Ben FR
04-23-2002, 10:59 PM
Let me preface this by saying that I'm back in Philadelphia for finals (then vacation in europe) and I'm only about 1/5 through the 1200 mile break-in, foreplay. This review is only preliminary, and is more focused on practical differences between the M coupe and M3.
The best way to describe the M3 is an M5/M coupe hybrid.
Although the steering feels more ambiguous than the M coupe, the M3's handling is unbelievable. I took many turnpike and I-95 offramps at speeds that would cause the M coupe's back end to hop, skip and oversteer. It would take balls of vanadium to make these tires squeal on an offramp. The steering is smooth, and the ride is ridiculously soft compared to the M coupe. Initially I was concerned about comments that the 19" wheels rode harsh, but basically I was a victim of soft propaganda from the weekender M3 soccer dad.
Acceleration. It feels as fast as the M coupe in 1st and 2nd, but it is decidedly quicker in 3rd and beyond. I really haven't had the opportunity to feel out the first two gears, as 5500 rpm comes ridiculously quick no matter how slowly you accelerate. 1st Gear maybe too short for comfortable driving, but that doesn't apply to me anyway.
Exhaust. Uh, where is it? It has a very high pitched whine, but this ain't no M coupe with Supersprint. I am definitely upgrading the exhaust ASAP, as the current sound doesn't provide the proper auditory experience to complement the car's performance and mission.
Creature comforts. Ah, keyless entry. Memory seats. Xenon Headlamps. The headlights automatically turn on when it gets dark or you go in a tunnel. The seat is comfortable- very comfortable. That new car smell. Radio buttons on the steering wheel- bah. Good air conditioning? Well, better than the M coupe. Big trunk? Well when the seats come down in the back. Padded door armrest. Keyless entry, again. Oil temperature gauge isn't by itself in its own gauge - but at least it's there unlike the E36 M3. Voltmeter? not here- but it's not like I ever needed to look at the M coupe one.
Sport button- I thought this was an M car.
Shifter - the throw is shorter than the M5 and 3-series, but longer than the stock M coupe throw. The shifter is precise and not very rubbery.
Clutch - the travel is very long and somewhat springy. Will install clutch stop soon. Driving this thing is downright easy. My grandma could shift this without burning the clutch or stalling. Not very rewarding, but makes life easier. Pedals seem closer together as heel-and-toes can be done effortlessly. This may be the result of the steering wheel not being in the way when my right foot pivots, and my right knee moves inward.
Size - this thing is big. Sure it's a relatively small car compared to any SUV or luxury car, but it feels big. Backing out of a space seems like a chore compared to the M coupe. I don't have that feeling in traffic that I can squeeze into whatever space I want. Rearward visibility is good, but the rear deck is high off the ground and blocks visibility directly behind the car. Oh yeah- the passenger side mirror points downward when reverse is engaged. It's a nice feature, but I'm not used to it yet.
Overall-the car is great. I have no regrets, although I'm sure I'll miss the M coupe when I'm trying to do some parallel parking or some driving on very curvy roads. Sure the M3 can do the curves better than the M coupe, but that go-kart steering feel is hard to beat. The M3 does everything well- it scores a 9/10 in almost every category, and I can't think of any car that does so many things well. It is a more practical daily car for an enthusiast. It is a better choice if you only have one car in your stable. If you can have two, I'd go with an M5 and an M coupe. The M3 encompasses the attributes of both cars, IS a great enthusiasts car, but still it doesn't exude the visceral and raw feel of the M coupe. Surprisingly, I am getting just as many looks in the M3 as in the M coupe (was driving in car conscious south florida), but I'm sure that in the long run the M coupe wins in the gawk factor.
More to come.
-Ben
The best way to describe the M3 is an M5/M coupe hybrid.
Although the steering feels more ambiguous than the M coupe, the M3's handling is unbelievable. I took many turnpike and I-95 offramps at speeds that would cause the M coupe's back end to hop, skip and oversteer. It would take balls of vanadium to make these tires squeal on an offramp. The steering is smooth, and the ride is ridiculously soft compared to the M coupe. Initially I was concerned about comments that the 19" wheels rode harsh, but basically I was a victim of soft propaganda from the weekender M3 soccer dad.
Acceleration. It feels as fast as the M coupe in 1st and 2nd, but it is decidedly quicker in 3rd and beyond. I really haven't had the opportunity to feel out the first two gears, as 5500 rpm comes ridiculously quick no matter how slowly you accelerate. 1st Gear maybe too short for comfortable driving, but that doesn't apply to me anyway.
Exhaust. Uh, where is it? It has a very high pitched whine, but this ain't no M coupe with Supersprint. I am definitely upgrading the exhaust ASAP, as the current sound doesn't provide the proper auditory experience to complement the car's performance and mission.
Creature comforts. Ah, keyless entry. Memory seats. Xenon Headlamps. The headlights automatically turn on when it gets dark or you go in a tunnel. The seat is comfortable- very comfortable. That new car smell. Radio buttons on the steering wheel- bah. Good air conditioning? Well, better than the M coupe. Big trunk? Well when the seats come down in the back. Padded door armrest. Keyless entry, again. Oil temperature gauge isn't by itself in its own gauge - but at least it's there unlike the E36 M3. Voltmeter? not here- but it's not like I ever needed to look at the M coupe one.
Sport button- I thought this was an M car.
Shifter - the throw is shorter than the M5 and 3-series, but longer than the stock M coupe throw. The shifter is precise and not very rubbery.
Clutch - the travel is very long and somewhat springy. Will install clutch stop soon. Driving this thing is downright easy. My grandma could shift this without burning the clutch or stalling. Not very rewarding, but makes life easier. Pedals seem closer together as heel-and-toes can be done effortlessly. This may be the result of the steering wheel not being in the way when my right foot pivots, and my right knee moves inward.
Size - this thing is big. Sure it's a relatively small car compared to any SUV or luxury car, but it feels big. Backing out of a space seems like a chore compared to the M coupe. I don't have that feeling in traffic that I can squeeze into whatever space I want. Rearward visibility is good, but the rear deck is high off the ground and blocks visibility directly behind the car. Oh yeah- the passenger side mirror points downward when reverse is engaged. It's a nice feature, but I'm not used to it yet.
Overall-the car is great. I have no regrets, although I'm sure I'll miss the M coupe when I'm trying to do some parallel parking or some driving on very curvy roads. Sure the M3 can do the curves better than the M coupe, but that go-kart steering feel is hard to beat. The M3 does everything well- it scores a 9/10 in almost every category, and I can't think of any car that does so many things well. It is a more practical daily car for an enthusiast. It is a better choice if you only have one car in your stable. If you can have two, I'd go with an M5 and an M coupe. The M3 encompasses the attributes of both cars, IS a great enthusiasts car, but still it doesn't exude the visceral and raw feel of the M coupe. Surprisingly, I am getting just as many looks in the M3 as in the M coupe (was driving in car conscious south florida), but I'm sure that in the long run the M coupe wins in the gawk factor.
More to come.
-Ben