2009 BMW M3 Review & Road Test
April 17, 2009 by Karl Peskett
2009 BMW M3 Review & Road Test
Adding two doors has only served to make it better.
Model Tested:
- 2009 BMW M3 Sedan manual – $145,000
Options:
- Electric Sunroof – $2920
Engine, chassis balance, ride, gearshift, space, quality
Nothing. Yes, you read that right.
CarAdvice Rating: 
- Words by Karl Peskett Photography by www.ozcarsightings.com
Antioxidants are supposed to be good for you. That’s all I know. That’s all I want to know, too, because apparently dark chocolate is full of the stuff, and that’s all the permission I need to go on a gorging spree. Some people don’t like dark chocolate, and if they’ve only ever tried the 70 per cent or 85 per cent versions, I don’t blame them. Too bitter, I reckon.
When you get the 50 per cent or 60 per cent derivatives, you’re on a winner. The smoothness, the flavour – it’s just so beautiful. There’s a depth and richness to it, and it’s completely addictive.
Now, almonds are okay, too. Not my favourite nuts mind you, but they’re pretty nice. Now, add the almonds to the dark chocolate, and what a combination it becomes. You’d think that adding something to something else that by itself is already pretty good would detract from the experience. Not so.
Just have a look at the M3 Coupe, for example. Here is a brilliant piece of machinery that you’d think would be impossible to make better, but it has.
BMW has added two doors to its flagship 3 Series, and in this testers eyes, at least, it’s now a better car.
Sure, it may be compromised in a few areas for the hardcore fans, but as a family man, having a sedan means I can have my cake and eat it too. Or should that be dark chocolate? I digress …
The ease of entry and exit for passengers gives me all the reason to convince the missus that it’s the ideal car.
“Yes, honey, we can put the baby seat in the back. Yes, it will take a pram. Yes, your mother can come with us for a drive.” Well, maybe not that last one, but you get the idea. A coupe is simply impractical. A four door? That’s a whole other story.
You may remember we took the M3 convertible for a spin a little while back, and then the Melbourne boys headed up the Sedan against Lexus’s newcomer, the IS F. Both those cars were DCT-equipped, so imagine my joy as I opened the driver’s door to this week’s test car. There it was, in all its moveable glory – a manual transmission.
I breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, I was able to control that harmonious, glorious engine with my left hand and right foot. As nice a feeling as that was, it was only going to all come together when I had confirmed the gearbox was at least half decent. We’ll get to that in a moment.
But first, sliding behind the wheel, there was something missing. Yes, the ‘M’ button was gone. That means that the trick dampers were gone, too, because not only did it control transmission, stability and traction control settings, but also the ride. Surely this is a disaster? The sedan has been de-specced.
Worse than that, you’re stuck with one ride setting only. What if it’s too harsh? What if it’s too soft? What if it crashes every time you hit a bump? All the “what if” questions were running through my head.
Rather than let them worry me for the time being, I decided to flick over the engine and let the intoxicating sound of one of the world’s best V8s work its magic on my synapses. Ah, that’s better. All’s right with the world.
A few years ago, BMW was criticised for fitting its cars with ill-riding run-flat tyres. There was a jitteriness as a result of the inflexible sidewalls. Mostly, the run-flats have improved, and the ride is now acceptable. We’re generations down the track and run-flats are still the norm on the 3 Series range – with one notable exception – the M3.
As a result, the best riding car in the 3 Series range is – you guessed it – the M3. That’s despite having very stiff springs and dampers because the absorbency of the shocks marries up perfectly with the sidewall flex of the Michelin Pilot Sports meaning the M3 Sedan has what I would call the best ride of any sports sedan on sale today.
Considering the capability the M3 has, there’s nothing that compares in the ride department, and why does that matter so much? Well, it’s a sedan. Having four doors means there’s more than a hint of utilitarianism to this car, and that means you’re going to be taking passengers.
In my case, it was the wife and child. Expecting some sort of roasting for bringing home another high powered, hard riding sports sedan, the wife fell in love with it within the first hundred metres. You see, you could take someone in a neck brace and you wouldn’t get any complaints. It really is perfect.
Now I’m thinking the reason the better half was so enamoured was a bit more than just the ride.
The baby seat was dead easy to fit, the boot was a decent size (although not quite as practical as Lexus’s IS F, which has a larger opening), and there’s enough storage around the place to take care of books, papers and nail-files.
To prove the point, we decided to make a day trip to meet with friends who were staying in Bunbury, a coastal city around 200km south of Perth. It was a long weekend, so we were expecting stop start conditions and heavy traffic the entire way there.
Thankfully, it wasn’t too heavy, but in the typical merge areas there was the usual delays. The M3 proved that its light clutch and slippery gearbox are a great combo, with an ease of use that would put a Toyota Corolla to shame. But although the clutch is light, there’s plenty of take-up in its travel, and hardly any free-play.
The gearbox works best once warmed slightly, but there’s a satisfying rubbery click when placing each shift in the gate. Initially you think that it will resist quick changes, but the six-speed proves you wrong, with slams being taken as well as glides.
And work the ‘box we did, especially in the overtaking lanes on the trip down. Snick it back to third, plant your foot, and the best V8 ever made sings its lungs out, yowling to the heavens like a race-tuned special. Bystanders can’t help but take note as the motor wails at over 8000rpm, sounding nothing like a V8 could, but everything like a V8 should.
The on-centre steering feel is about the only weak point in an otherwise perfect package. There’s electric assistance that removes some of the feel around centre, however the sharp turn in, and weighting make up for it. The lock to lock wheeling is consistent and the resistance when loaded up mid corner is beautiful. It also responds very quickly when the rear steps out and you have to turn quickly to counter the oversteer.
Using the M-differential, you can hold the slide by purely using the throttle. It’s an amazing feeling that you can flow from bend to bend as quickly as you dare, with the chassis supplying brilliant balance, and the tyres awesome grip. Yet, you can drift through those same corners like a pro, not ever worrying about it turning around a biting you. It’s about as controllable a rear-wheel-drive car as there ever was.
Yet after our day of catching up with friends, it sauntered home, burbling a beautiful eight-cylinder symphony, enveloping its passengers in a wave of comfort and quality. It’s one of the few cars that you can take to a racetrack, blast all day, and then feel relaxed on your drive home while you pick the kids up from school.
Not to mention having all the fruit, including TV, DVD, I-Drive with voice commands, heated seats, dual-zone climate control, SatNav, etc, the M3 Sedan may have been despecced, but it’s hardly lacking.
That combination of perfect ride, excellent steering, brilliant balance, practicality and possibly the best engine ever made makes the M3 Sedan the complete package of the year.
CarAdvice Overall Rating:
How does it Drive:
How does it Look: 
How does it Go:
Specifications:
- Engine: 4.0-litre V8, longitudinally mounted
- Power: 309kW @ 8300rpm
- Torque: 400Nm @ 3900rpm
- Induction: Naturally aspirated, multipoint injected
- Transmission: Six-speed manual
- Differential/Driven Wheels: Limited-slip/rear
- Brakes: Twin piston, vented, cross drilled discs front, single piston rear
- Top Speed: 250km/h
- 0-100km/h: 4.9 seconds
- 0-400m: Not tested
- CO2 Emissions: 295g/km
- Fuel Consumption: 12.4-litres/100km
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 63 litres
- Fuel Type: 98RON petrol
- ANCAP Rating: Five stars
- Airbags: Six
- Safety: ABS, EBD, BA, TC, DSC
- Spare Wheel: None
- Tow Capacity: Not supplied
- Turning Circle: 11.7m
- Warranty: 3 years/unlimited
- Weight: 1605kgs
- Wheels: 18-inch alloy
Print it: 
Looks the same as most BMW’s……..but different. Why dont people hang shit on BMW for producing cars that look the same every model. Evolutionary styling I think some call it. Ford bring out the FG and people waffle on “it looks the same as the old model” where in fact it looks nothing like it. Same here…………so let the cirtisism begin !!! New model…..looks the same blah blah blah…….I doubt anyone will. I love BMW’s but would rather an F6……..and its a hell of alot cheaper. And that Turbo6 is a work of art !!!
Ohby the way….I own a 1999BMW 318Ti M-sport, great little car………looks alot like this one!!!!!
I even like the colour. Looks better than the coupe if that’s possible. Sure, it’s a bang-for-buck proposition, but this V8 vs. a 2-tonne Aussie-made sled is a no-brainer.
4.9 to 100? Thats well behind C63.
Compared to its’ coupe sibling, it’s far from pretty with that bulbous rear.
Well behind Ferrari in terms of power and torque output of an older engine of similar displacement, but good to see it over the 100hp/L mark.
Doesn’t sound near as good as a C63.
The problem with a high revving engine is that all 309kw come at over 7000 rpm. Who wants to have to rev it that hard to get maximum power? Just how often are you driving a private track? Who is ever going to rev to 8300 to overtake someone?
With petrol yo-yoing these days like it does, i’ll take a torquier, lower revving engine where max power is delivered without having to rev to to doubt ridiculous consumption figures. Out of interest, what are the ‘instant consumption’ figures at over 8000 rpm?
That said, the manual option is always going to be a tempting proposition, but not as tempting as the lighter, faster, more attractive coupe.
This or a GT-R?
GT-R today please.
But it’s a very tough call!
Tomorrow I might change my mind.
Devil666/ Good comment !! I totaly agree with your opinion….
Im not surprise with the review one bit, its M3… BMW’s elite icon for the driver… as opposed to the luxury buffs.
Four door anyday… the point is the M3 is the IDEAL sports car for everyday… because… you like to drive by yourself?.. No problems… with friends?… no problems… you have a baby?… no problems… need to go on a road trip?… no problems…
2-door M3s are a bit confliciting and contradicting to why the M3 is an icon.
That said, for the money, ISF, GTR are a good 10-20 grand cheaper…. but if u are shopping for 130+ K car… I think an extra 20 grand isnt a big issue.. but it might be for some.
Its expected though…
The original and still the best………..
At last a proper test on the 4 door M3 6speed MANUAL!!!
IMO the only M3 to buy, and finally someone who agrees with me that a well sorted, easy/fast shifting proper manual is and always will be a better gearbox than any clutchless manual or auto!!!
IN FOCUS Says:
April 17th, 2009 at 9:47 am
“Why dont people hang shit on BMW for producing cars that look the same every model.”
So you’re saying an E46 looks like an E90? And then you say…
“Ford bring out the FG and people waffle on “it looks the same as the old model” where in fact it looks nothing like it.”
Yes it does – the FG looks like a resident of St Marys got their hands on a BF Falcon and decided to bling it up. But I guess that is Ford’s market ay…
“I love BMW’s but would rather an F6……..and its a hell of alot cheaper. And that Turbo6 is a work of art !!!”
It’s cheaper for a reason – I won’t go into detail, the truth seems to upset some people.
Negatives… its not the coupe
So OSU811, you’re saying that this is the 1st “proper” review of this car because it’s the first one that shares your opinions? hmmmm, fair enough, that’s seems to be pretty much the way it goes for most people on this website i.e. not the same as my opinion, it must be wrong :-)
Devil666,
I’m going to assume you’ve never driven a current M3, and are only looking at the on-paper figures. Because if you have driven one, you’d realise that there is plenty of torque down low, and unlike the IS F for example, it builds linearly, until its crescendo at 8400rpm.
Below that, it’s entirely usable and will haul from low revs (yes, 2000rpm onwards) without any fuss. It’s a true everyday engine, not just one that’s reserved for a track.
Go and try one, and then come back and tell me what you think.
Cheers
KP
Arrrrrrrrr……………….steering feel could have been the negative Car Advice!?!?
I drive a C63 and purchased it before the release of the M3 Sedan but I have driven the M3 Sedan recently and M3 Coupe previously before C63 purchase.
As a everyday road car it does not stack up well against the C63 for ease of using the power you have, however on a track the M3 is a better car. 99.9% of my driving is on the road and the C63 was cheaper (faster, has more road presence and a few other factors) so it was an easy choice.
IMO the M3 Sedan is more practical than the coupe but still not as practical as a C63 Estate. It could be argued to that it looks better than the coupe too.
Ultimately I’m very happy with the purchase and don’t regret it one bit.
From what Ive seen MB there isnt that much difference between them . The C63 seems to be more of a fav with the V8 fans because of its rawness and seems to me more of a German Muscle Car than the M3s controlled performance sedan………
You dont necessarily have to be on a track to experience how much the M3s chassis is superior I would think .A quick drive around the hills of most major cities would still see the M3 out in front as a drivers car.
I like the Merc dont get me wrong ,it looks and sounds awesome I guess its manners look a bit gruff for me :) ……….
Thought you would like to see this if you havent before
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCg5iMKAc0Y
Nice review CA.
The C63 v M3 argument is an interesting one. The C63 might have the edge in terms of straight line performance and outright power, but the world isn’t made up of a series of corner-less roads. With almost 30kW less than the C63, it goes to show the quality of the M3’s engine with the performance figures being as close as they are.
I haven’t driven either, but from what I’ve read regarding the two vehicles, the BMW has the edge in other categories such as handling, chassis balance, refinement, etc. Sure, the C63 is an amazing brute of a car, with a nice soundtrack and serious road presence, and if you like that, great.
For me though, the M3 appears to have struck the the perfect balance of power and precision.
Goes to show how different people’s opinions are – to me this thing looks unreal. Perfect balance of agression and subtlety. And who cares if it’s got slightly less power than this or that, when you getting to this level of performance anything is going to be putting a massive smile on your dial.
Too bad my car allowance doesn’t extend to anywhwere near this level, I’d have to ’settle’ for a 325 M sport :-(
I’ve driven both cars (M3 coupe) and in the real world the C63 is the better car for the road, the M3 would be the better track car.
How often will you be driving the car on the track??? How often will be driving through national park roads with a clear road and without a slow moving family driver in front of you??
If you believe that there is a huge difference with the handling of both of these cars on the street, then you are driving like a lunatic on public roads.
Quote “If you believe that there is a huge difference with the handling of both of these cars on the street, then you are driving like a lunatic on public roads. “”
Define lunatic ?
Great article. Ghastly photoshopping.
Mr Smith perhaps you can enlighten us on why YOU think the C63 is a better car for the road .
I disagree with those who write that the C63 would make a better everyday car. The problem with the C63 is that the ride is too intrusive but the M3 somehow manages to be very good.
However, I really don’t think there should be an argument here because at the end of the day, most people are either Mercedes people or BMW people and they probably subconsciously pick the brand that they prefer. And why not? They’re both superb cars and it is a bit too close to call. People buy them for different reasons anyway. I know that sounds odd considering that they are both V8 Sport Saloons from Germany but people you want perfect precision will go with the M3 and people who are more interested in the last tenths of a second will go with the C63. Neither is a bad choice. As I wrote before, they are both absolutely superb cars that are a bit hard to fault. I just think that the M3’s title of being an everyday car is still the winner out of the two. But hey, I’m a BMW person (subconsciously of course) .
In Focus, you are joking right? The current 3 Series doesn’t look much at all like the one that preceded it. I mean, they are both still sedans with their doors and lights in the same place but that was expected.
As for the new Falcon not looking like the old Falcon, well, sorry but it does. It looks almost exactly like the old Falcon. The lights, doors, side profile, back, front all looks like the old one used to. I’m not saying that it hasn’t changed but it could have been much more daring and more interesting. Although I wouldn’t call it daring or interesting, even Holden managed to change the shape of their car enough to make it look like a new model.
And or the record, I’m MUCH more a Ford person than a Holden person.
Mmm.
I guess you can’t really debate that this isn’t the better car of the 4 (RS4, IS F, C63). The figures, reviews (both journalistic and real world) all agree with it.
However, on the road though, the C63 is surprisingly more “useable”. I know that people tend to generalise the C63 and you end up with, “The C63 might have the edge in terms of straight line performance and outright power, but the world isn’t made up of a series of corner-less roads.” – Jimmy
To go and drive either is like night and day. In gear acceleration, whether it be around the city or on the highway, the amount of torque the C63 puts out @ the lower end of the rev. range is just amazing, even comparing to the IS F which puts out a solid 100Nm more than the M3.
$145,000 M3 or $145,000 C63, seems like a tough call to me, but for everyday driving, you know which one i’d go for.
Karl Peskett – There’s no hyphen in IS F =) (Lexus did in fact officially drop the hyphen pre-release of the IS F)
Of course the C63 will pull harder 2.2L extra would do that!
The AMG looks too ricey for my tastes.The M3 is definately the better looker.
“How often will be driving through national park roads with a clear road and without a slow moving family driver in front of you??”
Well,the same could be said about the C63 .
People may say it has usable torque for everyday use you will definately break the speed limit faster than the BMW.If you think you are going to use all that C63 torque on the street,than you would be driving like a lunatic!
So the main advantage of the C63 would be straight line speed.
The C63 doesn’t tick enough boxes!
Camski, thanks. I’ll be sure to correct that.
Hal this may interest you.
You may not be able to afford todays M3 most of us cant ,but this clip shows who the technology used in the M cars is passed down to the other BM models coming through in a short time,doesnt take long for you to end up with a car that is as good as the M3 without the price tag.
Of course your always be behind the game in performance as far as new M3 models are made,but the pure excitement from these fantastic drivers cars remains and thats what makes BMW the drivers choice ;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZGwpifULe4
thanks BM. I’ll check it out after work. Bl..dy work computers don’t allow access to you tube :-)
Camski, but that’s the whole point isn’t it? If you’re going to find subtle differences between the two cars, the obvious one is that the C63 better in a straight line, and the M3 is better around corners. It’s as good as fact. The C63 has a much larger displacement, but the M3 is just about as good in a straight line despite the difference in capacity and annihilates it in the bends to boot.
I can only see one solution to this quandary – a head to head test! Are you listening Car Advice?
Alex and the realist …shows how much you know about cars if you think even the doors are the same on BF and FG……..they are totally differnt …why dont you go have a look. The car FG is way more modern looking than the BF and if you cant see that you are blind !!!! why dont you put a picture of both side by side and then you will see how wrong you are. Wait..you were joking right?
As for F6 there isnt another car on the market which has the performance handling refinement comfort of F6 for anywhere near the price which can blow away cars triple the price and more, take the family away on vacation in comfort and tow a boat or whatever with ease. Not to mention the way way cheaper running\ownership costs of the F6 compared to the BMW. I own a Beemer……..so i know.
In Focus, I didn’t say the doors were the same, I said that they are basically the same shape as the old ones and I did look at pictures before I wrote the comment. Besides, the doors are just part of one big shape that is still very similar to the last big shape. Most have agreed that it doesn’t look different enough on these comment boards when it came out. Yes, it is a more modern looking car but that doesn’t get away from the fact that it still almost the same shape on every part of the car as the last one. It’s not chunky or sleek like new cars should be, it’s frumpy and already a bit dated. What’s wrong? Are your eyes not In Focus?
As for the F6, why have you brought it up here? It’s not a competitor by a very large stretch. You don’t buy an M3 to tow a boat and what true car enthusiast cares about running/ownership costs? Nobody considering buying an M3 would say “Hey, what about that F6?”. And it certainly doesn’t blow away the M3. You have obviously never driven this car.
this is getting to be like those arguments of Ford vs Holden, only German and more expensive…
70% too bitter? Weak ;). 70% is the sweet spot. Lindt is probably the best that’s most widely available, forget about the Cadbury and Nestle variants.
alex….all i can say then is you either need glasses or a seeing eye dog. Its obvious you havent looked at an FG in the flesh because if you had you would know they are different. All I said was BMW get away with basically the same look for new models and no-one says a thing about it. The same but different ……..Fg is a great looking modern design car but as well it is a great car overall which has been well documented and looks are not the only thing that make a car great. Why dont you go to a Ford dealer and see one in the flesh and you will realise what a lovley design they are. Why dont you compare a BF GHIA with a FG G6E and tell me they look the same………..idiot.
Alex….i guess you are going to tell me the interiors look the same as well? with your obvious sight problems they would look the same…….
In Focus, I understand now. You’re somewhere between twelve and seventeen years old. I had my suspicions but you clinched it with the ……idiot thing.
If you think that I can just go down to a Ford dealer and check out the car than you obviously assume that I am in Australia. Well you’d be right but if I was in Australia, how would I have gone this long without seeing one in the flesh? They are EVERYWHERE. I often see them right next to BA Falcons on the road in fact. I’m sure everybody does. I have also driven the G6 and let me tell you that there is no similarity between the G6 and the M3. The M3 is a completely different type of car for a start but it is also so much better in every way. Unless you want to tow a boat of course. And of course it would be, you’re not paying $100,000 more for a badge and a smaller car. Once again though, different price class, different type, different league.
There is more difference between the 3 Series to the previous 3 Series than there is between the BA and the FG Falcon. Maybe the 3 Series doesn’t change much from generation to generation (even though it does) but it still won’t be mistaken for a big facelift in the same way the difference between the Falcons might.
We obviously have different opinions, lets just leave it there. Or are you not old enough to understand that concept?
I have previously owned an E36 M3 3.0 litre model though it is unfair to put it up against a C63 I have was an earlier BMW driver but have moved on to MB but I dont discount looking at other cars in the range when purchasing…when I looked at the C63 I looked at M3 Coupe, Boxster S and Cayman at the end of the day the C63 ticked more boxes for me that perhaps it would for others.
As for giving it a punt on open roads yes I have had it at a very good clip I have even done one track day but I was not prepared to write it off so I was way of my previous times…I intend to do another later in the year @ Philip Island.
I never drove a m3 or is-f or c63 or anything even close to this price range.But i`ve test driven a Skoda Octavia 1.8t and Honda Accord euro,both manual, to decide on personal purchase.
Well Accord 2.4l 148kw 6spd 1525kg, Octavia 1.8t 118kw 6spd 1500kg both around $33.000.No comparison in performance then?
No,of course not the Octavia is so much faster to 100kmh than the Honda (even on paper Octavia 8s Accord 9s),but where the Octavia really shines is rolling acceleration(Octavia-250nm 1500 – 4500rpm ,Honda 234nm/4300rpm, HELLO?!!!).
The point as Karl Peskett pointed out,paper stats mean nothing in this day and age of german engines which have power at any point in the rev range and delivering the go in manner not dissimilar to a an electric motor(including smoothness).
Even Clarkson said it, watch top gear m3 vs lexus is-f comparo.
So keep it real people and forget the Kilowatts.
She reads “Boxster S and Cayman” and shudders……..
I guess you moved on to something half respectful MB,if you are a true car enthusiasts they are just cheap substitutes for a real Porsche……….the 911 ..Sorry but it stems back from those poorman days of the 924 and the 944..
I guess if the C63 puts a bigger smile on your face because the M3 lacks something you desire then thats your choice ,but most of the worlds jernos will say the M3 is still the king ;)
Bavarian Missile
I had no real intention of purchasing a Cayman or Boxster S and I was purchasing new so 997 was just a bit too much @ $248K for Carrera S but I was never going to discount them either before driving them. I also looked at 335i but again I laid the $ down for the C63 and just love it (so does my wife)….I dont use it everyday but tend to drive it to work at least once a week.
If I can pick one weakness with the car it would be the front weight.(and ability to chew fuel in no time)..depending on how hard you are pushing and changing direction you can certainly feel the weight hanging over the front. I have picked this up on the track at Sandown when I wasnt having fun backing into most corners. However I had one of the driving instructors take it for a punt and he loved it
But I have driven and owned a vast array of cars over the years Jap turbos, euros and the odd HSV or Ford and the C63 just has the best allround ability for my needs at the moment.
Seriously all these debates on which one is a better car between c63 vs m3 is jsut stupid. It’s not like any of you can afford one anyway…why bother?
Hayzel ,MB has a C63 and I have a previous M3 ,Alex can afford either I imagine, and probably Realist too as he has an M5,mind you why the hell do we have to justify anything to you.
Karl doesnt own this car I imagine, yet he can take a drive in it and have an opinion like the rest of …
Unless you have something to contribute on the cars go bury your head…..
I love the engine in the C63, but i all tests i have read said M3 has a better chassis and handling precision. Furthermore, most of them also agrees that M3 has a better ride, with the C63 being very stiff. No doubt C63 has better low down torque for everyday use, but not so sure about a stiff ride for everyday use.
I’m a BMW fan so M3 would be my choise, in this colour/wheel combination and with 6 speed manual. However, everytime hearing the C63’s engine makes me weak at knees. Love them both, but for me M3 is the more complete package considering all area including ride, handling, engine, practicality.
I have standard wheels and actually I love the ride I have driven on the 19″s too however I could understand why people would not like the firm ride. However I noticed the difference in ride between 335i & M3 again between C280 & C63….I suppose that is the difference between standard Benz’s to AMG and BMW’s to M cars.
Oh another fault with the C63 people want to race you all the time and I have been pulled over a couple of times just for the quick rego check
Hayzel Says:
April 17th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
“Seriously all these debates on which one is a better car between c63 vs m3 is jsut stupid. It’s not like any of you can afford one anyway…why bother?”
Hayzel, perhaps you could teach us about aspiration when you’re not working ten to two earning $13 an hour flipping burgers.
Well said BM.
I know it may seem silly – love the car – hate the dash with the centre iDrive screen – saw it first on a 330i a few years back and it does not do the vehicle justice.
I prefer the purity of the instrument binnacle only and would go without the sat nav etc for simple driving pleasure.
Buy a F6 with the 6 speed auto for less than half the price of the M3, with the same amount of power and also experience far greater spread of usable torque for acceleration and far superior overtaking(80-120 2.64secs Autocar NZ oct issue 08). A M5 isnt even that quick!!! I personally cannot see the value in the M3 because of that fact alone, especially too, when you can easily tune a F6 to produce loads more power if needed….
Jimmy – “Camski, but that’s the whole point isn’t it? If you’re going to find subtle differences between the two cars, the obvious one is that the C63 better in a straight line, and the M3 is better around corners. It’s as good as fact. The C63 has a much larger displacement, but the M3 is just about as good in a straight line despite the difference in capacity and annihilates it in the bends to boot.”
Right you are but that wasn’t what I was getting at. Without having to drop two gears everytime I wanna accelerate from 80-110 or 50-80, the C63’s larger displacement (as you said) really makes a difference when it comes to power delivery for everyday driving.
I’m in no position to debate the M3’s handling credential’s, just pointing out that the C63 does have a slight upper hand with regards to realistic everyday power delivery.
Mb – If you happen to read this, what sorta fuel figures are you getting? Expecting mine in 4 days and am shuddering at the prospect of 20L/100km round the city =(
Camski
I Drove up to Winton recently via the Melba highway and stuck around the 100 – 105 km/h mark to test the fuel economy…..I was getting mid 9’s per 100 in 60 kmh zones and driving like Miss Daisy I have achieved lower…..it is only when you give it berries it churns the fuel like any car. Given the sound and power, power & accleration it is pretty addictive….but I did not purchase the car for economy runs I dont care with the fuel costs.
I have been getting between 10-12 per 100 in City driving depending on the traffic….trick is dont give it a boot if you are concerned with fuel ecomomy and leave it in Economy
Xr
As much as I respect your comments and the F6, XR6 etc…at the end of the day the Falcon is still based on a $30K car and it shows.
Now if they could only change those “dopey” looking headlights.