After replacing the worn ContisportContact rubber on our long-term M3 with four new Yokohama Advan AD07 tires (225/45R18 front and 255/40R18 rear) from the Tire Rack we headed back to the track for a retest.
Straight-line acceleration was slightly quicker.
Old tires:
0-60: 5.3
Quarter mile: 13.9 @ 102.1*
*Note: Trap speed was incorrectly reported as 107.1 in the original post.
New tires:
0-60: 5.4
Quarter mile: 13.7 @ 102.4
Handling showed the expected improvements as well.
Old tires:
Skipdpad: .87g
Slalom: 70.4 mph
New tires:
Skidpad: .89g
Slalom: 71.0 mph
Josh Jacquot, Senior road test editor @ 54,981miles
louiswei says:
03:47 PM, 04/ 9/08
Okay, I don't know why this blog disappeared for a while but here's what I commented earlier:
From the picture it looks like you guys took the M3 to the track. Which track is it? And details PLEASE!!
I got an idea... Why doesn't Inside Line host a track day? Since people are already doing keyboard-racing here everyday it'll be nice to see some real actions.
Also, I still think the E46 M3 looks better than the E92 M3. Who's with me?
estreka says:
04:09 PM, 04/ 9/08
^ I think every Bimmer has gotten consecutively worse since the late '90s. I could say that about a lot of brands, though (I prefer sharp lines over blobs).
Those tires are toast. I don't even buy Yokos, even though I have their rims. They're almost softer than Pirellis.
jederino says:
04:16 PM, 04/ 9/08
The sharper lines of the E92 grew on me, but E36 and earlier are still my favorite. The interior of the E46 may be the best, however.
m_thrizzle says:
04:23 PM, 04/ 9/08
Santa Clara, CA
I may be biased since I own a 2001 M3, but I greatly prefer the pre-Banglized Bimmers to the current fleet.
The design of the E46 3-series, E39 5-series, and early 2000's 7-series (the one Pierce Brosnan drove in the Bond movie) are all classics and look good, no great, from every angle. The same cannot be said of the current flame surfaced cars! It will be interesting to see how the current designs are thought of 15 years from now.
The 135i intrigues me but I shudder every time I see it's sagging rocker panel and the surprised look of its headlights.
speeder31 says:
08:44 PM, 04/ 9/08
Can't beat the classic clean lines of older BMWs. Still on the fence about the looks of the somewhat "bubbly" 1-Series myself; but after a test drive in a 128i cabrio, I'm assuaged that it still performs like a BMW. Check out my baby in the pic! Can't beat the E30's!
blueguydotcom says:
01:04 AM, 04/10/08
The e46 M3 is a far better looking car than the e92 M3. Not even close. I so wish they'd made an e46 sedan M3. Argh. The new e90 M3 - sat in one tonight - is just as plain as the e90. though not nearly as ugly as the e92s.
Saw a bunch of 1s today...great looking little car. It reminds me so much of a modern-day e30 coupe.
picswim says:
05:49 AM, 04/10/08
The blogosphere was abuzz yesterday about a possible TT 2.0-2.2 4 cyl in development for the 1 series. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE be true!
The 1 may be ugly, but the bubble roof fits my big head Just enough room left for a helmet!
My girlfriend's dad has an e46 m3 (2003) and its lovely indeed. I love being in that car. I'll learn to love the new M3 too, especially in sedan form.
huyracing says:
11:12 AM, 04/10/08
you should test braking too...
desmolicious says:
01:41 PM, 04/10/08
Blueguydot said:
"Saw a bunch of 1s today...great looking little car."
This is the first time I've heard someone claim this. Guess it puts all his other statements in perspective!
All kidding aside, I saw a metallic grey 135i and it reminds me of a French bulldog. I like French bulldogs.
blueguydotcom says:
12:01 AM, 04/12/08
desmo - yeah it has a pugnacious look about it. Very purposeful.
hondacura4 says:
12:00 PM, 04/12/08
I actually like the 1 series styling. Its pure BMW, it has that BMW stance even though its more upright. Overall its attractive and proportioned but that saggy rocker panel gives it visual weight that it doesnt need.
Regarding the 3 I think the E46 generation were the best from a styling/design standpoint. The M3 and the ZHP (performance package)330i sedan were extremely simple, timeless, clean, sporty, elegantly aggressive designs.