[GammaZeta]

I missed our monthly cars and coffee today, and as a result, I was browsing the internet for something that has been on the back of my mind for a good couple of months, testing out an M3 to determine if I should buy one and sell my Z4M.

So, one literally just popped up less than 1/2 mile from my house. 08, manual, 4-door with 67,000 miles on it.

Initial Impressions: This particular car was a little beat. My wife commented that it looks like her 1-series. But of course, the M3 isn't supposed to be attention grabbing like a Lambo or anything.

Interior: Pretty nice. Seating position was a little too upright for my liking. Loved the seats. Loved the navigation. Steering wheel was, eh (my Z4M is amazing by comparison, so that's probably why I was underwhelmed).

Driving: Drove nice. Turned very well. Firm, but not too firm. Easily controllable and didn't FEEL like a 4-door sedan. Very nice feeling.

Speed: This is where it gets tricky. This thing is FAST. But not the fast I'm used to with the S54 engine. It's absolutely faster than my Z4M, but it doesn't FEEL as fast.

I can see why the M3 just eats cars left and right though, but...

I only noticed the speed when I took my foot off the gas after gunning it. It was very linear and instant, but felt more like a slight push than a pull. You don't realize how much push this car has until you stop.

Sound: Freakin' amazing. Where can I get an audio tape of it? End of story.

Conclusion: Amazing car, but I didn't walk right up to the salesman and tell him to take my Z4M in a trade. It definitely has my attention, but I can wait a few more years until I tire of my Z4M.

I have to say, the M3 (especially a 4-door) is the perfect combination of speed, comfort and styling for an everyday, all around car.

If I had to have one car for everything, the M3 would be it without question.

As a dedicated sports car for the weekends, it doesn't have the uniqueness or specialness of my Z4M.

Grade: I would give the E90 M3 a solid A grade.

[Alpha_Zulu]

I tend to find the M3 to not be "fast" by any comparison. The newer Z4 definitely "eats" it up.

[GammaZeta]

Originally Posted by Alpha_Zulu

I tend to find the M3 to not be "fast" by any comparison. The newer Z4 definitely "eats" it up.

Well, that was the other thing in the back of my head...a modified Z4 sdrive35is, IF ONLY IT CAME IN A MANUAL!

[Alpha_Zulu]

Originally Posted by GammaZeta

Well, that was the other thing in the back of my head...a modified Z4 sdrive35is, IF ONLY IT CAME IN A MANUAL!

haha yeah. Even stock vs stock. Z4 wins.

[pkimM3r]

Originally Posted by Alpha_Zulu

haha yeah. Even stock vs stock. Z4 wins.

On the streets yes because of the instant torque. It is damn near impossible to rev to 8500rpm to get the full power of the s65 on the streets safely. And handling is the difference here.

The turbo loses breathe up top. The n/a keeps on going as op stated. Gokarts "feel" fast at 30 mph lol.

[Ezio]

Originally Posted by pkim1079

On the streets yes because of the instant torque. It is damn near impossible to rev to 8500rpm to get the full power of the s65 on the streets safely. And handling is the difference here.

The turbo loses breathe up top. The n/a keeps on going as op stated. Gokarts "feel" fast at 30 mph lol.

anytime you get on a highway, or when there is clear traffic you can redline the S65 no problem. I hit redline daily on my M3 and smile the whole way there.

[BMW269]

Originally Posted by Alpha_Zulu

I tend to find the M3 to not be "fast" by any comparison. The newer Z4 definitely "eats" it up.

EVO X eats Z4 up.

[Alpha_Zulu]

Originally Posted by Levi

EVO X eats Z4 up.

Bugatti Veryron Eats EVO X up.
Lamborghini Aventador eats EVO X up.
McLaren MP4-12 eats EVO X up.
911 Turbo S eats EVO X up.
Nissan GT-R eats EVO X up.

See what I did there?

[positiveions]

Originally Posted by Alpha_Zulu

Bugatti Veryron Eats EVO X up.
Lamborghini Aventador eats EVO X up.
McLaren MP4-12 eats EVO X up.
911 Turbo S eats EVO X up.
Nissan GT-R eats EVO X up.

See what I did there?

A jet can eat all of them.

[pkimM3r]

Originally Posted by Ezio

anytime you get on a highway, or when there is clear traffic you can redline the S65 no problem. I hit redline daily on my M3 and smile the whole way there.

its not much fun redlining only to 2nd, (maybe) 3rd gear and then having to stop. I prefer redlining through many gears constantly around a track.

[pkimM3r]

Originally Posted by Alpha_Zulu

haha yeah. Even stock vs stock. Z4 wins.

I invite your z4 to eat my e90m up - you will be severely disappointed LOL.

[Nkc]

doubt a stock z4 35i can beat an stock m3

[blinkme323]

Originally Posted by Nkc

doubt a stock z4 35i can beat an stock m3

+1

[Sandye90m3]

Originally Posted by Alpha_Zulu

haha yeah. Even stock vs stock. Z4 wins.

M3 weighs 70kg more but has 100 more horsepower. Self explanatory. You need to chip your Z4 to beat the M you silly goat.

[TTG]

I truly enjoyed driving my 335 more in city day to day traffic than M3 but M3 is an amazing well balanced monster.....

And as far as Z4 being faster than M3...... pull next to a M3 at 60 mph and see what happens :-) Plus E92 looks much better than Z4!

[turbolag]

Originally Posted by TTG

I truly enjoyed driving my 335 more in city day to day traffic than M3 but M3 is an amazing well balanced monster.....

And as far as Z4 being faster than M3...... pull next to a M3 at 60 mph and see what happens :-) Plus E92 looks much better than Z4!

Last Z4 MC/Z4 MR looks much better than the E92. The Z4 looks tight, compact, while the E92 looks...fat.

I love the E9M but I like the Z4 much more.

[Tåst]

Originally Posted by Alpha_Zulu

Bugatti Veryron Eats EVO X up.
Lamborghini Aventador eats EVO X up.
McLaren MP4-12 eats EVO X up.
911 Turbo S eats EVO X up.
Nissan GT-R eats EVO X up.

See what I did there?

Must say that I think Gtr might be problem to beat FQ400, when both got same tyres. 911 Turbo S also got problems on low speed track whit older and lighter Evo VII FQ400 too I think...

[TK-421]

Originally Posted by Alpha_Zulu

I tend to find the M3 to not be "fast" by any comparison. The newer Z4 definitely "eats" it up.

Originally Posted by Alpha_Zulu

haha yeah. Even stock vs stock. Z4 wins.

You're delusional if you think a stock Z4 holds a candle to the M3. And to go along with that, the Z4M is a superior car to a current Z4 in almost every way except for straight line speed and luxurious trinkets - it's the best M car to be released stateside since the E30 M3. And that comes from a guy who loves the shit outta his E46 M3 so much he chose to keep it over getting an E90 M3.

[py0413]

Originally Posted by TK-421

You're delusional if you think a stock Z4 holds a candle to the M3. And to go along with that, the Z4M is a superior car to a current Z4 in almost every way except for straight line speed and luxurious trinkets - it's the best M car to be released stateside since the E30 M3. And that comes from a guy who loves the shit outta his E46 M3 so much he chose to keep it over getting an E90 M3.

oh no....I hope you didn't just say(type) that. Now they are going to attack our planet. Run humans, run and we are so sorry that we made our M3 faster than our Z4. oh and we promise that we'll make a change in the future. Please do not kill us all.

[davesaddiction]

Originally Posted by GammaZeta

If I had to have one car for everything, the M3 would be it without question.

I just can't imagine a better car to daily drive, haul kiddos, tear up the back roads, and perform on the track. Love it.

[3point0]

I borrowed my buddy's 09 M3 coupe with the DCT for a few days, i must admit that it was ear to ear grin every time I floored it, the gearshifts were like having an angry hell's angels biker in the back seat punching the back of my seat. loved it.

[Desert_Fox]

M3 is a very nice car, and I desperately wanted to fall in love with it but I can't. I test drove 5 different e92's the past 2 years and I just can't get into it everytime. I hop back into my 335i, and for what I do it's the better car. The torque is absolutely addicting since it is available at low RPM's and low speeds (around town or the back roads). Im sure the M3 is the better car for the track, but since I don't race my car I guess it doesn't matter. Im holding my breath for the f82 M3 with the tri-turbo!