Three Things I Love About the 2002 BMW M3

Gauges look fine to me; functional and spartan. Nothing like the retarded spaceship dashes that will look incredibly dated in a couple of years.

Btw... the redline is actually 8000 rpm (max power comes at 7,900)... the 7,500-8,000 indicator is just the last warning indicator. I never get mine past 4,000 until the temp's where it is in the pic. But you're right about the character... past 5,500 it just becomes a whole other animal. Never get tired of making the S54 sing.

"Boy, those guages look dated..."

No worse then the new Accord gauges. As I've said before wrt BMW gauges, there is something to be said for simple efficiency.

That picture makes the gauges look much worse than they actually do. Also, the oil temp gauge is actually functional! It doesn't just jump to a pre-determined middle position. It will fluctuate up and down based on driving conditions.

I am not a fan of the current trend where gauges are placed in the bottom of tubes, precluding any spying passengers from viewing them.

Phil, that is not a dome light cover that broke off from the roof. It is a motion sensor cover for the optional alarm.

The gauges are simple and thereby efficient at communicating important information, in the Germanic tradition. While the latest crop of Japanese gauging can be more visually exciting, I agree with 1015 that they will not age well and theorize that they actually don't convey information to the driver as quickly (because they are distracting). And this attempt at low light photography does little to convey the aesthetics of the gauges - tripod next time!

And the fat steering wheel is an absolute delight. It immediately tells the driver that this car has the capability if the driver has the skills. Be forewarned that it sours the tillers of lesser cars should you find yourself driving one.

The variable redline is cool, but a bit gimmicky. I mean does anyone rev their ice cold engines to 6,500 RPM?

"While the latest crop of Japanese gauging can be more visually exciting, I agree with 1015 that they will not age well"

Really?

Simplicity doesn't have to mean being outdated. For example the newest 3-series, including the M3 doesn't even the the self-illuminating gauges like most the japaneses have been using since the early '00.

Following is a great example of being simple doesn't have to be outdated and new technology doesn't necessarily mean flashy.

http://www.cartype.com/pics/3962/full/lexus_is350_in4.jpg

I'd agree there, Stingray. It's a "neat" feature, but it generally ticks down (up?) to 7,500 long before I'm comfortable getting into its upper ranges. On a hot day, it'll start out at 5,500+, but until the temp closes in on 210f, I'm not getting anywhere near that, particularly in an engine as lubrication-sensitive as the S54.

Another shot of the entire cluster, with everything "lit up" (this one is in its test cycle):
http://skene.org/M3/images/instrument_test.jpg

I'm not clear on how the Lexus gauges are less "outdated" looking than the M3. Blue/white light?

"I'm not clear on how the Lexus gauges are less "outdated" looking than the M3. Blue/white light?"

Self-illuminating gauges maybe?

I dunno...

So that's not backlit in any way? Great, it has Indiglo. Doesn't make it look modern. Just mho.

"Another shot of the entire cluster, with everything "lit up" (this one is in its test cycle):
http://skene.org/M3/images/instrument_test.jpg"

I love the check gas cap light.

>

Strongly disagree with the example. The design is way too busy.

"Another shot of the entire cluster, with everything "lit up" (this one is in its test cycle):
http://skene.org/M3/images/instrument_test.jpg"

I love the check gas cap light.

i love repeating posts. Edit button FTW.

"So that's not backlit in any way? Great, it has Indiglo. Doesn't make it look modern. Just mho."

Actually it's the other way around, the self-illuminating gauges are backlit all the time, which makes them extremely easy to read anytime of the day.

Daytime pictures:

Non-self-illuminating gauges:
http://www.familycar.com/RoadTests/BMW-330/Images2006/Cluster.jpg

Self-illuminating gauges:
http://www.familycar.com/RoadTests/LexusIS/Images/Cluster.jpg

http://www.familycar.com/RoadTests/InfinitiG35/Images2007/Cluster.jpg

The difference is very obvious to me.

Much better examples. I'll definitely concede now; that looks very nice. Don't think it looks more 'modern' per se (or that it dates the E46), but it is very sharp. BMW should consider it for sure.

Gauge clusters aside, I don't think any Lexus/Infiniti is going to hold up as well from this angle, imho... ;)

http://tenfifteen.net/photos/m3/m3-02.jpg
(^^ Yours truly's)

tenfifteen, that's a great M3 you got there.

Well, this is not exactly the same angle but I think I got a case here...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/louiswei/2730126156/sizes/o/

; )

Thanks... LOVE those. Soooo much better than the IS-F in my opinion. And the 'old' IS has aged very well, actually... so you may have a point.

louiswei and tenfifteen,

you both have awesome cars. also, fantastic pictures. did you take them yourself? they both look professional.

Carfreak, that specific picture was taken by a friend of mine who is a photoshooting enthusiast.

I never liked BMW's orange gauge lighting but I love the E46 M3's gauges in daytime.

Also, I'm a little put off by how you guys keep talking about a 6 year old car with 65,000 miles on it like it's ancient and somehow amazing that it still runs. That's low miles on a car that's a few years younger than the average car on US roads. I mean, are you guys really that out of touch?

As an owner of a 08 M3 sedan, I am not so patiently awaiting to get your impressions as a long term test. HURRY UP!! Also if you don't like orange gauges, you are in luck. The gauges on the new M3 are white.

Orange is the best color for visibility and distinguishing things. Look it up.

Carfreak: Thanks... yes, I took the photo of my car. Rest of my stuff is at the root of the site.

"I mean, are you guys really that out of touch?"

A lot of people who only own cars two or three years (until the warranty expires) don't really know how reliable cars can be. They either want the newest, stylish car on the block, or are afraid that the car will fall apart ten minutes after the warranty expires.

I think the Edmunds staffers are impressed that a "commuter super car" still is a fire-breathing beast even after being babied/thrashed as such a car of this type would be.

The long-term test of this car is right up my alley, and reconfirms my decision to acquire an E46 M3. Thanks to the test, I know to find a good indy shop or mechanic instead of using the dealer and to not waste my money on big brakes that will only be worth it if I track the car...

The illumination is not orange, it's amber.

sgude, if you don't track the car, don't bother. It's certainly livable as a 'street car,' but the beauty of the M3 is its ability to be both a DD and a track-day star. Mine sits on a TC Kline S/A coilover suspension, but everything else is essentially stock (I do swap pads for track days). You really don't need a BBK unless you're really, really good... the stock brakes will serve you just fine with the right pads. Recommend you talk to Dave Zeckhausen (of Zeckhausen Racing) for advice on this front.

Good luck in your search. It's a great time to be buying an E46. Plenty of great cars out there for not a lot of dough.

Lexus introduced everyone to electroluminescent gauges when the first LS400 debuted. They were great and never had reliability problems (as to be expected from Lexus). But even the best designs tend to wash out in direct sunlight. Say what you will about BMW choosing that dated design but it works well in all lighting conditions. Never washes out in daylight and is illuminated perfectly at night in a red glow.

I think that the previous gen Accord had a great looking instrument panel but it too washed out in direct sunlight. The current gen seems to have taken a step back but it doesn't have the washout problem and they still look great at night.

Bimmerjay is correct on the amber lighting. The eye has a much easier time adjusting to dim light after glancing down at the amber lighting than the harsh white/blue electroluminescent gauges found on most Japanese cars. Sure, I'll admit they look cool, but I'm glad BMW didn't compromise visibility for a fad.

The lighting is excellent at night time in my 02' as well and there is a cast of amber light that drops down and illuminates the console above the shifter from near the rearview mirror.

It's probably amber too since it's proven use in the military which is easier on the eyes.

The array also looks similiar from it's heritage in the E30 M3 where in my 91' you had to pay attention to the oil gauge before bringing the engine up to high revs as it was stated in the M3 supplement for the S14 motor which ran 20W50.

Tom