Driving the M3 - quick review

[M5pilot]

Had the M3 for quite a few weeks now and I thought I would just give a quick review of what's it's actually like as a daily driver.

This has probably been done before but I want to go on about it a little more.

This M3 is a late 215 bhp model and has a Milltek Full exhaust, BBR Chip and sits on some 17" BBS Split rims.

As a daily driver its actually quite brilliant. The suspension is totally standard and even on 17's the ride is excellent. It's not at all crashy and takes potholes very well. The car is very quiet around town and on motorway runs as long as you dont exceed 80mph. Anything over this starts getting a little noisy due to the engine/exhaust note.

Low end torque is actually much better than what some people think. You have to get used to the fact that the throttle travels a fair bit more than an M20 setup. You just have to press it a little more to get the same response.

The noise with the Milltek Exhaust is very nice.

Handling is just brilliant. Even on standard suspension it handles and out grips an m20 car with even the best Spring/shock setup. The way it can carry speed around bends is again very very good. The whole setup is beautifully balanced. The steering is well weighted and communicates superbly.

And then there is the flat out performance. This is really impressive if the car is driven enthusiastically. Once over 4000rpm engine takes on a different note and speed builds up very fast.

Its very easy to live with on a daily basis and it turns alot of heads. Even Aston martin, Ferrari drivers give you the thumbs up.

If anyone is thinking of buying one - get one! You wont regret it.

[m3ben05]

Very nice write up there mate.

I agree with everything you have said, i use mine as a daily driver with absolutely no problems. The only 'problem' i would say is that an M3 is never a relaxing car to drive, so if thats your thing maybe go buy a ford KA or something.

As far as attention goes, they certainly do turn heads! I cant think of another relatively cheap, old car that will recieve the same amount of looks and thumbs up!

[M5pilot]

Cheers dude.

I forgot to add that the brakes are pretty good aswell. This car deserves AP Racing 4 pot calipers and bigger discs.

The other thing I have noticed is that that with a set of 284 Cams and a good remap these cars come alive even more. This typically costs around £1200+ to get done and from what i've seen gives around 220-235bhp depending on the base car.

I'm looking forward to driving a 250bhp 2.5 conversion, apparently they are a good 2.3 but whole lot more torque and top end power. They are very quick because I got totally wasted by one at Silverstone on the straight in my (then) quite powerful 325i.

[Falkster]

Cheers dude.

I forgot to add that the brakes are pretty good aswell. This car deserves AP Racing 4 pot calipers and bigger discs.

The other thing I have noticed is that that with a set of 284 Cams and a good remap these cars come alive even more. This typically costs around £1200+ to get done and from what i've seen gives around 220-235bhp depending on the base car.

Good review although the miltek does get on my nerves when sat on a m/way for too long.

I am just in the process of getting the cams an remap.......Ill let you know how it goes.

[Quaser]

i'd love an m3 but i think the lhd puts me off somewhat!

how much value do they loose if converted to RHD?

Q

[M5pilot]

The E30 is so narrow that it being a LHD makes hardly any difference.

E30 M3's are best left LHD.

[M5pilot]

Which Cams are you going for?

I think all M3's can get a bit tiring on very long journeys as the engine revs quite highly due to it having no overdrive.

I had 3 people talk to me in traffic yesterday about the car!

Cheers dude.

I forgot to add that the brakes are pretty good aswell. This car deserves AP Racing 4 pot calipers and bigger discs.

The other thing I have noticed is that that with a set of 284 Cams and a good remap these cars come alive even more. This typically costs around £1200+ to get done and from what i've seen gives around 220-235bhp depending on the base car.

Good review although the miltek does get on my nerves when sat on a m/way for too long.

I am just in the process of getting the cams an remap.......Ill let you know how it goes.

[Falkster]

Which Cams are you going for?

I think all M3's can get a bit tiring on very long journeys as the engine revs quite highly due to it having no overdrive.

I had 3 people talk to me in traffic yesterday about the car!

Cheers dude.

I forgot to add that the brakes are pretty good aswell. This car deserves AP Racing 4 pot calipers and bigger discs.

The other thing I have noticed is that that with a set of 284 Cams and a good remap these cars come alive even more. This typically costs around £1200+ to get done and from what i've seen gives around 220-235bhp depending on the base car.

Good review although the miltek does get on my nerves when sat on a m/way for too long.

I am just in the process of getting the cams an remap.......Ill let you know how it goes.

Im going for the schrick 276/284 combo with remap (or maybe even alpha N) and a new LSD.

Theres a guy on BMWCC forum that supplies schrick cams for a very good price.....including postage from Germany they work out 500 quid a pair.

[Demlotcrew]

I think that the general consensus says that the S14 responds better with identical cams ie 284/284 or even better still 290 KK's which give a really nice wide power band over the schricks.

Andrew

[Falkster]

So I should get 2x 284s then???

I dont want to go too barmy cos that would mean new pistons.

[Demlotcrew]

The problem is that some people say different things, i have seen 2x284's and drove the car and it was really smoth i was quite surprised at how well the car drove. If i was doing it i would go with two 284's in my car. Im not the only one to say this.

Andrew

[M5pilot]

Most people use 284/284. Results are surprisingly good.

I can't remember what M3Pilot's car had but that went like stink and was very smooth.

£500 is very cheap for 2 Schrick cams, retail price over here is around £790.

[Falkster]

Tis a very good price, its just a ballache trying to pay him. I need about 5 pieces of info so my bank can wire the money straight over.

http://john.gmstech.de/schrick.html

[maxfield]

My dads going with 276/284 just for the driveability but i don't think there would be much difference to 284/284.

The M3 does turn alot of heads especially at about 6000rpm

[Demlotcrew]

The whole point of 284 and 284 is that it drives much better than 276 and 284!

And trust me there is a massive difference between the two!

Andrew