"E90M3" (e90m3)
03/24/2018 at 13:36 • Filed to: None
5
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"E90M3" (e90m3)
03/24/2018 at 13:36 • Filed to: None | 5
| 22 |
Havent driven it in 2 weeks, since I’ve been away. The only time I think about replacing it is when I don’t drive it. Driving it up to its new home in Greenville tomorrow.
Nick Has an Exocet
> E90M3
03/24/2018 at 14:06 |
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I feel the same way about my Ralliart. When I get into the Miata, I don’t want the Lancer anymore. When I get in the Lancer, I think “this is a really good car”. Strangely, the E90 M3 sedan is the car I would seriously consider replacing the Ralliart with.
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E90M3
> Nick Has an Exocet
03/24/2018 at 14:25 |
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I know I have two manual BMWs, but the M3 is 5-10% better/different and that makes all the difference.
WilliamsSW
> E90M3
03/24/2018 at 17:56 |
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Nice - sounds like tomorrow will be a good driving day!
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E90M3
> WilliamsSW
03/24/2018 at 18:01 |
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That it should be. I don’t really pine for the M3 when I’m in my 328i, but driving the rental down here had me missing it. You wouldn’t be tailgating me in your X1 if I was in the M3.
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WilliamsSW
> E90M3
03/24/2018 at 18:07 |
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Whatever the rental was, it’s going to be a lot worse than either of your cars.
Did you see that I had a little fun yesterday? Managed to test drive 5 fun cars in a day. Now I want a 981 Boxster S.
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E90M3
> WilliamsSW
03/24/2018 at 18:09 |
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It was a Soanta, so yes. My cars have spoiled me.
I didn’t see it until just now. I was a little busy yesterday. You liked the Boxster more than the 911?
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WilliamsSW
> E90M3
03/24/2018 at 18:17 |
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Different generations - the 911 was a 2008 (997), so around 350 HP, the Boxster was a 2013 with 315 HP. Both pretty similar in terms of acceleration, with intoxicating torque from pretty much any RPM. The two cars were at the same price point (~$50k).
I actually like the more raucous sound of the 997 better (probably more sound insulation in the 981 tbh), but the Boxster was a little tighter, due to being newer and probably also because it’s a pure roadster.
I loved both cars - but in the end, I wasn’t entirely thrilled with the pedal placement in the 997. The clutch pedal is far enough to the right that it was a little uncomfortable. And of course the clutch is pretty heavy - not true of the 981.
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E90M3
> WilliamsSW
03/24/2018 at 18:22 |
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That’s fair enough. I need to try a Boxster.
Didn’t like the M4?
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WilliamsSW
> E90M3
03/24/2018 at 18:25 |
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https://www.laurelbmw.com/certified/BMW/2016-BMW-M4-c459ae770a0d04fe0239ca1c630b3669.htm
https://www.jaguarofnaperville.com/new/Jaguar/2018-Jaguar-XF-66f507700a0e0a6b27ec24f7dc0dccdb.htm
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WilliamsSW
> E90M3
03/24/2018 at 18:30 |
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I did like the M4! I was pleasantly surprised by the ride quality, actually.
See my other response for links to all 5 actual cars I drove.
However, it wasn’t a fair comparison, because I was test driving that car for an entirely different purpose. I’m actually considering a 340i manual for my next DD, which would likely have to be ordered. I told the sales guy I wanted to test drive a recent manual, to get a feel for the shifter, clutch weight, and experience the rev-matching feature for myself before I spent a bunch of $$. So I was really focused on that for the drive, and not so much the rest of the car - and I also didn’t wring it out like I did the Porsches.
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E90M3
> WilliamsSW
03/24/2018 at 18:41 |
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I liked the 6MT F80 I drove, I would DD one. Wouldn’t own it over mine though. I didn’t think it felt that large either. The one I drove was nice and warm so I got deep into the rev range. It’s way faster than my car.
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WilliamsSW
> E90M3
03/24/2018 at 18:55 |
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It’s actually the fastest of the cars that I drove yesterday. I could be happy DD’ing any of the cars I drove yesterday, other than the Miata (which I love but it’s not a DD for a 50 year old guy).
Steering and ride on the M4 were a lot better than I expected, seats were comfy, shifts are short and precise, and the clutch has a nice weight to me. Not heavy, but I like a bit of weight on the clutch.
You should drive a Boxster - preferably an S (or higher). The chassis balance is just brilliant with that engine right behind you. I got it a little loose accelerating out of a turn, and the reaction of the car to that is giving me goose bumps now just thinking about it (in a good way). Very planted, hardly any body roll, but still a good ride (all true of the 997 too, for that matter).
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E90M3
> WilliamsSW
03/24/2018 at 19:03 |
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To me, the BMW clutches are spot on. I used to think it was heavy, but after the featherweight clutches in the Japanese cars and the unnecessarily heavy clutch in the 911's I’ve driven it feels so good. The one in my E90 and the F80 felt about the same.
I was also happy with the steering in the M3/4. It’s not as good as hydraulic, but it’s not as bad as a Sonata. I could live with it.
The reason I haven’t driven a Boxster is I really only wanted to drive a 911. I have yet to drive a mid-engine car, so I probably should give one a go. I’ve really liked the 997s I’ve driven. Enough to buy one. I wouldn’t thought, because my heart lusts after an E34 M5 right now. I think I might contact that person with one near me.
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WilliamsSW
> E90M3
03/24/2018 at 19:26 |
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Agree with you on BMW clutches - my old 323 has about the same weight as the F82, why mess with perfection? I hate the feather weight clutches on some Japanese cars.
The 981 clutch was a similar weight to BMW’s — nowhere near as heavy as the 997.
I honestly was torn between preferring the 997 and 981. It’s the pedal placement that swung me, it’s that close. Both fantastic cars.
I’ll want a full report if you drive that E34 - that’s a silky smooth motor, but with plenty of power, too.
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E90M3
> WilliamsSW
03/24/2018 at 20:22 |
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I’m probably at least going to talk to them. Might go look at it and drive it. It looks a little rough, but they also said that it had some recent work. If that includes a rebuild, I think I might be writing a check for it.
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WilliamsSW
> E90M3
03/24/2018 at 21:04 |
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Rough visuals and solid mechanicals would be perfect but that would make it a unicorn.
Good luck!
davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> E90M3
03/27/2018 at 14:03 |
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Drove mine 100 miles yesterday. On track. Then I drove 300 miles home. =)
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davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> E90M3
03/27/2018 at 14:04 |
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Just 5-10%?
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E90M3
> davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
03/27/2018 at 16:19 |
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5-10% in every aspect. The normal E92 isn’t exactly what I would call bad to drive. The M just takes it that much further and those small changes make for a much better overall car.
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E90M3
> davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
03/27/2018 at 16:22 |
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Mine needs somethings, then it might see some track time. I desperately need rear tires.
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davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> E90M3
03/27/2018 at 16:52 |
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I just got new rears before going out (and an oil change and new brake fluid), and I’m sure glad I did!
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davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> E90M3
03/27/2018 at 16:52 |
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I’m guessing the number might be a little different driving them back to back on the track. =)