Thoughts on my M3 CP

[dopper99]

Well after a couple of days since I drove that 335d, I still feel the same and in no way will I swap my M3 for a 335d. It just not worth losing the money over to downgrade to that car.

I'm really starting to enjoy the M3 and obviously driving the 335d was a big wake up call in me realising what car I've got.

Yes, the things I've moaned about are still there (not so comfortable seats, heavy steering, firm suspension, slight lack of torque on the motorway), but to be honest these are not now as significant when you realise what the M3 is really about. For me now the positives are way out shining the negatives. In fact the seats are actually far better than the M Sports seats - I still have slight lower back ache even now which I know is from the 335d on Saturday (wife prefers the M3 seats too) and I've started driving in Comfort suspension mode and much prefer it. Was in Sport all the time before so probably why I was moaning about the firmness.

And the steering on the 3 series, well the lack of feel (ie not connected to the road) and lightness is bordering on the bloody awful, so I now appreciate the M3 steering.

Now although the torque may be lacking very slightly (but not disconcertingly) as I've mentioned before one thing you do notice even in Efficient is when you first step on the throttle the M3 really wants to pull from a standstill as it attempts to lurch forward. The 335d is far too soft in comparison and doesn't have that initial bite at all.

Anyway, I've let Tony know (who prepared some figures on a 335d) that I wont be interested and even he said it is the right decision keeping the M3 - and he's a salesman!! Top bloke!!

[gtsussex]

Originally Posted by dopper99

Well after a couple of days since I drove that 335d, I still feel the same and in no way will I swap my M3 for a 335d. It just not worth losing the money over to downgrade to that car.

I'm really starting to enjoy the M3 and obviously driving the 335d was a big wake up call in me realising what car I've got.

Yes, the things I've moaned about are still there (not so comfortable seats, heavy steering, firm suspension, slight lack of torque on the motorway), but to be honest these are not now as significant when you realise what the M3 is really about. For me now the positives are way out shining the negatives. In fact the seats are actually far better than the M Sports seats - I still have slight lower back ache even now which I know is from the 335d on Saturday (wife prefers the M3 seats too) and I've started driving in Comfort suspension mode and much prefer it. Was in Sport all the time before so probably why I was moaning about the firmness.

And the steering on the 3 series, well the lack of feel (ie not connected to the road) and lightness is bordering on the bloody awful, so I now appreciate the M3 steering.

Now although the torque may be lacking very slightly (but not disconcertingly) as I've mentioned before one thing you do notice even in Efficient is when you first step on the throttle the M3 really wants to pull from a standstill as it attempts to lurch forward. The 335d is far too soft in comparison and doesn't have that initial bite at all.

Anyway, I've let Tony know (who prepared some figures on a 335d) that I wont be interested and even he said it is the right decision keeping the M3 - and he's a salesman!! Top bloke!!

So now I can come round for a cuppa and take you out in my one

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by gtsussex

So now I can come round for a cuppa and take you out in my one

Yes of course Guy! Just let me know if you are in the area and I'll see about working from home.

[gtsussex]

Originally Posted by dopper99

Yes of course Guy! Just let me know if you are in the area and I'll see about working from home.

No probs. Not quite as and when but will give you some warning.

[M5essex]

Originally Posted by dopper99

Well after a couple of days since I drove that 335d, I still feel the same and in no way will I swap my M3 for a 335d. It just not worth losing the money over to downgrade to that car.

I'm really starting to enjoy the M3 and obviously driving the 335d was a big wake up call in me realising what car I've got.

Yes, the things I've moaned about are still there (not so comfortable seats, heavy steering, firm suspension, slight lack of torque on the motorway), but to be honest these are not now as significant when you realise what the M3 is really about. For me now the positives are way out shining the negatives. In fact the seats are actually far better than the M Sports seats - I still have slight lower back ache even now which I know is from the 335d on Saturday (wife prefers the M3 seats too) and I've started driving in Comfort suspension mode and much prefer it. Was in Sport all the time before so probably why I was moaning about the firmness.

And the steering on the 3 series, well the lack of feel (ie not connected to the road) and lightness is bordering on the bloody awful, so I now appreciate the M3 steering.

Now although the torque may be lacking very slightly (but not disconcertingly) as I've mentioned before one thing you do notice even in Efficient is when you first step on the throttle the M3 really wants to pull from a standstill as it attempts to lurch forward. The 335d is far too soft in comparison and doesn't have that initial bite at all.

Anyway, I've let Tony know (who prepared some figures on a 335d) that I wont be interested and even he said it is the right decision keeping the M3 - and he's a salesman!! Top bloke!!

good man Andy. you know it makes sense

lovely wheels you had on that 335 tourer by the way

with this cold spell its a shame we don't have switchable 4WD on our Ms.. as no doubt the 335xd will feel safer than the M3 did driving into work today

[gtsussex]

Originally Posted by M5essex

good man Andy. you know it makes sense

lovely wheels you had on that 335 tourer by the way

with this cold spell its a shame we don't have switchable 4WD on our Ms.. as no doubt the 335xd will feel safer than the M3 did driving into work today

And where would the fun be in that?

[Karlj]

Originally Posted by M5essex

good man Andy. you know it makes sense

lovely wheels you had on that 335 tourer by the way

with this cold spell its a shame we don't have switchable 4WD on our Ms.. as no doubt the 335xd will feel safer than the M3 did driving into work today

Just make sure to defrost the side windows so you can see where you're going and you'll be fine.

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by M5essex

good man Andy. you know it makes sense

lovely wheels you had on that 335 tourer by the way

with this cold spell its a shame we don't have switchable 4WD on our Ms.. as no doubt the 335xd will feel safer than the M3 did driving into work today

Yes, believe it or not the 20" wheels were the ONLY option on that 335d!!!!!! It's up for sale at Marshall BMW and no other options are listed, so felt a bit poverty spec.
Our ass's were stone cold for 10 mins till they warmed up by themselves.

But I agree with everything you said Dammo in your earlier post regarding the 335d. Just needed to see for myself.

[gtsussex]

Tyres nice and 'entertaining' at these temps!!!

[Wills2]

It was perfect winter tyre temps on my run home to Yorkshire from Essex yesterday evening 0c to -2c all of the way.

[fiche335]

I've been reading this thread with interest. I currently drive an e92 LCI 335i 6MT with JB4 and other mods which has been dyno'd at 420bhp.

Having said all this, I'm feeling the need to move into an f80 M3. Much as I love the fact that the e92 is a sleeper and looks like a 320d touring in the car park. The f31 340i is an auto only. I would prefer to stay with the touring but I really want to retain the manual gearbox.

There's all of the other reasons why a 340 will be a better all-rounder but if we wanted that we wouldn't be on this forum would we??

[dopper99]

On a similar theme of testing other cars and differences between the M3 etc......

I had this 430d GC M Sport sdrive loaner yesterday while mine was in for a suspension strut change. They apologised for it being filthy as I seemed to be swapped into it at the last minute, but I didn't care, just happy with a decent 6 cylinder for a change.

First interesting point to note is that you can spec 18" 398 orbit grey wheels which come as standard with NON run flats. And they come fitted with ........... Michelin Pilot Super Sports.

So you can imagine we're off to a good start with regards handling, comfort, grip, ride etc... without the awful run flats. The handling was very good with hardly any body roll with reasonably brisk cornering (but nothing too crazy). Very well balanced. But because it’s so comfortable, steady, sure and secure compared to the M you can’t help thinking it’s getting a bit boring after a while.

One thing that really surprised me was when I came to a stop the car would rock front to back several times, just slightly but noticeable. The first time it did this I thought it was an SE and had to double check the spec sheet!

However, being an sdrive with RWD proper M Sport suspension it handled much better than the SE sprung 335d I drove the other week. That 335d was ok up to a point then felt decidedly iffy when pushed.

Now the power delivery was similar to the 530d loaner I had, obviously, but maybe a little more pokey being a slightly smaller, lighter car. These diesels are very easy to drive fast around town at speeds below say 50mph. One flex of the foot and the pick up is there straight away due to the torque and I'm sure the guys that have moved from diesels to petrols have probably noticed this. I’d still say even that 430d pulls you harder than the M3 (over a small rev range) … but its ONLY short lived. So it’s a short hard pull, then its gone, then change up gear and repeat. Took the wife out and when you floor it I noticed she was being yanked back in the seat so I could tell it was torquey’er. Or maybe its just the way the torque is delivered. It just "feels" quick due to the torque, even though it is nowhere near as quick as the M3.
I guess if you put the M3 in Sport+ throttle its pretty close in "pull", but I dont drive in that mode all the time.

But there is no doubt the M3 is far, far quicker once out on the open road, that 430d wouldn’t see which way the M3 went once you get over 50mph.

[dopper99]

And another thing the steering is so light and lifeless, like the 335d I drove. The M steering although heavier is far, far superior.

Still glad to get back into mine at the end of the day

[gatsojon]

Originally Posted by dopper99

And another thing the steering is so light and lifeless, like the 335d I drove. The M steering although heavier is far, far superior.

Still glad to get back into mine at the end of the day

The GC is a good looker though!