BMW E92 M3 Launch at Taupo Track

[mixja 0]

Had a reasonably fun day at one of the customer launch track days for the new E92 BMW M3.

The day consisted of three main activities:

1. Two Laps each driving the M3, M5, M6, 550i, 130i and Z4 (3.0L) on Taupo Track 2

This activity was really interesting, as you got to compare a number of different BMW models and it was surprising just how different they all were.

First of all the M3 - first impression was how well the engine revs - it has a lot of power in the high revs, and it just keeps on pulling right to the 8400RPM redline. Below 4000RPM it is lazy just like the previous M car, although the extra 800cc or so of capacity does give it enough useable torque for daily driving. The ride is firm and chassis is well balanced. The steering is pretty good, although not quite as direct and precise as the previous E46 model. On the track, a little heel toe is needed when changing down, otherwise the rear end tends to get a littly twitchy. The big let down with the car has to be the transmission. The manual gearbox is dissapointing, the throw is very long and the gearbox lacks the notchiness of the E46 or the B7 RS4. Many drivers had real problems on both M3s either changing from 2nd to 3rd or vice versa - I personally had real problems shifting from 2nd to 3rd. The clutch also is very soft and doesn't seem to have the necessary performance required for this level of car.

On to the M6 - well this was without a doubt the most powerful car in the pack, with over 500HP cranking out of the V10 engine and running lighter than its M5 sibling. The M6 felt like a caged beast, snarling its way around the track. It certainly felt very fast and very dangerous, hence it drew a conservative driving approach from myself. The rear end was very twitchy and consequently DSC was often being initiated by the computer. Definitely a car for the more technical driver, but probably a little bit too raw and powerful for the average driver.

The M5 in comparison was almost as fast as the M6, but seemed to have a more balanced chassis that instilled even the average driver with confidence despite its immense power output from under the bonnet. The M5 does suffer from quite a bit of body roll, this was very evident when driving behind it. The M5 definitely was more a every day car than the M6 in all respects and would be my pick of the two.

550i - this drove quite well, engine was powerful and the car handled so so. You could real feel this cars weight and it probably was the slowest of the pack on the day.

130i - along with the Z4 coupe, I found the 130i to be the most enjoyable car to drive. Whereas with all of the M cars you had to really have your wits about you trying to control all of that excess horsepower, the 130i just had the perfect balance of power and agility that allowed you to drive it really quickly with ease. The 130i is a very balanced and extremely nimble car, and was managing to hold its own on the reasonably twisty layout of Track 2. The Z4 coupe felt like the uncivilised cousin of the 130i - it was a little bit quicker, much more aggressive exhaust note, a twitchier tail and had much more sensitive steering.

2. Expert Slalom course driving the 130i

This was a great slalom course, taken from the recent BMW Advancer Level 3 Trainer Certification that Mike Eady recently completed in Germany (he is only one of ten certified trainers in the world). Jono Lester managed 55s on the course, the closest from anybody on the day was 59s (I managed a 1:02).

3. Braking and Steering course driving the M3, M5, 130i and Z4 (3.0L)

Probably the least interesting activity, but I did manage to burn out the M3 clutch after several tyre smoking launches :-[

Weather

The weather was OK in the morning, but turned to custard in the afternoon. Consequently we missed out on the final activity of the day, which was driving one-on-one laps on Track 2 in the M3 with Mike Eady/Jono Lester in the M3, and instead had hot laps in the M5 with Mike Eady driving.

Pictures and Video

Pictures of the day can be viewed here - http://www.flickr.com/photos/11933854@N06/...6816497/detail/

Video:

http://blip.tv/file/get/Mixja-BMWM3E92Walkaround142.wmv - BMW M3 E92 Walkaround

http://blip.tv/file/get/Mixja-BMWM3Slalom865.wmv - BMW M3 E92 Slalom 1

http://blip.tv/file/get/Mixja-BMWM3Slalom474.wmv - BMW M3 E92 Slalom 2

http://blip.tv/file/get/Mixja-M5DriftingShort420.wmv - BMW M5 Drifting on the Track (Short)

http://blip.tv/file/get/Mixja-BMWM5Drifting677.wmv - BMW M5 Drifting on the Track (Long)

http://blip.tv/file/get/Mixja-BMWM5HotLaps475.wmv - BMW M5 Hot Laps with Mike Eady

Summary

All in all a pretty good day, just marred by some poor weather. The new M3 is a very nice car and very quick car, but it just doesn't have the same character the old E46 M3 had. Less direct steering, an average gearbox and soft clutch let this car down - the press that I've read seems to concur with this conclusion. If BMW do a good job on the upcoming DSG transmission, then the M3 DSG (released March 2008) may very well be the model to own...

Edited October 7, 2007 by mixja

[hybrid 1043]

Was hoping someone from that day would post their impressions. Thanks! a nice read

[Yuen 16]

Hey that's the M3 Josh posted the other day. How does the white look in person, is it bland? From the pics the Melbourne Red looks much nicer. If the 130i is good, the 135i is going to be a hoot.

Thanks for the taking the time to share your experience.

[Andrew 30]

Nice write up - sounds fun.

[Grant 4]

That looks a fantastic way to spend a day. Nice work, great write up.

I hope you don't get sent the bill for the burnt out clutch.

Cheers

Grant

[mixja 0]

I think white is the better colour in the flesh - really shows out the carbon roof well...

Yeah the 135i will definitely be a hoot - and a chipped 135i will probably be quicker than the new M3....

[StylesM5 0]

Great write up, thanks for the effort. Where do you work? Got any Z4's available for the weekend to a very mature bimmersporter who is off for a dirty weekend in the Coromandel?

[mixja 0]

Sorry I'm not a dealer, I'm one of the customers

[StylesM5 0]

Sorry I'm not a dealer, I'm one of the customers

Cool, can I borrow your car then

[jjs 64]

Great write up, thanks for the effort. Where do you work? Got any Z4's available for the weekend to a very mature bimmersporter who is off for a dirty weekend in the Coromandel?

Try this http://www.avis.co.nz/Luxury_Rental_Cars/B...MenuId/108.aspx

[StylesM5 0]

Try this http://www.avis.co.nz/Luxury_Rental_Cars/B...MenuId/108.aspx

Thanks, not bad.

[mixja 0]

Here's some video footage:

http://blip.tv/file/get/Mixja-BMWM3E92Walkaround142.wmv - BMW M3 E92 Walkaround

http://blip.tv/file/get/Mixja-BMWM3Slalom865.wmv - BMW M3 E92 Slalom 1

http://blip.tv/file/get/Mixja-BMWM3Slalom474.wmv - BMW M3 E92 Slalom 2

http://blip.tv/file/get/Mixja-M5DriftingShort420.wmv - BMW M5 Drifting on the Track (Short)

http://blip.tv/file/get/Mixja-BMWM5Drifting677.wmv - BMW M5 Drifting on the Track (Long)

http://blip.tv/file/get/Mixja-BMWM5HotLaps475.wmv - BMW M5 Hot Laps with Mike Eady

Edited October 4, 2007 by mixja