2002 BMW M3: Twilight Zone revisited

Josh, don't let him talk to you like that, bro. You guys need to settle this with a race for pinks just like in Grease. Either that or tie your forearms together and have a knife fight ala Michael Jackson's "Beat It". Or at the very least have a laser tag duel. Somethin'...Somethin'!

Snake Doc, next time you see Josh with the M3 on the street you should know what to do with those .50mm on your Hummer...

The problem, it seems to me, is that there is often an inverse relationship with the quality of the car's behavior at 10/10ths, and the quality of its behavior as a commuter car, as transportation that will normally not be driven at more than 6/10ths. For the latter purpose, the E46 is anything but smooth, with an unforgiving suspension and unintuitive clutch. Yes, the Mazda 3 is slightly more rewarding to drive hard than the Subaru Legacy I recently acquired, but at almost every other time I appreciate the Legacy's higher-quality interior materials, smoother rider, and better fit and finish. Judging by the body attitude at 8/10ths, I bet if I put summer tires on it, it could keep up with a 328 in the twisties, too. I'm done with obnoxious cars that only reward when the driver is endangering himself and others.

"For the latter purpose, the E46 is anything but smooth, with an unforgiving suspension and unintuitive clutch."
 
Can't agree with that. Based on my test drive the M3 rides just about as smooth as my Eibach-dropped IS350.

Maybe Snake Doc just needs something more his speed, I'm thinking an Avalon or Lucerne perhaps, with some casual jazz playing softly in the background?

bimmerjay....that was low man. Seriously low.
 
lol

Gabbo,
 
I actually find our M3's clutch quite intuitive even in stop-and-go traffic -- it's just that the newer BMW clutches are remarkably effortless yet precise-feeling, whereas the M3's is higher-effort and has a weird mushy zone at the bottom (which is beyond the engagement point, thankfully, so you don't have to press the clutch down that far anyway).
 
Of course, our M3's ride is less compliant than other e46 3 Series', but it's still quite livable given the car's abilities. Truth be told, I find the car rewarding at all speeds -- I emphasized its character at the limit because I was trying to account for Mr. Austria's lukewarm review.
 
-Sadlier

I think this post emphasizes the reason why (to me) the e46 M3 is similar in character to the 2006+ Civic SI....I know, I know, but hear me out.
 
Both can be somewhat jerky to drive smoothly and somewhat harsh suspensions. Both have ~8000 rpm redlines and rev-it-up engine natures. Both have almost .5 liters per cylinder of displacement, good shifters, and slightly tricky clutches.
 
Both are very rewarding to drive all out.
 
Not trying to make the Civic SI more than it is...just comparing the nature of two vehicles. And to add something to this:
 
Somedays the SI is a pleasure drive, somedays it's not. Kinda depends on the day, traffic patterns, and how the car decides to behave that day.
 
But in it's inherent nature it's so easy and smooth to decide to drive quickly. Snap off a downshift? No problem. Unexpectedly need to rev match up 4000 rpms? Piece of cake...the engine is so responsive.
 
The shifter ensures you never mistake two gears....it's all very oiled precision as opposed to vagueness (I slightly grinded reverse in my 08 Legacy GT yesterday when I tried to find 4th....I don't remember the last time I did that).
 
It's a love hate thing.
 
After ~45k miles in the car, I'm ready for something bigger and badder with the same fuel mileage. If BMW finally does the needed to the 328i, which is to unleash that 3.0 liter N/A engine into it's natural form (272 HP, 230 tq, great fuel economy), I'll consider it.
 
I imagine most M3 owners either have a smoother ride for those days of the week or they don't keep it for longer than 40-50k miles of daily driving.
 
Joe

An easy way to summarize your review of the M3 vs. the 135i/335i or any other competing car (ie Lexus, Merc, Audi etc).
 
The M3 has Soul, Character, Style, and is purpose built in small numbers.
 
The 135i/335i/others may be equally as fast, but are very lacking in the above catagories...

Sounds like most BMW fans Jeff -
 
"The previous generation has all of those characteristics which the new generation lacks"
 
Joe

Joe,
 
I think the Civic Si analogy is a fair one. The same's true of my own '95 Integra GSR -- really comes alive when you're driving the ~#*@ out of it (and, IMHO, sounds substantially cooler in stock form than the Civic Si :).
 
The e46 M3 is kind of like a high-revving VTEC driver's ultimate fantasy. It's got wonderful midrange pull and even decent pickup at low rpm (versus zilch on both counts for Team VTEC), but then somehow it just keeps on pulling to that very Honda-like 8k redline.
 
I just wish that I could swap my GSR's shifter into our M3 (still haven't really warmed up to that light-n-rubbery BMW gearbox, though I can't argue with its performance). That would nudge it even closer to "ultimate within-reason daily driver" status.
 
EDIT: Oh, Joe, you expressed some doubt that the M3 would be a pleasant daily driver. Personally I would drive the car every day without a second thought. The suspension is firm but doesn't beat you up by any means.
 
-Sadlier

"But winding it out to its 8,000-rpm-plus redline, and feeling the seemingly limitless surge of turbine-like power en route, has got to be one of the most thrilling automotive experiences you can have outside of less attainable creations from Italy or Zuffenhausen. "
 
Hmmm, doesn't sound like you've ever driven an '02 Z06 then. While the M3's performance is excellent, and its engine is excellent, an '02 Z06 will make it feel like (and sound like) a slug by comparison.
 
If you want a car for the racetrack, the M3 is 80% of what a Z06 is, to give you a rough idea. I think Edmunds should add an '02 Z06 to its long term test fleet, and take it on the track after the M3 is done, so you guys can see for yourself.

stingray,
 
Fair enough. Driving the Z06 (of any vintage) is also one of the most thrilling automotive experiences you can have outside of less attainable...yada yada. :D

The analysis that you given this car are strikingly accurate. You enjoy driving this car as much as I.
 
All the best!

I'm still a fan of the 930 for a track toy. If you don't scare yourself to death at least once on every lap you aren't pushing hard enough.

"Hmmm, doesn't sound like you've ever driven an '02 Z06 then. While the M3's performance is excellent, and its engine is excellent, an '02 Z06 will make it feel like (and sound like) a slug by comparison."
 
Ive driven 2 C5 Z06s (stock and modified) and while they are great cars there is just a few things missing. To me the cars drove larger than they actually were. Steering nor chassis wasnt all that commucative and the shifter was like something out of a UPS truck. The Z06 hauls major ass but really doesnt get me all tingly inside nor did it "talk to me".
 
I didnt feel that connection and this my friends is where cars like the M3 shine. The Z06s performance may be better but the M3 feels MUCH better extracting its performance. Cars like the 360 Challenge, S2000, M3, 911 GT3 all have that certain connected focused feel that makes me get in my zone. No matter how I drove the Vettes I just could get that connection.

"Moreover, there's a feeling of raw mechanical honesty about the M3's naturally aspirated mill that's missing from the 135i's twin-turbo six (not to mention an invigoratingly progressive power delivery in place of the 135i's Nebraska-like torque curve)."
 
Bingo. The truly great engines are almost always normally aspirated.