BMW M3

Price Paid:  $67500.00 from Braman Motorcars Pal

Year / Model Reviewed:
2008 BMW M3 E92 2 DR Coupe

Strengths:
Balance - Balance - Balance. The E92 M3 is not a drag strip car, but the 50/50 distribution and steady pull all the way through its 8400 rpm range make it hard to beat. This car is fast against other production competitors and is very predictable and forgiving at high speeds. I have lapped with a Nissan GTR, and while I lagged behind post track-out through the straights, the back field turns allowed the M3 to fill the mirrors of the GTR every time. This car would work wonderfully with a novice or experienced club driver. Multiple selections of power and suspension combinations can be custom set and implemented with the "M Dynamic" button on the steering wheel. Traction control can be utilized while maximizing power, ride stiffening, and body roll reduction for higher speeds. Oh - and it drives around town like BMW should.

Weaknesses:
Interior is maybe a little too "cushy". Tends to suffer from a rather significant "understeer", or "push" as delivered on the manufacturer provided Run Flat tires. Lose the factory rubber and add a couple of minor suspension modifications to make this car a threat on the track.

Summary:
I am an experienced race driver under the Porsche banner, and have owned a couple of Porsche street cars. One of my fellow Carrera enthusiasts suggested I drive a new E92 M3 prior to my purchase of my (almost) 3rd Carrera S in March of 08. I did - I bought - and have not looked back. I have lapped this car at Palm Beach International Raceway to very high speeds nearing 140mph; have driven it (howling) through the 318 turns in 11 miles of the scenic and twisty US 129 in Deal's Gap, Tennessee; and been amazed at the readiness this little V8 will grunt and roar through the paces with sure-footed confidence. After over a year of driving the car as a "Weekend Warrior", I can say for certain that BMW got this E92 version right.

Similar Products Used:
Porsche 997 Carrera S, 2005

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.43 of 5, 7.00 votes

Price Paid:  $46000.00 from Private Seller

Year / Model Reviewed:
2004 BMW M3

Strengths:
- intoxicating power
- intake sound
- cornering ability
- the 19" wheels
- the size of the car is perfect
- tight body and construction

Weaknesses:
- tough to shift smoothly
- the leather isn't the best quality
- the ride is a bit firm (I know, I know, it's a sports car!)
- needs rpms to get the power

Summary:
A fast, fun car. An M3 had been my dream car for probably 8 or 9 years. Money and opportunity finally met and I purchased a carbon black metallic coupe last April. The speed is very good but in a Euro way--in other words, not a lot of torque but stay in the gas and the power picks up as the revs climb. Very different feel to the acceleration than my old Mustang GT (which had tons of torque but ran out of breath at about 4500 rpm). With 19" rims, the M3 looks gorgeous and turns heads. I've driven manuals for many years but must admit that this is the toughest to shift smoothly. And the shifter clunks into gear frequently. The car's cornering ability is waaaaay beyond mine. The biggest problem with this car?--I can't find a safe place to stretch it! (I'm not a track guy.)

Similar Products Used:
Mustang GT
Taurus SHO

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 4.00 votes

Price Paid:  $64000.00 from Advantage BMW

Year / Model Reviewed:
2004 BMW M3 Convertible

Strengths:
Style, Beauty, Tracking, Quickness, Reliability.

Weaknesses:
Continental Tires

Summary:
Nice car, strong at midrange, corners great, and still pretty reliable. Experienced some small problems in which BMW service was great and always accomodating. One main problem that really can upset a new owner.

1. Continental tire company should be "SUED" by BMW due to there quality of thier tires, of course getting a response from either party about the life of the tires was like someones rear, so to speak..everybody has one. But know one wants to admit there is a problem with the tires, blamed it on the driver??? Guess you can when a car is labeled "Sports Car". Bought new, the rear tires lasted 9K miles. Being they are $400 each, it is frustrating to drop 8 bills when you paid what you did for QUALITY!, even if you are Bill Gates! I replaced them with MICHELLIN P2's and now have 35K miles on the car....this means I have put 26K on the new tires. Let me help you, 26 - 9 = 17 THOUSAND more miles and have not been changed yet!!!! Buyer beware....Bulletin...DO NOT BUY A BMW M3 WITH CONTINENTAL TIRES! Make them change them out or have them discount the car the amount of the tires..I'm out!

Similar Products Used:
Michellin Sport Pilot P2's

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $36000.00 from Downers Grove

Year / Model Reviewed:
2004 M3 convertible

Strengths:
engine, brakes, looks, carbon black (neat color)

Weaknesses:
Not thrilled with the upgraded Harmon stereo. Audi has them beat here.

Summary:
One of the most fun to drive cars around. Turn the traction control off and it loves to be driven sideways! It's also the perfect size, the backseat is small but I don't plan on having 4 people in the car very often. I test drove both the SMG and a 6-speed. The SMG is nice but would take some getting used to. I went for the manual 6-speed because its what I'm used to. I had narrowed my search down to a cts-v or an M3 after driving them both the M3 was the clear winner. You won't be disappointed with your decision.

Similar Products Used:
Audi A6 4.2
CTS-V

Price Paid:  $61234.00 from Prestige Motors NJ

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 BMW M3

Strengths:
POWER!!!!
Descent gas mileage.
LOOKs FROM EVERYONE....

Weaknesses:
Initial price

Summary:
The greatest car ever built. I have owned many cars in the past, from a honda accords to ford probes, and this car is by far the greatest machine ever built. I bought a 2001 330ci with 225 hp, and loved driving it every minute of it, but my divorce left me with the ex driving the car. So I decided to make the leap into the car i always wanted. Yes, the car was expensive, almost a $20,000 above the 330ci that I had bought, but well worth the price of admission. The car i have has the SMG tranny, and for the most part, it works fantastically, but in times where I am stopped on a hill, the computer searches for a gear to goto, and stalls for a second. I needed some time to get used to it, and it turned out I have to select the gear before the computer would go searching for one. On hindsight, I probably should have gone with the regular manual. With all that said however, the ride is great, handles like on rails, and can easily do over 155mph, so be careful. cruising at 120 sometimes feels like 75, and as you are zooming by troopers, you need to look down at the speedometer to make sure you are not going too fast. I live in New York where the streets can be bumpy, so the ride can be a little harsh sometimes, but as long as you keep the 18" wheels instead of the 19's or the ridiculous 20's that are on mine, you should be ok. I bought new rims but kept the 18" with snow tires for the really bad winter, in snow it gets by. Mileage is great for a car with 333hp, i get a mixed 23mpg, and I am thrilled by that. The original tires lasted 40k miles, so I thought i would upgrade to toyo t1R tires, and in 12k miles, they are completely bald. Stay with the OEM contis. so far no maintenance or repairs to complain about, except the trunk light going out every other day, but I learned just to live without it. GPS nav screen is too bright at night to drive with, so for the most part, it stays off. I just wish the trunk was wider by another three inches to accomodate golf bags better, but it works.
I get a lot of looks while I am driving, with many teenage girls screaming for me, and older guys drooling on the car.
All in all, i am very happy with the car, can't say much for the back seat, since it has been used twice, never by me, but feels roomy enbough for two adults. I have to say that there is not another car I can think of that gets the power, room, looks, handling, gas mileage, and overall driveability as an everyday car than my M3.

Similar Products Used:
2004 Nissan 350z
2001 BMW 330ci