Motor Trend Long Term Update 4: 2009 BMW M3

Jason · 02-08-2010, 10:48 AM

February, 2010 / By Ron Kiino

"After a rainstorm, when the skies cleared, I took a brisk drive through the mountains," notes assistant Web producer Carlos Lago. "With one light illuminated on the power button, two on the EDC, the M3 becomes keener; its visceral side begins to show. The M3 retains the smoothness and tractability, but ups the sensation of each corner and the rate at which you pass through them. It's a wonderful feeling, one that generates awe and inspires confidence in equal measure. There is no road long enough for the M3."

Lago also gets warm fuzzies over the M3's transmission. "The DCT, in automatic mode, has an otherworldly smoothness. The shifts happen so quickly, but without tactile indication. If it weren't for the display in the dash, it'd be hard to know the current gear. Manual mode is just as impressive: It delivers shifts three seconds before your brain perceives them. Toe to toe, a manual transmission doesn't compare."

Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...#ixzz0expkIzns

Lemans_Blue_M · 02-08-2010, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason

February, 2010 / By Ron Kiino

"After a rainstorm, when the skies cleared, I took a brisk drive through the mountains," notes assistant Web producer Carlos Lago. "With one light illuminated on the power button, two on the EDC, the M3 becomes keener; its visceral side begins to show. The M3 retains the smoothness and tractability, but ups the sensation of each corner and the rate at which you pass through them. It's a wonderful feeling, one that generates awe and inspires confidence in equal measure. There is no road long enough for the M3."

Lago also gets warm fuzzies over the M3's transmission. "The DCT, in automatic mode, has an otherworldly smoothness. The shifts happen so quickly, but without tactile indication. If it weren't for the display in the dash, it'd be hard to know the current gear. Manual mode is just as impressive: It delivers shifts three seconds before your brain perceives them. Toe to toe, a manual transmission doesn't compare."

Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...#ixzz0expkIzns

Very interesting article.

Thanks for posting Jason.

adc · 02-08-2010, 11:21 AM

Very apt description - no road is long enough for the M3.

Kyoshi71 · 02-08-2010, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adc

Very apt description - no road is long enough for the M3.

Not necessarily; at 12 MPG's I've found many roads too long!

adc · 02-08-2010, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyoshi71

Not necessarily; at 12 MPG's I've found many roads too long!

So drive faster, pit faster. 12mpg is for sissies...

Kyoshi71 · 02-08-2010, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adc

So drive faster, pit faster. 12mpg is for sissies...

DiVinci · 02-09-2010, 01:25 AM

M3 vert · 02-09-2010, 01:35 AM

Nice writeup. I think this M3 really has cracked at being the world's best all-rounder!

MrHarris · 02-09-2010, 01:55 AM

When you set the EDC to the static "sport" mode, and the power button to the more sensitive throttle mapping how does it inspire confidence on a mountain road?

Also, I've never understood why people say "press the M button and you're gone." The M button doesn't make the car any faster in a straight line. Are people talking about on a windy road or something?

MysticBlue · 02-09-2010, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrHarris

When you set the EDC to the static "sport" mode, and the power button to the more sensitive throttle mapping how does it inspire confidence on a mountain road?

Also, I've never understood why people say "press the M button and you're gone." The M button doesn't make the car any faster in a straight line. Are people talking about on a windy road or something?

Manufacturers like to fool the huddled masses into thinking a more sensitive throttle equates to more power. And for the most part, it works.

Nawaaz · 02-09-2010, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrHarris

When you set the EDC to the static "sport" mode, and the power button to the more sensitive throttle mapping how does it inspire confidence on a mountain road?

Also, I've never understood why people say "press the M button and you're gone." The M button doesn't make the car any faster in a straight line. Are people talking about on a windy road or something?

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticBlue

Manufacturers like to fool the huddled masses into thinking a more sensitive throttle equates to more power. And for the most part, it works.

02-08-2010, 10:48 AM	#1
Jason Administrator 40865 Rep 21,240 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Motor Trend Long Term Update 4: 2009 BMW M3 February, 2010 / By Ron Kiino "After a rainstorm, when the skies cleared, I took a brisk drive through the mountains," notes assistant Web producer Carlos Lago. "With one light illuminated on the power button, two on the EDC, the M3 becomes keener; its visceral side begins to show. The M3 retains the smoothness and tractability, but ups the sensation of each corner and the rate at which you pass through them. It's a wonderful feeling, one that generates awe and inspires confidence in equal measure. There is no road long enough for the M3." Lago also gets warm fuzzies over the M3's transmission. "The DCT, in automatic mode, has an otherworldly smoothness. The shifts happen so quickly, but without tactile indication. If it weren't for the display in the dash, it'd be hard to know the current gear. Manual mode is just as impressive: It delivers shifts three seconds before your brain perceives them. Toe to toe, a manual transmission doesn't compare." Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...#ixzz0expkIzns __________________ Check on the Latest BMW News Become a fan of Bimmerpost Facebook Follow us on Bimmerpost Twitter Subscribe to Bimmerpost Youtube Channel
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02-08-2010, 11:21 AM	#3
adc Major General 2751 Rep 6,759 Posts Drives: 2018 F80 M3 ED Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: MD/DC iTrader: (12)	Very apt description - no road is long enough for the M3.
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02-09-2010, 01:25 AM	#7
DiVinci Inspired 3 Rep 162 Posts Drives: F22 Raptor Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: caribbean iTrader: (0)
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02-09-2010, 01:35 AM	#8
M3 vert Lieutenant Colonel 55 Rep 1,804 Posts Drives: F10 M5, E93 M3, '12 750ix Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Everywhere... iTrader: (0)	Nice writeup. I think this M3 really has cracked at being the world's best all-rounder!
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02-09-2010, 01:55 AM	#9
MrHarris yodog 197 Rep 5,025 Posts Drives: '86 Corolla Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Diamond Bar, Ca iTrader: (5) Garage List 2009 BMW [10.00]	When you set the EDC to the static "sport" mode, and the power button to the more sensitive throttle mapping how does it inspire confidence on a mountain road? Also, I've never understood why people say "press the M button and you're gone." The M button doesn't make the car any faster in a straight line. Are people talking about on a windy road or something? __________________ 2009 E92 M3 \| Alpine White \| Black Extended \| Advan RS \| Turner Test Pipes \| Dinan Axle-Back \| OETuning \| Eibach Springs \| UUC SSK \| VRS Front Lip \| VRS Type I Diffuser \| Matte Black \| RPi Scoops \| MS Filter \| Yokohama AD08 \| F1 Pinnacle Special Thanks: Gintani \| OETuning \| eAs
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