2009 BMW M3: The Clouds Parted

At least you get the pleasure of having the M3 to choose from.

I guess my story of automotive "fun factor" awareness came when I drove my Miata for the first time. Lord knows it's no M3 but it sure is a heck of a lot of fun. Makes any other car I drive seem ponderous and tipsy.

I am relatively blessed to own an RSX 5-spd as an 18 year old, and I do appreciate how great it is. I can drive very good cars and still love to get back in my car. I can drive a 350Z and complain about the steering feel and blockishness of that hunky motor. Yes, yes I know the Z is so much faster. Of course I am not fully satisfied with my RSX. FWD and no torque. I need an M3. An e46 M3. I crave one every day I'm alive. I tell myself that if I can get one, I will be satisfied with it, and I won't have to mod it. I wonder if that's actually true. I hope I find out someday... soon...Now!

I'm betting you didn't let that one hot college girlfriend get away any more than you chose to return to the Mazda. The giveaway is the word "one".

Ah well... I'll bet the college girl is still as hot as the 2002 M3. But similarly problematic and expensive.

It does give me a warm feeling to know that BMW can make it's premium product better to drive then an economy car that costs less then 1/4 as much.

ddoouugg: I have 5+ friends with E46 M3s, all with various mods, and they still complain about the lack of torque in their cars. M3s are fun because you can rev the sh!t out of them, but if you're looking for torque. you're barking up the wrong tree.

The M3 isn't pretty. It's like that red headed chick from Grounded for Life: Inoffensive, some gracious lines, but not sexy. It's really the only kink in the M3's otherwise glimmering armor.

Other than that, it's a brilliant sporting machine I would love to own given the means.

I think everyone should own the car that Scott described here, except I'll add that it should be classic. I don't know if the M3 is classic, but certain cars definitely are. Modern 911s and Boxsters are still classics, for examples.

It's just one of those things in life that provides a weird satisfaction and appreciation. That will put a smile on your face on the worst day of your life.

I'm not saying you should bankrupt yourself for it. Heck, lots of 35-45 year old guys are picking up old ~1988 BMW 325is (e30) for this feeling, and that car costs around $4k nowadays.

Just that it's worth it to own a machine that speaks to your soul.

Joe

I'm not given to sentimentality, but I had to respond to this blog entry.

My dog is a white bull terrier with black patches around each eye. She's a real goofball, with lots of personality. She's also built like a brick s*** house and is as strong as an ox and just as healthy and robust. Small, but dense.

It was only a few weeks ago that I realized my car is the automotive equivalent of my dog: a white BMW 135i. Similarly powerful, debatable looks, but very solid and very fun. But neither my 135i or my dog will be around forever. I'm just going to enjoy every minute with them while I can.

There's a cardiac surgeon at work who drives a brand new M3. Yesterday in the parking lot, I swear to God I caught him smiling while he was sitting in the driver's seat, waiting for it to warm up. That guy never effing smiles. NEVER.

for $67k its good to know the M3 is much better than a mazda3. I would suggest that every single $70k car on the market is far better than the mazda3.

I agree with the comments relating to the M3 being "pretty". I would say to most people it barely stands out as anything but one of the dozens of 3 series one sees in the average week. I find the M3s styling to be too tame. Those wheels are forgettable as well which is crazy considering BMW is known for great wheels.

I guess it must be because I'm an enthusiast, but I think the M3s are quite obviously different from the non-M 3-series vehicles. I also think its great looking. I wouldn't ever want to drive a pretty car. The M3 is aggressive and masculine, as it should be.

@ roscoe:

and the 135 is a pretty good dog hauler. both my big labs fit in the back with no problem. they also like how the sunroof is just right there!

I drove just a 328, so I can imagine how an M3 is the perfect blend of handling prowess and power. Some cars, like the G37, are powerful but boring. Some cars, like most Mazdas I own/drove, are fun but darn anemic. Everyday I wish my Mazda ((which is ultimately more fun because you can never reach half of the G37's power on public roads) would somehow merge into my G37. I guess I could have just gotten an M3. ;) LOL

1487 - You managed to be negative for the sake of being negative, while missing the whole point. Well done.

joefrompa,
I agree with your comment regarding classics. That's why I'm thinking very hard about buying my friend's E30 M3. It's certainly not fast by today's standards, but It's simply a magnificent driving experience every time you get behind the wheel. One of my fondest memories is the day I spent lapping Sears Point(Infineon) in an E30 M3. Sheer heaven.

DLu, just out of curiosity, cause I'm interested in the G... why do you call it boring (and which version do you have)?

i still have the pictures of a pristine e36 m3 that i let get away years back.

i also have pictures of the hot college girlfriend i let get away years back.

this blog posting spoke to me!

"1487 - You managed to be negative for the sake of being negative, while missing the whole point. Well done."

No kidding.....I liked what the poster said....he was not trying to say anything but how much he liked the M3. I also liked the other blog where the eds talk about their personal cars. I get into my old car every day and it does not bother me....but if I drove brand new cars every day for my job then got in mine then that would be really difficult!

"1487 - You managed to be negative for the sake of being negative, while missing the whole point. Well done."

Dont yet your point. No surprise there.

How is saying a $67k car is better than $20k car "negative"? Its a simple fact, nothing negative about it. Anyone driving a 3 or any other car in that price range would much rather be driving an expensive luxury sports sedan with a V8 if they could afford to do so.

As for the styling, it looks like a mundane 3 series with gray wheels. For better or worse. Not unattractive, but not distinctive. I'm sure it would get some looks in Iowa, not here.

@slhtonz:

I had a 2007 G35 Sport Sedan (2nd Generation) with 6MT. It's a great car if you do a lot of highway driving. Plenty fast. Comfortable. Nice amenities. But if most of your commute is stop and go driving around town, you won't like it.

Which is why I switched to the 135. Made all the difference...

@ slhtonz,

I have the '09 G37x sedan. It seems clear from what I read that the Sport package (assuming you are interested in the sedan) sharpens things up nicely (but the regular suspension already makes the ride a bit on the too-busy side for me. The gobs and gobs of power reeled me in though... hehe. so I have no regrets!).

Don't get me wrong, it handles nicely. However, driven at legal speeds, it feels like it only lets you feel stable and in control, nothing more. BMWs and, IMHO many Mazdas, give you that extra bit of telepathy and eagerness that makes driving much more enjoyable.

I recommend that you allow yourself a nice long day of test driving a few cars back-to-back. I dare say you'll see a big difference and should make a pretty easy decision.

For me, the 3-series was wayyyyyy more fun; the CTS was a reasonable blend of ride and handling qualities; both were too expensive though (I wanted Xenons and keyless access, which came in 2 different packages for the CTS and brought the price into 5-series territory, which was ridiculous). The A4 was out of the question because of the coarse-sounding engine, and my wife hated the headrests.

p.s., i'm sure you've seen it but Insideline had the '07 G35 w/ Sport package in their LT fleet; gives you the professionals' perspective. :)

joe,

i think some people need things explained to them at a third-grade level so they can get the point. but i appreciate the OP not doing so, as it would be tedious.

personally, i think you were too generous with him saying "well done". the sarcastic and negative point he made was a point already conceded by the OP. thus making his point superfluous. and redundancy is something that is never well done, except in matters of security and safety...

but then i'm sure you were being sarcastic, too.

I bet if we all say CTS-V is the greatest creation of humanity while M3 is the worst POS ever, 1487 will still find something negative to say about the latter :)

What's with all the g37 hate? My g37s is a fine handler and is just about as good as the 3-series at everything.

"I have 5+ friends with E46 M3s, all with various mods, and they still complain about the lack of torque in their cars. M3s are fun because you can rev the sh!t out of them, but if you're looking for torque. you're barking up the wrong tree."

I'm unsure as to why people expect a high revving short stroke engine design to produce an abundant serving of low end torque. Given the torque numbers for the E46 (262ftlbs) which peaks fairly early for a high revving application, I think the engine output is pretty damn impressive even compared to more modern 6 cyls that are larger in displacement. Also keep in mind the actual torque curve is pretty flat. If you want abundant low end torque buy a diesel.

Man, I really hate it when the editors tell us how enjoyable a car is to drive.

I better think of something negative and sarcastic to post to show everybody how witty and contrary i can be.

Please, more posts about sunroof gaps and bad steering wheels! How dare you write about the joy of driving a good car?

@ majin_ssj_eric,

I bought a G37 (maybe my problem is getting the AWD sedan??), so I don't hate it. :) It is capable as heck, does its job well and it's the best bang for the buck I can see in this market (people complain about its "expensive" packages, but mine has the "Premium" package and I got it for only $34k). And the rev-matched downshifting is great to boot. Like i said, I have no regrets, but sometimes greed gets the best of me and I start wishing for this-and-that. ;)

1487 said - "Dont yet[sic] your point. No surprise there. "

I know. It's sad. And it wasn't my point, it was the point of the whole original post. And you reinforced that you were still missing it. What was the most fun/enjoyable car you've ever driven? What do you yearn for or yearn to just drive on occasion?

s197gt - It is what it is.

Roadburner - Never driven an e30 m3. They are super rare and ridiculously pricey for a clean example, so it's not like I could hop in one. I understand what you are saying (to a point, without having driven one). My dad's 99 boxster is similarly powered and weighted, and feels a bit lethargic from low rpms. It's certainly not a "strong" car in terms of pull. But (and this is with a new set of bilsteins and michelin pilot sports) the ride, steering, braking, aural experience, and how it takes turns is simply sublime. And the way that flat six builds power is intoxicating if you are willing to take it to 6k. I may own that car one day (passed father to son) and I look forward to taking the intake muffler out of the inlet behind the driver's head, and really unleashing that beast's full potential. I may go nuts and take it in a lightweight direction.... :)

Joe

joefrompa;

I love Boxsters, but I can't use them at most of the HPDEs I attend. I have several friends who have them and they all love them. As for the E30 M3, the one I'm looking at will likely be priced around $18K-20K, but it only has 54K miles on it and my friend is installing either a Dinan or TC Kline suspension before it's sold.

Roadburner - One of my secret, sick little dreams is to take the boxster (which currently has a removable hard-top with it) and remove it's spare tire and the entire convertible apparatus and motor. Strip some additional weight off of it in a number of ways and get it down ~200 pounds.

And then when the stock engine starts to give me problems (which it will at some point), drop in a solidly tuned Subaru WRX STi engine. :)

Don't yet have adapters fabbed up for that time of engine swap.....but the rest is doable :)

This post captures the essence of the experience of a high-level performance car. It is better than a normal car. It makes you feel differently than you feel when you drive your own plebian car. My 325i feels special; it has sport package and manual tranny, which were musts, and the car's handling and response is great. I love it, but the E46 M3 I test drove felt so much more alive, so much more telepathic, and so much more engaging that my 325 felt dog-slow, reluctant and numb. It took me driving a Chrysler Concorde for me to get the feel for my car back.
The difference is remarkable. It must be even more of a difference between the V8 M3 and the E9x 3-series.

Speaking of M3s and Mazdas, I've driven every generation of the M3 and-as many of you know-I own an MS3. The only M3 I don't prefer to my MS3 is the North American E36. Its lack of a true M engine makes it an easy call for me.

"I love it, but the E46 M3 I test drove felt so much more alive, so much more telepathic, and so much more engaging that my 325 felt dog-slow, reluctant and numb. It took me driving a Chrysler Concorde for me to get the feel for my car back. "

Try an E46 330i ZHP. It's reasonably quick and is the nearest thing you can get to a four door E46 M3.

Roadburner, I like the ZHP, but I don't need the four doors (the 325 fits that bill). The M3 is going to be a weekend/holiday pleasure vehicle. The 325 will keep me grounded.
I'm trying to stay out of the E9x M3, because I fear when I drive one, I'll be lusting after it too.

@sgude, would it make economic "sense" to get the single M3 you want for everyday use, rather than pay for insurance, depreciation, repairs and 2 vehicles? I have been trying to balance that question myself. I really love my G35, but am also drawn to a real sports car with lightness and better steering feel, like a Miata. However, I'm aware that a second car may get me thinking about a third!

Joe:

I got the point. My point is that all that matters is how the m3 stacks up vs the competition. Every 70k sports sedan is going to be more compelling to drive than the 3. The thrills delivered by this car are expected in this price range. I'm still trying to figure out which pricey v8 powered car in this class actually represents a downgrade vs a Mazda3. The live for the m3 is so strong among the faithful that you people take a simple statement of fact as an attack on the car. Nothing I said could be called negative by any rational person.

Zcalvert:

a post about how the m3 drives is as useful as a post telling us a Lexus is quiet. So contrary to what you said posts about features, build quality, mileage, etc are actually more infomative in z long term tests. Anyone ego is still wondering how the m3 drives must not read industry mags and websites. The whole point of these tests us to evaluate reliability and tell us stuff we wouldn't learn from a road test article.

E90:

I see you are a typical thin skinned BMW lover. I never even said anything remotely bad about your fave car and you are still quick with sone snappy retort related to cts-v. I wasn't talking about the v and I'm not sure why you are talking about it. A post like this simply illustrates why a long term m3 test is pointless. Not that I expect such tests to cease as long as BMW is giving away cars.

1487 -

I'm not going to bother trying to convince you of anything; I think most people here have realized by now that you don't exactly play well by others.

I just feel badly for you that you don't understand by now why so many people get annoyed with your comments.

I think it's fair to say you're the only one here who would have such a problem with a harmless/positive post. Congratulations, I guess.

sgude,

Understood. I haven't taken theE46 M3 off my short list either. I've driven the E9X M3 and if I got one I think I'd get a DCT sedan. Not optimum for the track, but I could use it if I had to. That said, I actually think that I prefer the E46 M3 to the E9X. It just feels more lively and tossable- to me, anyway.The other car I'm still considering is an M Sport 135i, but I'd have to stick a limited slip diff in it right off the bat. I miss the days when you could order an LSD in any Bimmer-such as my Club Sport-for just $500...

1487 says:

E90: I see you are a typical thin skinned BMW lover.

Pathos says:

1487: I see you are a typical bigot.

"I think it's fair to say you're the only one here who would have such a problem with a harmless/positive post. Congratulations, I guess."

No problem with the post. Just wondering what the point is considering all we know about the M3. Thats my question about most of the posts on this car. They dont tell you anything you didn't know from the day the car was first reviewed. IS there really anyone out there who questions how the car feels and handles at this stage? Doubt it.

"1487: I see you are a typical bigot."

You just confirmed my point. You need to get a thicker skin and stop being so reactive when you think someone is questioning the valour of the car you love so much.

Jederino, I think about that too, but I also believe I am going to keep the E46 M3 until I die -- and then if my son tries to sell it or mod it in a way I wouldn't like, I will come back and haunt him! It is going to be more expensive to have two vehicles, and especially Bimmers with their idiosyncracies, but if I don't do it that way I will regret it every day. I'll be done paying for the 325 shortly and the M3 will be a cash proposition, so payments won't be an issue. I'll just put some of that payment money into a money market account for maintenance and repair.

Roadburner, I spoke to the owner of an E9x M3 and he said he preferred his E9x for daily driving and his E46 M3 for track and weekend duty. I asked which was his favorite, and he laughed and said, "Both."

"You need to get a thicker skin and stop being so reactive when you think someone is questioning the valour of the car you love so much."

Look in the mirror 1487 and repeat what you just said over and over. If you cannot see the irony in that statement then you are the one who is not "sane" You are unbelievable!

sgude,

I also like the E39 M5. It's actually very close to the E9X M3 with regards to weight. The E39 is just a terrific platform, and the ///M transformation raises the car to an even higher level.

@zcalvert,

"Man, I really hate it when the editors tell us how enjoyable a car is to drive."

Haha, if you replaced "M3" in the post with "CTS-V", I'm pretty certain that certain posters would sing a completely different tune in this thread. Besides that, some people just can't stand a winner.

"Roadburner, I spoke to the owner of an E9x M3 and he said he preferred his E9x for daily driving and his E46 M3 for track and weekend duty. I asked which was his favorite, and he laughed and said, "Both.""

I'd be inclined to agree. The E9x M3 is certainly track-worthy but I'd feel bad running the snot out of it. One of these days I want to lightly mod an E46 M3 6MT (Competition, maybe?) for track duty and keep the E92 one as the DD.

"1487: I see you are a typical bigot."
You just confirmed my point. You need to get a thicker skin and stop being so reactive when you think someone is questioning the valour of the car you love so much.

It's satire.
You've just confirmed you're a moron.

"Look in the mirror 1487 and repeat what you just said over and over. If you cannot see the irony in that statement then you are the one who is not "sane" You are unbelievable!"

Your inability to figure out certain basic contradictions in your statements is unbelievable to me. I react to erroneous or blatantly ignorant statements about certain products. The reactions of E39M and several others makes no sense becasue I never said anything negative about the M3. There is no comparison. If you can explain to me what "criticism" of the car these folks are reacting to I will give you a gold star for the day.

"Haha, if you replaced "M3" in the post with "CTS-V", I'm pretty certain that certain posters would sing a completely different tune in this thread. Besides that, some people just can't stand a winner."

Not really beamerJ. For any fast sports sedan posts about how fun to drive the car is during a LT test are superfluous. I don't want to read 30 posts about a CTS-V being fast either. tell us something we don't know- thats the point of these tests. There is a difference between an informative LT post and a post that basically acts as a means to gloat about working for IL and driving free cars for a living. Apparently you prefer the latter- not me.

If you think the post is superfluous, why are you reading it and commenting on it? I know you have a victim-hood complex, but jeez...

Oh, right; because you're our resident expert on all things automotive... sent from the heavens to spread your unarguably correct opinions to the rest of us idiots who dare to read this blog because we (gasp!) enjoy cars.

How could we ever go on living without your deeply-valued contributions here? I realize now that we should all actually be thanking you for so deeply enriching our lives.