2009 BMW M3: 10,000 Miles and Not Much To Report

An all-positive post about the M3? I'm guessing 1487 will be along any second now to remind us that, no matter how well liked it is, no matter how many accolades it earns, awards it's given, how well it performs in a variety of venues - everyone is wrong, the car sucks.

Next, he'll explain to the Academy why Meryl Streep is really only a so-so actress, and former MTV VJ Martha Quinn is the only real talent from the 80s.

" zoomzoom22 says:

01:41 PM, 10/ 5/09

For $70k this car is a steal when you compare it to the GTR...equally insane driving experience and, hey, it works!!!!!"

Let's not get crazy here. An M3 won't come near a GT-R performance-wise. An M3 is quick, but it's not THAT fast. I've raced one - I know.

Good to hear about how reliable it is, I am still trying to find a used '08 for my wife but they are all about 1500 miles away from us.

@stingray: +1 on the comparo. A GTR makes the M3 feel like a turtle when accelerating.

@jeepsrt: Just wait until end of year, you can get an 09 heavily discounted and with 0.9% financing (going on now - if you're into financing that is).

why does the check control try to alert you that somethings wrong then? (little triangle on the display)

I think $70,000 is stupid for anything but I am glad it seems reliable. If for no other reason that is a good reason to pick it over the GT-R....wich is stupid AND unreliable.

nomercy346,

This triangle indicates that the car is running low on gas. It's a generic sign that complements all warnings on display. If there aren't any warnings on the display it's probably the low gas level.

A four door M3 DCT sans sunroof is definitely on my list.
After my wife gets her Mini Cooper Clubman, anyways...

@stingray454 & pyo_s65

Having an e92 M3 myself and having test driven a GTR, I would agree the GTR is significantly faster. That said, I found driving the GTR disconnected and unrewarding.

Combine that numbness with what appears to be significant reliability issues (one at my dealer had even been repurchased by the dealer due to Lemoning) and there's still a strong case for the M3 IMO.

At least I would make the same choice again...next car up on the ladder for me is the Porsche GT3.

"Let's not get crazy here. An M3 won't come near a GT-R performance-wise. An M3 is quick, but it's not THAT fast. I've raced one - I know. "

Stingray,
Performance doesn't matter to me, buddy... ya, the GT-r is faster, better stats all around, but put me in either car and i'll be hollering like a little schoolgirl. The extra performance of the GT-r doesn't near make up for the important things the M3 has that it doesn't - like quality.

70k won't even buy you a GT-R anymore. Maybe a used GT-R...but then again you can get a low mileage E90 M3 in the high 40's/low 50's.

"Having an e92 M3 myself and having test driven a GTR, I would agree the GTR is significantly faster. That said, I found driving the GTR disconnected and unrewarding."

Yes, same for me, I have a 6MT E92 M3 and it's fun and very rewarding. GT-R is an amazing car but too video-game like for me.

The M3 and GT-R are not even competitors, and for those who feel $70K is too much for a car, that's your problem. The car is what it always has been -- the benchmark performance sedan. Sure it's heavier and larger each successive generation, but for people who actually like the feel of a car and not just numbers, it still pegs the needle.

The M3 is an amazing car and congrats for anyone who wants to pony up the $ for one. It is a car that can seat for folks and still pull on most cars. I would like to see what it feels like to own one and have to pay for maintenance fees. BMW was very smart to allow new buyers to avoid this for a number of years. This reduces the cost-of-ownership and makes BMWs lucrative but does it increase the lease cost and/or reduce resale value?

"I'm guessing 1487 will be along any second now to remind us that, no matter how well liked it is, no matter how many accolades it earns, awards it's given, how well it performs in a variety of venues - everyone is wrong, the car sucks."

Dont worry about what I will say. I've never said the M3 "sucks". Don't be ridiculous- strike that- its too late. The M3 is a fine car, just not the best sports sedan for the money. It makes much more sense at $55k than $70k.

I'm glad a $70k car can last 10k miles without major problems. I would hope they all can do that.

When is BMW gonna update those dated gauges?

$70k for this car is steep.

Chavis10: "When is BMW gonna update those dated gauges?"

They're no longer dated, they're classic at this point. Find an easier to read, simpler set of gauges.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

zoomzoom22:
"For $70k this car is a steal when you compare it to the GTR...equally insane driving experience and, hey, it works"
"Performance doesn't matter to me, buddy"

Your contradictions mute your comments.

Stoppre:

if the entire auto industry lived by "if aint broke..." we will be using 4 speed automatics today. Everything needs to be updated eventually. This notion that BMW can't change the gauges because its impossible to have legible and yet modern gauges is laughable. The gauges on my parent's old Chevy were also readable- doesn't mean they belong in a $70k car. No luxury automaker has cheaper looking gauges than BMW. The gauges on cadillacs and Lexus' in the 90s looked better than this.

There plenty of gauges out there that look better and are readable. Lexus, cadillac, Audi and Infiniti are good places to start. The gauges look slightly better than what's in the Sx4.

I like the gauges, but they do look a little plasticky, if that is even a word..

I don't think the gauges look bad at all. They're clean, legible and classic. I prefer such a layout any day of the week to some of the other confusing options out there.

BMW likes to keep the interior simple, and more or less uncluttered. Too much clutter just distracts from the driving experience. Look at the interior of a BMW compared to a Lexus. I find the Lexus to be WAY to cluttered and busy.

What's the point of gauges that light up and give you a 3 and a half minute laser light show when you start up the car?

@1487: "if the entire auto industry lived by "if aint broke..." we will be using 4 speed automatics today."...

No we wouldn't. That makes no sense at all. There are dozens of different categories for all sorts of different aspects of vehicles. Engine size, tow capacity, cargo volume, how many passengers, etc.
Is the 4-speed automatic broken? No. Is it still around? Yes. But can it compete in every possible application of a vehicle? No! I'm sure you'd be the first to say that a 4-speed auto and a 7-speed DCT with sporttronic quickyzipp SMG (etc, etc.) are in completely different categories.

With that being said... with the exception of increasing speeds/RPM limits, EVERY speedometer and tachometer perform the same function. In everything from a Scion Xa, to a Bugatti Veyron, the gauges do the same thing.

So I would have to say in this case, the phrase does apply. If it's not broke, don't fix it.

$70k buys you a fully loaded M3 with every option short of DCT. the cars starts at $56k...or $47k if you buy one at European Delivery invoice (which you easily can).

"With that being said... with the exception of increasing speeds/RPM limits, EVERY speedometer and tachometer perform the same function. In everything from a Scion Xa, to a Bugatti Veyron, the gauges do the same thing."

Precisely. I much prefer the gauges of my 1995 E36 over the neon light show provided by my 2007 MS3.

Doug:

You find gauges in non BMWs to be "confusuing"? Wow.

"This is not accurate at all. All professional services contracts are put on the website. Its been that way for at least 3 years. Nutter got the rules changed before he was mayor. This is basic knowledge. "

Straight up BMW propaganda. You are better than a BMW commercial script writer. How in the world does a luxurious interior "distract" from the driving experience? You think a CTS-V driver would be distracted by an interior that just happens to have more style than an M3/M5 interior? Doubt that.

"So I would have to say in this case, the phrase does apply. If it's not broke, don't fix it."

I'm not arguing about functionality. In terms of function a 328i will get you from A to B just as easily as an M3. You expect more when you pay more. My point is the gauges in the 3 series look like they belong in an entry level car, not a pricey German sports luxury car. The argument you are using is similar to what a Prius driver would say to anyone driving a V8 compact that gets 14mpg: Why do you need any more than the basics?

"$70k buys you a fully loaded M3 with every option short of DCT. the cars starts at $56k...or $47k if you buy one at European Delivery invoice (which you easily can)."

Sounds good except the $56k M3 is missing some basic features that people expect on such an expensive car. How many "base" model M3s do you really think are sitting around at BMW dealers? Its like Toyota advertising a "base" camry with a stick when they know 99% of buyers will pay $1000 for the auto.

One other thing; why can't they use gauges that don't have to display km/hr numbers crammed next to the mph numbers? There are cars costing 1/3 of this amount that can switch between the two systems.

As usual, 1487, reading comprehension fail in an attempt to sound intelligent/witty.

I said: "I prefer such a layout any day of the week to some of the other confusing options out there."

1487 said: "You find gauges in non BMWs to be "confusuing"? Wow. "

So, to clarify: I made the comment that there are SOME non-BMW gauges that are confusing....

1487 - apparently, the only thing confusing to you is reading comprehension. If you're going to go for a burn, at least ensure it makes sense.

:)

I don't spend a whole lot of time in other threads, but I do have to say, the BMW M3 thread is definitely entertaining! haha

I hope BMW never changes the gauges. They are some of the best out there.

@1487

Dude... you're missing the point!

"The argument you are using is similar to what a Prius driver would say to anyone driving a V8 compact that gets 14mpg: Why do you need any more than the basics?"

Again, they are in completely different categories! Does a Prius have the responsiveness or the handling, or speed, or technology that an M3 has? No.

On another note... I'm not usually one to put people down in forums and what not, but dougtheeng is right. Your comprehension does suck. I didn't say that BMW's lack luxury, or that Lexus is full of all luxury and style. Cluttered does NOT equal luxury and style. Nor does uncluttered equal lack of luxury or style.

Once again, back to the topic... what kind of functionality would you expect in an speedometer/tachometer duo from a luxury car that you wouldn't expect in an entry level car?

Before you answer... 3 and a half minute laser-light shows that induce epileptic seizures don't count as functionality, feature, style, or luxury. I would file that in the annoying/irritating/clutter box.

"They're no longer dated, they're classic at this point. Find an easier to read, simpler set of gauges."

Exactly! Simple well executed gauges are rare these days as they tend to be so blinged out. Props to BMW for keeping it simple.

"So, to clarify: I made the comment that there are SOME non-BMW gauges that are confusing....

1487 - apparently, the only thing confusing to you is reading comprehension. If you're going to go for a burn, at least ensure it makes sense. "

My point is the same. What "confusing" gauges are out there in competing cars. You didn't name ONE example. My comprehension is fine. I don't think you actually have any particular gauges in mind that are problematic. You are just engaging in knee jerk BMW defense like so many others. BMW is good at many things, but its not the best at everything. This is fact. Do you find Infiniti, Cadillac or Audi gauges confusing? Its a simple question.

"Exactly! Simple well executed gauges are rare these days as they tend to be so blinged out. Props to BMW for keeping it simple."

Gauges that look like they belong in something other than a compact are "blinged out"? No, I would say they look sophisticated.

"Your comprehension does suck. I didn't say that BMW's lack luxury, or that Lexus is full of all luxury and style. Cluttered does NOT equal luxury and style. Nor does uncluttered equal lack of luxury or style."

You are expanding my orignal premise by adding "facts" that I never claimed to be true. I said nothing about "clutter"- you did. I said that other luxury automakers have gauges with a more sophisticated look. That look comes from LED backlighting, fonts, overall gauges design, etc. BMWs gauges are relics from the 80s or 90s. Period. I have named SPECIFIC automakers that do superior looking gauge clusters and you and doug continue to talk in vague terms about unnamed "confusing" and "cluttered" gauges. I am talking about Audi, Infiniti, Lexus and Cadillac. All have gauges that look high tech and yet are very legible and appropriate for a sporty car. BTW, I am the one that said BMW's gauges are too simplistic and unworthy of being in a luxury vehicle. I never suggested that was YOUR idea.

"Before you answer... 3 and a half minute laser-light shows that induce epileptic seizures don't count as functionality, feature, style, or luxury. I would file that in the annoying/irritating/clutter box."

Spoken like a true die hard BMW fanboy. In other words everything that BMW doesn't do is wrong and ill advised. I find it funny that you are claiming BMWs gauges are simple because thats all that is required for performance driving as if heated seats, power tilt steering wheels, memory seatts, idrive, push button start, etc. are essential to performance. Luxury vehicles are all about EXTRAS, not the bare basics needed to get from A to B.

Actually, you made reference to a CTS-V interior having more style than an M3. Maybe so, maybe not. That's not what this is about.
Then I made reference to a Lexus (specifically) having a cluttered interior. Luxurious, maybe, but cluttered. With very limited to no extra functionality at all, compared to a BMW.

And don't refer to me as a die hard BMW fanboy. I like BMWs. I like other cars.

Once again, back to the ORIGINAL point. These extras your talking about, iDrive, Heated Seats, Power Tilt Steering wheels, push button start, etc. ALL add additional functionality!! So... once again... what additional functionality do these laser light shows and LED backlighting, and these fancy fonts add to the gauges? None.

I'm not the one saying that BMW gauges are perfect and that the rest are crap. Like I said, I like other cars. When it comes time to purchase a new car, it gauges won't be a deal-breaker for me. It will be all those *functional* extras that you talk about. If you decide to buy a crappy car just because the gauges have LED backlighting and sing and dance for you when you start the car, that's your choice.

" zoomzoom22 says:

05:59 PM, 10/ 5/09

Stingray,
Performance doesn't matter to me, buddy..."

zoomzoom - you LIE. I know you lie, because if performance didn't matter to you, you wouldn't even be LOOKING at the M3 thread here - you would be browsing the Consumer Reports website looking for Toyota Corollas.

Who do you think your kidding? Maybe you're in denial and think your kidding yourself...

"Taste is not a matter of dispute" Thomas Aquinas

So arguing the merits of whether these gauges are "classic" is silly. I, too, dislike BMW's gauges and much of the center console interface. I think wood looks old and chintzy as it ages, regardless the maker of the vehicle.

"I don't think you actually have any particular gauges in mind that are problematic. You are just engaging in knee jerk BMW defense like so many others."

Just because I happen to like the BMW gauges doesn't mean I'm knee-jerking to defense of BMW. Despite the fact that you refuse to acknowledge it, I'm not a BMW fanboy - though in your mind, I suppose anyone who ever contradicts you is one.

As for confusing gauges, the first one that pops to mind is the previous generation Lexus IS:

http://hefel.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/71753710_8ab4a7622c.jpg

That is a confusing gauge, though the new Lexus ones are a better.

Another example:
http://image.motortrend.com/f/15834587+w750/112_0904_05z+2009_mercedes_benz_c300+gauges.jpg

I've never current C-class gauges. I know there isn't a lot of data shown right away, but the layout makes it more difficult then necessary to read.

When I call a gauge confusing, I'm referring to both the clarity of the information and the quantity of information. Most luxury gauge makers these days have incorporated a little LCD that can cycle through any information the driver may require but does not need right at hand. However, in the effort to style, the color selections and material selections can prove irritating to me, as is the case with the C Class. Again, this is just my opinion. I can list a few more if you like, as I'm sure you'll call my examples obscure and what not. The point is that I had something in mind, and as usual you're just attacking personally for a rise. Grow up or go away 1487.