BimmerFile Review: BMW M3

Sections: MINI Competitors | Reviews Feb 19th, 2008 17 Comments

Here’s another BimmerFile review more than a few MINI owners may enjoy. While the new BMW M3 won’t be cross-shopped to often with the MINI (even that upcoming factory JCW) we figure most people here like fast cars. And well, the M3 is a bloody fast car.

+ BimmerFile Review: BMW M3

Written By: Gabe

17 Comments

emtrey Feb 19th, 2008 Link

Nice review. Can’t wait to test drive one and see how much better the next gerneration has become. Its awfully heavy and steering number than the E46 is a scary thought. I thought my wife’s old 528 steered much better.

However, having come from an M roadster and E46 M-3 to a 911, I really don’t see the cars as competitors. If you need the storage space, and the extra seats and want to save some rather serious $$ difference, the M-3 is an outstanding choice.

But the 911 is a sports car designed to be one from the ground up. P has honed that chassis over 40 years and its obvious within the first few miles behind the wheel. The 911 is a surgical driving instument. Amazing brakes, steering and balance in all its inputs.

BMW will sell a tone ( or many tons LOL) of M-3s and the inevitable comparisons to the 911 will continue just like when the E 46 M-3 came out.

IMHO….the M-3 is amazing sports sedan BUT the 911 is an amazing sports car.

c4 Feb 19th, 2008 Link

I think I would also pick a 911 over an M3, even if it meant paying a $20K premium for the P.

MINIme Feb 19th, 2008 Link

The 911 is a pure sports car. The M3 is a poser, albeit a very good poser. BMW has always thought of themselves as a performance car company and the M series certainly provides added performance, but it is not in the same league as Porsche. I would not purchase this car, but I wouldn’t mind driving the hell out of one for a weekend. IMO, the carbon fiber roof is a little suspect in the safety department…

Chris B. Feb 19th, 2008 Link

I’d really like to read some reviews on the M3 with the M DCT.

pete Feb 19th, 2008 Link

as nice as think car may be, its still a bmw.

this thing dosent even come close to comparing with an Is-F by lexus.

Thats a real 4 door race car

pete Feb 19th, 2008 Link

and the is-F has about 60 more lb-ft of torque

Chris B. Feb 19th, 2008 Link

If it wasn’t for the M3 there’d be NO IS-F. Give me a break.

pete Feb 20th, 2008 Link

the is-F “Flagship one”

was being pondered since 1989

Chris B. Feb 21st, 2008 Link

No, not really. The initial code for F was used to denote the first gen LS400, which was (and still is) the flagship car for the Lexus brand. And even if that was the case the M brand was established seventeen years before the thought of the letter “F” even came up at Lexus. Better still the E30 M3 was launched in ‘86. You really ought to take a break.

pete Feb 21st, 2008 Link

but still the is-f is faster so even if im wrong the new m3 isnt as fast. its gotten beat by the japs!

Chris B. Feb 22nd, 2008 Link

Ha. Wait til’ they run cars with M-DCT. The IS-F will lose.

Gabe Feb 22nd, 2008 Link

This conversation is so sad. Well one side of it.

Chris B. Feb 22nd, 2008 Link

^Care to elaborate?

pete Feb 23rd, 2008 Link

the 8-speed in the is-f is so precise. its amazing.
im a technician for lexus and honestly before i got to drive the is-f i thought the m3 was gonna be faster.

compare the two side by side.

in the m3 you will see: -Stunning good looks -carbon fiber roof -powerful v-8 with a high redline and low torque

In the is-f you will see: -a racecar disguised as a sedan -sport suspension that leaves no fender gap -a V-8 with high horspower tons of low end toque, and electronic lsd that keeps the power to the ground. ALWAYS.

And a dry sump oil system with two oil pumps

Gabe Feb 23rd, 2008 Link

Just keep on fighting the good fight Chris. The other argument is almost too ludicrous to believe it’s real.

Chris B. Feb 24th, 2008 Link

Yezir!

c4 Feb 25th, 2008 Link

Sorry Lexus are glorified Toyotas. They make good cushy cars that park themselves and garish SUVs for wannabes that can’t or won’t spring for the real thing (Read Range Rover).

The IS has been Toyota’s only attempt at capturing the 3-series market, but so far, they have been largerly unsuccessful at taking away market share from them.

The first IS was a pathetic attempt of competitng against the E46. The car looked like a 1980’s RWD Corolla with better paint and interior. The current IS is SLOW and the car is quite frankly UGLY and still looks like a Toyota which is not saying much.

I am sure it is impeccably built and you can stack wine glasses on top of the hood with nary a vibration… but the car has still failed to lure away current and would be 3 series customers.

So let me ask you, Pete, how the hell Lexus think they are going to make a stab at the M3 market when they can’t even compete with the 328’s and 335’s of the world?

To be brutally honest, if I were faced wit the choice of a Lexus IS, BMW 335 or Cadillac CTS, I would probably pick the CTS! That car is drop dead gorgeous and can give, even the vaunted 3 series, a serious run for the money.

I would never taught I would see a cadillac that I actually would like until the day I sat in a new CTS. If anything, Lexus should watch out because the CTS is a real luxury sport sedan, unlike the IS which is just a wanna be…

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