BMW i5 and 5-Series Forum

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      07-07-2008, 08:34 PM   #1
gbelton
TheArchitect
gbelton's Avatar
United_States
23
Rep
253
Posts

Drives: The Ultimate Driving Machine
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Northeast

iTrader: (0)

M3 1200+ Miles In & a M5 Comparo...

@ 414hp, 295ft./lb. of torque, this 3700lbs Monster is a true personal pleasure to drive.

Driving the 6-Speed MT brings back memories of me power-shifting my 1999 BMW 540i-Sport some years back. By no means am I suggesting these two cars are similar, because they are not-but their tranny (Driving) styles are very, very close IMO. Note: The transmission shift stick is high and gritty when shifting 1st to 2nd and sometimes 3rd at lower RPMs (2500-3000).

For those who have not owned or spent driving time in a 3 Series, there are some clear interior differences when compared to the 5, 6, and 7 Series but a BMW it is just the same. So enough about that, let me get to the reason why you are all reading this post. Below you will find a few snip-its of my M3 experience over the past few months:

The M3 is RAW, (Ready And Willing). Acceleration for its weight is punchy. Press the pedal and you'd better be ready to shift because this Ultimate Driving Machine will power through each gear with ease! I especially like 2nd and 4th gears to reach 130MPH in mere seconds. Yes, I can easily reach +125MPH in 3rd gear with a 8450 rpm red-line but I am not on the track, so I save that for another day.


The M3 is balanced-yeah, yeah the books say that too, but it really is. You can steer it into and around turns just like a go-cart and with its frame being so rigid you can do a great deal in the twisties and use the available torque and horse power to pull you through any rear wiggles one might experience...



The M3 has a nice internal and external exhaust note. It's not a deep throaty sound but it has the M sound distinct to the M3.


The M5 exhaust beats the M3 (2:1), based on my person-to-person poll. I am sure you will find others seeking more sound to impress others and for themselves by changing their exhausts pipes. To each his own off course, I'll stay stock for now.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional thoughts:

Love the CF roof. I am thinking of getting the CF Rear Diffuser, and kidneys.
Love the leather-color and feel.
Gas mileage is as I remember from my earlier referenced BMW.
Side view mirror folding and unfolding at 20MPH is cool.
Enhanced sound system is worth it, IMO. I tested on other BMW systems and you can hear the differences.
The ride is M3esq... But not as rough as the E46 (M3 version). I appreciate that because I am not on the track; though I know some people like it rough all day everyday.
Wind noise is up a few decibels, so I turn up the radio to avoid the NOISE...
Seating for all the ladies is definitely appreciated. I could not do that in the 6er (650Ci) but the M3 does have the win in that column.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Comparison to the M5:

M5 is the Ultimate Super Sedan with gobs of POWER, Rumble-Grumble, Softness, Luxury, SqeezeMeSeats, and SMG that nothing or no one can beat, IMO.

M3 is the Ultimate Sports Coupe with a fun factor all small cars enjoy. This Utlimate Sports Coupe has everything going for it: Looks, Lines, Aggressiveness, POWER, Roughness, Sportier Seating, and the fun factor of a manual... All of course is IMO.

For day-to-day cruisin' I prefer the M5 (.45mm Magnum). I am not a racer boy, though I play one on TV, and though the M5 is heavy, that V10 @ 500hp, 397ft/lb. of torque just does it for me...

BUT!!

When I want to be or drive extra sporty, I pull out the M3 (9mm Glock). It's fast, gusty, and does damage like a big boy but in a small boys' framework. I really like the M3 in the V8 variant form. If you are someone looking for sportier fun everyday when driving, you have stamped the right card and it is called, "The All New M3" Trust me on this one guys, it's a V8.

In summary, the M for Motorsport is the best compliment of Performance and Luxury, IMO. I will surely buy other BMWs but an ///M will always be in my garage.

So, this would explain I bought both the ///M5 and the ///M3 , if you were curious. Thanks for listening...
__________________
Bleeds Blue!

Last edited by gbelton; 07-09-2008 at 04:52 PM.. Reason: typos
Appreciate 0
      07-07-2008, 08:59 PM   #2
lvwirelessguy
Captain
United_States
31
Rep
954
Posts

Drives: 2011 E92 M3, 2012 Golf TDI
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: 702

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2005 M3  [0.00]
Awesome write up!

I couldn’t agree more. I have tried to come up with the one I favor over the other and haven’t been able to do so. That speaks volumes about how good both cars are.

Just depends on the kind of mood I am in
Appreciate 0
      07-07-2008, 09:13 PM   #3
F1-Slayer
the stig
F1-Slayer's Avatar
2
Rep
113
Posts

Drives: stealth
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: SA

iTrader: (0)

wicked write up and nice rides man
Appreciate 0
      07-07-2008, 09:44 PM   #4
Year's_End
Lieutenant General
Year's_End's Avatar
United_States
1243
Rep
12,446
Posts

Drives: 2020 Shelby GT350
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: FL

iTrader: (0)

The M5 felt porky to me during the driving school. I'd take an M3 over it just for the weight difference.
__________________
Past: '08 E92 335i|ZPP|ZSP|6AT
Past: '15 Mustang GT|401A|PP|6MT
Current: '20 Shelby GT350|6MT
Appreciate 0
      07-08-2008, 05:05 PM   #5
VDPHB
Private
20
Rep
94
Posts

Drives: 2016 F30 340i
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: San Diego, CA

iTrader: (0)

Nice write up! Now I'm going to have to go borrow someone's M3 and compare it to my 335i and my buddy's M5....

Anyone in California care to share?
__________________
2016 F30 340i Estoril Blue/Oyster 6MT
2008 E90 335i Sparkling Graphite/Black
2000 E46 328i Sedan Silver/Black (retired)
Appreciate 0
      07-09-2008, 11:49 AM   #6
gbelton
TheArchitect
gbelton's Avatar
United_States
23
Rep
253
Posts

Drives: The Ultimate Driving Machine
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Northeast

iTrader: (0)

LOL.
__________________
Bleeds Blue!
Appreciate 0
      07-09-2008, 11:50 AM   #7
gbelton
TheArchitect
gbelton's Avatar
United_States
23
Rep
253
Posts

Drives: The Ultimate Driving Machine
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Northeast

iTrader: (0)

Thanks for the compliments.
__________________
Bleeds Blue!
Appreciate 0
      07-09-2008, 11:59 AM   #8
Big Windy
Major General
Big Windy's Avatar
United_States
153
Rep
5,123
Posts

Drives: None
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Bay Area

iTrader: (0)

Interesting analogies...liked the write up. Thanks!
Appreciate 0
      07-09-2008, 12:30 PM   #9
nusevad
O! So Sour!!
nusevad's Avatar
United_States
556
Rep
15,612
Posts

Drives: Fast 240z / Slow M3
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: 'Merica!

iTrader: (24)

Garage List
1971 Datsun 240z  [0.00]
2008 M3  [9.60]
Great writeup! I agree with the exhaust notes, the M3 could use a more throaty sound.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      07-09-2008, 05:00 PM   #10
gbelton
TheArchitect
gbelton's Avatar
United_States
23
Rep
253
Posts

Drives: The Ultimate Driving Machine
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Northeast

iTrader: (0)

Thanks gents. Do you find you drive your M3 aggressive than as a crusier?
__________________
Bleeds Blue!
Appreciate 0
      07-14-2008, 01:47 AM   #11
yazz
Lieutenant
yazz's Avatar
United_States
6
Rep
499
Posts

Drives: '06 330i
Join Date: May 2008
Location: LA

iTrader: (0)

congrats on your cars man, that's awesome
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
///m3 after 1200 miles, break-in, m5 vs. m3 comparo


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:25 AM.




g60
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST