M3 test drive review from e39 M5 owner

[spikes111]

from m5board

*Disclaimer, just a short 45 min ride, a more complete run will come later on with a white BMW M3*

Coming form a E39 M5, I think the steering was precise and it felt it had more mid range torque than the E60 M5, but not the kick like a E60 M5 at higher RPMs. It was more like a M5 E39 engine on steroids with a 1000 rpm higher rev limiter. Coming from a E39 M5 the transition was smooth, just a manual gearbox. My friend that is used the E60 M5 was constantly flipping his fingers in trying to change gears on the steeringwheel.

It never really, felt slow and it had a very distinct growl to the intake airbox (I assume). I only heard it for a short while from outside, but it really heard like an M5 E39, that distinct V8 growl. Switching back to a M5 E60 Touring afterwards, the sound from inside the M5 was more higher pitched and higher revving, with not as much airbox sound as the M3.

Also, Sport and Sport Plus was a new feature, but it seems just like and extra step between Sport and normal accelerator feedback. Also, MDM really sucked and was way to intrusive and the car understeered badly, and no tail out at all. The M5 had some degrees of angle of the end with MDM, which the M5 does not have. But the car inspired confidence when driving hard, no doubt.

The gearing seemed to be quote nice for a six speed: with some pushing 180 km/h is available on 3rd gear and 240 km/h on 4th gear, which will eb a notch higher than the RS4 and other competitors is my guess. Felt good. Also, the rev limiter went in very smooth and not abruptly.

Coming from an M5 E39 it is like a smaller, more nimble, highly tuned and more modern M5 E39. Coming from an E36 M3 3,2 (321 HP) it is more soft but more comfortable and usable engine. Coming from an M5 E60, it is low tech (manual 6 speed), a little more torquer with a better roadfeeling and faster steering response than an M5 E60. But definetly not as fast on the highway as the M5.

All in all, a very nice car, never felt slow and inspired confidense when pushed. Alot more thumbs up from passerbys than an M5 Touring...

[!Xoible]

nice review! nice vid and pix.. especially the last one with the E90

wait... that's ur siggy

[bronco]

very nice. Thanks

[mkoesel]

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84909

[Davo2003]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84909

Ummmm, is it just me or does it seem like a bad idea to use the "Repost" gif "twice" in the same post??

[JEllis]

I liked the review.... a smaller nimbler E39 M5 is a great analogy. And, in my view, represents what an M3 should be.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Davo2003

Ummmm, is it just me or does it seem like a bad idea to use the "Repost" gif "twice" in the same post??

No worse than a double smiley -