First pics of new BMW M3.

Re: BMW 535d etc

Much , much , much , better looking for a start. I've tried to let the 5 shape grow on me but it is like the 1 series - AWFUL.
A6 Avant is even more stylish than the saloon - I want one, well the RS6 version, if possible /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Re: BMW 535d etc

You can stuff your bavarian muck......my golf GT TDI fab build quality, phenominaly quick, such fun and comfort to drive and still returns 45 plus to the gallon no mater how hard its pushed.

Paul.
 
Re: BMW 535d etc

A6 probably one of the best built cars around, looks the doofers but unfortunately the UK never took to the brand the way they have done so with BMW and Merc so residuals are generally fairly weak.

Having said that do you want to be the same as everyone else?, generally the UK press have their favourites and Joe public usually follows suit so if the next best thing since sliced bread is a 535d don't be surprised if they become ten a penny AKA X5.
 
Re: BMW 535d etc

I had an E39 M5 back in 2002 and loved it. Sold it for a 911 and loved that too. Missed the torque though. Bought a 575M Maranello last year and loved that also, but mainly garage love not driving love. Sold it last month and am currently driving my 2nd car exclusively - a V10 Touareg.

This whole car thing is all about aspiration. Once you've been there you want what really matters. I hated the E60 when it was launched, but now I quite like it. The new M5 with 507BHP, heads-up display and 7-speed SMG will be superb and I just can't wait /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Re: Do you want the same as everyone else.

How about one of these? Saves all that messin about with the dingy.

 
[ QUOTE ]


heres link to range rover sport pictures, its about 400hp



[/ QUOTE ]

Great, so now we have 2.5 tonne monsters that perform almost as well as sports cars. I pray some tosspot in one of these doesn't slam into my car whilst being driven like a Golf GTi...

When is some common sense going to be applied by legislators regarding kerb weight of vehicles on our roads? Clearly not a viewpoint popular on this particular forum /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

tinstaafl
 
Hi

I take your point to a degree but lets face it an arsehole in any car of any size and speed is going to have the potential to kill somebody, it seems to me that many more tragic accidents are reportedly happening in the smaller faster cars than the bigger ones that people seem to worry so much about IMVHO

Kevin
 
SMG Vs. Manual

Only driven a manual one, but have to say from a purely aesphetic view the SMG stick looks much better. Would love one, but imminent replacement puts me off (maybe buy a 2 year old one?).

Buy a convertible - when my youngest was born we had a CLK. Push button on remote, all windows go down and just pop baby still in carrier/car seat through window - easy!
 
Re: Jez, the forum beemer dealer

I have sent you a private message regarding quick availability of a UK M5.

Anyone else interested, please feel free to contact me.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Hi

I take your point to a degree but lets face it an arsehole in any car of any size and speed is going to have the potential to kill somebody, it seems to me that many more tragic accidents are reportedly happening in the smaller faster cars than the bigger ones that people seem to worry so much about IMVHO

Kevin

[/ QUOTE ]

Very true, and probably because most of the high-risk drivers are probably unable to afford large 4WD vehicles - thank god!

I guess it's just annoying that in the average accident, the presence of a large 4WD will have a negative affect on the survivability of one or more parties involved, including the occupants of the off-roader. That may be an acceptable risk in some circumstances but when you consider that there really is no point in driving a large 4WD if you live in a city, it just seems ludicrous. People perceive them to be better in many ways but actually most of those are just wrong (eg space, safety).

tinstaafl
 
M3

Hi Alistairr,

I currently have an SMG M3 Cab and before that had a manual one, not sure which is best, will depend on your driving style and where you go in ti.

The SMG is miles better ont he twisties and sort of OK around town as you have no clutch, but is v jerky when the car is cold and you do have to get used to it.


I have the 19" wheels and the ride is pretty harsh, but it needs these to look good imho, so it depends if you are coming from something sporty of comfy.
I chose it as I wanted a convertible, and as an only car a 911 is just too small for me - especially in cab form - and the 911 looks too like a turtle with the roof down.

However it is horses for courses.

My dealer chappie (from whom I bought both M3's in the past 18 months) says that the new M3 cab will be out in 2007 at the absolute earliest.

The exisiting one has recently taken something of a downturn in values (over the past 12 months) probably due to a bit of oversuppy however if you are buying an expensive car you have to be prepared to lose £20-£30k on it over the first three years. You will need to spec a few extras too and this easlily makes it a £50k plus car, as opposed to the base price in the low £40's.

On the upside though, the performance is brilliant and it would be a well driven 911 that put much distance between you and him on most roads.

It is a bit bling though, especially if you go for smurf blue or puke yellow with the delightful "Kiwi" interior.

Hope this helps

Ben
 
Re: M3

Benny1, I would'nt agree that a 911 could outpace a M3. I own a standard 911(996) Coupe but I test drove the M3 SMG before I bought it and I thought the M3 was faster especially with the SMG box although I disliked the SMG because it was so jerky. Part of the pleasure of driving for me is getting gear changing right with a manual box. The SMG felt like a Playstation game!
Actually you dont need to spend £50k for a good M3 Cabrio. I looked at several low mileage 2-3yr old minters at franchised BMW dealers in the £35k range and I could have struck a deal well below that. Actually I liked both the blue and yellow colours because they were exclusive to the M3 although I admit the yellow is a bit Coca Cola Championship footballer's wife
 
SMG an acquired taste

I honestly think the smg is wonderful but a slowly acquired taste, ie 5000miles and 3 months or something. I hated it at first, jerky as you say. But after really got hang of it, was smooth and fast, I loved it

So, imho, it doesn't sell itself well. People dont like it in short test drives, nor do journos with 1-day loan cars

I'm really looking forward to getting it again when the new car arrives
 
Re: SMG Vs. Manual

[ QUOTE ]
Buy a convertible - when my youngest was born we had a CLK. Push button on remote, all windows go down and just pop baby still in carrier/car seat through window - easy!

[/ QUOTE ]

I presume with the roof off?? I like your Logic /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif.

So whats the M3 Covertable like to drive compared the Coupe?
I.e. Is there really scuttle shake? and what about wind factor? Can't be good for a baby in the back seat can it?

We currently have a Z3, with the wind deflector up is pretty good.
 
Re: M3

Thanks for reply, good to have a direct report from a current owner.

Its quite a let down that its likely the new M3 won't be out till 2007, but hey thats development for you, i presume!

I just mentioned on the previous post, but how do you find the wind with the roof off?

[ QUOTE ]
It is a bit bling though, especially if you go for smurf blue or puke yellow with the delightful "Kiwi" interior

[/ QUOTE ]

I would generally agree, but so far its the only one i've found locally to me, thats not Red, And i suppose it doesn't look too bad, I might go and see it in the flesh.
WBSBL92080JR09348_01_DL_151104_1.jpg


Full spec Here
but it doesn't have the SMG box or sat nav. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif.
 
Re: M3

Hi again,

Well witht he roof down and no wind deflector it's pretty windy - especially at speed. That's fine (and quite nice in the summer when it's 20deg+ but a bit bloody cold at this time of year. With a wind def its fine and you can happily cruise at, well, let just say fast enough.

I wouldn't have the cab with ickle kids or babies though, would not be v nice in the back.

Also agree with Deleted User re values - they are now pretty good buys second hand, and the dealers will give discounts, no matter what they say at first - you ca get 8-10% off a new one easily, and usually the same or more off a second hand one.

I have had both a manual and SMG M3, and I like both for different reasons. The manual is easier to control, and is less snappy, hence easier to have a bit of tail out fun on the right roads. But the SMG is great through the twisties. I live mainly in London and also found the manual clutch pretty heavy for prolongued town driving. Agree with jfm though that SMG takes time to master. I have now done just over 4,000 miles with mine and just about got it.

If you can get one with Sat nav, as it will be much easier to sell on 2nd hand and it makes the dash look bettoer - also makes the bluetooth phone system (itself not great) much easier to use as all the numbers come up on the screeen. The radio is more sensible on it too.

WHen looking bear in mind that Sat nav was £2,500 extra new and SMG £2,100 so a car with both these will cost a bit more 2nd hand (but not the £5k they cost in the first place!)

As for colour, I have had a Carbon Black (until recently only an M3 colour) which is actually a very, very dark blue and silver grey. Both were nice, the black especially so, but it is a bugger to keep clean. If you go for the puke (nee Phoenix) yellow, or smurf (nee Laguna Seca) blue then expect them to be at least £1,500-£2,000 less thana car in a more "sane" colour.

IF you want something more sensible, why dont you get a top spec 12 month old 645ci coupe? Can get those for £40-45k easily now with low ish miles. It's a much more grown up car, but you will have to be happy with the i-drive jobby. Make sure you buy an auto though, or you'll never sell the damn thing when you want to move on.

My old man has a 645 cab and it's not much slower than my M3 in a straight line. Has a great V8 exhaust note too.

Ben

ps Hlb...I'll take that as a compliment
 
Re: M3

I think i've just read that the Air deflector is situated between the front and rear seats. So not very good if you've got people/kids in the back seats.

Looking at second hand prices, you are right, there is not a lot of difference in price for cars with or without Satnav and SMG. The 6 series is around the same sort of price, but not sure i like it, and don't think it would perform as well.

Also found THIS, It does seem very reasonable!!!
 
Re: SMG Vs. Manual

No, roof up - really was easy.

Only driven the coupe, but never heard anyone critisize the cab. Bound to not be quite as rigid, but the only times i've noticed scuttle shake in my convertibles has been at relatively low speeds over pot holes and other poor surfaces.

My eldest was 4 when we had our first convertible and she hated the roof being down. Our youngest loves it now, but to be fair best only for short journeys etc. Didn't drive around with the roof down with her in the back as a baby though!
 
Re: M3

That is indeed very nice (and is the same colour as my new one) but it is a Csl, which is the stripped out, lightweight, racing version, hence vv noisy and vvvvv bumpy. Great as an occasional or trackday car, but no good for everyday transport.

The wind deflector in the M3 actually covers the back seats too, so they are unusable when it's in place, this is the same with most 4 seat convertibles.

The 6 has grown on me in terms of its looks, the only bit that's not that good is the weird boot . It's a big car too - a lot bigger than the M3, but strangely no bigger (and arguably a little smaller) inside, especially in the back.

The performance is not that different at all - the M3 coupe is circa 5 secs 0-60, the cab 5.5 secs amd the automatic 6 is abouit 5.6 and 6.1 secs respectively for the coupe and cab. Its also a lot torquier, in the M3 you have to really give it some revs to make it fly - and it redlines at about 8,000rpm, so you tend to drive everywhere like a screaming hooligan at between 4,000 and 7,500 rpm (well I do) which can upset a few people as it's pretty noisy, especially when you overtake them.
 
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