I had an appointment last night up in Calabasas on the other side of the Santa Monica Mountains. I also had the M3. 1 + 1 = Weeeeee!
However, as it was rush hour, I not surprisingly got stuck behind the typical Toyota Prius or Toyota Sienna or Toyota Avalon that chugs along through Topanga Canyon at between 5 to 10 mph below the speed limit. I don't write this as a set-up to an unintended acceleration joke (though you're encouraged to make them), it's just a fact.
As such, any sort of glorious canyoning was kept to brief bursts. They were enjoyable bursts, but most of the time I was caged into a 2/10ths driving experience. Yet, like slowly savouring a sip of fine wine or a bite of molten chocolate cake, I found I could still appreciate the M3 while traveling slowly through a canyon. With Dave Matthews' Before these Crowded Streets providing a chill soundtrack, it was almost therapeutic.
With my fingers delicately holding the chunky M steering wheel at 3 and 9, I paid attention to every little nuance of the road that transferred from the tires up through the steering and into my fingers. It's like reading Braille. I could indeed "feel" the road, almost as if I was being dangled off the front of the car on a boom.
The weighting is also near about perfect. So many times automakers dial in a bunch of effort at speed so that the steering seems sporty -- especially with variable electric systems. No thanks. The M3 remains relatively light, making it all the more easy to understand what's going on at pavement level.
I realize I lack the vocabulary to truly express how good the steering is in the M3, but I walked away once again impressed with what can set BMWs apart from the pack. Unfortunately, with electric systems and BMW's new adjustable driving settings, I fear that this greatness will be lost at the hands of a tiny fuel economy improvement and the desire to be everything for everyone. Frankly, if you think the M3's steering is too NVHy for your liking, buy a Lexus. I'll gladly savour excellence.
James Riswick, Automotive Editor @ 17,930 miles
stovt001 says:
11:13 AM, 03/12/10
That's the problem with great mountain roads. There are two sets of people who drive on them: one set is comprised of the people like the Inside Line staff and readers who see them as a fun driving experience. The other group is comprised of people terrified of turns and are so freaked out by having to drive on such a road that they take it real, real slow. No surprise most of these people drive Toyotas. While I think it is a shame we let people drive who don't really know anything about driving or cars or care about it any more than it is an inconvenient thing they have to do to get there, I'm fine with people taking roads at a pace comfortable for them. The problem is, those people also don't know what a turnout is. They'll hold up faster traffic because they don't know or refuse to turn out and let faster traffic pass. When I'm dictator of America that will be a capital offense.
joefrompa says:
11:17 AM, 03/12/10
The m3 remains relatively light? Are you inane? :)
yellowmiata says:
11:31 AM, 03/12/10
Yawn. Tired of hearing BMW accolades.
bodyshopboy says:
11:55 AM, 03/12/10
@yellowmiata 1 - is it possible that it is that good? 2 - read some of the 2006 330i comments. 3 - don't click through. (sorry was that too candid?)
Wow, this is the second time that this car was mentioned as therapy for what ails yah'.
http://blogs.insideline.com/roadtests/2010/02/2009-bmw-m3-therapy.html
1487 says:
12:24 PM, 03/12/10
I think every single automotive publication and website has verified that this is the best car in the world. Once we have established that there really isn't much else to say about the M3. None of this praise is surprising since the comments pertain to the perfect car. Which gets back to the question- whats really the point of a year long test of a flawless car?
slcmitch says:
01:00 PM, 03/12/10
So yes, the Inside line editors LOVE the M3. But when they first decided to purchase an M3 for a year long test, they didn't know that it would be so universally praised. I don't think there's a need to question their judgement on getting this car for the fleet.
hispd4fun says:
01:50 PM, 03/12/10
Do you guys want to buy a 2008 BMW 535xi fully loaded except heads up display every other option is in the car less than 20k/miles and 2 sets of tires performance all season and summer performance.
you can add it to your long term fleet.
themiddleroad says:
02:52 PM, 03/12/10
That's the thing about BMW's. They feel great at 1/10th and 10/10ths.
cheslin says:
04:03 PM, 03/12/10
Silly Canadians and their extra u's.
mini2009 says:
04:58 PM, 03/12/10
@1487
"Which gets back to the question- whats really the point of a year long test of a flawless car?"
To make up for the weeks that the corvette was detonating.
bimmerjay says:
10:48 PM, 03/12/10
Dear Mr. Riswick of Canada,
As an owner of this vehicle, I cannot dispute your assessment in this review. However, please also note that the Chrysler PT Cruiser is often a slowly and/or carelessly-driven foe of the M3.
Regards,
Jay
roadburner says:
07:12 AM, 03/13/10
"However, please also note that the Chrysler PT Cruiser is often a slowly and/or carelessly-driven foe of the M3."
So is any Buick, Camry, or Chrysler minivan.
cr_driver says:
11:09 AM, 03/15/10
"None of this praise is surprising since the comments pertain to the perfect car. Which gets back to the question- whats really the point of a year long test of a flawless car?"
See posts of leather cracking.
epbrown says:
03:32 PM, 03/17/10
@1487. For one thing, what would you post about, if not to constantly comment that BMW is over-praised? ;) Think of it like you're James Spader and Insideline is Maggie Gyllenhaal, deliberately leaving a bug on the bed.