First review of the BMW M3 by Car Magazine
by Siddharth Raja on Jul 6th 2007 at 6:02PM 
click above image for a huge gallery of high-res shots
We've all seen the spy shots, read up on the crucial details, taken a look at the competition, but now it's time for the final step. A review of BMW's new M3. Not due to go on sale until September, the world's media were invited for a drive of the car and here's a quick synopsis of what the lads from CAR Magazine thought about Munich's latest Bahnstormer.
Sporting a new V8 engine, the former model's trademark metallic rasp is now gone, replaced with a muscle car burble synonymous with performance eights. The powerplant's high-revving nature means there's a hole in its low range torque so it needs to be worked to see results. The same six-speed manual carries over from the outgoing version but expect to see a new dual-clutch box to follow soon after.
The final verdict? The car isn't as hard edged as the previous E46 version - a cost of trying to please a more general audience - but it's still very fast, practical and well built. Now the wait is on for the hardcore, track-focused, CSL version.
[Source: Car Magazine]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
SSBR 6:14PM (7/06/2007)
One of the reasons why BMW is still the "Ultimate Driving Machine"
http://www.rolesor.com
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brian 8:42PM (7/06/2007)
This car is nothing new and from my personal experiences Audi is the ultimate driving machine. The next generation RS4 will be miles ahead engineering wise and do it with more grace and comfort than the ole Beemer could ever manage.
bmoredlj 6:21PM (7/06/2007)
That is one menacing-looking Bimmer...Sauron's daily driver.
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srivendel 6:22PM (7/06/2007)
Autoweek has their review up, too.
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070706/FREE/70706014/1065
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YouFaceTheTick 4:14AM (7/07/2007)
as the former owner of an e90 (2006), I'm not surprised by that review. The new 3 just doesn't transmit information like the dearly departed e46. Sigh. The 135 may be where it's at now....
epp_b 6:28PM (7/06/2007)
Personally, I prefer the metallic rasp of the inline six. No doubt, the V8 will be brilliant and a masterpiece, but the I6 somehow defines the M3's character. I'll miss it :(
On the other hand, I've read that the new CSL will be sparing us the infuriating madness that is that sequential gearbox and using a proper six-speed manual! Woo-hoo!
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Andrew Fahmy 6:32PM (7/06/2007)
Top gear magazine reviewed it, the review came out yesterday...
here it is: http://www.topgear.com/blogs/drives/079-bmw-m3/
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Andy 6:44PM (7/06/2007)
Fans of the old blocky Bimmers have slammed the current 3's styling and (somehow) the M3's aesthetics even more. I find tolerable...even slightly likeable.
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fizzandpop 7:48PM (7/06/2007)
It's a shame LJK Setright died, I would have loved to have read his thoughts on the new M3 and how ultimately it isn't as good as his '89 Prelude.
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pd 7:52PM (7/06/2007)
After reading the Autoweek review seems like the CSL is the one to get after their remarks about its steering. You would think after 3+ years of development they would have nailed it.
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Nick 7:56PM (7/06/2007)
I'm not sure I like the 'baby F1' inspired look of the front and rear fascias. To me the E30 M3 is the best looking of the bunch, just very purposeful and dripping with Group A intent. I drive a Lancer Evolution, and it its own way I feel it has a kinship with the E30 M3, both built for Group A homologation, and both with menacing blistered fenders setting themselves apart from their stock brethren. Maybe I'm crazy.
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freckles 8:13PM (7/06/2007)
yes the e30 m3s are awesome indeed!
http://www.corradocentral.com/images/m3/DSCN0062.JPG
Bart 8:16PM (7/06/2007)
Ok, this is rather annoying. Only a few days after the first C63 AMG's loving reviews, come the M3 reviews which are... less than stellar. But noone is putting 1 and 1 together.
For the automotive purists, this is arguably one of the ultimate match-ups. Why are the reviewers so afraid of mentioning the two in one sentence? Is it going to be like last time, when it took months for programs and magazines such as Top Gear to compare the M3 to its main rival at that point, the RS4?
I've seen the same names on tests of both the C63 and the M3, surely everything should still be quite fresh in the memory.
BMW itself pointed at the 911 for its competition. The general consensus is 'haha, yeah right'. Why are not even they mentioning their closest rival?
What am I missing here? Is there some sort of silence pact?
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Mike G 8:36PM (7/06/2007)
Wow so Car magazine is still producing content?
I thought they had just withered away into a collection of auto accessory advertisers, at this point.
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Andrew 8:15PM (7/07/2007)
What Euro car mag isn't just ads?
Derek 8:47PM (7/06/2007)
All of the reviews becides the Car one have been great. So lets not jump to conclusions.
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Reuben 8:59PM (7/06/2007)
if it truly less hardcore as you say it looks like I will someday be shopping an e36 or e46
Bart 8:59PM (7/06/2007)
Pretty much all of the reviews I've read complain about understeer, brake fading, less than desirable transmission (way too sensitive clutch, long manual transmission throws), the absolute need to rev the engine to get any performance out of it, steering response, and a few more items. In the end the reviewers all draw the same conclusion, "Where's the CSL?".
Not jumping to conclusions, just summarizing the state of things.
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Derek 9:09PM (7/06/2007)
In the two other reviews posted here on the comment board it says the breaks are good, never ending torque, great steering. As a matter of fact the only review I have read so far that said anything to the effect (other then the shifter being a bit underaggressive but the SMG is on its way) was the Car review.
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Rocket Punch 9:44PM (7/06/2007)
Edmunds also had their review up on youtube here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvWj7DncijA
The car is to heavy, IMO. They also experienced brake fade during their test.
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