Pics of a nice car that's displacing my Turbo baby from the garage.
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Pics of a nice car that's displacing my Turbo baby from the garage.
For many years now I've wanted a BMW to "complete" the garage; the grand tourer to accompany my sporty Turbo (Long story: Actually ordered the 550i in 2004, car arrived, dealer was painting their facility and accidentally painted many cars, mine included, with a coat of paint; deal canceled when I found out accidentally - they hadn't planned on revealing to me what had happened, then on a whim I switched to Porsche.) The wife wants a 4 door, and I want a natural aspirated V8 of this generation, so I've been searching for a 2011 M3 for a while.
Got an email alert from Carmax at 11 pm Saturday a couple of weeks ago, had to rub my eyes to make sure I was not seeing things: 5900 miles on a White M3 with dual clutch transmission. By noon Sunday, I bought car for 54k + 6 year Carmax Extended warranty for 2k. We had the car on the lift for inspection and our jaws dropped: pristine underneath and appeared never exposed to water, not much dirt either.
It seems previous owner had ticked every package and option on this car: premium package, competition package, moon roof, enhanced stereo (so so sound), heated seat. It has been a garage queen for whatever reason and for that I am thankful.
Car still has new car smell and it is so pretty that it actually has displaced my Turbo from our garage for now
, to preserve that new car smell a while longer.
My humble opinions: So far, I absolutely love the car! It feels fantastic to drive and now I know why BMW has been on top for so long. First the engine: this sweet V8 is for me the hallmark of this car and the reason why I bought current generation M3. Power delivery is linear, wonderfully so compared to my Porsche Turbo, and once above 4000-5000 rpm feels endlessly powerful - the sweet sweet V8 is the heart and soul of this car and the main reason why I want it. Car does not feel light and quick off line but once up to speed on freeway is every bit a pleasure to drive as my Turbo. Throttle sensitivity is set to Sport as Normal feels a little too lazy for me. This engine seems biased for high rpm power delivery, meaning torque is weak at low rpm, and I think the more sporty throttle response compensates for that. As I daily drive a tuned 6 speed Turbo, almost every car I switch to feel anemic in its response. Much to my surprise, and probably related to the V8 and Dual Clutch gearing combination of the M3, I have not missed the tremendous power push of my Porsche Turbo as I drive the M3 (versus Cayman, Boxster, etc. for example). Especially for street driving, this car is as powerful as, and as "fun" :-) as I need it to be.
Steering feel and response with Servotronic *off* is the best I've ever felt for a sports sedan, close to the best period, and this has taken me by surprise. So good that I am now ranking steering to be almost my number one love for this car. It's interesting to compare M3 (variable power assisted, going to zero at high speed) versus Turbo steering (power assisted and too much so in Turbo). Of the four primary parameters I am considering:
feedback,
weighting,
response,
precision,
while the Porsche Turbo wins the "feedback" contest (you feel the road and the wheel more), that's the only win. M3 has perfect-10 weighting (steering feels heavy at speed, light in parking), perfect 10 steering response (very quick), and the feel of precision. I also enjoy very much the feel of the thick and meaty steering wheel. I turn off Servotronic Sport mode, because although steering response is quicker, it becomes too abrupt for me.
To put things in perspective, I would still rank Cayman and GT3 steering to be better than M3, primarily for not just feedback, but also how intuitive and natural it feels. Turbo's steering unfortunately and IMHO remains the weakest point of our car - over assisted and lazy in feel (improved with toe out setting and firmer coilover/spring).
Handling? A perfect 10 for a sports sedan, firm yet still comfortable, some degree of body roll, but not too much so. In other words, the best that I've ever experienced. I much prefer M3's handling to some other excellent cars that I've driven: Porsche Panamera, Cadillac CTS, BMW 5 series, Tesla (the sedan). For the track, I would probably want stiffer springs/coilovers, and replace some rubber suspension bushings with firmer counterparts, but for street driving, this car is a perfect 10 compromise between ride and handling.
Car understeers a little bit, but this is perfect for our use (street car, not taking to the track). Were I to take this M3 to the track, I probably would increase front camber to decrease the understeer.
Damper setting: Comfort and Normal are excellent, and Sport is too stiff. Sport setting reduces compliance quite a bit and this is not necessarily good, especially for street driving. Car as a result feels jittery and loses road contact more readily. Has anyone compared if the track time is better with the Sport setting, even with smooth surface of the track?
The exhaust could be a little louder but since this is the wife's car, it will have to stay stock. With the right after-market exhaust, boy I know this V8 gem of an engine is going to sing! That said, the stock sound is beautiful, if not loud, and I actually prefer the sound of BMW V8 to Porsche 997's Flat 6 in the 997. The BMW has a more musical nature LOL to it as RPM changes; it grunts and howls more, and you do hear it more when you are inside car.
The Enhanced Premium Stereo has no low-end response to speak off in its neutral setting, but this could be corrected. I am a seasoned and over-the-edge :thumbsup: audiophile and think they most certainly could do better with the amount of money they charge for his option. For the stereo, I would recommend to set Surround to off, Equalizer about +5 on the lowest frequency of 100 Hz, and around +5 on Bass, +2 to +5 on Treble depending on your personal taste. Someone recommended to me "Malek's setting," which I have tried and do not like at all. I actually think Malek's setting does more harm than good as it doesn't address the lack of low frequency response of this system, but this is strictly a matter of personal preference.
The M3 has been a perfect company for my Porsche (NA vs. turbo, dual clutch vs. manual), a gem and a long-term keeper for me, primarily because of the naturally aspirated V8, which unfortunately I don't think we will ever see again in the M3. We are very lucky to have this driving experience.
Got an email alert from Carmax at 11 pm Saturday a couple of weeks ago, had to rub my eyes to make sure I was not seeing things: 5900 miles on a White M3 with dual clutch transmission. By noon Sunday, I bought car for 54k + 6 year Carmax Extended warranty for 2k. We had the car on the lift for inspection and our jaws dropped: pristine underneath and appeared never exposed to water, not much dirt either.
It seems previous owner had ticked every package and option on this car: premium package, competition package, moon roof, enhanced stereo (so so sound), heated seat. It has been a garage queen for whatever reason and for that I am thankful.
Car still has new car smell and it is so pretty that it actually has displaced my Turbo from our garage for now
, to preserve that new car smell a while longer.My humble opinions: So far, I absolutely love the car! It feels fantastic to drive and now I know why BMW has been on top for so long. First the engine: this sweet V8 is for me the hallmark of this car and the reason why I bought current generation M3. Power delivery is linear, wonderfully so compared to my Porsche Turbo, and once above 4000-5000 rpm feels endlessly powerful - the sweet sweet V8 is the heart and soul of this car and the main reason why I want it. Car does not feel light and quick off line but once up to speed on freeway is every bit a pleasure to drive as my Turbo. Throttle sensitivity is set to Sport as Normal feels a little too lazy for me. This engine seems biased for high rpm power delivery, meaning torque is weak at low rpm, and I think the more sporty throttle response compensates for that. As I daily drive a tuned 6 speed Turbo, almost every car I switch to feel anemic in its response. Much to my surprise, and probably related to the V8 and Dual Clutch gearing combination of the M3, I have not missed the tremendous power push of my Porsche Turbo as I drive the M3 (versus Cayman, Boxster, etc. for example). Especially for street driving, this car is as powerful as, and as "fun" :-) as I need it to be.
Steering feel and response with Servotronic *off* is the best I've ever felt for a sports sedan, close to the best period, and this has taken me by surprise. So good that I am now ranking steering to be almost my number one love for this car. It's interesting to compare M3 (variable power assisted, going to zero at high speed) versus Turbo steering (power assisted and too much so in Turbo). Of the four primary parameters I am considering:
feedback,
weighting,
response,
precision,
while the Porsche Turbo wins the "feedback" contest (you feel the road and the wheel more), that's the only win. M3 has perfect-10 weighting (steering feels heavy at speed, light in parking), perfect 10 steering response (very quick), and the feel of precision. I also enjoy very much the feel of the thick and meaty steering wheel. I turn off Servotronic Sport mode, because although steering response is quicker, it becomes too abrupt for me.
To put things in perspective, I would still rank Cayman and GT3 steering to be better than M3, primarily for not just feedback, but also how intuitive and natural it feels. Turbo's steering unfortunately and IMHO remains the weakest point of our car - over assisted and lazy in feel (improved with toe out setting and firmer coilover/spring).
Handling? A perfect 10 for a sports sedan, firm yet still comfortable, some degree of body roll, but not too much so. In other words, the best that I've ever experienced. I much prefer M3's handling to some other excellent cars that I've driven: Porsche Panamera, Cadillac CTS, BMW 5 series, Tesla (the sedan). For the track, I would probably want stiffer springs/coilovers, and replace some rubber suspension bushings with firmer counterparts, but for street driving, this car is a perfect 10 compromise between ride and handling.
Car understeers a little bit, but this is perfect for our use (street car, not taking to the track). Were I to take this M3 to the track, I probably would increase front camber to decrease the understeer.
Damper setting: Comfort and Normal are excellent, and Sport is too stiff. Sport setting reduces compliance quite a bit and this is not necessarily good, especially for street driving. Car as a result feels jittery and loses road contact more readily. Has anyone compared if the track time is better with the Sport setting, even with smooth surface of the track?
The exhaust could be a little louder but since this is the wife's car, it will have to stay stock. With the right after-market exhaust, boy I know this V8 gem of an engine is going to sing! That said, the stock sound is beautiful, if not loud, and I actually prefer the sound of BMW V8 to Porsche 997's Flat 6 in the 997. The BMW has a more musical nature LOL to it as RPM changes; it grunts and howls more, and you do hear it more when you are inside car.
The Enhanced Premium Stereo has no low-end response to speak off in its neutral setting, but this could be corrected. I am a seasoned and over-the-edge :thumbsup: audiophile and think they most certainly could do better with the amount of money they charge for his option. For the stereo, I would recommend to set Surround to off, Equalizer about +5 on the lowest frequency of 100 Hz, and around +5 on Bass, +2 to +5 on Treble depending on your personal taste. Someone recommended to me "Malek's setting," which I have tried and do not like at all. I actually think Malek's setting does more harm than good as it doesn't address the lack of low frequency response of this system, but this is strictly a matter of personal preference.
The M3 has been a perfect company for my Porsche (NA vs. turbo, dual clutch vs. manual), a gem and a long-term keeper for me, primarily because of the naturally aspirated V8, which unfortunately I don't think we will ever see again in the M3. We are very lucky to have this driving experience.
Last edited by cannga; Oct 2, 2013 at 03:57 PM.
Awesome new addition 
Love the M3 in white. We offer a bunch of aftermarket and OE items for your new M3, for more information Click Here. Enjoy, it's a beauty.
Love the M3 in white. We offer a bunch of aftermarket and OE items for your new M3, for more information Click Here. Enjoy, it's a beauty.
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Really... 
....
Nonetheless, congrats!
Okay...just read your entire write-up....makes sense...wife's car...I get it now
....Nonetheless, congrats!
Okay...just read your entire write-up....makes sense...wife's car...I get it now
Last edited by VID997; Aug 28, 2013 at 06:58 PM.
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Congrats Can!
I've got a 997.2 PDK and an SMG NA M5. I miss stick but I do enjoy these newer transmissions for what they are. I love my M5 so I can imagine how much enjoyment you're having with the one thing I wish my M5 had which is the DCT. Enjoy!
I've got a 997.2 PDK and an SMG NA M5. I miss stick but I do enjoy these newer transmissions for what they are. I love my M5 so I can imagine how much enjoyment you're having with the one thing I wish my M5 had which is the DCT. Enjoy!
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Thanks everyone for the nice comments. D and pureporsche you got it, I am what they call a "lifer," a Porsche lifer (and a nutty one at that). My Turbo baby *is* staying for years to come.
M3 is indeed for my wife; we have long drives to visit our son at Pomona College and I truly could not tolerate driving the Lexus SUV anymore, so that is part of the reason for the switch. I tried to talk her into new Cayman (my other secret love, a mid engine Porsche) but she didn't buy into the "groceries will fit easily in the trunks" (note plural
) theory, so next choice is M3.
Funny the steering is not as direct and light as Porsche, the feel for what the tires are doing is not quite Porsche level, but for many reasons the car is a great joy to drive, eminently so :-), and I very highly recommend it for anyone interested in a second sedan for the snow LOL. I do think because of the small car size, the V8 engine, and all around visibility and practicality, it is *the* best sports sedan money could buy, or at least the most fun.
M3 is indeed for my wife; we have long drives to visit our son at Pomona College and I truly could not tolerate driving the Lexus SUV anymore, so that is part of the reason for the switch. I tried to talk her into new Cayman (my other secret love, a mid engine Porsche) but she didn't buy into the "groceries will fit easily in the trunks" (note plural
) theory, so next choice is M3.Funny the steering is not as direct and light as Porsche, the feel for what the tires are doing is not quite Porsche level, but for many reasons the car is a great joy to drive, eminently so :-), and I very highly recommend it for anyone interested in a second sedan for the snow LOL. I do think because of the small car size, the V8 engine, and all around visibility and practicality, it is *the* best sports sedan money could buy, or at least the most fun.
Last edited by cannga; Aug 29, 2013 at 07:24 PM.
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Congrats! I ordered an AW E90 M3 in the last few weeks they could be ordered. Plans changed, so I never bought it. I sure wish I had though! Mine was ordered with Black interior w/Fox Red inserts, CF trim, Competition package, Cold weather package, Premium Package 3, alarm, automatic high beams, 6 speed manual, and a sunroof. I ordered with basically all options I could get besides Nav. Pretty sure that was a 1 of 1 car. Never got to see it. I'd love to buy it if I ever see it for sale though. I'm keeping my eyes open
What color interior is your M3? Are you going to make a thread dedicated to the car, kinda like your Bilstein Turbo thread? If yes, I'm in for the pics!
What color interior is your M3? Are you going to make a thread dedicated to the car, kinda like your Bilstein Turbo thread? If yes, I'm in for the pics!