Everybody expects the 2002 BMW M3 to be fun when allowed to run free. And it is. Uncorked, unchained, visceral, throw-you-head-back-and-laugh-with-manic-glee fun.
But for me, the most remarkable thing about this car is how well-behaved it can be in more mundane situations. Its suspension is taut enough to connect you to the road, but it's not stiff to the point of banging me around on a quick trip to the grocery store. Unlike many other performance cars, it's not a one-trick pony. From its cooperative handling to its roomy trunk, it's a choice most people could easily live with.
All in all, I find the M3 very practical, especially when you consider that we got it for just 30 grand. It's a beast when it needs to be, but it knows how to be perfectly civilized as well.
Warren Clarke, Automotive Content Editor @ 63,313 miles
louiswei says:
02:59 PM, 10/27/08
First of all, how many more of these M3-is-a-great-balance-daily-driver posts we are going to get? Let me know so I can start a count down...
Second, is it really practical? At "just" 30 grands... Sure, but how much have y'all drop in this Bimmer since then even not counting the brake upgrade? I was seriously looking for a 2004/2005 M3 for around $30k but hesitant to get one due to what I read about its maintenance cost here in the LT blog.
hondacura4 says:
03:58 PM, 10/27/08
I wouldnt call the M3 a beast as its clearly not beastly. This car has the finesse of a ballerina.
A Viper or a Zr1 are beasts as they use brute force to deliver their performance.
tinyelvis says:
05:03 PM, 10/27/08
Beast or civilized, Warren needs a lesson on how to properly curb his wheels.
firstwagon says:
05:33 PM, 10/27/08
Damm, you beat me to it tinyelvis
sgude says:
04:33 AM, 10/28/08
Louiswei, trust me -- the maintenance costs incurred by Edmunds can be halved if you use a good indy shop or mechanic or DIY. Much of the maintenance cost is in labor.
And yes, it is practical, at least for what I will use mine for. Besides going to the driving school in Spartanburg, I'm not tracking the car, so I don't need monster brakes. The wheels are already 18 or 19", so I don't need to get gargantuan rollers. The suspension is perfect as is (for me), so I don't need any of that. My plan is to just get the car, keep up on the maintenance by doing the things I can do myself and using my awesome mechanic for everything else.
1487 says:
06:05 AM, 10/28/08
I think we all got the message about the M3. Its civilized, its fast, its affordable, its perfect, etc. No need for every member of the staff to give us a pro-M3 post. I think everyone here is well versed in what this car represents and we certainly understand that IL staff loves this car. Please provide updates on some of the other vehicles.
sgude says:
07:18 AM, 10/28/08
Unlike 1487, I like seeing updates on the M3, but I admit, I am biased.
How about updating the C300? Did you guys lose that car in a parking garage or something?
karjunkie says:
07:19 AM, 10/28/08
BMWs are wonderful, but practical.........?????? hummmmm
joefrompa says:
07:48 AM, 10/28/08
roomy trunk? Wait, what car are we talking about?
banhugh says:
12:19 PM, 10/28/08
so, this M3 is practical because it can be driven to the grocecy store comfortably and also because it has a trunk to carry your groceries. Its good to know that for such challenging demands this car stood up to your high expectations of practicality!
brian60 says:
02:13 PM, 10/28/08
It IS a great all-arounder - civilized enough for a daily commuter, commodious for a Costco run (within reason), and nasty enough to make a canyon run/track day a religious experience. That being said, it really prefers to be driven like you hate it. Coddled around town, it bucks on freeways and crashes over expansion joints (hopefully coilovers with better damping with cure this in my future), and creaks and rattles are a constant accompaniment. Rev-match a third gear downshift and mash the throttle down though, and the M3 takes a race set through a decreasing radius interchange, solid like a bank vault. It's amazing how much the ride, the shifter, and the interior smooth out as the speedometer and tachometer race upward.
redwoodaggie says:
09:30 PM, 10/28/08
Keep the M3 udpates coming. Please take it to the independent shop more as that is what an out of warranty owner would likely do if those shops exist in their area (quite a few in Dallas).
redwoodaggie says:
09:32 PM, 10/28/08
I forgot to add, look for an independent shop with the GT1 computer used by the dealer. Surely high tech SoCal has them if there are multiple shops in Dallas with them.
m_thrizzle says:
12:12 PM, 10/29/08
My '01 M3 has an aftermarket Bilstein suspension and it can be a bit jarring on rough roads. I want to drive a stock M3 to see how it feels. I may want to switch back!
brian60 says:
12:38 PM, 10/29/08
m_thrizzle,
Sounds like you have the PSS9s or PSS10s. From my understanding, the stock dampers on the E46 M3 are not well suited to the car and a quality coilover kit will actually ride smoother yet handle better. This is based mostly on online research, so take it for what it's worth. That being said, your setup may not be optimal for ride quality. Here's the best resource I've found on the subject:
http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?p=2502815
roadburner says:
03:26 PM, 10/29/08
"BMWs are wonderful, but practical.........?????? hummmmm"
That's been my experience. Both my E36 3er and E83 X3 have been very reliable- and not all that expensive to run either. As for my newly acquired 1975 2002, yeah, it needs a bit of work, but after all it IS 33 years old. In contrast, my 2007 Mazdaspeed 3 has required a front strut at 25K miles and a new turbo at 26K miles. And it has only spent three days at the track. Methinks that the Mazda and the Wrangler TJ will soon be swapped for an E46 330i. And not a moment too soon.
hondacura4 says:
08:47 AM, 10/31/08
"Methinks that the Mazda and the Wrangler TJ will soon be swapped for an E46 330i. And not a moment too soon."
Perhaps a 330i ZHP (performance package) sedan? I absolutely had a blast in this car.
roadburner says:
09:10 PM, 11/ 1/08
"Perhaps a 330i ZHP (performance package) sedan? I absolutely had a blast in this car."
Great minds think alike!