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So I had a look at one yesterday. Couple of things
anoyed me. 1st the car which has a wider wheel base
then the stock 3 series looks kind of high over its wheels.
It simply does not look right when you look at the side
of the M3... looks like a Matchbox setup... huh.
One other thing I find cheap is the buldge in the hood,
reminds me of the Mazda 323 4x4 Turbo I once owned.
I also read a test on the new M3 in a french car magazine.
Couple of things. The 6 cyl in very thirsty and offers less
peak torque then then a 9-5 Aero in overboost. In fact the
BMW engine burns 25 to 30 % more fuel then a 9-5 Aero.
Considering that the M3 is about the same weight, the
engine does not seem to be very efficient at cruise
and city driving. Performance is very good however, but
the 5th and 6th gears are more kind of overdrive toys
and add little to nothing to the performance of the M3,
considering that the M3 has such a tall 6th, there is
something very wrong with the engine design, the thing
just guzzles fuel.
Performance is great at sea level... even so for the price
you get a car that is only marginally better in acceleration
then a 1992 Lancia Delta Integralle Evo3 for about twice the
price tag... not sure where the progress is... As for handling
with no AWD the M3 is substandard for a high tech sports car and similar
to an elderly F412i 5spd in most of its performance...
Considering all the new M3 is more a sporty car for the wanabe
sports car driver with all its ESP, DSC etc.. gimicks then a
real sports car (as stock version)... honestly the thing is/would
be better with an automatic... lets say it's a GREAT SPORTS COUPE...
but I don't see the sports car... hmmm I would rather buy a 2nd hand
Porsche for the same amount of money or a brand new Mitsubishi Evo6
which costs only a few $1000.- less.
Still I would love to test drive a new M3 to get a total picture.
For those who wana argue... here a list of my former cars...
a) Mazda 323 4x4 Turbo 150 Hp
b) Toyota Celica Turbo 4x4 192 Hp
c) Lancia Delta Inegralle 4x4 260Hp +/- 2600 Lbs and torque like an Aero..
and still running strong with a friend of mine.
c*) Mitsubishi Eclipse Turbo 205 hp (mine never had that power as 1 valve
was missing)
d) for the fun of RWD drifts... a Trans Am GTA hehe viva tailspins and
a sucker when it came to handling.
I also have access to these though a pal of mine...
F348Ts <- fast and nasty
F456Gt Manual <- you got to drive one to believe it
F.Testarossa <- don't like its heavy feel, took her up to top speed :)
F412i Manual <- is a fun car that is faster then it looks and a favorite of mine
but he only lets me looks at this one! F40 :( would love to try her out.
Except for the F40 I have driven them all for a few days.
Regards,
Coolknight drives a 9-5 Aero 5spd
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