know the feeling... after a 1000cc sportsbikes more cars feel quite civil. my mates 400bhp cossie felt quite slow, but in comparison to other cars was a missile.

cerbera i went in felt quite slow... nice car, seemed to handle nice and ride nice but without the turbo rush it was quick but reserved.
 
Gibbo said:
Hi there


P.S. One of the previous owners of my CSL got in touch to just say congratulation on buying the car and also had the following to say - "I had the geometry setup done by Wellsway Bath. They dialled in 2 degrees negative camber if I remember. Steering felt sharper but a tad lighter. Had to be careful on turn in as it became so sharp." So needless to say mine is no doubt a little sharper than a stock CSL due to the GEO setup and you can certainly see the camber and yes turn in is sharp/quick. :)
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Hi there

You got the CSL?

Thread linky?
 
The_Dark_Side said:
now you understand where i was coming from with my previous post on TVR's.

:D
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The thing is, I could live with a Griff if I bought one, but would get peed off every time I needed to park it or when I was in crawling traffic or whatever.

It's lairyness itself wasn't too much of an issue. It was the physical demand needed to drive it that put me off.

However, the Saab is just too comfortable and sensible for me. I want some lairyness in my life, I just want it to be... I dunno... tractable when it needs to be. PAS and a light clutch goes a long way towards comfort in a car park or a traffic jam :)

I must admit I was surprised with the griff. Both cars had the 5.0 RV8 but the one in the griff was so much more eager to rev. The Chim was almost lazy with its power delivery, like an old dog who knows what it can do and doesn't need to show off, while the Griff was like an excited puppy, wagging its tail and racing off after a stick at every opportunity.

But it was damn fine fun :D
 
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