Awhile back I wrote that the M3's electronic gadgetry was overkill. Too much of a good thing was my general sentiment. It was already more than capable as is, why add a bunch of buttons that make it feel all tensed up and nervous?
On a long to the Ojai valley about 90 miles north of L.A. (that's one of the town's landmark arches in the picture, look closely and you'll see it was built way back in 1999) I gave the M3's "M" button another shot. It more or less coordinates all the possible means of electronic changes like the throttle control, dampers and stability control. You can set it up any way you want, but one of our resident track jockeys had already dialed in a nice setup, so I just pressed it and went.
Just as I had remembered, the car feels like it's wound too tight all of a sudden. The throttle gets twitchy and the suspension turns stiff. On the highway it's not terrible, just slightly annoying. Once I got used to it, however, I could see the appeal. The car feels like one of those dogs pulling its owner down the sidewalk, it just wants to go.
Once I turned off onto some more interesting roads, I let it loose and the M3 felt just about perfect. If anything, it's a bit too capable, willing to go a little faster than is safe on public roads. That edginess that makes it a little too jumpy around town turns into a directness in corners that quite satisfying. Not required by any means, but a definite step up. After arriving at my destination I could see why the "M" button gets to be addictive to some. I'm guessing it's the roads it entices you to drive as much as it is the added performance. Either way, I'll admit to wanting one now.
Ed Hellwig, Senior Editor, Inside Line @ 16,495 miles
jederino says:
03:40 PM, 02/ 8/10
Oh, yes, me wants that button! After dialing in adjustable shocks, I like noticing the changes in handling and performance.
felonious says:
04:11 PM, 02/ 8/10
Please tell me you took it up highway 33! That's one of my favorite roads in the world.
cr_driver says:
06:08 PM, 02/ 8/10
M3=LOVE.
desmolicious says:
06:28 PM, 02/ 8/10
What time was that, 7am on a Sunday? I've never been to Ojai and seen it deserted like that.
bimmerjay says:
08:12 PM, 02/ 8/10
And therein lies the beauty of the M button... responsive everything when you want it, and a more relaxed demeanor when you don't. I swear in Comfort this thing with 19's and non-RFTs rides better than my 335i ZSP with 18's and RFTs.
lowmilelude says:
05:17 AM, 02/ 9/10
desmolicious-
The M-button is a magical device.
bkochuk says:
08:43 AM, 02/ 9/10
Forget the car. I need an M button for the rest of my life...
joefrompa says:
09:40 AM, 02/ 9/10
My 1988 thunderbird turbo coupe had a toggle marked "Standard" or "Sport". Connected to electronic dampers.
Pfft. The M has nothing that Ford wasn't kicking-ass at back 2 decades ago....
:)
Hehehe....honestly, I'd consider the M-button gimmicky except for 2 things:
1. It controls dampers
2. It's adjustable for everything
And those two things make it cool.
Much like a set of Koni dampers...
Joe
e90_canadian says:
01:24 PM, 02/ 9/10
I would like to know if anybody has tried the M3's Launch Control function (on a long stretch of desert road, of course). I've had the car for 4 months now, had to suffer through break-in until December and right now in Canada I'm afraid to try it in sub-zero temperatures even though I slapped on Pirelli Sottozero II's. Is it the same as just flooring the throttle while in automatic mode?
joefrompa says:
04:13 PM, 02/ 9/10
e90 - Perfect time to try launch control. Do it on snow. The easier the tires spin, the less stress on the drivetrain. That's why AWD launches are so hard on those drivetrains....far more pressure builds before the tires spin (relieving the pressure).
Joe
DLu says:
05:06 PM, 02/ 9/10
"willing to go a little faster than is safe on public roads"
I am nitpicking here, but it doesn't take an M3 to go a "little faster than is safe on public roads." ;)
that's the problem with cars like the M3 for most owners. it's born to run at speeds many times faster than legal or safe on public roads. too bad.
911cs2 says:
06:31 PM, 02/11/10
I love my M's button: instantaneous response.
themiddleroad says:
11:26 PM, 02/14/10
Is the electronic suspension worth it, though? Lots of money for how much gain?