mrad01

Someone should tell several supercar manufacturers they're doing it wrong then...

So a better question - what's more "ultimate drive":

- manual gearbox, H shift pattern

- manual gearbox, sequential (proper race setup)

Assuming its the latter (surely the thrill of driving isn't moving through an H pattern), is the thrill of driving using a clutch? And given real race cars flatshift on the way up, that only leaves using the clutch for the downshifts, and rev-matching/double de-clutch?

So on the basis the ultimate drive isn't an H pattern or using a clutch to shift up, it must be double de-clutching on downshifts. What if you can't do it? What if, worse, you choose not to?

(After that mini-rant, and in your defence, Porsche won't make the GT3 in PDK )

The most interesting thing I've found about my Golf is that the DSG took me several weeks to get used to properly. I formed a view on the test drives which were partly correct - there are things I thought were fine that I'm not so sure about now (like it short shifting into 6th gear at 60kph, which is well off boost and feels sluggish), and things I didn't realise (basically its brutally efficient when driving fast).

Are the Golf and M3 super cars? No.

Would you drive around with race suspension, slick tyres and roll cage in your daily driver. No.

Not all race tech is "best" for the ultimate road drive.

What's wrong with the DCT? I now have a Golf with DSG and despite expecting to hate it (I went shopping for manuals ones) I actually think its good. I'd rather different shift points in D mode (it prioritises fuel economy), but otherwise happy.

Its less involving and requires less skill than a manual, but on the flipside it offers perfect flat-shift up and rev matched down every single time.

Is the BMW version bad? Or is it simply the dude being precious? They have a manual mode...

The M3 is expected to be the ultimate drive. DCT kinda takes away that feeling (as you pointed out). It depends on your taste and where you are at in life.. ;-)

Top Gear review the 1 M Coupe...

Quote: "Straight 6 in the front, manual gearbox in the middle, drive at the rear. That's page 1, chapter 1 of the Petrosexual handbook"

Then...."If you bought an M3 with the Automatic transmission, then you are a f**ken poser" Love it!!!

(Yes, he means that horrid DCT thingy)

I don't think we see things too differently when it comes to the E9X M3. When it comes to the IS-F however we definitely aren't on the same page and this is despite my completely biased opinion. I actually rate the IS-F quite highly to be honest. [and no I don't own both of those below]

As for the N54 and N55, long term reliability is definitely an issue with these motors. The 'dog' comment really wasn't aimed at the performance side of things, but the reliability side. Having said that however, the S65B40 is also a bit of a concern long term wise (as you no doubt know personally). If I must be picky however, there is quite a bit BMW can learn from Lexus when it comes to reliability and a lot Lexus can learn from BMW when it comes to drivability.

Nice cars!!

I think Lexus might get there one day - it will depend if they can innovate rather than just copy. They have proven with the LFA that they can innovate, but can't do it cheaply.

Well, my M3 is running a brand new 2011 S65B40 as the previous 2008 one had a "noise". Solved in the facelift M3 (just look for the "new" iDrive). The nextgen engines to replace the N54 and N55 might be the go...we won't have a choice...and all other manufacturers will have to embrace turbos to get the efficiency anyway.

Fair opinion, although I don't consider the IS-F to be that far off the M3 to be honest, at Pukekohe they are about a 1sec apart in the hands of a former F1 driver (no bull). I'd happily trade the M3 for an IS-F however if $ was a factor and convenience taken into account (the IS-F is WAY roomier with a much larger boot compared to the E90 body.)

I would however NEVER own a 335i or anything with a N54 twin turbo in it - they are dog of an engine with LOADS of issues.

Funny how we see things eh? I owned a 335i coupe for 4 years without any major issues. Its certainly no dog performance-wise, but I think long term reliability may be in question for the N54 and N55 - esp around the fuel pump. Time will tell.

The 2010 models have a locking diff.

Have any of you actually driven an IS-F? It's not that bad, pretty good actually, enough to make me want to trade : )

Like I said, factor in the $ value and it's a pretty good alternative to the German equivalent.

Yes. The M3 is FAR better to drive. The IS-F is a good car, but even after the $$ ouch has faded away, you are left with an IS-F and it's automatic gearbox, cheap ass looks, fake quad exhausts etc etc etc etc....

Again, it's not bad to drive - but if you need to compromise because of cost - get a 335i 4 door instead. At least you can order a manual.

One thing I can not stand about the IS-F. The Diff.

Don't forget the gearbox and the unusable power curve. Oh, and the ride, and how it looks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Other than that, its a great machine...

Hi guys,

Just wanted to get some input from the community, although the response might be a little bias =)

We are considering ordering the new F10 M5 and wondered if there were any good alternatives we should also look into. We currently have an E46 M3 which I personally love but we are looking at something with 4 doors (thinking ahead such as having kids etc). We have looked at Audi's offerings but the RS4 has been out of production for a while now and the next one isn't likely to arrive for a year or two. RS6 is out of budget =)

Well, I have the e90 M3 and it is a brilliant 4 door that keeps the RS4 at bay quite handily. The M5 will be straight line faster, but as you know, the M3 is pretty hard for it to beat on the track.

The e90 V8 is possible the last of the NA M cars - so it might be a good one to keep. Otherwise, the F30 M turbo models will be out in a couple of years... (They follow the standard 3 series by a year or two)

I've driven a ton of Audis and Mercs (on track and off) and you will not be very happy going from one of the best M3s to any Audi - the understeer will drive you nuts!!

Hard pressed to go past the current 4 dr M3 i think...

Few pics from the link

Hmmmmm, those wheels might look good on mine!!!

Not quite, depends on which country.

In their native Japan, Nikon > Canon by miles.

In here, Canon has their own HQ, support, marketing, etc...

Nikon only has a distributor. Hardly seems fair.

Oh christ, not the Holden & Ford thing again...

buying from a known camera shop is HIGHLY recommended imo. Come time to get it serviced, you may have issues if its parallel imported. With my old pentax DSLR the local repair agent wouldnt cover the repair under warranty as it was a parallel import.

I know im not a pro photographer, not by a long shot! but for me as a novice, i regularly use my live view, movie mode, and rotating screen.

The rotating screen is AMAZING for over the head shots or ground level shots.

I went with the old "get what feels best and has the features YOU want" and ended up with a Sony SLT-A55. Sure, the lens range is crap, but no other camera came close to being as awesome.

just my 2c. Personally i prefer nikon over canon, have seen much better results from nikons (straight from the camera, no post processing)

+1000 for the Sony SLT-A55. I've had many entry level Canon/Nikon owners check it out and blown away at the built in GPS(Yes, super cool if you have Aperture or iPhoto), 10fps rapid fire mode, HD video, size and shooting modes. Because the steady shot mechanism is in the body of the camera, you can use any Minolta lens - which opens up the lens range a bit.

Its all about what YOU need as you say. GPS was super important as was the HD video and shooting modes. Yes, you can get more lenses for a Canon and Nikon - but I doubt they will have the same tech. Some people say this is the "next gen of camera tech" and Canon/Nikon will be heading down this path on their next models.

Worth a read: http://www.pocket-lint.com/review/5131/son...-slt-a55-review

Yes love em or hate em I've been looking for one for the past few years and no luck. My first car was an '83 manual in white and it was absoluteley immaculate. If anyone knows of a good one for sale give me a yell as there are none for sale online that I can find.

Ummm. Why?

Seriously.

Arguement that everyone has had and agreed with but sign of the times, turbo = better fuel consumption and power.

The turbo M powerplants are going to have to earn respect. So far so good.

Interesting, I think I'm going to have to keep this M3 though - just read a review of the 1M Coupe vs M3 and the conclusion was:

"But is it better? Lieberman and I agree: No. This big, heavy, and expensive M3, with its unflappable confidence and lascivious powertrain, is the car we want, the car we'll remember as the best of the naturally aspirated Ms. It's the one we'll tell young gearheads about in a few decades with the same fondness and reverence as given its E30 ancestor. The 1M doesn't measure up to the M3's standard. Few cars do."

Have a read: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes...ison/index.html

Quite interesting really. I notice Audi is up there aswell, but IMO the difference between an Audi engine and a BMW engine is simply reliability.

...and turbo lag. Every modern Audi I have driven has *bad* turbo lag (Well, compared to a BMW 335i or 335d that is..)

They are pretty close...maybe they are related??

Awesome looking machine. While the standard F10 is a bit boring, the M5 kicks it open a bit. Looking forward to taking one for a spin!

Some of the so-called "///M Purists" around the planet (esp in the 5 series forums) claim that this isn't an pure M car because of ***insert reason here***. But if we really want to get picky about it - consider the original M1 was mid-engined. The M cars which followed weren't. Therefore they weren't pure.

The e30 M3 was a 4-cylinder, high revver. Every M3 after that had more cylinders. Not M pure in that case. The original M3 was a manual transmission - the e36 introduced this SMG thingy. No! Not M pure!

The original M5 was a 6 cyl. Therefore only the e34 after that was M5 pure - the e39 M5 broke the M pure rules by going to a "slower throttle response" V8. The e60, don't get me started by using a V10!!!! Not M pure, not a true M car. Yeah right. Have you driven one? The e60 M5 is M through and through. Absolutely bonkers machine. M bonkers.

Yes, I'm taking the piss a bit, but saying it isn't M-pure is quite laughable. People going from the e39 M5 into the e60 M5 did not ever go back to the e39. Simple. It was better. Faster. Better looking. Awesome sound. Those trading their e60 M5s for the F10 M5 will do the same.

I'm looking forward to having a blat in the 1 M Coupe - that will give a fairly good indication of what the turbo M engines will be like - esp compared to the insane V8 in my M3. Will be very interesting.

Apart from the SUV Ms - I'm looking forward to seeing how much of a smile these new Ms dish out!

I'm not too much of a fan with the wheels on it, I'd love a set the same as THIS The 535d has the twin turbo unit.

Exact same engine as my old X5, but the X5 did feel alot quicker than this 530d purely because it was remapped. If this goes ahead I will be remapping it to give it the same kw and torque, then it will be a different story. I must add that it's extremely tail happy when you push in the DSC button and hold it down to turn the driver aids off, I gave up smoking about 6 years ago when I got back from Australia, but I've taken it up again it seems?1?!!?!

EDIT :

Does anyone know what those wheels are called on that 530i ??

FOUND THEM : 128 wheels

Honestly, the e60 is the best looking of all the 5 series (Its funny, I HATED the e60 at launch. I admit I was wrong.) - even if it isn't quite the way you want it initially - it is good to know they dress up well.

Go for it!

The company is legally obligated to know who is driving it's vehicles at all times. If you can't show who was driving then the company will cop a much bigger fine.

Sweet, bigger fine is better than demerits...

Good luck with that.

Thanks! Has been working fine for a number of years - so I dont need your luck. I am interested in how they are going to tie demerits points to a company owned car. I have a few theories, but we will have to wait and see I guess.

There'll be demerit points on speedcamera tickets soon too.

Just sell your car into a company, claim the gst, claim depreciation on income for 3 years....and....watch them try to clock up speed camera demerits points on the company.....win, win, win.

I dont think anyones argueing e60's or older 1 series here. We are talking about the FXX series of cars

Any car Humpadink is designing are starting to look more and more confused. None of them have had their lights done properly and this latest 1 series is starting to look something that was designed out of china or korea. (no offense intended)

The lifted lines and drapped sheet look is getting a bit tiresome and weird. Im sure theyll come out with a msport model that will hopefully sort it out but bmw m-technik has their work cut out for them with this one.

ok this is bad ... rear design lifted from subaru WRX, and whats up with all that space in the front under the lights, dont they know that bare paint on leading edges is a recipe for stone chips ?

My point exactly.

When talking about the e60 and the previous 1, you may (or may not) remember exactly the same kind of reaction and detailed description on why they were soooooo bad and why Bangle must die.

Anyway, I don't think it is that bad. I think it will sell very very well. It'll be a case of judgement once I see it driving around. The buyers of the 1 series buy on colour and interior, trust me, I married one.

It's the new 3 series look which is the most important, that model is BMWs bread and butter.

Thank god none of us can afford to buy these cars and stick with our wonderful "older" cars. I wonder if people thought the same back in the 90s about the e30s/e36s. I still think the earlier e36s are horrible with the different colour body kit.

Well, just like the poor old e60 5 series, it was hated on launch, but then it became the biggest selling 5 series ever. And when you see a mint kitted e60 now, they look bloody awesome, the best looking 5 of all. Some people look at a e30 and snore, we see awesomeness. We have a group here at bimmersport who like old bimmers, so none of the new models impress. I love my e30 and my e90, and I bought my wife a 1series, which I can tell you can out handle pretty much any e30 on here - despite what people think of it's looks. I predict the bangle era BMW designs are going to stand the test of time. The outgoing 6 series has more balls than the new one. Maybe like a good album, you may not love it on first contact, but once you get used to it, you'll love it.

MRAD01 White E90 M3 going down Constellation Drive this morning

Was that you behind me in the e39??

Cover them in a stocking. Mint as....

3-litre to 4-litre - BMW 4.0-litre V8 (M3)

Sweet, another win. That's 4 years in a row. And with the news that the F10 M3 might keep the S65 and just add turbos to make it greener, life is good.