I have had my E46 M3 for about a year now. My car is equipped with the Sequential Manual Gearbox. Coming from a Subaru WRX this car is a completely different experience. Before driving the M, I had always thought that most luxury sportscars are gimmicks. While I can't speak for AMGs or Audi's S line, the M is a gives the driver a very unique driving experience. The M3 can be two very different beasts. With a redline of ~8k, being below 4k RPMs can fool one into thinking the car is soft. But once you punch the acellerater and the revs start screaming to 8k you truely feel the genius of this car. I am able to drive around town and on freeways either extremely comfortably or relatively fast, depending on my mood. Not feeling like trying to hard to go fast (somewhat ironic question, I know)? press the Sport button. This button makes the throttle response extremely sensitive and allows to build speed or take of the line quickly with ease. The SMG makes the car even more customizable, as you are able to choose between 6 shift settings. The lower the setting you choose, the slower the clutch will catch. Put the car into shift setting 6 and you'll be shifting at .08 of a second.
The M3 is a very unique car in the sense that you can choose to be either comfortable and luxurious or you can turn the car into a race car with the press of a few buttons.
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BMW 3 Series - Saloon - Rear (RWD) - 6 Speed Manual, 6 Speed Automatic - 1995 cc - Max Speed: 137 mph - 150, 170 bhp - Petrol - Available Trims: ES, SE, Sport, M Sport
BMW 3 Series - Saloon - Rear (RWD) - 6 Speed Manual, 6 Speed Automatic - 1995 cc - Max Speed: 140, 143 mph - 163, 177 bhp - Diesel - Available Trims: ES, SE, Sport, M Sport
BMW 3 Series - Saloon - Rear (RWD) - 6 Speed Manual, 6 Speed Automatic - 1995 cc - Max Speed: 130 mph - 143 bhp - Petrol - Available Trims: M Sport, Sport, SE, ES
Advantages: Fast, reliable, good handeling, comfortable, looks evil, solid build, smile factor Disadvantages: expensive to maintain and run, steering wheel is a bit big, long gear throw
reidtastic 11.07.2008 (07.07.2008)
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Review of BMW M3