Thoughts on my M3 CP

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by Yellowpinkie

So you've gone the other way. I'm in a 330d currently and pondering my next move. I like the effortless nature of the diesel but fancy a change into something with a bit more drama. I'm wary of going for an M or even a 440 and being unhappy or disappointed in some way like the OP.

Depends what you mean by effortless nature, a CP M3 will hit 100mph in roughly half the time it takes a 330d and therefore has huge reserves of power and performance compared to a 330d, nearly 200hp more in a car that weighs the same. Torque isn't an issue either as the M3 makes just as much for 2.5x longer than the 330d.

But that performance comes at a price, some would call it drama/urgency and poise others would call it noisy and harsh and think that a 330d is effortless by comparison, after all how fast do you need to go? (and the 330d is already a quick car)

I wouldn't urge anyone to buy an M3 because it's quicker than a 330d or 335d etc...because quicker doesn't, past a certain level = effortless in terms of the nature of the performance on offer.

I like my car not because it's quick but because of the way it feels to drive, it's urgent/sharp and poised everything a 335d xdrive isn't, as an example.

Just my 2 cents.

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by jamesca80

...Looks wise, i thought the 335d was good but the M3 makes it look like Susan Boyle compared to Eva Longoria. So your comments that you wanted to take pics of the 530d and not the M3 surprises me. ....

Ok, I think I misled with that comment about the pictures! One thing I love is the look of the M3, its one of the best if not the best saloon on the market for looks, much better than any 5 series or 3 series or any other marque IMO.

I think what I was trying to get at is that I was so impressed with the 530d that it lead me to take a few pics ..... whereas I'm just not feeling it with the M3. So its not about the looks of the car, more about how I feel about the two if that makes sense!!!!

[Yellowpinkie]

QUOTE=Wills2;20872335]Depends what you mean by effortless nature, a CP M3 will hit 100mph in roughly half the time it takes a 330d and therefore has huge reserves of power and performance compared to a 330d, nearly 200hp more in a car that weighs the same. Torque isn't an issue either as the M3 makes just as much for 2.5x longer than the 330d.

But that performance comes at a price, some would call it drama/urgency and poise others would call it noisy and harsh and think that a 330d is effortless by comparison, after all how fast do you need to go? (and the 330d is already a quick car)

I wouldn't urge anyone to buy an M3 because it's quicker than a 330d or 335d etc...because quicker doesn't, past a certain level = effortless in terms of the nature of the performance on offer.

I like my car not because it's quick but because of the way it feels to drive, it's urgent/sharp and poised everything a 335d xdrive isn't, as an example.

Just my 2 cents.[/QUOTE]

I want a fast exciting relaxing comfortable practical economical luxurious sporty car that annihilates everything else on the road, looks fantastic, appreciates in value and preferably gets cleaner the harder you drive it.

[DazC]

Originally Posted by Yellowpinkie

Better in every way, or accepting things you don't like cos on the limit is so good?

Apart from fuel consumption and traction in the damp / ice, my M4 is superior in every way to my 335d.

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by Wills2

Depends what you mean by effortless nature, a CP M3 will hit 100mph in roughly half the time it takes a 330d and therefore has huge reserves of power and performance compared to a 330d, nearly 200hp more in a car that weighs the same. Torque isn't an issue either as the M3 makes just as much for 2.5x longer than the 330d.

But that performance comes at a price, some would call it drama/urgency and poise others would call it noisy and harsh and think that a 330d is effortless by comparison, after all how fast do you need to go? (and the 330d is already a quick car)

I wouldn't urge anyone to buy an M3 because it's quicker than a 330d or 335d etc...because quicker doesn't, past a certain level = effortless in terms of the nature of the performance on offer.

I like my car not because it's quick but because of the way it feels to drive, it's urgent/sharp and poised everything a 335d xdrive isn't, as an example.

Just my 2 cents.

Hey wills, I know you love your M3 and I appreciate your view on your car.

But you know I've always banged on about the torque of the big engined diesels.
Driving the M3 around town and the odd dual carriageway in Efficient it can feel as dull as dishwater. Put it into Sport is things liven up a bit but at the expense of more noise (good sometimes not others) and probably worse fuel consumption. Maybe I just want it lively straight out the box without having to crank up the settings (or revs).

Of course, get it on the open road and this is where the car shines, pretty much nothing will touch it, but you need to work it still. In fact I think this car is at its best on A/B roads. Its not best suited to the motorway (as I've mentioned above) and around town, you dont want to be revving the nuts off it.

[Wills2]

I completely get where you're coming from Dopper, the F10 is a smashing car.

I think you'd love a F10 M5.

[Yellowpinkie]

Originally Posted by DazC

Apart from fuel consumption and traction in the damp / ice, my M4 is superior in every way to my 335d.

That's another thing I keep reading, in reviews and forums, that M car handling and traction is not as sorted as it should be. Presumably if you keep the traction control on then it's pretty benign? Or is that to completely miss the point of an M?!

What's it like in MDM mode?

[gtsussex]

Originally Posted by Wills2

I completely get where you're coming from Dopper, the F10 is a smashing car.

I think you'd love a F10 M5.

See I agree - Andy you really should try one.

[dopper99]

Yes guys, the M5 would certainly have the torque I crave.

I don't need a diesel, I just want more torque and re-mapping the M3 is out of the question for me. A C63 is a bit pricey for me so the M5 does sound good......

But not sure about 15-20 to the gallon though

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by dopper99

Hey wills, I know you love your M3 and I appreciate your view on your car.

But you know I've always banged on about the torque of the big engined diesels.
Driving the M3 around town and the odd dual carriageway in Efficient it can feel as dull as dishwater. Put it into Sport is things liven up a bit but at the expense of more noise (good sometimes not others) and probably worse fuel consumption. Maybe I just want it lively straight out the box without having to crank up the settings (or revs).

Of course, get it on the open road and this is where the car shines, pretty much nothing will touch it, but you need to work it still. In fact I think this car is at its best on A/B roads. Its not best suited to the motorway (as I've mentioned above) and around town, you dont want to be revving the nuts off it.

I think my post wasn't about my love or otherwise for the current M3 (it has lots of niggles and is far from perfect) but I like M cars in general as I've had 5.

It was more about some peoples perceptions that "faster = less effort and more comfort" that might be the case going from a 318d to a 330d but they are exactly the same car but with a bigger engine.

The M3 is a different car completely and one that many could find to be "hard work" and not for them.

I completely get why you don't like your M3 and prefer the 335d.

In terms of the settings most mornings I press M1 which is set to Sport+ on everything and that's how a do my 210 mile Monday morning commute.

Sport+ and S3 or D3 reveal the real M3 the other settings are there because the marketing dept said people like to fiddle around.

[gtsussex]

Originally Posted by Yellowpinkie

That's another thing I keep reading, in reviews and forums, that M car handling and traction is not as sorted as it should be. Presumably if you keep the traction control on then it's pretty benign? Or is that to completely miss the point of an M?!

What's it like in MDM mode?

What the journos go on about is all really down to the crap damping and slug of torque. Bumps can unsettle the standard car. Basically it just doesn't flow. CP is best out of box solution so far but can be improved.

As to TC, it's way better on 16 YR onwards. I still don't like it as it does rather try to take over when all is absolutely fine. MDM has very much been nannied down on the later cars, much I suspect due to crappy press reports. Shame. Putting map on has improved things as it's less inclined to intervene.

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by gtsussex

See I agree - Andy you really should try one.

Only thing is he'd drive it in efficiency and ruin that as well!

(just kidding)

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by Yellowpinkie

QUOTE=Wills2;20872335]

I want a fast exciting relaxing comfortable practical economical luxurious sporty car that annihilates everything else on the road, looks fantastic, appreciates in value and preferably gets cleaner the harder you drive it.

The Porsche showroom is that way>>>>>>>>>>>!

[derekh929]

I will leave it there, that's without haggling or stunning purple silk one at Sytner HW

http://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/M/4.4-M5/B...cmdc=se_na_re_

http://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/M/4.4-M5/H...cmdc=se_na_re_

http://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/M/4.4-M5/R...cmdc=se_na_re_

Disclaimer I can't be held responsible by your Family it this thread causes financial pain

[Yellowpinkie]

Originally Posted by Wills2

The Porsche showroom is that way>>>>>>>>>>>!

That would be nice, but but on my budget sadly...

[Yellowpinkie]

Originally Posted by gtsussex

What the journos go on about is all really down to the crap damping and slug of torque. Bumps can unsettle the standard car. Basically it just doesn't flow. CP is best out of box solution so far but can be improved.

As to TC, it's way better on 16 YR onwards. I still don't like it as it does rather try to take over when all is absolutely fine. MDM has very much been nannied down on the later cars, much I suspect due to crappy press reports. Shame. Putting map on has improved things as it's less inclined to intervene.

So buying advice is 16yr + and preferably CP?

[gtsussex]

Originally Posted by derekh929

I will leave it there, that's without haggling or stunning purple silk one at Sytner HW

http://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/M/4.4-M5/B...cmdc=se_na_re_

http://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/M/4.4-M5/H...cmdc=se_na_re_

http://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/M/4.4-M5/R...cmdc=se_na_re_

That Singapore Grey one is a lovely car - noticed when it arrived at Hailsham. Ridiculously large amount of car for dosh and don't forget they'd still get that through at new car rates.

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by derekh929

http://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/M/4.4-M5/H...cmdc=se_na_re_

Hard to not be tempted by that CP one 575hp for 58k.

What I will say as I ran a F10 M5 is that also does go to sleep in 7th (D1) whilst cruising in efficiency mode, you put your foot down a bit and nothing much happens, sounds like I'm talking rubbish but efficiency mode puts all M cars to sleep even the beast that is the M5.

Oh and the trade in on my 12 month old m5 was 40k, yes 40k!

[gtsussex]

Originally Posted by Yellowpinkie

So buying advice is 16yr + and preferably CP?

MY16 or later. To CP or not to CP really is a personal thing as they are different. Non CP more rounded comfortable daily. CP bit raw. Try both!

[Yellowpinkie]

Originally Posted by gtsussex

To CP or not to CP

As dilemmas go there's worse ones to have i guess...

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by Wills2

Hard to not be tempted by that CP one 575hp for 58k.

What I will say as I ran a F10 M5 is that also does go to sleep in 7th (D1) whilst cruising in efficiency mode, you put your foot down a bit and nothing much happens, sounds like I'm talking rubbish but efficiency mode puts all M cars to sleep even the beast that is the M5.

Oh and the trade in on my 12 month old m5 was 40k, yes 40k!

No, you are not talking rubbish about Efficiency mode and 7th on the motorway, but that's how most of us drive, steady cruise with the odd squirt now and again.
The thing is with the 335d a quick flex of the foot and you get instant pick up and pull. With the M3 you need to drop a cog or two then it will fly past the 335d, that's a fact. Just different characteristics of power delivery. I remember not long after I had it and driving down the A404 following a big diesel Audi, he foored it and so did I but he pulled away. Did I want to put mine in Sport, drop two cogs just to keep up? (then some comment from the wife about the revs and noise). No not really. Not a major issue, but that's one example of why I've said what I've said about the M3.

But what I loved about the 335d is that you push you foot down a mere 3 inches and it fooks off down the road pretty rapidly. It "feels" like a fast car all the time whereas an M3 is fast when you work it and change the settings.

[Oliver Queen]

For me, I didn't realize how great of a car the M3 was until I sold it lol. I came into a M5 which is also a great car but I feel like the M3 was more of a "fun" car despite the bad exhaust sound