Comprehensive M3 vs Passat Review

[Brady1984]

I have been reading a-lot of regular guy comparisons, you know feels better, turns sharper etc etc.. but I still think I can add some to the cacophony of how does it make you feel reviews. First thing is I have owned several BMW's and many different luxury items to include prints of some very famous artwork so I know what I talking about. Next, I am comparing it to my current daily driver the 2013 VW Passat TDi. It has some upgrades to include a V1 with SAAVY and a USB port that plugs into the 12V outlet so it has a decent amount of tech. I also have the sunroof and nav in case I get lost or very hot on my way to work. I am comparing it to a F80 MGM M3 that I started up and checked out at my local dealership and the many reviews I have seen on Bimmerpost.

First the sound, the Passat has a throaty growl at cold start and makes a sweet song as it gently leans on the rev limiter at 5K. The M3 at startup has a chatter that reminds me of a diesel, a very loud diesel with fake stereo noise. The M3 at idle and when revving until the salesman looked at me a little weird is fully artificial. I was not sure if the car was actually running or the HK audio was fooling me, it was obnoxious to say the least. What happened to the good old days when ///M meant sound? M stands for sound.

Interior: The Passat has black fake leather type material the trademark name of which I don't even care to google. The M3 I checked out had the extended leather which smelled awesome and was very soft. The dash was beautiful and I loved the contrasting stitching. The HUD was clear and bright, everything was where I expected it to be but the seats were very loud, a buzzing when you put your ears on them which is the normal way I like to get into and out of cars. Despite this flaw I say advantage M3.

City Driving: The Passat TDi with the DSG is a great partner when you want to get around town within the speed limit at all times. Kickdowns and gear changes are very quick, 8ms I read on the web. Putting the car over in manual mode is seamless and makes it a little quicker, I think putting it in the sport section opens up some more power, can anyone else check this on their Passat and confirm? Sometimes I open it up on "closed courses" around town but no one really wants to step up; it's pretty stealthy. It does not have shift paddles but I think they can be retrofitted. The M3 in comparison can shift quickly (100ms) I read but is definitely rough on the quickest setting (I also read that). I usually prefer a manual but I did not have one to test and the VW DSG has never left me stranded for 8 hours and then got my wheels all scratched up. Advantage Passat.

Turning and handling: The Passat weighs in at a slim 3,500 where as the M3 is somewhere in the portly 3501 to 3xxx range. Thus, the handling on the Passat is naturally a little quicker due to the lighter chassis. The wheel is nice and fat on both cars so I will call this a tie. Both cars come with 18's so the look is definitely there. Again a tie.

Highway cruising: The Passat TDi eats highway miles like few other cars on the road. Excellent gearing, power for passing and insanely large tank mean that you have to go refuel before it does. The M3 on the other hand has a much smaller tank and cannot compete on mileage. Also the Passat has standard Sirius XM which sounds like classic vinyl but super compressed and digital. Advantage Passat.

So in conclusion the VW Passat TDi sounds better, handles better, shifts better, has an interior and steering wheel, can drive a long time without having to fill up and the BMW salesman looked at me weird. When I am not on my way to dinner with my wife I will drive the M3 but I am not sure it's really necessary at this point you know?

Couple of pics for you all to drool over...

[ASAP]

good review, thanks!

[Dinh335]

Plus the passat is underrated from the factory, has no first year bugs ,
Tons of low end torque (you don't Need to work for power like u do in say an e9x m) and u can get individual leatherette !...

Also sweet timex! I have an ironman from sports authority ill pm u a pic

[Never Convicted]

Now THAT...was fucking brilliant. You TDi snob,you!

[/// M sa]

Can I have the passats rear diff?

[aajami]

I can't tell if this review is meant to be ironic or not...

[ASAP]

I will say though... the passat I drove had squeaks in the center dash that could make a normal person commit harikiri.

[parky1215]

Originally Posted by aajami

I can't tell if this review is meant to be ironic or not...

Same here.

[M3.2.M4]

I'm sorry Btady1984 but these are completely different cars. Once u test drive the M3 you will appreciate that. With all due respect, in my opinion you should be comparing the Passat to the Nissan Altima, Mazda 6, Honda accord or Kia optima.; or maybe a 528

[/// M sa]

Originally Posted by M3.2.M4

I'm sorry Btady1984 but these are completely different cars. Once u test drive the M3 you will appreciate that. With all due respect, in my opinion you should be comparing the Passat to the Nissan Altima, Mazda 6, Honda accord or Kia optima.; or maybe a 528

It's a goof post on purpose

[Brady1984]

Originally Posted by //M sa

Can I have the passats rear diff?

The rear diff in the Passat is so solid I have never once heard of a failure. Never, no failing. No rear diff problems, in fact the Passat rear diff never ever crosses my mind. Perhaps BMW could take a page out of the Passat playbook when it comes to rear differentials?

[M4TW]

I know what you mean by the salesman looking at you weird. That is a serious knock on the M4. Being able to plug your USB into your 12V is a definite plus so I can see the Passat edging out the M4 there too. Lastly, a point you missed, is that the Passat is probably quicker to the 10 foot mark so the M4 isn't the crackerjack race car it's being made out to be either.

Good informative review. Much better than all the drivel being posted in the forum with all that objective data nonsense.

[consolidated]

Just a funny post, taking a shot at all the inane comparos we see on a daily basis.

I just drove a rental Passat for 4 days, amazing vehicle, I'm going to trade my Audi R8 in for one tomorrow.

OP, nice GTE wrist shot (green timex explorer) on Nato. Like the vintage 'patina' on the crystal.

[/// M sa]

Originally Posted by Brady1984

The rear diff in the Passat is so solid I have never once heard of a failure. Never, no failing. No rear diff problems, in fact the Passat rear diff never ever crosses my mind. Perhaps BMW could take a page out of the Passat playbook when it comes to rear differentials?

I am sold brother going to trade my shitty M3 tomorrow... Oh wait the rear diff won't get here till next week.

[1stm3f80]

I will post my comparison against the VW bug tomorrow.

[ncM]

More than mere humor. Bravo.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absurdist_fiction

[Never Convicted]

Originally Posted by Brady1984

The rear diff in the Passat is so solid I have never once heard of a failure. Never, no failing. No rear diff problems, in fact the Passat rear diff never ever crosses my mind. Perhaps BMW could take a page out of the Passat playbook when it comes to rear differentials?

Indeed. The Passat is the REAL P-Car. The rest are just badges. And you don't need no stinking badges.

[IEDEI]

LOL at this review. I love this kind of dry sense of humour......brilliant!!!

[M3.2.M4]

Originally Posted by //M sa

It's a goof post on purpose

Thanks, now I realize it after reading it again

[M4TW]

Originally Posted by consolidated

OP, nice GTE wrist shot (green timex explorer) on Nato. Like the vintage 'patina' on the crystal.

OMG yes!!! More pics of the watch please. Also did you take any good tire valve pics on both cars? This is an important point of reference for me

[mil405]

This needs to be over in 'M3/M4 versus...' with Quarter Mile drag slip times scans posted.

Please make sure to say it most closely compares to a C7 Corvette.

[Yay-Z]

Originally Posted by Brady1984

the VW DSG has never left me stranded for 8 hours and then got my wheels all scratched up. Advantage Passat.

C'mon man