Made a mistake... drove an e90 m3.

[Serious]

GF, brother, and myself didn't have much to do today since all of us had it off work/school. So we decided to go check out some exotics at a local dealership... that just happens to be across the street from the BMW dealership my brother works at.

After checking out an exige S, gallardo, diablo VT, r8, Carrera GT, DB9, AMV8 etc.

We got some lunch and strolled over to the BMW dealership to see if they had an Mz4 Coupes or e90/e92 m3's to look at.

Luckily they had about 4 e90/e92's... I asked if i could unlock the Interlagos on black e90 m3 6 speed... And basically they handed me and my brother the keys since its one of the demos and told us to take it for a spin... :bugeye:

I really didnt want to drive the new m3 yet... since i cant afford one. And i was afraid I was going to fall in LOVE and be disappointed each day with my e46......... But despite that...... I wasnt going to turn down the opportunity to drive a demo e90 m3.

Initial impressions were same as when I first saw the e90... I liked it better then the coupe. The interior is better quality then my e46 but is kinda bland to the e46. GF backed me up on my opinion of the interior (she has good taste owning 5 bmw's from mini cooper S to e36 to s50b32 powered Mz3 Roadster.)

My brother was the first to drive the e90 just due to the fact he works there so it looks more appropriate that he starts out driving. After getting the car fully warmed up and put into desired M mode (M dynamic, sport plus, sport)... then gives it maybe 50-60% throttle... and the realization comes... YEP THIS CAR IS MUCH FASTER THEN MY E46 M3.... and the sound is almost perfect tone and volume for a stock car... It has that amazing v8 bassline mated to a descant of almost supercharger style whine... Its truly EPIC... and had all three of us grinning from ear to ear. All three of us agreed its probably the best sounding M engine of them all, Ive driven an e60 m5 pretty hard and it just isnt loud enough even with the windows down next to a barrier... whereas the m3's v8 is good volume for stock.

After a couple more 1/2 throttle pulls I just have to feel that V8 at full fury... and WOW... even with my brother short shifting at 6000rpm It just screams... everyone in the car agreed... the car just builds speed very very quickly even compared to really fast cars we all own.

Fast forward about 5 minutes of me gawking and laughing about how good the engine is from the passenger seat... and I finally trade spots and take the wheel...... The driving position is really good for me... In my e46 my head is right up against the ceiling even with the seat in its lowest position... in the e90 I had more headroom with the seat set to low (im 6'3" and was wearing a hat).

First impression is that hill holder is a nice feature and the clutch good engagement but too much take up... unlike other reports I don't feel its too light... shifter is too smooth though... I missed a second to third shift at high RPM later in the test drive due to the shifter. But Im sure BMW Performance will take care of the shifter problem like they did in my e46 m3.

The engine revs SO FAST... I couldn't believe how quickly it hit 4,000rpm in first gear with only like 30% throttle. 4000rpm is alot of revs in other cars (hell that's almost redline in some american cars) and in the m3 its nothing and smooth as silk... This engine just keeps reaffirming what a masterpiece it is... I dont know who will agree/disagree but I got the feeling that the s54 produced more "punch" under 3500rpm even though the new m3 gets you from 0-30 faster at mid throttle (i know its hard to explain but the new m3 just revs faster whereas the s54 pushes hard down low at each rev... different way to get the same job done I guess... which im sure is tied to the square setup of the e90 vs. stroked s54).

Ok time to get to the good stuff... full throttle... getting on the freeway I quickly went around some slower cars on the onramp and then after a 50mph corner I was finally able to unleash all of the engine... 2nd gear from 45mph the revs start to build and you have to restrain yourself from short shifting but I ride that v8 all the way past 8000rpm and shift to 3rd... where the rear tires slip and chirp in anticipation of more 4 liter M power v8 push... I wring 3rd out and continue to ~120mph (keep in mind road was pretty clear otherwise i wouldn't have gone that fast.) GOD this car is fast and stable at high speed... 120mph feels like 80mph tops. The smile hasnt left my face in minutes, this car really is that fun and good to drive.

After I get off the freeway and turn around headed back, I decide to see the docile side of the new m3... So i roll up the windows, turn the ac on, and just cruise ~70mph... Yep this what a car should do... It should be able to put a smile on your face and symphony in your ears when you want it to be a snarling beast, which the m3 most definitely can be, and then it can transform into a subtle, quiet, cruiser GT that you can take your GF's dad/mom out to dinner in and impress. This car really does everything I want a car to be able to do... it seems to have everything in its arsenal.

Get back to the dealership, lament how that exact Interlagos on black e90 M3 6 speed sedan will be my next car when its time to move on from the e46.

I really had my doubts about the new m3 just based on little complaints (weight, no dipstick, looks etc. etc. etc.)... but those have been almost completely washed away... the v8 alone has ruined my e46 m3.

The new m3 is really something else... I cant wait til I own my own.

Pics:

[Sedan_Clan]

Great write up!

[umwolverine]

Nice story. Glad to hear how that M made you feel. You just need to figure out a way to get one. Hope you do.

[Damage Inc]

Nice write up. I did the EXACT same thing - fell in love with the E90 M3.

So I dumped off my E46 M3 and waiting for the E90's price to fall a little before jumping on one.

It really is an amazing machine that can do everthing.

[dawgdog]

I think I saw that car last Sat at Bellevue BMW. I was driving with my brother in law who is buying my tuned 335. Loved your review - I have owned an e46 M3 and am anxiously awaiting my e92 M3 which is a the VPC.

[ase2dais]

I was very happy w/ my e46 M3 few months ago and planned to upgrade in a year or 2. After I test drove the new M3 last Spring, it was all over.

Fork me, Im done. lol

Cant wait to get mine in a few weeks.

Forewarn! Dont drive it if you are not ready to buy it.

[mkoesel]

Wow, that is very close to the car I will be ordering (I am getting speed cloth instead of black leather), and M-DCT. You didn't happen to get a pic of the window sticker did ya?

[adamaster]

Nice write up.

[Serious]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Wow, that is very close to the car I will be ordering (I am getting speed cloth instead of black leather), and M-DCT. You didn't happen to get a pic of the window sticker did ya?

Dont have a pic but IIRC ~66,900.

[kpcoupe]

Great write up! That 135 has really started to grow on me!

[sayemthree]

I am thinkin the e92 is a HUGE improvment over the e46, and I only have 500 miles on mine. sooooooo Happy.

[Takumi587]

Anymore pics of M3 and gf?

[Biohazard]

^^^^

[ChaneRZ]

sweet!

[monsta]

great write up glad you enjoyed it so much and I hope your able to get one sooner then you think...

[ersin]

That's the first time I've ever heard anybody complain of a shifter being too smooth.

Nice write-up. Good luck. Some day you'll get one.

[!Xoible]

great write-up man! i got thru 1/2 of it, maybe one day i'll finish it. awesome. cant wait to see a thread from u about ur new E9x M3

[FrenchBoy]

Nice write-up. I test drove that very car a couple of weeks ago. Interlagos Blue is stunning in person. However, since I am set on Fox Red interior, I don't think I can go with IB. A bit too "superman" like for me

As a matter of fact, I am on the list for an early '09 E90 M3 with that very dealership ;-)

[BRDHNTR]

I couldn't do the Sedan, but I had a similar experience when I test drove the e90 M3. First car in a while where I left a lot of sweat on the steering wheel. It led me to buy my e92 M3. Awesome car!

[GT3 Tim]

Originally Posted by Takumi587

Anymore pics of M3 and gf?

LOL. You are a fricken mind reader! Amazing...

[TheBry]

Great write up, man! Felt like I was riding along with you. My E46 is being replaced by an E93 M3. It's at the port of exit waiting for a ship to the US and the wait is AGONIZING (especially after reading reviews like yours).

Hope you get yours soon.

[Hammer]

well wrote