'11 M3 Coupe test drive

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05-16-2011, 11:04 AM
Titus

'11 M3 Coupe test drive

On Saturday, my friend let me take his brand new '11 M3 Coupe for a spin. I am not much for giving car reviews, but I thought I would share my experience.

Looks: I did not find this car particularly special in print, but it was stunning in person. Matt's is white and I love the look of the CF roof paired with white paint.

Power: Wow... Probably more power than you ever need, but the traction control does a great job of making you believe it isn't too much power. Nothing like a N/A V8 that revs to 8400 rpms.

Transmission: M Double clutch. I didn't have enough time to get good with the paddles, which really degraded my whole test drive experience. I am sure it is fantastic once you get used to it. I was really surprised by how fast and aggressive the gear changes were with the car in M mode.

Handling: I could really see how this car could get you into trouble. On the way in, I came through some twisties in the Miata at 60... the car was leaning badly and the tires were chirping. It was telling me thats enough. I took the M3 through the same s curve at the same speed and it really felt pedestrian. No lean or tire noise at all, just this feeling like the car was laughing at me and telling me that I needed to push it A LOT harder than that to see what it was capable of. Being my buddy's new $65k toy and not mine, I decided not to take it up on it.

Overall: I have never driven anything that felt so refined even while feeling like it was built for racing first. If I had the type of disposable income needed to own something like this, I think I would be shopping for one on my next day off.
05-16-2011, 03:47 PM
goofygrin

08, manuals are ~$40k.

I'd buy one of those in a heartbeat over the masses of other $40k cars.
05-17-2011, 07:56 AM
CosmosMpower

Quote:

Originally Posted by goofygrin

08, manuals are ~$40k.

I'd buy one of those in a heartbeat over the masses of other $40k cars.

True, only thing else that's 40K and can be dd and is fast is a 06/07 C6Z06.
05-17-2011, 12:58 PM
miataspeedracer

Quote:

Originally Posted by CosmosMpower

True, only thing else that's 40K and can be dd and is fast is a 06/07 C6Z06.

Not really correct. Even in the BMW family, a chipped 135i will run away from the M3 in a straight line. Put coil-overs on it as well, and it's all over for M3 on a road course.
05-17-2011, 01:07 PM
goofygrin

Until you try and take a turn and the electronic "not really a diff" takes a complete smoke bath.

I've driven both (own 335i). Not.the.same.
05-18-2011, 04:15 PM
CosmosMpower

Quote:

Originally Posted by miataspeedracer

Not really correct. Even in the BMW family, a chipped 135i will run away from the M3 in a straight line. Put coil-overs on it as well, and it's all over for M3 on a road course.

I wouldn't say run away either. Stock M3 is about a mid 12 at 113-114 mph. Chipped 135i is about the same range until you start adding downpipe, midpipes, exhaust, stage 2/3 reflash etc. And then the handling is still not as sharp with the softer bushings, less camber, and open diff.
05-18-2011, 04:28 PM
miataspeedracer

It's never apples to apples. Just saying it's hard to find an '08 M3 close to $40K (more like mid 40s). And I'm positing that it is possible to build an 135i for $40k that will outrun a stock M3 either down a drag strip or on a road course...
05-18-2011, 07:58 PM
goofygrin

When I was in the market for a 335i last fall, there were 1/2 a dozen 08 M3 coupes with a 6MT for sale for $40-43k. All under warranty and not modded.

A modded 135i/335i that can run with an M3 will never be worth as much, will be out of warranty and won't be nearly as streetable as the stock M3. So if you want to do it, great, but it's not the same.
05-18-2011, 08:09 PM
OZMDD

Who the hell drives an apple? Stupid Houstonites...
05-18-2011, 10:00 PM
MoonieGT

Why does the M3 weigh so much? It is an unforgiveable sin. It should weigh less than the 335, not hundreds more. As good as it is now, imagine how fantastic it would be if it wasn't obese...
05-19-2011, 06:38 AM
gabkwong

Just a stupid question since I never have the $$$ to own or drive a M3 or 911 or Boxster or Z06. If you have $75K, which one to get for a DD and double duty as a track toy?
05-19-2011, 07:16 AM
goofygrin

The M3 is the only one that can reliably hold 4 people without bitching...

But I'd struggle to not buy the CTS-V.
05-19-2011, 07:19 AM
CosmosMpower

Quote:

Originally Posted by gabkwong

Just a stupid question since I never have the $$$ to own or drive a M3 or 911 or Boxster or Z06. If you have $75K, which one to get for a DD and double duty as a track toy?

Boxster Spyder for a new car, without a doubt. 997.1 GT3 for a used car.
05-19-2011, 07:46 AM
OZMDD

Um, did the GT-R go off the market?
05-19-2011, 07:57 AM
altiain

Quote:

Originally Posted by CosmosMpower

Boxster Spyder for a new car, without a doubt. 997.1 GT3 for a used car.

As much as I love the Boxster Spyder, I would not want one as a double duty daily driver/track toy. Erector set top FTL.

Then again, you daily drove a Lotus for several weeks, so you're not sane anyway. :wink:

Honestly, if I had $75k there's no way I'd buy one car for both. I'd rather build a nice $40k track toy out of a Z06, an Atom, an Exige, a Radical, or something else, and spend $35k on a nice comfy daily driver. Any dual purpose car is always going to be a compromise.
05-19-2011, 08:00 AM
Flyin96M

Quote:

Originally Posted by OZMDD

Um, did the GT-R go off the market?

Um no and I can tell you it is a great DD and small adults do fit in the back. The only problem is that Nissan keeps inching the price up on the new ones, but that makes the used ones a better value. I should also add that while maintenance is higher than a Miata I have been able to do it all myself in the garage so far.
05-19-2011, 08:19 AM
MoonieGT

1 Attachment(s)

If choosing between an M3 and a 997 GT3 to use as a DD... it pains me to say that the M3 is the better choice. I've got some seat time in the 997 GT3 (and it is my dream car), but for every day use you'd be better served with the M3. And if anyone wants to split hairs, the 997 GT3 is more streetable than the 996 GT3 IMHO. The problem with the GT3 as a DD is the low ride height and long nose. It's pretty nerve wrecking to hear the nose scraping on a $120K+ car. The nose-lift option on the 997 really helps, but it's not fool proof. I can also tell you that you will need to replace the tires with less-sticky ones. The OEM tires are so soft that rocks stick to them and then are thown off = chipped paint = no bueno...

Attachment 5171
05-19-2011, 08:51 AM
ken o

Quote:

Originally Posted by altiain

As much as I love the Boxster Spyder, I would not want one as a double duty daily driver/track toy. Erector set top FTL.

Then again, you daily drove a Lotus for several weeks, so you're not sane anyway. :wink:

Honestly, if I had $75k there's no way I'd buy one car for both. I'd rather build a nice $40k track toy out of a Z06, an Atom, an Exige, a Radical, or something else, and spend $35k on a nice comfy daily driver. Any dual purpose car is always going to be a compromise.

This. Make your DD a tow vehicle. I just can't do it. But I am thinking about an X5 diesel.
05-19-2011, 10:25 AM
CosmosMpower

Quote:

Originally Posted by altiain

Then again, you daily drove a Lotus for several weeks, so you're not sane anyway. :wink:

That was out of necessity not choice. But now I have a nice boring luxo barge to go to work in.
05-19-2011, 11:36 AM
OZMDD

Gt-r ftw!
05-19-2011, 11:43 AM
MoonieGT

I really don't understand the GT-R from a driver perspective. It's awesome engineering and VERY capable, but it's too much tech for the race track. I took a ride in one at MSR and was impressed with its performance but that car barely needs the driver to get around the track. I'd much rather drive a base 911 or some form of C6 around the track. My lap times, while perhaps slower, would at least be more closely related to my abilities and not the cars... YMMV
05-19-2011, 12:15 PM
Flyin96M

If you feel that way you can always turn the VDC off. That is one thing I really like is that the VDC has three settings with one being 100% off.
05-19-2011, 12:21 PM
altiain

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken o

This. Make your DD a tow vehicle. I just can't do it. But I am thinking about an X5 diesel.

Now that would be an awesome daily driver - 425 lb/ft of torque, 6500 pound towing capacity, and 19/26 mpg fuel economy. Go for it!

Edit: Actually, as much as I dislike VW products, the TDI Touareg sounds like a better deal - it's $10k cheaper, it has basically the same power and fuel economy, and it can tow 7700 pounds.
05-19-2011, 12:23 PM
MoonieGT

Or maybe you should get that nice, safe, luxurious, BMW for your wife. If it just happens to be suited for towing a car to the race track... so be it :)
05-19-2011, 02:42 PM
Webspoke

Quote:

Originally Posted by altiain

Now that would be an awesome daily driver - 425 lb/ft of torque, 6500 pound towing capacity, and 19/26 mpg fuel economy. Go for it!

Edit: Actually, as much as I dislike VW products, the TDI Touareg sounds like a better deal - it's $10k cheaper, it has basically the same power and fuel economy, and it can tow 7700 pounds.

I looked at all of them and ended up with the re-done Jeep GC. Costs less than all of them, is built beautifully, runs on cheap regular gas, 390 ft/lbs, dodge 1/2 ton engine and trans (easy cheap service), 7200lb tow rating. The price delta was in the $10-20k range, that buys a lot of fuel. And there will be a diesel GC with similar specs in 2012.
05-19-2011, 03:06 PM
goofygrin

ya the new Grand Cherokee is really nice.
05-19-2011, 03:51 PM
tailchaser

Quote:

Originally Posted by altiain

Now that would be an awesome daily driver - 425 lb/ft of torque, 6500 pound towing capacity, and 19/26 mpg fuel economy. Go for it!

Edit: Actually, as much as I dislike VW products, the TDI Touareg sounds like a better deal - it's $10k cheaper, it has basically the same power and fuel economy, and it can tow 7700 pounds.

I wouldn't mind either of them. The Toureg is a much nicer Cayenne than the Porsche, and the price isn't that bad, given the alternatives.
05-19-2011, 04:37 PM
russian

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus

On Saturday, my friend let me take his brand new '11 M3 Coupe for a spin. I am not much for giving car reviews, but I thought I would share my experience.

Looks: I did not find this car particularly special in print, but it was stunning in person. Matt's is white and I love the look of the CF roof paired with white paint.

Power: Wow... Probably more power than you ever need, but the traction control does a great job of making you believe it isn't too much power. Nothing like a N/A V8 that revs to 8400 rpms.

Transmission: M Double clutch. I didn't have enough time to get good with the paddles, which really degraded my whole test drive experience. I am sure it is fantastic once you get used to it. I was really surprised by how fast and aggressive the gear changes were with the car in M mode.

Handling: I could really see how this car could get you into trouble. On the way in, I came through some twisties in the Miata at 60... the car was leaning badly and the tires were chirping. It was telling me thats enough. I took the M3 through the same s curve at the same speed and it really felt pedestrian. No lean or tire noise at all, just this feeling like the car was laughing at me and telling me that I needed to push it A LOT harder than that to see what it was capable of. Being my buddy's new $65k toy and not mine, I decided not to take it up on it.

Overall: I have never driven anything that felt so refined even while feeling like it was built for racing first. If I had the type of disposable income needed to own something like this, I think I would be shopping for one on my next day off.

i present to you, a V10 that revs to 8200 :D
http://www.webwombat.com.au/motoring...w_m5_v10_3.JPG

oh how i miss thee
05-19-2011, 06:53 PM
ken o

What about the new Durango?
05-19-2011, 07:04 PM
POS Racing

How did this go from flappy-paddle BMW's M3's to Dodge SUV's?? :confused:
05-19-2011, 07:21 PM
jrj512

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS Racing

How did this go from flappy-paddle BMW's M3's to Dodge SUV's?? :confused:

Us Miata drivers were frightened by the M3's power, so we backed down to SUV talk.
05-19-2011, 07:28 PM
POS Racing

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrj512

Us Miata drivers were frightened by the M3's power, so we backed down to SUV talk.

But an actual M3 owner was the one asking about the Dodge???
05-19-2011, 08:04 PM
ken o

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS Racing

But an actual M3 owner was the one asking about the Dodge???

to put the M3 on a trailer.

Now what about trailers?
05-20-2011, 07:05 AM
Miatamoto

Drove an E92 M3 at ECR for a couple of sessions. Excellent car. The power was great, the sound was intoxicating, the flappy paddle gear box was impressive, but the handling was not great. There just isn't enough tire on the front of this car. :(

It was on stock 245/265 Michelin PS2s. The car just didn't have enough front end grip. A set of 285s or 305s all around would be great.

I turned off the stability control, but not the traction control because I didn't want to destroy the owners rear tires. A little bit of power-on oversteer probably would have been a good fix for the push.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amRXHN_c-2A
05-20-2011, 07:07 AM
altiain

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken o

to put the M3 on a trailer.

Now what about trailers?

I know where an awesome custom, tandem axle, fully boxed steel deck trailer is for sale for a very reasonable price. I'll tell you all about it when we bring it back from hauling the STR car to Blytheville. :wink:
05-23-2011, 09:05 AM
OZMDD

+1 on the trailer Iain mentioned. It is a very high-quality trailer in perfect condition. If I had any place to store it, I'd have already bought it, even though I don't really trailer often. It pulled like a dream behind my 92 chevy 1/2 ton, which isn't exactly a torque-monster.