M3/M4 Top Gear: "Has the BMW M3 gone soft?"

[Kowalski]

Tom Ford refutes the other journalists who tested the new M3.

[image no longer available]Ever since I drove the new BMW M3 last week, I've been checking out some of the comments from other journalists and internet commentators, and plenty of them seem to suggest that it has gone a bit soft.
Great. Because I tend to find that if you make a car that pleases the majority of motoring journalists, you're making a car for a very, very defined section of the population - and the M3 is a mass-market car, not a track special.

In my opinion, the new M3 isn't a massively aggressive, no-compromise set-up - but why should it be? It needs to be driven as a flagship car by people who only own one motor, and BMW readily agrees that there's space for a more hardcore 'CSL' version later in the model life.

So we've got a four-seater that has 420bhp, serious acceleration, both from a standstill and through the gears, and a set-up that forgives as much as it lets you play. It feels fast. It feels honed and it feels very sporting.

It feels fun. It sounds glorious - different to the yowl of the previous straight-six, for sure - but still brilliantly inspiring.

Where the M5 is the aloof express and the Z4 M Coupe the slightly over-playful puppy, the M3 is somewhere in-between. Excellent. Yes, it does powerslide - but it won't exactly chuck you through a hedge on the first corner. It's more accessible than the previous generation, though no slower, and I find that refreshing.

Truth is, I'm more for a car that's fun to drive than a car that's gained the last 10th around the track. I'm more for a car with soul than speed. The new M3, for me, has it.

Forget immediate comparisons with the RS4 and C63 and let's just soak up a really interesting car. Let's enjoy a thing of beauty without immediately getting all frothy over the fact that it laps the Nurburgring only as fast as the old version.

Am I just not competitive enough? Or are we really a Top Trumps nation?

Top Gear

 

[Zafiro]

I wonder if he seen this link?

Stop BMW M3-gone-soft Petition

 

[LaArtist]

all that sounds good and is so true..but thats not what BMW and its fans talked about.. this is not what they want to hear about their M3´s..
they want to hear that its nutts..and that it can kill you.. but most likely they cant handle it..

personally to me..its a better car.. not as good looking but better than the previous one.. and most likely alot easier to live with.. and only a fool would complain about that ( or hold on.. did i just say that BMW fans are fools)
j/k

the thing that will bugg me is if bmw fans suddently start to understand reasoning like this.. when they refused to before.. thats like having a dual personality.. or maybe its one..that says ..however bmw does it.. im gonna love it..

 

[Deleted member 25]

Isn't that Blond guy from 5th Gear ??

 

[Zafiro]

the thing that will bugg me is if bmw fans suddently start to understand reasoning like this.. when they refused to before.. thats like having a dual personality.. or maybe its one..that says ..however bmw does it.. im gonna love it..

I see no problem to change my mind. One testdrive and Im probably sold to love the car, despite being softer becuase the car is more than I can handle

 

[Kowalski]

Isn't that Blond guy from 5th Gear ??

Yes. It's him alright.

Tom Ford is his name.

 

[chonkoa]

the thing that will bugg me is if bmw fans suddently start to understand reasoning like this.. when they refused to before.. thats like having a dual personality.. or maybe its one..that says ..however bmw does it.. im gonna love it..

One thing we have to understand is the peculiar relationship between BMW and the Fans, it is a very unique one. Most often I wonder if

1. BMW is successful because it has a fan-base that is so demanding and that in turn spurs it to produce excellent driving machines? or
2. BMW fans love BMW because it is one of the few car manufacturers that carter to their desire?

I honestly don't know which is driving which, or it could be both, but from the reactions we have seen thus far with the M3 reviews, one thing I can say is the passion the fans have for their brand is indeed very strong.

I am sure there are very limited brands out there that enjoy such a strong fellowship-such a fellowship that other manufacturers are envious of.

Makes you wonder why they are called Fanatics.

 

[PanterroR]

all that sounds good and is so true..but thats not what BMW and its fans talked about.. this is not what they want to hear about their M3´s..
they want to hear that its nutts..and that it can kill you..

I wasn't expecting a car that'll beat CGT around the track, nor did i expect a German Skyline GTR. I was expecting a track capable car that can be driven every day on city streets as well, with great engine, very fast yet comfortable... And the fact that it goes directly against Porsche as a real threat! Well, i got it, just like i got it with E46. The thing is, the new one is even better.

Oh yeah, it is nutts and it can kill you...

 

[chonkoa]

I see no problem to change my mind. One testdrive and Im probably sold to love the car, despite being softer becuase the car is more than I can handle

Just Me,

Are you planning on getting the M3?
I noticed you have being really disappointed with the reviews thus far?

 

[Zafiro]

Just Me,

Are you planning on getting the M3?
I noticed you have being really disappointed with the reviews thus far?

Nah, I have 1er on order now so no M3 for me at this point. I have always been a fan om M cars and never driven a M that has disappoint me but I dont like the reviews I read so far. I'm sure the car is more enough for me but still I wouldnt mind reading more positive reviews.

 

[chonkoa]

Nah, I have 1er on order now so no M3 for me at this point. I have always been a fan om M cars and never driven a M that has disappoint me but I dont like the reviews I read so far. I'm sure the car is more enough for me but still I wouldnt mind reading more positive reviews.

I know what you mean. I love M cars as well.
One thing I have come to realize is that you can't satisfy everybody, and I won't be surprised to find actually test numbers exceeding everyones expectations.
I won't be surprised if it best the C63,911 and the RS4.

 

[RICHBOY]

Is this guy serious? So I guess where not suppose to break down the positives and negatives of the new M3 if I'm understanding this guy's lame as review? I don't know, maybe I'm just to tired to comprehend!

 

[Yperion]

I 'm starting to get tired with all this "soft or not?" , "good or great?" discussions sbout M3...

 

[wltsm]

This review doesn't tell me anything I don't know, but I agree that I'd prefer a better everyday car, than car that's only good for the track!

 

[Merc1]

Wow, this softer nonsense is still going on I see. Of course the car is going to be easier to live with than the previous generation. The trend (which not even BMW an escape) is that all cars were overtly sporting before (that weren't dedicated tracksters) are becoming more and more civil while trying to at least, at the very least keep the same skill set as before. If that is what BMW has done with this car then so be it, but I wouldn't call it going "soft" per say, I'd say it is pretty much an evolution of the species. These very same gripes were raised with the new M5 over the previous V8 version. In some ways the gripes had merit especially regarding the transmission choice, weight and just sheer agility of the V10 car compared to the V8 one, but once the dust settled the M5 remained virtually unchallenged until very recently, i.e. E63 AMG.

That said the potential problem for BMW is that Audi and especially Mercedes had a lot more room to become more aggressive with their sport models, this is something BMW has to be aware of. Its that converging points things...one moves down as the others move up, which is what we may be seeing here. The RS4/M3/C63 comparos will tell us if that is the case. Stay tuned.

M

 

[Zafiro]

I dont mind if the new M3 V8 has better comfort and is a better everydaycar than M3 e46. Heck, I dont care if the car wins or loses carcomparisons between C63 and RS4. All I'm asking for is that the new M3 V8 is more involving and still the drivers car among the german trio. Thats why the M3 is a famous and beloved car.

 

[EnI]

Check this out:

Is the BMW M3 Too Perfect? - Wheels - Autos - New York Times Blog

Hahahahaha ...

BMW cars just always get the attention & press exposure. Great news for BMW!

Even the mighty New York Times joined the party questioning E92 M3 nature. And what is very funny is that the author of the comment even haven't driven the car yet. Like we haven't - but our comments are (fortunately / unfortunately) not published on NYT webpage.

Basically he talks about other comments & articles. And wonder ...


Interesting. Everybody debates about E92 M3 these days. Almost no talk about C63 (usually only mentioned in M3 articles / comments).

Debate = maximum publicity.


Now I hope you understand why BMW do not practice special launch shows: because they get the publicity anyway. And some money is saved.

 

[martinbo]

So by that token was it you and BMW that got Just_me to take his controversial "M3 Sucks" stance?

How much are BMW paying him?

 

[LaArtist]

Check this out:

Is the BMW M3 Too Perfect? - Wheels - Autos - New York Times Blog

Hahahahaha ...

BMW cars just always get the attention & press exposure. Great news for BMW!

Even the mighty New York Times joined the party questioning E92 M3 nature. And what is very funny is that the author of the comment even haven't driven the car yet. Like we haven't - but our comments are (fortunately / unfortunately) not published on NYT webpage.

Basically he talks about other comments & articles. And wonder ...


Interesting. Everybody debates about E92 M3 these days. Almost no talk about C63 (usually only mentioned in M3 articles / comments).

Debate = maximum publicity.


Now I hope you understand why BMW do not practice special launch shows: because they get the publicity anyway. And some money is saved.

lol no wonder there is not as much talk about the C63..
the media loves to report BAD news

 

[PanterroR]

lol no wonder there is not as much talk about the C63..
the media loves to report BAD news

Preach, right on, word, amen, 'nuff said!